My Kind Of Love

 There's so many different ways of looking at love.  You can have love for so many things.  People, places, animals, objects, words, smells.  There is no right and wrong to say one person should love something and another should not.  That's what I love about love.  Its yours, yours to choose to give and yours to keep on giving, and should you be lucky enough to receive it back, well that's my kind of love, and I'm going to tell you about it.

I was lucky enough to meet the most special person in my life a little while back now.  Everyone's had the relationships that don't for one reason or another work out, and if you haven't well that's ok.  But if you happen to stumble (much like I did) across someone special, then hold on tight with both hands preferably, and don't let go.  

I could tell you the endless list that I used to have in my mind of who the right person would be for me.  Probably someone quite like Bradley Cooper (sorry Liam) but we all know that the illusions films fill us with are not ever the reality of which we live within.  Although saying that I much prefer my reality, its honest.  Maybe it doesn't hold the rosy tint of the Hollywood blockbuster romance, but its mine. 

So as you probably have caught on, the love of my life is called Liam.  

There are endless things that I love about him,  I could literally bore you all day.  He makes me happy in ways which I didn't think I ever could be.  I'm part of a team where we are equals, no one ever gets chosen last.  I love him because he makes me laugh, something so important in a world where we have to be so serious all the time.  I get to be completely myself (should probably shave legs more often) but he understands me.  I know that sounds cheesy, you know the stinky bishop kind of cheesy, but he sometimes knows something is upsetting me, even before I do.  Liam works endlessly hard to keep us afloat, even if it means sacrificing things that he wants to do.  Putting our needs as a couple before his own. 

Don't get me wrong, nothing is perfect.  Relationships take work, you will argue and fall out.  But the loves that last are the ones you are willing to work at.  Love is sacrifice, compromise and willingness, all rolled into one. We have had our fair share of these arguments, but we come out the other end just as strong.  I maybe even love him even more as he puts up with my mad ways!

So Liam if your reading this, I want to say thank you.  

Thank you for coming into my life when I didn't know that I really needed you.  Thank you for being you, and making everyday special.  Thank you for being there to help pick up the pieces, when it all seems to fall apart.  Thank you for all the adventures.  Thank you for all the love you give, and continue to give.

Thank you for being my kind of love. 

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Family

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I often sit and think about my family and how they have helped to mould me into the person that I am today.  Don't get me wrong I am only 25 and I know that life has many journeys in store for me.  

I come from a family of very strong women, and a loving father.   I've never really known my mothers side of the family for various reasons and my fathers family are Greek. (A language that I can't speak) So its really left my family to be a strong unit.  Only relying on each other when things went a bit off track.  

We have been extremely blessed to not have encountered any serious health problems over the years.  I always like to count our good health as a real importance, as not everyone has that.  I now live two hours away from my family with my fiance in a lovely flat, everyday I miss the fact that I can't just pop round and see them.  An ability that I have taken for granted over the years.  

When I was living in Australia you really do realise the important of family bonds.  I used to stare longingly at the families picnicking together in the park or just simply going out for a coffee.  A luxury that I could only obtain if I sat on a plane for 21 hours.  It is true you don't realise what you have until its not there right in front of you.  Hence our move back to the UK.  Australia was an amazing place, but our family ties far outweighed leaving all of our family behind.

My mum came to stay with us this weekend, and its so lovely just being able to chat and catch up on the goings on in everyone's lives.  We all seem to be so busy getting on with our own things, that we don't have much time left to see each other, which does make me sad sometimes.  Growing up and being in each others company all the time, creates a feeling of never having to be alone.  I will always be thankful that I have three sisters, a brother would have been nice, but it seems it was not in the plans for my parents! 

It is so lovely when I get these family visits as I've not got too many friends in Brighton yet.  I think having been on the move so much in the last 2 years that finally settling in one place, has taken over the making friends part. 

 It's that fleeting moment of pure happiness when you see them, embracing them in a hug, knowing that no one else on the planet could give you that same feeling.  The downside is the sadness that follows when you have to say goodbye.  But it comes hand in hand with these visits, and something I am getting used to.  Goodbye always seems so final to me, I much prefer see you soon, or take care.  Leaving you with that lighthearted feeling of being sure you will see them again soon enough. 

But as I sit here and tap away on my laptop, thoughts drifting in and out of my head, having just done the sad goodbye, I really appriciate my family.  Not only the family that I have, but the family I am gaining with marrying Liam.  I'm surrounded by so many people that love each other that I realise that is whats important.  

