Sunday 20 July 2014

The Birthday Week That Was

I'm reverse aging. I do not remember having this much fun on my 18th or 21st birthday. Maybe I just can't remember it because I'm now the ripe age of 29 and my memory aint so good as it used to be. But I digress. This week has surely been the most epic of all birthday weeks. And I didn't even see it coming.



This time last year I remember sitting in the 'Boiling River' in Yellowstone National Park feeling as content as one could be. And this year it has been one exciting blur. It's nice to blaze out the last of my 20s. Yes, there has been an incredible amount of alcohol drunken (with Judy and Simon at Club Gascon), and some very dubious and frenetic dancing (Dom and Kinga's wedding), some long distance family time (thanks for my favourite cheesecake I can see but not eat) and some pretty spectacular food (oysters, froi gras, squab pigeon, Mangalista pork, flatiron steak, princess cake) and lots of pampering (breakfast in bed, foot massage, having hair, make up, nail and lashes done by Kevin and Blow bar) and just some good ol' fashioned hanging out with new housemates and old. 



London has been bloody amazing to both Kevin and I and I couldn't be happier to announce that I've accepted a permanent role here with sponsorship so we are staying for another 2 years. Happy Birthday to us!

Sunday 6 July 2014

The Future


Life has so many possibilities that one can wile away hours following a mental path down one way and then turning around and thinking through another. It always brings back the image of Robert Frost's poem 'The Road Not Taken'. Now, I'm all one for grand sweeping gestures in life. Romantic ideals and following one's internal compass. But right now, my internal compass is spinning in all sorts of directions and I need some clarity. 

And here it is, the conundrum. Kevin and I have properly settled in London. We've got a good rhythm and are definitely enjoying this British summer. So much so that we had discussed our mutual regret not having a second British summer to look forward to as our Visa expires in Spring next year.

Now, just two weeks after this conversation, a new opportunity has cropped up. A locum job I had may eventuate into a permanent role. With sponsorship. It would mean I'd have to say goodbye to 7 holidays a year though. And random weeks off in between. Also goodbye to exploring different parts of London, wandering around, seeking different lunch spots. 

Trading uncertainty and variation for stability and longevity. There are sacrifices but it means we can stay for longer and enjoy the life we've been building up here. There's still a charm to it that hasn't worn off yet. Life is still shiny here.

I may not take it. I might just let the Visa run its course and go travelling as planned afterwards, eventually arriving back in sunny Sydney. Of which I've also been longing for. Can I stand more years away from my family and friends? However the apple may be tempting enough for me to take it. Right now I'm still staring down that fork, and all I know is that I'll keep moving forward, but only time will tell in which direction.