A candid and insightful record of my journey through this shiny new 'single girl' life of mine, through all the ups and downs, the excitement, the nerves, the new 'firsts' in my life all crossed off my list, one by one!

No. 92 – Watch my best friend get married

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Shanny

‘And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times

It’s you, it’s you, you make me sing

You’re every line, you’re every word

You’re everything…’

~ Michael Buble ~

Last Sunday I was blessed to be present at the marriage of not one, but two, of my best friends: Melinda and Rochelle. This amazing union between two of the most beautiful, inspiring, loving, and supportive women in my life was, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful weddings I’ve ever had the honour of attending. Watching the girls walk down the aisle, being given away by their fathers, their children standing next to them, and surrounded by their closest loved ones reminded me of the incredible power of love, commitment, and eternal friendship.

Mel and Shell have been in my life for almost a decade now. I am godmother to their son, Connor, and a doting aunty to their daughter, Imogen. Both of these women have stuck with me through thick and thin, through marriage and separation, through the good and bad…no matter what, they’ve always been there for me. To finally watch them get married – after 14 years together – made my heart swell with pride and overwhelming love.

As I watched the newly-married couple take to the dance floor for their wedding waltz to Michael Buble’s ‘Everything’, I felt my throat choke with emotion and the tears overflow, my heart filled with gratitude for being invited to play a part in this moment, to witness such profound love, and to be present in the lives of these amazing women.

This incredible couple are my inspiration – as women, as partners, as parents, as friends – and I strive to live my life with the compassion, courage, and profound kindness that Mel and Shell demonstrate every day. I can only hope to find someone to love me the way these two souls love each other, so deeply, wholly, and purely…

No. 33 – Go to a concert I’ve never been to before

Posted on February 9, 2013 by Shanny

Crossed off 2 February, 2013.

Last Saturday afternoon, I (impulsively) jumped on a plane to Sydney to go to see Swedish House Mafia’s One Last Tour show at Olympic Park. Yeah I did…

Fuelled by an insane and overwhelming desire to feel like a free-spirited solo traveller again (if only for 24 hours), I grabbed a pair of Havis, my sunnies, a change of clothes, my ticket and jumped on a flight, not really thinking about anything other than the sweet feeling of freedom…In hindsight, I probably should have checked the weather beforehand, as Sydney was actually quite chilly and rainy (and I was severely under-prepared for such weather in my singlet and mini shorts…) Anyhoo, the weather did nothing to dampen my spirits, as I surfed the Sydney rail system like a boss to arrive at Homebush, pumped and ready to get my rave on…

Feeling tremors of excitement radiating through my whole body, I ran through the tunnel of the Olympic Stadium and burst out on to the arena floor, just as the SHM lads opened up with thumping track ‘Greyhound’ and the crowd erupted into wild cheers and some killer dance moves. I pushed my way through the massive crowd to get as close as I could and spent the next 2 hours jumping up and down, laughing, singing, screaming, raving, and generally having the time of my life. Raving in the rain on a sweet summer’s night…gah!!! And I did it all without the assistance of any mood-altering substances (I didn’t even have a drink), and without an ounce of anxiety or worry (take that, old panic attacks!)

Swedish House Mafia, SHM, One Last Tour, Unitl Now, We came we raved we loved, let your joy rise, Sydney, concert

Opening the show in style…

Not only was Swedish House Mafia simply AH-mazing (seriously, if you haven’t already downloaded their Until Now album, do yourself a favour and jump on it…like, right now), giving a fantastic performance, playing incredible music, and pumping the crowd up to next-level awesomeness, the night was made even better by my own sense of pride, because – wait for it – I did this. All. On. My. Own.

Yup. You heard right – I went to a gigantic concert, in Sydney, all on my own, and danced the night away in my own little world. And I wasn’t even bothered by it at all…

Although many people were quite shocked to hear this – “What? It’s just you? So, you flew down to Sydney to go to a concert ALONE?!? Where’s all your friends?!?” – I was actually quite proud to explain that I wasn’t going to let a small detail like being a solo sista’ stop me from doing something I truly wanted to do…even if it meant being the lone raver in the pack.

