Thirty Years of the English Rose.

A week ago I celebrated my 30th birthday. And I've been a little surprised at how little I have been bothered about this fact. I've known many people to already hit this "landmark" birthday, with various responses - from none, to totally freaking out.

I'm not quite in the "none" camp, but I have become fairly reflective in the lead up, of the past decade and everything it had brought with it. I guess it's a way of closing the door on my 20's so I can fully embrace and confidently walk through the door to my 30's.

A lot has happened. My 20's was a jam-packed decade - the first part was full of parties, fun, travelling the world, living in numerous locations all over the world, thrill-seeking, risk taking, having the most amazing experiences and meeting some of my closest life-long friends.

The second half was a roller-coaster of changes as I met my future husband and relocated my entire life to the other side of the world. My mid-late twenties was certainly a a cycle of emotions as I jumped through the visa paperwork hoops, contracted in what feels a million jobs and came to terms with starting a new life. I also became ill and am still recovering over a year later - which has definitely taught me the true meaning of patience and how to slow down. 

Of course this second half also brought me my soulmate and our beautiful wedding, new adventures in a new country and new lifelong friends. How lucky am I?!

It's funny how life can turn out. What I've learnt from the last decade is that you life definitely surprises you, and rewards those who are brave enough to take risks, with delights that you never imagined were possible.

What am I looking forward to in the next decade? Whatever life throws at me. You never know what is going to happen, but I am hoping for new experiences, positive things and maintaining my health. I intend to live my life full of love for myself and everyone around me. I intend to retain perspective to ensure I have a good balance in all aspects of my live. And I intend to let go of the silly things that can get you down. All the things you can't change about your physical self, and improve all the things on my emotional self that still has the capacity to grow.

I'm not sure why turning 30 is a big deal, but I guess it just depends on where you are in life and how you view it. Ten years ago I'd never have thought my journey would take me here, and how happy I would be about everything that's happened - because it does all work out.

Much love to all my beautiful friends and family around the world who showed me all their love on this "landmark" day. It was awesome and I can't wait to share another ten years with you all in my life. xoxo

P.S - I'd also like to get another dog, so Winston can have a little brother, because he's just so cute:

Putting pen back to paper.

It’s been over a year since I last wrote to you all and since then, many things have happened. None of which I chose to write about. Every now and then some of my more eager readers occasionally ask why this is, and if I will ever write again. 

Well I hope this entry helps answer the latter as yes, I intend to write again. The truth is, despite having no experience or expertise in this area, I really enjoy writing as another creative output (one of many I tend to have - too many possibly!) And from some of the feedback I’ve received from friends and family around the world, it seems some of you enjoy reading about my experiences as well.

When I was back home last Christmas with my friends and family, it was the first Christmas I’d had at home in the four years I’ve now been living in Australia. Naturally, I took the opportunity to Skype with friends all across the world as the time difference was not as terrible as when I’m in Melbourne. And our conversation turned back to my blog, as my friend in the States was a keen reader of mine. It was when she asked me why I’d stopped writing that the realisation then dawned on me. I didn’t need to anymore.

That might sound strange to some of you, but for me, this blog was always intended to talk about my new life here in Australia. To give some insight into what it’s really like living here - the key differences between England and Australia. This included everything from the language, the culture, the people, the politics and of course the weather!

When you  move to the other side of the world, you need to make sense of all the new elements and you naturally compare them to what you know - which is how life is where you grew up. Writing this blog helped me to share my experiences with my loved ones at home, to help build the bridge in my mind between my two worlds. It was also an outlet for me to work through living in another country, to come to terms with having left everyone I knew and loved back in the UK and to help overcome my tremendous guilt I have always felt by leaving - and then not returning.

