The plane races across the tarmac, swaying from side to side, my heart beat racing just as quickly, my eyes are wide and full of fright, wanting desperately to be shut firmly. My hands clutch my book which I had been enjoying moments before, now my knuckles turn white from the tension. The plane begins to lift and my stomach falls, a soft moan escapes my lips and I feel my body shudder. There are too many people on this plane, too many bags, too much weight. I am certain the plane will struggle to reach altitude and will plummet to the earth, a sickening scream as metal, fiberglass and fuel slices through the sky. The tears are silently falling down my face and I am able to force me eyes shut, though with every shudder ... read more

It is an odd feeling, to embark on an adventure with someone when you have both agreed on an ‘expiry’ date. Whenever I acknowledge the fact, I have an over surge of confusing feelings. Sadness, abandonment, relief, acceptance, contentment; I feel empowered to realise that this decision is not necessarily an attack on me personally, though this does not lessen the hurt in any shape or form. The relationship has always been more of a fantastic mate-ship, which has the added sexual benefits. But a deep and meaningful everlasting love is not what we have. He has always held me at a strong arms reach, something that I admired and also resented him for. As for me, I am able to divulge into the romantic ideal of a short lived relationship, giving myself in entirety; it ... read more

I have passed a few mini milestones recently, first being a year in the UK, and a few months later, a year since I started dating Matas. The two it seems, goes hand in hand as I met Matas within 3 months of arriving. My upcoming birthday again has me questioning my next steps. There are many places in Europe I have yet to tackle, I have the urge to wipe the dust from my backpack, stock it with the bare essentials (4 shirts, 5 pairs or underwear and socks, sturdy shoes, passport) and loose myself in Turkey, Greece, Italy.... leave behind the heels, business suits, schedules, mobile phone, home address, sister, boyfriend. To be free of all connections. To smell the spices of the local markets, feel the dust in my hair, the song of ... read more

Lithuania. From the moment the plane skittered on the airstrip I realised these ex soviet citizens stood for no nonsense. The presence each person held clearly demanded awe and reverence. The women immaculately dressed. The men were solid and serious. I was visiting Matas in his home city. I was nervous as I was to be meeting his family and friends for the first time. As soon as I was inline for immigration I frantically threw my bag down, rummaged for the 'top up' essentials, deodorant, comb, gloss, perfume, mints... all in a feeble attempt to look effortlessly fresh and gorgeous. Matas collected us both (not noticing my effortless freshness I might add) and we headed to his family apartment. The inner suburbs... looked... old. Its really the only was I can describe it. Picture a ... read more

It is difficult enough to receive negative feedback regarding your performance at work, but even harder when the feedback is about you personally. Too loud, intimidating, too confident.... too much really. I find myself questioning my career path, and that really scares me. 6 years in HR and being told I would be better suited to a career where my apparent faults would be seen as a attribute. Is it my career choice, or perhaps just this specific work place? Working within such a specific function of HR has limited my skills, cut short the people interaction that I have always strived on. What is a good field for me? I try to think back to other business I have worked with and I see a common theme where I tend to fail, business which rely ... read more

I had booked a trip to Brussels for the weekend months in advance with EuroStar, and following such a busy week in Austria it was easy to forget about the other trips I had. I had not the time to research, get excited or even book accommodation. Brussels was scheduled only 5 nights after coming back from the snow. The night before leaving I was scouring the internet sites for cheap accommodation, after spending a week, sleeping in a single bunk (which I shared with Matas) in a room with 3 other friends, I decided that I needed space. I booked at the Radisson, 4 stars of king bed-spa bath luxury. Perfect. The EuroStar was amazing, incredibly fast and very comfortable. I was in Brussels in less than 2 hours. I taxied to my (fabulous) hotel, ... read more