Boys and girls, for this post I'm looking a back a bit. Twelve thousand miles away, this time 4 weeks ago, I was getting ready to start my adventures Down Under. I had successfully navigated the treacherous waters of Airline Baggage Allowance and was through Passport Control. I was halfway through my first box of Kleenex, and only a couple of hours into a journey that totalled 27 hours of my life. I was heading into the unknown, with a quiver of my lip, and a bag stuffed with Percy Pigs.
OMG, to use a TLA (that's Three Letter Abbreviation, to those not in the know).
Yes, this time just a month ago, I had yet to be violated by a masseuse in Singapore Airport. I had yet to experience the living nightmare that is jet-lag on an epic scale. I had yet to find a job, support, friends, or a good place to ogle men. (Please note; that list is not in order of importance...)
Looking back - and believe me, I'm aware I still have a way to go yet, before I'm as settled here as I'd like - I can't believe how fast that time has gone. And I'm so grateful for that.
This month has been without a doubt, the hardest of my life. And I include in that: my parent's divorce, my dad refusing to buy me the first pair of shoes I ever fell in love with (gold kitten-heeled ankle boots, with a blotted-red-paint effect... Dad, looking back you were doing me a kindness. They were HIDEOUS), the various break-ups and lows of my love life (which could be a blog in itself), my childhood pet passing away, and the discovery that chocolate was not a low-fat food (which, in truth, I've never fully gotten over).
No, it's been hard. But it's finally - finally - starting to get so much better.
Sydney is not be my city yet, and may never be - London will always be my home, of that I'm sure - but this strange upside place could be a damned good alternative for a while.
So what has this first month taught me? That wherever I am, my friends and family are always in my heart (I'm sorry, it sounds corny but it's true) - and thankfully, seemingly, I'm always in theirs too. That however much I complained about it, whenever I get homesick, I miss the smell and pollution of London (and yes, even the tube at rush hour). That 12,000 miles doesn't seem like far when there's skype, email, the phone, and people you care about. That care packages from home are - officially - the best thing EVER and are to be encouraged at all times (I would hate for any of my readers to think that that's a hint. Belle de Sydney would never stoop that low... Ok, maybe she would...) That determination and a glass of Pinot Noir are two of the most powerful weapons the newly-emigrated can have, with a special emphasis on the former. And finally, that ogling a hot man in a wetsuit makes every situation feel a whole let better.
There are actual adventures which I need to share with you all (coming soon), but I wanted to use writing this post to do a bit of taking stock. One of the big things I hear when I tell people that I emigrated - a single, 23 year old, used to living with her parents, in her hometown, without a hugely rebellious streak (I mean, I went to Ancient Greek Camp, people. Yes, seriously. I'm a History Major, and liked studying in original translation. A maverick I am not) - is "You're so brave".
At first, whenever I heard this, I shrugged it off. I didn't think of it like that.
6 boxes of Kleenex, twelve thousand miles, 27 hours of travel, and 1 month later - yes, I am brave. I think for the first time in my life, I actually believe that of myself. (I used to run away when we played All-Girls Hockey at school. I cover my eyes when watching scary movies. I don't particularly like the dark. That to me is not brave. However, having just emigrated - I can see that maybe I need to redefine types of bravery...) Because it's tough. You've heard enough of my stories to know that the settling in process thus far has not been hassle-free. But it also - I hope, I think - could be one of the best things I do. (This year, anyway...) Being brave is a big part of doing this. Without that bravery, I'd have been on the first flight home within the first 48 hours of landing (and goodness knows, I've come very close to booking that ticket on several subsequent occasions).
I don't want to sound smug - because I'm not - coming here was the right decision for me. For many people, it wouldn't be. But - variety is the spice of life, we're all different, and my spice happens to include a bit of emigration (I think I've taken that metaphor a bit far now)... Anyway, I thought it was important to give you my thoughts on the process so far. Now that I've shared, rather than continue to expound my remaining emigration philosophy with you, I thought it would be fun for you to see some photos of this past month.
So enjoy!
I present to you: Belle de Sydney in Scenes from the Newly Emigrated...
OMG, to use a TLA (that's Three Letter Abbreviation, to those not in the know).
Yes, this time just a month ago, I had yet to be violated by a masseuse in Singapore Airport. I had yet to experience the living nightmare that is jet-lag on an epic scale. I had yet to find a job, support, friends, or a good place to ogle men. (Please note; that list is not in order of importance...)