So I’ve come to this realisation of what this blog really was for me - which was my way of reaching out and to try and help forgive myself for moving to the other side of the world, in the pursuit of love and new opportunities which I could never have back in England. And now that I’ve lived here for four years, I feel like I don’t need that anymore. I’ve shared my highs and lows, the funny moments and the hardship of being homesick. I’ve accepted the fact that I finally am starting to feel like I belong, something that has literally taken years and a lot of trial error - and again a lot of laughter mixed with tears. I finally have a secure job that I enjoy, have made friends - hopefully friends for life and have made a home with my beautiful husband who has been nothing but supportive though my emotional journey here in Australia. Another truth of our situation is that both parties have plenty of guilt - just different kinds.

This doesn’t mean that I won’t be writing anymore, or I won’t be sharing any of my funny observations or political frustrations - I’m sure there will be many more to come -  particularly as I’m eligible for citizenship this year - it just means that my writing may take a different angle. There will be times when emotions run high and I might need to reach out once again but for the time being, I feel happy and settled in Melbourne and I’m very much looking forward to our future here and everything that has to bring - good and bad.

So I’ll wrap this up with a massive “thank you” to everyone that has supported me on this journey from all sides of the world - as you’ve read - it’s not been easy but it’s certainly getting easier. I’ve learnt along the way that 24 hours and 10.497 miles apart (my bestie worked that out!) - that's 16,893kms to all my Aussie readers! It’s only been through the love and support of my amazing friends and family across the UK, USA, Finland, Ireland & Spain and the same with my new family and friends in Australia that I’ve truly learnt the meaning of long distance and that time and distance doesn’t mean a thing, because true relationships are always with you in your heart.

On a side note: I don't believe in Valentines Day but my Finnish friend told me it's more of a friendship day there. So happy belated Valentines Day!

With love xoxo

Wedding reflections and jubilations.

Three months after my last post, I finally feel ready to sit down and write about the wedding.

Which is funny for a few reasons. Firstly, most of my regular readers enjoyed the day with us, having been an integral part in sharing our special and intimate day. Secondly, the opening sentence is not consistent with the 'wedding tone'. 

I think that this post is something that other brides can appreciate and understand. I kind of think that it's unavoidable in this day in age.

The wedding day itself was a surreal bubble of euphoric love, happiness, romance and intimacy. Never in my life did I ever think that those emotions and overwhelming feelings of euphoria existed, let alone would be experienced. I always assumed that it would be "the happiest day of our life" because that's what you are told by you're happily married friends, acquaintances, magazines, blogs etc. 

Although that description might seem more chick flick than reality, it is surprisingly true. The wedding day surprised me in so many ways, including my own emotional reactions to everything, everyone and how something so simple and traditional, is actually ingrained with meaning, commitment and emotion. All the cliches were there - the excited/nervous jitters, the room a blur with familiar and loving faces, the moment our eyes met and didn't move from each other and how everything, everyone disappeared as it became a moment just for us.

I realised that everything I had been worried about pre-wedding, I didn't even notice on the day. With reflection and hindsight, yes, but not on the day. Looking back at the wedding day was also surreal, as there is so much of the day you don't remember clearly or even experience. A lot of the wedding is for your guests to enjoy as being the main 'hosts', you don't actually have a lot of time to experience all the details, games and hard work that you have invested into making the day 'you' and 'special'. Funny that really.

I have come to realise that the wedding was a beautiful, amazing and life affirming if not slightly traumatic experience. The stress and pressure you put on yourself to make everything perfect and keep everyone happy is incredible, and it snowballs towards the wedding day, not away from it. I considered myself one of those 'carefree' bride-to-be's of which I can acknowledge now I certainly was more controlling than you like to admit about yourself. It certainly has taken reflection, review, time out and the start of a new chapter to admit that some parts of the wedding planning process, I handled quite badly.

