Week 4 of MD2.
Whilst I anticipated major change in my life, I didn't quite anticipate all the other changes too.
But here's what I have so far - Photo diary of life in Ballarat.
There will be so much more to add.
But so far, I've settled in to home for the next year, life in a different town and
It's beautiful here. Akin to inner Eastern suburbs of Melbourne - full of green, leafy wide streets. The summer sun brings diamonds to Lake Wendouree and the days are long. Dusk a bashful, beautiful hue when you hang around long enough.
Beginning in Shepparton - orientation.
I learnt more life skills in two days that I can remember. Travelled over 400km in two days.
Last day lunch with the rural gang before we parted ways to begin this new year, new journey, new milestone in life.
I never really believed or 'felt' milestones until this year. Every year had passed the same way.
But something about packing your childhood possessions in boxes. Clothes in boxes. Everything boxed and on the go. Living a boxed life. Something about that just really changes how I perceived wherever, however this is going.
3 hours later after an adrenaline pumped drive - overtaking so many large vehicles and having never overtaken at such high speeds to many times in my driving career... Then drove to Ballarat after coming home to get clothes and luggage.
The country roads flying by at 110 kilometres per hour.
Joking, but full of apprehension that kangaroos and koalas might suddenly appear on the road. Deciding the logical way - what then to do. Slam on the brakes. Don't swerve, less we topple off the road and flip the car. Luckily, kangaroos mostly only come out at dusk. NTS to avoid driving at that time.
Passing unfamiliar road signs. And finally seeing, Ballarat. Next exit.
You know, there's something unbelievable about driving oneself to a new town, new city in the depths of the night. Actually moving out for the first time in my life. Underestimating how many things I'd have needed to prepare. Thanking the stars the university provided really good housing. Feeling so unsettled for ages because everything I owned was in boxes and if I've learnt one thing about myself: I love travelling, but I need a permanent place to call home. I need the comfort of knowing I can return somewhere and that all will be the same. Even if - and I note this as a selfish thought - I'm changed.
I both wish I could've taken photos to document it. And like that I couldn't. So the only way to remember is to etch it into my mind.
Seeing its glowing yellow lights in the distance. Looking at foreign roads, places, landmarks and wondering how on earth you'll learn to get used to it. Coming into the city through its centre - wide awake, loving the ambience of its night, picking up keys from the Emergency Department of the hospital. The short intake of laughter. The cold air. Sudden rush of endorphins. Realising that you're already living this so-called milestone. A few days later, again, realising that - Hey, I'm used to it. Then driving back two, three weeks later, again at night, similar conditions - and finding you've already lost that wonder.
It is such a loss. It's akin to the feeling after a really good movie - no matter its ending, whether or not I silently sobbed my heart out in the dark theatre, or whether or not I left feeling so happy and alive. That feeling of - where you feel as though you've come so far, somehow exiting that same theatre a changed person in the timespan of a few hours.
Then the post-movie feeling disappears. A slight hollow sadness - for the lack of a better word - it's going, going, gone. Disappearing slowly. Like snowflakes melting under the sun. And there's really nothing you can do to bring it back. You can't even describe that feeling. Can't induce it or re-create it in any way.
My mantra in the second year of university was: Things always change. Or, to put it in a more positive light, The only thing that's constant is change itself. I suppose this is just another change in itself.
Behold - the beauty of Ballarat. We live in the Lakes and Gardens Precinct - Alfredton, a relatively new area. Full of developing housing complexes of really, nice houses.
First weekend home.
I forgot how it was to have abundant food to share with friends and family.
I realised how sad it was to only buy food for two people. I bought five mushrooms, dammit. Five. Never done that before. Food was meant for sharing and in sharing, I gain so much happiness just watching people eat.
My little piece of home. I'm crazy I know - but a super warm and soft blanket as one could only purchase from Taiwan.
And yes - on 'Mexican Night' our house brought dessert, featuring ice magic.
The first time I spent a lunchtime looking at the lake. Loving how everyone smiled to me as they walked by - whether leisurely or on their next exercise mission.
It's very beautiful and serene there.
So many people to observe. And my favourite spot (thus far) is situated just across the road from my new favourite cafe (thus far, again).
Excuse the terrible quality. But this is how ducks dive for food. Hehe.
I couldn't quite get over that. The smaller ones fully dive down and submerge themselves for a couple of seconds before appearing with their battle rewards.
Another favourite spot. It extends out quite a bit and - as the passerby informed us, is the deepest point of the lake. 8 metres. You can easily fish for trout here if you so wish. (He happened to be scouting the place for his next fishing trip with his missus).
The moment I walked into the cafe and smelt the coffee I knew. Everything I took in after that only but cemented my initial impression. This place served good coffee, and most likely good food and will be a valuable asset in the year to come.
When the take away coffee cups came out - it was an immediate level up.
The interior decor, friendliness of staff, aroma of coffee, display of food and cakes - everything was to my immense liking. If ever I were to have my own cafe... I know exactly how it should be.
Another big change - I almost joined a gym. But the idea of having $40 taken out of my bank fortnightly was too much to handle. So my housemate and I settled for bike hire instead. Thirty dollars for a semester from the uni. In the time since, I've cycled at least 40 kilometres. I've also played a game of futsal. Excuse me, where did you put AW? The locals scoff for us to wait till winter - but until that time comes, I'm making the most of my cycle around the lake and around my new neighbourhood.
It's been an exciting adventure so far.
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