Tuesday 24 April 2012

Homesick

This post is probably a less positive one as I've been sick for the past 4 days and have been told that I have a chest infection... Already had to cancel two days worth of work and will take tomorrow off too. Not a good thing when I'm trying to save enough money to last me through my six week mid year break in July...

I have nearly hit the 3 month mark for being in London and although things have been going smoothly, I was quite home sick last week and especially now when I'm sick. I have been on and off sick since arriving in London. When I think I have nearly recovered, I get sick again. This time round, I have been the sickest... I miss having dad cook me congee (rice porridge) and checking on me when I'm unwell + sis doing house chores  for me.

It is only when you are this far away you realise how much you have taken your friends and family for granted.  I miss being in that safety net where you got people around you to care for you when you are sick or down and  being able to have reliable friends you have known for years to hear you out. I remember experiencing this previously when I was working in Geraldton two years ago, where I was constantly missing those back home. The only difference was that I often drove (5 hrs driving) back home on the weekends to see them when I was in Geraldton, but here it will take me 17 hours by plane to go home.

To be fair, I've only been here for 3 months so I'm allowed to be homesick right?
On the plus side, I've made some awesome friends here, live in a house surrounding by friendly house mates and have met someone special who takes good care of me :) Not only that, I have decided to put stable yet stagnant life on hold to come all the way here to England to experience the sights and sounds that Europe has to  offer! What more can I ask for?

Anyway before I start rambling on, 2012 is still one of the best years in my life and I can't ask for more! So remember to be grateful for what you have and learn to appreciate everything you have around you (well that's what I'm trying to live by at the moment and I hope you are too...).

Ireland

It's been two weeks since my trip to Ireland and I finally have the time to blog about this amazing place. I'm not going to give you an in depth review of this country as it has to be a place you need to experience yourself.

I went with a tour company called Paddywagon Tours, after being recommended by a friend who also went with the same company. I got 25% off the 6 day trip after signing up at the TNT fair which was a bonus!

The tour covered several cities including Dingle, Cork, Galway, Belfast, Dublin, Derry and lots of sight seeing places. I really wish I can spend more time in each city but I'm sure I will be back in this amazing country in no time.

The highlight of the trip had to be the Black Taxi tour of Belfast. You basically go in a cab and the taxi driver gives you an insight on the great divide between the Catholics and Palestine in Belfast. The can driver said they all had lost someone in the conflict and wanted to give people a view from both sides.

I was able to meet a great bunch of people from different countries whom I hung out with during the 6 day trip. We went to pubs together, clubbing and shared a dorm together. The last point was really important as on the second night of the trip we were stuck with some "gappies" who were having a conversation at 2 in the morning...

I can't wait till my next trip which will be a day tour of Bath and Stonehenge. I'll keep you all posted! Just some pictures of Ireland for you to devour on...

The beautiful seaside town of Dingle.

The site of the Blarney Castle

Blarney castle- The interior was really interesting!

The awesome bunch I met in Ireland

I can't remember where this was but it is heritage listed...

The wall that divides two communities in Belfast



Saturday 14 April 2012

Music- Drenched by Wanting


I've been wanting to start sharing some music I have been listening to. I first heard this song through a movie trailer: 'Love in a Buff'. The singer,Wanting Qu, isn't a well known artist but she writes her own songs and has just been signed up by an independent Canadian company who will release her first album in April. 

I always believe that every situation in life can be represented by a song and I guess when I came across this song, I was experiencing something positive. Enjoy!