I am not. From the moment I decided to embark on this journey I knew that I would be successful. It wouldn't matter if I lasted three weeks, three months or even three years, I would still have succeeded. I tried without fear of failing and that is success enough.
I have had an amazing time so far. At times it's been challenging, but the personal growth I've accomplished has made me see just how much I can achieve. Over the last week I've had a list of six questions, I am going to try and answer them for you now.
1. What do I absolutely love in life?
This wasn't a difficult question. I am a girl that wears my heart on my sleeve. I hate drama and I hate bullshit, if I have an issue I will tell you. It is therefore relatively easy for me to make a list of things that I love. First and foremost, the thing I can't live without. Family. Family is anybody close to you so this extends to all my dear friends, old and new, too. Back in Australia, I never wore the latest fashions or carried the most expensive handbag, but I did like to have things. Over here, I have learnt that much more can be gained from experiences. I love that while I am here I can do the things I love, teach people, live through music and sport. Being here has reinforced some feelings that I was having back in Australia, I love teaching kids, but hate ( hate is such a strong word...), everything else that comes with it. I am excited about the changes to come. Music. I describe my life as a Broadway show. I say I don't like drama, but it always seems to follow me, but luckily enough, there is always a song that is relevant and suitable that I am singing. No one will ever stop me singing.2. What are my greatest accomplishments in life so far?
This one is subjective. I will say though, that I am proud of myself. There, I said it! Why shouldn't I be able to say that though? I have overcome tremendous adversity to make my mark on the world. Everything that has happened to me has helped me to become the person I am. I like who I am. Greatest accomplishments, finishing high school after the suicide of my brother is one. The Grief. The loss has become significantly less traumatising over time and I accept Alex's suicide as a fact of my life. There are still days that are really hard, but I know that because I survived that, I can survive anything. Other great accomplishments include being the first person in my immediate family to graduate from University. My first real job. Most recently, it's having the guts to jump on a plane and live in a city on the other side of the world.
3. What would I stand for if I knew no one would judge me?
I am not really afraid of the judgements of others'. I stand up for what I believe in and I don't mind if I stand alone. I am lucky, I have brilliant friends and family who will usually stand beside me. I would like to see greater equality in this world.4. If my life had absolutely no limits and I could have it all and do whatever I wanted, what would I choose to have and what would I choose to do?
My life has no limits. Well, perhaps some financial restraints, but that adds to the excitement of it. I am already doing what I want to do. I know who I am, what I want, who I want to be and what I need in order to achieve it all. I am not scared about taking risks, or failing, so that helps. I am doing what I want.5. What would I do if I had one billion dollars?
Nothing in nature is superfluous. I don't need money to be truly happy, and while we all dream about being frivolous, I'd be quite content sailing off into the sunset with nothing but a great collection of books, possibly some great company and the simplicities of life. Being over here has made me realise that even more. I don't need stuff or things. There are many people that could make better use of that one billion dollars.6. Who do I admire most in the world?
This question is a little more difficult. My mum is an incredible woman. I look up to her, and hope that I am making her proud. Everything she has done for me has not gone unappreciated. I can't wait to one day return the favour. I wouldn't be the woman I am today without the support of friends and family so thanks again to them all. Christopher McCandless aka Alexander Supertramp. His journey was in part, what inspired me to do mine. He has so many amazing quotes and I am going to borrow some.“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.”
“If you want something in this life, reach out and grab it.”
“Don´t hesitate or allow yourself to make excuses. Just get out and do it. Just get out and do it. You will be very, very glad that you did.”
"I've decided I'm going to live this life for some time to come. The freedom and simple beauty is just too good to pass up.”
and finally...
“Happiness only real when shared.”
I don't think they need any explanation, but they are the principles that I have been living my life by since I began my journey 6 months ago. Don't worry though guys, I don't plan on dying in an old bus.
Obviously there are many people that I admire, but the last one I am going to mention is a kid from home. I met this young man a few years ago, just after he started his own journey. He's made me cry, made me laugh more often, I've worried about him, prayed for him, encouraged him, supported him. Because of him, I challenge myself to live everyday, because you really don't know when your last day is going to arrive. If he can smile going through what he's been through then I certainly can. So thank you, you know who you are. To his beautiful mum and sister, you are two amazing women with big hearts.
Next, my life has changed so much in the last 6 months and there are many more changes to come. This week I handed my resignation in from my teaching job back in Australia. It was with mixed emotion, but following Chris's advice “If you want something in this life, reach out and grab it.” That's what I am doing. I've had some tough decisions to make in the last 6 months, but I have made them and am excited about the possibilities. A week after arriving in the UK I received an email from RMIT University in Melbourne. It came as a bit of a shock. With the support from my cousin I applied for a Uni course in the final week of lodgement back in July, I guess I never really expected to hear back from them, and with the excitement of moving to the other side of the world, I forgot. The email was acceptance into a university course of my dreams, something that I thought was so far out of reach, especially 7 years after finishing high school. But they wanted me. I deferred the course for 2013, but if all goes to plan, I will start studying next year. I am going back to Uni, five years, it will be hard, but I am excited. I really can do anything. I send my heartfelt thanks to everyone back at Highview for the love and support you've given me. I don't think I will every truly walk away from that place, but the gains I've made from them are indescribable.
Thank you to everyone for their continued love and support on my adventure, you believing in me has helped me to believe in myself. I love the postcards, letter, care packaged, emails, tweets, inboxes, snapchats, vibers, Skypes, whatsaps, everything!
Make everyday better than yesterday, may the best of your todays be the worst of your tomorrows. Keep your head up, keep your heart strong. Don’t you cry for the lost. Smile for the living. Get what you need and give what you’re given. Life’s for the living so live it or you’re better off dead.
Things I've done:
Travel alone
Moved to London
Been a tourist in London
Called London home
Kissed a boy under the Harrods Christmas lights
Been drunk on the tube (few times)
Got lost
Stonehenge
Visited Bath
Christmas in Scotland
Hogmany Scotland
Spontaneous trip to Croatia
ANZAC Day in Turkey
Ridden a camel in Egypt
Swam in the Nile
Been in a tomb
Kissed the Spinx
Watched a show in the West End (or 12)
Seen a gig (or 30)
Monopoly pub crawl
Gosh, there has to be more...
Things to do:
See a gig in Paris (soon, next week in fact)
Eat cheese and wine under the Eiffel Tower (and see other sights of Paris)
Krakow (Auschwitz)
Work at a festival
Sound of Music tour in Salzburg
Visit Amsterdam
Venice
Rome
Florence
Prague
See Spain
Oktoberfest
La Tomitina
Greek Islands
The Northern Lights
and much more, but with only 6 months left I will see how I go!
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