The best time of year has finally arrived and I couldn’t be more ready for it. November has come and gone in the blink of an eye and some rest and relaxation sounds like an incredible end to another wild year.
This month has been a big month of thinking about what the future and next few months look like. This year has been a bunch of short term contracts and feeling in a constant state of flux trying to figure out what your next move is. I feel that 2021 started so strong then quickly went downhill, so I’m ready for 2022 to enjoy Canberra to its full extent. I’m a strong believer in timing and even when it feels like all of the odds are stacking up against you, you never know what will fall into place and when – let’s just say, I might have something exciting up my sleeve.
As we race to get over the finish line, I hope you can take time to go slow and steady, be intentional and be present. I already know that the next two months will absolutely fly by and before I know it, I’ll be starting a new job and back to the grind. Make the most of it, go easy on yourself, enjoy some sunshine (fingers crossed) and do what makes you feel truly happy.
Let’s take a look at the fun month that was November.
Tour de Gong
It would appear that my love of the Gong has reached new heights because my housemates in Canberra were sick of just hearing about it and were ready to experience it for themselves. And believe it or not, it was a year ago (nearly to the date), that we embarked on our first tour de gong pub crawl. So I thought it was only fitting to implement Tour de Gong 2.0. And boy was it a hit?!
We started off at the stunning Scarborough Hotel to take in sweeping views over the Pacific Ocean, before heading down to The Fitz in Bulli (certainly a crowd favourite). After a few fancy cocktails, we headed to Resin, a brewery in Bulli to get some tasty beers before jumping on the famous 90 bus to head to Dagwood. Everyone else in the Gong seemed to have the same idea and was out on the town. So we headed to Dicey Riley’s to wind down.
The Gong has such a special place in my heart and it was so nice to share it with people I love for a big ol weekend together.
Family visits
After nearly 6 months of not seeing my family, they were finally able to come down to Canberra for a weekend and wow it was SO AMAZING to see them! We celebrated Isaac finishing uni (woo) with some noodles, a BBQ and some nice cocktails. I’m SOOOO looking forward to Christmas to hang out with my family by the beach and relax!
We also got to head up to Sydney for the first time in SOOOO LONG! It has been over 6 months and the biggest teller of time was seeing how big baby Jack is now! My goodness. We had such a great weekend in Sydney, hanging out and playing with Jack, watching movies, going out and about in the city for Michael’s birthday and drinking copious amounts of coffee. I absolutely adore the Chapple family and am very keen to hang out in Sydney with them over summer for wine, adventures and sessions in the pool!
I also had a visit from my spicy love, Tishia. After months of being separated due to COVID, we were finally reunited and we spent the weekend going out and about in Canberra. It’s always such a nice feeling knowing you don’t have to entertain your friends, you just have to be. And I love just being with you always!
Tunes
Sly Withers
These guys released their Like A Version several months ago but damn I have had this on absolute repeat lately! It’s so powerful and punchy and I absolutely cannot wait for their tour!
TSwift
Well Taylor Swift has officially taken over the world – and my TikTok for you page. It’s so funny suddenly becoming a big TSwift fan, I was never into her earlier so it’s hilarious that I’m now low key obsessed. I absolutely adore her new song with Phoebe Bridgers and have certainly had it on repeat.
Tiny Little Houses
I can’t remember the last time I was so excited for an album to be released! Finally! They have been teasing it for what feels like all year and my eyes absolutely lit up when I saw it was out… hoping this means there is a tour on the cards.
Books
The Country of Others, By Leila Slimani
I felt inspired to read some books from international authors set in places and times I didn’t know much about – and then I stumbled across this gem. It’s set in the 1940s, Morocco and tells the story of Mathilde, a woman from Alsace who falls in love with Amine, a Moroccon soldier fighting with the French forces. It’s an incredibly gripping story which I believe is set to be the first of three. Would strongly recommend this one.
Love and Virtue, Diana Reid
I could not put this down and would recommend to anyone who is interested in friendship, university culture, dating culture and the age old question ‘what does it mean to be a good person.’ I absolutely loved this book, the way it was written, the characters, the situations they created – just wow.
The Inner Self, by Hugh Mackay
I borrowed this one from my housemate and was nodding profusely while reading it. This book explores the 20 things we ‘hide’ in to distract ourselves from our true inner self. Things like ‘busyness, work, and anxiety,’ all of which I’m guilty of hiding in. While I would have loved for this book to go a little deeper and hit a little harder, it’s a great book to get you thinking about what your true inner self is.
Flicks
Yellowstone
Jumping on the basic bandwagon and jumping on the Yellowstone train. It’s certainly not what I expected to be loving but here I am. I often roll my eyes, think it’s problematic and violent af but here I am thinking ‘maybe I should go and ride a horse.’ The real question is, when can I get a cowboy hat and boots?!
Podcasts
Too Much Time Alone, By Brooke Saward
Also known as World of Wanderlust, Brooke has launched her new podcast that reflects on the time she has spent alone over the past few years while travelling the world. It’s light, fun, and talks about travel and romance in a real and raw way.
The Culture, by Osman Faruqi
I cannot recommend this podcast enough! It’s a critical examination of pop culture in Australia and around the world. I particularly love his episodes on ‘Why do millennials love Sally Rooney?’ and ‘Why Kanye West can’t be cancelled.’ You will feel even more intelligent after listening to it too.
Products
Converse hi-tops
I landed myself some Converse hi-tops during a 30% off sale on the Iconic. And let me tell you I AM OBSESSED! They are ridiculously comfortable, add a nice bit of height and go with everything. Keep an eye out on the Iconic for these bad boys.
:fill(ffffff)/http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.theiconic.com.au%2Fp%2Fconverse-1555-472784-1.jpg)
December you are looking FIIIIINNNNEEEE! I am beyond excited to spend some much needed time at home with friends and family, head off on an adventure with Johnnie, eat eat eat, get some serious beach time and take a deep breath in and out. 2022 is just around the corner and I am so ready!
A Worldly Addiction 