Sneaky work time post

So i usually dont post at work...but i have a bit of space to reminise about what i did on Sunday. On Sunday i found the Australian Supermarket here in London and i had a bout of home sickness as i realised that it was 15 months ago where i could go to the shop and buy Milo and Pizza Shapes and Tic Tocs - who remembers Tic Tocs?? I mean i wouldn't buy them at home, but the fact that i hadn't seen them for ages i felt the need to rekindle my love for tic tocs! Though i didn't - i decided to buy a rediculously expensive tin of Milo. And no - not the 'UK Milo' which you can get at Tescos which tastes strange - but the real, Australian Imported Milo. In fact i dont even know why they bother selling the option of UK milo in an Australian Supermarket. Obviously the die hards will pay the extra couple of pounds for the real stuff! And i found bottles of Pale Ale - and not the stuff thats made in the UK and doesnt have that unique SA taste - but the imported variety!

And speaking of all things South Australian....i found a list of things that also reminded me of home on facebook but here are some unique highlights that made me smile:

You know you come from South Australia when...

• You proudly admit your love of the Fritz Sandwich (so having one of those when i get home)
• Your wedding cake was made entirely of Balfours Frog Cakes
• You will never forgive Melbourne for stealing our Grand Prix. Never
• You know how 'dance', 'pool', 'castle' and 'graph' are SUPPOSED to be pronounced
• You get offended when people from Western Australia call SA part of the "East Coast"
• You insist on calling AAMI Stadium, "Footy Park"
• You consider Coopers to be a food group (Totally!! Even after all the beers in Belgie i love a good cold pale ale)
• You know there's more than one way to have a good time in Hindley Street.
• Your favourite bands include Wolf & Cub, The Hilltop Hoods and The Superjesus (what happened to Superjesus??)
• One word: Haighs
• Another word: Fruchocs
• The Barossa is for Lovers
• You know that Victor Harbor is the only place to be for Schoolies
• France imports our wine
• So which is it? Crows or Port? (Crows!)
• How many of the other states have a peninsula shaped like a leg?
• You know the people out on the Torrens are either tourists or rowers. No one else would go near that water
• You think the Festival Centre is a wonder of modern architecture
• Despite all our faults, at least South Australia wasn't built by convicts.

Yes - it makes me laugh, ive still got some south australian in me!

It has been awhile....just makes me look forward to seeing Kim, Anna, Mel and Al and all other aussie friendly faces during the summer - even more! Oh and this is a message to Kim and Anna - put your aussie item orders in girls for our Croatian Holiday!

MIA

You know you are behind on your blogging when you start getting emails from your friends asking the what for? Yeah i know, i suck, but im halfway there - tonight i bit the bullet and bought myself a shinny new laptop which i will get in the next 7-10 days. Exciting!! So watch this space! I will get back here eventually...

Rain

So everyone says the weather sucks in London - and usually it does! But since arriving its been nothing but sunshine all round! Except today....May is full of public holidays and today marks another 3 day weekend and its raining. Movie weather - for the first time!! Actually it also means staying up late to watch movies on the movie channel which i did last night and saw a really good french canadian one - C.R.A.Z.Y. Which you wont know why the title is spelt like that until the end - but i really recommend this one!

I must admit - only checking out the blogs once every week and a half is taking its toll. I'm feeling quite disconnected. As Anna appropriately remarks, that we indeed have a 'life online', as well as a life in the cities where we are based. So while i'm enjoying the free time and 3 day weekends on late - i am looking forward to more time being connected....so i can spend more time talking to people and planning out holidays! :o)

But as an update: This week marks a new challenge...i plan to attend my first meeting at the theatre group Eddie put me in touch with and i wonder - will it all make sense and will i find what i think i'm searching for? or will it be something that doesn't fit anymore and i need to find something new to explore? Either way - answers will be given! And it will be a step outside the comfort zone for once....oooooo, scary.

Living like an 'Islington'

So after seeing Anna's housey update....where am i now living? Like i think i updated before i am now in Angel....which i realised a few days ago was quite ironic considering i used to live in Demon (sorry - Diemen) But funny huh???

