Almost 1 year in Brisbane...

So I’m just about one month off having lived in Brisbane for 1 year. Have I changed? What has the last year been like?

In this post I really just want to answer these questions. My kind of more reflective/ diary like blog posts are my most popular. I'm not quite sure why. Hopefully it is because you guys can relate! 

Moving for the third time in three years was SO much easier than the first two. I think that I have finally got the hand of it. 

I didn't experience any homesickness at all. Well, let's be honest, I missed Singapore like crazy and I still do every single day! In fact, the only really major thing I have struggled with was going from somewhere like Singapore where things are constantly happening and there is always something in close proximity to do, to Brisbane where life is a lot more slow paced and much quieter (as you could imagine finding things to blog about has become a million times harder since moving here). However, this was different to homesickness (at least to the almost unbearable homesickness I have experienced in the past). I suppose this was because I felt more nostalgic than homesick. Not being homesick made me wonder as to where I call home. I actually pondered over this for a while. Looking back now I'm still not quite sure where I call home, but isn't that such a beautiful thing? I am able to feel at home in a variety of locations. I am no longer joined at the hip to one particular place; I am free to find a home wherever I am. I am super grateful for that realisation. 

Moving to a new city has changed me most in that I now know myself so much more. I know I'm different to so many people my age; people tell me that all the time. My greatest passions are to explore, be constantly learning and just experiencing as many cultures as possible. I also find that these are the things that make me most excited in life.  I want to spend my days reading, writing, opening my eyes to new opportunities and just doing things that are going to make me a better person. I used to hate thinking that I was different. Though, I now see it so clearly and I am so proud to be different. I should actually hope to be different and unique, as I have experienced things that not many people get to at my age. It would be worrying if I moved around so much and didn't get anything out of it. 

When I was younger I used to think that I had to do whatever everyone else my age was doing just to fit in. Oh man, was I wrong. I have learnt fundamentally that being true to yourself is the most important thing in life. Yeah I know it sounds totally cliché and gag worthy, but when you are proud and know who you are, people who will genuinely respect and love you for that will come along. Seriously though, the close friends in my life right now are the best people that I have come across just because I have learnt to be confident in who I am. 

I have also changed in that I have stopped underestimating myself when it comes to a lot of things. If there is one thing that moving can teach you, it's that you have more potential and strength than you think. Its been incredibly motivating. I don’t think there has really been a time where I have felt so sure of myself in everything I do.

Last year I was in a pretty good place, but this year I feel miles ahead. I feel so excited for the future now that I feel like I truly understand my passions and who I really am. This year I really made sure to embrace every opportunity that brings about change in my character. My greatest advice is to not be scared of finding out who you are and coming to grips with that realisation. It is so liberating and it helps you see the world and your own path on earth so much clearer.

I don't know if it was moving to Brisbane or the totally new environment that changed me more, but my views on so much have definitely changed. I am so ready to learn and experience life to its full potential! I really and truly encourage anyone out there who moves often or perhaps is in an unfamiliar place with this post. There is so much to get out of life and don't be afraid to be unconventional! 

I'm back + Kangaroo Point exploring!

Hello! Yes you are reading this correctly- I am back. The last month or so was pretty crazy so I simply didn’t have enough time to go sightseeing. But do not worry! I am currently on summer break and I am more excited than ever to get back into the routine of posting weekly.

Earlier this week I headed to Kangaroo Point. I had heard that you could get a brilliant view of Brisbane City from here. I think you can tell from the photos that Kangaroo Point really does offer panoramic view points.  You are able to get a clear view of the string of sky scrapers that stand stall along the Brisbane city skyline. You can also see across to the Botanic Gardens.  I definitely recommend heading to Kangaroo Point on a reasonably clear day like this one was, so that you can best appreciate the city view.  

There are multiple lookout points throughout Kangaroo point, which offer many idealistic photo locations. Most of the lookouts are decorated with beautiful, violet Jacaranda trees.  They add a great deal of vibrancy and life to Kangaroo Point. 

Not interested in sitting around and taking photos? Well, Kangaroo Point offers an assortment of walking tracks at Kangaroo Point that lead all the way along the Brisbane River. At around 9:30 in the morning when I went it was bustling with joggers and walkers.  In fact, I think that its walking tracks contribute to making it such a popular location for many Brisbane locals and tourists.

If you’re ever in Brisbane City definitely consider checking out Kangaroo Point.  This time of year is perfect to fit in a summery morning or afternoon walk.

Book Review #8: The Rosie Project

Here I am, with a cup of tea, listening to some enchanting Hans Zimmer instrumentals; writing a blog post after two weeks. Feels so good just to sit down and write something that is actually relaxing for me (all I have been doing is uni assignments).

