Midyear Review: Looking back on the last 6 months
… and looking forward to the next 6! So what’s shaped the first half of 2015 and what have I got in store for the rest of the year?
TURNING 21 [JANUARY]
With my university degree under my belt, I
had my 21st birthday to look forward to! I had two birthday parties to celebrate in
January; a picnic in Melbourne and party in Brisbane, with My Love organising a
lovely, big apartment in Brisbane and organising an HP Lovecraft-themed bash
with my friends.
A COUPLE OF ART SHOWS [FEBRUARY]
Most of you probably don’t know that I’m a
practicing artist. In the aftermath of
my graduation show, I was invited to participate in two group shows that
showcased highlights from the Melbourne art school grad exhibitions.
On the weekend I head north to Brisbane for
my birthday, I went away with a few mosquito bites and got hit with a pretty
rough case of Ross River Fever. Several
visits to hospital in Melbourne, almost sure I was dying, and the doctors
didn’t know what was wrong with me, because the virus isn’t seen in Victoria.
Unfortunately, I’m still suffering some of its persistent symptoms!
BUYING A ONE WAY TICKET TO LONDON [MARCH]
In March, I embarked on my first overseas
trip. Not only was it the first time I
left my homeland, I’d forgone a return ticket, and knew I’d be away from home
until September (at least)!
ROADTRIPPING AROUND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS [APRIL]
When it came to international travel,
Scotland was first on my list to visit.
I don’t regret spending so long here (almost two months!) because I
quickly fell in love with the rugged countryside, the people and spending cold nights
sleeping in the wilderness.
ABANDONING PLANS ON ORKNEY [MAY]
Leaving the car on Mainland Orkney,
literally running for last-minute ferries and hiking from one end of islands to
the other – this is how we experienced Orkney.
We camped on the beach, made friends with seals under dazzling pink
sunsets, and found a tracker that’d been attached to a basking shark in the
USA.
BACKPACKING IN NORWAY [JUNE]
In Glasgow, I reorganized my plans, posted
my suitcase home and bought a backpack.
I wanted the mobility that only a backpack and tent could give me. I hiked around the Lofoten Islands, rode the
legendary Hurtigruten and climbed mountains in the midnight sun.
SEEING WILD ORCA IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE [JUNE]
There’s something about seeing animals in
their natural environment that really takes your breath away. Seeing them completely by chance is an extra
thrill, an extra jolt of excitement.
Nicholas had stepped away from the car (for what we commonly refer to as
a ‘scenic wee’) for only an instant before he was back, shouting ‘KILLER
WHALES! CAMERA!’ This was one of the most enchanting moments of my life.
VISITING ICONIC LITERARY LOCATIONS
This might sound totally lame, but some of
my favourite places have been those I’ve sought out for their literary
significance. The Elephant House café
where JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter, the Beatrix Potter center in Perth, JM Barrie’s childhood home near Glamis, Hans Christian Andersen’s museum in Odense
– I ticked a few off the list in the last few months!
ARRIVING IN THE LAND OF FIRE AND ICE [JULY]
Last week, I arrived in Iceland – my new
home for the next little while. I’m
completely enthralled by the landscape, the people… This really signifies the
beginning of a new chapter for me.
In two weeks, Nicholas will be saying goodbye and heading back to Australia for work, and I will be all alone in this vast, exciting new country.
In October, I’ll be beginning a trip back
home – hopefully with a few stopovers on the way. I’m thinking Bologna, Venice, Paris…
I’ve got a busy Christmas season with my
lovely Lush team awaiting me after Halloween.
I’ve got a soft black cat with little white paws awaiting my
return. I’ve got future study options
tempting me to stay in Melbourne a little longer. I’ve got a intense desire to build myself a
tiny house to live in. I’ve also got a
burning sense of wanderlust to satisfy, though…
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