So i have been spending all my weekends up and down Upper street, and in the parks that litter the streets, and loving the fact that i am now an 'Islington'. And what happens when you're an Islington is that you go for a walk up Upper street on Sunday morning, stop at the only non-starbucks coffee place and get a coffee to take away, and keep walking.... And on your way to the farmers market you see Eddie drinking tea in the sun at one of the many cafe's along the street and so you sit down to say hello, and while you are catching up, 2 more distant friends walk by on their way home from somewhere....and then you realise you are definately part of a village -- within a massive city such as London.

And i absolutely love it. This is MY kind of place.

I live a few streets behind the local pub in a small apartment with my french house mate who also likes to live the quiet life in the village, and i sit in my tiny room and look out my big windows to the english garden that is below me and contemplate life.

(My tiny space of tranquility. And yes...this is what about $1200AUD a month gets you in London...)

Back to Stockholm

So a few weekends ago now - Emma, Heather and i had another Stockholm reunion and went to offical dinner for the last national conference of the year. Anyway, it was just one of those great great weekends, when the sun was shinning the ENTIRE time (very strange for Stockholm this time of year) we caught up with loads of old friends (which was completely unexpected! So good to see Helene, Anna and a heaps of the old Uppsala team back in the day), had a FABULOUS party on the saturday night and just spent sunday hanging out and walking around the city....

Though i must share the most randomest thing that happened at the offical dinner - there was one other Australian there who was also called Lauren, and also from Adelaide, which is a coincidence in itself - but no, she also had the last name of 'Wiloughby' - for those of you who know Mel, her sister, who actually was in AIESEC when i joined - the whole thing got way too strange! Oh what a global village we live in...

And everyone loves a photo update....its been awhile!

So Heather came for one thing....Semlor!

Lovely Maria! I miss you!

So good to see Helene again after her year in Melbourne. She cracks me up!

The 'Generations' Photo - 4 years of PD in Sweden! Me, Maria, Lana and now Linn!

OK so people said if you took me and Maria you would produce Linn (in the middle)

I dunno.... i don't see it!

Back onto the Blog

So....long time and no blog. But trust me - i have a good excuse! Well firstly, the last template update i tried failed and i also failed to fine the time and energy to fix it - so now here is to a simple blue one to make my new blogging home.....

Secondly - i have been living without home internet or rather - no computer :o( You forget how much of your life in online until you have to live without it. So these days i get online to do normal un-work related stuff once on the weekends....at £1 an hour i usually cant afford to do much! Gone are the days when i could blog in work time...i seem to have a job that gives me actual responsibility!! So as you would know it - i started this update and only 5 minutes until my internet time is UP. But stay tuned, there is much to write and photos to post from recent weeks!

Ill be back!

Hello London

So finally - i have arrived in London town, with visa in hand.

Dave and Cath (my lovely hosts) have been amazing!! But now its dawning on me that i have no job, no place to live and its time to start again.....phew! Where to start? I will be incommunicado for awhile while i start my life over (again) but will be back with updates soon!

A better update...

So what have i actually been doing lately? I feel like i havent really been doing anything hence the lack of an actual update...but rather comments on the weather (boring!!) though it was nice to see some snow! (for 2 days...)

Anyway things that are making me excited lately...

• 5 days left at the bank....its going to be a really busy week actually but it will also be filled with fun farewells and tying up lose ends and then...adios!
• 15 days until i plan to leave for London! Had a 'battery operated delay' at the consulate so hopefully i get my visa on monday....but then the countdown is on!
• The prospect of a new beginning is always exciting anyway....
• Evi has decided to join me for the crazy adventure - who knew that we would end up actually being good friends? hehe - but it will be nice to share the train ride and the first few weeks in the big city with a familar face!
• Mel is coming in July!! Can't wait to see Mel and Al on their African-European adventure! Its going to be so much fun and looking forward to the chats and the breakfasts :o)
• Booked tickets to Stockholm for the end of March :o) Looking forward to seeing friends and enjoying the swedish spring time!
• Longer days....and great sunsets :o)
• Having some free time to enjoy Amsterdam...finally i might see some sights!