“Miami 2 Ibiza”

It’s a part of who I am now; I’m the girl who isn’t afraid to stand alone…of trying new things or going to places on her own…of having marvellous little solo adventures, just because she can…I’m the girl who has learnt to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. And although it would have been wonderful to share the night with someone – to dance and laugh and sing together – I am so incredibly stoked that I went and had such an amazing time…BOOM!

We came…we raved…we loved

As Sebastian, Axwell, and Steve – the SHM boys themselves – would say: “Don’t you worry, don’t you worry, child…see, heaven’s got a plan for you…”

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Lyrical Love: How a post-it note and Alicia Keys changed my life…

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Shanny

A couple of weeks ago, I received an incredible package of gorgeous goodies from my beautiful bloggy BFF in Ireland, Jenn from Positivity Pimp. I was lucky enough to win a giveaway on Jenn’s blog at Christmas time (talk about making my Christmas extra merry!) and all of the prizes were simply divine…hello, Argania Hair Oil, how my tresses love thee!

With love from Ireland x

One of goodies included was Alicia Keys’ new album Girl on Fire. On the inside of the CD, I found a little handwritten note from Jenn, dedicating tracks 2, 4 & 6 to me and my journey. Curious, I slid the CD, skipped to track 2, hit play…and suddenly felt myself weeping tears of gratitude and understanding, as I listened to Brand New Me.

It was as if Alicia knew everything I had been through, every emotion I had felt in the last six months; every realisation I had discovered during my travels, in reflection of my journey, and had crafted this exquisite musical memoir in my honour. All of it perfectly laid out in a melody that captured my heart, and sung with a soul-stirring conviction and power that took my breath away…as only she can do. I’ve NEVER had a song speak to me in such volumes or resonate so deeply within my spirit. I finally had the answers to all those questions about myself I had been carrying in my heart, and it felt. So. Dayam. Good.

It freed me. It validated me. It empowered me.

I don’t need your opinion

I’m not waiting for your ok

I’ll never be perfect

But at least now I’m brave

Now, my heart is open

I can finally breathe

Don’t be mad, it’s just the brand new kind of me…

Talk about a WOAH moment…

So powerful is her message, so inspiring is her performance, that I felt compelled to share it with you all. So please, do yourselves a favour, and check out this incredible song of self-realisation and empowerment…and believe the words with all your heart. I know I do. And a MASSIVE, heartfelt thank you to the gorgeous girl herself, Jenn, for sending me this dedication and for changing my life with just one post-it note…

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOSv1TIa58M]

A Luminous Life: Spreading the joy of fellow dream-chasers and inspiration-junkies…

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Shanny

Ta-Dah! Welcome to the first Luminous Life instalment for 2013! Yewin’…

Today’s cracka-lackin’ profile of magic and bloggy goodness comes from the gorgeous Monika Berry, creator of the amazing slice of the interweb known as MB Captured. Monika is like a breath of fresh air to the blogosphere; her addiction to mind-blowingly beautiful photography, design, and livin’ a big ol’ joyful life is infectious (like, in a totally good way)….

I could go on and on about her fabulousness (it’s easy to do!), but I think I’ll let her do the talkin’ instead…

Thanks for stopping by, Mon! Tell us a little about yourself… I’m Monika, the creative producer behind MB Captured. I have come from a life with a travelling mum, life was always one big adventure, which also meant I lost count of how many schools I attended. These days, I have settled into a Northern Victorian Country Town (for now) with my husband, 2 dogs and baby bump (due in May).

By day I work in an office as an Executive Assistant and by night I am a graphic design student and novice photographer. Most weekends you will find me at a local café with my husband or sitting in the park with a book. I have an obsession with cute stationery and dreamy décor (for the home and parties). I wish I could be a green thumb, but fail every time. My husband says I’m a dreamer and he’s the realistic one that keeps me grounded, he’s pretty spot on.

Why did you start blogging? I started just over a year ago, wanting a space to share my photography, beautiful design and styling and general doses of positivity on living a big beautiful life.

