Realities of living in Australia

1. YOU CAN'T JUST DROP EVERYTHING AND GO BACK.

Many assume that once you're abroad, it's a life of luxury and ease, but the reality is far more complex. It’s not just about the cost of a ticket home. Commitments pile up—work, finances, and the life you’re building away. The heart longs for home, but responsibilities keep you grounded. You can’t just leave; your life is now split between two worlds.

2. RESILIENCE ISN'T OPTIONAL—IT'S A NECESSITY.

Every day is a challenge, and sometimes exhaustion is overwhelming. But you learn to show up, to smile, to be the strong one for others. Vulnerability is often hidden behind the mask of perseverance because you don’t want loved ones to worry. "Keep going" isn’t advice—it's the only choice. You have to become your own motivator, even when motivation is nowhere to be found.

3. FIND YOUR PEOPLE BUT BE SELECTIVE.

Not everyone you meet is meant to stay in your life. It’s not about shutting people out but about knowing who truly understands your journey. Genuine connections are rare gems—when you find them, they become your family. Trust slowly and protect your peace. Sometimes, it’s the ones you least expect who stand by you when times get tough.

4. LONELINESS IS A COMPANION YOU LEARN TO EMBRACE.

There are nights when homesickness hits hard, and doubts keep you awake. You question your choices, wonder if you’re doing enough, and worry about those you left behind. It’s okay to feel that way; it’s part of the journey. You get stronger, not because it’s easy, but because you must. The quiet, lonely moments teach you who you really are.

5. SILENT PRAYERS ARE YOUR CONSTANT REFUGE.

Whether you consider yourself religious or not, there’s always that quiet moment of hope—praying that things will be okay, that sacrifices will be worth it, and that your loved ones are safe. It’s a whisper to the universe, a small comfort that keeps you going, day after day. Those silent moments of faith are what keep you steady when everything else feels uncertain.

6. YOU LEARN TO BE YOUR OWN BIGGEST SUPPORTER.

Sometimes, you're the only one who truly understands what you're going through. In a new country, far from everything familiar, you become your own cheerleader. You celebrate your small wins, push yourself to keep going when it feels impossible, and pick yourself up when you fall. You have to be your own encouragement because there won't always be someone there to remind you of your worth.

7. YOU DISCOVER STRENGTHS, YOU NEVER KNEW YOU HAD.

Living abroad is a crash course in resilience, adaptability, and self-discovery. You’ll be tested in ways you never imagined, facing moments that force you to grow. You’ll surprise yourself—finding strength in setbacks, creativity in challenges, and courage in the face of uncertainty. The experience shapes you, and when you look back, you realize you’ve become someone you never thought you could be: stronger, wiser, and braver than you ever imagined.

Life Update.... What's Next

Hello everybody who reads my blog I have been gone for a hot moment there, but I am back, and I have so much to tell you all because so much has happened and so much is going to happen heading into next year.

First things first, I quit my job!

I am at peace with my decision. I am no longer angry within myself, and I feel the need to take some time out I was becoming not a very nice person which I didn't want, nor did I like.

I have started swimming again about 3 times a week so I rejoined the gym as a pay and go customer till January then I will move onto a membership. I am very happy with that.

I have started walking again and I love it, just walking all wrapped up in all weathers... I just walk.

On to the next part I am finally going to Australia (insert crazy scream)

My beautiful friend Becky and her Fiancé Stephen are getting married in January and I am invited (YAY) and I'm going.

Visa, Flight, cattery, trains all booked, exciting times.

I paid off my working holiday to Australia and hopefully the visas will open in time for me to leave in March. It is taking so long because I am older that the current visa age limit, but the company said the age limit is changing to 35/36 but when they do is anyone's guess.

So that's a rough lowdown on life.

I promise to keep up on my blog, but its contents might be changing a bit to Travel, Food, DIY Projects and sustainability, Climate change.

BOOK: Homebody by Rupi Kaur

My Review: I love this book.
                 I love all this ladies writing's.

