concerts – A Worldly Addiction

What a freakin whirlwind! I spent most of July in Mexico City for my program with AIM Overseas (if you’ve missed what’s been going on, you can check it out here). Retuning to Australia, starting back at uni and being able to drink the tap water has been a bit of a change (an extremely grateful change). But July has been a truly incredible month. I not only had my eyes ripped open to the reality that refugees and migrants live through in Mexico, but I discovered what really set my heart on fire, plus I turned 23, the dreaded age of being somewhat an adult. But before we jump too far ahead of ourselves, let’s look back on the month of July!

🇲🇽 Mexico City

What a crazy city? Over 22million people, an altitude of 2500m and a city of extremes. The rich, glamorous, hipster and the poor, dirty and poverty somehow live together in this city. Mexico City is A LOT. You can catch up here for specifics of what we got up to on our program here. My program in Mexico was honestly one of the craziest, most educational, inspiring, challenging, overwhelming and incredible experiences I’ve ever had. I’ll truly cherish the time I spent there and the people I met. I don’t think I can ever forget the feeling of doing something I’m truly passionate about. It helped me realise my passions, my goals and how I really want to make a change and help share the stories of some of the bravest people I’ve ever met.

🎶 Catfish and The Bottlemen

When I found out that one of my absolute favourite bands were playing in Wollongong the day before I was due to land back in Australia, I looked into changing my flights. After serious consideration, I realised ‘wtf I’m 23, my fave band is playing at home, that’s it I’m changing my flight!’ And I can honestly say that it’s one of the most spontaneous, crazy and freakin awesome things that I’ve done. I went with my friend and we had such a good night! Considering I managed to sleep for about 9 hours on the flight, the beers went down an absolute treat and my ears were treated to the sweet sounds of Catfish!

📷 THIS PHOTO

❤️ Home

One of the best things about spending time away from home, is returning back. I was so excited to see my friends and family again. And lucky for me, semester 2 was just starting back so everyone was down for a beer or three!

My brother, sister and I out in Newcastle

🎶 Tunes

HAIM. These lovely ladies just released their new album and GOD DAMN IT’S AMAZEBALLS! I’ve honestly had it on repeat and I’ve been singing along like there’s no tomorrow.

The XX. Another great band, another great album. Holy shit am I thankful to have new music from these guys grace my ears.

Bob Marley. OK maybe a bit random but after being in Belize and embracing those Caribbean vibes, Bob Marley just makes me feel freakin good. If you’re feeling stressed of anxious, simply play some of his music and I promise you’ll instantly feel happier.

🎥 Flicks

Frida. I was lucky enough to visit the house of Frida Kahlo whilst in Mexico City. And before going I watched this film to get some background info on her life. And damn I would honestly recommend this to anyone. She had such an interesting, painful and flamboyant life and it was even more incredible getting to visit the house she grew up in and went through so much in.

Gangs of El Salvador – VICE. If anyone knows me, they know that working for VICE would be the ultimate kick ass job. And after spending time in Mexico and learning about the extremely violent gangs that govern Honduras and El Salvador, watching this documentary was incredibly educational and informative. An absolute must if, like me, you had no idea about gangs in El Salvador, or even where El Salvador is!

📷 Bloggers and Vloggers

Flying the Nest. I’ve only just stumbled across this cute Aussie couple and I’m slowing falling for their chemistry and excitement. They just got married in Greece so if you’re into that you’ll be obsessed. Me – I’m just really into all of the coffee they drink!

📗Book

T2 Trainspotting. This is definitely not for the faint hearted. It’s difficult to read (mostly because it’s written in a Scottish accent) and it’s all about porn, sex and drugs. Now I just can’t wait to watch the movie!

📝 Quote

I have to admit, going to Mexico was definitely one of the scariest things I’ve ever done. Not because I thought something bad would happen to me or go wrong, but because I’d never travelled anywhere like it before. Everything was new, scary, overwhelming and exciting. It was both terrifying and amazing and one of the most defining experiences I think I’ve ever had. And I think in life, when you’re faced with experiences that are both terrifying, scaring, exciting and amazing, then what do you have to lose by pursuing it? Sometimes you just have to take risks, and I’d hate to live a life thinking ‘what if?’ So dive in, be brave and embrace it.

