Moving back to Australia

The last few weeks have been very testing you could say. I feel like I have done a years’ worth of events in a mere few weeks. I had to packed up my last two years in London. That alone was emotional enough. Not to mention the break up. It was by far the strangest break up that I’ve ever had. I had been in London for two years and don’t get me wrong it was fabulous, the travelling the experience alone was something that I would never change. But the feeling of never coming back to Australia was starting to take over. I was getting over the cold and not being able to feel the warmth of the sun on my face. I would have never thought, but the change of weather really effects peoples moods. Maybe that's why they call them the winging poms! Getting up early and leaving the house while it was still dark coming home at the end of the day on the socially awkward tube. I was starting to loose my essence.

So one night Joe and I went out for dinner we had drunken a bottle of Multipuciano between us and still to this day I believe that when you’re drunk the truth comes out. I had told him that I can’t extend my visa and if he didn’t want to come back to Australia with me that I was going anyway. At the time I thought it was a bit harsh how it came across. But when I woke up the next morning and felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders I knew I had made the right decision. It was hard saying goodbye to Joe who I consider to be one of the loves of my life’s. I say one because my family is the other and that was one that I would have to give up if I decided to permantly live in the UK. I had handed in my resignation the next day and from that day the dreaded four weeks started. It was horrible to say at the least. I had to live with Joe knowing that in four weeks we would realistically never see each other again. The worst part of it all is that we didn’t fight at all. We would just go on like everything was normal and occasionally we would look at each other and get really upset.

You see as much as I loved Joe, I became too reliant on him, financially and emotionally. My life in London was exhausting at times and when I made great friends they would move back to their countries and that would really upset me. I am a really social person, I love being surrounded by people. I hate not being able to come home to someone at the end of the day and tell them about my day. The feeling of being unsettled really got to me after a while. I was depressed and I would take it out on Joe. This made me feel guilty for fighting with Joe and made me resent him at the same time. It wasn't fair on him at all, I was becoming controlling and I hate that. I could feel myself holding onto everything negative that would happen to me. For me that is the worse thing that could happen. Sometimes things don’t get any better unless you make them better. When you're in that state of mind it's hard to leave that vicious circle.

When I left the Uk for the first couple of weeks I felt horrible. I felt like maybe I had made the worst decision of my life. Everything back home hadn’t changed a bit. The people that I was friends with before I left were still talking about the same rubbish gossip as before I left. People seemed to be a lot more narrow minded than I remembered. My family were great but even still with them around 24/7 checking up on me I felt like I was suffocating. I then made the decision to move to Brisbane (about an hour north from the Gold Coast). It’s my second week here and everything seems to be falling into place. I feel like I have my independence back after two years of living without it.

Finally I feel like I am gaining some of my essence back x

in the mean time here are the things that are making me smile for now

My new nightly visitor

The view from the office I work in

Kanga Bangas- one of the many things that makes me think- I have to send this to Joe!

Paris when it sizzles!

When I was growing up I remember watching movies about Paris and thinking I would never probably get to see the Eiffel tower in person. It is one of those things when you are from Australia it seams so far away. I was lucky enough to visit paris this year with my sister. To be honest I built up Paris so much that I was disappointed when I first arrived. I thought it would be magical and romantic, when realistically it was dirty and the metro smelled of urine.

Once I had gotten over the fact that Paris wasn’t what I thought it would be I finally opened my eyes and appreciated it for what it was. Grimy and beautiful in it’s own way. You have to admire the French. They are rude and will not speak English to you until you at least attempt to speak French to them. I had to admit my French was terrible, but it didn’t matter because after a few red wines I could speak to anyone!

My favourite thing about paris were the late night walks that Elena and I did. After a full day of shopping and sight seeing we were exhausted. So we would often go back to the hotel and have a rest. By the time we woke we were hungry. Not because we haven’t eaten anything all day- but because we were hungry to try new cuisines! So after our nightly lavish meal we walked up the famous scène river. It was close to mid night and I have to say Paris is most beautiful at night. It is the city of lights indeed!

After a week in paris my friend, boyfriend, flatmate and his girlfriend had arrived for the weekend. The first night we went out for dinner for a  extravagant  traditional French meal. Three of the group were vegetarian so it was fun to watch them order the onion soup followed by pasta. While us three meat eaters indulged in Foie gras and a beautifully cooked steak with potato dauphinoise, who missed out there!

I will never forget my week in Paris. Until then I will dream about going back and midnight walking down the famous scène.

