Australian Adventure; Sydney!

I LOVE Sydney. If I wasn't missing my family so much and had a lot more money I would get a working visa and move out there instantly.

Ah there is just so much to write I don't even know where to begin.. so I'll start at the very beginning.. the very best place to start...

I woke up early Friday morning and caught the 2hr:45min flight to Sydney. When I arrived I checked into the hotel (YHA The Rocks  - very reasonable for Sydney prices!) and then went exploring. The YHA was a 5 minute walk away from "The Rocks" where all the sights too see in Sydney are, so the bridge and the opera house. 

Then to get to other places in Sydney you need to catch water taxis... so on I hopped to a ferry to Darling Harbour. Here I had the first two drinks of the night - cocktails of course. Next I headed too Darlinghurst in a taxi (the traffic in Sydney is even worse than London at rush hour!) and found another cool little bar to have a drink in before a mexican dinner. Then for the final leg of the evening, I went to a "bar/pub/club" called "The Victoria Rooms" - Great Gatsby style! Amazing... my cocktail had hot peppers round the outside instead of salt.

Saturday morning I got up early and went to the markets - for breakfast there was this amazing turkish food stall which was selling turkish pancakes. I had a breakfast one which was filled with, salami, mushrooms, cheese and spinach. Then on to another market called Paddington market where I had a good old shopping spree. Then it was on to the famous Bondi Beach... 

I stayed at Bondi for a while, the people I am staying with have friends there so we all met up at Bondi Social club for food and the BEST Shiraz wine I have EVER tasted. EVER. On the way home the bus journey was so funny - the till or whatever was not working so the bus driver stands up and says "on ya get for free, as long as I get paid who gives a ****" then he started playing Bob Dylan and asking everyone if they were having fun. THEN, he starts making waves with the bus (by stopping and starting really quickly) and tries to get everyone to surf them! It was brilliant... Then for dinner that night it was on to an Italian restaurant where I had my first ever grappa.. and NEVER AGAIN. It tasted like petrol.
Sydney was amazing, an experience I shall never ever forget... and I want to go back some day.

Now I am in my final week of being in Oz. I have honestly learnt a lot about myself, and realized I am stronger and braver and wiser than I used to believe I was. And I have come to realize sometimes change is a good thing. Where would we be without change? Yes change can be uncomfortable, painful and sad but for me it has been the best thing for me. I encourage you all to take a look at your life... if your life was the same as it is now this time next year, or even in 5 years time would you be happy? Would you like who you are? Would you like how you treat others.. would you wish you had gone for that career change?
If my life had not changed I would still be working miserably in a supermarket, in a long distance relationship with someone who was my life and who would be moving to Europe anyway... And even though I try to deny to myself and to others that being in that relationship wasn't the reason I didn't take opportunities, it was. And that was nobody's fault but my own. BUT, now I'm here - in AUSTRALIA, where I have always wanted to go too, and I'm in sunshine and I'm getting to sing and travel and look forward to MY future. My changes happened for a reason and no matter how painful it was, and to be honest sometimes still is (people seem to forget I'm still grieving) the change needed to happen and is best for me in the long run and is all part of God's plan for my life. 
However, I suppose change can also be too much of an easy thing for people. They CONSTANTLY change things about themselves, their lives etc. and I think that is PROOF that no matter how much money you have, how much fame you have, how many changes you make to yourself and to your living situation and yet you are still not content then surely the only answer to fill that void is something higher than us human beings.. If you don't have God in your life you will never be satisfied as he and a relationship with him is the only thing to make anyone whole. Even if you are hurting.

Anyway, sermon over and sorry for the length of the blog!
Hope you are all well xxxx

Australia adventure; singing, smoothies & soulful walks

Tomorrow I head to Sydney! So very excited... I can't wait too see The Rocks, Bondi beach and of course the Opera house! 

Today has been a nice laid back day. I headed too a place called Trinity beach where I got a berry smoothie (so good!) the little cafe I got it from reminds me of the set of "Home & Away" Then I headed off for a walk up some rocks to see the whole view of the sea...

