a love letter to my new home, my valentine:

Two weeks of settling into this novel life in Australia. Sleeping under the Snow Moon has felt most magical. I’m not sure if it’s the feelings inside of me or truly just more awe-inspiring than ever down under. It has been a blessing to wake up to this new home of mine immersed in nature; how very grounding amongst the chaos of newness and change.

The beauty here has been unparalleled, and not just in what the eyes can see, but in the physicality of the weather and the feel of the people. Finding refuge for the evening under the Eucalyptus forest, I met a soul named Doug: seventy-five, retired, and caravanning his way away from the summer sizzle plaguing his home. He was the type of person who makes your heart hurt, but in a good way because he was so full of life or love or an energy with no describable name. We looked into each other's eyes and connected with the gift of conversation. Names being said like we were familiar friends. It was the perfect 'good night' hug after a solitary day. A day spent driving the Great Ocean Road: from drizzle in the rainforest and clouds hanging low over the ocean to the sun bursting out above the most beautiful stretch of coastline my eyes have had the pleasure of soaking up. I walked along the sand, leaning my body against the wall of wind opposing my movements. Turning the corner of a jutting peninsula, I again was completely alone in the beauty of it all. Slinking off my clothes and dipping my naked body into the blue pool, edged by rocky reef on either side, I was immersed in a calm sanctuary amongst the seaspray + waves. My heart swelled at the opportunity to be completely free within nature. Running along the coast until I was out of breath, arms stretched wide as if to give a hug to it all.

Last night, I came upon one of the more beautiful beaches of my life, with desert brush and grasses growing amongst the sandy dunes, and the light was fading into dusk as the turquoise waters crashed along the smooth shore, which stretched for miles + more, as far as my eyes could see. Not a soul or footprint in sight. Yet again, alone in nature’s magnificence. I felt the fullest I have felt, yet when I looked out into the sea, it quickly turned to blueness. The reality of being time zones + worlds away from loved ones can feel heartbreaking at times along this surreal journey. In those moments, I look to the moon, the same one that will grace their skies a little later than mine, and send a love letter to her, and to them. 

To Australia: you have been hard + sad, as change makes it so. But you have also been a safe haven to explore myself, to let myself rest and see what fills the space - so thank you <3