It's a crazy situation really. I found the man I want to spend the rest of my life with, we planned a day that was going to be fun, full of awesome people, great food and beautiful backdrops. I just didn't feel that during the planning process it was going to be very 'me'. I became so invested in planning the wedding that I almost felt disconnected from it and it was like it was happening to someone else. No one can prepare you for the emotional roller-coaster that is getting engaged, planning a wedding, being a bride-to-be, being a hen, being the bride and then finally being a wife. There is no guidebook, no rules, and no amount of advice that will really hit home until afterwards. I found my perfect man, in an imperfect situation but we still make a perfect couple and it was still a stressful experience.

There is so much confusion and emotion in this process along with stress, anxiety and worry that romance doesn't seem to come into it. The amount of time and money and stress invested into this 'perfect day' seems crazy and we questioned many times whether it was going to be worth it.

Whether or not your pre-wedding experience is positive or not, if you are marrying for the right reasons, then the answer is a simple, "Yes. Of course".

Because again, this is true. 

In my previous post you may remember my anticipation of the moment I came down the stairs, into the ceremony, on the arm of my Dad to start the ceremony. 

The morning was frantic and disappeared so quickly. Nerves and excitement make you a bizarre person as no one can prep you for how you will feel this day. The moment that my beautiful girls and my Dad saw me in my dress was priceless. The jittery feeling of "its showtime"as the music starts and the girls are already walking gracefully and perfectly down the stairs.

The moment that my Dad takes my arm and we have an intimate and special moment between us, as he supports me emotionally and physically through the walking down the stairs. The moment I see all my girls in their beautiful dresses, holding their gorgeous homemade bouquets, eyes welling up, all big smiles that can't hide their love for me. The moment that makes me realise that I am physically shaking and welling up myself. The scan across the room to see a blur sea of smiling, happy, loving faces from around the world - a surreal experience where people you never thought would meet sit side by side, sharing in the glow - not being able to pick out one face from another, but knowing that you know and love them all.

That perfect moment where you're eyes meet his and they are magnetically locked into each others gaze. That moment you realise that the day is finally here, it is really happening and the rest of the world seems to disappear.

Follow this with the realisation of how much love there is for you both through the heartfelt and emotional readings from both siblings - everyone getting choked up and involved in the intimacy of that moment.

The moment where all these words are said and reciprocated and you didn't realise that these were your words as you're head is floating on a euphoric cloud that makes everything slightly hazy. The rings are on, the first married kiss and the moment he lifts you into the air as the most precious and loving gesture. Pure happiness and elation as the moment sinks in and we both raise our hands and cheer that the planning is over, we did it and to celebrate with our closest family and friends from around the world. 

The important thing to remember with wedding planning that it is never going to be perfect, and it shouldn't be. Life isn't. I'm sure that marriage isn't either. It is how you handle the situation that will effect how you feel about it. On the day itself, I was overwhelmed. With love of course. But also actually overwhelmed. An experience so strange in itself its hard to identify. But with love, logic and clarity it is important to ride the wave and enjoy it for what it is. With all my stress and worry - I realised that the day was actually the most perfect day for us. It was intimate, personal, special, fun, beautiful and we did all the things we wanted to and shared it with the most important people in our lives. The was very 'us' in every sense and everyone basked in our love because we were so open about it.

Have things changed? Do I feel like a wife?

Yes and Yes/No.

The truth is I have never had the "I'm a wife" moment, because I have felt committed to our relationship for a long time. We made the decision to make it work and we have. The marriage element felt inevitable at some point really. But emotionally, yes things have changed. Little indescribable things that won't make sense unless you have experienced it. The joys of being able to say "my husband" and to proudly call myself "a wife" - not very feminist but being a wife through choice makes a difference I think. I am happy to be a wife and a good wife and know that we have a long and happy life to share together.

And in case you were wondering, we did wake up the morning after, overlooking the sea in my hometown and did share an English Breakfast with two of our closet friends. We shared coffee and cake back at our reception venue to relax and reminisce  and caught up with everyone for more chocolate mudcake and to hear all the different wedding stories. We enjoyed an excellent degustation dinner as our first as husband and wife, and fell asleep in each others arms, exhausted but happy and ready to start the rest of our new life together.

