Countdown: 9 days to go!

Time flies when you're having fun, they say. True, but it seems like it passes even faster in times of procrastination. No, this time it's not for an essay deadline or hardcore cramming for my finals (which I passed all in one go, guess I'm Asian after all) but prepping for SYDNEY! So in case you were wondering after one of my earlier posts, YES I got into Sydney University and YES I'm muchas excited — and muchas nervous.

Then again, I've pretty much read all the websites from the Australian government (I have seen enough episodes of Border Security to be convinced that there's going to be something wrong with my luggage. Strategy to avoid this? Tickin' all dem boxes on the form?), read plenty of packing lists ranging from going on a holiday with only a carry on, what to bring for a semester abroad, what NOT to bring for a semester abroad to how to pack your backpack for traveling the world (learnt a trick: don't fold your clothes, don't roll them either, apparently bundle wrapping is the way to go!), the most extreme being something a friend sent me on traveling through 8 countries in 21 days with 0 suitcases. All very inspiring and helpful, but here I am with all my clothes and luggage spread all over my sister's vacant bed (which instantly becomes storage space for me when she's out of the country) and an empty suitcase.

I've said goodbye to my team at work, received the greatest hangover-survival kit, a crocheted mini plant and sweet cards that made me cry (did I mention that I'm terrible at goodbyes? And to think that I still have a couple of goodbyes to go, the worst ones being my parents and my fridge. I need tissues!). 

I've watched travel shows on Australia and New Zealand for the two months after the semester, read through my Lonely Planet guides, surfed the internet for Australia tips and received some great tips on things to do from another IVHQ volunteer and, most surprisingly, my optometrist (can I get a what what?!). I've booked my flight to Sydney, but still need to book my flights to New Zealand and Indonesia. Also, a concrete travel plan might help. Or shall I just go with the flow? Procrastination? I believe so.

Only 9 days to go before I take off on a 22-hour trip down under. But first, this: 

Hi blog, I write. Sometimes.

So, according to the BuzzPlay quizzes I took this afternoon out of extreme boredom (followed by a 2-hr powernap and, well, lots of staring out the window wondering what I should do with my life) I found out the following three things:

1. France is the country that best fits my personality;
2. My subconscious nationality is German; and
3. The career that I' meant for is that of a writer.

And now here I am at 1AM trying to write a blogpost whilst watching Jimmy Fallon's monologue after a mojito. I'm not much of a drinker, so I'm slightly tipsy - which only helps me to scribble down more words.

I started this blog years ago, renaming it numerous times and re-kickstarting it even more often. The layout has changed, the title has changed, everything has changed. Much like myself, if I may say so. 

One thing that hasn't changed is my passion for writing. Even though in recent years this has mostly been academic essay writing, the creative side of me has found a way out in writing meeting notes and team news letters for work. But because I never really thought of a topic to write on, I never bothered to write a blog entry. Until I came across a travel writer's answer to a writers block: write about the writers block! 'Today, I can't seem to write because X'. 'I want to do Y.' Soon enough, there'll be enough words on the screen to work with. How to get better at writing? By writing. More and more. Much writing. So words. Wow.

And he was right. So here it is. A new blog post. About nothing. But it's a blog post. So that makes me a blogger, thus, a writer. Here's to new beginning #ialreadyforgothowmaniethtimethisis. LETS DO THIS. 

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Fashionably broke (and a tiny bit late)

Happy new year, dearest reader!
I hope you've had a wonderful holiday season with fine Food, fantastic Friends and fabulous Family (the three, or should I say six, most important F's in life. Not to be confused with the most frequently used F in my life, which I will not type in full in this post as I shall try to keep it clean).

For me, Christmas was off to a good start after finishing my finals and getting the news that I have been selected for my university's exchange programme next fall semester - with a bit of luck I'll be studying at Sydney University next year, so fingers crossed! Also, I couldn't have been in a more Christmassy spirit after a Home Alone marathon (or actually, only parts 1&2 because little Kev vs. anybody else but the Wet/Sticky Bandits is humbug), some DIY'ing and baking.

The Great Escape

I bet most of you would agree with me when I say that there's something addictive about travelling. These two babies just came in the mail and I can't wait to sit back, relax, have a cup of tea and scan through these books to plan my next great adventure. Any recommendations? :D
Then again, I'm only a week into my first semester and I'm already behind on some readings.. oops! Better start reading those articles, meh...