It was beautiful and once more my breath was taken away by the handiwork of God's creation. 
Then it was time to head home for some lunch and a singing session! I will insert a clip of me singing below. Please note that it was just a rehearsal, I had no make up on, the camera is at a dodgy angle and I mess up! But now I've mentioned these things nobody can comment on them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruYHDg9FiAQ This song is called "Perfect" and means quite a bit too me. 
I have felt that in the past I have tried so hard to be perfect for people, to impress them, and I get nothing back. I realize now, as I am older that I don't need to do this. People who like me, will like me for ME. People who don't like me, or don't think I am a good role model well... I'm sorry. I am a very open and honest person and tell everything how it is; including how I feel about things. I talk about my mistakes I make and I try and learn from them... And just another little note to add, if you have an issue with someone about ANYTHING, maybe other than just gossiping about it or embarrassing them, you could find a gentle, loving way of telling them.. just a thought. And this applies to all age groups by the way.

Rant over.

I then went on my evening walk along the beach and am now waiting for my fish and chips... Fish and chips is a big thing out here! I thought it was a really English thing. 
The other day I filmed my walk home from the beach and got a good response from it.. I was told the sound was bad so I did another one today! Enjoy....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVPW9UIYXy8

Bethany xxxx

Australian adventure; let go

I was thinking today about the subject of letting go. I know many people who need to let go of something- myself included. Letting go doesn't have to be about a relationship. It can be about a friendship, letting go of waiting for an apology you are never going to get, letting go of that goal you have worked so hard towards and the door is obviously shut for you, yet you keep pushing it and keep getting hurt because its not meant to be. (Some of you may disagree with me here) 

Letting go is like having a tooth pulled out. When the tooth is pulled out, you feel relieved, yet how many times will your tongue run over the gap where the tooth used to be? Probably more than 100. Just because it wasn't hurting doesn't mean you don't notice it. It leaves a gap, and sometimes you find yourself missing it terribly. It's going to take a while, it will take time. But should you have kept that tooth? No! It was causing you too much pain. Therefore move on. And let it go.

I know, easier said than done. It's only being here, away from the hustle and bustle of London, the constant keeping myself busy, that I have looked out to the beautiful sea and just let go...  I recommend it, it's good for the soul.

Australian Adventure; Bhupi

Sorry I haven't written in a while... I have been enjoying the sunshine and sea! Also thank you to everyone who reads my blog as I have reached over 2000 views which is fab for me, so thank you! (And please encourage more to read it -the more views I get the better...)

Today is a boiling, but beautiful day. I went to work at the zoo and carried out my usual activities of cleaning and feeding. But today something interesting happened at lunch time. I sit by myself in the cafe (coz the staff are all moody and not sociable) and there I was, eating some vanilla and lindt chocolate ice cream when a man comes along and plonks himself next to me. 

"Where are you from?" He says. 

My mind pings "stranger danger" Do I tell him I'm from London? Do I make up a name?

"I'm from London" 

"AGHHH LONDON FINALLY" The man replies "FINALLY NO FRENCH OR GERMAN OR JAPANESE OR CHINESE OR KOREAN" (I don't think I really look japanese or chinese or korean but there we go)

The man then goes on to introduce himself as Bhupi (he's from India originally but has lived in Australia for 30 years) He owns a chain of curry shops over Australia and tells me that they are "98% fat free" 

"Are you looking for a job?"He asks me.

"No, I'm just here on holiday"

"What are your plans for when you get back?" 

"I'm not sure yet" (this is a little white lie, I know now what I want to do but I'm not telling many people) 

Bhupi slams his fist down on the table "You don't know?!" He says too me

*Insert nervous laughter from me*

Bhupi then proceeds to tell me his life story... It's a very long, and he's difficult to understand but this is the gist of it. Bhupi was a cab driver in India when a man named Peter came over from Australia to India on holiday. Peter was a very rich doctor and formed a friendship with cab driver Bhupi. Eventually Peter asked Bhupi if he had ever been to Australia. The answer was no, as Bhupi was not very well off. 