I actually started MB Captured without any direction or vision about what I wanted from it, merely just a place to put all this ‘stuff’. I didn’t want to produce income or be commercialised, but perhaps be a foundation or support to something down the track. Today, I can honestly say it is now a part of me and it even inspires me. I have met so many amazing women who I now call friends and maybe even realised a new future career path. I have grown and developed so much with MB Captured.

What does 2013 hold for you? Apart from becoming a first time mum in May, this year will see me graduate with qualifications in graphic design, a much bigger photography portfolio, my own stationery line and maybe even a business launch… Yep, this year is a big one and I am positive I won’t be the same person on the other side, in a very good way.

What drives you most to live a big beautiful life? I want our life to be an adventure, even more so with children of our own. Creating new opportunities for myself, so I don’t have to choose a career over being a mum. There is a saying I try to live by, the only regrets you have are the things you didn’t do. Using that philosophy, without leaving my integrity behind, opens many doors.

What are three songs that are always on rotation on your iPod?

+ Bon Iver – Perth

+ Mumford & Sons – Hopeless Wanderer

+ Silversun Pickups – Catch & Release

If you were getting a tattoo of your favourite quote, what would it be? Spend each day in some happy way. (Inspired from a little plaque mum bought me at a market when I was a kid).

I currently have one tattoo of an abstract elephant head, which I got in a shack in the middle of the Northern Thailand jungle after doing some volunteer work with Elephants. Working with the elephants was such a beautiful experience, I wanted to make it part of me.

What are 5 goals/dreams/random shenanigans you would add to your own list?

Live overseas with my husband and kids, maybe even somewhere like Thailand
Experience breathtaking moments with Wildlife around the world
Move back to the beach and own a paddleboard
Become a freelance designer and photographer
Never lose my sense of adventure

Finish this sentence: “The key to happiness is….” I don’t think there is one special ingredient to this as our lives have so many influencing factors.

Be true to who you are, always keep your integrity and honesty. Then, you will naturally flow onto your destined path and surround yourself with like-minded people.

Be a student in this big wide world. There is so much to learn and discover, don’t stop chasing it.

Simply chose to be happy, a simple mind shift has some pretty impressive power.

This is my favourite photo of me because it captures… A time when we had a lot less, we had just entered our 20’s, bought a house and got our first fluffy kid. Little did we know how many amazing life changing experiences were just around the corner. My greatest memories are in this time. Life won’t wait for you, don’t waste it.

Continue reading →

No. 142 – Cross one thing off this list each month in 2012 (at least)

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Shanny

My vision for the wonderful year that was 2012 kinda went something like this…

I wanted to set my INTENTIONS for the year and watch them blossom…

I wanted to be held ACCOUNTABLE for my successes and life choices (a.k.a. choosing joy and happiness)…

I wanted to CHALLENGE myself to achieve something in each of the 12 months of a new, exciting, and oh-so-full-of-possibilites year…

I wanted to COMMIT to something important to me and follow it through to the end…

I wanted to DEVELOP, LEARN, GROW and EVOLVE through my experiences…

So I did…simple, really…

collage2012

Looking back now, it’s funny to see how it started out: small, easy, localised goals; then gained some momentum; and then exploded into a non-stop whirlwind of goal-achieving, life-changing, fire-in-the-belly goodness! Seriously, it took on a life of its own…

Here’s the easy steps I took to achieve these goals:

+ Set your intentions – Like, right now…

+ Use POWERFUL words - Hit the thesaurus if you need, read other people’s blogs for ideas, or just sit in silence and ask the Universe for the words to describe what you need most…they will come, I promise.

+ Put them out there on show – Dress ‘em up, pimp ‘em out, make them fabulous, and share them with the whole world…

+ Seek opportunities to achieve – I believe in the simple ‘YES’ philosophy: when an opportunity presents itself, just respond with ‘YES’…trust me, this works!

+ Get those good ol’ positive, ‘can-do’ vibes coursing through your veins - Achieving goals is like the ultimate mood-lifter…

+ Celebrate your awesomeness - Reflect upon your achievement, appreciate it, cherish it…and write it down so you always have a snapshot of how you felt in that moment. It makes such a wonderful memento of your journey!

