2014

Hi Anna!

Your life is one big snowball of adventure! I loved reading about Iceland on your other blog. I never would've thought Iceland had so much to offer.

Well I've been so busy settling back in good old Perth and living in my own tiny air space.

During this month I've become well acquainted with Ikea and Bunnings and even a bit of a handyman and DIY-er. I've also been cleaning and scrubbing the place obsessively trying to disguise the age of the place. It's slowly coming nicely.

This year I've got a list of things I want to achieve. Last year I barely got any of them ticked off because I was living in the country. I'm pleased that I can now tick off having a large aquarium. It's always been on the back of my mind and moving back and forth just doesn't allow the up keep of fish. I've finally done it! I'm just waiting for the water to cycle and perhaps on Sunday I'll introduce a few fishy creatures.

The earlier days of January were spent:

- being 10 again and constructing with Lego
- unpacking and repacking
- going to the beach and having my first dip in the ocean for summer
- walks and picnics in Kings Park
- preparing a mini tapas meal with friends

I am loving the warm and sunny days here but I wouldn't mind being teleported to be in the wilderness with you!

Happy travels :)

Thank you & Merry Christmas

Dearest Chia

Thank you for your birthday wishes! I really really loved the photo! I ended up saving it on my phone and used it as my wallpaper!

My birthday was a nice day. I was still sick and so I was tired and nauseous but I still managed to walk around Innsbruck in Austria.

It's funny, because I'm overseas, my birthday (which is usually a big thing for me) didn't feel so big. In fact it just felt like any other day, until I got the messages from friends and family.

So besides spending time in Innsbruck for my birthday, we also spent Christmas there. Christmas was quite sweet. We found ourselves a 'Christmas tree' to put presents around it. Here's the before shot:





Here's the after wrapping shot:



It was a nice relaxing in the hotel room styled Christmas. There was no snow, but we had mountains and we also watched Christmas movies with snow in it. :)

So I hope you had a very Merry Christmas! I can't wait to hear about your Christmas!

Wherever you are...

Always there for me
Now she is travelling to places she has
Never been and making new friends
And I would like to say...

Four days left

Third time lucky!

Just lost my other two posts!

I've been busy with school concert, reports and graduation and it has just been mayhem. I'll be glad when the year is over. Four more teaching days but I know I'll miss it when it's all over.

Just a glimpse of what else had been happening last week or so.

I received your postcard from Vatican City. Aw.. Wish I was there too!

I woke up one morning with a spider on my pillow. It didn't bother me that I never caught it. Perhaps that's what living in the country does to you.

I had a lovely dinner at that cafe I took you to when you were in Narrogin. I had lamb , carrot mash and pomegranate. Presented very suitably to the Christmas season.

Waiting to leave Florence

Hi Chia!

As promised, trying to blog little bits and pieces here and there. We are waiting to leave the apartment to go to the train station to head off to Vienna, Austria!

We are taking the sleeper train and we have a room for 4 people. So I am curious who will be bunking with us tonight!

So it's arrivederci for now!

Florence, Italy

Hi Chia!

I am so happy that you received the postcard and bracelet!

I was getting anxious thinking that it may have gotten lost or something!

When I bought the bracelets, I was looking for something that was distinctively Turkey/Istanbul but something that was subtle enough to wear out in Perth!

So, I've been a little slack on blogging here, I am so sorry. I am trying to blog on both here and the travel blog with Kev and admittedly, majority of the blogging time has gone on the other page.

I've been thinking that I will try and focus the blogging on here for the small things that amuse me, and perhaps some more personal insight on what's happening in my mind.

The trip so far has been interesting. That being the word. I feel as if days go by in a blur at times, and admittedly, there are days where I don't even realise I'm traveling (which is bad). However, the one thing that remains consistent is that I don't feel ready to return back to Perth. There is something out here. I can weirdly feel it. But for some reason I do feel like there is something holding me back from getting there.

I am in this transition period where I just don't know what's going to happen next in my life. I have some idea how I would like things to go, but for most days, I don't feel in control of what's happening so far. It's a little frustrating admittedly. But oh wells.

On a brighter note, here are some happy snaps for you as requested! The weather is getting colder (though so far the last few days have been pretty 'warm', that being, warmer than Rome!).

First glance at Florence!

Yay! I'm in Florence!

A notebook that I purchased today!

I had to make note of where I bought this notebook! :)

I constantly wish you were here! It would be so awesome exploring the art galleries, eating gelato, discussing how beautiful it is, and how we would be if we were here in Florence back in the day when the city started to emerge!

All the way from Istanbul

Aw Anna!!!! Thank you for the postcard and gift! I LOVE IT! I love how dainty it is and the lucky charms are just gorgeous. Perfect gift too because I'm in need of some luck.

I know we do chat a lot but it's a real treat to know you're thinking about me and taking the time to write and post something. I wish I could do the same for you. But I'm so envious that you have the freedom to be anywhere you want to. I really hope you enjoy it as much as you can and truly satisfy as much of that wanderlust you have.

Of course if I were with you we'd be partying and having the time of our lives. Ibiza comes to mind. I wish with all my might that in this moment I could be teleported to Florence with you. I loved Florence as much as I loved Istanbul but for different reasons. Florence gave me beautiful memories that I shared with my parents. The memories of strolling down cobbled streets, deciding on our flavours of gelato, shopping for leather bags... I am very happy to hear you're having some extra time in Florence and just taking it at an easy pace.

I do hope you post more photos. I can't get enough of seeing your smile! You look very cute in your winter outfit. Such a contrast to weather to Maldives.

The photos of Santorini are just stunning! I adore the architecture and choice of colour. It seems to be the perfect romantic destination.

And yes, one day we'll have to do a holiday over again. Who knows? We could be having hamams together or feasting our eyes on hot Turkish men... The thought makes me want to stop spending frivolously on clothes and such and channel it towards an Anna and Chia travel fund :p

Well my day today was rather unexciting. Monday's are a struggle and it became better thanks to you :)

I was in Perth briefly for the weekend and that was lovely. Saw familiar faces and caught up with a friend that's soon to be a mum!

Well that's it from me. It's been busy and there's no stopping just yet. Take care and happy travelling Anna xxx