Tuesday 14 October 2014

Best Day Of My Life

"But all the possibilities
No limits just epiphanies

I'm never gonna look back
Whoa I'm never gonna give it up
No, please don't want me now

This is gonna be the best day of my life"

Best Day Of My Life - American Authors

Hello from Melbourne! Well, make that a Starbucks near the centre of Melbourne because this is where I can get some free wifi (and a hot chocolate) and muse through my thoughts as my time in Melbourne draws to a close. I've got one more day here before an early morning flight on Thursday to Perth.

I went with Best Day Of My Life for this blog for two reasons. Firstly, I have been thrashing American Authors' album since arriving here - I've listened to it while walking alongside the Yarra River and during my train trip up to Bendigo. I love this album (called Oh What A Life), though it is probably made better by seeing them live a week before I came here. Side note - American Authors are amazing live, helped along by their lead singer being one of the most beautiful human males I have ever laid eyes on.

I also feel like Best Day Of My Life is a fitting song for traveling. Whenever I listen to this song I feel like it isn't about having the best day, it's about making yourself have the best day no matter what situation. Solo traveling can be scary - you have to be able to do things by yourself. Last week I wanted to see Les Miserables at the theatre and I knew it would just be me, sitting by myself, watching this stage show. I went alone and I am so glad I did, as the show gave my chills I haven't felt in a long time.

You probably want to hear stories about what is happening here. To be honest, it has mostly been me wandering around and looking at stuff, plus catching up with my Melbourne based Contiki crew, and seeing my lovely cousins. I have one story to tell about my plane trip though. Shortly before leaving I got last minute advice from friends and family, the classic go for it, not regrets, have the time of your life advice (except for my brother, he just said "no boys!"). This advice, coupled with the fact the nerves were kicking in, led me to start crying. I'm such an emotional person and I started getting teary again on the plane. I was sitting next to a lovely man (middle aged, married, no romantic chances) and we talked about what I was doing here. Later on his meal came (I didn't order one) and he gave me his ice cream. I feel like there are two lessons here 1) even at 23 crying gets you free ice cream and 2) a kind gesture goes a long way - I still feel grateful to this man for his kindness that day.

I like Melbourne. I like it's vibe and I like it's culture. I'll be honest though - this isn't the place I'm going to live in. I'm really excited to head onto Perth and explore a new city. I'm having an awesome time in Australia and so far not regretting this life decision I made. But tomorrow, I think I am going to regret all those caramello koala's I have been binging on, as those are the shit.




Wednesday 1 October 2014

Don't Forget Your Roots

“Don't forget your roots, my friend
Don't forget your family, yeah
Don't forget your roots, my friend
The ones who made you
The ones who brought you here”

Don’t Forget Your Roots – Six60

I’m going on an adventure. I say it’s an adventure because I don’t know where I’ll end up or what I’ll be doing the whole time or even how long I’ll be gone for. All I know is I’m starting by jumping the ditch and seeing where life takes me from there. It’s a big step and I’m a little bit scared about doing it, but I also know it’s something I have to do – ever since my trip to USA I’ve realised there’s a whole world out there for me to explore and learn from.

I left my job at the end of last week and my friend there gave me this plaque, saying it was something to keep in mind while traveling and fitted with my love of music and my love of New Zealand.



Yes, there is a whole world out there waiting to be seen, but there is always a place to call home. I was lucky enough to grow up in a wonderful environment with my family and my friends from all walks of my life. I credit them for the person I have grown into today and I know without the support I have I could not venture off shore. Alongside my core support group I have seen so much of our beautiful country – from New Years Eve spent in the Coromandel, sports trips across the North Island, numerous visits to our coolest little capital Wellington, ventures into the South Island and the spectaculars of the four corners of my home city Auckland. I cannot wait to be the next person to take stories from my homeland into the world.

As I travel across Australia and later further across the world my goal is to learn and enrich my life. This blog post is ridiculously clich̩ but it is the clich̩s which are important to remember, like in the end you only get one shot at your life and I know now is the time for me to go exploring. Who knows what I might find on the way Рsome of my friends have gone as far as saying I might find love and never come back. But I will be back one day Рbecause to never come back means to forget your roots. And no matter how glamorous a life overseas may become I am determined to remember how great New Zealand has been to me and how proud I am to be from country.


Ka Kite Ano Aotearoa