Eight months in a nutshell

So 8 months since my last post...oops.

This post will be a big reflection on my 2025 so far and i'm looking forward to writing about it. Sometimes I find writing about my experiences allows me to have a different view on them, almost like I’m stepping outside of the moment and seeing it through a clearer, more honest lens: the good, the chaotic, and everything in between.

Lets begin with January. To kick off the year, we took a trip with others to Newcastle and I had a blast. I don't know what it was about the Diane Sauce that I had with my chicken schnitty, but it was goooood. I still think about it everyday.

We played Articulate almost everyday and I have to admit, i'm actually alright at it. It's just my teammate who always drags me down (Not naming names Justyn) but i've learnt my lesson and since, moved on to other, stronger team mates.

My parents went on a trip and I was left to fend for myself. I had to cook dinner. I hate cooking. Despite my lack of skill and overall desire for creating food, I was really proud of myself. I made a thai green curry and some random pasta dish and then ordered uber eats and went out to eat for other 14 days.

Also we rescued a baby possum who was hurt and we named him Ben. Massive shout out to WIRES and SASH vet who assisted us during the whole thing.

Me and some friends also attended Club Broadway. We absolutely adore this event and go every chance its on. Who doesn't love the idea of a bunch of theatre nerds gathering in one room at 3 in the afternoon, belting Don't rain on my parade? Probably a lot of people but nonetheless, we always have a great time.

That was January in a nut shell!

My oh My Feburary was all about my sisters wedding. After being a maid of honour for the past year and a half. It was finally time to shine. The Hens night went superbly and I had so much fun. We did pottery and then made our way to dinner, followed by a dangerous amount of drinks that left me feeling a bit rough the next day. I created a quiz and posters that I was really happy with. Not a single soul could even get 50% in the quiz which wasn't surprising. Lozzie is definitely a bit more reserved, or at least in comparison to me. I couldn't have done it all on my own. Emma, a gorgeous family friend really helped out. I honestly could not have pulled it off without her. Her ideas and organisational skills are unmatched!

Thank you Lozzie for letting me be your maid of honour. You're a wonderful sister xx

A week later...The wedding. It was game time.

I had such a great time getting ready with the bridesmaids and drinking champagne, and eating sushi. While some stress was evident, I think we were primarily cool as cucumbers. There were some hiccups but nothing that couldn't be fixed or forgotten. Loz and Nathos looked so happy and spoke so beautifully, it brought tears to my eyes. My speech though...I sobbed. I tried to keep my cool, but my words were so deep and meaningful I just couldn't help it. I moved others to tears which made others cry which made me feel better.

The dance floor popped off! and they even played my all time favourite song: Call on me by Eric Prydz.

My friends and I watched a taping of The Voice and it was not what I expected. It was a much smaller venue than I thought it would be. It always looks so big on the TV with everyone dancing and cheering. The talent was really great though! Although I know absolutely nothing the guy, i'm team Richard Marx. His method of persuasion was just name dropping every artist he's ever worked with: Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion and many more. I never watch the show but I enjoyed being a part of the audience, especially when they gave out the snacks. I really liked these random crackers that I had never heard of before but man they were good.

Me and Justys friends went on a trip for the long weekend which was a lot of fun. I am very appreciative everytime they include me in a trip away or an event. We boogied and ate ribs and had a great long weekend.

Moving on to March! This is a month of birthdays for my family. Everyone is born in March except for me, and evidently it turns into quite an expensive month.

I don't care what anyone says, I still think el camino is the bomb. I mean who doesn't like a giant frozen margarita?? Yes, sometimes the place is filled with fresh 18 year olds but they really shouldn't bother you that much. I'll take an el camino night any day of the week! We might've had one too many margaritas but I had so much fun.

I took a lovely trip up to Ettalong with Justy and the weather was perfect! While the waters we were near are not the best for swimming, it was still nice to float in. I had such an amazing Carbonara as well. Wowzer it was truly a masterpiece. They used Penne pasta which isn't usually my go-to for a carbonara but they really did it justice! Thanks La Fiamma Pizzeria. We played Bananagrams and watched Total Recall (which we struggled to follow) and went to Umina Beach. Justy collected some coasters and then we were good to head back to Sydney.

