Hey guys, welcome back!
It’s been a while since I’ve written and I’m excited to get back into things and share my latest adventures with you all.
I’ve been wanting to return to Europe since I left 18 months ago and I’ve been working myself to the bone to make it happen. At one stage I had three jobs, and I wouldn’t recommend trying that at home! All I could think about was Germany, seeing my host family and exploring the parts of Europe that I couldn’t fit in before. I had a plan to save as much money as I could, buy a one way ticket and possibly never return.
I always knew traveling the world taught you things you can’t learn in school, shows you things you can only otherwise imagine and helps you find yourself even if you didn’t think you needed to.
But if there’s one thing I’ve learned in the past few months, it’s that plans can and do change in the blink of an eye. And guess what? Sometimes you can’t do a single thing about it.
Losing my beautiful Mum suddenly on the 2nd of January taught me lessons that even traveling never could. My whole world turned upside down in the space of 15 minutes, and the days and weeks to follow would be nothing more than a blur of raw emotion, family, friends, trying to merge back into reality and banding together with my courageous sisters, Father and Aunties to make decisions we never thought we would have to.
I never for a second imagined that my last conversation with Mum would be my last. Or that our last christmas, birthday, or last cup of tea I made her would be the last ones.
But I also never anticipated the support, love and bravery I would witness in the weeks to come. In particular my three sisters; Al, Loz and Bella who have shown strength and resilience beyond measure, the kind that only a mother could teach you. It’s amazing the way the tough times can turn into some of the best times.

A lot of people have been questioning me about my trip which is to be expected. A few people reading this may have even experienced a reaction from me you weren’t expecting. Like when I told you I wasn’t that excited. Or when I told you I have no idea when I’m coming back, or even where I was going. I may have even changed the subject because the truth is, I haven’t known how to feel about it and I still don’t, but I can give you a small idea.

Am I excited?

Yes, amongst the fear of the unknown and the anxiety to leave my family. I am super excited to see my host family and experience parts of Europe I haven’t yet had the chance to

How long am I going for?

I know myself well enough to know that when I’m ready to come home I will. But if my family needs me, I will be on the next flight. They say you shouldn’t put your life on hold for anyone, and this is somewhat true. However I could not enjoy myself if I knew any of my family were suffering indefinitely

Where am I going?

Wherever the wind takes me! No but really, I want to enjoy the European summer as much as I can. I’ve even thought about making my way home through Asia, time and money depending.

Will you work over there?
I will work if and when I need to in order to prolong my travels, for example volunteering in hostels or fruit picking
I will also be devoting a lot of time to my writing and self development, but as yet I haven’t organised a proper blog.

I am really looking forward to this adventure and I know I will have the time of my life if nothing else. My only wish is that Kaz was here to share in my excitement. But no matter where I go I know she is with me. It sounds like a cliché, but I now know it’s true.
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I have learned a bucketload of lessons in the past few years, namely the past few months. And the most important lesson I’ve learned is that family comes first. That it’s the little things you should cherish and that you should tell them you love them as much as humanly possible.
I am a bag of mixed emotions about this trip and I cannot thank my family and friends enough for their support in helping me prepare.
Looking forward to the next chapter!
Until next time,
Kate