Image by Rebecca Douglas Photography: www.rebeccadouglas.co.uk

To everyone that shared our experience in every form, we can't thank you enough for all your love and support.

Love always xoxo

An almost 2.5 year Australia Mythbusting Fictional Review with the English Rose.

The differences between Aussies and Poms:

Aussie	English
Doona	Duvet
No worries/mate	That’s ok
She’ll be alright	It’ll be ok
Struth!	Goodness!
Dag	Unfashionable/Goofy/Naff
Stubbie	Bottle of beer
Stubbie Cooler	Beer holder/cooler
Choof Off	Leave/Go
Outback	Desert
The Bush	Forest/Woods
“I could eat the arse out of a low flying duck”	“I’m really hungry”
Bottle-O	The Offie
Chips	Crisps
Hot Chips	Chips

Q- So, when we think of Australia here in the UK, we think about all the sharks and spiders and snakes..how do you cope with that?

ER – I live in a constant state of fear under my doona...Not really. To be honest, people are much more dangerous than all of these creatures. Especially if they are drunk. Even more so out in the bush. Red alert if the two are combined. Or silent rhinos. They are pretty dangerous too.

Q- But I thought all of these creatures thrived in hotter climates? Does this mean that Australia isn’t hot?

ER – Yes and No. I mean yes to the poisonous creatures thing and Yes and No to Australia being hot thing. It’s both. In different places at different times, or in the same place at the same time. Confused? Visit Melbourne in Spring or Autumn. A little known fact outside of Australia is that they have a ski season with mountains and snow and stuff like that. The concept of cold also differs in each state. In QLD below 25 degrees is cold. In Victoria it’s below 10 degrees.

Q- Do Aussies and Kiwi’s sound the same?

ER – Actually, no they don’t. Whilst I never used to be able to tell the difference, my ears are now finely tuned to heat the nasal twang of the Aussie accent, which is in stark contrast to the tinny Kiwi accent. No offence to either.

Quick-fire round.

Q-Everyone surfs?

ER – No. No they don’t. As stated previously, it’s not always hot. And not all places are sea water – aka the beach – and some of these aren’t even surfable as they are more like swimming bays. A safe haven for foreigners like myself.

Q-Everyone is tanned, buff with sandy blonde hair (like a surfer?)

ER – Yes, yes they are! Jokes. Unfortunately not. That would be nice wouldn’t it? Again, unless you live on the GC (Gold Coast) or live permanently on Bondi Beach then it’s just not true. A few exist, but the majority have jobs. Fast-fact – a large percentage (can’t remember what) of Aussies actually have a Vitamin D deficiency due to working in a n office all day and not laying naked in the sun. It can kill you here anyways.

Q-Yowzas. What about kangaroos?

ER –Well, they do exist. They just aren’t everywhere. At least they aren’t in the cities. You don’t see them crossing the street or catching the tram. You’re most likely to see them on the side of the road. Or in a zoo.

Q-And koalas?

ER – See above.

Q- Do people actually play didgeridoos?

ER – Buskers and in aboriginal shows generally. It’s not a widely practised art, unless its making money it seems.

Q- Can you through a boomerang?

ER – Of course! I don’t think it would come back though.

Q- What famous stuff have you seen in Australia?

ER – Erm, I saw a few famous bits when I was backpacking here such as the Great Barrier Reef and the Sydney Opera House. This time it’s been more of a ‘local’ trip. I can direct you to get a great coffee and tell you where the bus goes...however I have seen some ‘big stuff’ which is semi-famous in and around Oz:

·          Big Sphynx

·          Big Ayers Rock Petrol Station

·          Big Merino

·          Big Banana

·          Big Koala

There are many more.

But we are going to Ayers Rock next year for our 4 year anniversary!

Q-What about the ‘shrimp’ thing?

ER – You mean the ‘shrimp on the barbie’ thing?

