My Europe travel plans.

I have booked the trip of a lifetime! 

I have wanted to visit Europe for most of my life and it is happening. It doesn't feel real, I am actually leaving Australia and going on an adventure.

I will begin where everyone else usually begins...London! I remember when I was 15 and I saw a picture of London and fell in love. Something draws me to England and I feel it is my home away from home (even though I haven't been yet!) I have strong family ties to England and I am shaking with excitement to see the beautiful country. In England, I will be going to the West End, going shopping, visiting Stone Henge and eating + drinking a lot!

Next I will go to Paris which is of course, is said to be one of the most beautiful, atmospheric and culturally unique places in the world. I will be site seeing, going to the caberet and doing really touristy things like eating Macarons and taking photos on the Eiffel Tower.

From Paris, to Rome. One word...FOOD! And the sites and culture of course. I have studied Ancient Rome in school so I have knowledge of the ruins and places I will be visiting.

Then I will be studying for 3 weeks in Florence as part of a journalism fashion course. I will be going on field trips, attending fashion events, going to lectures and just having an amazing study experience!

Then I will probably spend some time to myself in Venice. The culture is so different to Australia so I am really excited to be immersed in the beautiful place.

Then I will be travelling around eastern Europe; going to Munich, Ljubljana (Slovenia), Budapest (Hungary), Krakow (Poland), Cesky Krumlov and Prague (Czech Republic), Berlin, Amsterdam, Belgium and then back to London! 

Travelling is something I have wanted to do for a long time and I am super excited to go! I also love hearing about other people's adventures around the world :)

Xxx

Finding true friends.

Is there any worse feeling then being surrounded by a group of people and feeling lonely? Or chatting with people and getting that gradual sinking feeling that they don't care what you are talking about?

True friends are diamonds, so rare a precious and can take a long time to find. But how do we negotiate through the rubble until we find these diamonds? Friends are such a vital part of your life but being around friends who are negative and put you down is worse then no friends at all.

I started university this year and I've noticed that when I hang out with some of my friends from high school, I don't feel positive, happy or completely myself. I have plenty of friends who don't make me feel this way, but never the less, people who I used to consider my 'best friends' don't make me feel that way. I used to blame myself and constantly say, "you need to be more confident" or "get over it" but now I realise that maybe it isn't my fault. Maybe it's just the way it is. People change and you change which is normal and expected. But when people change and veer into different directions, then it is time to move on.

If you are feeling this way too then you are not alone. If your friends don't make you feel included, loved or needed then you haven't found the right ones. Your people are out there somewhere, you just haven't met them yet.

Finding friends is easy. But finding true friends and best friends is complicated. When you have met a friend,  how can you tell that they are a true friend?

Some pointers to look out for:

• If they talk about you or people behind their back.
• If they put you down but take it further than just teasing.
• If they don't listen to your needs, your problems or what's worrying you.
• If deep down these people don't make you feel happy.
• If you can relate or connect with the people around you.

Keep your eyes and ear open and be kind and friendly to everyone. If they reject you, it's their own problem, not yours. Remember that friends are made via school, university, working, travelling and through other friends so don't lose hope. And she you do find the special people, keep them tight and never let go! 

Xxx