in exactly one week from today i will be boarding a plane on a trip that will no doubt excite me and contribute to this journey of change and growth that i’ve been enduring since leaving up over for down under. london to see an old friend marry a new one.  germany to visit my university…

it’s been 72 hours of laughter with my favourite Canadian in Australia, JG, and my lucky #6.  it’s been that grounded balance i lost hold about a month ago.  JG has always been able to calm me, which is why i am so sad to see her leave down under to back up over.  to…

there is something about boarding a jet plane that excites me.  the freedom that comes in being up in the air, knowing that any worries or troubles are being left behind, locked firmly on the ground.  it’s the fact that any stress has just rolled off of me.  i love melbourne but it has been…

sitting up atop a mountain, buried under snow and torrential rain, i have a lot of time to ponder.  for a while my thoughts are varied, wandering from the awe of seeing Australian snow to a fleeting flashback of the past couple of months. to the fretting fear of not knowing what to do next. …

i was really excited about today’s activity: my own personal field trip to lone pine, the largest koal sanctuary in the world.  tremendously excited to finally see two of australia’s famous wildlife – koalas and kangaroos – i was also heartbroken and frustrated to see the marsoupials caged up in some areas (i have always…

brisbane. my final destination before heading back to melbourne where reality is waiting for me. perhaps i will get lost on my way? 16 days.  i’ve seen a lot and met some fascinating (and interesting) people.  it’s been part peaceful and part party.  two weeks isn’t necessarily a long time but when you are seeking clarity…

perhaps the best town name ever: coolangatta.  the first of many this haven of a beach town gives visual justification why a big part of queensland is dubbed the sunshine coast. the irony of surfer’s paradise:  yes, it is the name of a town.  and you’d think that it would be this bohemian village on…

during my travels this afternoon, i met an aussie named dane.  while sitting on the beach enjoying a cider, he strolled by and asked if he could sit down.  before i could reply he just sat down and introduced himself.  he asked me if i was canadian to which i replied, yes.  i enquired as…

spending the morning browsing the byron storefronts followed with tanning on main beach with two ‘surf hipsters’ (self-proclaimed of course) i’m learning about a couple more quirks that make this hangout so unique: barista wish you a “beautiful, groovy day”…women walk around braless and topless…more poeple commute on surf boards, skateboards and bikes than by feet or cars……

so i can’t come to byron and not take surf lessons. why i have never done this before, i don’t know.  but the moment i roped the board to my ankle and jumped my first wave, i was hooked.  i learned how to paddle, mount my board and stand up.  once i got over the excitement of surviving a wave i soon found myself…