Happiness is.. England!!

Trent Building--Nottingham University UK

Wow the past two weeks have been absolutely glorious! Not only have I been able to get away from home, work, school, but I have also become the happiest girl on the planet. Things are so so good right now. The past few weeks have been filled with love, friends, good cooking, day-trips, car rides, long walks, and yes cozy nights inside for film nights. Nothing compares to being back in England. It never felt so good to be here again and see new things and things that I remember from last time, to meet new people and to laugh like no-one's business. I had the whole day today to walk on campus today--the very same university I was taking courses from for Study Abroad nearly three years ago. So beautiful, even if the sky was grey and weather gloomy. It was fun to walk through the buildings I used to mosey around in my 'university' days and to walk around the lake. Since I've been away they put a coffee shop in my favourite bookstore! Brilliant :)

Today was a good day. How was yours?

Bon Voyage!

So today marks the last day I'll be home in awhile. I'm all packed and ready, just waiting is keeping tomorrow from coming. First off to grandparents up north for about a week and then I start my travels overseas starting in Paris. Yay! This year has been a good for me, and I am sure the bright start to new beginnings and chapters to come in my life. Who knew graduating and making new opportunities and adventures could be so exciting and eye opening. I am very grateful. We have a very early start tomorrow (5am ugh), but it's so worth it. I miss car trips and traveling. I think it's somehow part of my DNA to go to different places. Life is very exciting at the moment. Goodnight dear readers. May you be safe wherever you are, and here's hoping you too are able to have your own adventure, be it small or very grand.

Carpe Diem!

Well the last two months have certainly flown by! Apologies for the late update, amid final exams and graduation I am finally able to stop and smell the roses. Friends, oh my they smell so good! I can officially say I am a university graduate with a Bachelors Degree (feels so good to say that), and that I can check university off my list of life accomplishments. After about five years it's high time it was done and dusted! So what is next you ask? Well a much needed holiday. I must admit I am still getting used to not signing up for classes with classmates, no more studying late nights, or any homework of any kind. Well.. except for what I call my own homework here at home. However, I am enjoying the time off and the fact that I can put school behind me. It's very nice to be done and to feel accomplished. In a few weeks I am off to see family in the Northern USA, and then off to Europe. I am so blessed what the past year has given me and am continually grateful for this upcoming trip. Life is so good right now, and I have allot of faith that it will keep getting better.

I also have been thinking about the job spectrum, since that is the first thing you are supposed to do after graduation, right? I am currently employed but I would like to do something more enjoyable and in my field of study. My dream is an internship offered this fall with a publishing company, since my love is editing and books--lots of books! So I plan on applying for them in a few months, but I put in a few applications in the mean time. We'll see what happens. I truly think the next few months shall be a very grand adventure. I plan on taking it on with hope and joy to what life brings to me in the time ahead.

I hope, dear readers, that this finds you well. Keep writing, reading, and pursuing those lovely little things in life that give us courage to take on the bigger things.

The stars will fall and dark will light the way/we'll hit the ground and fall into the shade/I'll light the night with fire and run away with you, with you. - 'Blush' by Plumb

Photo courtesy of National Geographic

  

Thrifting + New clothes = Happiness

As a child thrifting was something we did quite frequently. My mother was all about saving money by buying us gently used clothes. Somehow as I got older that changed... and working at a department store doesn't help. Today, however, I dove right in and was determined to rediscover what I have been missing all these years. Little did I know that I have in fact missed it a bunch.

I purposely went thrifting with some new jeans in mind. Cleaning out my wardrobe, I've noticed that since losing weight over the past few years I could use a few new ones that actually fit. Why have I been wearing oversized and baggy jeans? You tell me. It's time to change that. I know how expensive they can be and the last thing I want is to spend more than I have to on a new pair. That's when I rekindled my thoughts on thrifting days of my childhood, and hey I get to spend so much less.

I have driven past a Goodwill store a few times and never actually been in the place, so I went to check it out this afternoon. They aren't the cheapest I have seen but I did find some good deals. After trying on what must have been about 10 pairs, I finally was able to find two pairs to take home. And they were in pretty good shape - gently worn of course but in really nice condition - and one was an Express pair. There you go! Think of how much money I saved there. Along with the jeans, which were a little over $5 a pair, I found a cute shirt-dress (from Rue21), a sundress, and a practically new pair of sandals, and the whole thing only cost me about $28. Score! Today was a pretty great day in the world of shopping. I plan on trying to save more by buying more from thrift stores. Of course there are only things I would only buy new, and that is where the department stores are reserved specifically. For the time being it's nice to relive days past of finding bargains that save a young twenty something some cash. Try it sometime. You'll surprise yourself.

