The End.

Phase 1 at Fannie Bay Beach.

6 months ago today I started packing for what I knew would be a life changing event. I remember the slight nerves that I had but most of all I remember the excitement brimming inside of me. I can remember seeing my mum and sister off when we left work, and I remember thinking ‘this is it, we’re doing it!’ Well, the 6 months is now drawing to its end, and with this it brings us to Bali. It has been an emotional 6 months. There have been tears (not mine bruv), there have been tantrums, there has been drama, there has been a whole host of things that have happened. But ultimately, if all of the various things hadn’t happened, it wouldn’t have made the journey the same. We all look at each other now, and I feel that we all have a mutual respect for one another. For 6 months we have been each other’s family, we have looked out for one another, and we have made friends that in normal circumstances, we may not have done. When someone has been missing their family, we have been there for each other. If someone struggled for money, we helped each other out. We have defined the meaning to a whole host of words, simply by being a collective group that has made sure everybody was ok. There is a certain compatriotism that can be felt amongst us; I can sort of imagine how it would feel to be a soldier with this feeling.

Now that it is ending, I do feel pretty sad to be going, but on the flip side, I am very excited by the prospects that lay ahead of me. I know that there are some wonderful things for me just around the corner, so as one door closes over here in Oz, a new door has been made for me ready to be opened when I get back. I take back with me souvenirs for some friends, absolutely no tan whatsoever, but most important of all, I take back the memories from people that made these 6 months utterly immense. I also take back a sense of achievement, living away from all the things you need for 6 months is hard. It is a massive step to take to up and leave your normal life, and set up camp on the other side of the world. But I would do it again in a heartbeat.  I feel proud to be a part of an event that will further define the company I work for, and I can say that I helped to make it a success. I do have a huge sense of pride for what has been accomplished, and I know everybody else has as well.

I know what it is going to be like getting home, as when I saw my friends come over on phase 2, I was so freaking excited it was crazy. I cannot wait to relive these feelings again when I get back to the UK. I have a few really exciting things happening from moving in with a cracking mate to going on a lads long weekend break to rekindle the bromance that has been postponed for last 6 months. I’m looking forward to returning to my old job, and I can’t wait to see everyone I work with. I’m also looking forward to getting my new car and putting a dirty loud exhaust on it to annoy people.

We had a leaving BBQ last night from 6pm, and everybody from phase 1 was there, along with some phase 2 people. I cooked a tonne of burgers and as far as I am aware, nobody has died from undercooked meat so that’s decent. We all drank copious amounts of alcohol; I turned somebody’s room into a den by disassembling her bed and turning into a little building. I have no idea why I didn’t take a photo, because it actually was a first class den! After the bbq, we all ventured up into town to a Vodka bar called The Duck’s Nuts. By this stage, I had consumed a half litre bottle of Smirnoff Vodka mixed with cream soda, and only ate one burger. So, before I even got there, I felt pretty merry. I had heard previous stories about a shot called ABC that is supposed to get you absolutely steaming after you have had 3 of them. My logic is to double all numbers, so before the night had drawn to its conclusion, I had indeed done 6 of them. The bar was a good place to end our journey, the music was good, and everybody was smiling and busting some shapes on the dance floor. It was really good to see everybody out, i think it is the only time that everyone has been out, and it was a fitting way to end the 6 months. I drank more, had a few jars of white wine, someone bought me some lemon type drink that was absolutely gash,  and I had some minty flavoured shot called Liquid Ecstasy that was absolute amazing. But the best part of the night was being with the people that have made the 6 months perfect. It was such an amazing feeling. I don’t think any regular night out can compare to last night. Eventually, I had to call it a night; I think being 28 has lowered my alcohol intake amount. I got home, and I got in bed. Then about 15 minutes later when the room had begun to slow down its tornado like spin, I got out of bed, casually walked to the loo, and absolutely peppered it with vomit. For 2 hours. Job done.

I always knew that this blog would be difficult to write, if I’m honest I am struggling with the content, and I don’t want to revisit old ones and steal information. So, it may be quite fitting that this particular blog, is short and sweet.

I will leave you all with my Jerry Springer type of advice. Like a bit of a wrap up. So, firstly, absolutely seize any opportunity presented to you. Don’t be afraid to say yes; don’t be afraid to say no if you want too. Explore new things, talk to people you normally don’t. Tell people how you are feeling. If you want something, go and get it. Never take your friends and family for granted. When you have no access to them, it’s hard.

To Australia, thank you for having me, sort out your taxi’s, you have a quality country.

To my friends I have worked here with, it’s been an absolute pleasure. Thank you for the last 6 months.

To the UK-get the fuck ready. I’m coming home.

 

Peace x