I also saw Dula Peep again with some friends and she was PHENOMENAL. I have no idea why her tour was not talked about more. She looked incredible, sang really well, and the choerography was fantastic. I was concerned as I don't listen to her music all that often and don't know any of her deep cuts, but I was pleasantly surprised with how much I knew and could sing along too. I wish I went to the second night but that's okay, i'm sure i'll see her again soon.

Then April came along. April was a good one. We started the month off with going to a different place for Trivia, as we always forget to book a table in advance at our regular one and by the time we tried to book, there were no spots left. Wagon Wheel Watusi (Thats our team name) had to relocate. It was different. For starters, we were actually WINNING at some point. I cannot express enough how little we win. I think the best we've done is come in 9th and i'm convinced there was a mathematical error. It turns out we peaked to soon. I'm pretty sure we came in last by the end of it. However, a lovely stranger gave us some loose tobacco despite none of us being smokers. We said thank you and then proceeded to throw it away. Smoking is bad for you.

Stephen and I caught up for a meal, a beverage, and some karaoke. I've always loved karaoke and Steve is definitely one of my favourite partners. We used to do it nearly every week at the Dee Why RSL for a while and even signed the petition to save it! eventually, the RSL took it away from us. I had missed hearing Steve belt out a Tina Turner classic. The Easter Show rolled around once again and it was fun! I ate pasta, mac and cheese balls, and a disappointing parmigana. While we did not participate in any rides, we watched the night show which was full on entertainment. I do miss going on rides. I know i'm 23 years old but when did we get too old for rides?? next year i'll definitely go on some.

Moving foward with May, one of the most stressful months of the year. Its the month where everything is due for uni and you're scrambling to finish everything in time, but you know why May is one of my favourite months? Glee night!! I am a big fan of glee and there is an event held annually that entails drinking and dancing to Glee covers all night long.

I had two group assignments for uni. One of them was with four of my friends, and the other one I ended up doing solo as I forgot to check whos group I was in. I was sitting at home one day and I thought to myself Nothing has moved forward with this group project, I suppose i'll reach out. I felt terrible because I should've done this ages ago! the assignment was due in just over a week and i'm only doing something about it now. I emailed the convenor, expecting him to tell me i've been an irresponsible student or something but he was rather understaning.

After finding out who my group members were, I emailed them. You know that grinch meme where he goes "heyyyy what is up my guys"? I felt like that. I knew instantly that they had already started on the group project and that I was the fool just joining now. I did receive an email back saying they had been using the wrong email address and they are happy I decided to reach out. I was cringeing. The passive agressiveness just leaped off the page but it was totally justified. I should've reached out sooner. Anyhoo, I apologised and said I would attend the next meeting and they seemed cool with it.

It turns out they were not cool with it.

They explained to the convenor that they have done pretty much all the work and that I cannot contribute anything. Yikes.

The convenor then gave me the option to go solo. I took it!

I have learned my lesson though. Be more proactive.

Also I went on another boat party with some friends. Man it felt good to be on a boat party again. I haven't done it in so long. The turn out was pretty sad but that just meant there was more room for us to dance!

We were officially halfway through the year! June. Finally semester 1 was coming to an end. Upon reflection, it was a good semester and I am happy with how I did academically. I'm yet to receive my final results but i'm pretty confident I passed everything. It was my friends birthday and to celebrate, we did a bottomless dinner. I love bottomless, who doesn't? It's always a vibe and I always have a good time. I am yet to go to a bottomless I didn't enjoy. However there is one downside: The set menus. I have got to be one of the fussiest eaters on the planet, and I own it. Some of the things I don't eat:

• Green vegetables

• Salad (Unless its a ceaser salad)

• Pesto

• Most seafood

• Those weird crunchy beans that go on top of noodles

• Cheese (Unless its melted, so pizza. Oh and pasta if I mix the cheese in)

• Mashed Potato

• Tomato Sauce

• Kebabs

• Bananas

• Smoothies (Except Boost Juice)

• Coffee

• Pho

• Tuna

• Guacamole

• Sourdough bread

• Tomatoes

and so many more...

but the set menu at this place was really good! I ate everything!!! and thank goodness because the girl who normally takes the food I don't eat, wasn't there. I felt like such a big girl.

Me and some friends went to mini golf and naturally, I lost. I literally forgot halfway through to write down my scores but I figured it out.

