It's the end of an era...

I'm leaving London on the 2nd December. I can't believe how fast 1.5 years have flown!

Not ready to leave at all - feeling really sad to leave all the wonderful people I have met, because who knows when I will ever see them again? I just wish the economy and the visa situation improve here so I can eventually come back again. I heart London! I will miss the people, the throb and pulse of this city which has hypnotized me from day one, the fact that I will never run out of things to do, the culture that oozes out from every corner and alleyway, the vintage shops and the music scene, the fact that I could hop on a plane and be in a different country in under 2 hours. The list goes on!

At the same time, I am also relieved to be going back to Melbourne. Though London has been wonderful and a life-changing, eye-opening experience, the city has a tendency to 'swallow' you up. I somewhat feel like a lost soul here, especially since finishing off work in August and then travelling for the next few months. Mum and dad were concerned that I was losing my focus and leading a "gypsy lifestyle" (I stifle a giggle as I write this!). I have a bad case of the travel bug, but there comes a time where you need to face up to reality and reevaluate your life. So, as frustrated as I am that the move back to Melbourne was seemingly out of my control and not a decision I wanted to make, perhaps it's for the better. I can take this time to work out my goals, dreams and my next move. Or, I might stay in Melbourne - who knows? The unknown can be scary but it sure is exciting.

Over the next few weeks, I have to accomplish the following:

-Rent out my room: I have given 5 weeks notice to my agent but now the problem is finding someone whom all my flatmates like. One of my flatmates is particularly picky...argh. Decide already!

-Ship all my stuff home: I have been putting this off for days! I have a few competitive quotes, now I'm going to make sure I get the best deal. I just hope I can fit all of my excess clothes/shoes into a 2 tea sized cartons. Remember, rolling clothes saves space!

And the fun, 'before-I-leave-London' stuff:

-Alexandra Palace in Crouch End. I still haven't been there and the view from the top is amazing, so I hear!

-One more West End show, Breakfast at Tiffany's perhaps?

-Latest exhibition at the Tate Modern: Pop Art

-Capturing Claudia exhibition

-Holland Park, there is a little Japanese garden hidden there which I have yet to discover.

-Burn the credit card on the high street. Bodysuit from COS, Primark splurges, another pair of shoes, maybe a sneaky purchase from theOutnet.com? The angel in me is saying no, I have shopped enough - the devil is egging me on!

-Say bye to ex-work colleagues and catch ups with various friends. I'm not having a massive farewell do - not very good with my emotions and don't want to burst into tears in front of everyone. Besides, one-on-ones are better and more personal anyway.

I am looking forward to my Amsterdam trip next week to visit my friend Jenny, who is living with her boyfriend who is a denim designer! One last trip before I head to Seoul for a month, enroute to Melbourne. I'll be back on the 7th January, in the heat of summer woohoo!

I feel as if I have pushed the 'fast forward' button during my time overseas...I feel as if I have lived a few lifetimes and I am so grateful for that. I may be totally broke (hard to save money here unless you have a high-fly job which I didn't), experienced the highs and lows of moving to a foreign country on my own, and let's face it - London does have some annoyances that every big city has, but it has all been worth it. I come back to Melbourne a different person, hopefully for the better, and I'm so ready to plan the next stage of my adventure, whatever that may be.

Here's to the best 1.5 years of my life, ever. I'll never forget the people I've met, the amazing sights I have seen, and more importantly the lessons I have learnt, and if I could turn back time and live it all again I wouldn't hesitate for a second. Feeling teary now so I'm going to stop here now. Til next time!

M xo