Well, yes in QLD people do BBQ alot. It’s like an outside oven and much more sophisticated than in the UK. Funnily enough, coal barbeques are considered novel and retro. But shrimps here are not called shrimps. They are prawns. And they are usually huge by European standards. The UK ‘prawn’ is pretty much a tiny shrimp. Please note this image:

 

Q- Sooo..your shrimp is wearing an Aussie hat? Is that a myth too?

ER – Erm...pretty much. It’s another tourist lie. Although I did see 1 Aussie wearing one, once. So it can happen.

 

Q- What other tourist lies are there?

ER –That drop bears are dangerous. Haven’t heard of them? Google it.

Q-So what is the true Australia?

ER –Let me kick back and open a cold one before I get back to you.

Q-Well, that was insightful. Maybe I should see what it’s really like. Can I stay with you?

ER –No worries mate.

 

Other things to check out for more Aussie culture:

·          Australia’s Eurovision Performance

·          Skippy

·          Neighbours Set Tours.

·          When Opera visited Australia

·          When Ellen visited Australia

Career Crack

I recently saw this post on Facebook and it instantly alleviated some of my current worries.

5 months out from the wedding day and 5 ¾ months from my 28^th birthday, I’d have thought I had it all figured out. Learning from my mistakes in my teen years and “discovering myself” in my twenties. 30 is on the horizon along with becoming a wife, buying a house, owning a dog and rabbit (they will be friends) and hopefully having a family of my own.

Alas. As I evaluate my life on a Tuesday afternoon (I wrote this yesterday) on a rare, sunny autumn day in Melbourne, I realise that maybe I’m not quite there. Newly unemployed after escaping the clutches of yet another workplace destined to send me into an early grave. And I had subscribed t it along with everyone else.

Now that its only 4 months till we leave for the wedding and requiring 6 weeks off, it seems unlikely that a permanent job is on the immediate horizon. However, I’m tempted to believe that this could be a blessing in disguise.

We spend so long in the workplace with the retirement age seaming increasingly out of reach. Factor in university, some travel and a few years of family time and you are still looking at around 40 years working 38 hour weeks – unless you are fortunate enough not to have to.

Now this is obviously less than previous generations, however with the world being so career focussed, I am tempted to believe that with higher competition, expectations , working hours and responsibilities, that today’s working world has hit a peak in stressful working conditions. And it is not working out. With more people now than ever suffering from work-related stress issues including insomnia/sleep disorders, this is not a sustainable strategic plan for long-term growth.

Going back say 12 years when I was a kid, I used to think that the monotony of a 9-5 job was s routine, so typical, aka so conventional. I was extremely career focussed – set on getting my qualifications so I could go to uni to “better myself” and to enjoy the privilege of a “better life” with “higher pay” as it was sold to us prospective undergrads.

Little did I know that a ‘career job’ didn’t fit into this mould of a regular 9-5 job as I was avoiding, but in the worst way possible. Hello late nights, working from home, working weekends and whatever else to ‘prove myself’ in my career, my dedication to each and every role I took.

I could never predict how an industry that you give so much to can take even more back until it is taking things like your health and social life until you feel you have nothing left to give. Or even willingly give.

They say that your 20s is a period of uncertainty, self-discovery and getting to grips with your path in life. Well, I have definitely seen the uncertainty in the last few weeks – if not for many years. Being surprisingly unemployed after giving everything plus more until I ended up  with a sleep disorder psychologist. He is helping but miraculously my sleeping is much better without the anxiety of work.

I have learnt my boundaries in the workplace what I am prepared to give and compromise and what I am not.  Maybe this is what sealed the unemployment deal.

But most importantly I do feel that despite this hurdle I am on a healthier path in life. I have recognised that I have a self-sacrificing schema (Google it if it resonates with you – it could really help) which means I am destined to a decline in my own personal heath in order to benefit someone else. This has drawn me to the conclusion that the fundraising industry can never be an entirely good thing for me.