Looking forward to reporting back on the other side of March 1st.

Waiting

I find this always happens. Well, its happened often enough that now i recognise a pattern. I struggle to make a decision, i make it, then i start acting on this decision....and then i wait, while i play out the rest of the current experience but really i'm eagerly looking forward to my next reality. Interestingly i know this is just my mind at work, im reading this book at the moment that discusses how the brain imagines its own future and then how it decides which one it would most prefer...interesting stuff! And i will definately comment on this once i have finished it an come to some conclusion....but so far i know i could end up being wrong about what the future looks like in my mind - but im impatient to find out if this is so. So obviously, i haven't been focused on the present. I wish to enjoy the next 4 weeks as the final days of my Amsterdam experience draws to a close....

London Bound

I really like this picture - for through the tullips of Holland, there lies Big Ben...in London.

Quite symbolic given the fact that this past week i told me boss, my team and other friends that i would not be staying past my traineeship. Not in Amsterdam, and likely, not at the bank....and will set up shop in London. Of course all doors still remain open job wise, but it feels really good to have come to a decision to move after many months of confusion and uncertainity.
And im actually really excited!

Its going to be great....lots of people to re-connect with, opportunities to pursue with new challenges :o) Its feels like the right step to take, and at the end of all the analysis and weighing up pros and cons - if it feels right then its a right decision. Well, its my theory anyway...

But now it will be a 7 month count down till i finally go home again, with Elle's wedding date set for the 2nd of November, i can now look forward to not only a early summer wedding celebration, but my birthday to take place in the sunshine this year too....well thats the plan anyway.

Will keep you posted, but im set to leave A-town on the 3rd of March.

Engaged!

Well after a blissful 7 years...Will proposed to Elle! Who gladly accepted (even if she has to wait for the ring to be made because the one she wants doesn't exist on earth) Eleanor, my oldest bestie in the world, whom i have known now 15 years is finally engaged to the man of her dreams.

Congrats to you both!

(I definately will be at the wedding no matter where i am!)

Christmas in Amsterdam...

So Christmas this year was very very.....quiet.

For the third time in my life i didnt make it home for the holidays so this year Maz and i set up and made a grand christmas lunch for 2....or rather, i cooked a roast chicken and Maz helped with the cutting and the cleaning.... :o) It was very nice, very relaxing....but it does remind that that holidays really should be with close family and friends, and it just doesnt feel right without it. And it i think seeing 'Its a Wonderful Life' for the first time on christmas eve did not help this feeling! So it definately is the last time i will be stuck overseas for the holidays.....

So another year is almost over....if there is one thing that has been good about this christmas break is the solitude and time to myself and my own thoughts....and not to mention the wide range of dvd watching....The week before the holidays ended at a real low point, personally and professionally, and it's times like these that you wonder why (after another year) you kinda feel like you havent moved from this place (mentally, emotionally..whatever!).
But no - after reflection, you realise that you have, cos you deal with things differently this time round and the future is just so much clearer. Not crystal - but now i can finally visualise what is on the other side of 2006.

Merry Christmas everyone....

and enjoy your New Year celebrations as well!

Destiny Awaits...

You know how sometimes you just have a feeling?

A feeling that something is just going to happen eventhough reality is completely opposite at the time?

It brings a complete mix of emotions....but for every door closing, somewhere opens a window, and soon Anna will be my living in my city again. Once there was Sydney 2003-2004....now there will be Amsterdam....2007!

Can't wait for you to get here babe!!

Weekend with my Besties

Too funny....action shot of me, Anna and Kim when we were all together again for the first time in almost 6 months in Leuven....

It was a much needed weekend of chillin, talkin and some....drinkin! Thanks guys for such a great weekend!! It was sooooo nice and i feel much more focused and a sense of clarity for the coming months. I know its going to be difficult....but it's the few weekends like this that reminds us that we will always have each other no matter what!!....much love to you both!!

P.S - No more Fradella!!(??)

Dreaming of....

