Did I Take Scotland for Granted?

I am now officially halfway through my five months in Brisbane - time really does fly. One minute you're wondering what you're going to do for five months, then suddenly you're trying to cram in all those things you've discovered you want to do in the remaining time you do have.

I've had an absolute blast in Brisbane so far. From chilling in the sun at Southbank with my endless books from the library, standing on stage for the headline show of opening weekend at BrisFest, swimming in the Great Barrier Reef and working at some of the biggest festivals Brisbane has to offer, it's been amazing.

But after a few months away, there are certain things about Scotland I've realised I miss or took for granted before. 

1. Going outside and not sweating.
Ok so I know that as a Scot, we are constantly complaining about the weather. Well guess what? That doesn't change when you're half way across the world. Even when its cloudy, it's super muggy and still warm. As Scotland gets further in to Autumn and the weather cools down, Australia is just heating up. Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying the sunshine. Every so often though, I do miss that feeling of snuggling in a cosy jumper under a blanket whilst you watch a movie. (Props to Australia for the amazing lightning storms though - I love watching them).

2. Going food shopping.
This sounds so sad I know, but there are loads of my staple foods that are too expensive in Australia, it's impossible to have them all the time. Also I hate shopping for fruit and veg. Everything is priced at so many dollars per kilo, like garlic is $26 per kilo and peaches are $10.90 a kilo. Trying to not overspend becomes a math quiz before you reach the tills.

3. Public Transport
Getting a bus over here is another quiz of which bus where and how late is it going to be today? Brisbane has so many different buses, that I actually have found it easier to just walk everywhere, when I can. Edinburgh - you spoiled me.

4. How small Scotland is.
The fact that I can travel a full 24 hours on a train and still not leave the state of Queensland, is something that I struggle to wrap my head round. I think I've spent the entirety of my life, under estimating the true size of Australia. It's a novelty being able to drive three hours to end up in the Highlands, visit my mum in another city less than an hours drive away or managing to get to London in just five hours. Oh how I will travel when I get back to Scotland.

5. My Friends
Of course this one is a given! Going out for drinks and catching up or grabbing a burger at Brewdog after work. I miss those stupid last minute plans you end up making and the all the laughter you have. I just started talking to a friend from high school right before I left, after about seven years apart. We met up once, but now I can't wait to meet up again. Of course I miss what little family I do have as well, but with my parents living in New Zealand, it wouldn't have mattered where I was in the world - I will just always be missing them.

6. The Gym
If you had said that to me a couple of years ago, I would not have believed you. Now though I do honestly miss my gym sessions. I loved going to the gym classes or de-stressing by strength training. That is something that I can't wait to get back to again. Thankfully I've found ways to keep in shape over here, but it's just not quite the same.

7. The Scottish accent
I didn't think it was something that I would miss. Honestly though, every time I walk past someone that has a Scottish accent, I can't help but smile. Whether it's because it reminds me of home or makes me feel less alone, I'm not sure. But I love it. I had a couple of girls from Falkirk at Oktoberfest last week whilst I was working. They asked me straight away where I was from and it was great that someone recognised my accent. People don't always realise I'm Scottish - I've been called Irish a few times whilst over here.

I can't really think of many more things at the moment that I truly miss. I guess one major thing that I do miss is the architecture of Edinburgh. I love being able to wander through the closes on the Royal Mile and find those hidden gems. I love knowing my way around and just wandering the old streets. I also kind of miss how green Scotland is - Australia isn't quite as lush and green as you would think shockingly enough.

With less than nine months until my feet touch down on Scottish soil again, I'm happy to keep missing these small things. I'm enjoying my life and the adventure that is Australia, the people I've met and the amazing things I've gotten to do. Brisbane seems to have a new festival every week! I've never really felt like I belonged anywhere, probably due to moving around so much as a child. But I think for the first time in my life, I'm finally starting to feel like I'm not just going back to Scotland - I'm going home.