Thanks and enjoy.

In August 2000, I met an aussie on a chat program called Paltalk. His nickname was Brutus and mine was AngelFireWithWings. That particular night, I was "flying" in and out of rooms, just being nosey, when I came across an aussie talking on the mic. I noticed he wasn't paying any attention to the fact the others in the room were running him down and making fun of him in text. I private messaged him and brought it to his attention. I offered to take him away from there, and into a room I created.
At the time, he was not married, nor was in a relationship. I , on the other hand was married and had my two kids living with me. My marriage was going down the drain because of the problems being caused by my 13 year old son who had adhd, along with alot of other mental problems.

We were chatting every time we had a chance. After a few months, we decided we wanted to meet in person. I knew I could not go overseas as a married woman, therefore I filed for divorce. If I had thought things would have worked out with my husband, I never would have agreed to go. Anyways, I got my divorce and he wired the money for our plane tickets to my bank and I turned around and purchased the tickets. My 18 year old daughter who had CP and was in a wheelchair, was due to graduate in 2001 and didn't want to make the trip overseas. She talked it over with her grandma, my mom, and decided to stay with her. So, Dec. 28th, 2000, my son and I said our goodbyes and boarded a plane to Australia.

We landed in Adelaide SA on Dec. 28th (huge time difference, we went ahead in time). I knew him the minute I laid eyes on him from a distance. When I got to him, I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him. My heart was so full of love for him!

We loaded our bags into his car and went to Hungry Jacks and ate burgers.
About a month went by and he asked me to marry him while we were taking a swim in the ocean. Of course I said yes. The visas we had were only good for 3 months so we went to the immigration department and filled out papers for perm residency.

As long as my application was under review, I was allowed to stay in Australia.
Things didn't work out as well for my son. He was having huge problems in school and adjusting to the new culture. He was not getting along with Brutus either. So, he decided when his visa was up March 28th he wanted to go back to the states and live with his father in Illinois. When March 28th came around, I said goodbye to my son, and it was the hardest thing I've ever done besides leaving my family back in the states.
Things unfortunately did not get any better after my son left. Brutus was a very arrogant, impatient man who didn't get along with anyone, including me and his dog. He would have fits of rage and throw things over his back fence into the neighbors yard. Each day it seemed he was angry over something and really there was nothing to be upset over. I tolerated his verbal abuse because I loved him no matter what. After awhile, I put on 30 lbs and he got really nasty. He called me the most degrading, humiliating names he could think of. I felt so bad about myself, I hung my head when I went in public. I never said anything to him when he also gained 30lbs. I guess I was different, I loved him "unconditionally" , I thought in the beginning that is the kind of love he had for me too. I was wrong. Things got so bad, I finally said enough! I talked to my mom on the computer and she wired me the money for a plane ticket home. Brutus had promised in the beginning he would if anything went wrong with us, but he went back on his word. Before my departure back home on April 28th 2002, Brutus got to drinking and I caught him talking to another woman on the computer and I asked him if he could wait to do that until I was gone. He got smug about it and it upset me, so I attempted to slam the door to the computer room he was in. That made him very angry and he came after me. When he caught me, he raised his fist and hit me twice in the face, and asked me with his fist drawn again, " have you ever had a broken nose?" I cowered and said no. He left me alone after that. That happened on a Sunday and I got on the plane to come home that following Tuesday.

When my brother came to pick me up at St. Louis airport, he saw a bruised, humiliated, hurting sister.

To this day, I find myself crying over it all. I have pictures we took of him, the house, the ocean & the dogs on my walls. I don't know if he will ever divorce me. I feel it is his fault I am back here, he can pay for his own divorce cause he'll never get one from me.
I got a email from a neighbor back there, and she told me, they all felt sorry for me because they could hear him yelling at me and calling me horrible names.
I know all aussie men are not like this, or at least I hope not. It is a lesson to be learned I guess. Things are never like they appear.
I do not regret going over there. Australia is a awesome country to see.
I spent a total of 16 months there, and I loved it. So, I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. And stupid me? I still love him.

Jan. 2005 Update
I have gotten on with my life and have made many changes. I have never heard from Brutus and I have finally taken the pictures off the wall and I no longer cry. After two years, I have finally put him and Australia behind me! I do not regret my trip to Australia, nor do I even regret my marriage to Brutus because I really loved him. What's life without experiences? Plus, I did visit a paradise I had only dreamed of. As far as Brutus goes, I wish him no ill will, because he is his own worst enemy.
I still have a friend who is international, but I think it will stay over the computer. :)
I am enjoying life, and am in the process of a major overhaul on myself and I will feel like I did when I was in my early 20's!! If he could have waited, he could of had it with me, but he couldn't stop being mean and degrading me, so eventually I hope someone else will be able to enjoy what he turned down. :)

UPDATE October 2005: I have done something about my self image, I had a gastric bypass done to stop the weight gain and whatever was causing it, on June 14 of this year. As of to date, I have lost almost 105lbs!! I do have a new lease on life! I am very happy being with my family and am in no hurry to have another man in my life, it's too peaceful right now :)
I am 100% over Brutus and it feels great!!! We are working now on finalizing this separation with a divorce. Will keep you posted :)