A few months later Bhupi received a ticket in the post from Peter for him to come to Australia... he accepted, came out to Australia and Peter put Bhupi up in his family home in Melbourne. To cut a long story short Bhupi opened a successful restaurant in Melbourne and now has one in Cairns too. 

This made me think - we never really do know people's stories do we. In all honesty I thought Bhupi was a pervy old man when he first sat down next too me (he was a little bit, he kept inviting me to the beach for champagne..) 
But no, he obviously wanted to share his story with me and I was grateful for the company. And his story restored my faith in humanity. Bhupi then got up, shook my hand and told me "You a nice girl, I only talk to nice, friendly, intelligent people" And off he went. 
*Ego boost for Bethany* 
 Its when you hear stories like this that you realize that there are a few people out there who really do have hearts of gold and want to help people. And we all should all take the time to get to know people, and see if there is any way we can help them. Obviously we are not all going to be able to pay for flights for someone somewhere, but even a smile and a chat may cheer someone up. I will never know if Peter was a christian, but he certainly did a good thing and helped Bhupi make a better life for himself. 
It also made me think that we all meet certain people in our lives, some may stay with us forever, some for a few months and some literally for a few seconds. But we are influenced, and sometimes changed by these people and things they say to us can have an impact and touch our World. And one of the things that makes me sad is all the people that briefly touched my world that I will never have anything to do with again.

After work I went and sat on the beach for a while. Nothing soothes the soul like a walk along the beach. 

I filmed abit of the beach and the walk home for you... it's a very badly filmed and I look hideous, but it may make you feel like you are with me!
CLICK LINK TO WATCH VIDEO :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS0sX2dHzs0


Bethany xxxx

Australian Adventure; Central Cairns & Paw Paw

Today it is chucking it down with the rain. Not just spitting, or raining, this is proper puddle, flood making rain. And I walked in it and was smiling,because it didn't feel like cold English rain, it was warm and for some reason made me walk down the street with a big grin on my face. Maybe because I think God is having a bit of fun, making it rain here whilst its sunny in England!

I got the bus into Central Cairns as I couldn't exactly spend the day at the beach sunbathing without the sun!
It took 45 minutes on the bus and I got off and I had no idea where to go first.. I had no map.. nobody with me.. and I didn't panic! (Yay anxiety did not kick in!) I knew the esplanade was around somewhere so I went into the nearest shop and asked for directions. They pointed me in the direction to go and off I went. I found it and went for a walk along the lagoon... it was beautiful even with dark grey clouds and rain!

I was then quite hungry so found a little cafe and ordered myself a paw paw smoothie and avocado, tomato and cheese toastie. I then realised I had no idea what paw paw was. I had just ordered it because it sounded exotic haha. I knew it was a fruit, but what kind of fruit! I've had to come home and google it and to be honest I still don't really get what it is, it has a cool name and it tasted good.

Then I went shopping! It was a strange feeling wandering around not really knowing where I was going, but it soon became familiar and I had to be so self controlled not to buy lots of things... (I was especially tempted by all the touristy junk!)

There were art galleries and museums and I found a nandos! That's right, Australia does nandos.

Not much else to report really apart from I am now soaked as I walked from the bus stop which is a good 20 minute walk... I must have looked like a mad women grinning in the rain haha.

Have a good Wednesday xxxx

Australian Adventure; Kangaroo kicks and Wombat bites

Well yesterday was an eventful day at the Zoo! 

I was going about my every day routine, feeding the koalas, cleaning out the animals and then it was time to weed one of the many kangaroo pens. There are two that I have fallen in love with called Marvin and Theo, they were raised by humans and are so are very lovable and always want too climb up my shorts or nibble my hand or give my face a lick. I was picking up the weeds, and Marvin and Theo were having a bit of fun when all of a sudden I stood up, and Marvin just WENT for me. Literally it happened so quickly. He kicked, then dug his claws in then his teeth and just clung to my leg. I didn't know what to do! So I did the girlie thing... and screamed! But nobody came, (health and safety laws are wayyy to laid back over here) so then I just started kicking my leg until the kangaroo was flung off. 

