Autumn is over... Update

These past few months have been busy. I am not sure quite what's been achieved, but i feel like i've always been busy.

These past few months have been filled with ups and downs, moments of homesickness and sadness, moments of joy and security, times when i've been moments away from saying "sod it, who can sell me the cheapest ticket back to Straya?", times when i've idly pondered in which area i would prefer to buy a house in London, and which university i would like to attend here.

My grandmother, Margery, died in September after a short illness. The last time i saw her, before i left Straya last year, she hugged me and told me she probably wouldn't be around when i came home. I said "Oh Grandma, don't be silly, of course you will, and i will hug you again then." She believed in god and in heaven, so i am sure she is someplace cosy now, with my grandfather, being taken care of. This is of some comfort to me, but i still feel sad when i think of her, and that i won't need to send her a Christmas card this year, and that the last time i wrote to her was several months earlier and i wished i'd told her more about my adventures, and i wish i'd been able to introduce her to Gav so i could say to her "Look Grandma, you were right. I did meet a good one."

Gav and i went to New York City for a week for my birthday, and in a word - it was AMAZEBALLS. Literally the best week of my life. We did everything we wanted to do, we saw everything we planned to see. And yet, we can't wait to return. Maybe one day. We spent some time with my parents, which was wonderful - particularly as they'd also missed Grandma's death and funeral, so we were able to take a little comfort from each other. I love them. And they loved Gav.

My closest friend in London, Lauren, finished up her time here and she and her boyfriend Matt went home to Canada a few weeks ago. We had a lot of fun times together while they were here, and i already miss her most sorely. But, on the upside, i now have an excellent excuse to visit Canada. Probably next year, on my way home.

The days grow shorter and colder. It's much colder than last year - everyone agrees that last winter was quite mild. And last year, i spent a lot more time inside my house - i didn't work every day, and i didn't have much reason to go out very often (or much money to go out very often), so i didn't really get out in the cold much. I am a lot busier now, i am a lot more social, and of course i leave the house every day to go to work. My latest shopping obsession is hats and scarves (in summer it was dresses, but i hardly got to wear them because it was only warm for about ten non-consecutive days). But i find myself becoming a little bit Christmassy.... It's honestly hard not to.

I attended the wedding of the year (Bryn and Kristie), long distance, via the magic of Facebook, Viber and Skype. I didn't even need to buy a dress. (Jackie and i attended from the comfort of Gav's couch, under the doona, in our pyjamas.) And of course, i missed my friends like crazy. And of course, i wished i was there in real life. And of course, i cried and fretted. But i was glad that Jackie was there - and of course, Gav was wonderful and supportive. We had a lovely day after that - visited the Museum of London and took a little turn around the city.

I am a terrible blogger. I daydream on the bus and in my mind i write interesting  blog entries. But i am never able to recreate them when i am at home in front of my lappy. I am sure i will regret this one day, when i want to look back on my London adventures. I guess i am just too busy living...

The weeks roll by...