raining out the window

UPDATE.

I have just booked flights to New York for the 6th August, returning on the 10th September! I can’t quite believe I’ve actually done this but I’m painfully excited to see everyone again. So far my schedule is looking like this…

New York - Boston (Taylor, Emily, Andrew) - Doylestown, PA (Carter) - Columbus, OH (Sarah) - Richmond, VA (Richmond Girls) - Washington DC (Andrew) - New York (Ciara, Aron)

I’ll be travelling by bus when I’m going between places but to be honest, I’m looking forward to that time to read books I’ve been meaning to read for ages as well as write up my travel stories. Travelling by myself doesn’t even bother me. Every time I tell someone my summer plans they say “you won’t be with anyone for long periods of time, does that not bother you?” It really doesn’t - I feel like part of travelling and exploring somewhere new is meeting new people, listening to their stories, sharing the road together. It’s been a pretty full on year in terms of socialising and I’m actually looking forward to being by myself for some of the time. 

I was in California in Summer 2010 but to date that has been my only experience in the USA. I imagine New York will be really overwhelming (in a good way!) considering  it such an iconic city in the media, films, novels, art etc. Ciara (who studies at Barnard) will be starting school that week so it’ll be the equivalent of her freshers week and thus, a crazy week in terms of going out…I’ve heard Boston is fantastic but I don’t know much about it so I’m counting on Emily, Taylor and Andrew to show me around. I’m painfully excited to be reunited with Carter and Sarah and their families and see their parts of the world as well as their university, Richmond, in Virginia. I couldn’t do the North-East without missing out Washington DC so I’m meeting Andrew there (he’s from Maryland) which’ll be exciting. 

What excites me even more about the trip is the fact I am now the proud owner of a Canon EOS 600d camera. This is something I have wanted for years and so when it was my 18th birthday in December, I decided it was the perfect gift considering I would be in London and the US in the summer (it’s also been a blessing in terms of capturing the gorgeous weather we’ve been having this week). It did take me a while to choose which DSLR I wanted hence the fact I only got it on Monday…five months after my birthday. But being able to capture my trip with such beautiful photographs is something I can’t wait to do. 

Most of all, seeing some of my best friends will be the highlight of my trip. They are, of course, the reason I have decided to do this. Just hanging out again in person rather than over Skype is going to be perfect. It’s weird to think that it’s been nearly six months since I saw some of these people. I can’t wait to see their homes, their lifestyles and experience the north-east from their insider point-of-view. I’ve been googling frantically for ideas of things to see/places to go and there’s so much! It’ll be nice having my own personal tour guides ;) 

Eeek I can’t believe I’m going. Obviously it’s over two months away (for these two months, I’m going to be in London…I’ll elaborate in another post soon) and it’ll hit me closer to the time that yes, I’m doing a pretty scary thing travelling around by myself. But hey, you only live once, right? 

…and breathe.

It’s oveeer. I am so relieved! The last ten days or so have been tough - I sat my end of year exams, ran myself ragged going out all weekend and then endured major surgery on Monday whereby my middle and inner ear were reconstructed (yep, serious stuff..I am now very dizzy and unbalanced haha but it’s all for the long term good - I will no longer be constantly affected by horrific ear infections. I hope. ) So yes, it’s been a bit all go but now I have so much time to enjoy lying in bed, guilt-free, watching endless TV shows and films on Netflix, reading blogs I’ve come across and bookmarked but haven’t actually had the time to read, reading so.many.magazines. and enjoying being at home with the family and little Cora, the pup. Cora is acutely aware that I am not able to be as playful as her right now so she jumps up, putting her paws on the edge of my bed, stares at me with her big puppy eyes so that I give in and let her slump in to my arms and sleep next to me. Adorable.

Now, sorry, but I must get back to recovering ;) 

Two Hours

It will be over. The feeling before an exam is unlike any other. I currently feel happy (as I just had a delicious lunch) and excited as I strangely feel somewhat prepared. I just want to know what the questions are going to be…at the same time, I know that if I am not careful, I will sit down, turn the paper and BLANK. Words will escape my mind and I will left in a state of uncontrollable anxiety, which is never fun. So, time to relax and get ready. It will be over. 

TWO WEEKS OF HELL.

EXAMS. This time of year sucks. Over the next two weeks, I have one intense week of revision leading up to my Spanish exam on Tuesday 8th (half language/half literature) and Social Anthropology exam on Thursday 10th. Eek. Studying isn’t going to bad, I just can’t be bothered. These are effectively my last two weeks in Edinburgh before the summer! Crazy. 

Oh well, I still have plenty of time to study. I’m going to use my time productively by getting drunk with friends and going to The Hive. I’m not even ashamed. 

I am currently involved in organising a textile and design for local makers in and around EDINBURGH. My wonderful friend Amelia Smith came up with the idea last year and I am now helping with the second “The Market” which is now less than TWO WEEKS AWAY! So exciting. There’s a great line up of makers selling a variety of makes such as jewellery, confectionary (including gourmet marshmallows…yum), prints, cards, graphic design tshirts, origami lanterns..the list really is endless. What’s really exciting is that various Edinburgh College of Art students are involved (‘Made by Magpies’ and ‘RAY’) so I’m really looking forward to seeing their creations!

Please do come along if you are in Edinburgh on SATURDAY 28th APRIL from 11- 5pm. You can find us (there’ll be plenty of luminous pink banners and flyers directing you all the way!) at…

St-Columba’s-By-The-Castle, St Johnson’s Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2PW

Look forward to seeing you there! Katie xx

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