Busy Bee Seeks Advice!

I have had no time to take pictures or write or cook or clean or anything else non-school or work related for that matter. I am just soo busy right now (yeah, I am dying for the day all my posts DON’T talk about how busy I am), but I have been bookmarking inspirational stuff in my Tumblr, like this,

so feel free to check that out in the meantime! (Images from the greatest website of all time, Square America.)

I will say this: I’ve got the travel bug, bad, and I’m dying to get out of the country this summer. But seeing as I am a poor grad student living on a meager income and student loans–and I’m graduating this semester–I’m not sure how feasible this is. I’m also really unskilled at managing all the details involved in planning an international trip so I’m drawn to packages and tours from companies like STA Travel or EF College Break (preferably ones that cater to youngish people even though I’m older than the typical college student). Another option I’ve been looking at is using BUNAC’s services and working abroad. I dunno. ANYONE GOT ANY ADVICE/TIPS/FEEDBACK? I guess I should face the monstrous task of applying for my American passport soon, huh.

Remember these photos I took in Scotland? I want to take a whole bunch more in a whole bunch of new places.

Now excuse me while I get my butt off the computer chair and uncurl my back from hunching over the keyboard. Bout to go running for the first time in years! Take that, New Years resolutions.

Inverary

Some more pictures from Inverary.

My Scottish Outfit

Yes, more pictures of myself! And there may be others on the way, as I have been cleaning out my closet, trying to think of new ways to wear old clothes, and I’ve recently bought a few items online (a vintage dress and vintage heels from Etsy, a coat from Old Navy, and boots from Amazon). All very classic pieces that I don’t regret buying, unless they don’t work out “IRL.”

I may have a garage sale soon. There’s a whole rack of clothes in my living room right now alongside a bunch of shoes and a small amount of home decor-type stuff that I can’t wait to get out of the house. I already donated many items to the local hospice thrift store a few weeks ago, but much of what’s left is very good quality–including brand new pumps from Urban Outfitters I’ve never worn but somehow never returned when they didn’t fit. As far as clothing goes, I am chucking anything that isn’t flattering on me, no matter how good of condition it’s in. There are just things I subconsciously avoid because I know they don’t fit well or aren’t my style (or whatever), even though I barely admit it to myself. No longer.

The boots, tights, and necklace I wore today are all from my trip to Scotland.

You can see what the curls from yesterday look like a day later.

Life is so crazy that I can’t possibly keep up with my to-do lists each day, but I’m feeling inspired by my work nonetheless and extra excited to be applying for a government fellowship and Teach for America in the next few weeks.

On an unrelated note, the food situation ’round the house has been really good this week: Patrick and I have been eating at home almost 100%, and eating well. That could have something to do with the fact that he returned from a visit to his family bearing a huge container of a hearty homemade soup, vegetarian empanadas, and cheese and olive oil from Croatia. But I also made the pesto pasta last me for three meals (I don’t mind repetition) and I baked muffins. I’ve also been making simple breakfasts and preparing things like hot chocolate at home instead of buying them on campus. So yeah. Feeling a bit proud of that.

Now to read five articles and do a discussion posting before I go to bed. And it’s 9:00 already :/

This Isn’t The Last Of Scotland

Beautiful Oban, where I stayed for about four days. It was so small and walkable, and the weather was gorgeous. One day I walked up a hill to attend the Highland Games and after a few hours left alone and spent the afternoon running errands–got some film developed, had my glasses fixed, went to the library (I even got a library card–you had to, to use the computers), finally ate at one of the Indian restaurants I’d been seeing everywhere, and shopped a bit. Those were my favorite times in Scotland: when we weren’t on a schedule, and I was free to come and go as I chose.

The day we spent in Edinburgh was like that. I think I literally said “peace out” to one of the people on the tour as soon as we were allowed off the bus. (I was shooting daggers at the tour guide that day; she apparently thought we would enjoy driving passed all the shops on Prince’s Street, the main shopping street, as she told us about them…I had never wanted off that bus so badly). I longed to wander, alone, with my camera. And shop. Not that I really was buying much more than postcards–it was just something that restored my sense of normalcy, walking shoulder-to-shoulder with everyone else in the city, eating at a small cafe without the 20 other people on my tour, checking out clothes at Topshop alongside hip Scottish girls. So many of the places we visited on this trip were small, quaint towns so I was thrilled to spend the day in an urban environment.

Throughout the trip, I would get so exhilarated that I would start walking really quickly and then sort of, well, running with excitement. And the weather was cool enough that I’d barely notice how winded I was until I suddenly started panting. (It’s quite embarrassing now that I think back to this.) One of the women on the tour made fun of me one day, running along beside me. She said it made her happy to see how much fun I was having though :b

I must say my grandmother, who organized the tour, did a great job selecting the locations where we stayed. I think with the exception of two nights we were located within walking distance of bustling downtown-type areas (even in small towns). The two nights we spent in a sort of “middle of nowhere” hotel, it had a fabulous rec center (?) with a pool, sauna, hot tubs, gym, etc. So that was just as fun. Plus they had great breakfasts and we had some amazing dinners in the hotels as well.

With that, I think I’ll cue some food pictures.

Wow. I’ve really showed no restraint on photos, eh?

Scotland via DSLR IV

I normally wouldn’t post soo many pictures but I’m trying to get through this mountain of photographs!

Scotland via DSLR III

Thank you, Flickr, for quickly uploading over 400 pictures today. I’ll post some here, trying to avoid those that are very similar to the 35mm pictures I’ve posted (many are nearly identical–I shoot digital versions because I’m terrified my film won’t turn out).

God. I took so many pictures. I know. Too many. But I will continue to post oodles more here because it’s the best place to come back and browse through them when I’m daydreaming about Scotland, and frankly, I’m pretty sure I read my own blog more than anyone else does ;)

Inspiration: Scotland via DSLR II

Starting off the day with some beautiful scenery from my trip.