Rupi Kaur constantly embraces growth, and in home body, she walks readers through a reflective and intimate journey visiting the past, the present, and the potential of the self. home body is a collection of raw, honest conversations with oneself – reminding readers to fill up on love, acceptance, community, family, and embrace change. Illustrated by the author, themes of nature and nurture, light and dark, rest here.

I dive into the well of my body
and end up in another world
everything I need
already exists in me
there’s no need
to look anywhere else
– home

LGBTQ Book Recommendations Part 2

 In Love Stories, Jonathan Ned Katz presents stories of men's intimacies with men during the nineteenth century—including those of Abraham Lincoln—drawing flesh-and-blood portraits of intimate friendships and the ways in which men struggled to name, define, and defend their sexual feelings for one another. In a world before "gay" and "straight" referred to sexuality, men like Walt Whitman and John Addington Symonds created new ways to name and conceive of their erotic relationships with other men. Katz, diving into history through diaries, letters, newspapers, and poems, offers us a clearer picture than ever before of how men navigated the uncharted territory of male-male desire.

28th April 1870. Fanny and Stella, the flamboyantly dressed Miss Fanny Park and Miss Stella Boulton, are causing a stir in the Strand Theatre. All eyes are riveted upon their lascivious ogling's of the gentlemen in the stalls. Moments later they are led away by the police. What followed was a scandal that shocked and titillated Victorian England in equal measure.

It turned out that the alluring Miss Fanny Park and Miss Stella Boulton were no ordinary young women. Far from it. In fact, 'Boulton and Park' were young men who liked to dress as women. When the Metropolitan Police launched a secret campaign to bring about their downfall, they were arrested and subjected to a sensational show trial in Westminster Hall.

As the trial of 'the Young Men in Women's Clothes' unfolded, Fanny and Stella's extraordinary lives as wives and daughters, actresses and whores were revealed to an incredulous public.

With a cast of peers, politicians and prostitutes, drag queens, doctors and detectives, Fanny and Stella is a Victorian peepshow, exposing the startling underbelly of nineteenth-century London. By turns tragic and comic, meticulously researched and dazzlingly written, Fanny and Stella is an enthralling tour-de-force. 

LGBTQ Book's Recommendations Part 1

From drag queens and discos, to black holes and monsters, these stories and poems wrestle with love and loneliness and the fight to be seen. By turns serious and fantastical, hilarious and confrontational, We Were Always Here addresses the fears, mysteries, wonders and variety of experience that binds our community together.

We Were Always Here is a snapshot of current LGBTI+ writing and a showcase of queer talent.

Contributors: Alice Tarbuck, Andrés Ordorica, April Hill, AR Crow, Bibi June, BD Owens, Callum Harper, Christina Neuwirth, Ciara Maguire, Elaine Gallagher, Elva Hills, Eris Young, Etzali Hernández, Felicity Anderson-Nathan, Freddie Alexander, Garry Mac, Gray Crosbie, Harry Josephine Giles, Heather Parry, Heather Valentine, Jack Bigglestone, Jane Flett, Jay G Ying, Jay Whittaker, Jonathan Bay, Jo Clifford, Kirsty Logan, Laura Waddell, Lori England, MJ Brocklebank, Rachel Plummer, Ross Jamieson, Sandra Alland, Shane Strachan, Zoe Storrie. 

Written 12 years before Teleny by Saul, this account of Victorian cross-dressing and rent-boys is a legend all its own. Based on the true story of a male brothel in Cleveland Street (later shut down).
Subtitled: "The Recollections of a Mary-Ann", the "Cities of the Plain" are of course Sodom and Gomorrah.
One of the first exclusively homosexual works of pornographic literature published in English. It has been suggested that it was largely written by James Campbell Reddie and the painter Simeon Solomon, who had been convicted of public indecency in 1873 and disgraced.

