Parisian Check List

Thanks to hostelworld.com, and Sarah's to-do list... I'm finally set for Paris!

Note: Many people think hostels are dodgy versions of hotels - they are not. It's just basically the standard accommodation for backpackers/travellers/party animals (seriously!).

Throughout Europe & the UK, I'd definitely recommend St Christopher's, it is the best party hostel + great facilities, at least in all the ones I've been too (honestly speaking).

This youtube video is definitely going to be useful. Thanks to hostelworld, once again.

I've got my set to-do list that S made me.

And to finish this blog off, here are a few phrases!!

Hello Bonjour (bon-zhoor)

Hi Salut (sa-lew)

Goodbye Au revoir (o rer-vwar)

How are you Comment allez-vous? (ko-mon ta-lay-voo)

Please S'il vous plait (seel voo play)

Thank you Merci (mair-see)

My name is... Je m'appelle.. (zher ma-pel)

I'm please to meet you Enchante (on-shon-tay)

Do you speak English? Parlez-vous anglais (par-lay-voo ong-glay)

I understand Je comprends (zher kon-prom)

Cheers! Sante! (son-tay!)

Where I work..

So busy I barely have time to myself.

Blogs that I will eventually write up:

- Dublin, Ireland

- Paddywagon

- Oxford, Stratford, Warrick

- London Beach Party

- Norwich

- Royal Wedding weekend

- Burnham Market & Hunstanton

- Weekend in London

- School activity day

- 8th birthday party

It's been 4 months

...since I've been away from Sydney. I actually thought that it was five months, but counting - Jan to Feb, Feb to March, March to April, April to May - it's only been four months. Yes, it definitely feels longer than that. But let me tell you now that it's been one heck of a ride. I've had the goods and the bads. Times where I gain money, times where I'd lose an insane amount of money for stupid reasons, times where I'd meet fantastic people, times where I feel so threatened that I'm going to die (I'll explain in another blog later on). But yes, overall, it's been the best! Through good and bad! But more good things happen anyway, so I'm definitely thankful.

So much has changed though.

I feel like when I talk to my friends back home, there's either something new happening, some drama of some sort, or everyone's just basically doing the same thing they've always been doing. So I don't know whether I'm missing out on anything or not. And I kinda rather wouldn't want to know because I'm happy where I am. I wouldn't ask for more.

I feel like I've either lost a few friends, drifted from many and gained a closer friendship with those I didn't expect to be close with or just not really close with before I left. It's a weird cycle - friendship. Some friends come and go for certain reasons, reasons they may have made up or just because it's like a seasonal kind of friendship that only happened for a reason by nature. But nonetheless, I've learnt not to care about those who chose to walk away, or those who by choice just don't talk anymore, or just talk when they need something. And loyalty has come a long way since I've been here. I've noticed quite a change in certain people, some in those I never thought would end up like this, but I guess it's either just me causing self inflicted dramas, or just seeing it in a different perspective. Not that that should worry them, because they already know..

Since I've been here, I've learnt to keep so many secrets about myself to myself. I normally would tell someone 'everything' that has happened in my day. It's not that I'm afraid that anyone will judge me, but I guess it's just the kind of things that we should really keep to ourselves. But sometimes when things do happen, I feel like I can't tell anyone anymore, because of how random it will turn out or just the fact that I haven't spoke to many people in so long and to just pop up a random conversation that will lead into a really serious conversation?! It would kind of just feel a bit awkward. But I like the fact that I can keep a handwritten diary nowadays, I can write absolutely anything and everything just for myself, and also stick in those souvenirs in and all that kind of thing. So I'm loving it.

Another thing that I've learnt since I've been here is the kick in the ass by reality. I've only told a small number of friends what my plans are for next year when I come back. But yes, the big hit of reality and 'the real world' when you're all alone (not literally/physically) - just the fact of doing everything for yourself. It hits, and that's why I'm definitely going for another chance in life, just to be better than before. To go out there and do something remarkable and expressive.

I still have a lot to update you on

I've just completed a lazy kind of blog for my Scotland trip. I still need to tell you guys about Ireland (Dublin + Paddywagon tour), London, Oxford, Stratford, Windsor, The Royal Wedding Weekend and a day around Burnham Market/Hunstanton/Kings Lynn!

I've been so busy it's getting crazy and driving me insane. I find that I barely have time to myself or to my friends back home. My social life is just pretty much the friends that I have here, the kids + everyone else I work with. So I'm sorry I haven't been able to keep in contact with anyone recently! I'll get to updating you guys with the rest of the April holidays before any other holidays start!! :) xx

Scotland April 3rd-6th, 2011

I know this blog is long term overdue....