Not the cars or the houses or the clothes.  Its the people.

So if you have those people in your lives that are important to you, tell them you love them, hug them and enjoy every minute with them.  

Its the most amazing, precious and important gift that I was given.  

Family.

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Baby Fever

 

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Apparently, or so I've found, you get to a certain age in life and then your news feed fills up with proposals, weddings and babies! I don't know about you, but from an early age I have been dreaming of the day that I meet the man I want to start a family with.  Luckily this has now happened, panic over!

But there's always the same questions that everyone asks.

When is the right time? How do you know he's the one? Are you financially ready? 

I've asked a lot of people these questions that have had children, and the general consensus was that there is never that perfect time in your life that you are ever ready.  Who can tell you how you life will change when you have a baby, or how you will cope with the added financial pressure? I feel the only one who can really answer these questions is you.

I don't know what it is about the unknown desire to have a baby.  Its as if my ovaries are calling out to me to be put to good use.  Or the terrifying thought that if I leave it too late that I might not be able to have children.  I don't actually remember a day where I haven't ever wanted children.  Its like it was programmed into my genes.  Even when I was a child I use to sit for hours upon end watching birthing programmes, (my mum thought I was destined to be a midwife) so interested to know everything there was to know about labour.  Very strange I know!  That ache and longing to want to know what my child would look like, their personality and characteristics, the feeling of holding them in my arms.

The baby fever does come and go, logic usually kicks in pretty strong for me.  The fear of change and vulnerability vibrating through my core, shaking me to sense.  I would like to be married first and more financially stable, these are important to us as a family unit. 

 So I guess, until that time, I will reside to endlessly gazing upon instagram and blog feeds of those delightful squidgy hands and feet.  Precious moments captured by devoted mothers and fathers. 

I'll still be here delirious with baby fever.  

Dreaming of the day that I will join the mum club.

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Newborn Photography Workshop : After

At the ripe time of 5am, I was up with the birds and set off from Brighton to my workshop location in Weymouth.  I'm not much of a morning person so as you can imagine the struggle was really real for me, but I was so excited for the day that I didn't really mind.

The drive took me through lots of countryside and windy roads, which was a pleasant break from the motorway. I arrived just after 8:30am nice and early for the start time of 9am.  

The workshops are run by Shellie Wall and Maddy Rogers, two very respected newborn specialist photographers in the UK.  I had actually ordered a new camera a few weeks prior to the workshop, but due to backlog of orders Calumet couldn't get it to me in time.  Kindly enough Maddy lent me one of hers, a real life saver!  It really expressed how above and beyond they go to make sure people attending the workshops leave with a positive experience!

The workshop consisted of many different elements.  We covered dealing with clients, preparing them before the shoot, documents to send out, handling and posing the newborns safely, workflow, wrapping, soothing, props, admin, lighting and editing software.  There may have been something I have missed, but we covered so much!

It was really important for me to be able to understand the behind the scenes process of a newborn photography shoot.  Having specialised in fashion, it is like leaping into another world.  However the step by step instructions that Maddy and Shellie went through with us, were informative and constructive.  Enabling us to get a very strong sense of what our responsibilities would be as the photographer.  

There are many areas that with time and experience I will improve.  Mainly posing and handling the babies.  The ladies both worked with a comforting calm, quietly confident with what they were doing, reading the baby's body language and stages of sleep.  Putting the parents instantly at ease.  Something that was amazing to observe.

Maddy and Shellie spoke with an open honesty, trying their best to be as helpful as possible, answering all of our questions.  I can imagine this takes a lot of patience, there was quite a few!

 I can't recommend the workshop enough.  I felt the wealth of knowledge that I came away with was invaluable.  If you have been shooting newborns for a while, and want to improve on certain aspects of your business, then this would also benefit you.  

Overall it was a very enjoyable day, it felt really amazing to be back photographing something I am passionate about again.  Something that was always instilled in our minds at university, was that the photography world is small, help others and they will help you.  This has always stuck with me.  Maddy and Shellie are brave opening up with all of their knowledge and wisdom in these workshops, and this does not go unnoticed.

If your thinking twice about attending a workshop, don't, go for it, your investment will reflect in your confidence and in your business, you'll thank yourself later! 