Looking back - and believe me, I'm aware I still have a way to go yet, before I'm as settled here as I'd like - I can't believe how fast that time has gone. And I'm so grateful for that.
This month has been without a doubt, the hardest of my life. And I include in that: my parent's divorce, my dad refusing to buy me the first pair of shoes I ever fell in love with (gold kitten-heeled ankle boots, with a blotted-red-paint effect... Dad, looking back you were doing me a kindness. They were HIDEOUS), the various break-ups and lows of my love life (which could be a blog in itself), my childhood pet passing away, and the discovery that chocolate was not a low-fat food (which, in truth, I've never fully gotten over).
No, it's been hard. But it's finally - finally - starting to get so much better.
Sydney is not be my city yet, and may never be - London will always be my home, of that I'm sure - but this strange upside place could be a damned good alternative for a while.
So what has this first month taught me? That wherever I am, my friends and family are always in my heart (I'm sorry, it sounds corny but it's true) - and thankfully, seemingly, I'm always in theirs too. That however much I complained about it, whenever I get homesick, I miss the smell and pollution of London (and yes, even the tube at rush hour). That 12,000 miles doesn't seem like far when there's skype, email, the phone, and people you care about. That care packages from home are - officially - the best thing EVER and are to be encouraged at all times (I would hate for any of my readers to think that that's a hint. Belle de Sydney would never stoop that low... Ok, maybe she would...) That determination and a glass of Pinot Noir are two of the most powerful weapons the newly-emigrated can have, with a special emphasis on the former. And finally, that ogling a hot man in a wetsuit makes every situation feel a whole let better.
There are actual adventures which I need to share with you all (coming soon), but I wanted to use writing this post to do a bit of taking stock. One of the big things I hear when I tell people that I emigrated - a single, 23 year old, used to living with her parents, in her hometown, without a hugely rebellious streak (I mean, I went to Ancient Greek Camp, people. Yes, seriously. I'm a History Major, and liked studying in original translation. A maverick I am not) - is "You're so brave".
At first, whenever I heard this, I shrugged it off. I didn't think of it like that.
6 boxes of Kleenex, twelve thousand miles, 27 hours of travel, and 1 month later - yes, I am brave. I think for the first time in my life, I actually believe that of myself. (I used to run away when we played All-Girls Hockey at school. I cover my eyes when watching scary movies. I don't particularly like the dark. That to me is not brave. However, having just emigrated - I can see that maybe I need to redefine types of bravery...) Because it's tough. You've heard enough of my stories to know that the settling in process thus far has not been hassle-free. But it also - I hope, I think - could be one of the best things I do. (This year, anyway...) Being brave is a big part of doing this. Without that bravery, I'd have been on the first flight home within the first 48 hours of landing (and goodness knows, I've come very close to booking that ticket on several subsequent occasions).
I don't want to sound smug - because I'm not - coming here was the right decision for me. For many people, it wouldn't be. But - variety is the spice of life, we're all different, and my spice happens to include a bit of emigration (I think I've taken that metaphor a bit far now)... Anyway, I thought it was important to give you my thoughts on the process so far. Now that I've shared, rather than continue to expound my remaining emigration philosophy with you, I thought it would be fun for you to see some photos of this past month.
So enjoy!
I present to you: Belle de Sydney in Scenes from the Newly Emigrated...
"Re-packing" at Heathrow. My stepmum did a sterling job of luggage hiding (if, shockingly, you don't understand this reference please click here to read the full, explanatory post)
Feeling very homesick one day, I went for a beach walk with my adopted Aussie dad. As it was cold, and my boxes are still in bloody shipping (don't get me started) I ended up wearing a fluorescent yellow jacket used by his workmen. To keep me company / save my embarasment / help me brazen it out, Aussie Daddy wore the same. Style icons we were not.
This was at my lowest ebb of homesickness (the smile belies the red, swollen eyes... why do you think i was wearing sunglasses?!)
The first care package arrives! Hurray!
It's real. The Guylian Chocolate cafe, Sydney. Hell yes people.
Seeing this for the first time made me realise that life as I knew it may - just may - turn out ok.
The first commute to work by ferry. (Ok, right now I'm smug).
More adventures coming to an internet connection near you in the very near future.
Until then,
Belle x
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