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So, how did I go with my month-by-month goal-achieving goodness for 2012? See for yourself…

No. 103 – Picnic at the beach with Muggy

No. 25 – Reflect…

No. 11 – Meditate

No. 62 – Get a tan

No. 67 – Learn to ride a bike

( Pinned from here)

No. 40 – Run and play in the rain

No. 53 – Follow my dreams, not someone else’s…

No. 14 – Study abroad

No. 147 – Drink beer from a traditional beer stein in Germany

No. 21 – Laugh for no reason…

No. 55 – Forgive him

No. 39 – Have my photo taken in Paris near the Eiffel Tower

No. 136 – Wander the halls of the Louvre

No. 143 – See and touch snow for the first time

No. 138 – Swim in the Mediterranean Sea

No. 137 – Eat gelato on the Spanish Steps in Rome

No. 139 – Marvel at the Sistine Chapel

No. 135 – Pay my respects at a former Nazi concentration camp

No. 2 – Travel around Europe

No. 149 – Eat a traditional foot-long hotdog

No. 150 – Go to a live baseball game in the USA

No. 102 – Hold hands…

An Aussie in Antigonish: My life in Canada - Week 1, Week 2, Week 3.

No. 127 – Make a wish…

No. 157 – Celebrate Thanksgiving

No. 151 – Scream my lungs out at an ice hockey match

No. 148 – Celebrate Halloween

An Aussie in Antigonish: My life in Canada - Weeks 4, 5, 6

No. 50 – Be kind to myself

An Aussie in Antigonish: My life in Canada -Weeks 7-9, Weeks 10-12

Special: A letter to my 15-year old self…

No. 146 – Try ice skating

No. 117 – Have a White Christmas

No. 72 – See a show on Broadway…

No. 144 – See the bright lights of Times Square.

No. 158 – Have breakfast at Tiffany’s

No.76 – Have an adventure…

An Aussie in Antigonish: My life in Canada – Weeks 13-15

Special: An Aussie in Antigonish Saying Goodbye – An open love letter to my friends at StFX…

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What about yourself? Did you achieve some MAJOR goals in 2012? How did you achieve them? Do you have some big, exciting, breathtaking, out-of-this-world goals for 2013? Share them here, I’d love to know…

No.76 – Have an adventure… (otherwise known as ‘My Beautiful Life: 2012 in Retrospect…’)

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Shanny

Crossed off the list 31st December, 2012

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Wow.

Like, seriously…WOW.

What an action-packed, wildly adventurous, jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring, non-stop rollercoaster, whirlwind of a year this was – phew! 2012 was, without a doubt, the BEST year of my life, thus far…no joke. This was my year of adventure, self-discovery, solo world travelling, soul searching, broken heart-mending, spirit quenching, magical ah-ha! moments, fuelled by non-stop, massive, dreamscomingtrue-goodness!

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As I look back on my incredible journey through the last 365 days of blessings, I am transported back to this exact day a year ago – my first New Year’s Eve alone after the collapse of my marriage – and to this memory:

I was sitting at my computer, reading my friend Rach’s yearly review of 2011, which was jam-packed with all her marvelous accomplishments, each word oozing joy and love and energy…and I was sobbing huge, body-wracking tears. As I read my friend’s beautiful words, I felt a massive ache in my heart and soul as I realised that my life was devoid of such joy, such spirit, such adventure….such self-love. I distinctly remember feeling a deep-seeded, desperate yearning to live a big, bright, bold, beautiful life like she did. And in that moment, I made a promise to myself to make it all happen in 2012: to usher as much love, light, joy, adventure, magic, and spirit into my world, so that I would never again feel so empty inside…

And guess what?

I did.

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2012 was my adventure. It was the year I truly began to live. It was the year I found myself. It was the year that I began to love myself. It was the year that, quite literally, changed my entire life.