To find out information on future workshops click here

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Newborn Photography Workshop: Before

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 I'm a firm believer in development and progression.  I would never like to think that I ever got too comfortable with what I know.  Photography started off as a hobby for me, 8 years later, one BA honours degree down (which I'm very proud of) and I still feel like there is more to learn.

I first specialised in fashion when I graduated from university.  I followed the path of internships, assisting photographers, setting up my own shoots.  However as time went on I never really found that sense of fulfilment I wanted. Working all hours under the sun, in a very superficial industry. 

 Knowing I hadn't yet found my place, and I'm sure you can agree, having to make life changing decisions at 16, defining where your life will take you is somewhat overwhelming.  I know that I loved all elements of photography, and it only took a short stint of working for a children's photography company that I felt I had found my calling.  

FINALLY, PHEW

So that brings me to here, about to embark on a newborn photography workshop, so that I am prepared, educated and informed.  I honestly can't wait to get involved with my creative side again, and working towards something I am truly passionate about.  I can thank my four years on a commercial photography degree, for making me technically sound and industry savvy.  Although there are some things that can only be taught from experience.  

When I did my research into which company to do my workshop with, (there are many that offer similar services) I wanted to go primarily for safety and knowledge.  

I booked my workshop through The Newborn Workshops.

I picked them for experience, and most importantly their core principle is posing and photographing newborns in the safest way possible.  

 I will be blogging about the day, the benefits of the workshop and what I take away from it.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

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Top 10 Things To Do In Sydney

Stuck for things to do while in Sydney? 

Well look no further I have compiled a list of things that made my world tick round while I lived there.  I hope you can get as much enjoyment out of them as I did!

1) Sydney Opera house - This speaks for itself.  You can't visit Sydney without the 'this is me in front of the Opera house' compulsory photo.'  I've done it, she's done it and I'm sure you'll do it.  If that hasn't swayed you enough, it is also identified as one of the most distinctive buildings of the 20th century, and a hub of activity for those who love performing arts.

2) Sydney Harbour Bridge - One of Sydney's main attractions, this bridge carries rail, vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian access from the central business district to the North Shore.  If your brave enough you can do the bridge climb, however I don't recommend people who have a fear of heights to do this!

  
3) Watsons Bay - Just a short ferry ride from Circular Key (or drive if you fancy).  You wont be disappointed.  Quite a hot spot with the Sydney locals and tourists.  I can recommend not to eat in the restaurant right off the ferry, but carry on walking for about 5 minutes and eat at the restaurant next door to Watsons Bay Hotel.  When you are done with food, pop next door and enjoy a cocktail or beer, and enjoy that incredible view!

4) Botanical Gardens - Whilst in Sydney, I found this became quite a special place for me to come and sit with my thoughts. (Or some sushi, but more on that later) Its a beautiful collection of gardens located just on the edge of the CBD.  Its open daily and is free to enter.  Take a picnic down with you, and drink in those harbour views.   

5) Bondi to Coogee Walk - A coastal cliff top walk, this is a hit with almost anyone who encounters it! If you are an enthusiastic jogger/walker/taking in the view-er! (not sure if that works!) Then this is the one for you.  It takes you along past beaches, parks, and bays, with places you can stop in-between for food if you fancied it.

 Its a medium grade walk, but I managed it just fine with my very limited fitness! There are staircases though so not a go go with a buggy!  It takes about two hours to complete the whole walk, but so worth the time! (You can also relax/flop on the beach at the end like me! Surely a win win right? )

6) Messina - The gods of ice-cream as far as I'm concerned.  You CANNOT I repeat cannot miss this place off your to do list.  From any flavour you could possibly think up in your head, chances are they have come up with it first.  My favourite was the salted caramel with white chocolate.  Be prepared to queue, this place is popular with everyone!

 

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7) Corinthian Rotisserie - Located in Marrickville this taverna on the highstreet was like stepping into a traditional Greek restaurant in Athens, not in Australia.  With no frills, form the décor down to the service, you will feel right at home here.  I always find it hard to discover a Greek restaurant that cooks authentic meals.  Well look no further, if that's what your after this place will tick all the boxes for you.  Its also very reasonably priced, but cash only.  I left a very happy customer and hope you will too!

8) Whale Watching - If your lucky enough to be in Sydney for whale watching season then I can highly recommend that you hop on a boat.  Of course there is no guarantee you will see a whale as they are wild animals and need to be respected.  However its quite a magical experience to get to see them in their natural habitat.  I found a voucher on groupon to do this and saved myself a lot of money in the long run!

