The Year That Was 2014

What an eventful year it was.  I made mistakes, I learnt from them. I went forward, backwards and sideways. They said jump I asked how high? Let me take you through my highlights of 2014.

Single Life

I became a ‘single white female’; I moved out on my own and had to become a truly independent woman. This was definitely a moment for me to stop and reflect. I think you should always gain something from a previous relationship it is not a failure just because it didn’t last. I don’t think it’s a waste of time, you learn to love someone; you grow together and change together. If you realise you aren’t so compatible then I think you should move on, there’s no need to sacrifice others happiness just for the sake of a relationship status.

I realised just how much you ‘share’ when you’re in a relationship. You share; bills, cleaning, days off, cooking and snuggles. But when you’re on your own you have to fend for yourself, I mean groceries, cooking, cleaning. I realised I’m no Martha Stewart but if I wasn’t going to do it, then who would? As time went by I began to feel empowered, it was pretty cool to know I could survive on my own. That way if someone was to come into my life again then they could supplement it. I’ve learnt to love my own little bachelorette pad and when you don’t have to share with others, you can make it your own.   I see it as a little luxury that I may not have all my life so why not relish it.  


                         The 'boudoir'                           

The 'wardrobe room'



The best bathroom ever 

Bombs Away

I made plans and then I changed them drastically. I saved a deposit to build a house; I even got plans drawn up. Then a part of me went ‘coulda, woulda, shoulda’ and threw them out the window. I went to the hair salon chopped 25cm of my Rapunzel hair off, walked into a travel agency waved my house deposit goodbye and booked myself a holiday. Holy shit balls it was happening; my first solo overseas adventure. For some reason when I was in relationship I didn’t have the courage to do it and suddenly all I could think was, what do I have to lose? Turns out nothing.                    

The Rapunzel locks were getting ratty.     

 

  Ready for the chop.

 

The Rats Tail

The shorter do

 

I had the most amazing experience. I started in London and met up with some fabulous Tassie friends made some new ones from Chicago whilst table dancing in Soho.  I then met my contiki group in Amsterdam and continued on through Paris, Luzerne, Nice and Barcelona. I can’t possibly tell you all the tales but let me assure you things got crazy, weird, scary and fabulous. My last week was spent entirely on my own with no contacts in Greece. I had to really put myself out of my comfort zone and try new things. This was the most special time for me. It made me realise how amazing people are and also if you put your mind to something you really can achieve anything you want.  

My Contiki tour 

  Barcelona with my contiki crew

 

My Contiki roomie Brittany and i posing in front of Ferrari's in Monaco

My Destiny's Child girls and i in Nice

 

Changing Face

Unfortunately yearly highlights cannot all be positive. I had a nasty work accident just four weeks before my trip away. I sliced my nose open with a blade the length of an iPhone, lucky for me it didn’t hurt. The downside was it came with emotional and physical scars.  I like to think I’m a pretty strong person but like many I can be vulnerable too. When you injure yourself you realise just how delicate you are and suddenly your eyes open up to risks everywhere. Working in fashion retail there is a lot of emphasis on the way you are presented and unfortunately having a nose patch, scab, scar opens up plenty of unwanted discussion. Here I was trying to not let my vanity get the best of me but instead had multiple people comment on my appearance almost daily. At one stage I kindly responded to a customer that ‘I’ve decided I’m more than my nose’, she laughed and appreciated my honesty.

It’s pretty sad but when people constantly highlight your flaws it begins to be the only thing you see. It saddens me to say but some mornings I do wake up, walk to the mirror and cringe at my naked face. It is an ugly memory that left its mark. Going through this I can advise others that it helps to be respectful and sensitive before you comment on someone’s appearance, if they wish to share their ordeal with you they will.  It has been an eye opening experience and I can’t begin to imagine how others feel after severely traumatic events.

Luckily makeup helps to cover up my scar, i hope to feel confident without it sometime soon. I'm looking forward to what the plastic surgeon has to say in February.

 

 The day of the ordeal

 

Selfies became restricted

 

Baby sis supporting me  

 

     After the patch came off

 

On a lighter note a change to face that has been a positive one began with a eye check up after poking my eye out in Paris (another day another story). I thought it would be best to make sure everything was in order. Turns out one eye being short sighted and one long equals blurred vision at work and daily headaches, the solution; glasses. Easy peasy lemon squeazy, this should be fun I thought. I went for my first try on, nothing looked like me, all I could see was my nose and my bold brows were no longer! Bless the sales assistant but leopard arms and I just don’t match. Feeling deflated off I went to the next shop, like the devil to Miranda Priestly the Prada frames were calling my name. I brought a work colleague/ friend in for approval and voila I can suddenly see.......clearly! 

 

Devilish in Prada frames 

Losing my falls festival virginity

Yes its true at the ripe age of 27 I packed my goodies and set off to the most popular Tasmanian New Years Eve event. Its safe to say I’m no expert at camping , in fact the term ‘rookie’ most definitely applies ... considering I'm a camping virgin. But determined to try new things I accepted the invitation/ challenge.

Busting for the loo as we arrived at our assigned camping spot; off I ran. I exited the long drop cubicle and just like in the TV commercial ‘Ahh MC Cain’ the rains were there and wet through was my double denim ensemble! Oh yes the rookie camper did not bring anything waterproof. As the three of us ladies began unpacking our tents (in between rain showers I may add) the girls looked at mine and asked where the rest of it was, me not knowing a thing was confused. Apparently $15 tents from Kmart aren’t waterproof! Deciding not to pitch mine we waited safely in our car until the rain passed. The other thing that passed was a replica of my tent flying by!! Lucky I didn’t set that up!

As ghastly as that all sounds I had a fabulous New Year’s Eve. I slept in the sun listening to the live tunes, drank gin and tonics out of cans and as the day turned to night I ate; spiral spuds, dim sim's and drank until my liver said no more. As a friends boyfriends says I even got “balls deep” in the mosh Pitt! I got on strangers shoulders against my will and smiled and loved life until the wee hours. Look I’m no camper and I’m not sure if I’d do it again but it was certainly a memorable experience that I wouldn’t take back.

The Falls crew

 After getting caught in the rain

Venue with a view

 

Sarah and Kitty

Sun and smiles

So there you have it, the year that was 2014, my highs my lows. It was a good year, I look forward to the one ahead. X E