'Oh Darling... That's so last year!'

Here's to another chance to get it right

By Charlene

LIFE IS NOTHING WITHOUT A LITTLE CHAOS TO MAKE IT INTERESTING

At the start of the year I found myself in London for a few weeks, with an opportunity to start a new career in Sydney but at no point did I know what the year had in store for me. And what can I say... it really has been a year full of highs and lows, excitement and anxiety. When I look back at the year, it's been a wonderful adventure but most importantly, it has been a year of growth, self-development and friendships.

Although the year brought its fair share of chaos and uncertainty, I continued to focus and work hard to ensure that my dream continued here in Australia. I realised that when you want something bad enough in life, you have to dedicate time and efforts to making it happen, then you will be rewarded with it. It won't happen instantly, it certainly won't be easy but it will be worth it in the end. At times I had my doubts, wondering whether it was what I wanted for myself but through all the doubt I kept going, because I told myself that if I didn't try, I would never know.

After such an adventurous year in 2018, I wasn't sure how I was going to go back to work full time without completely losing my mind but I managed to make it work and this year I did more than I ever imagined. I never planned to travel as much but with the job I have now and adventure in my soul, I still managed to keep the name of 'Charlene Travels' alive and travelled to some amazing places.

London, UK
Melbourne (3), VIC
Gold Coast, QLD
Byron Bay, QLD
Jervis Bay, NSW
Auckland, NZD
Bali, Indonesia
Great Ocean Road, VIC
Nashville, USA
Keppel Islands, QLD
Noosa (2), QLD
Brisbane, QLD

I also did my first 18,000m skydive, celebrated my first Mardi Gras, surfed at Bondi Beach, started to learn Spanish, upgraded Molly Mavic, organised my first ever baby shower (rather stressful haha), signed up to GoGet, ran my first ever 14km race (City2Surf), finally made it to Sash on Sundays, started roller skating, learnt to salsa, started weekly boxing classes (7.50am on Saturdays), walked from Vaucluse to Manly all in one day (which trust me is far), went scuba diving in Sydney, completely neglected the gym and had the quietest NYE ever (with no tequila - I know 'shock!'), watching the fireworks from my own balcony.

As some of you may know from my last post, in July I was at risk of having to leave Australia, and the pressure was on but since then I appealed my case and every spare moment I had I studied the law, and with the support of immigration lawyers and a great company, I still find myself here today 18 months on. So it's safe to say, I definitely won't be studying immigration law any time soon!

With regards to friendships, it has certainly been a year of growth. I have strengthened the ones I did have and lost those who chose to no longer be friends. Being so far away from home really had its challenges (especially around Christmas) but thanks to endless technology options, they never feel too far away (until I can't catch up with them in person [insert sad face]). Also in the times of shit (and there has been a few), knowing who would be there for me was just as hard but all I can say is throughout the year the people around me, didn't disappoint. I also made some wonderful new friends here, who have continued to keep me sane and brought sunshine into my life every day.

So 2019... with everything you threw at me, it should have been the year to break me, but you barely left a dent, so thank you for testing me the way you did and for helping me appreciate the good things in my life. 2020 - I have no idea what you have in store for me but whatever it is, please make sure it includes love, happiness and a lot of joy and less of the shit! Thanks.

To all of my readers, I wish you a fabulous new year and I hope you all continue to focus on what is important in your life and never let anyone dim your sparkle.