9) Woolworths Sushi - Being able to eat good sushi and save myself a buck or two always goes down good with me.  Being located on George street, its easy to access and a quick to eat snack or meal.  I was pleasantly surprised at how good the sushi was here.  Its also freshly made up each day, and with the high turnover of customers, its not sat there for long! The sushi stand is located at the back of the store (may have moved since my last visit) but so worth the trip.  Yes I have hunger pains writing this now!

10) Sydney Vivid Light Festival - This 18 day annual light, music and ideas festival is the largest outdoor art-gallery. Transforming Sydney's urban spaces. It is a magical celebration of creativity.  From light-designers and manufacturers they are able to make a city landscape come to life.  I loved walking around the Vivid festival, exploring all the instillations and lighting displays.(Also helps that it doesn't pour with rain)  If your in Sydney while this is on, head on down.  I would love to read about other people's experiences.

What are your favourite things to do in Sydney? I'd love to know!

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Living & Working in Australia

When I first decided to go travelling I really wanted to do it without having to work in between visiting all of the new places I wanted to go.  Australia was somewhere that was top of my list, I wanted to be able to travel as extensively  as possible, and maybe settle somewhere for a few months.

My Top 3 Hostels in Thailand

So if your like me and absolutely love to read any and every review about somewhere you stay before you actually stay there then I hope that you'll find this handy.  I spent most of my time booking accommodation through trip advisor, bookings or word of mouth from other travellers.  This as you can imagine was a pretty simple process.  I think I've had more access to wifi in Thailand than anywhere else I've ever been, and there was me thinking that I wouldn't be speaking to people much back home.  (silly me I know)

Some of the places were slightly questionable and don't get me wrong trusting reviews are always based upon personal experiences, and some places might not be up to others standards!  But these were my top 3 for my few months in Thailand.

1. Pakup Hostel - Krabbi

Click here for website

I found this hostel really clean, helpful staff and good recreational areas.  I booked a few nights here before island hopping to Koh Phi Phi for a few days, and stayed back here on my return.  Each room has a theme which I thought was a really personal touch.  All the beds inside the rooms were named within the theme.  Great idea whoever thought of that! 

There's also a cash point across the road, which is really helpful if you have just come from another island and need to get cash out to pay for your room or food.  

Down the hill from the hostel is the night market that I ate at most nights I was here.  We found a crazy lady (not literally) who looked after us when we ordered our food and shouted rather loudly if anything was forgotten.  But I tend to get on well with slightly odd people so I ate at her stall pretty much every night.  

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The beds in Pakup are so comfortable and a welcome haven from some of the metal, ricketty bunks beds I had become accustomed to.  They each had a lockable drawer under the beds for personal belongings and large enough to fit your whole backpack in.  Genius.

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The bathrooms were lovely and clean and there was hot water, hooray! Another luxury I had gotten used to living without, and not being too upset if I didn't have it! 

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All in all I've put this at number one as I really enjoyed my stay, had everything you could possibly want out of a backpacker hostel.  Thrown in with staff that were very helpful you can't go wrong.  I would recommend the four island tour I paid around 500 Bhat for the day trip and it was worth it to avoid the crowds going direct to Railay beach.

2. NapPark - Bangkok 

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This was my very first hostel I stayed in fresh off the plane from the UK.  As you can imagine having never been further than a three hour flight away from home, I didn't quite know what I was letting myself in for.  

Arriving at Nappark about a half hour drive from the airport, which cost me about 500 Bhat, (I split this with another traveller) I was pleasantly surprised.  It was a relaxed, informal hostel literally 2 minutes walk from Koh San Road.  I stayed here twice, on my arrival and before I flew out of Bangkok to Australia.  

The first time I stayed in the premium dorm and the second time in the 22 bed.  As you can imagine the premium dorm was much more spacious and less noisy, but the 22 bed dorms weren't too bad considering.  The only reason why I would go for the premium again is for the air con.  The cheaper rooms get turned off around midnight, and I got very hot during the night, not a win win situation. With 21 other bodies breathing the same air as you!

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Bathrooms and beds were clean and comfortable, and they offer a good shuttle service back to the airport if you don't want to spend the money on a taxi.  Wi-fi use throughout the building and computers to use in reception with lockers in your rooms.  All in all a good all rounder.

