When I spent three months roaming around Australia in twenty ten, I made a number of insightful discoveries. I learnt that Australia is South Africa's cheeky and more trendy cousin, that you really can get away with calling stranger 'mate,' that Aussies are in fact coffee snobs, and that the country is a hub of creative brilliance. One of my most loved discoveries made in my three-month trip, was surprisingly not Max Brenner's white chocolate chai's, but actually Triple J radio.
Every year during the 'Australia Day' weekend, this alternative radio station launches their Hottest 100, a poll of the most loved songs amongst its listeners. This countdown of trending tunes has become an annual Aussie tradition and is usually accompanied by a barbie and an obligatory beverage.
I am yet to actually experience an Australia Day in all it's summer warmth and barbecuing glory, but it's one the bucket list and should be ticked off in the not too distant future. Until then, I'll just be experiencing the good vibes via Triple J. 

I've been listening to the Hottest 100 of 2012 all week on Spotify and it's one heck of a playlist.
My favorite song at the moment is 'Feel The Love' by Rudimental, but you can check out the full playlist on Triple J's website by clicking here

I beg your pardon?

This year means prioritizing more time to expand and explore my graphic design skills, even if it means taking a whole hour just to chose the perfect font. Here's a project I worked on tonight; typography meets quirky quotes. 

It seems that I took an unintentional blogging sabbatical, but alas, I'm back and reading to make 2013 my blog's best year yet. 

The irony here is that I've probably had more blogpost-worthy material in these past two months than I've ever had, but I guess my busyness has been inversely proportional to the spare time I've had in which to document all my adventures, finding, memories, thoughts and photographic memorabilia. 

From the time I wrote my last post until now, I spent my second Christmas in the USA and also my second Christmas away from home, family and festive season traditions. It was a divine Christmas nonetheless and I was spoiled rotten as I sat under the tree and unwrapped an iPad send overseas by my parents. Not to mention all the Australian delights that were brought here with my friends Emma and Rachel who flew over to spend Christmas with me. These included the Frankie Magazine journal that has been on my wishlist since before Channing Tatum had abs, and then of course the 50th Edition of Frankie Magazine complete with a hand stitched cover. Of course no Australian present would be complete without an abundance of tim-tams and a tub of Lucas Papaw ointment. Let's just say I felt like a kid on Christmas. 

Another of my adventures included a 2 week long road trip down the Californian coastline with my Aussie girlfriends. We hired a car, set our cruise control and with our Starbucks in hand and blaring chick-tunes, we drove down the 101, thriving on being young, single and having nothing but the open road ahead of us. We visited Santa Barbara, Malibu, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, San Clemente and San Diego. It was the road trip to top off all road trips, and I practically got writers cramp from checking so many items off my bucket list. 

The girls and I waved goodbye to 2012 whilst sipping red wine and watching the sun set into the Laguna Beach ocean, and welcomed in 2013 with a seafood dinner in the Newport harbor. I feel even more madly in love with OC, and I will tell my children's children of our great road trip and the adventures of the Sisterhood of the traveling Vans. 

In other news, I started the second semester of my second year and now I face decisions of what lies next for me. To be in California for third year or to return to South African shores is the prominent question on my mind. I must say, it does feel great to still be only twenty years old and know that whilst I have so much under my belt, the world hasn't stopped being my Oyster, but instead the adventures that lie ahead are sure to outnumber those that lie behind. 

I also found myself a handsome Australian bloke who I now call boyfriend, and he has ensured that my 2013 has gotten off to a sterling start. 

Despite being busier than I've ever been and having to put on my big girl pants and get serious about time management, this little blog of mine is so close to my heart, and although it has somewhat slipped to the bottom of my task pile, I want to ensure that this year really is my blog's finest hour. 

I have so many plans, ideas and creative imaginings regarding this little piece of cyberspace, so stay tuned for a great year here at Diary of a Daydreamer.

Love to all my faithful followers,

Jessica