So, a time to reflect, back-track and to see what I really can do and achieve without all the monkeys, gorillas and other zoo animals on my back. I’d like to go back to my creative routes where I am truer to myself and I can dedicate my time to my health, my life, my future and our future life together.

In the meantime, maybe I should really go back to my routes and get a paper round.

Other updates:

The plant situation is going really well with a large number of reddening chillies and the mint going pretty crazy. The wedding prep is also going well – I think – with invitations to be posted in the next few weeks.  I am attempting to catch up on all the things that you never have time to do as well as getting a new job and wedding stuff.

I shall try to keep my updates more regular – it is one of my resolutions – so keep prodding me ok?

Much love xx

Politics, parties, plants and planning.

A very happy and belated New Year to everyone!

As a part of my NY obligations I have promised myself to actually dedicate some time to write and continue the blog after lots of lovely feedback that people actually missed reading it - which is always lovely to hear.

I am aiming for once a week - unless I have anything particularly exciting to report! If this doesn't happen - feel free to poke, wink, kick me or whatever it is you do these days.

So. I guess the title of the post says it all for me at the moment.

As you may or may not be aware of, my current role is particularly relevant in the Australian political space at the moment - working with asylum seekers and refugees.

So this first P is the Politics.

There was breaking news this week about a 'violent riot' on Manus Island (an offshore detention centre in Papua New Guinea of which Australia is responsible for - in theory) of which asylum seekers - seeking asylum in Australia - were responsible for starting.

The day after I spent the day editing voicemail audio clips from 2 asylum seekers calling directly from Manus Island to tell the organisation that the local PNG people broke into the detention centre with machetes and started attacking the asylum seekers.

Why you may ask?

Because just like Australia, PNG doesn't want them either. Except Australia has dumped all their responsibility and tax-payer dollars onto PNG.

Yesterday was a particularly sad day at work due to the then breaking news that 77 people had been seriously injured and 1 person actually died whilst seeking Australian protection.

Hearing the truth and information directly from the ground is particularly saddening as despite the truth being spoken by people on the island, the government has scared even the most Left-wing media into keeping neutral and not exposing the truth. Hello ABC.

So whilst as a nation we might complain that our cafe latte was supposed to be a flat white or that the pubic transport situation is dire - we must remember that at least we have the freedom to experience these 'atrocities'.

Anyway, work rant over.

The next P is more fun. Parties!

This is more in reference to organising my Hen's party with my 7 amazing bridesmaids and 1 amazing groomslady!

So - just quietly - I am quite excited. Not because I want to wear penis paraphernalia, drink shots from a necklace and pass out on a beach Ibiza style - but because it is a great opportunity to spend a few days with some of the most fabulous women on the planet.

Being so far away from most of you is not easy at the best of times - and definitely not whilst planning a wedding (Gave away the last P!). But I know that you will all pull together to 'send me off in style' or whatever that really means anyways.

It means a lot to me that anyone would even put the effort in to help us get all of this off the ground - let alone the enthusiasm and grace that has been put into sourcing all sorts of quality information.

On a completely separate and 3rd P - Plants.

This may surprise everyone that reads this that might know me fairly well - I am now a Green Thumb.

Not only of my own labelling but fully endorsed by the future Mr Murphy. (Jokes - he wouldn't change it!)

I am pleased to announce that I am now the proud grower of:

- Chilli's
- Gardenias
- Marigolds (from the seed - oh yeah!)
- Jasmine
- Variety of succulents (in case all the others actually die)
- Mint
- Basil
- Spinach (possibly on the deathbed)
- Coriander (def on the deathbed but hoping for a resurrection)

So as you can see around 85% of current growth is probably nor dying or dead.

And the jasmine plant pleases me greatly as this is the scent of Asia where my love and I fell in love. Ain't that cute.

I can keep you regularly updated on this progress as this could change.

Final P - you guessed it - Planning.

So, yes, The English Rose is getting married. Abroad. Or quite abroad from where she currently resides anyway.

