In the very first week of this year, I was lucky enough to see two of my absolute best friends, in two different countries (and strangely enough, they both swapped countries for those days, read on for the explanation). Because they both are so important to me, I had to have both featured this week. Hey it’s my series, I can have as many portraits as I want 😛
Stewart // In our natural habitat – the Harry Potter Studio Tour
We have been best friends now since I moved to Kansas back in September, 2000. We have been obsessed about Harry Potter for the same amount of time. It is the foundation on which our friendship blossomed. Before I moved to the States, I saw a program in New Zealand about the banning of Harry Potter books in libraries and the number one state in the country for banning it? Of course it was Kansas. So naturally I was very nervous about moving there and making friends. But this beautiful girl came into my life and we have been Ginny and ‘Mione ever since.
Stewart is currently working in France teaching English and she came to visit us while we were in London for New Years Eve. And of course while we were both there, we HAD to go to the Harry Potter Studio tour. Stew’s face above accurately depicts all the feels that were experience by simply being there. It was so overwhelmingly awesome, especially sharing it with her. And hence she is first in my 52 Loved Ones Project.
Natalie // Visiting me in my exchange hometown of Lyon, France. So much fun to show her!
We’ve been best friends since the day we moved to Thailand – we arrived in the country on the same day as each other! Even though so much distance separates us, we have seen each other every year since I left in 2006 save 2012 which is no mean feat. Before this day in Lyon, I last saw her in Bangkok for a day and before that I saw her in London and Geneva. She has also visited me in Melbourne and I’ve met up with her in Sydney and climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We have also been to Beijing and Vietnam together, and not to mention on many trips around Thailand. It’s safe to say we will be friends for a long time coming.
Although Natalie lives in London, she was in Geneva the whole time but it worked out well because she came for a day trip to Lyon! I lived in Lyon for 6 months in 2011 and I loved getting to show it off to her. This is one my favourite places in Lyon – Place Bellecour, and its cute ferris wheel.
To be able to feature two of my best friends who I met in different countries (I met Stew 14 years ago in September, and Natalie 10 years ago in August) in the same week – as cheesy as it may sound, it is priceless.
