I'm coming home!

(My second night in London at the Spice Girl Musical) 

We keep this love in this photograph,

                           We made these memories for ourselves,

Where our eyes are never closing, hearts are never broken,

And time's forever frozen still,

So you can keep me

                            Inside the pocket of your ripped jeans,

Holding me closer 'til our eyes meet,

You won't ever be alone, wait for me to come home. 

- Photograph, Ed Sheeran. 

(Hotel in Guernsey)

My alarm goes off. I don't move. I can't. Snuggled, comfortable and hiding from the cold, grey London that awaits outside my bed. Once again I convince myself I'm saving time laying in bed if I'm planing for the day. I think about what I'm going to wear to work today. Once decided and after snoozing my alarm 3 times, I emerge from under the covers. Then all at once I remember that the shirt is still in Australia. Doesn't matter I've been here 20 months I'm still not over that.

(The Grasshopper Amsterdam)

Despite the many things I will love about returning home there will be so many things I'll miss about London.

(In Russia with Fiona)

Here are the top 10 things I'll miss in London.

10 Shopping. 
Being able to say I shop where the Queen shops. I will most definitely miss Waitrose and my free cup of coffee while shopping amongst the royals. 

(Amy Winehouse Street Art, Brick Lane)

9 Wildlife. 
Squirrels greeting me in the morning and foxes walking home with me at night.

(The only place to eat desert, Haagen Dazs, Piccadilly with Michael and Courtney)

8 Say NO to designated drivers.

Nights where everyone can get wasted! I mean trashed, plastered, steaming, wankered nights where no one needs to be the designated driver because the tube or night bus is just too good and to convenient.

(Pims with Kim at All Bar One)

7 The sights. 
I'm not sure how I can return to a life where I do not walk across London Bridge daily and stare out at Tower Bridge, the Thames and The Shard. Where I can walk into Central London in 40mins or train it in 15.

(Covent Garden at Christmas)

6 South Bank. 
Winter or summer it's always beautiful. It's always exciting. It's always new. I will miss my walks along South Bank. Starting at London Bridge, walking through Waterloo and arriving at Westminster.

(Dinner at London Bridge with my second parents: Peter and Cathy)

5. Essex.
The Essex people, accent, style, area. I am going to miss my trashy, orange, fake and drunk kingdom so much. I may not be the original Joey Essex but I loved every moment I could pretend. And Essex will also always be home of my BEAUTIFUL class of Grasshoppers that stole my heart!

(My nickname from my lovely Nightingale class)

4. Summer. 
Well, a British summer! For a Londoner there is nothing more exciting and beautiful than a warm sunny day. Everyone is out. Everyone is happy. The sun raises at 4am and sets at 10pm. It's awesome!

(Platform 9 3/4 with Tamara)

3. British TV. 
Every single one of my London friends have had to change meeting times with me due to TV or been told I can't come out I'm watching... I love it!! I cannot get enough and have no idea how I'm going to survive without TOWIE, Bennifit Street, Bad Adults, Mrs. Brown's boys, First Dates, Gogglebox, Secret Eaters and so many more.
Even more watching it with a cider and my favourite house mates!

(Fish and Chips with Benny Boy!)

2. My London Family. The friends who have embraced me, encouraged me, inspired me, blessed me and kept me out till 5am. I love you all so much and never imagined going home would mean leaving so much love in London.

(Drinks in Shoreditch with some of my AWESOME Bible Study)

1. Being 2 hours away from Vienna. 

Being able to head to Vienna every few months has been surreal. Seeing my family so often and truly building and growing relationships with them has been the greatest blessing.

(MozartKugel with the cousins)

(Lunch at a tradition heuriger with the family)

Another amazing experience and lifetime dream was the privilege of working in London Schools. Though I will not miss Offstead or constantly being observed. I will miss the amazing teachers and my unbelievable class, even my summer afternoons with year 3.

(Disneyland Paris with Kelsey)

There are a few things I have learnt teaching Reception (Kindergarten) however:

Don't expect there to be one day you leave school without paint, pen, texta - or worse - on your clothing and face.

Don't recap descriptions by asking students to describe another student.

Make sure that students know the difference between r and n - especially when their name is Curt.

Peeing your pants is always a better option than missing out on an activity. 
A biscuit and chocolate are not equal prizes.

The cuter, the cheekier.

(H.C.Anderson statue in Copenhagen)

Teaching at Monteagle with a talented team of teachers was one of the best decisions I made. I only survived Reception due to the other Foundation year teachers. I have learnt so much, been inspired, encouraged, challenged and loved. It will be so hard leaving this amazing team behind. 

(Fighting with a Ninja in Tokyo)

A big shout out to all the people who came and visited me in London or travel Europe with me. It was lovely. You always brought TimTams and Pawpaw. Unless you were Ben and mum thought it appropriate to send you over with some extra undies.

(Out for dinner with Emily and Anna)

Whether with me physically or in spirit after 20 months we have conquered 21 Countries and 65 cities. That is insane!!!!

(Topdeck tour through Italy)

I am absolutely astonished and shocked at how fast this year has gone. I am so thankful to God for how easy it has been and how he has lavishly and abundantly blessed me. Not one day of my life here has been done in my own strength but all in His. Thank you for your prayers for our God has answered them.

