Entries about reality

A new year and a new adventure.
After a year of partying, working, travelling and living over in London and galavanting across Europe, it was time to knuckle down and get stuck into developing my professional self.
For those who don't know, I'm at the University of Wollongong studying a double degree of International Studies/Communications and Media on a Dean's Scholar Programme. But as discovered, it's not all textbooks and study, no not at all.
Yes university has just started but I couldn't be having more fun!

I'm currently living on campus with people from everywhere, rural NSW, interstate and people from over 30 countries across the globe.
I can't wait to go travelling around the world again because now I'll have even more people's couches to crash on.
Everyone is absolutely lovely which makes it easier when adjusting to a new environment.

With only two weeks of university completed so far, the work load is already enormous with blogs, tweets, French verbs, readings, readings and more readings and preparation for tutorials all piling up.
To be honest, it's great to actually have deadlines and homework again. (never thought I'd ever say that)
My brain has been on a drinking, chilled out holiday for over a year now and it's definitely enjoying the workout that uni is offering.

Although, when overseas, your brain functions in a different way. You may not necessarily be studying and preparing for exams, but you're constantly learning new things, especially when travelling.
Whether it be trying to decipher Hungarian, figure out timetables, ask for directions, getting lost, catching public transport, going on free walking tours, hearing about the incredible history/culture of a certain artefact, landmark or building... your brain is constantly in action. Because if it isn't, that's when people take advantage of the dazed and naive tourists.
I still remember certain stories that tour guides have told me whether we were looking over a Loch in Scotland, a dungeon in London, a square in Poland, a building in Hungary a river mountain in Austria or a cafe in Amsterdam, their little personal stories of love, war, folk lore, revolts and invasions are the ones that will always stay with me.

I've been home for two months now and it feels like I never left the UK. Sometimes I get a little disorientated when I'm on a bus and I flashback to sneaking onto buses in Italy, even drinking vodka reminding me of the $5 Polish vodka, or when I'm at a train station, I'm reminded of the countless hours spent on the tube in London... So many vivid, amazing memories which I never intend on letting go of.

I guess I'm still adjusting to 'reality,' but being distracted by university, friends and the not so occasional party, definitely helps.
I'm really looking forward to all that this year, this house, this family has to offer.
Carpe Diem. Sieze the day and see where the road takes you.

xxx
A

==="Sing me to sleep
Sing me to sleep
I’m tired and I want to go to bed
I don’t want to wake up on my own anymore"
Asleep - The Smiths===

The novelty has vanished
Here I am
I am me
But not the same
Quite a different me in fact
Yet you look at me the same
My inner self screams
‘don’t you notice the difference?’
But no
Of course you don’t
The change is all in my head
An invisible, powerful force
With strength it has led me this far
But now what?
I look around
Trying to detect that same force within someone else
But no
They’re all different
Different colours, shapes and strengths
We converse
But no
You still don’t see it

Like another star in the sky
Though I thought it shone more brightly?
You look into the night
‘ah yes, there it is…’
Blatantly oblivious
Instead, captivated by another
I look up at the stars
Each glimmering in a unique way

The moon stands proudly amongst them
‘oh dear moon, you can see it can’t you?’
He is busy with others
He stands strong and powerfully
High in the night sky
His exterior glimmering brightest of all
Like sunshine beaming off of a mirror
I glance at my reflection

Same hair
Same eyes
Same tounge
This is what everyone else sees
But my hair has danced upon many a breeze
My eyes have witnessed such incredible things
My tounge is hungry for the spices of life
I guess no one else can see it

It is mine
As I look around
Everyone’s force is unique
Some are similar colours and shapes
But all in all, different
Maybe one day someone will see some of my colour
Or some shapes

But it is something that is mine
I am here
I am me
Yes the novelty has worn off
Until my next journey
For now, I’m just tired
I look up at the glorious moon once more
A part of me wanting to talk
A part of me is already asleep
Sing me to sleep