One Month

Today marks exactly one month since I've been home from Australia. I honestly don't know what to say to describe how I feel. It all feels so surreal. Almost like Australia was one big dream. I mean I know I was there and I have the pictures to prove it but it still, for some reason, doesn't feel real. I had the time of my life and I learned a lot and I wanted to share some of them with you. So are some experiences, differences and lesson I learned along the way:

- I got to see footy for the first time
- I got to see cricket for the first time
- I drove on the other side of the road
- Seagulls in Australia are smaller
- I got to scuba dive on the most famous reef in the world
- I pet a kangaroo
- People in Australia still rock the bleached hair, beach, surfer look
- I got to experience life with no care
- Some words have an "r" sound added to the end (bra-er) and some have the "r" sound removed (Melbourne=Melbun)
- I learned how to paddle board
- I visited Steve Irwin in his natural habitat
- I learned how to surf
- I got the most epic, wicked, dark skin tan. Ever.
- Pedestrians DON'T have the right of way (AT ALL... I almost died several times)
- I saw the whitest sand I've ever seen in my entire life
- School was a vacation. Literally.
- I met some of the most friendliest people alive.
- I ziplined in Australian jungle.
- I went to the most amazing church ever. Planetshakers.
- I saw the opera house.
- I did the full Manly Beach Walk
- Vegemite is disgusting
- I got to live a day ahead of everyone
- I got to experience the true "red rock" outback
- I got to see a long lost friend
- I rekindled old friendships as if we were never apart
- I got to experience my first "front page news" shark attack story
- I learned that distance really does make the heart grow fonder
- I made some of the most amazing life time friendships
- I learned how to completely remove myself from uncomfortable situations
- I learned what it was like to actually cook properly
- Being on your own with absolutely no one is a challenge but it is a challenge that makes you a better person
- I pet a koala
- I got to experience living with no form of income and running low on money
- I learned to fully appreciate the friendships I have and the family I have
- I ignited a fire to travel

Throughout this experience I learned what it was actually like to be a grown up and live completely separated from anything that makes you comfortable. I grew as a person and figured out what I actually want to do with my life. I grew stronger in my relationship with God and learned how to live my life just for Him and Him alone. I realized that myself is the only person I am supposed to try and please and learned that I am still learning how to do that. Throughout this experience I learned more about me and what I really want to do. I got to experience things beyond my wildest dreams and lived my life as an adventure and not just a life. I made some amazing friends and said so many truly hard goodbyes. I learned that home is really where the heart is and that right now mine is bouncing back and forth from Canada to Australia. I learned that to fully live your life you have to step outside of your comfort zone and experience. I learned that simply existing isn't enough. You have to live.

I am so thankful for this experience and amazing adventure. I could not have asked for something better. Thank you Australia for making me grow up, find my passion and truly live.

Dear Australia:
Your love is my love and my love is your love, it would take an eternity to break us and the chains of Amistad couldn´t hold us. 

--- Missing you.

Outback, Perth, Sydney, Home

Well I know it has been a while since I've posted, but I've been a busy gal. I feel weird writing about my last days in Australia when they were so long ago, but here it goes. 

School finished up, exams were complete, studying was over. Apart from a few mini road trips to windy beaches and forest zip lines, there wasn't really much too much interesting things going on. Everyday was the same as the one before: go to school, come home, veg. It was a great system and a great way to study for exams. I found out I was failing economics so I had to put my behind to work and actually do something for once (and it payed off, I passed! YAY!). But once school was over, I had to say goodbye to so many amazing people. It was one of the hardest things I had ever had to go through. If you know me well, you know I cry. A LOT. So after many tearful goodbyes and photo shoots, I was hitting the open road again as a gypsy traveller. First stop, the outback. 

Kailey and I took on this adventure as solo Canadians doing a tour. I couldn't have thought of a better partner in crime the the one and only Kailey Suthers. We traveled so well together it was insane! We took a tour called The Rock Tour. It was unreal. A 2 night 3 day camping (yes camping, aren't you proud?) tour. We started off in Alice Springs, the sketchy sketch of Australia, and headed straight to Kings Canyon to do a 3 hour hike. The morning started at 5am so you could imagine how tired we were. Regardless, the views were spectacular. Unbelievable creations I tell you!

Next stop was Uluru and Kata Tjuta. UN-REAL! I can't even begin to describe to you how amaze-balls this was. Starting with the culture, the views, the creation. Oh man. Had to have been one of the coolest things I have ever seen! We were fortunate enough to watch a sunset and sunrise at Uluru, which is this big giant rock in the middle of no where. We also were able to hike around both Uluru and Kata Tjuta which was fantastic. Our tour guide was amazing. It was just so fantastic. Apart from the barely sleeping and collecting our own fire wood at 7am. But regardless, I would do it over again in a heartbeat. I also got to ride a camel which was the funniest thing I've ever done. 

The next stop was Perth  where I got to visit a long lost friend of  mine. To be completely honest, I was pretty uneasy about going to see him since it had been almost 9 years since I'd see him last. But it ended up being such an amazing time! We got along so well and I was so happy to see him. His family was the nicest and we just spent our days touring around little ol Perth and had a blast. It was great. Another wonderful memory from the books. 

After that I headed to my last stop which was Sydney. It was great to be back in Sydney again. Will and Nikki came to join me for the few days I was there. We had a great time just hanging out and reminiscing about good times. I got to see Emily and Adam again which was wonderful. I hit up the typical tourist spots in Sydney and soaked up my last few days in Australia. 

After some (lots) tears, it was time to say goodbye. I don't think I've ever been so sad to leave something behind before. I cannot put into words the feelings that were taking over my mind. Being in Australia on my own for 6 months was such an experience. It was almost like I was living a different life. Leaving was one of the hardest things I had ever had to do. It was such a bittersweet feeling. On one hand I was excited to see my friends and family and relive Island life. But on the other, more overpowering hand, I was so devastated to leave such a wonderful experience full of friends and amazing times behind. I can easily say I've made some of the best friends I'll ever have right there in Australia. I can't even describe to you how life changing and spectacular this adventure has been. 

So to all my friends in Australia, if you are reading this, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for being so welcoming to me. Thank you for giving me such a fantastic time. Thank you for making this an unforgettable experience. Thank you for sharing your lives with me and being my friends. Above all else, thank you for being amazing as.