It has been a solid few months since my last post and a LOT has changed in the life of Rachel Darling. It feels like my life has been on fast-forward since about September. Let's recap. Since I last blogged I have turned 24, had my boyfriend move over to Adelaide from France (he arrived as a surprise on my birthday, the sweetie!) Since then we have moved out into a new flat (I know I have flown the coop a few times now, but this is the first time in Adelaide!), I have started working back at my old job, I have missed my exchange life in the UK terribly, done some Aussie sight-seeing with the French boyfriend, worked on different blog sites (except my own, obviously) and finished my degree! Yay!
It hasn't been all fun and games these last few months, but I can't deny that I have got a lot done! It has been hard to balance my life, but balance has always been something I struggle with. But there have been some highlights- the first being the new flat! I have moved out of home before, but never in my own city- if only I had known how much easier it is this way (even if less exciting than moving to a new city or country!) It was so much easier because Mum and Dad and lots of friends and family were so helpful- Philippe and I barely had to buy a thing thanks to generous donations from everyone! The few things we did have to buy (a couch, a table etc etc) we scored super cheap from Gumtree or FREE from hard rubbish! My Mum is officially the bargain hunting queen, so we had a lot of help from her!
One of my favourite things about our flat is that it has fruit trees! Something I have never experienced from a place I actually live in! These are my pretty little fuzzy apricots! I look at them adoringly each day as I go to work- soon they will be ready for eating...
Speaking of donations and gifts from lovely friends and family- check out this hand knitted rug that a friend from work made for us! I adore it and shall keep it forever! Too bad it is hot weather at the moment so I can't snuggle up in it.. but it looks really good against our black couch (another bargain-$50!)
To help my French boyfriend feel at home, my auntie bought us this shower curtain for a flat-warming present. I have to admit, I do get pretty nostalgic when I'm showering behind this!
Aaaaand last but not least, my favourite part of the flat- the retro kitchen. It doesn't really show in the photo, but I love that the cupboard windows have frosted diamond detail on them. It is not the prettiest old kitchen, but I think all my red accessories and vintage stuff jazz it up a little!
I'm no longer a Semaphorian (hhmmpph! Sad face!) but we are only 10minutes away at West Lakes. I miss being so close to the beach, and it has taken time to readjust to my surroundings. I have found a new place to walk (around the lake) where I take my new friend Theodore Bear (Teddy Bear for short). He is my neighbour's Golden Retriever puppy and I adore him!
Some things haven't changed though. I'm still drinking green smoothies and I am still going to yoga- even more now that I live a 5 minute walk away! I always find change a hard thing- I'm better at life when I have a routine. So all these changes have been a bit tough for me and things haven't turned out the way I expected (but I guess, when do they ever?)
Once I finished my degree, I was relieved. But that feeling was quickly replaced by panic.- OH.MY.GOD. I'm not a student anymore. Time to make choices and be an adult. Problem is, I have no idea what adult I want to be. I had some plans and some goals, but recent events have changed them and it freaks me out. I feel a bit like I am floundering with no direction. With NYE creeping up, I have already started thinking about New Years resolutions- but I can't even decide between them! I'm feeling a bit lost and indecisive but I'm sure it is normal. I have some plans, just gotta make some decisions. For now I'm just going to roll with it- use my new found spare time for more yoga, reading, painting and appreciating the smaller things in life (some advice from Mum that has really resonated with me- more on that in another post...)
I'm pleased to have more time for painting- this is one I did for Beth recently. I really enjoyed doing the details on this one!
