Ink & Wine Bottles

Earlier this week- with smiles, cake, bread dip, a lot of hugs, sore cheeks, sunshine, and four film cameras- I celebrated turning twenty with some of the best people I know. We raised over $300 for Oxfam, and I couldn't be prouder of the people that I got to spend the day with, and of their kindness.  I don't think I could ever find the words to explain how much I love each and every one of you. I had the biggest sob in bed that night after counting the money and finding a couple of hidden notes in the donation jar. Your generosity, encouragement and unconditional love inspires me daily. Thank you, thank you, thank you. From the bottom of my heart and a hundred times over. Thank you.

An opportunity to give thanks to some of the people who've done things, said things and changed things in my life. Thomas. For your love, kindness, honesty, patience, soothing words, music recommendations, beautiful face and even more beautiful soul. It is a blessing to watch you fall in love with this world. I can't wait for all the times in the future where my cheeks ache from smiling. Dani. For being a walking quote book of encouragement and image of passion. The biggest inspiration in my life. Thank you for all the cups of tea and conversations. When we're 40 we'll be having Christmas breakfasts together and when we're 80 we'll be having cups of tea on front porches. Here's to all the ups and downs in between. Tyson. For being so honest that I'd cry. I know how to love myself because of you. Casey. You would laugh at my jokes and hold my hand when I was sad and would nod in reassurance across the dinner table. For ten months you ...

He got it up for you last night four times, but he couldn't pick up the phone over the past four months. Despite his Harry Styles-esque looks and promises of perfection, you deserve a hell of a lot better. // My bed sheets are the only witness that we were anything more than 'just friends'. So when we stand for trial on heavy hearts, I'll show those burnt sheets, stained with tears and touches, as proof that you once looked at me with love. // There's no title to this, but everyone knows we're 'us'. // Easily forgiven- memories of linked fingers and locked lips. We're linked together, locked like my backpack- turning on conveyer belts in third-world countries. // Your couch-surfing tendencies seemed sweet and hopeful and I fell in love. But I'm kicking you out and it turns out that the room you lived in for five months was my heart, and by you leaving, there's a cold spot on my couch, in my bed a...

 The blood that runs between your legs is not a metaphor for shame. Take your blood-stained knickers and wave them in victory because you can reproduce. Celebrate it. Boys may turn in disgust, but pay them no mind because boys are denied this gift of creating and holding life. Bond with your sisters- be the leader of love, acceptance and positivity. Do what you want in a dress. Play on the monkey-bars and hang upside down, sit cross-legged and run a marathon. If someone tells you to stop and to close your legs- tell them they're telling off the wrong person. Hairs will come. Before you touch any- ask why you're picking up that razor. For yourself? Fantastic. For anyone else? Put it down, baby. Those blades stand for more than just a way to get rid of hair. It is a shoot to self-esteem and a win for society. Stand tall in your beliefs at age nine, fifteen, seventeen or twenty-three. Love who you love. Don't put labels on things that should be free. And you  ar...

Isn't it funny how different people react to ageing? My dad looks at it as a gift, Jerome is terrified, and my aunty defies it. I think it's a wonderful thing, but as I hit another milestone, I worry. Will I ever have my life together? I compare myself to my sister at my age and my best friend who is only a handful of months older than me. My life is full of uncertainty. I am absolutely terrified. What will my career be? A writer? A teacher? A conductor of a local choir? Where will 'home' be? My parents' spare room or a flat in Thamel with only cold water? On my tenth birthday, I remember sitting on my front porch next to Alannah reading the card my sister gave me. In it said 'Here's to the next ten!' I have such a strong memory of thinking 'The next ten are so far away! They're going to go sooooo slowly.' I owe it to my younger self that they did  go slowly, but I'm glad they did. I met incredible people and saw in...