Lil posted the picture and the link,

Jen talked about missing things in the last few weeks....and now i am dreaming of Gloria Jeans.

This may seem completely random - but Starbucks sucks compared to Gloria's....the best caramel latte's in the world!! And i really could do with one right now!!

Party Pics!

Flickr is still being tempremental....but at least i managed something!! Here is some birthday pics!!

And this is Evi! My crazy greek team mate

And we all know who this is....

Turning 26

So Saturday marked my 26 birthday....

The previous day i was feeling kinda anxious - which is bizzare i think, does this mean i am getting really old? Another brithday approaches and the stress sets in about your life, what you're achieved, what you haven't and where you are....which shoudl only happen if you are 'getting old' so perhaps i am??!!

Well i don't know why - but one thing i do remember thinking was that 5-8 years ago, i never imagined i would be here at age 26. But here i am! And i am definately now thinking more seriously about where i want to be and what i want to be doing, not just on my 27th birthday, but more importantly in the birthday's to follow.

Anyway - besides that sort of reflection....i had a great party!!! I was all about keeping it to something simple, a few friends over for drinks and then further drinks in town, but it turned out to be a, as heather calls it, 'solid evening' where everyone brought their 'A game'. The pre-drinking was curtosy of me and half of the bottles of Champagne i bought a few weekends ago (so this probably had something to do with everyone's happy moods!), and just before we finished off the last bottle, Mazzy arrived with a birthday surprise for me!!

Kim came from Leuven to surprise me at my birthday!!

I was totally surprised - i had NO idea.

Thanks babe for making the trek to Ammy eventhough you yourself had little sleep and probably still hungover from the night before! (Don't worry - i blame Lisa too!)

So this was another reason to celebrate! So more drinking and eating and talking was had before we all headed into town to my fav bar in Leidseplein and then my fav club for dancing.....before heading home in the wee hours of the morning.

Thanks to everyone who came along and shared the evening - and also to all those at home and those swedes who called, emailed, or SMS'd during the day!! I had a surprisingly great birthday!! :o)

I wish i could post up photos of the events of the evening - but flickr is giving me no love at the moment....

At Pierre's place in Champagne

Lisa and Pierre (our friendly French host!) - at his place tasting his champagne!

And here is us 34 bottles later....with some of the bottles! Pierre was a great sales man!

In the leaves....

Loving the red leaves of autumn...

Here until March 2007

So just a quick update - its not that exciting really... i was due to finish my traineeship on the 7th of October this year.

But even amongst the events of a current hiring freeze, budget cuts and other organisational uncertainities - i was still granted a contract extention until March - making up a full 12 months at ABN AMRO. And with this i also have new additions to my team! Once it was just me and my boss, but now its made up of 3 new people, english, dutch and kenyan!

Beyond this March 07? Is anyone's guess at this stage. But for now, its time to sit back, plan a few more trips and rug up for my second european winter!! Which is.....about 4 weeks away.

Your Life Path Number is 22

Your purpose in life is to use your power for good Of all the life paths, yours has the most innate power. Your power lies in your vision, and you must recruit others to help you in this vision. You are able to be a great idealist, but you still have the practicality to get things done. In love, you tend to be a big romantic - but you also tend to keep your distance. You have a lot of potential, and it's sometimes hard to live up to. Sometimes you just feel like slipping into obscurity and doing nothing. You tend to be prone to dramatic emotions, until you step back and look at things honestly.

Well this is random....who knew that Blog Things could reflect a few truths?! Hehehe - i always like random insights no matter the form....

Sudden Farewells...

So hopefully by now everyone in Melbourne knows by now that Laura has returned home (sorry if i spoliled the surprise!). So last week....within 3 days we had to say goodbye to a hilarious house mate and good friend! Im sorry under the circumstances that Laura had to fly back - but i really hope you enjoyed your last few days!! And the farewell dinner of..."5 people"!! hahaha.

We will miss you!! Your randomness and laugh!!Please don't forget to stay in touch!!

Shots from the Laura's dinner....

Views of Rome

From the botanical gardens on a hill just a stone's throw from the city....