I chased my dreams, literally, around the world. I achieved amazing goals. I pushed my boundaries and limits – physically, mentally, and emotionally. I dared to take risks. I plunged ahead into the unknown, heart pounding and wide-eyed. I opened my heart, my mind, my eyes, my soul, and my spirit to the magic in this world and learned infinitely from all my experiences…the good, the bad, and everything in between. I forged my own path, even when that meant leaving others behind and losing what I used to consider some of my most important relationships. I created new bonds, new friendships, and new connections with amazing souls across the globe. I lived alone in a foreign country. I finally freed myself of the crippling depression and anxiety that plagued my life and robbed me of my luster for almost a decade. I wept in gratitude, I shook in terror, I laughed in joy, I fell to my knees in forgiveness, I sat in silence. I surrendered my old views of myself – the person I once was and the past that came with it – and embraced the new, vibrant, confident, self-assured, brave adventurer I became. I reclaimed my spirit. I became whole again.

In short, 2012 was the year of ME.

What a marvellous adventure it was…

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And now as it draws to a close, I am humbled by the extraordinary gifts and blessings that have been bestowed upon me. I am amazed, quite frankly, that the girl in those photos, in those blog posts, in those situations and experiences, is me. That I have done things that I never dared to dream of because I thought they were impossible, or that I was not worthy, or that I was too old/tired/sad/weak to try. That the bubbly, bright, beautiful soul that I now see in the mirror has come so far from where she started a year ago – and what a wonderful sight she is…

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I realised something important today. Even though my passport and backpack will be put away for the next year while I finish my final year of University, my journey of self-discovery will continue. In fact, it will never end. I started this year full of doubt, panic, uncertainty, fear, and false pretenses. I’m so proud to say I am ending this year brimming with confidence, contentedness, clarity, and courage (and yes, I am aware of the alliteration there)

May 2013 bring you all the love, light, joy, magic, and never-ending adventure that you deserve.

Shanny xxx

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The New York City Edition…No. 72, No. 144, & No. 158…

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Shanny

Crossed off the list 22nd, 23rd & 24th December, 2012

Wow! What an amazing city…The Big Apple is truly one of the most energetic, magnetic, eclectic, and all-out FANTASTIC cities I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting (and I’ve been to some pretty amazing places this year!). The frenetic pace of the city and the people who inhabit this crazy, condensed, and magnificent island called Manhattan is both mind-blowing and addictive at the same time. To say I didn’t want to leave is an understatement…I had to force myself to get on the train at Grand Central to leave, a monumental effort on my behalf!

Empire state Building…View from the top…

During my epic 48 hours in NYC, I was able to tick off some pretty amazing experiences off my list (see details below!), as well as some other pretty amazing little extras, such as…

+ Going to the top of the Empire State Building (the view is, quite simply, breathtaking)

+ Surfing the subway system like a pro

Subway surfing selfies…

+ Paying my respects at the World Trade Centre memorial site (I wept tears of sorrow and offered up my deepest prayers for the victims of this terrible atrocity against mankind)

The new towers at the WTC site

+ Walked the famous streets of Broadway, Madison Avenue, 5^th Avenue, Wall Street, and Park Avenue, swooning over the gorgeous displays of the world’s greatest designes (ahhh, Prada, how I love thee…)

+ Wandered the adorable Christmas markets on Columbus Circle on the outskirts of Central Park (a happy coincidence, as I had no idea they were there until I emerged from a subway station right into the middle of them)

Central Park at dusk

+ Indulged in some NYC specialties: cannoli, coffee, hotdogs, macaroons, and of course, the quintessential NY slice (since I am such a sucker when it comes to pizza)

Best. Pizza. EVER!

+ Made friends with the manager at the Billabong/Element store in Times Square and scored a 40% staff discount (once a part of the Billabong family, always a part of the Billabong family, no matter where you are in this world, apparently!)

+ Caught up with my darling former GC housemate, Dave, who just happened to be in NYC that day (he’d been on exchange in Florida this semester), which was wonderful

GC housemate love in NYC

+ Meandering through Central Park, taking a gazillion photos of the magic scenery and stopping to play with squirrels…

+ Unintentionally caught the wrong subway and ended up in Brooklyn…which was quite an experience, let me assure you!