My cousin arrived from the UK and it was great to see him! He came with his friend Henry and the joined me on a night out with my friends as well as going to trivia. I even joined them for the Curl Curl to Dee Why walk which I absolutely hated. I don't mind going for a walk as long as its flat and I don't have to walk across sand. I did another night of karaoke and my voice still hasn't recovered fully. I sound alright talking but somehow, my singing voice has gotten even worse (which I did not think was humanly possible)

We celebrated Ellies 21st with a sleepover in her new apartment and it was so much fun. I hadn't attended a sleepover since high school and I don't know why. Sleepovers with your friends in your early 20's are even more fun. UNTIL me and Rubes had to wake up at 5:30 the next morning to go to work because we're adults. I didn't have to do that in high school, but it was so worth it. I can't wait to do it again.

Ahhhh July. Definitely the most eventful month so far. It had intense highs and lows. I was happy, I was sad, I was angry, I was confused, I was thrilled. I was overwhelmed with the spectrum of emotion. I shed many tears but had so many laughs.

I had been working 4 or 5 days a week since uni was on break and everyone else had gone to Europe for a European summer. I also had to find an internship to do next semester, which I was really struggling with. I had assumed the uni organised one for you — and while that was an option, I recently found out that it was strongly recommended you choose your own due to limited spaces. So that was fun.

I went away for a week to Wollongbar, which is about 30 minutes from Byron Bay. I worked as a singing assistant at a holiday workshop and… it was interesting. I don’t think I’d sign up again — not because the workshop was bad, no, it’s because I think I was bad. I’m no singer, and I’d never worked with children before, so it was all a brand new experience. I realised I’m probably not fit for any kind of children’s teaching role, and honestly, I’m completely fine with that.

The kids were great, though — I still can’t believe they learnt and memorised a song, a dance, and a 10-minute play all within just four days!! If I was that age, I would’ve been freaking out, but not one of them came up to me and said “I can’t do it.” That’s pretty impressive if you ask me.

I honestly felt a bit useless during the whole thing. All I really did was sit in a chair, hand out lyric sheets, and sing along. While my friend told me I was doing perfectly fine, I couldn’t help but apologise for my lack of teaching ability. Still, I was super grateful to have had the opportunity, and I had a lot of fun on the trip in general. We hit the Gold Coast the day after the workshop and it popped off! But I think I’ll save the rest of that story for another blog post.

Rubes and I also went to see Book of Mormon and it was INCREDIBLE. The choreography, the humour, the songs. It was all perfection! I’ve seen a fair amount of musicals in my life and Book of Mormon definitely cracked the top three.

While the musical was perfect, the journey there? Not so much.

Before we left, we ordered a pizza and immediately became stressed. The arrival time was between 5:52 and 6:07, but we needed to be at the theatre before 7, and it was a 30-minute drive. The pizza arrived at approximately 6:00, so we had to devour it quickly… but we also had Wicked playing in the background and couldn’t focus on pizza, Wicked, and conversation all at once. It was chaotic.

Eventually, we jumped in the Uber and were on our way. Traffic was heavy. Palms were sweaty. We asked the driver if we’d get there on time, and he gave us an unconvincing yes. It was 6:49 when we arrived. I couldn’t believe it, we were actually going to make it on time, and there was even a spare moment for Ruby to relieve her bladder.

Unfortunately, nothing is ever that simple.

Ruby suddenly let out an “Oh my god” as she stared at her phone.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“It’s at the Capitol Theatre, not the State Theatre.”

Oh. My. God.

Only Ruby and I could make such a silly mistake.

There was no time for tears. We called another Uber and jumped in. Our estimated time of arrival was 7:02. We were going to miss the opening number and that hurt but I don’t know if it was the religious theme of the musical or just blind optimism, but I had full faith we would make it.

We arrived at 7:00 on the dot and bolted through the doors and up the stairs. An usher greeted us with, “It’s okay, guys, you still have time,” and I swear I could’ve cried from relief. We smiled, sighed, and entered the theatre ready to take our seats.

But, as I said earlier… nothing is ever simple.

There was a man in one of our seats. Great. The show was about a minute from starting, and we were trying to convince this man he was in the wrong spot. He did not believe us.

Rubes handled it like an absolute pro. She showed him his ticket and pointed out that he was actually meant to be in the row below us. After a very thorough inspection of the ticket, he finally believed her and moved.

We sat down, the lights dimmed, and the show began.

And it was fabulous.

Well thats the year wrapped so far! I'm sad I haven't posted all year. That was really slack of me. I still have so many stories and experiences to share so stay tuned!

Sez