Bellissimo!

When in Rome....

Hey everyone - finally getting around to posting an update from my super holiday to Roma....there are just too many photos to share but here is a little taste....

A few weekends ago Heather, Russell and I embarked on a Roman adventure! And spent 4 days discovering ancient Rome (Colossum, Roman Forum), the Vatican(St Peter's Basillica on the left) , more ancient Rome (Via Appia), gardens, piazza's, trevi fountain and the Pantheon!

Phew!

We certainly covered alot in the time we had but really - it was just the beginning and i know we could have spent another week there and not be bored...

Inside the Colossum....

Many more photos from where this comes from....

Holidays and Vegetation....

Vegetation...and i don't mean the big, green and leafy kind....

I mean the kind that means sitting on your butt, watching a movie, reading a book, sleeping in! Riding your bike and wandering the streets of Amsterdam....the art of veging....

Pretty much everyone i have mentioned the fact that this week is my holidays and i am spending 3 days of it doing.....absolutely NOTHING. Nada. Zilcho. Veging! But the response i get is that im wasting my holidays! Like i should have plans, i should be out of town, i should be travelling, doing something...

ahhhhh.....meh

At home this type of holiday - like the one i am choosing to have this few days would be completely acceptable. Just because im in europe why should it be any different?

Well i am going to Rome tomorrow for 4 days. So there! That should make up for it...

But right now i think i will do some more veging....

See you in 4 days after my Roma experience!

A late congrats....

So here is Justine all dressed up for the Carins races! (she actually won a competition which gave her a make over and outfit for free!)

But this is a Congrats in relation to a decision Justine made that will change her life! Last week she decided she will be going back to study something she cares about - youth work! For 12 months at least starting next month - she will return to full time student life.....

I am very proud of you!! xxxx

Cheese and Clogs and Windmills!

CHEESE!

CLOGS!

WINDMILLS!

Pride Weekend

So last weekend the sunshine graced Amsterdam and gave us great weather for a very fun gay pride weekend. I havent been to Sydney's Mardi Gras so i couldnt really compare but there was enjoyment had by all. Lots of dancing in the streets!! And we met some interesting characters..... Most floats down the cannal where impressive - especially the UN! And even ABN AMRO had a float as well. And here is some of the crowd - me and Laurs with newly found friends for the weekend Tom (ex-trainee here) and his friend Susanne.

Heather and I do Prague

So its been over a week since Heather and I came back from the most wonderful 4 days in the most wonderful European city - Prague. I have been crazy busy at work - so complete lack of update and photos - but honestly it was great. Its the most pitcuresque city i have been to outside Stockholm and its like walking through a fairytale. And not to mention - great sites and great nightlife. Heather and i had many adventures in bars we found as 'hole in the wall' type places and experiencing the sites through the city. Many stories - but no time to update!

John Lennon's Wall

This is only one of the many sites from the weekend....but there is a wall in Prague that is devoted to John Lennon and Peace. I think its a place where people have been able to make peaceful protests in the past and its full of slogans and dedications to peace...i found it quite moving! And next door to the wall is the "John and George Cafe" - how fitting! 'All you need is love!'

Reunion Central

So in June i met my Swedish MC team in Stockholm, and in July i met my Aussie MC team in Amsterdam, but the reunions continue! Last night i met up with Nat, Tom and Mils from my Regional Board team from...2001-2002! AIESEC old old school! It was extremely random, but Nat is on her way through Europe before ending up in Helsinki for a traineeship teaching at a university there so it was all unexpected! But how nice!! The last couple of weeks have been filled with seeing people from past years and its kinda freaky!

Also - a congrats post to Flic who is offically matched to a traineeship in Malaysia!

Go Crows!

Ok this is REALLY geeky - but i just cant help myself. I was never a hard core footy fan at home, but i have missed the past 2 AFL seasons and BOTH years my team has done really well - and right now....i believe we are on TOP of the ladder, after West Coast and Melbourne. Go Crows! And Elle - keep me updated!

MC Reunion weekend....