+ Felt my wandering adventurer spirit soar for the first time in months, which made me feel like a million bucks…

No. 72 – See a show on Broadway…

Mamma Mia! Great show. Great music. Great theatre. A lifelong dream come true…made me miss being on stage so much…

No. 144 – See the bright lights of Times Square.

Bright lights in the Big City…

In a word: WOW. A total oh-my-God-this-is-simply-one-of-the-most-amazing-sights-I’ve-ever-seen-in-my-life kinda experience. I felt myself being literally pulled towards the bright lights, feet eagerly pounding the pavement in a near run, mouth hanging open in awe, eyes darting everywhere, trying in vain to see everything at once, overwhelmed by the sheer magnificence of what is actually quite a small space (just keep looking up: like all the best things in this world, everything is up…).

For two nights in a row, I sat, mesmerized, in the middle of Times Square, looking all around me, trying in vain to keep up with the madness all around me, drinking in the sights, sounds, and smells of one of the coolest places on the planet I’ve ever been. It was like I was grooving on the vibe of the city and all the energy of the people in it. If you want to feel energized, alive, and enthralled by the spirit of NYC, then Times Square at midnight is the place for you! It took all my willpower to pull myself away at 1am every night and walk back to my hotel…seriously, I could have stayed there all night.

No. 158 – Have breakfast at Tiffany’s:

Ok, let me clarify a few things:

1. There is no actual food at Tiffany & Co.

2. I was aware of this fact before I added this to my list, as I have read Truman Capote’s book and seen the Audrey Hepburn movie (duh).

3.I didn’t wear a long, black, Givenchy evening gown, gloves, and a tiara like Audrey did (sorry, must have left that in my other backpack). I did, however, wear my big black sunnies in salute to Audrey’s style…the best I could do with my limited means (and besides, in my mind, I was dressed in Givenchy with a tiara…this was my fantasy, afterall!)

4. This was more of a metaphorical goal – I wanted to have my own iconic NYC moment, drawing inspiration from one of my favourite movies of all time…I wasn’t expecting to walk into Tiffany’s and order breakfast, as some people have suggested (once again, I must add a ‘duh’ here).

On Monday morning, after picking up a croissant and spiced chai latte (and maybe a sneaky raspberry macaroon) from one of the best cafes on 5^th Avenue, I made a beeline down the street to the flagship Tiffany & Co store, the site of one of the most iconic scenes in film history. Standing outside the opulent and classically-styled storefront, gazing at the gorgeous window displays, and doing my best Holly Golightly impersonation, was one of the most frivolously fun things I’ve ever done on this list, and brought me such joy that I actually giggled out loud – I mean, c’mon, how many people can say they got to recreate their girlhood dream scene in New York City? And on 5^th Ave, no less? This was a moment just for me, for that inner ‘Audrey’ inside of me who is always polished, elegant, and optimistic…and in that moment, I ceased to be a poor, back-packing uni student and felt like I was an icon of beauty, grace, and style (even in mittens, jeans, and winter boots).

Channeling my inner Audrey…

Well, that sums up my New York experience – it certainly was a magical way to top off my travels around the world this year! I only wish I could have had more time in this gorgeous city – 48 hours just wasn’t enough for this girl! – but I know that I will be back to explore its amazing streets and boroughs very soon.

I Heart NYC, forever xxx

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No. 117 – Have a White Christmas

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Shanny

Crossed off the list 25th December, 2012

I was lucky enough to spend this Christmas abroad in New Hampshire, USA, with my friends, the Ferrari family (yes, that is their real name, just like the car…cool, huh?!). I was even luckier to wake up on Christmas morning to find a fine dusting of snow covering everything! My wish had come true – I finally got to have a White Christmas! Talk about walking in a Winter Wonderland…

Although there wasn’t enough snow to go sledding or make a snowman (I had more snow in Canada, actually), it was still a magical sight to behold, especially when you consider I’m a born and bred Gold Coast girl who is more familiar with seeing sun, surf, and sand on Christmas Day.