Shooting for the Moon, and Stormy Rainclouds

I sometimes find myself in over my head. In every decision we choose between what we want and what we need, what we dream for and what is actually attainable. While there seems to something of a fine line between high ambitions and the impossible, more often than not, I find myself trying to accomplish the two all at once. Today has been one of those days when I get discouraged. Really discouraged.

Like most people, my dreams and aspirations have changed over the years. When I was younger it was simple - I wanted to be a mother. Truth be told I still do, but I know that won't come for awhile yet, (ie. the man comes first, then planning my wedding, then we'll start thinking about that!). Then I turned to my love of animals and wanted to be veterinarian until I took Chemistry in the 11th grade and found out I hated it. After that my passion turned to photography and I was determined to become a professional for National Geographic magazine. High ambitions much? Yes, but that's what I love about the young mind. They believe they can do anything. Ever since I was ten I dreamed of publishing my own book. That dream may be the closest to something realistic to aim for. My love of writing has never left amidst my ups and downs of 'what I want to be when I grow up'. Truth is, do any of us truly know the answer to that? Even as we get into our twenties and thirty-somethings we may not even be able to successfully answer that question with confidence. I know for me the answer isn't simple at all. I don't want to narrow it down to one thing - I want to be able to do many things. As for what seems impossible, that is something I am still musing over.

Now I find myself truly immersed in my love of editing and writing. I feel that I am being led into this lifestyle and am doing my best to learn the trade as best I know how. I like this. I want to pursue this. Currently I am aspiring to apply for an editing internship with a well-known publishing company up north. There are several pros to this and I think about them everyday; however, there are also some things that may be difficult and I worry about them too. What if I don't get it, and if I do where will I live and how will I pay for it? At times I seem lost and unsure if I should be doing this. There are so many unknowns that seem to be whispering doubts in my ear.  If I should be doing something 'more safe', but I know that if I try for something that may be easier, but by no means rewarding, then I will regret any chance at getting something meaningful and truly magical in my so-called life quest. I like to think life it's full of adventures, but maybe we don't try hard enough to find them and carry on past the hurdles. At present I am torn between trying for something not so ambitious, or going for it and seeing what happens. We shall see, we shall see.
PS. Thanks for listening, dear reader.

What's Your View?

View from the Eiffel Tower - Paris France (National Geographic)

I love this picture. I love it because the colors blend together, the view is unique, the shapes of the people are visually appealing... oh, and I am going to Paris in a few months to celebrate my freedom of being a college graduate. This picture got me thinking though, what is my view on things currently?

My last semester as an undergraduate started about a month ago, and despite being incredibly happy to be closer to reaching that final day, I feel really burnt out and ready to fast forward. Really, do I have to study some more, or write up that last presentation? All I want to do is find that dream job and travel a bit. However, I know things aren't that easy, and even more so that those things have to be worked for. I know that the wait is well worth it, and that the things to come will only mean more and be truly rewarding. I just have to strive to get to that point.

It all sounds rather negative, yes? Not entirely. I look back two years ago when I came back from study abroad and began the process of looking at transferring schools and trying to find a job. It make me humble to think of how far I've come since then and how much I've achieved. I have now have two jobs, and am a mere three months away from gaining a Bachelor's degree. I think I deserve some credit at working to achieve something and with such vigor. This means a lot to me. Moreover, what I choose to do after means a lot to me as well as the people I choose to influence and build up my life. The past year gave me encouragement for the day I would walk to obtain my degree, and above all to have gotten one at all. That is something worth celebrating, singing for joy, and smiling until my face hurts---and yes, I will be doing all of those. I am extremely excited for what awaits me this year. Last year was pretty great, but this year will mark new beginnings and special adventures that I can only have dreamed up years ago.

I also am extremely grateful for my friendships that have enriched my life in the past few years. I have prayed that some of these would continue to blossom, and God has only blessed me with more love and happiness than I deserve. I was thinking today of how much He is a part of me, and that if I ever tried to explain that to someone I hope they would see Him in me. The greatest love I have ever known has come from Him, and to share that with others is something I hope to fulfill. This trip to Europe will bring me closer to seeing some of those friends whom I love so dearly. My heart is full at the thought of seeing them again.

My life has a beautiful view thus far. So readers, I ask you what's your view?