Yes there was much chilling to be had last weekend where 7 out of 8 team mates got together to catch up and see where the last 2 and a bit years had taken us. It was nice to see everyone again and realise how much everyone had changed (in a good way!)...or even stayed the same in some ways (which is also good!), over the years. We are all in very different places right now and this time i dont mean geographically and that will just escalate with time...which is life i guess! But i found it good to hang out with these special people without the AIESEC hats. As people kept saying during that tough year, really at the end of the day its the people you shared it with that lasts....Anna has some even better shots that she intends to send to me as soon as she finishes reading this posting :oP

Me and Kim enjoying some sun...that hasnt been too rare lately!

Anna and Lil take it easy...

Did someone say....open bar?

So last weekend was a rather large one being kicked off on the Friday night with the arrival of my 03-04 MC team and a party lovingly organised by the young bankers association at work. Not that im a banker...but we qualified being young by bank standards! It was great to finally experience a cool bar in Amsterdam (though i still love Coco's!) As you can see here we were quite excited (particularly Rus!) about the FREE wine and beer that flowed throughout the night....and the cool DJ's and Brazilian dancers also helped the fun times!

Random post

So...its worldcup fever around here - and even i have experienced the ups and downs of being a true 'fanatic' of the so called world game....i think i finally understand why some countries are so crazy about it because its sooooo emotional and sometimes not really fair! Watching the Croatia game in an aussie pub in downtown amsterdam was like nothing else i have ever experience actually. What a vibe! Photos will definately be uploaded eventually but i need to get them from Laura who already has posted a few shots of the pub im referring to and the type of crowd that was glued to the masses of TV screens available. I didnt watch the Italy game...what an injustice....so probably a good thing.

Speaking of Laura - i mentioned in passing weeks that i havent uploaded pictures of her yet being a not so new housemate now - so here's the best so far....

The 3 L's...Lauren, Laura and Laura....way too much confusion

'booooo' :o)

And then there's the up and coming MC 03-04 reunion next weekend - Anna definately has THE funniest photos posted that i do recommend everyone goes and has a good laugh at. So many funny memories - what adventures will unvail next weekend?

Things to look forward to...

July....

• Aussie MC team reunion!! What adventures will we encounter??
• Much needed catch up with Kim and Anna in A-town!
• 4 days in Prague with H!!
• More warm and sunny Amsterdam days....

And tonight...its back to Coccos to cheer on the Socceroos!

Kim and I do Paris

So last weekend Kim and I and Kirsty (an old friend from Sydney) in Paris for 2 days of enjoying all that is Parisian. We totally lucked out with the best whether ever (30 degrees!) and spent the weekend in the sun baking on the boat along La Seine, walking amongst the sites, then cooling down in the Louvre with the Mona Lisa.

I have been to Paris before once when i was 17 and on my first overseas trip in Europe. But it was freezing and in January and i always told myself that i had to come back and see 'Paris in the Spring time'. Well i skipped the spring and enjoyed the summer instead - but it was great! It was relaxing - stayed in a very cute Parisan hotel and just took in the atmosphere for 32 hours....but this weekend its sunshine in Amsterdam so i need to go out and enjoy it!

Back in town....

So the past weekend i spent the best part of 3 fantastic days in Stockholm...i could not have asked for a better weekend to return to a place that just makes me so happy! It reminds me of that T.S Elliott quote about going on a journey and then returning to the place where is began and discovering it for the very first time...because this past weekend i felt i discovered Stockholm for the very first time (again). The food, the language (which i discovered i could understand so much comparable to say....dutch!), the surroundings (the city! the water!), the sunshine, the clean streets....everything was strangely familar...not like when i came back to Adelaide though.

Difficult to explain, but all i know is that being back there - made me realise how much my year in Stockholm had such a positive impact on me. Like there is a little part of my heart that will always live there. And besides the experience, i still have some very close friends there who i may not have seen for 12 months, but last weekend it was like i never left. And thats a pretty special feeling... Though some may say it was just because the sun was shinning! It was so nice to be back....and i wonder if i will ever feel the same way about Amsterdam, as i do about Stockholm...

Swedish BBQ