The steps from lockdown - Hopefully

 

Step-by-step lockdown roadmap

Step 1

• From 8 March: All schools will open with outdoor after-school sports and activities allowed. Socialising in an outdoor public spaces – such as a park – will be allowed between two people
• From 29 March: Return of the “Rule of Six”: Groups of larger than six from a maximum of two households will also be allowed to meet. Outdoor sport and leisure facilities, such as golf courses and tennis courts, will be allowed to reopen, and organised outdoor sport can resume for children and adults

Step 2 – From 12 April

• All non-essential retail can reopen
• Pubs, restaurants and cafes can reopen, with outdoor seating only
• Gyms and other indoor leisure can reopen (limited to household groups)
• Hairdressers and other personal care businesses can open again
• Domestic holidays can resume (limited to household groups)
• Outdoor attractions like zoos and theme parks can reopen
• Weddings and wakes can have up to 15 people
• Libraries and community centres can reopen
• All children’s activities can resume, including indoor parent and children groups with up to 15 parents
• Tests will be conducted for larger events

Step 3 – From 17 May 

• Rules of Six will come into effect indoors (subject to review)
• Indoor seating can resume in pubs and restaurants
• Indoor entertainment venues like cinemas and theatres can reopen
• Domestic overnight stays can resume
• Organised indoor adult sport can start again
• Weddings and other “significant life events” can include up to 30 people
• Remaining outdoor entertainment, such as performances, can resume
• Remaining accommodation can reopen

Step 4 – From 21 June

• Larger events can resume
• Night clubs can reopen
• No legal limits on social contact

Life Update 15th March 2021

 Hello you beautiful people on the internet (cheesy wave) Well a little life update if you all have time?

 I am almost finished my second year of university the course i am doing is bloody hard but need it if i want to be a teacher!

I must endure and persist.... 

My assignments are still going in by the skin on my teeth, i really must learn time management.

The bad news - 

 Like everybody else in March i was placed on furlough with my two jobs.

The pub where i worked decided to shut permanently so in June 2020 i was made redundant. Then in October the convenience store i worked at informed me i was going to be made redundant again, when i heard that i was devastated i loved that job.

Luckily my old boss from the pub passed my name on to a supermarket and they phoned me in November so i started working in a store in town and i have been there ever since, i am grateful for my old boss and his wife.

Good news - 

i have passed my online TEFL certificate with additional Advanced Grammar, which means now i can teach abroad and online.

Even more and more good news i am now registered with a Education Agency and i am finally getting some classroom experience in which i love, i love, i love! I lost my placement in 2020 thanks to the pandemic.

Teaching Assistant/ Cover Supervisor is what i am doing at the moment i love it, i love it, i love it! Wish me luck 🙏

Stay safe

 Wear a mask

Wash your hands

Use your common sense

Stay blessed.

Support and Resources For Men

Victim Support Men’s Helpline

https://mensadviceline.org.uk/ 

Providing support for men who are suffering any form of Domestic Abuse. 

https://www.haloproject.org.uk

The Halo project provides support for all forms of Domestic Abuse that include FGM, Forced Marriage and Honour Based Abuse.

Support Resources

Humdard provides help and support for Asian women who are experiencing domestic abuse. They provide a 24 hour helpline as well as outreach support and emergency accommodation.

Humdard – Humdard (24 hours) (Domestic Abuse Helpline for Asian Women) Victim Support - 0121 569 7980.

Karma Nirvana Charity is led by Jasvinder Sanghera the author of ‘Shame’ which is recommended as further reading following this course. The book is about Jasvinder’s life and her sister’s. Her sister was set fire to and murdered. The book is a compelling read and an insight into pressures from families where ‘shame’ is viewed. 

Jasvinder Sanghera CBE A survivor of a forced marriage, she is the founder of Karma Nirvana, a national award winning charity that supports both men and women affected by honour based abuse and forced marriages. She is a highly acclaimed international speaker and an expert advisor to the courts in matters of child, civil and criminal proceedings. 

