Reach the top of Mt Roland
Reach the top of Frenchman’s cap
Visit a friend overseas
Learn a new language
Run a 100km ultra
Reach the southern-most point of Australia
Finally plug in the light bar on the van
Run a marathon in less than 4 hours
Use the stars dataset to do that thing I’ve been thinking about
Write one poem every week
Finally make the move to a new country
Reach a 5:30 zone 2 running pace
Read one book a month
Become part of a friend group
Reach the top of every tallest peak in the British Isles (by country)
Do the nude swim at Dark Mofo
Discover a new interest/hobby
Connect with new workmates more
Write about my feelings more
Run at an event with someone
Beat the train in Devonport
Tell people I love them more
Have a spontaneous adventure with a stranger
Really relax and take in my surroundings on a mountain instead of moving fast all the time
Take things slower
Allow myself to be sad
Be a more thoughtful friend
Think about how I should have been a better boyfriend
Make peace with the past

Change is on the horizon
I’ve seen and done a lot
I’ve explored Asia with great curiosity
I’ve greatly enjoyed sharing these moments
But soon life will return to Hobart
I’ll be home
I’ll see Tasmania with new eyes
I’ll find new moments of joy
However, I’ll be missing someone special
How can you know if what you have now
Is the best you’ll ever have?

Most of my problems are power related. Sometimes water related, which is terrifying.

Today, it was power causing me problems. Nothing special to report, just that it’s fun to have problems and fix them. I’m on the road at the moment in Queensland, so I booked into a showground for 2 nights and used today to get my hands dirty.

A month ago I turned 26.

It’s an interesting age to be. I’ve finished my studies, landed a job and finally have some money. I’m attempting anything to keep life interesting and avoid falling victim to a draining 9 to 5 life. My running has had its highs and lows, I ran a 67km ultra this year at my peak. Then I got a stress fracture in June and can not do any crazy adventures for a while.

I’m travelling more too. Not even a year ago I left Australia for the first time, all the way to Japan. Since then I’ve been to New Zealand and Thailand. And by golly, I’m addicted. Next up is Indonesia, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Followed by 4 months in Europe next year. I’ve enjoyed moving to Tassie and becoming familiar with a place that was once so distant. Right now I’m in Brisbane after driving 3000km along Australia’s east coast. It’s been a lot of fun exploring new places and getting some semblance of familiarity here too. There’s temptation to move to a place like Brisbane – but I don’t think it’s a big enough change for me at this point in my life. I have a yearning to continue exploring and really jump in the deep end to go live somewhere I’ll feel uncomfortable at first. I’m really hoping to find a country I want to explore more and move there.

My friends are getting married. I have 4 weddings to attend in the next 6 months. It’s crazy to think that some people have already found someone they want to see every day for the rest of their life. I have profound respect for them and can’t wait to see where their lives go together.

I’m glad I still have an interesting life for me. It’s possibly a bit lonelier than I expected, I’ve certainly had to say good bye to a few really good people. But in the end, I’m happy. I hope they’re all happy too.

I’m not enthusiastic about them, I’m hesitant to walk in the sand, and it’s a whole ordeal if I’m going to go in the water. They’re pretty, but beaches on their own are usually similar. As part of a coastline they are beautiful, and I’ll happily admire them. They also attract people who then form coastal towns that are expensive and bland.

I’d rather be on a mountain right now if I’m honest. I think I’d rather be back in Tassie.

Disorder and chaotic would be apt words to describe Chiang Mai upon first arriving. It can be difficult to navigate as paths abruptly end or are met with a shopfront or just a big hole in the ground. Keeping alert is essential to avoid breaking a leg on your first day. But it would be incorrect to use these words. In the traffic, there appears to be no set rules, yet there is a rythym and a strong awareness between drivers. This is true in more ways than one, and the closer you look, the more you doscover the rythym and pattern.

I really have fallen in love with Chiang Mai, our time has been much shorter than I’d like. I’ve met an Australian, Indian and an American (who are all of Indian heritage!) and each one has been incredible to get to know. I’m writing this now on my last night here in the hopes that I can capture what I’m feeling and remember it forever, though I know this is an impossible wish.

I met the first at a cooking class, we ended up cooking quite similar dishes and became friends. He instilled confidence in me that I sort of knew was somewhere, but it rarely surfaces. Our conversations inspire me to explore south east asia more thoroughly and with a yearning to connect with the culture by not being afraid to take more risks. I learned that I love live music as we created our own bar crawl through old town, with a combination of slow melodious music, head banging rock jazz and the conversion of classic songs like Stand By Me into the best rock songs I’ve ever heard. He taught me how to make the most of solo travel and make friends of all ages.

He introduced me to another Indian travelling the world after retirement. I don’t know how this is so possible, but we connected without any effort and became good friends too. When I visit Mumbai, I must remember to contact him.

Lastly, as a farewell to this lovely city, I spent the evening with the most interesting person I think I’ve ever met in my life. It feels like she has lived multiple lives. We talked about politics, religion, spirituality, adventure, aspirations, purpose, and so much more. Time floated by and I got so lost in the moment, I almost forgot I had to leave in the morning. I have learned so much from her, including things about myself and she inspires me to explore the world and also within. I may not understand my purpose or what future lies ahead, but I will strive to live virtuously and with conviction. The most important thing I took away was that it isn’t selfish to do what you need to do to take care of yourself if it means being able to add more value to your life and those around you.

I look forward to when our paths meet again 🙂

As for Chiang Mai, I’ll definitely see you again.

 

While not permanently leaving Tassie, I will be gone for a while. It has been a hell of a journey. I came here lost, and bit by bit I found myself through the friends I made and the hobbies I obtained.

I just spent the night with my close friends from my time here. Along the way, I visited key moments in my Tassie adventure, moments that will forever be special and important to me. I saw the first girl I dated here, the first DJ I met and grew to know well, hung out with 2 of the first people I knew down here when I was most in trouble and walked past places I’ve had many moments of joy, sadness and excitement. I have come a long way since landing on these shores. It’s time for me to continue exploring, but rest assured that I will be back to continue this amazing journey.

I officially leave in 2 days, I look forward to what awaits me. Thank you Tassie for the past 2 and a half years – I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for you!