I ran out of the pen and was shaking but then I just burst into laughter.. a kangaroo had just attacked me and I wish it had been filmed because it probably looked quite funny! I have a few bruises and scratches but I'm okay... just gonna have to be brave enough to go back in there next week! 

I then went in with the DINGO'S to weed their pen. I had to have a trained zookeeper with me to go in with the dingos. I was honestly wetting myself.. dingo's are scary and wild and make this howling sound. However the zookeeper just instructed me to go into the pen and stand very still, let them come up to me and sniff and lick and jump up at me. Dogs have never really been my favourite animal.. but I just had to man up and do it. There is a quote from the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S Lewis that says "Peter did not feel very brave; indeed, he felt he was going to be sick. But that made no difference to what he had to do" Now I know it probably doesn't sound like a very big deal, going in to a dingo's den to weed, but I was honestly very scared. But the aussie's are all so tough that there isn't any time for wimpish "I'm scared I'm going to be eaten alive" excuses. And I'm glad I did it now. 

Walking back from the dingo's I noticed one of the zookeepers struggling controlling a wombat. I called in to ask if he was okay, and the wombat had managed to get a piece of sharp, rusty metal through the tough skin on his foot and would need two tetanus shots. As we gave the wombat the first shot, he decided to bite down on the poor zookeepers hand. I have never seen anyone look in so much pain (wombats are the 3rd most dangerous animal we have at the zoo and they can break your hand when they bite) Of course the zookeeper then could not give the rest of the tetanus shots and I went straight into first aid mode. The first thing I said was "you need a cup of tea with 3 sugars and too sit down" (how very british of me!) instead we had to settle for a full fat coke. Poor guy.

Today I am off the zoo and have been out for a walk to the local shops to buy some food supplies, and then I headed to the beach too do some reading. It's hot today, but there are a few occasional down pours of rain I have to be ready for!

Time to go and get some more sun!
Bethany xxxx

Australian Adventure; I've forgotten the days

Sorry for not writing much over the past few days... I can't actually remember what day I got up too!
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday I have off the zoo so I was doing a lot of relaxing and sunbathing by the pool/beach.

On Friday night I went out to eat at a place called "the beach shack" its amazing; they set up stone ovens and cook pizza, have a DJ, and serve cocktails/beer all right by the sea... so you can watch the sunset if you get there early enough. As it is winter here the sun sets about 5:15pm!

Saturday was another lazy day by the pool, then I went to do a bit of food shopping and it was rehearsal time as the concert is today (sunday!) There is so much talent out here...
In the evening it was fish and chip time and we watched a lovely film called Quartet...

This morning I woke up, went for a walk along the beach and have just finished reading one of my books called "A street cat named Bob" it is such a good book and really gives insight into homelessness and from now on I will most certainly be viewing people living rough on the streets in a different manner. I have a feeling we are all too judgmental sometimes. I also may buy a big issue magazine from now on.. did you know that the people selling that have to buy copies themselves to sell? It teaches them how to handle business and their own money - the big issue is there to give people a hand up, not just a hand, I'd never realized that before.

On my walks I do a lot of thinking and it got me to that this time last year I would never have expected to be on the other side of the world. Life changes every minute of every day. You lose friends, and you gain friends. You become friends with someone you used to dislike. You look for love, and find love, and lose love. You realize that all along you have been loved. You laugh, you cry. You laugh so hard you end up crying. You do this, you do that. You really wish you hadn't done that but then you learn from it and are glad you did it. You have your ups and your downs. You see good movies, you see bad movies. You wonder if your life is just one big movie. You look at others and wish you were them. You then realize who they actually are and become glad that you are YOU. You love life. You hate life. In the end, you find yourself happy to be living life, no matter whats thrown at you.

That's where I am right now. I'm happy to be alive. I've been put here for a reason, and no I may not know that reason yet, but God has it all under control - I am so blessed to have this opportunity to find myself, and I realize how much I have matured in a few months (weeks!) 

All I can say is this - life is a rollercoaster, but God will never give you anything you can't handle. 

Bethany xxxx