I recently finished reading The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. One of my most special friends begged me to read this book as she thought it was absolutely wonderful. The problem with me though is that I am incredibly cynical when it comes to romance novels (besides ones written by Jojo Moyes ofcourse!). I just find it so hard to be swept up in their totally unrealistic, often way too fluffy story lines.  Forgive me.

I am more than aware that this book is an international sensation; gosh- it even has a 4 star rating out of 5 on goodreads! So in saying this, I want to warn you before you read this post, that if you love romance novels, please don’t change your mind about reading this book as you will most probably love it. I just have often frustrating novel tastes.

The Rosie Project is centered on Don Tillman who is a professor of genetics. I can tell you now that this guy was an unusual character for me to wrap my head around. He has never been on a second date, he can count all his friends on the fingers of one hand and he is determined to concede the statistical probability that there is someone for everyone. With this, he embarks upon The Wife Project. He determined to find his soul mate; a punctual, logical women who is most definitely not a barmaid, smoker, drinker or late arriver.

Yet Rosie Jarman is all these things and is on a quest of her own. She is looking for her biological father, a search that a certain DNA expert might be able to help her with. Don's Wife Project takes a back burner to the Father Project and an unlikely relationship blooms, forcing the scientifically minded geneticist to confront the spontaneous whirlwind that is Rosie.

Im sorry, but just by reading that synopsis, can’t you already tell how the book is going to end? I will admit, sometimes books like these are good to read as they are just so effortless and easy. Though, the problem often for me is that I loose interest when there isn’t that element of unknown and anticipation draped over each page.

I honestly found Don such a frustrating character. His constant calculations of the statistical probability of absolutely everything become incredibly annoying. I understand that the author was trying to make a definite distinction between the lack of compatibility between Rosie and Don but it made the story line quite hard to digest somewhat realistically. This is particularly relevant towards the end of the book. I just found it hard to put two and two together and see a positive resolution without cringing at how awkward and how hard it was to believe.

However, I really did love Rosie’s character. She was probably the most realistic aspect of this novel. She was so incredibly down to earth and likeable. I actually think it was Rosie that kept me reading this book. It was like she balanced out the novel and gave it a breath of fresh air.

See, there were some positives about this book in the end! I will commend Simsion in that this book was written in a great format. It was easy to read and I enjoyed the sarcasm and wittiness incorporated into most of it. If you’re looking for a relaxing read, definitely check out The Rosie Project!

Previous book reviews:
Book Review #7: The Martian

My May Book Reads Part 2

My May Book Reads Part 1

My new favourite book: The Goldfinch

Book Review #3: Nineteen Minutes

Book Review #2: Me Before You

Book Review #1: Orange is the New Black

Moments that never made it to the blog #2: August

I have another 'Moments that never made it to the Blog' post again this month! I love writing these posts, I think I may actually make it a monthly thing. Its a great way to compile some of the minor moments from the month into one solid post. Hope you enjoy!

The Night noodle market

Earlier this month I attended the Night Noodle markets in South Bank.  These markets were held from the 22^nd of July to the 2^nd of August. I was totally blown away by how many people attended these markets. I thought that going on a Wednesday night might mean that it would be rather quiet, but I was proved wrong! Thousands of people attended, it was virtually impossible to find a free seating space. 

There were 30 different stalls offering delicious Asian cuisine from Ramen to  Chilli crab.  I, of course, couldn’t look past the Vietnamese stall and ended up ordering Beef Pho Noodles.  I simply couldn’t resist!

The night noodle markets made for an enjoyable evening.  The array of colourful lanterns transformed South Bank and made it the perfect setting to feast on some scrumptious Asian food.

City living

As my university is located in the heart of Brisbane City, it gives me good reason to do some exploring whenever I get moments of free time. I actually often get off the bus a few stops earlier just  to walk around and see what I can come across.  I have posted most of these on my Instagram (@kaylahmovingon), but I thought I would share them on my blog as well!

I walk passed Queens Park most mornings and I can’t help but admire it. Its grand architecture stands out amongst the clusters of generic corporate buildings.

Casino’s are definitely not my kind of thing, but as I was walking to my bus stop near Queen Street Mall, I wondered passed the Treasury Casino and snapped a few photos as it looked rather picturesque with the cloud-less, crisp, blue sky as it’s back drop.

I was heading home across the Story Bridge one evening and I noticed that I had made it in perfect timing. As the sun set, decorating the sky in an array the sky in rich hues of orange, I whipped out my phone in an attempt to capture it.

Previous 'Moments that never made it to the Blog':

Moments that never made it to the Blog #1: July