Every now and then people will wrinkle an eye brow at me and ask about my accent. They usually guess Canadian, but I’m Australian. It’s almost always followed up with questions about why I’m crazy enough to have moved from paradise to London…

A week or two ago I wrote a bit about how I got into blogging, in a post for the #iblogbecause campaign. You can read it HERE if you like. I haven’t really written anything that personal on here, so I thought I might continue with the theme, and write a bit about me.

I came to London way back in 2009, all on my lonesome, which every now and then I realise is a pretty big deal. A lot of people had opinions on whether I was crazy or not, but what I didn’t tell them was why.

I had an undergraduate degree in drama, I’d studied film and theatre, but I wanted to do more. Various things happened, but I realised that what I wanted to do with my life was going to be very difficult in Australia. So I applied to study over here in London (I went to Met Film School in Ealing), and managed to get a scholarship, which is actually also a big deal, because it’s pretty much unheard of.

My time at film school was … well, intense, and most of it is another story for another time. But was an amazing experience. I learned a lot, and got to make loads of films, sadly I don’t have copies of most of them. And I met some amazing people, and quite a few famous ones too. Since then, I’ve written some award winning scripts, including one that took me to Canada, which was a wonderful experience.  I still write scripts, and at the end of the year, I have a short film in the works. But day to day, I write about movies as well, for different sites and publications, which I love doing.

Part of my job is keeping up with what’s going on in the world of movies, so I often get excited about something that’s coming out. To be invited to watch movies and write about them is brilliant. My film going rules: don’t talk during a movie, turn off your phone, don’t miss the trailers, and always share your snacks. Oh, and I like to sit in approximately the middle of the cinema, middle seats in a middle row. Perfect.

I often don’t really talk about what I do or have done in my life. Maybe I don’t like to show off, and maybe I like to be taken on my merits. But I also don’t like a particular phrase that often comes up: you’re so lucky.

I know that I’m incredibly lucky in a lot of ways, but when it comes to this aspect of my life, luck has nothing to do with it. I didn’t just come to London. Back home, I moved to an area with cheaper rent, and I worked two jobs for a year to save to come here. I endured a lot of negativity about what I wanted to do, so I didn’t tell many people my dream, but just got on with saving and working. I moved the the UK completely alone, I had no contacts here. I had to make my own friends and find jobs. I had to remain focused.

And I did get into film school, but I had to try to figure out how to pay for it, and was really lucky to get that scholarship.  I still remember getting the call and being in Boots, trying not to cry and freak everyone out. But I wouldn’t have gotten it if I hadn’t got good grades in my degree, if I hadn’t worked hard to get to the UK, if I hadn’t shown that I was worth it. And when I was at film school, I was studying full time and working full time. It was full on, and I couldn’t drop the ball, there were no excuses.

But I made it. I graduated and worked on films, and went through all kinds of crazy and scary adventures to be where I am now. So no, it’s not luck. It’s hard work, determination, going without things, and not giving up.

I think that’s important, because I think there are a lot of people who aren’t happy for each other. They don’t celebrate each others victories and they’re so quick to troll or put each other down. People who want to steal your shine (don’t even get me started on back handed compliments, we’ll be here all night). No matter how great something looks from the outside, everyone has to go through life and will have to face tragedy and make tough decisions. Having money or knowing someone famous or how you look actually has no impact at all.

One thing that does make a difference is kindness, and I know so many times here when I have been struggling, I got through it because someone was kind to me, often someone who hardly knew me.

Anyway, I am grateful for my life every day. I do feel really blessed. And I’m really enjoying sharing with you guys all the things that I love, like my favourite spots in London, what I’m wearing or what makeup I love. And I love reading what you are all up to as well.

If you want to check out my movie blog, it’s HERE, or if you want to see a cool collaboration with Hawes & Curtis, the iconic British outfitter, read about it HERE.