Twenty-one

For my 21st Birthday I took a trip to the big smoke. My sister and I stayed in an apartment within walking distance from Southern Cross and filled our week with socializing, shopping and exploring the wondrous city of Melbourne. As a country girl, the city has always brought me an endless number of activities and possibilities. It was amazing to catch up with old and new friends, pretend we knew we were on the right tram and wear a pair of heels without looking inappropriately overdressed!
Funniest thing is that I always considered myself someone who prefers the city to a slow-paced life in the country. Often I've felt trapped in a bubble right by the sea that's too cold to swim in 11 months of the year. However, after an exhausting week, I can say that coming home on the train as it approached the beautiful coastline, deep blue seas and acres of greenery became the catalyst for a sincere moment of gratitude. I've often resented living where I do, as I considered it a place of limited opportunity and minimal social advantage. But after feeling like a 21 year-old insignificant spec on the earth that is seemingly full of people without a second spare to smile at each other...I breathed a sigh of relief to catch some rays and walk along the beautiful beach that I call home. Here people will stop to help you pick up your money when you awkwardly drop it all over the footpath, strangers will give you an acknowledging nod as you jog past with the dog and they'll occasionally compliment you on your outfit and ask you where you "got that dress from." Most significantly, apart from the inspiring views and endless kilometers of gorgeous nature, I came home to more than a few handfuls of people who love me. No matter what corners of the earth I travel to or the length of time that I'm away, this will always be my home....and a fantastic one at that.