SCOTLAND

It all started on the 3rd of April. I could honestly say that I was scared, because I've never traveled by myself to a place that I've never been to before, or have little knowledge about. However I was excited to go out there and explore. The bus ride from Hunstanton to Kings Lynn pretty fast. It took just about 30 minutes to get to the train station, followed by a 15 minute wait for the train. I had to make about two changes on the train, from Kings Lynn to Ely, Ely to Peterborough, and Peterborough to Edinburgh.

The train ride was lovely, despite having to stand for an hour and wait for a seat. But in all, I got one in the end. Also, I saw two ends of a rainbow as the train was going along.

Finally, I arrived at Edinburgh. Had no idea where to go, so I asked around. And everyone was just so friendly. I ended up catching a taxi to the hostel - budget backpackers corner of Cowgate and Grassmarket Road. I'd rate it a 5/5, it was definitely clean and safe, except it wasn't a party hostel, but no matter. it was still worth the money.

A while after I unpacked and put my things in my locker, the sun was still shining (about 6pm), obviously got excited because when I first arrived in England, the sun would be down before 4pm, but now it's daylight savings and Summer is just about to start, the sun's up at a later time. I took a walk to Calton Hill, which is where a lot of the monuments are. And to add - the views were amazing!

The next day (4th of April), was the start of the Haggis Adventures Skye High Tour. The day started really sunny, and mildly warm, at least for the normal temperature of what I'm used to. Before the tour started, I had already met a few people that were on the same one as I was on. Felt really good to meet others without having doubt or anything like that. It took a while to wait for the bus to arrive because most of us were early. We finally got on the bus, and it took a while to kind of comprehend what the tour guide was saying - obviously because he was Scottish and we still weren't used to the accent, as well as the slang.

There were also quite a few Australians on the tour, as well as the other bus which as five day tour, although we all stayed at the same accommodation for the two nights, and they moved on from the third day.

We started from Edinburgh and drove into the highlands, which was spectacular view. We spent the night at Fort Augustus, which was a small town in the middle of the mountains. There were a few pubs and convenient stores, but that was it. Other than that, there were a lot of breathtaking views of lakes and a few alps. It was also really cold, and when I say cold, I mean below freezing!!

The 'hostel' which was really a lodge was really nice as well. We had our own ensuite! I shared a room with four other Aussies (Canberra/Brisbane) and my new friend - she lives in Germany but is originally from China. And this is pretty much what our room looked like (from the perspective of me sitting on the corner of the bottom bunk!)

We also drove past one of the Harry Potter bridges on that day:

Also a few views of Scottish scenery:

This was in the middle of the day (literally 12pm'ish) and it was about minus eleven degrees celcius! Yep! It was definitely FREEEEEEEEZINGG!!!

The tour overall was very cultural. It rained all week, and hence our group name was Team Jagerbombs from the "MacRainAllWeekClan". Which is self explanatory in the next couple of photos! :)

What's typical about Scotland? The Loch Ness creature!!

The mountains...





And the awesome blueness!

I loved the trip to Scotland. I met many amazing people, although they were a few years older than me, it was so easy to get along with everyone! And a well educational tour! We did party and have drinks on all nights of the tour, but what I loved about it was that the bar was in the accommodation, so going to bed was easy! What I also loved about Scotland was that alcohol was so cheap (or compared to London + many other European cities).

I would definitely recommend it to anyone who absolutely loves freezing yet rainy weather! :) xx

Life decisions

I guess it's kinda hard to overcome, after having so many choices. I can truthfully say that I've been thinking about it for quite a while now. But after an overdose of overflowing motivation. I know that this time, I'll actually have a chance and be better than I was before.. at least I hope so.

To do list for this weekend

• make official plans for half term break
• skype/catch up with everyone that i can (?..?)
• book train tickets for london weekend.
• update my blog !!!
• chill.

Rawree the strawb'rry

my scrapbook from january to end of april.

i haven't finished my writings in it, but when i do that, then i can finally update this blog and what not

gt painted my face. yup. suits my name well too :D

FIne fine fine

I will keep blogging.

Just a quick update on my life so far.

The April holidays have just finished. I've been to Scotland and Ireland, and to various places around England. I've come back from a long weekend in London. Spent a night at the palace camping with two friends, saw the royal wedding, the royals entering/leaving buckingham palace.

At the moment, I'm doing personal updates with a few of my close friends. Then I will get back into blogging as soon as I can.

I've also started a new hobby of scrapbooking, so that I can stick all my used tickets, and all that kinda thing into a book, which is also used as a more personal and intimate kinda blog for myself.

Other than that, everything has been lovely. :) xx