Now we are in the swing of 2014 - so is the planning.

We have got the major things locked in which is good, still need to lock in some entertainment, decor, bridal party outfits, rings, food, drinks, music etc etc.

Apparently there are a lot of elements to a wedding.
But I think I had my 'bridezilla' stressy moments last year when we went back to visit the family and start the planning.

I have since calmed down and 'let go' a bit more as I have realised that planning from the other side of the world can be tricky. But having amazing family and friends back at home makes it a whole world easier.

So today I read through our ceremony details and options - which is actually quite a defining moment. The ceremony is an aspect that is often forgotten or overshadowed by all the frills and stuff you can have to make your wedding day even more special.

Reading the options and the words that we will actually say to each other is quite eye opening. It makes you imagine the moment that you say these vows to each other and makes it feel more real. It also brings a smile to your face when you imagine saying and hearing these words.

More importance needs to be emphasised on the ceremony as this is the defining moment where you become united and the legal recognition of the vows taken.

As I think about the year ahead it is an extremely exciting time. The year will go quickly, as every one does, but this year shall mark the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter - being a wife and becoming Mrs Currie.

I hope to enjoy every minute of it and not take it for granted.

Well I hope I have satisfied my hungry readers for now.

More on life in Melbourne, plant updates and hopefully less of the politics.

I shall leave you all with a few more P's in my life right now.

Muchos love as ever xoxox

Placebo, Parma, Parsnip Crisps, Papercut and Possums.

This is 27.

So the last 6 weeks have flown by. Must be a sign of getting older.

But to get you up-to-speed - the last post spoke of quitting on my 2nd day of which I have definitely come to realise that i have made the right decision. Hurrah!

I now hold the eagerly awaited 'Manager' status for community fundraising and events at a non-profit organisation that operates direct services to those seeking asylum in Australia. A hot topic indeed.

It is astounding actually how much of an issue this is over here. With the minimal amount of people trying to claim asylum in comparison to the rest of the world - it is a joke. But one with a punch-line that can kill people if they are deported back to their home country. Or die trying to get here.

It's funny because when I sit in our large lunch room downstairs amongst all the staff, volunteers and asylum seeker members it doesn't feel like anyone is a threat to me, my way of life, my beliefs or the country that I now live in. But yet this is a view that is so often taken over here.

The view of many is the same view of the sensationalist mass-media which reflects the view of the current Government. The same view that Today Tonight and A Current Affair are keen to portray to keep their ratings (tabliod-esque sensationalist 'news' programs). I have hope in the fact that if more of the public had access to more information and less opinion, then they might actually be able to form one on their own.

Australia really is a country that often struggles to keep up with the rest of the Western world - gay marriage anyone?

An amazing piece of work that has been recently released by my organisation is this incredible documentary below - it is not a piece of propaganda - but a very fair, funny and heart-warming account of how real people are trying to educate, challenge and change negative perceptions on those seeking asylum.
(And it also features Imogen Bailey, Goyte and Hunters & Collectors!)

This is The Hot Potato: A Road To Transformation (Trailer)

See the full video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zixigIrO23A&feature=share&list=PLIyLjb7qxaQWqnCF_C2N4bFwsHcE_AKew

Anyway, enough of my political opinions for now. Back to being 27.

So this is a big year for me as I shall be married by the time I turn 28. I can't help but feel that this is a big turning year - not only for myself, but for a lot of people.

It is getting to that time where things start to become serious - friends getting engaged, people having babies - all the stuff you know is going to happen at some point, but you still kinda feel too young for it to be happening.

I have found out very recently that an very old friend of mine (who lives in a totally different part of the world) has just given birth to a baby girl. I remember the days we used to bake cakes and sell them to the neighbours and  wash people's cars to make a bit of money. Before the days when even our siblings weren't babies as they hadn't been born yet.

And I found out that another close friend of mine is expecting next year - so by the time I come home, they will already have a 5 month old baby. Crazy!

