{Expat Happenings} by Sophie

Although I've never physically met Sophie {author of The Littlest Things}, I feel like she's become such a dear friend of mine over the years that we've been following each other's blogs.  She also followed her heart abroad for a boy {from Australia to the UK} and it's always so reassuring to have someone in a similar situation who can always relate to whatever it is you're going through.  Today she's here sharing a few tid bits about expat life.

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Hi! I am Sophie from The Littlest Things, and am so happy to be here on Jenna's blog sharing a few little expat happenings. I am originally from Sydney, Australia but am currently living in London, and have previously lived in Nottingham and Cardiff! And this is all thanks to following a boy :) 

I thought I would share a couple of photos and a few facts of expat life:

1. A country road in the Cotswolds | 2. Some Welsh sheep in the Brecon Beacons | 3. St. Paul's Cathedral, London | 4. Enjoying a summers night in London | 5. Falling in love with Paris | 6. Stumbling on some ballroom dancers in Regent's Park, London | 7. Snowy seat in Cardiff, Wales | 8. Going home for another visit.

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1. It's by far the best thing I have done in my life. Living overseas. Even though I didn't really enjoy Nottingham and Cardiff as cities to live in, I am so glad I did live there! And now I am so incredibly happy to be back in London; one of my favourite cities of all time.

2. I now feel like Christmas should be in the cold, and not in the 35c Sydney summer heat.

3. I never realised just how far away Sydney actually is from everywhere in the world! I find it crazy living in London and knowing how close I am to so many amazing countries and cities.

4. Teleportation needs to be invented. Sometimes living away from your home can make you feel pretty lonely. A loneliness which only a cuddle from your mum can fix. Teleportation would be the perfect prevention of this!

5. Skype will do in the meantime.

6. I miss the Sydney coffee (!!!), food, beaches and lifestyle daily but know that they will always be there when I go back.

7. My Europe travel wishlist is insane! I've got it ordered into summer and winter destinations and am so excited for an adventure filled 2013.

8. Still find it absolutely mind blowing that I can just jump on a train and end up in Europe 2 hours later.

9. The English countryside is just as picturesque and lovely and quaint and adorable as it sounds and looks. I have always been a city girl, but could now see myself living in a little English cottage in the countryside and being completely and utterly content. 

10. As much as I know that this was the best decision of my life; to come over to the other side of the world and gain priceless life experiences...sometimes I think that it is a bitter-sweet thing knowing two cultures. I feel like I have in some way become a hybrid of both. Losing some Australian-ness and gaining some UK-ness. It can make you feel like you're a bit of an outsider when in either place.

11. However, living away from home has now led me to start a blog, and has made me fall in love with photography and I am so incredibly grateful for that!

Thank you so much for having me on your beautiful blog Jenna! I hope you and Jurgen are having an amazing time on your adventure!

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Thanks so much for posting today Sophie!  Visit her blog here.