(In Budapest with Jessica)

When I left Sydney I spoke about Rehab and Zacchaeus who both had tainted pasts. However, both of them encountered Jesus and began living by Faith. Christ making a life beyond their past. The Bible doesn't tell us too much about how or if they struggled past that. If the same doubts, temptation and old ways came back from time to time. I do not know for them. I know for me they do and I expect that while it will get easier they will not leave this side of heaven. I will always be fighting for what I believe in and becoming more like Christ. But I am so thankful I do not have to do this alone. For His grace and His strength are more than enough.

(Red Sand Beach, Greece)

So, now at 25 I return to Sydney. Scared to death and sad to leave behind my wonderful life here. 

(Drinking beers and eating meat in Munich)

Once again I hear myself calling out to God for guidance, strength and protection. Believing I am making the right choice. And, just as I was when I left Sydney I here my Saviour telling me, "I not only go before you but also with you."

(Opening Ceremony of Running of the Bulls)

I came to London thinking I was going to 'find myself'. Now I realise how flawed and ridiculous that statement is. Life is constantly changing. We are constantly learning, adapting, growing. And that 'self' I want to find is unattainable. 

(Taken to a gypsy cave by my Uncle and Aunty in Spain)

So if you are hoping I'm coming back the same person, I'm sorry but that isn't the case. And if you are hoping I'm coming back a different person. I'm sorry thats not the case either. I'm coming back as Joey just with 2 years of life lessons.

(Bath with my amazing and supportive -both emotional and finically - parents)

See you real soon,

Joey!!!!

P.S. Did I tell you Lil' Kim came and saw me in London it was AMAZING!!!

Bravo Italia!

So wake me up when it's all over
When I'm wiser and I'm older
All this time I was finding myself
And I didn't know I was lost

                                               - Wake Me Up, Avicii

On our 13 day Bravo Italia tour we did so much and visited so many cities in Italy. 

It truly was amazing! Too much happened for me to explain it all. 

So I'm going to hit up my highlights! 

Sorrento 

Our first stop after Rome was Sorrento. 

This was one of my favourite places in Italy and such a welcomed change from dirty, crowded and polluted Rome. I spent our 2 days here walking the beautiful coast! 

It was so relaxing and a nice slow pace. We even made friends with two couples from England on our second day. I spent about an hour chatting with them, they were all about 60. But we shared our travelling tales!!! 

And those two nights in quiet Sorrento we brought the party! 

Assisi 

Assisi was a lovely beautiful medieval town. We all enjoyed walking its ancient streets.

It is of course most famous for St. Francis of Assisi. 

St Francis revolutionised the Catholic church at the time preaching messages of peace, care for animals and for the down trodden. He left his privileged life to live with and care for the outcasts who lived in the forest outside the town walls. He set up the Brotherhood of Saint Francis. 

Siena  

DO NOT TAKE A GUIDED TOUR OF SIENA - it may kill you! 

Our tour guide almost ruined Siena for me after 30 mins I had to walk away, leaving the rest of the group behind. He was so old, I was scared he may not make it to the end of the tour! The information he provided was so boring and so uninteresting. Walking around and viewing the city for myself I loved it! 

Chianti Region 

We stopped here as we drove through Tuscany for an evening at a family run winery. 

While the Mama cooked an AMAZING meal the son introduced us to some AMAZING wines! 

I looked deep into the colour of my Rose before downing it! 

Florence 

I have had so many people tell me how beautiful Florence is and how much they love it...

...Sorry, I didn't get it!  I didn't love it much at all! Don't get me wrong, it was cool to see David.

And there was definitely some pretty sites

(The view behind the pretty site wasn't too bad either) 

And there was some arty areas... 

But, it felt like any other city really...The night life was good though, 

Nicki Karaoke! 

Bri and I found Australia though! REPRESENT! 

Lucca 

We only spent a few hours in Lucca and I loved it! Such a beautiful and historic town. 

We had a lovely walk around the city and

road bikes along the city walls.

It really was lovely and a beautiful town to spend a few hours. 

Pisa  

All things gangsta! Nothing else here but the tower! 

Cinque Terre 

One of the most beautiful places in Italy! I loved our time here. The first night we had a delicious dinner and were welcomed by never ending fireworks! 

These fireworks literally went on for an hour and as I was with the group that crossed the bridge as cool as they were, When you are not allowed to leave beauty soon turns to torture. 

The next day we set out for two walks along the Cinque Terre. It was invigorating and so much fun! The views were unreal! 

Despite how sweaty we were! 

Afterwards we went for a swim and refuelled! 

Then, a few relaxing drinks staring out at the spectacular coast!  

Verona 
'But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? it is the east and Juliet is the sun.'

We visited the site where Shakespeare's most famous play is set and spied the veranda from the most famous scene, where a statute of Juliet stands beneath! 

We enjoyed ten minutes at this site before it began pouring down and we planned our exit strategies back to the bus.

Venice  
My second time to Venice but as enjoyable as my first! Another gondola ride, more delicious food, prosecco and walking along a string of different bridges. What's not too enjoy! 

Before heading back to Rome....

And even though I spent two weeks without my luggage and developed a Prosecco habit I'm still yet to kick Italy was awesome.

I had an easy going and cool room mate in Pinecone

Who put up with my loudness, late night chats and my limited wardrobe always drying in our room

Italy may have hated me and made my life less than easy but I still had a ball and fell in love with Italy! 

When I kissed Italy goodbye I headed to Vienna and then London for final farewells with family and friends who I spent these last 20 months with!