I'm back. Its been a really long time and I have a confession to make. Its been close to a year since I've written anything. But for anyone who travels or has the desire in them, you'll understand perfectly well.
One year ago, Alex and I officially decided that we would take some time off and do some traveling. Not just Thailand and Bali for two weeks, but some real and substantial traveling. For as liberating the feeling is, it also requires a lot of sacrifice and commitment to the cause. I worked 6 days a week for the last 18 months and became tired. In some ways, it felt like I had lost sight of the light in the tunnel. Life became a routine of three quarter lattes, bus rides with crazy cat ladies and staying home on Friday nights so I wouldn't spend money.
When life becomes a routine, a part of your creative spark dies and you don't find the joy in the small things. My world became very small and I became a bit more emotionally flat lined. But two weeks ago, my world opened up again and "traveler's high" can't even begin to describe my feelings. I arrived in the UK after a 26 hour flight and almost missing a connecting flight (our flight from Sydney was 1.5 hours late leaving because someone had a seizure just as the flight was taxiing.Let me tell you, don't ever look out the window if your flight has to do a three point turn on the Sydney runway, you'll lose your lunch!) but I couldn't help but feel great. After all this time of just working and working, I was finally able to see and experience new places, people and situations. Stories were coming to life right before my eyes but I hadn't even left Sydney. When you're stuck in a routine funk, nothing is worthy of a story or the effort associated with the fabrication. Get me on a plane though, and everything is vivid and worthy of telling.
I will be traveling with my boyfie (Alex) and manfriend (Richard) for the next four months. We're saying "adios" to adulthood for a little while and living like the reckless 20-somethings we ought to be. I'm officially closer to 30 now than I am to 20 which is absolutely terrifying. I feel like i need to step into a government office and verify that I do not agree with the age I am supposed to be. I'm still alright with the idea of Ramen noodles being a sustainable dinner and sharing a room with 30 other strangers in a hostel. That's normal for 26, right?right?!
I spent a week with my Gma which was great. She is slowly starting to lose her memory so sometimes it's like being with a toddler who can drive a car and has a bank card. Terrifying and rewarding all in the same breath. This year I spent my 26th birthday with her which was extra special because I spent my 16th with her. She woke me up at the crack of dawn to wish me a happy birthday which is the best present I could have received. In a haze of her memories dating from World War 2 with the Italian sweetie shop and fast tracking to the days of working for Mr. Frances in the lawyers office in the 1960's, I felt honoured and cherished that she remembered it was my birthday.
The inner story teller is alive and well. The more I see, feel and experience, I will share it with you. Thank you for being my audience. I will do my very best to bring everything to life and leave you hanging for more.
-K xx
Gma and the Crew at Anstruther