Jasvinder’s memoir ‘Shame’ was described in the House of Lords as a ‘political weapon’ and, along with ‘Daughters of Shame’ are Sunday Times Top 10 Bestsellers. In 2018, she was awarded Honorary Doctor of Law by De Montfort University, Leicester, and Woman of the Year by Leeds City Council and in 2019, she was awarded the Robert Burns Humanitarian of the Year Award and also the Sikh Woman of Substance Award.

Karma Nirvana Charity link http://www.karmanirvana.org.uk/

https://www.freedomcharity.org.uk/

The Freedom Charity aim to empower young people to feel they have the tools and confidence to support each other and have practical ways in which they can help their best friend around the issues of family relationships which can lead to early and forced marriage and dishonour-based violence.

They achieve this by placing informative material in schools, running schools’ programmes and by using social media such as a web site, Facebook, Twitter and apps.

December - Capricorn - Chinese Zodiac

December - Capricorn - Rabbit

December born people are: 

           : Highly disciplined and hold great self control

           : They are responsible and at the some time unforgiving.

December born specialities:

: Their outlook on life is all about exploration and wants to live and enjoy the present.

: You are a multi tasking person who is very talented.

: You tend to get bored of things very quickly.

: You are very sharp and a quick learner.

: The best career for us is in the field of medicine.

Capricorn: We are understanding, sweet and sympathetic.

Rabbit - Tu'

Fire Rabbit

1915 - 1927 - 1931 - 1951 - 1963 - 1975 - 1987 - 1999 - 2011 - 2023

Earthly branch of birth year - Mao Wu Xing

The five elements - Wood (Mu)

Yin Yang - Yin

The rabbit is a tame creature representing hope and life for a long time, they are tender and loving.

The moon goddess Chang'e is the Chinese legend and has a rabbit as her pet which is thought that only this creature is enough to match her natural beauty.

Another way of looking at it is the rabbit is a reincarnation of the moon goddess and is a symbol of pureness and auspiciousness.

Rabbits love freedom and once they set goals they march forward without hesitation or distraction, they are self disciplined, strict with them selves but tolerant with others.

Rabbits look mild and soft but they are alert to dangers and outsiders.

They don't easily trust but do have a courteous manners in social settings.

Celebrities/ Important people born on 23rd December:

Eddie Vedder

Madam CJ Walker

Carol Ann Duffy

Donna Tartt

Muhammed Zafar Iqtal

Shows released 23rd December:

Good morning Vietnam released 1987 

20,000 Leagues under the sea released 1954

Kpop Starts Birthdays on the 23rd December:

Kim Siheon (Noir)

Jaehyo (Block B)

Sanghoon (100%)

Woo

Park Jiwon

#ENDCHILDPOVETY

I am not generally one for bringing politics to this blog but this Free School Meal debate is making me very angry, because it shouldn't of been up for debate in the first place.

When I was at school me and my sibling got free school meals because my parents couldn't afford pack lunches your lucky if we could afford a school uniform, I lived in hand me downs me and my sisters style where so different.

I know personally how much free school meals are needed and even more so now the virus has wiped out most peoples employment and benefits are being reduced, when it comes to looking for a job it 500 people to 1 job, its impossible now supermarkets are rising prices on food and believe me that's hit even me hard so just imagine how its going to hit young families.

Mental health is at a all time high already, suicide has been rising throughout lockdown at an alarming rate now your taking away the one thing we need to live a basic life right, the thing that keeps us alive, FOOD!

What gives you the right to take away peoples food?

Who gives you the right to say who lives and who dies? 

You are not god!

You are a government and can be replaced!

The people of England are stronger and better than you, any and all of you!

link here for petition on free school meals LINK HERE

Children should not pay the price for and adults mistakes.

Families have experienced food insecurity over the last 6 months.
Families have lost income as a result of Covid-19.
Demand for food banks this winter is predicted to be 61% higher than last.