Even though I missed my family and friends back home and wished I could be with them, I am so grateful to Tom, Dott, Angie, Steve, and Gina for making my day special – they spolied me with love, warmth, and a gorgeous bracelet from Tiffany & Co! Talk about bringing tears to my eyes…

I hope that this is just the first of many White Christmases to come for me…

An Aussie in Antigonish Saying Goodbye: An open love letter to my friends at StFX…

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Shanny

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To my dearest Canadian friends,

I truly don’t know how to start this letter. Even as I write this, I am still in denial and disbelief that my time here with you has come to an end…I mean, it feels like I only just got here! But the reality is that four months have indeed passed and it is time for me to go home. Although I am excited to be reunited with my friends and family in Australia, I also leave you with a heavy heart and a deep sadness, because you have all, quite by accident and with no explicit intention, become my family here in Canada. It wasn’t until this moment, on the cusp of my departure, that I realised what an amazing little life I had manifested for myself here in this small, rural (and at times, crazy) town, and the impact that the wonderful and colourful characters that I call my friends and loved ones have had on me.

When I first arrived here at the end of August, I was unconvinced that this was the right place for me; in fact, in all my travels around the world, I had never felt so different, so isolated, and so out of place as I did here during that first week or so. I began to worry that I had made the biggest mistake of my life. Seriously, I even remember scheming and dreaming of ways to escape, to pack my bags, cash in my scholarship money, and run like hell back to Europe…

But then, a small miracle happened: I met you.

From the first day at orientation when you took me under your wing, guiding me through the registration process, exchanging friendly greetings and warm wishes of welcome, showing me around the campus, easing my anxiety, and making me feel less like an outsider; followed by our day at Crystal Cliffs, where I was blown away by the endless energy, infectious enthusiasm, and diverse personalities of these new people I would soon be calling my peers. By the end of the night at Curriculum Colours, I knew I had met some of the most interesting, fun, eclectic, and entertaining people of my life. All of a sudden, I wasn’t so worried…

Over the weeks, my life here just got better and better: classes, coffee catch-ups, house parties, dates, socials, football/rugby/hockey/basketball games, birthdays, road trips, conferences, movie nights, Wednesday Wing Night at Piper’s, Homecoming, Thanksgiving, Halloween, X-Ring…the experiences you all gave me were amazing and have provided me with countless memories I will treasure forever. Whether it was teaching me new Canadian words and terms (I find myself adding that little ‘eh’ to the end of my sentences now), or introducing me to your culture, customs, food, music (I’m so happy to be going home to Australia with my copy of Stan Roger’s ‘Barrett’s Privateers’), and games (Beer Pong, anyone?), you made my life here bigger and brighter than I could have ever imagined. And you all became so important to me and I’d like to take this time to thank you.

To my dearest friend, and Canadian ‘sister’, Evelyn…I send you my deepest and sincerest love and gratitude for your un-ending support, fierce loyalty, and incredible friendship. From easing my anxiety, to showing me around campus; giving me advice in my darkest moments, to doing my hair; sitting by my bedside and nursing me at my sickest all through the night, to inviting me home for Thanksgiving…this woman has been my personal angel. Impromptu road trips, sing-alongs, endless hours of thought-provoking and soul-searching conversations, roll on the floor laughter, Friday night dinner dates, Sunday morning breakfasts, girly weekends away, a never-ending supply of hugs and words of encouragement …wow, I’m so lucky to have her as a friend! I’m serious when I say that my life has forever changed because of Ev’s glowing presence and I will miss her every day until we are reunited. I will always love you, my darling.

To the guy who first captured my attention at Crystal Cliffs in his sunnies and bandana, berating me for forgetting how to ‘penguin walk’…whose quiet cool and subtle confidence intrigued me…who held my hand when he walked me home…gave me great advice and broad shoulders to cry on…taught me how to two-step…who told me I had “eyes that melt the world”: KJ. I’m so thankful for the time we had together and for the wonderful moments we shared. You brought so much joy to my life here and I only wish that things had ended better for us. To me, you always will be the guy with the gorgeous smile who gave me butterflies when you kissed me and made me feel like I was walking on clouds…you will always have a place in my heart.

