Winter holidays.

I left Amsterdam on the 8th June to begin the journey home solo and 24 hours later, I touched down in Brisbane. I can remember all my thoughts and how I was feeling that day but can't even begin to articulate how I felt. It was a strange mix of relief, excitement, sadness, happiness and emptiness. It doesn't sound like it makes sense and it didn't even make sense to me but that's what it was. The first thing I did when I got home was drive over to Caleb's house and then made my way to Nicole's house, Oliver's house and Dylan's house. I can remember everything about seeing each of them again and it was the best feeling in the world. 

I actually talked to Kevin tonight about this year in general and mentioned that I don't see exchange as a part of my life but rather as a separate event that doesn't fit in the timeline of things. And what he said in reply to that was that it was because my heart is here in Brisbane where all my friends were and I couldn't think of anything truer. 

Two days after coming back, Nicole and I went to see The Rubens play at the Tivoli, with Mansionair and Slum Sociable as supports and The Rubens were as amazing as always. One of the biggest events that holidays was my cousin, Niny's wedding to Yang, which was the day after. The day started off with a traditional tea ceremony at my aunt's house before moving to the church for the actual ceremony, and finished off at Victoria Park Marquee for the reception. 

Niny's wedding 

I spent most of June and July just catching up with all my friends and hanging out with my cousins and sisters. At the end of July, I spent two days at Splendour in the Grass which I'd been looking forward to since I bought the tickets back in April. It was honestly one of the funnest events I'd been to and the line up was sickkkk. I drove down on the Saturday with Liam and Nicole and managed to catch most of the acts we wanted to see. The highlights for me were probably Boo Seeka, Gang of Youths, Sticky Fingers, Ball Park Music and Matt Corby. The next day, I went back with Alice, Myky, Laura and Michael and although I preferred Saturday's lineup, I think I ended up having more fun on the Sunday. We caught Lapsley, City Calm Down, Jungle Giants, Courtney Barnett, Boy and Bear, James Blake and the closing act of the festival FLUMEEEEE <3

Hopefully one year I can actually camp and get the whole experience but since I'm going into med school next year, it doesn't look like it's going to happen anytime soon.

Splendour in the Grass

Day trip to Lamington National Park 

Mount Gravatt Lookout