Archive for August 2014

I can't believe it's been over a week since we landed in Portugal!

After a couple of lazy days to overcome the jet lag, the "race" to meet our closets family members and friends has started. Even though we knew we'll be staying a while, we've missed these people so much that we couldn't wait to hug them all.
I must admit I'm a bit tired of our busy social schedule, but it has been great to meet everyone, get to know the new babies and enjoy some great food and beautiful weather.

My baby niece was waiting for us at the airport and I couldn't believe that she recognised me from the countless skype sessions with my sister. She reached her little arms in my direction when she saw me coming and greeted me with the sweetest smile I've ever seen. I melt every time she says "olá" (hello), her first word. I wonder if I can get her to say "tia" (auntie) before I leave again.
Our 2 year old nephew has grown so much since the last time we've been together one year ago and we're trying to make up for the lost time with him too. He's becoming the sweetest little boy and we couldn't be more proud.

It's the peak of Summer here and we've been blessed with clear blue skies and a warm sun shining every single day. The weather is perfect for ice-creams and long afternoons on the beach and we are now starting to enjoy it all, after the initial rush.
This week is all about relaxing and enjoying Summer, before the big family events that we'll be attending and helping to plan. I'll write about the party decorations I'm helping with soon!

When I first moved to Australia with my partner, 3 years ago, I had no plans. We didn't know if we were going to like it here or how long we were going to stay.
We left our home country for the biggest trip either of us had ever made, left jobs, friends and family (and a cat) behind. Packed our lives in a couple of (big) suitcases and left.

I still remember the day we arrived in Sydney for the first time, coming literally from the other side of the world. Going from Winter to Summer in a matter of hours and dealing with the jetlag, everything seemed so strange and I didn't think I was going to like it at first.
But then in the next few weeks we visited the main landmarks, discovered more about the city, met people from different cultures, started to enjoy the lifestyle, and eventually fell in love with this place. One day, I don't know exactly when, on my way to the local grocery store, I remember thinking to myself how I got to know those streets so well and how nothing felt strange to me anymore. I was home.

3 and a half years later, we feel at home in Australia but a big part of us will always be in Portugal - our home country. Because that's were our most important people in the word live and we miss them everyday.
This year we're coming back for 2 very special events: our niece's 1st birthday and my sister's wedding. The hardest part of living abroad is definitely being far from the people we love, so we're looking forward to spend some quality time together with our families (and the cat!).

I'll try to update the blog with posts about the holidays and details of the parties we're going to attend. In the meantime, you can follow me on Instagram @mypartydesign to see what I'm up to these holidays.