10 Days Successful

After 10 days of being back in London and living with a boy, what have I learned?
Routines are essential. Given mine was a bit tricky to get into between figuring out Kendall's new schedule and how long it would take me to accomplish my tasks using public transportation (especially when the trains are running 20 minutes late) but I've got it some what sorted out now, I wouldn't say I've perfected it.

The first few days were the worst because all I wanted to do was unpack and get everything put away where it belonged to make the house appear more like a house and less like a stockpile of clothes and home goods. But after 3 days of continually organizing, everything found a place (except a few pictures that I move everyday until I find the perfect spot). The unpacking was the worst part because I couldn't do anything else until that was finished, I was incapable of sitting down and relaxing, or even appreciating that I was in London. (Something I still sometimes forget to do.)

Over the next few days I continued to work out a system that works for me and Kendall, while still keeping everything in working order, with minimal amounts of stress. This has been key; less stress. If you let it, everything can (and will) become stressful but in the long run it probably won't even matter.

For example, having to do some type of laundry, be it washing, hang drying, folding or ironing, every single day might seem stressful but it's now become part of my daily routine that I don't even notice how insane it is. One of the struggles of living with a boy I've determined is the amount of mess they make to clean up, although my boy does the dishes so I'm not complaining (well, maybe just a little).

These last 10 days feel like forever because I simply haven't stopped moving long enough to realize it's only been 10 days so yesterday I took the "long way" home (read as: I went completely out of my way) to walk by some London sites amongst the tourists to remind myself to slow down because it will all get finished eventually and it's okay to just take my time.

But for the meantime, I'm almost finished with playing "catch up" for all my readings of the week of classes I missed due to my visa issues. It's all about the small miracles.

2015 Resolutions

It's that time of year when we all reflex on the last year and make plans for the following year so I sat today and put pen to paper to make my 2015 resolutions. Last year I kept it simple;
1. travel more
2. experience new things
3. read 75 books
4. seek out adventure
5. graduate early

This year I decided to be a bit more specific and really challenge myself. So here we go...

1. Create More

write more (love) letters

take more pictures

2. Read 80 Books 

(follow the experience here)

3. Stay Organized 

   use my filofax everyday

finish all MA work on time

get organized & serious about blogging

4. Be 'Healthier'

more yoga & less snacks

drink more water

5. Spread Happiness

throw more parties

and my biggest goal: 

Work Hard so I Graduate with First Honors for my MA

It always seems like a like when I start writing down what I want to accomplish in the following year but looking back on 2014 I'm pleased to say I completed all four goals. In 2014, I visited 4 countries and over 13 different cities and multiple road trips. I got to pet an elephant and become a godmother. I read over 75 books in a variety of genres. I stayed spontaneous and found adventure in hikes with Kendall. And in December I successfully graduated from University of South Carolina with honors and my BA in Criminal Justice & Criminology, International Studies.

For that I'm writing 2014 off as a win and ready to kick 2015 in the butt!