Hello my distinguished co-workers, friends and Shannon.

My apologies go out for the length between updates but time flies when your gathering more lessons;

Volume 3: 7 more lessons I have learnt so far.

1) Time flies when your having fun. This is an old lesson but relevant none the less.
I am at a loss where the last 7 months of my life went. I have a slight but familiar feeling I left it under a rock on a beach in Morocco, but it’s too late to search for it now. I feel very lucky to have travelled as much as I have while over here, but then €40 and only a backpack as carry on, can pretty much get you anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere. So far I have seen a little of Italy (though more is yet to come when mum flies over), Visited Amsterdam and Berlin, ate my way through Spain, surfed in Morocco (we’ll come back to this later) and stepped two feet in France. I am loving the look of my passport right now. Is it vein to have it signed and framed later?

2) Christmas is best spent with people that you love …. And food. Copious amounts of glorious food.
I was very lucky to have Sam come and visit me for 3 months. Not only did I get a wonderful Christmas present -diamonds are truely a girls best friend, second place being Nutella naturally- but we then had a wonderful Christmas dinner at a Jamie Oliver restaurant in Amsterdam. I’ve never had a wine paired four course meal but I highly recommend it. And while I spent a couple of moments (or hours) dwelling on how much I missed my loved ones at home, I was very greatful for the loved one I had there to spend it by my side. Sappy I know but Christmas is a sappy time.

3) I am not a heavy drinker – Berlin 3 Jocelyn -2
Thank you Berlin for reminding me of the after affects of a good night out. I met a couple of friends in Berlin to reign in the new year and while I am not proud of how I spent some of the mornings nor of some of the dance moves that surfaced at certain clubs, we had a good time none the less. I also started up my own walking tour company where I spent three hours giving my friends a tour of Berlin that I had only taken two days before. The facts where sketchy and most dates were made up but we didn’t get lost and my friends saw the sites of Berlin FOR FREE. I’m thinking of starting a similar tour in Geraldton. Sketchy facts and made up dates included. Tips will be appreciated and enforced.

4) throwing used napkins on the floor is blasphemy.
After Berlin, Sam and I went to San Sebastián (Spain) for a week long gastronomy bonanza. The first rule we learnt was that the town is run on Europen time, which means everyone eats and stays out late and no one is up before 9am. The second rule we learnt is, when eating in pinxtos bars, your used napkins are to be thrown on the floor. Now two problems here; not only does this violate my personal ethics, is unnatural and un sanitary, you always have to check your shoe to make sure a cheeky napkin isn’t stuck to your foot. For them it’s an indication that the food is good – the more napkins on the floor means lots of customers and good food, but for me this remains a sin against God.

5) I will not, anytime soon, become the next Layne Beachley.
As I mentioned previously I also had the opportunity to head to Morocco. Sam and I had stayed at the same village, in the same surf camp in 2011- When I was fitter, had more energy, and looked ALOT better in a bikini then now. Let’s just say time has not been kind to my non existent surfing abilities. I did however make lots of friends (only two who I actually injured whilst surfing), I adopted 3 dogs and 2 cats, had a tan for 1 week and 4 days and ate the most amazing Tajines every night. It’s safe to say that little trip was a giant success.

6) one can actually survive on cheese and Nutella alone. I don’t think an elaboration is needed here.

7) it’s all fun and games until the town shuts down for winter.
While I understand How lucky I am having an opportunity to spend a year in a small amazing town in Sardegna, I feel like I’m slightly misleading you if I don’t drop this next knowledge bomb on you; it is ridiculously boring here in the winter time. In fact, part of the reason why I’ve been able to travel as much as I have is because the family I work for is very understanding to just how boring it can be. Shops are closed, people are either in hibernation or have moved to Brazil for 6 months and there is no more blue sky and blue water. I can’t even remember what it’s like to be warm anymore. Shorts?? What are shorts? Sandals? Have you lost your mind?

It’s on these cold winter days that I stop and wish for a tiny moment to be back home, with my family and friends, sitting at my work computer and reading emails. But then the moments gone and I just make myself a Nutella hot chocolate.

I hope everyone at home is keeping safe and happy.
And remember, you too can make yourself a Nutella hot chocolate. Go on, it’s nearly break time right?

Until more life experiences smack me in the face … Ci vediamo.

Ciao i miei amici,

Joce