Life. Where have I been?

I have been missing in action. I don't even know how long it has been since I posted (too afraid to look!) and whilst I secretly hope loads of people missed my witty posts, it is pretty unlikely. Are you there? Can you hear me? I'm sorry I have been so absent but I truly I hope that the days of my slackness have ended. I have pretty decent excuses though.

Me in my awesome winter gear getting ready for London!

I handed in my last assessment for uni on sunday! I shed actual tears. I was overwhelmed with the enormity of finishing another degree (and p.s I managed a 4 year degree in 3) and the relief I felt was incredible. When I finished my first degree I was pretty darn happy, but that was nothing compared to this. I submitted my assignment online then proceeded to do a massive clean out of my room and to throw anything remotely university related in the bin. I've been slowly tackling the amassed crap that is my bedroom in preparation for leaving the country, so it felt great to get through some more throwing out and general organising. Lately I have been thinking 'will I use this in the next 2 months? No? Gone' and so far it is working.

Completely unrelated to the post, but oh my god these peking duck pancakes were amazeballs.

I have also been working loads. I have averaged three days a week of casual teaching work for the past two months which has really been amazing. It's been nice to feel I have a purpose to my weeks aside from finishing assignments. It has been exhausting though! Casual teachers really have a difficult job, but it is often contrasted with periods of complete boredom. Sometimes all you have to do is supervise a class, other times you have to deal with some outrageous behaviour and attempt to have some control over the classroom. The term has just ended, and whilst I am looking forward to a couple of weeks to really truly relax for the first time in three years, there doesn't tend to be a lot of work in term four for casuals so I am a little stressed.

I'm asking the universe to provide. So far it is working!

I am slowly but surely getting myself together for the London move (70 days away as I write this!) but it still feels like I have loads to do. I have a growing collection of proper winter clothes and accessories which I am super excited to wear come December. I am still yet to sort out the whole UK bank account thing but I think it will be much easier to do once I am there. I am considering purchasing a UK arrival pack like this one from 1st Contact but I still need to do some more research. I have basically done everything I need to get teaching work in London, booked a weeks accommodation (fingers crossed I find a flat in my first week but it is pretty unlikely I'd say!) and booked flights to Ireland for Christmas. It is completely spinning me out that I will be in Ireland for the holidays, so bizarre but exciting!

Ear muffs! Question: do people actually wear ear muffs in London?

As time slides closer to two months from my departure, I am starting to freak a little. Not in a 'oh shit what am I doing' way but more about my stress over how organised I need to be and how much I want this. Two months ago I was wanting to leave immediately but now I am glad for these next couple of months to sort myself out. Now that uni is done I can really get down to business and get organised for the adventure of a lifetime. I have been wanting to travel and live overseas since I was 13 and I am absolutely over the freaken moon that I finally got my butt into gear and made it happen.

Savings! I am about half way to my goal which is amazing! 

Ooh on one final note, I have been amping up my fitness/healthy eating big time these last few weeks. I am managing a 30-40 minute power walk most days and some light weights and abs/leg work 3 times a week and I feel amazing. I have lost another three kg and have so much energy. My anxiety is also basically gone which is probably more amazing than the weight loss. I have really started to notice that my diet and exercise has a huge impact on my mood and stress, even down to the fact that eating loads of sugar can actually give me anxiety!

Woah that is a lot of information isn't it? I'm officially on holidays from work for 2 weeks so I will be relaxing and writing a few posts, including my winter favourites which should be up in a couple of days.

xx Samantha Alice

Style. Mint Jeans and where have I been.

Jeans and Jumper from Kmart, Blazer from ASOS, Bag gifted from Chile', singlet top from Supre', scarf gifted

I am crazy in love with these jeans at the moment, and they were ridiculously cheap ($15 AUD) so that makes me love them even more! Would you judge me if I told you I had worn this exact outfit 2 days in a row? Oh well, I love my coloured jeans so judge away. I can't remember if I have shown this bag before, but it is my absolute favourite. My Mum got it in Chile' years ago from a vintage store and I basically nagged her until she gave it to me. It needs some stitching mended and a good coat of leather conditioner but I can't imagine not owning it! 


So as I was taking these photos I realised I haven't actually done an outfit post since April sometime which makes me a very bad blogger indeed. So why the lack of outfits? I have been feeling particularly blech about myself which is not conducive to narcissistic blogger photos. Also, I have hardly bought any clothes in months and my wardrobe is pretty minimalist at the best of times. On top of that, I have had an incredibly busy and exciting few months which, however frustrating for me, hasn't left much time to blog.

I have finished my last teaching prac (Yay!), received my approval to teach (double Yay!!), started looking for casual teaching work, almost finished my uni degree (8 weeks to go!), got my British passport application sorted and last but definitely not least I have booked my ticket for London! (Quadruple bazillion Yay!!).

With all of that behind me I still have a fairly long slog until December when I leave for London; December 1st to be exact. I have too many assignments for uni and need loads of casual work to pay for this extravagant move overseas. I really hope I can keep blogging at least 3 times a week, but sometimes it just isn't going to happen. So don't miss me too much if I am a little absent sometimes, ok?




xx Samantha Alice

Life. Busy of late...

I am sitting at my desk freezing. It is so, so, so cold here where I am! It's friday (thank God!) and I am psyched about the weekend. I have been incredibly busy of late (I know, you've probably read the same sentence on 10 other blogs today right?) and exhausted. After my busy work day, I can barely manage making dinner and moving from the couch to bed. Full time work must get easier than this right? I hate to think that half the world is walking around this tired. Despite the cold and the exhaustion, I am really enjoying my last prac! It has been challenging but also loads of fun and most of the staff are being very friendly and welcoming. There always seems to be a couple that look down on prac teachers, but I try not to let it bother me.
I am teaching outside of my subject areas this time, which has been interesting! Next week I take on an art class which thrills me no end. I am going to run a unit about graphic design and Photoshop, which you guys know I am obsessed with.
This 7 weeks is really important to me for so many reasons, but mainly because at the end of it I can get some teaching work and finally (FINALLY) make some money. Right now, money means LONDON so I can't wait to start working towards leaving the country in 6 (!!) months. It has also been a huge challenge for me and my anxiety. The school I am at is at the top of a very narrow and winding road that has always terrified me, even with someone else driving. Having to be up here 5 days a week for 7 weeks meant that I really had to just get over the fear. I got a lift for the first week or so, and am now driving myself! It wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it would be, and it feels awesome to be able to conquer my own mountain.

I suppose I better go and get some work done, or maybe find some sun and defrost my toes!

xx Samantha Alice

Life. The Insta Eight

1. Cute silver birds
2. Addicted to soy chai latte's at the moment
3. Poached eggs really are the best
4. My lovely and amazing Mum!
5. Fresh blueberries from the farmers market
6. Oops I shopped (ended up returning the jacket I got though!)
7. Nearly got this top
8. Put this awesome jumper on lay buy (wish I had it now!)

xx Samantha Alice