I'm back. New year, better me.

Sorry I've been absent for the past few weeks, I have been so busy and have just not had the time to write at all. But don't worry, I'll make sure to catch up up on all my adventures! I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Now I know a lot of people don't believe in New Years resolutions, but I personally think that can be a great source of motivation, if you choose carefully what you want to change about your life. The number of years my resolution had been to "get fit" or "be healthy" is unimaginable, and I can promise you that it never lasts. I find that making resolutions more personal to yourself and your lifestyle in the best way to ensure their success. That is why this year I have chosen to bring back the independent, courageous, outgoing person that I have become in Leeds, back home to Brisbane.

I have grown so much as a person over the last few months, and honestly I like the person that I have become from it. I'm worried that when I get back home, I'll fall into old patterns and the old lifestyle I used to lead. Now don't get me wrong, it's not a bad lifestyle. But after living the way I have in Leeds, I don't want to go back to the way that I was before. I want to say yes to more opportunities and start have less of a reliance on my parents.

And from this I have also found that I want to travel so much more. I find myself nowadays starting to plan my next adventure before I've even finished the one I'm on. While I'm young and have no real commitments at home, I want to see as much of the world as possible, in the most authentic way possible. Try to break away from tourist hotspots, and be amongst the locals. As that's the only true way to experience a city, if you ask me.

Having this state of mind excites me for the incredible possibilities that 2015 has to come!

A week in the French Alps.

Over the past seven days, I have had the absolute pleasure of being able to travel to Tignes, in the French Alps, and ski and snowboard with some of the amazing friends I have made in Leeds. After close to 12 hours of travelling from Leeds to Geneva to Tignes, I had one of the most amazing weeks of my life. It was filled with some many laughs, numerous bruises from falling, and a lot of drinking, which were followed by some horrid hangovers.

A weekend in Milan.

As my final weekend in Leeds for the semester, I decided that it was time to celebrate my academic year...with a trip to Milan! Italy is a country that I have always wanted to venture to, as Italian cuisine would be up there as my favourite in the entire world. As well as just eating, I have always wanted to view the phenomenal architecture and wonderful culture that this country has to offer. Milan would never have been my first choice for Italian cities, but I think after this weekend I have fallen in love. The city is filled with life and is just amazing in general.

Leeds United Football Club match.

One of the things that I wanted to tick of my Exchange bucket list was to go to a game of the biggest sport in the world, soccer!!! When my friend told me the Leeds United, our local team, was playing a home game, I jumped at the opportunity. I actually did play soccer for a few years back at school, not that I was any good at it, but at least I understand what is happening...kind of. We managed to score front row seats, so that we could be amongst all the action.

A day in York.

As I had managed to stay in Leeds for the past few weeks, over the weekend a few friends and I boarded an early train to York. Almost everyone I have spoken to, both tourist and local, has insisted that a day trip to York is imperative...and I would have to agree with them. York is only quite a small little town, but my goodness it is adorable. The city is completely different to Leeds, still having lots of little winding streets and shops immersed within. Even though the weather was its stereotypical gloomy self, I would have to say that this would have to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever been too. I felt that I was just walking around with my mouth wide open. Oh, and to top off this amazing day...it started to snow!! How surreal.