2. Deejai Backpacker - Chiang Mai 
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So this was one of the hostels that I spent most of my time in as I really fell in love with Chiang Mai.  I spent around £2 a night to stay here, I know what a steal! As you can imagine you get what you pay for.  The rooms weren't luxurious by any means, but you get a bed and bathroom.  What more do you need! The staff were really helpful and if you wanted to book extra nights this could be arranged easily.

There was an on site communal area with food facilities.  I wasn't able to connect to Wi-fi through the whole building but it was best in the communal area.  If you are a social butterfly they host bbq's and bonfires at their communal garden area 1 minute walk just along the road.  It was a great way to meet new people, and if you didn't want to go into the city for food then you could eat here.  I have to say the food was amazing!

They also have a swimming pool, hammocks and a pool table available for people to use.  This came in handy for the extremely hot afternoons after exploring the city.

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If you want to be able to explore the night markets then its an easy walk from the hostel.  We also hired bicycles from a nearby shop and cycled around the city for the day.  Not the easiest thing to do, as you have to be quite brave with the traffic! The hostel also offers an onsite motorbike hire which we drove up to the mountain temple, again not for the faint hearted, and always make sure you have travel insurance that covers you for this!

Overall good value for money if you are straped for cash and don't want to dip too much into those valuable savings!

Happy hostelling! 

Anyone else have their favourite hostels in Thailand feel free to comment below, I love to hear about other peoples experiences! 

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Elephant Nature Park

Elephant Nature Park is a place that is especially close to my heart.  A programme that I had heard about when I booked my flights in STA.  Little did I know how much this place would change the way that I saw and thought about animal welfare.  Countries like Thailand heavily rely on the income generated from tourists, which leads to the abuse and exploitation of such a beautiful animal. 

My aim from this blog post is not to lecture or look down upon people who have ridden elephants, but if I can change at least one persons perspective on how we change the face of tourism to better the lives of these animals then I will try my best.  So here goes.....

Elephant Nature Park is an elephant rescue and rehabilitation centre in Northern Thailand where you can volunteer and visit.  The nature park have been involved in rescuing elephants which have been abused or injured.  From land mine accidents, trekking camps, circus's and logging camps. The park provides a natural sanctuary for not only elephants, but dogs, cats, buffaloes and lots of other animals.  

The lady that started this programme is called Lek.  Lek (translated as 'small' in Thai) is one of the most inspirational, beautiful souls I have ever met.  The way that she interacts and speaks about the elephants under her protection is with such compassion and love, I truly believe she is an angel on earth.  She has devoted her life to saving the lives of these animals, giving them a voice, which without her may have never been heard.

 Her aim is to change the way we interact with the elephants.  No mahout at her park will ever use a bull hook or any device which would cause harm or injury to any of the animals.  She uses positive re-enforcement to enable the elephants to live peacefully and at ease, without fear or stress.  

No one rides any of the elephants, instead we worked together to make sure they had food provided, shelters cleaned and in the process learnt about how much it takes to care for them.  

Loading the shelves with bananas for food

  

Washing and cooling down in the evening

 

Cutting down and gathering corn

 

Of course there was one with a war wound! Poor Liv!

Just me and some corn

My lovely group 

Preparing food 

 

 The stories of the elephant lives and where they had come to before the park was heartbreaking.  This elephant had been injurded on a land mine.

Many others bore the scars of their past lives and the mistreatment they had suffered.  The process that the elephants have to go through to make them ready for tourists to ride is so graphic and horrific that I don't want to share any images here.  But they call it breaking the soul of the elephant.  Some have even been known to blind the elephants with sling shots, as a blind elephant is a submissive elephant.  

It makes me wonder how many people are aware of this process that all of the elephants have to go through to make them able to be ridden.  To me it just doesn't seem right that for our own enjoyment or 'selfie' opportunity that these animals should carry us on there backs for hours a day.  

 

But there are moments like this where the elephants embrace one another to comfort each other.  Letting them know that there is no danger.  The emotional capacity that they show is beautiful and inspiring.

If you want to learn more about this amazing project, or even to visit it you can find information on their website here

Lek posts amazing videos and updates about the park which you can find here

 

I can't recommend this Elephant Nature Park enough, so please if you do go abroad and have the option to ride an elephant, think twice, we can change the future of tourism and animals lives.

If that hasn't swung you enough, here is a video of Lek sharing her magic with those lucky elephants.  What a special lady.

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