Visa and last day at work

Today was my last day at work and they surprised me with a loverly bouquet of flowers and we all drank champagne in the lunch room! Also, a big pat on the back for the UK border agency for getting my visa to me in record time, they only took 12 days including posting it from Australia to Manila and back again! Can I just say that it is such a relief to have my passport back safe in my hands! This past few weeks have consisted of saying goodbye to good friends, reading through the numerous travel guides that have been gifted to me and receiving my first english money!

Love,
Sarah

Days till departure: 8

Packing

So it has begun, the dreaded packing. How does one pack for 12 months? I just know I am going to forget something important! I cannot believe that I'm actually leaving in 2 weeks. I received an email from the Visa team in Manila that my visa was being dispatched so I will hopefully be getting it by the end of this coming week which means I don't have to postpone all my travel arrangements, Hoorah!

My good friend Yolande who is going to be studying in Copenhagen, Denmark is leaving in 5 days, I am so nervous and excited for her! We are definitely going to be visiting each other. She has set up her own travel blog to document her experiences over at todenmarkbound.tumblr.com. Go say hello!

I should keep on packing and then I'm off to my own farewell family dinner!

-Sarah

I did a thing

This is a little video I made a couple of days ago, its actually 16 days until I leave* now. enjoy! and watch in 720p.


 *There may be some issues with my visa arriving on time for me to fly out so unfortunately I might have to change flights which is a major pain in the butt!

28 days until take off!

I still haven't managed to get my head around the fact that I will be living in another country 16,898km from my family and my home. The days seem to be rapidly disappearing and before I know it I will be on a plane. It's funny how time works, it's felt like eternity trying to organise all of this and now that I'm so close to leaving the days are just speeding past. 
It's a strange feeling going away from home for such a long period of time. I kind of feel like I'm putting my Australia life on hold and starting this whole new life without many of the old characters I know and love in it. I don't think I've completely accepted that I'm actually going yet, I keep catching myself making plans for summer or buying things I won't be needing and thinking "Sarah when will you been needing that? You won't get much use out of a pair of shorts where your going" and then it all rushes back that I will be in another country and it will be winter. 

I'm still in the stressed stage on organisation where I'm trying to get forms for my visa and have been spending a lot of time and money on the phone to people in London (Middlesex university has very regal hold music I'll have you know!). Much to my dismay the visa predicament isn't going as well or quickly as I would hope. I believe we were promised by the end of the week, but they only have an hour and a half to show me the metaphorical money and I'm pretty doubtful. 

Goodnight fellow travellers,

Love Sarah xx