With the Child Food Poverty Taskforce, I am calling for Government to allocate money to:

- Expand free school meals to all under-16s where a parent or guardian is in receipt of Universal Credit or equivalent benefit
- Provide meals & activities during all holidays
- Increase the value of Healthy Start vouchers to at least £4.25 per week, and expand the scheme.

The guardian           

in cumbria

penrith news

pubs and cafes

news

If you live in Cumbria below are a few links on how to apply but most importantly the first port of call for anyone would be you local council.

cumbria 

direct gov

how to apply

REVIEW: Sensitive 2 in 1 Styler

Venus Pink Sensitive Styler

Venus 2in1 Bikini and Eyebrow Styler

Venus 2in1 Bikini and Eyebrow Styler, designed with two separate heads for styling the bikini line and eyebrows. The gentle high precision head, handles like a pen and is designed for detailed eyebrow styling. The slim bikini head is designed to shave precise lines, manoeuvring around every contour for easy use, even in your most delicate areas.- High precision head - Designed for detailed styling, precise and gentle. It handles like a pen - you draw something beautiful

- High precision head can be used to shape eyebrows

- Slim bikini shaping head - Designed to shave precise lines, shapes or contours

- 2 trimming combs - 5mm and 8mm

- Contents: Venus 2in1 styler comes with a bikini shaping head, high precision head and protection cap, 2 trimming combs, cleaning brush, battery, carry pouch

- Battery powered

 

 Purchase: Superdrug

               Ebay

               ASOS

               Amazon

My Review: First OW!

I did my eyebrows first and let me tell you it dose not remove all the hair I got this so I didn't have to pluck or wax, fail...

Now the bikini area, Holy Hell that hurt, it felt like they where being plucked out this is no gentle setting at all just grab and pull.

I will be keeping it though for when I go abroad till I get settled and it will be my go to tool until I can find a place I am comfortable with or when I want to put a gangster slits in my brows (peace out).

I give this about 6/7 out of 10.

Two good things about this is it has its own little pouch to keep everything together and I got mine at a reduced price.

Evening Skincare Routine

Hello Beautiful People

Today I am bringing you my Evening Skin Care Routing there's not many things I do so this post might be a little short one.

My Routine:

1: Put my hair up with a headband

2: Fill the sink with warm water

3: wet my face then use my cucumber wash LINK HERE

4: Dry my face 

5: Apply my Argan Oil night serum LINK HERE

My Opinion: I do like this product but I don't love it.

it worked wonders for my skin and if it didn't have the smell I would keep it forever but for me the smell although pleasant to others its just not something I wanted. I am going to finish what i have then try something different, but i do advise you to try it as it is a great serum.

Memorial Day For Comfort Woman in South Korea 14th March

      Memorial Day in South Korea for Comfort Woman

The international memorial day was held for Asian women forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II.

The National ceremony marking the International Memorial Day for Comfort Women took place at the Hill of National Commemoration in Cheonan, south of Seoul, with the slogan of "memory for the future."

About 100 people, including elderly Korean women sexually enslaved by the imperial Japanese army, participated.

South Koreans have called on Japan to offer a sincere apology and compensation for the victims, but the neighbouring country has remained silent.

It is the third time that the government has hosted a national ceremony commemorating the day since 2018, when it was designated a national memorial day. 

The International Memorial Day for Comfort Women falls on Aug. 14th, the day when the late Kim Hak-soon, a former comfort woman, first publicly testified about Japan operating an organized military brothel program during the war in 1991.

"The testimony by Kim Hak-soon resonated across the globe, revealing the truth and the violence against women," she said. "Now we have to think of what we can learn from the tragedy in history."

The government then opened a digital archive that stored more than 500 files of documents and materials on "comfort women," a euphemistic term for the former sex slaves. 

The online depository (www.archive814.co.kr) includes reports by the United Nations forces during the Korean War and official statements by the Japanese government.

Up to 200,000 women, mostly Koreans, were coerced into sexual servitude in front-line Japanese brothels when the Korean Peninsula was a Japanese colony.