All of this I guess is escalated by the fact that we are trying to plan the wedding from afar away from family and friends in the UK and away from family in Oz. To be honest, it kind of makes me homesick to think about home and try to plan the most wonderful day when we can't event pop into the venue to ask them a question - or we have to wait up at night for the UK opening hours to give anyone a call.

I can't help but feel that the experience of getting married is completely different to how I thought it would be - not that I ever really thought about weddings - just that I didn't realise it would be so emotionally draining.

The hardest part is feeling like I am missing out on sharing the experience with my nearest and dearest. The best part is now we are working in Melbourne, we can actually afford the wedding!

So I guess this is 27. The turning point in realising real-life, making commitments, understanding what you want and accepting what you can't have. I guess they also call this "being a grown-up".

Much loves to all - I miss you all greatly xxxxx

What it feels like to quit your job on the 2nd day...

Today, my day started how I imagined it would be in my new role - get up and get ready, jump on the tram and fight for a seat, read the Guardian on my phone and await the moment I can get into the office to make myself a cup of coffee and quit my job on my second day.

Backtrack to the day before and I had a good first day. Like most first days it was all about inductions, introductions and information overload! So nothing really new there. I was taken out for lunch, joked with my fellow English colleagues (there are a few of us here!) and looked forward to getting to grips with my new role and responsibilities.

So when I received a phone call at 5.20pm whilst I was awaiting the tram home offering me another position, I had a dilemma on my hands.

Whilst for most people this might not seem to be too much of an issue, for me it felt bittersweet. Bittersweet because my colleagues were so lovely, they were genuinely happy to have me there, the working conditions were great and the pay was marginally better. So why leave?

Because the new position is a permanent managerial role for start. But mainly because the cause makes my blood boil at the injustice of the system here in Australia. Because it is an excellent opportunity to build and grow the fundraising team and implement my own campaigns and fundraising events.

But I felt so bad when I arrived at 8.30am and saw the look of surprise on my colleagues face at 8.35am when I told him the news and had to wait my our manager and the HR manager to arrive to further spread this news. They were very gracious about the episode, making me feel at ease with my decision and trying to make sure that I stopped apologising!

It is a real shame as I felt that I would have got along well within the team, but this other opportunity is one that I need to challenge myself and to really strive towards greatness to make the maximum impact and to actually change people's lives.

All the services are run on-site which is an excellent motivation to achieve all the goals that need to be met and to really make this position my own.

So now that I am back at home at 10.30am I shall give myself the day off from my 1 day at work.

A cup of tea, slice of chocolate peanut butter birthday cake and a crafty afternoon should ease my mind!

A big thank you to everyone who sent me birthday love via email, facebook, texts, birthday calls and Skypes, cards and pressies - it is great to know that I have the love and support of so many around me :)

I had a lovely day which began with a chocolate caramel slice in the shape of a 27 for birthday breakfast, opened some lovely gifts, had the flat decorated in balloons and streamers, had my favourite birthday Pho in Richmond and went to see the musical King Kong at the Regents Theatre which had its world premiere in Melbourne.

Check it out here:

http://kingkongliveonstage.com/

If it ever does travel the world - go and see it - its very technical and amazing - sexy and scary all in one!

And at the weekend I had a great time as Eloise and David made me a chocolate peanut butter birthday cake and bought me beautiful roses! We watched the AFL Grand Final (a religion down here) and headed out for delicious drinks and cocktails in Fitzroy with Brant and Ali (Ali is featured in my world travel blog as we became friends in Buenos Aires and she lives in Melbourne!).

And we had a great chance to catch up with Debs and Joel - good friends with the lovely Sarah and Macca and I met them at their Thailand wedding in 2011 - also featured in my travel blog.

So thank you to everyone - I have been spoilt yet again this year!

I shall keep you all updated with my other new job on Monday.

Have a great week to all, much loves as ever xxx