Every Day Is Valentine's Day

So, I've recently traveled to the UK for an awesome winter holiday! The British just know how to make Christmas and winter totally awesome! Well, I think it's awesome - not everyone does. For those who have travelled during those cold winter months, I'm sure you are asked by locals/family/friends, "Why are you travelling during winter?" Ummm, because it's amazing?!  

 Just a simple girl, living in a simple home.

I made sure I had plenty of supplies for the year.

The train was ok...

It's not much, but it's home. 

Hello!

Yeah, so, I haven't blogged in a while....soz.

Anyway, so I am traveling to Europe in two months time and I've decided to start documenting my journey now.

I am currently in the process of exchanging money that I've saved and making a general budget for my trip. I have no freaking idea how much to take! Trust me, I have looked up blogs, websites and community forums to try and find a reasonable answer, but the thing is, everyone is so different in terms of how they spend their money. I'm definitely not a nomad who spends only £30 pounds a day, nor am I an extravagant spender who buys Chanel every single day. 

So after my extensive research, I've come up with my own estimate of how much I will need for each location (keep in mind, accommodation, flights, major train journeys and any tours have been booked already):

I love that line and I have no idea why. It comes from one of my favourite [movie] stories, 'Peter Pan'!

I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the story of 'Peter Pan'. Mermaids! Well, I love the Disney movie of 'Peter Pan'. I've never read the book. Note to self: read original 'Peter Pan' book.

My mother and I saw the Queensland Ballet production of the story the other day. I didn't realise that the performance was on the same night as the final State of Origin game (GO QUEENSLAND!) but I still went to the ballet. 

What I loved about the production. Of course the dancing was great! It would be embarrassing if they were bad dancers. I loved Rian Thompson as Peter Pan. His flying across the stage was exceptional; such strength, control and grace. I would absolutely freak out doing flips and turns with bright lights in my face. I loved the cameo appearance of the infamous crocodile; what a rad job that dancer had! The dancer basically lay horizontally and use their legs to move the contraption. I loved that Li Cunxin is the Artistic Director of QB. I've read his book four times and he's such an inspiration. Kudos to Li and the company for their portrayal of the story; it would be very difficult to do considering the magic and flying elements!

However, I did have a few minor problems with the production. I left feeling dissatisfied. It wasn't the story I'm very familiar with - thanks Disney! I guess that one's on me for not knowing the original  story, but still! Where was Tiger Lily? Why wasn't Tinkerbell jealous of Wendy? Why was Tinkerbell hardly in it? Why didn't Mr Darling say he was going to move Wendy to her own room and tell her to grow up? Hook had a son? Where was Nana? Why were there three acts and two, twenty-minute intermissions? That certainly dragged the night out. Couldn't there have been a mix of both the original story and the Disney one? Am I the only one thinking this? Am I asking too many questions? Okay, I'll stop. Look, basically I wanted to see the Disney Peter Pan onstage. 

I've left the biggest disappointment 'til last:

*drumroll please*

THE MERMAIDS!

When I think Peter Pan, the first things I think of are the Mermaids! Remember the movie 'Hook'? I desperately wanted to be one of those Mermaids, with the coloured hair and the glitter makeup. Please, can we reminisce for a moment?

Mermaids from Hook

They are beautiful! Even the Disney Mermaids are beautiful. I wanted to see beautiful Mermaids in beautiful Mermaid costumes! Not some weird blue and white body suit. BOO! Also, there was a merman....a MERMAN! This isn't 'Zoolander' QB.

Regardless... Congratulations to Queensland Ballet for an amazing performance, but I do wish it was more Disney-fied.

ATTENTION! This is somewhat of a serious post about healthy living.

Recently, I haven't been eating as healthily as I usually do and I haven't really been exercising as much either. Because I have been cursed with Michelin Man genetics, these two components of my life need to be in order so I don't end up looking like this:

And what a great evening it was! 

So, Noel Fielding (one half of the comedy due, The Mighty Boosh), has been in Australia with his stand-up comedy show. I attended his Brisbane show on Thursday night (May 7th). Oh, what a night!

You know what I love about Noel? He didn't just stand there and go on about his childhood, family and relationships (sorry other comedians). Noel does not equal average comedian. In fact, he was a bit weird, haha! But a good weird. No, weird isn't the right word. He was zany!



So what did he do? Well, he sang, he played characters from his TV show, Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy and even re-told a crazy dream about being a teabag. He also went on and on and on with this "chicken" joke, which I must admit, confused the hell out of me. I had no idea what was going on but I still found it hilarious. He also interacted with one of his TV characters, "the moon" and its alter ego, "the dark side of the moon" - all done with projection.

It was so cool when Noel's brother, Michael joined him on stage....dressed as a woman (I wish I could find a photo, DAMMIT). There was another dude but I had no idea who he was....awkward. Apparently 'other dude' is from Noel's new TV show. Anyway, the three guys created a love triangle story, with the "other man" actually dressed up as a triangle!

Hecklers! Always there to ruin the night. Why the hell do people insist on yelling out random crap in the middle of stand-up comedy? WHY! Are you trying to impress someone? Are you trying to put the comedian off? Or are you just being an ass? Anyway, the reason why doesn't really matter. What matters is that the comedians always seem to shut them down. Ahhh that's what I love about comedians, especially Noel (heckled so many times throughout the show). He always had some awesome comeback! 

His show was everything I expected, and yet, nothing like what I expected. Good combo. Great night!

AND PARIS AND EDINBURGH.

I am going on an exciting trip to these amazing cities with my bestie, Kate. I absolutely cannot wait! To make it even better, we are going in winter! I've experienced a European winter before and I absolutely loved it!

I've been super organised with the planning of the trip, even though it's months and months away. On reflection, I can only compare my organisation and excitement to one thing...

So you know that episode of Friends where they all go to London for Ross' wedding? Well I've decided that my trip with Kate will be like Joey and Chandler's experience. If you haven't seen the episode, watch the clip below.


Basically, I'll be Joey, the annoying and overly-excited one constantly taking photos and uploading them to Instagram while Kate will be Chandler, the one wishing I would shut the hell up.

Of course Kate will be really excited! She won't be as sarcastic as Chandler, but she will definitely tell me to calm down. Personally, I think being a "Joey" is so much better. So Kate, if you read this....be more of a "Joey" by the time our trip comes around!

What kind of traveler are you? A Joey or a Chandler?