What a freakin amazing month! I learnt and discovered more about our beautifully complicated world, I turned 23 and apparently people still like me, and I’m back into semester 2 ready to smash out my last semester at uni! Things are looking up!!

May 11, 2015May 11, 2015

Adelaide HaynesLeave a comment

Control-Alt-J

I love those epic nights out where you don’t really have any plans or expectations, and then the night just keeps on rising from one level of awesome to more awesome! And that’s exactly what last night was about. Having minimal plans, two great friends and an amazing city like Sydney to play with.

At around 5:30 we exited Town Hall and set ourselves upon Sydney. Our excitement for a good night led us to a cool little bar near the QVB building that had $8 cocktails. Hallelujah! After a sexy cosmopolitan and channeling our inner sex and the city selves we wandered around George Street in search of a good restaurant to eat at.

And then we found the restaurant. The most confusing, random, awesome and delicious restaurant I’ve ever been to. It’s called Mizuya Japanese Restaurant and Karaoke and it’s on George Street. We ordered wine, salmon sashimi, seared crispy salmon sushi and some amazing seafood noodles and kept ordering food on our little screen whenever we felt like more. I’d definitely recommend it, just don’t forget to bring some awesome friends to help you with the wine.

Afterwards, we went back to the $8 cocktail place… naturally, and embraced more of our Carrie Bradshaws. I think even Jonny was channeling some Aidan Shaw in there.

And theeeeen… it was CONCERT TIME!!! We got a taxi to the Entertainment Centre (where we probably could’ve walked, but risked Zinas ankles in her killer heels). A few more beers later and we were seated with our ears and hearts being serenaded by ASGEIR! He was incredible! His voice was abolustely incredible and he sang one of my favourite songs ‘In Harmony,’ in Icelandic which was such a pleasant surprise! He definitely didn’t play for long enough but I look forward to the next time I see him play!

Another beer and then it was time. ALT-J! I still can’t even deal with how good they were! Any rumours you’ve heard about them not being that good live – I can tell you is absolute bullocks. They smashed it! Highlights for me included ‘Something Good,’ ‘Breezeblocks’ and my personal favourite ‘Taro.’ It was such an awesome atmosphere and their music was moving.

Once we’d come down off of our Asgeir/Alt J cloud, we made our way to Scubar, a backpackers bar near Central YHA. It seems that we stumbled across a glo party and I somehow ended up all over my coat. Nonetheless, we danced, drank and had a great time before getting a slice of pizza, jumping on the train and having a snooze.

And this is why I love spending my money on concert tickets. Because it’s always so much more than the concert. It’s the people you’re with, the places you go, the drinks you drink, the food you eat, what you wear and the memories you make. I’m so grateful for my awesome friends and I’m so glad I could share such awesome music with you.

xoxo A

Check out Alt J and Asgeirs music below

January 2, 2015September 22, 2015

Adelaide Haynes8 Comments

2014 ~ My Year in Numbers and Pictures

As we jump into 2015 with lifted spirits, high hopes and a bit of a headache from one too many beers last night, it’s important that we look back on the year that has come and gone. As I watched some fireworks from a beach, under the stars… I thought about everything 2014 threw at me, so here’s my year in summary.

14 000. The number of feet I fell through the sky after jumping out of a plane.

1000. Number of drinks had in Prague before getting alcohol poisoning. OK so it wasn’t 1000 but it sure felt like it.

59. The number of countries A Worldly Addiction has been viewed in! Thank you to each and every one of you!

20. Number of years I’ve been lucky enough to be on this Earth.

18. Number of years I’ve had my sister around.

10. Number of months I lived in Wollongong

9. Number of the house on Clarendon Road I had to say goodbye to

8. Number of times I went exploring in Sydney

4. The hours of sunlight in one winters day in Iceland.

3. Number of concerts attended. Violent Soho, The 1975 and BASTILLE

1. My one and only family that is AMAZING!

But the most special thing of all, are all the incredible friendships I’ve made and kept. So thank you to all of you for making 2014 such an awesome year!