landlocked blues

Wandering the Jardin des Tuileries in the freezy January weather, Paris 2015

"And the world's got me dizzy again
You think after 22 years I'd be used to the spin
And it only feels worse when I stay in one place
So I'm always pacing around or walking away"

- Bright Eyes

Marie Antoinette's Estate

The Grand Trianon and Marie-Antoinettes Estate, February 2015

These photos are a selection from The Grand Trianon and Marie Antoinette's Estate situated some two kilometres away from the Palace of Versailles. I wandered from the main palace to her estate in the near zero temperatures through the gorgeous palace gardens, feeling the crisp air hit my cheeks every step of the way. Luckily it was a perfectly clear day, which made the whole experience incredibly tender and calm. I remember in those moments, everything seemed okay, every step made me think about the millions of people who have walked the exact route and the history that was made here. I think these are some of my favourite photographs from my trip.

In more recent news, it is now the eighth week of semester and the impending exams stress is starting to compound. It doesn't help the matter that I've adopted this terrible cold that is hindering my ability to do any form of exercise or sleep proper nights. Last week, I helped host our Law Societies Cocktail Party where I got to wear a fantastic gold skirt from Gorman and drink a lovely gin based cocktail all night (the name of which has left me). It was a super cool vibe, and plenty of fun was enjoyed by all. Over the weekend, I contemplated taking next semester off to partake in a philosophy course in Canberra for three months, after some tossing and turning I had decided to wait out the year and potentially take the course after I've finished my degree. After all, I have to save up for my exchange next year (fingers crossed I get in) and an intensive course in the countryside followed by a cultural exchange seemed like too much intensity for one twelve month period. And also, I'm just becoming used to the whole moving out thing (some eight months later) and getting into an exercise routine with boxing and riding to uni. As much as I'm eager to just leave this city behind, there are many great things keeping me here. I'm sure everything will run it's course, eventually.

>>

Paris, January 2015

It's been a pretty emotionally taxing weekend - for better or worse I'm not sure. My church has been tackling some pretty heavy issues as of late, which I think is fantastic for these things to be talked about in the church community, but sometimes it is a little bit too much to think about all at once. I feel like I should write something about it, but each word I seem to write on here seems contrived or not quite right. With sensitive topics like this, I'd like to get it right so maybe when my mind has had some time to settle I will elaborate more.

the park of kings

Some friends of mine from a picnic in Kings Park, December 2014

saved by grace alone

Around the House, March 2015

For the past month everything seemed really bad for some reason - like it was a struggle convincing myself to do things, and to be passionate about the things I love. I recognised all the symptoms of being in a slump, and attempted to cure it (eg. going for a run, giving myself a day from uni, seeing friends) but some days were just harder to deal with than others. One day I went to my usual boxing class, but my whole body felt weak and unable to cope with doing simple weight routines. Suddenly, a simple conversation with a friend expressing all these feelings of worthlessness, a fear of not being wanted, the apprehensiveness towards continuing with life, coupled with some of tears made everything that much better. In an instant, I went from finding every step difficult to take to realising that I am saved through grace not works, and that I'm not alone. I feel so grateful to have such wonderful mentors in my life.