In Rye | Travel

 

Even though it was only a day tip – I wish it were more than just a day – to Rye, I can’t begin to explain how wonderful the day was overall.

The Peninsula Hot Springs, as you now know, was amazing, but there was something so special about spending valuable time with my closest friends two hours away from home. I mean, nearly all of us are in University and we obviously have our own lives so it’s most definitely not every day that we get to do this; having this moment with them and sharing these memories with them made me feel appreciative of what I have and who I have in my life because honestly – cue the sentimentality – my friends mean the world to me, and their company is more than special to me, too.

After the Hot Springs we went to the beach nearby and had lunch. We spent the day building sand castles, attempting cartwheels on the beach and of course, for me, taking picturesque photographs of the beach and eating ice cream. And despite it being autumn, the day was superb. There was hardly a cloud in the sky.

But, as I mentioned in my previous post, this wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for Indy and her turning twenty. So, let’s raise a glass to Indy!

Hot Springs | Travel

 

It was my best friend’s twentieth birthday on Thursday.

For her birthday, Indy organised a day trip to Rye – which is more or less the bottom of Victoria in Australia – to pay a visit to the Peninsula Hot Springs. Rumor has it that the Hot Springs is the first natural hot springs and day spa centre in Victoria. It’s apparently made up of natural thermal mineral waters that basically turn into these to-die-for spas. To say the least, it was incredible and tranquil – especially the view from the highest spa. It was a photographers dream, I can say that much, and I’m afraid the photographs below won’t do it justice. That is how beautiful it was!

We spent up to five hours going from spa to spa, to sauna to sauna and by the end of those five hours, I felt like my skin was never going to un-prune (is that even a word?), but it was worth it.

The Turkish bath (Hamam) was one of my favourites. Basically, if you don’t know what a Turkish bath (Hamam) is – according to Wikipedia – it is a sauna distinguished by a focus on water, as distinct from ambient steam. It’s a method of cleansing and relaxation. At first, I was very reluctant because when I stepped in I could not breathe for the life of me because of the steam, but once I adjusted, it was relaxing and cleansing to say the least because steam actually exfoliated our skin.

My least favourite thing about the Hot Springs was leaving. I didn’t want to leave. I mean, despite me turning into a prune, I had a ball and I would totally recommend it if you’re going to Victoria anytime soon, or live in Victoria and have never been!

But it wouldn’t have happened without my dearest friend, Indy. So thank you Indy for an amazing day! 

Also, after the Hot Springs, since we were far from home and had nothing else to do, we decided to spend the day in Rye visiting the beach nearby. I will share those photographs in another post, another time.

Getting Deep...

I’m frustrated with myself. I’m frustrated with my own expectations, with the constant stress of living up to other people’s expectations and above all … with University.

I don’t normally do this, but I owe it to you. Nearly two years later and 100+ followers later, I owe it to you. And I owe it to myself, too. I owe it to you and to myself to be real to you (and myself) on my corner of the Internet.

I don’t know what I am doing with my life.

I don’t know who I am or who I want to be.

I have been here for twenty years and I still don’t know whom I am or what I want to do with my existence. I know it’s completely “normal” to not know who you are, or what you want to do with your life – especially at only twenty -, but it’s frustrating because I feel like I have to be a certain “somebody” in order to please people rather than to please myself.

What I am trying to say is: I don’t know if being a counsellor is something I am passionate about anymore. I don’t know if it is something I want to dedicate myself to for the rest of my life. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love the concept of counselling and I love the whole commotion about counselling, but what I don’t love is pretending that I am passionate about being a counsellor. Between the rest of the world and I, I’m not.

At least, I don’t think I am.

When I’m at University I do often find it interesting and alluring to be in the lecture, but when I am outside of University, my time, love and dedication goes towards my blog rather than to my assignments for University.

I love my blog. I love the concept of blogging. I love the people I meet from blogging and I love what blogging brings out of me: my love for photography.

The question I am trying to ask myself in the midst of all these words are: do I love counselling, or do I love photography more? The answer … I don’t even know.

I don’t want to quit University, but I don’t want to not-quit either.

What do I do? What do I even want to do and how do I even find out?

p.s. These are some flowers I got from Kevin and my friend for my birthday. Aren't they beautiful?!

Summer in Australia

 

 

 

Barbeques, ice cream, festivals, beaches, Christmas trees, warm nights, campfires, the smell of freshly cut grass, adventures, Christmas, the new year and new beginnings is what reminds me of summer in Australia.

Unlike countries such as America, England and Canada, we celebrate Christmas wearing singlets and shorts rather than festive Christmas sweaters and slippers. And this does not bother me – although, I can’t deny the delightfulness of Christmas sweaters, let’s be honest. They are the best things about Christmas. Nevertheless, I quite like Christmas in Australia because of it being summer.

I don’t know about you, but in summer my mood shifts. I feel a lot more optimistic throughout the warmer months rather than the colder ones. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love winter, but there’s something about summer that reminds me of opportunities and new beginnings.

Last week my family, Kevin and I spontaneously went to the beach. Although it was a little colder that day and the wind was existent, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. The company made the day worth it.

And let’s take a moment and appreciate the adorableness between Kevin and Alex (my nephew) in these photos!

I am so ready for summer in December, and the new year in January!

p.s. I made a new Instagram, so if you could go ahead and have a slight peak, it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you - @jes.cohen