If not now, then when?

I sit here on Christmas Day night, in a warm and cosy manor (Ardmarnoch) nestled away in the Scottish hill. As I gaze out the window I am swept away by the views. Any minute, Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle Duck will come wandering past the window. In the distance are rolling hills and a Loch, that's picturesque. I sit here with a belly full of Christmas tucker, the roast lunch making more sense in the Winter weather.

My time in Scotland has been relaxing and star studded! As I boarded the plane to Glasgow I was excited to see none other than Ben Mumford (whoop whoop). The,n getting my luggage off the carousel was proving difficult, nek minit someone reached in and got my bag for me. As I turned around to say thank you who do I see standing before me, bag in hand? TOM HARDY!!! Gargh, took everything I had to control my excitment. With a grin on my face I said "thanks Tom" then watched him sulter off into the distance.

The place I stayed in Glasgow, The Victorian House, was excellent. For 52 quid (sorry no quid sign on my lapppy) I got two nights accommodation in the warmed, most comfy bed I've slept in for quite some time, a full Scottish breakfast, and asked out on a date by the concierge. I politely turned him down and made the most of the rest days I had. I ventured out to the cinema and watched J R R Tolkein's The Hobbit, it did the trick of putting me to sleep for a while.

From there I boarded the train to Dumbarton, must have looked so so silly. I had my pack on, back pack strapped to my front carry bag and sling... (Loser) From there I met up with friends Maree and Hugh in Greenoch or somewhere, boarded a ferry and made my way to 'Christmas Venue' (after a huge day of shopping, 18 supermarkets and other speciality stores (not really but a few))

It was dark when I arrived (surprise surprise) and I was ready for an early nights. The next few days were spent preparing for Christmas and enjoying the tranquillity.

Things I saw-
-Dumb ladies who should not have been driving  (idiots)
-12,000 shaggy sheep
- Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Donna and Blitzen prepare for Christmas Eve
- Lochs, as far as the eye can see
-Way too much Christmas tucker.

I had the best Christmas possible away from my loved ones. Santa even found me which was very exciting!!! Couldn't have imagined a better way to spend my first Christmas abroad!

Thank you to Maree, Hugh, Maggie and Joanna for sharing your Christmas with me! You made me feel right at home and I enjoyed EVERY minute with you.

Think I consumed 12 times my body weight in food. Did you know Bulmers is sold in 1 litre bottles over here ?!?

A song that's been haunting me this Christmas is Wham's Last Christmas... GARGH...

Few more days until I head to Edinburgh for Hogmanay woo hoo.

And I think that I'm suffering from jet lag :/

And now I walk... Into the wild

Wowee, what a whirlwind few days. Last Monday I broke my elbow in a leapfrog incident (rather nasty but ridiculously funny) and finished work on Tuesday. Since then I have been trying to put my affairs in order in preparation to come.. Not sure I quite finished but oh well.

The flight was good. The first 14 hours to Abu Dhabi was a breeze thanks to some sleeping pills the doctor gave me. I have a brief 45 minute stopover there, which was not even long enough to brush my teeth! (EW) before boarding the connecting flight for the final 7 hours to London Heathrow.

Have been here for a couple of hours now! (long enough for a pint) and am about to head to a Mumford and  Sons concert at the O2, Olympic Arena.. Bring on my first tube ride! It was dark here by 5 but that was kinda cool, and it's a little bit chilly but not too bad, will go and buy a decent pair of shoes tomorrow!

Tomorrow is my first agency interview so will hopefully have a job soon. The house hunt continues! Anywho, I have to pee, will talk soon.

Ps Thanks to everyone who wrote in my book, loved reading it on the plane, think I laughed, cried and snorted! Will try and share some of those notes soon too along with some pictures!!

Enjoy your summer!

xoxo

"If you want something in this life, reach out and grab it."

Much has happened since my last post. Flights were purchased from my dear friend and travel agent extraordinaire Rachelle Hull at Flight Centre in Central Square Ballarat. I will be flying Etihad, should be fun.

 I leave on Monday December 17 and arrive in London on the 18th after a short stop over in Abu Dhabi. I have a few busy days planned in London before heading to Scotland to spend Christmas with a lovely friend from work. I am hoping for my first white Christmas. I am very excited about this. I then will head to Edinburgh, Scotland for their Hogmanay celebrations.

Will update you on this when it happens :D

Things are starting to become more real. I leave in just over a week. I have taught my last class in Australia for a little while. My desk is becoming empty and two years worth of "important documents" are being recycled far too easily for my liking.

People keep asking if I'm ready and I have to ask the question of ready how. Have I packed? No. Have I said goodbye to all those I hold dear? No. Guess you can sat I am putting that off. But am I ready to open my eyes to a world of adventure, new friends, challenges and living? Absofrickingloutely.

I don't think there is anything more daunting than the prospect of packing. A girl with so much stuff. Taking such a little bag... YIKES.. But it's all good. My dreams of travel are much bigger than any of the "stuff' that I have. Bring it on.

 I am overwhelmed with the messages of support and well-wishes from my colleagues, friends and family. Best wish me luck about not bursting in to tears...

This is beginning to feel real

Next time on Anna's Blog: London my first few days

"So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun."
— Christopher McCandless

The Beginning

So this is really happening. 12 months leave has been granted, parentals have been told and the preparation has begun. I have started reading the Lonely Planet guide purchsed from Amazon.com. What an interesting read... I also purchased the First times Guide to Europe at the same time and found this to be an interesting an informative read and a third as thick which was awesome. There are so many questions going through my head about thisn journey and time seems to be moving so quickly. I am sure December 17 (proposed leaving date) will be here in no time.

 I have started looking into flights, but my travel liason at student flights( I know I am not a student, but I am under 26 which still counts woo hoo!!) has recommended that i get in contact with her in about two months about purchasing tickets for flights. Something that I have learnt which is a tad disappointing is the fact that you can no longer buy an open ended return flight. This means that I'll either have to book a one-wayer, which to me isn't ideal just in case I get stuck and need to get home, or purchase a return with a return date tentatively booked, this is probably the option I'll go.

I have begun researching festivals and other cutural things and things that "aren't to be missed in the UK as well as places to avoid. I am scouring the minds of friends and family who have already lived this experience about what to do, what to see, where to go and where to stay. This year I am hoping for a white Christmas- but have come to the realisation that I may not see another Summer for possibly 18 month ick.. I have decided to learn French to really make the most of this cultural experience. I have had feedback about France being quite expensive, but this really is a place where I'd like to spend some time.

As a teacher, first time is quickly coming to a close, with only 35 days until I fly out to Thailand. This will be one of the longest flights I have experienced so far which could make the 23 hours to London a bit hellish.. I have made contact with SANZA, a teaching agency based in the UK, feedback I have recieved about them has been great. A good friend told me to go through one agency in Australia until you get there and then if you want to join up with more, do this later on.. Great advice if you ask me.. Thanks Micka.

Stay tuned for more progress, posts will become more frequent as things happen :) and as Confucious says "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

Lonely Planet available from: http://www.amazon.com/Lonely-Planet-Europe-Shoestring-Travel/dp/1741796768/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1330563114&sr=8-5
First timers guide to Europe available from: http://www.amazon.com/First-Time-Europe-Rough-Guide-Special/dp/1858285739/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330563214&sr=1-2
At this stage flights will be purchased through: http://www.studentflights.com.au/
The details for SANZA can be found at: http://www.sanzateaching.com/?s=candidatesearch