My love <3

The gang

Moulin Rouge

Champs elysees

Avenue des Champs Elysees

Food market Cambronne

Family love

So it’s been a while since I’ve checked in. I guess it all comes down to me being stuck in a bit of a rut. I’m sure it happens to most people when the weather changes and you get into hibernation mode. London is an amazing city to live in. But coming from sunny Australia the cold gets to you after a while.

My mood has been lifted due to a visit from my favourite sister from Aus. She brought her positive attitude with her along with her smiles and a home made Christmas cake from mumzy. I automatically feel more motivated to get out there and see more of the city. She has been here for a week and I already feel like I am a tourist again. Exploring different parts of the city and getting to know London all over again. Here are a few photos of our recent adventures.

Sisterly love <3

China town adventures

Our christmas presents... getting a little excited!

My fav x

A day at the Zoo

This weekend was all about reliving the past and returning back to out childhood. It was Joe’s best friend’s birthday and we all decided to have a games weekend. We kicked off our weekend starting with a few ciders and a very competitive game of Cranium. I suddenly remembered how competitive I get whilst ‘winning’ cranium.

On the Saturday it was one of the hottest days we’ve had in London since I’ve moved here- so what do you do on the hottest day of the year you go to the Zoo obviously. I can’t believe how excited I got to see the Giraffes. It just goes to show no matter how old you get your never to old for the zoo (or face painting).

Earlier that day.....

Later that day......

Animals!!

(Too old for face paint- I think not!)

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend and made the most of the fabulous weather!

 

50 Shades of obsessions

So I’m sure everyone’s sick of hearing about 50 Shades of grey BUT, I’m just going to throw it out there, I’m obsessed!!!! The girls at the office are running around like little hens, excited to swap sexy stories and their favourite parts. What I love about this book is that I’m 22 and I can relate to a 40 year old about it. YES it’s badly written, as my jealous boyfriend points out over and over. But it’s a twilight fan fiction; it was never going to be Hemingway!

Sure the fact that it’s about a 20 something billionaire who is overprotective manipulative and ridiculously handsome man. I lost my point!

I think this book is a great thing for guys and I’ll tell you why:

1. Girl reads book
2. Girl starts to wonder what it would be like if she implemented some of the red room activitys in her relationship.
3. Guy is shocked and is happy with the change of direction!

I have a single gal friend who tells me she feels sorry for me because I’m in a relationship and therefore she still has hope of finding a man like Christian Grey. Well to all the single ladies out there searching for their Mr Grey Good luck!

The closing of London 2012!

For the last year living in London has been absolutely amazing. With the Queens diamond Jubilee and the build up for the Olympics, London was the place to be. The month leading up to the Olympics I remember having a conversation with Joe about the mixed emotions felt about the Olympics being held in London. I wasn’t happy about my journey to work being disrupted (what with it taking 40mins already!). Taking the post out had become impossible with all of the new arrivals walking around taking photos of all of those letterboxes.

I have to say once the games had officially started I was hooked and my attitude had completely changed. I loved the energy at work- everyone had something to say about the latest event that was on. I funnily enough found myself getting addicted to sports that I had no idea about. I found it so inspiring to see these fit people who train for years every day to represent their country to the best of their ability. I became very patriotic supporting Australia, and getting very competitive with co-workers about who was better, the Brits or the Aussies. Obviously it was Australia’s year for winning Gold!

Joe had surprised me with tickets to go to the closing ceremony at Hyde Park, Blur (one of his favourite bands were playing for the last time). I unfortunately didn’t get to go to any of the sporting events for the Olympics but I truly felt apart of this country at the closing ceremony. I loved standing with thousands of people singing along to the songs that meant so much to them as a country.

Ten things that have made me smile this week

So I came across this great blog about things that make you smile, finding this website made me smile! So I thought I’d share ten things this past week that made me smile :)

1. Waking up to beautiful (non wearing coat weather)catching the bus to work and indulging in my two guilty pleasures (50 shades of grey and frosties)

2.  Making almond toffee on the weekend

3. Watching Usain Bolt win the gold!

4. Having a cosy night in with Joe and watching the Lorax J

5. Watching Sopranos with Joey

6. Having a work buddy bring me lovely books and muffins to brighten up my day! Thanks Gabby! x

7. Witnessing how competitive men can get whilst playing Fifa

8. Learning something new. This weekend I started working at a florist shop, I wanted to learn something new and decided to just do it!



9.  Having the best bubble bath in the world! I don’t usually have baths at all but this time I went all out with bath salts, bubble bath, bath milk and scented candles.

10. Having the motivation to go to the gym. I joined a Gym last month and to my surprise I actually make use of it. I’ve been making myself go at least three times week and it’s paying off big time!