Aussie in Aussie-land

Well this time last week I was sneaking out of the house, trying not to make any sound and wake my housemates up.  Heading to the airport to spend Christmas in the sun.

Now its a week later and I am still kinda jet lagged (however this morning I woke up at 6:50 and now my usual 2:30am so I think its getting under control). 

I am lying down in my old bed (so comfy), in my summer pjs, listening to birds out my window instead of sirens, but let me take you back through my journey home so far.

I got to Heathrow with no problems.  I was slightly early, but managed to check in straight away and as I wasn't feeling to well had to set my alarm on my phone incase I fell asleep (which I did so yay for thinking ahead).  I got on my plane and was annoyed to find out that I had a window seat when I asked for  an isle seat but then discovered that it didn't matter as I was fast asleep before the plane had even taken off.  I think the first half of the flight I was awake for about an hour (out of an 8 hour flight).  

We landed in Dubai to re-fuel the plane and even though I was getting on the exact same plane, in the exact same seat, I had to go through security checks again which is my worst nightmare.  Every time I go through the metal detectors, I go off.  I have a bangle that sets the alarms off every time.  Well that's simple enough right?  Take it off!  Well it doesn't come off.  It is stuck on my wrist until the end of time so YAY for airport security.  The last time I went through Dubai security they didn't realise this and they took me into a room to search me before realising that Oh its just the bangle.  So with a heavy heart I walked through the metal detectors.  BEEP BEEP BEEP.  But I don't know if it was because I looked so sick and tired, or the fact that it was just super busy, the guy took pity on me when I explained why it was beeping and let me go.  Silver linings.  

After a short stop over, I was back on the plane, and discovered that I now had 2 french school girls next to me and realised that the next 11 hours were not going to be fun.  So naturally I just went back to sleep.  11 or so hours later I found myself on Australian soil once more.  Only problem.  I was in Melbourne and I live in Sydney.  It was 10pm at night and I needed to wait until 6am the next morning for a flight to Sydney.  I think in those hours I went a little crazy.  I found some good wifi so that kept me amused for a while but it got to the point where I turned to photo booth on my computer to keep my amused.  It's not a pretty sight, but it those photos will be included in the video that I am making about my trip.

So I eventually get on a plane from Melbourne and get to Sydney where my sister and brother in law were waiting with a sign that they made welcoming me home.

I got back to the house, had a shower and very quickly found myself back in my car and driving around Sydney like I had never left.

I am slowly meeting up with all my friends, and it is a lovely feeling watching everyone get so excited to see you and want to know all your stories about the last year of your life.

It has been cloudy since I landed and everyone is claiming that I have brought the London weather over here with me (which suits me just fine) but I have big plans to go to the beach, the zoo (stay tuned for pictures of kangaroos and koalas) and continue my shopping adventures in the boxing days sales (wow I have spent too much money)

But for now, I am going to continue to sit under my fan, and plan where I am going to eat and shop next.

It's good to be home.

Aussie Out

xo

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I wasn't ready to feel sad

Well to say it's been a full on 4 or 5 days would be an understatement.

I finished up at Winter Wonderland.  This time last year I really hated the place.  I was sick and tired and going there every day was like a sentence that I willingly forced myself into.  This year however was different.  Because I had more freedom and I wasn't stuck in a token booth for 14 hours every day, I got to meet more people.  To do more things.  And gave me more chances to actually miss it.

My last day was filled with laughter, gifts and lots of hugs.

The next day was a full day.  It would of been my first day away from Winter Wonderland in 8 days.  So naturally I went there.  It started off meeting Lucinda and her friend from Sydney to watch a panto.  We went to see one last year but this was a totally different experience this year.  To be surrounded by children who didn't quite understand why I was laughing so hard at a scene in which they were talking about eating cheese cake with no topping on it which then went into a rousing rendition of "all about that base.. no topping" was worth the entrance fee alone.  That and the random 3D bit half way through the show, and having a theatre full of children singing "let it go"... I have found a lovely Christmas tradition.

After that we went to London bridge and went to a local pub where mulled wine on an empty stomach was a great plan that lead to playing a different type of wheres wally.  Basically you go on grinder and find someone close by and then try to find him.  Always a good idea when you have had a bit to drink.

After that we went to Lucindas' husband resturant and ate way to much seafood to be considered normal (but it was soooo good).  Than we headed off to Winter Wonderland.

More alcohol was drunk, games were played, rides were rode on ( flirting with the work Christmas boyfriend naturally happened), shopping at the markets was done.  It was such a fun night.

The next day was spent getting the last of my Christmas shopping done.  Wrapping presents and then getting ready for a party with my old work crew.  One of the guys is moving to Australia so it was his farewell.  But also it was 2nd date night with the Christmas boyfriend.  So once again I was not due to go back to Winter Wonderland but as I had to pick him up from work I once again found myself there, but only for 5 minutes and we were off.  He was too scared to get the tube, so I helped him overcome his fear (that's a lie - he hated it the whole time).

Once we got to the party, he thought he would be a good idea to keep buying me shot after shot which ended up me being extremely drunk, but hey it was our final chance for a date before I left the country so live it up.

The next day was my housemates Christmas.  I was tired, hungover and horribly embarrassed as I made a lot of noise coming home ( I'll leave it at that but you can use your imagination).  We exchanged presents and then I had to attempt to pack my bags as I was flying out the next day.  I half packed and then ended up falling asleep.  Later that night I was awoken by Christmas dinner.  I had about 5 bites and then ended up throwing it all back up. (Joy).  As I was feeling so horrible, I had an early night and set my alarm super early so I could finish packing in the morning.

Waking up and leaving London was a lot harder than I thought it would be.  I haven't been home in 14 months.  I am meant to be excited.  But I was sad.  I was leaving so much behind.  Even though I am coming back to it all, I just couldn't help but feel like this is the wrong time for me to go home.  But alas I packed my bags, and snuck out of the house while it was still dark.

That leads to now.   I am sitting in Melbourne airport.  So close to home, but I have to wait for my next flight to take me to Sydney.  I have mixed emotions.  I miss London.  Even sitting in the airport it's too hot.  Everyone sounds so Australian, and because I slept pretty much the entire flight to get here, I have no idea what time or day it is.  Jetlag is going to suck.

I'm hoping that once I get back to Sydney and see my family again everything will be fine but for now, I've never wanted to be back in cloudy old London town more than right now... even if I have to sleep in my crappy little single bed.

At Lucindas request I am making a video of my time back home, so I shall upload that at some point.

And there is nothing else for me to do other than wait around for another 5 hours and prepare to be sunburnt and tired.  Welcome Home to me!

Aussie Out
xo

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