To Neil, my Canadian ‘brother’ – thanks for always being there to take me to hockey games, buy me Burt Reynolds shots at the pub, spin me around the dance floor, give me a hug when I need it, and for teaching me how to play ‘slap shots’…you are a true character, m’dear, and I will miss you terribly. I want to see you in Australia very soon!

To Kayla, Josh, Adri, Chelsie, and everyone living on the Seed who welcomed me into their home to stay for my last week, and made sure I had a blast every moment I was living there – THANK YOU! You guys are amazing…my deepest love and thanks to you always.

To all the girls – thank you for your unwavering friendship and support. You made me feel like a part of something special and always made my days brighter. You are incredible women who will go on to have wonderful lives filled with love, success, and wonderment. I hope you all keep in touch.

To the boys – thank you for endless shenanigans, never-ending entertainment, and for teaching me the art of ‘chirping’…you guys will always be my mates and I’ll always think of you whenever I hear dogs barking…haha.

All of you played a part in my journey, whether you realised it or not, and I am eternally grateful for the gifts of extraordinary experience you all gave me. Every smile, every kind word, every comment about my blog, every intellectual exchange in class, every cheers over a beer, every hug, every laugh, every kiss…they all mean more to me than words can say, and without them, I would have never made it through. You will always be my friends and I will miss you every day. You all have a place to stay if you ever choose to make the journey to Australia, whether that be in a year or ten.

I know that to most of you I will always just be the Aussie exchange student who passed through town for a semester, just a small part of your final chapter at university; but to me, you were, you are, and always will be, my whole story…

All my love, always.

Shanny, your ‘lil Aussie mate

No. 146 – Try ice skating

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Shanny

Crossed off the list 16/12/2012

Look at me – no hands!!!

Take one Aussie girl with some athletic ability, balance, and grace; add in a pair of hockey skates and an icy rink; mix in some great friends with an abundance of encouragement, and what do you get? My first time ice skating!

At first, I was a tad worried – after all, I’ve never been on ice before; my experience with skating did not extend beyond a short obsession with rollerblading back in the mid 90′s; and I was pretty sure that my travel insurance would not cover injuries sustained through acts of over-confidence and stupidity (I was already picturing myself falling and laying in a pool of blood on the ice)…however, trying ice skating was on my list, and I’m not one to shy away from a challenge, regardless of how much I may suck at it…

But I totally didn’t! In fact, I kinda rocked it (cue for cheering, applause, and exploding confetti canons…well, in my head at least), and the only people more surprised than me were my Canadian mates, Josh and Chelsie, who were the masterminds behind this little outing. I held on to the railing around the rink for the first two laps, gaining speed, confidence, and getting the hang of the skating technique…then after that I was out on my own! Gliding across the ice, feeling my legs propel me across the smooth surface, leaning in to the corners, waving my hands in rhythm with the movement of my skates, and giggling my head off…oh, it was simply wonderful! I was giddy with excitement and felt the tremendous joy and sense of pride that comes with successfully learning a new skill. I was surprised at my natural ability and the speed at which I adapted to the unfamiliar surface and setting (although my nose was running like crazy!) and I absolutely loved each second I was out on that ice…

This experience showed me that when I carry myself with confidence, have faith in my ability to learn and adapt, and trust in my adventurous spirit and willingness to try new, challenging things, anything is possible and I can achieve all that I set my mind to. This was seriously one of the funnest (yeah, you heard me, I said ‘funnest’) things I have done in all my time in Canada and in my travels around the world. The feeling of gliding across the icy surface was simply magical and I will never forget it.

I’m also incredibly grateful to my dear friends, Josh and Chelsie, for arranging this special treat for me so I could have this experience before I left Canada, and to Lauren for lending me her skates (which she believes contains the magic that enabled me to skate so wonderfully, so I’ll let her have that one…) These wonderful people gave up their precious time to take me skating and the fact that they made such an effort to help make one of my dreams come true is a testament to the incredibly thoughtful souls they are. I’m so lucky to have met them both, and I’ll always be grateful for their unwavering kindness and friendship.

Skating with my mates, Chelsie and Josh