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

A beginners guide to Hot Bikram Yoga.

So, it's February, a New Year and time for a 'new you' right?

We all know that New Years Resos flop pretty quickly, as all of our good intentions fade away into the distant memory with the Australia Day Hangover (unless you're in the UK then it fades into a sea of warm cakes and Christmas leftovers).

Jan 17th is even the official "ditch new years resolutions day" - not even my cynicism thought of that one.

I have come to the conclusion - maybe a controversial one - that I HATE RUNNING. I like to run when I am fit enough, but I don't want to train and hate the pain of getting there. Life's too short right? So cue something soft and gentle, like yoga.

As cynical as some of these 'trendy' things seem somethings, yoga's been around for longer than donkeys and less than dinosaurs. So it's pretty "up there" with credibility. Paltro not included. But it goes to show that somethings might be worth sticking a limb out for.

Cue: Bikram Hot Yoga.

So first things first, this isn't a shameless plug, because I have no vested interest. I just picked a place that was cheap and happened to be near work, as I had been off the yoga-band-wagon and replaced it with the boot-camp-bandwagon pre-wedding. My previous fitness had definitely taken a decline, shall we say, so it's pretty much back to base camp 1 with me.

After a few weeks of going once or twice a week - I have been surprised at how quick it is to pick up and to recover.

Once you get over the "oh my god I think I might die" kind of idea, things really do get much easier from there.

Ps - I cannot claim to know anything about the different types of yoga, the posts, the benefits etc. To be honest, it all kinda looks the same and feels pretty crazy in 40 degree heat anyway.

So a few things you need to know (and maybe do) about Hot Yoga:

• It's hot. Crazy hot if you're not used to it. You might feel self conscious but you want to wear as little as humanly possible. Trust me, when you see the rivers running down your face, you're not gonna care what you look like.(just wear a sports bra and shorts sporty shorts for flexibility)
• Bring multiple towels. One to sweat on, a small one for your face and one for the shower. Sounds gross right? It's actually awesome.
• Freeze your water. It's 40 degrees, you need to drink a couple of litres before class, but you'll sweat it all out again. You will drink at least 1.5-2L of water during/after the class - so freeze it, it'll melt during class and stay nice and cool for when you really need it.
• Take off your makeup. It's not staying on anyway.
• Take a plastic bag. You'll be thankful that you're bag doesn't stink of your own sweat. Because trust me, your sweat ain't smelling sweet.
• Wear loose fitting clothes for after class - or wear them to class. Ever tried to wrangle into damp/tumble dried jeans when you're hot and sticky? It's not a pretty sight.
• Breathe only through your nose throughout the entire session unless told otherwise. It'll keep you calm when you think you can't breathe, and will actually help cool you down quicker.
• Move as little as possible during the class, ie - no fidgeting! This will only make you warmer.
• Have faith that you can do it, but only within your bodys means. Fight your mind, but if you're feeling pain - take a break.

Then go into the class with a clear mind and don't beat yourself up if you 'can't do it' or 'can't switch off'. You're there, you've made it, give yourself a break and enjoy the benefits.

I hope that many more people can enjoy the actual joy of yoga and give up the idea that there's "no pain = no gain".

Much loves xoxo