The Security of Hobart

“Now I know Nikki, that you are a very social and sporty person, I’ve seen you go for walks around Sandy Bay after school and hang out with your friends. If you were to go to South Africa on this exchange, you know you wouldn’t be able to do that? The girls your age in South Africa don’t have the same freedom as you. It’s a very dangerous country. Do you think you would be able to cope?”

“No.”

During this interview I realised how safe and secure I really am. I live in Sandy Bay, Hobart. If I showed you pictures, I’m sure you would agree with me how beautiful it is here and how lucky I am to live here. Everything I need is either a five minute walk away, or a 10 minute bus ride away. My school is situated at the top of my hill, which is very convenient as I’m not an early riser! I am also lucky to have been given the trust and independence from my parents to do things at a young age. I started going to town by myself at twelve and catching buses by myself at thirteen.

I haven’t always felt so lucky though. Every time we would travel to the Gold Coast, Melbourne or Sydney, I would feel immense jealously. “They have everything!” Would be my immediate thought after spending a day shopping in Melbourne, or a day at a theme park in Brisbane. I’ve always wanted to move to Melbourne, for the opportunity to study and work somewhere away from Tasmania. I no longer want to though. If I were twelve and living in Melbourne, my parents would never have let me shop by myself, let alone catch public transport! I now appreciate Hobart and Tasmania for the freedom it has given me and the beauty that I see every day. I also see Hobart changing, our shops are getting bigger and more modern, and more mainland businesses are opening places here. We are very behind the big cities, but we’re getting there.

I didn’t end up getting the exchange, but it didn’t matter. It would have been an amazing trip, but three months away from my family and friends, and not being able to do anything after school would have been too hard for me at 15. My friend ended up getting it and she had a wonderful time.

Sea Change?

I've always told myself and others that after school I'm going to move out of Tasmania. Although, I've never actually thought about where I would move to, and why I would move there. I've always wanted to move to Melbourne - for the shopping and city life. I don't think they are good reasons anymore, plus it would be costly. I've also gone through a phase of wanting to move to Adelaide, but that was only because that was where the university I liked the sound of was there, but I don't want to do that anymore.

So what now? Fall inlove with another Australian city? Think about moving overseas? Or stay in Tasmania?

Tasmania is beautiful.
Tasmania is comfortable.
Tasmania is relevatively cheap.

I have friends in Tasmania.
I have family in Tasmania.
I have memories in Tasmania.

Do I move somewhere else to make new friends and memories? Or do I stay in my comfort zone, with my family and friends.

I don't know what to do. I can see myself doing either. I feel like though, if I stay in Tasmania, I will be left asking myself "what if...?"

Goals for July/August

I feel as though I haven't slept in forever. I've been sleeping well and even been sleeping in, and yet I am still absolutely knackered. My routine definitely altered before and during exams and I now seem to be suffering from it. I need to get back into my zone and find a good routine for myself. Because I now find myself terribly tired and I haven't done any homework all week.

So, here are some goals for the next month. I'll review this on the 24th of August and see how I go.

• Get my L2's
• Do at least 2 hours of homework/study a night
• Find a car and buy it
• Keep my room clean
• Book tickets to Melbourne.

Let's see how I go!

Day 1 - A recent picture of yourself and 15 interesting facts abuot yourself.

1. I used to be vegetarian, but no longer am.

2. I am obsessed with the colour green.

3. At aged 14 I became an aunty.

4. I have been lucky enough to travel all round Australia, and to parts of Europe and Asia.

5. I had a massive phobia of dogs, which I successfully overcame.

6. I have 4 siblings. A brother and 3 sisters.

7. I want to move to Melbourne when I've finished school and study at university.

8. I have participated in: tennis, soccer, athletics, softball, basketball, netball, cross country, gymnastics, ballet, hockey, jump rope...i think that's all!?

9. I would love to one day own a dog. Either a golden retriever, husky, labrador or border collie.

10. I am very lucky to be a babysitting to some lovely little girls.

11. My first name (Nicole) means Victorious and my middle name (Catherine) means Pure. I like this :)

12. My hair is naturally dead straight.

13. I don't really like water. I don't like interracting with sea life.

14. I LOVE plane flights!

15. I'm literally addicted to eating frozen peas and jelly belly jelly beans.