Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Rummaging through memories

With a little time on my hands on the weekend, following a big week of teaching some beautiful kids, I took up the challenge of cleaning and organizing my room.
Very few people see inside my room, let alone enter, due to the overwhelming cluster of unorganized remnants from memories spanning over 21 years. These memories manifest themselves in the form of books, beauty products, diaries, photos, playstation games, xbox games, movies, clothes, clothes, clothes, shoes, bags, books, books and books...
Sorting through my things from years ago brings back so much nostalgia. I don't let myself get nostalgic on a day to day basis because it's always far too bitter-sweet to reminisce about days gone by that will never return. But reorganizing old birthday cards, letters and accumulated paraphernalia from my school years certainly forces such emotions on you. A few finds did tickle my fancy though...



Cards and letters from kids I've taught overseas and in Australia over the past 3 years. So touching to open them up and read through them! It reminds me of exactly why I love it.

One of the best non-console games of my childhood! So many memories of playing this and all the yelling that was involved.

My absolute favourite childhood picture book. Mum used to read it to me which were some of the best time we spent together when I was younger. 

A book filled in by many of my primary school friends, detailing likes, dislikes, crushes and opinions. It makes me laugh so much!

A gift from a friend a year or two ago - an inflatable date......

A picture of me when I was about 5ish about to swim at the beach in Noosa, with the worst wedgie known to man. I once hated this photo due to its embarrassing nature. It's pretty funny. The inflated ring just adds another element of comedy.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Summer Time

Although the weather has not complied until the last minute, summer is here and I'm certainly not wasting my days away. I've done such a variety of things in the past couple of months, which has enabled me to fully appreciate how blessed I am to live where I am and have such a freedom of time.

 My memory sometimes serves me well, but often tries to trick me into forgetting just how many awesome experiences I've had. I've seen many old friends and new friends and have met some amazing people over the summer who have contributed to my holiday adventure.

I was able to really explore Melbourne and meet some new and interesting people and I have a new found confidence and feeling of independence. Coming from the country, conquering the train system is a big feat! I spent some time in Yarrawonga with the family and crossed the border over to NSW to spice up our lives! With my friend from Vanuatu, I was able to recreate my feelings of gratitude for the beauty around me with trips to Tower Hill, Halls Gap, Port Cambell, the Great Ocean Road, Torquay, Geelong and the big smoke.

I also volunteered, along with my very good friend, on a camp for underprivileged teenage girls. Despite being an utterly challenging and equally exhausting experience, I learned a lot about myself in terms of tolerance, patience and was able to sacrifice time, comfort and sanity for the benefit of others who needed it. The camp brought my friend, someone I am privileged to know, and I closer together and I really cherish the time we had together going through the highs and lows of a difficult situation.

I've been surfing, fishing, MANUAL DRIVING, swimming, cooking, gaming, painting and most commonly laughing.

So now my summer draws to an end and I embark on a new teaching journey on placement and I hope for an equally exciting final uni year! I could not love life much more than I do right now.


Some of the highlights of the sunny season...















 Blue Train Indulgences





 Max Brenner delights




                 

Hopkins Falls
One Direction

Sunday School cooking for christmas

Fondue







Sunday school christmas cooking, presents, The zoo and beautiful warrnambool beach




 Abbotsford convent

M

Aquarium







Ballarat Aussie D






















HALLS GAP


Chinese New Year
Melbourne