Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts
London has always been sort of an enigma to me. Several months ago, all I knew of this city was its residential cul-de-sacs and suburban roads, leading to family and family friend's houses. Through visiting over the years, I had been so close to the centre - the pulsing heart of the country, - but yet had bypassed its core. That was until January when I packed up my bags and left for the big city.
Since then, I've been thoroughly inducted as a Londoner. Long gone are the fresh doe eyes as I awoke every morning to take the tube to central, surrounded by natives who could barely notice my excitement through their sleepy daydreams. Instead of pausing to gaze in awe on my journey to work, I now briskly rush down its street and into the dark tunnels of the underground tube system. I zoom past other faces of people I've never known before in solidarity, as we all focus on our own destinations. But there are many times, I still find myself deeply fascinated. I pause midway and begin to admire the beauty of this city. On the surface I may be a Londoner, but my heart beats as a tourist, seeing this city for the first time all over again.
Hello wonderful people from the other side, how are you all? You may have noticed over the past several weeks that I haven't posted in a while. Life has been pretty busy lately. While most people after New Year's Day were winding down to go back to the everyday post-festive routine, I was packing and planning my move all across the country for a new job. And of all cities to move to in the world, I moved to London. The ultimate destination of all freaking cities, how crazy right? It's definitely been an adjustment period that's for sure! London is like it's own little country, with it's own little system separate from the rest of England and it's been interesting so far to say the least. It's been a few weeks and I still can't believe I'm here!
London is the type of city that really needs no introduction. Its the gem of England, and probably the first city that most tourists think of when they think of Britain. You spend most of your early morning commuting with passing strangers, trying to avoid explicit eye contact. Your tube journeys are filled with bizarre moments and memories of intriguing characters and prologued delays. London is also the type of city that makes you very aware of the value of money. Seriously a tiny sandwich portion for £5, I could probably have made 3 square meals just from that! But past those elements there's something so enchanting about this little city that had an undeniable draw. Putting aside the logical notions of career prospects, there is so much to see and do. So much I even don't know where to start! Its a rich city surrounded by history and developing culture. I'm so excited to be here and can't wait to see what the next several months will bring!
I'll let you in on a little secret that I don't think I've told anyone before. Well, until now that is. Every year on my birthday, I take some time out of my day to reflect. I reflect on the achievements I've accomplished over the past year, mourn the loses that change brings and prepare for the year ahead. It's almost like a tradition - pre new year. So in celebration of my birthday this past weekend, I wanted to just take some time and reflect.
Let me take you back in time to last year. I was fresh out of university with my newly qualified degree, ready to take on my next new adventure. I had just taken up a new full-time position to support my future endeavours, and was actively pursuing my personal and career ambitions. But like many who leave university, I was still figuring out all the pieces of the missing puzzle. I felt so overwhelmed by the culture shock of no longer holding the title of student, and the life that came with it. I had no clue how things would be in the next couple of months, let alone a year. But despite all that, this past year - no matter how puzzling it seemed to be - has been one of the most enriching experiences I've had in my life. Though nothing went according to plan, everything worked out for the best. Life gave me what I needed - nothing more and nothing less. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself that ...
I'm homesick for a place that just doesn't exist. My heart lies divided in two places. The place I grew up in, and the place I live in. They both hold memories dear to me. My childhood home holds my friends and my family. Those evenings we spent by the park, playing around the swings and talking about moments in our teenage lives. Those days spent watching movies around the dinner table, with a bowl of my mother's homemade chilli popcorn shared between my parents and I. Now my world holds the independence I always longed for, but never could find in that old hometown of mine. It comes with it's own structure and responsibilities - words my young teenage-self use to avoid like the plague. Instead of waiting for my mother's home made dinners, I create my own with recipes I've discovered on the internet. I make my own flavours with sauces and peppers from the local supermarket across the road. Life is different now. I love it. I do. But then ...
Then comes the feeling of nostalgia. Old friends and places I no longer can visit. Roads that use to be 10 minutes away - within the grasp of my feet - are now three hours away, down a long road which I can not follow. Going back wouldn't help - since people are scattered and following their own path miles away. So I look ahead and find unfamiliar but friendly faces to converse with and become companions on the journey ahead. We talk and we laugh - long hours into the night. With words spoken, and thoughts unsaid. Memories in the making, changing our statuses from acquaintances to friends over time. It does not replace, but it helps to erase, that lingering ghost that calls me to look upon my shoulder, at memories from years before. I still reminisce, but not as much as before. This place I'm living in is slowly becoming my home.
So torn between the world I live in and the world I grew up in. I'm missing a place that doesn't truly exist anymore. So I call up my friends in this new town I've been calling home, and decide to have a movie marathon till 2am to take away these home felt blues. And in those moments I know, it'll pass. As I look upon the faces of the people I have come to know, I feel a tenderness that can only be described as being home. And then I truly know. That one day, I no longer will be homesick. I'll just be content with this small little place I've come to live.
* * * * *
Inspired by my own university experience, I decided to create something that was poetically reminiscent of that time frame of when you're in transition. That period of time, when you've moved to a new town - far from your hometown - and are being to create a new life there. Even if you haven't experienced it just yet, you may do some day. Weather it's for university, a job in a foreign city, or maybe you'll be married and moved to a different country. It's human nature to look back over our shoulders at the past, whilst still trying to creating memories and moments in the present. Who knows maybe you can relate?
I hope you enjoy it! Any thoughts?
Back when I first got into the early forms of blogging on Livejournal, I remember doing a tag called 101 things in 1001 days - which is exactly what it sounds like. Completing 101 tasks that you set out to do in 1001 days. Funny enough, I don't even remember half the things I wrote on that list! Let alone if I accomplished half of them. So I decided to redo this task, and actually achieve most if not all on my list. Second times the charm, right? So without further ado, lets get this show on the road!
This year I've decided to participate in something pretty awesome! My lovely friends over at Allison Leighann and October June decided to create a wonderful tag for the year, called A Year Of Happy, where every month on the 15th you're given a task to complete - which just inspires joy and happiness throughout the year. It's ever so thoughtful and optimistic, that I just had to participate! This month's task is to ...
" Write a love letter to yourself. Write all the reasons you're awesome, write down your hopes and dreams for the year ahead, any resolutions, heck, write what you had for lunch. Share why you're grateful for 2014 and what you want to achieve in 2015. Share whatever you want - it's your letter."So without further ado, here is my letter to myself. I hope you enjoy!
So today, I'm going to do something a little out of ordinary. I was tagged by the lovely Britney from HerStyle Media to do this tag called 10 Questions, where I just basically answer questions about myself. Then, I tag 5 other people to do the same with a set new of questions created by me. So let's get started!
And yet again, here we are at the end of another year! It's been a good year - excluding the trainwreck that was the How I Met Your Mother finale ... lets not even got there! 2014 has brought me so many memorable events, from graduation to seeing two of my favourite bands perform live. There are just so many memories I'll cherish from this past year, from the events I've been to, and the wonderful people that I've met along the way. Plus, not to mention the amount of awesome things that came out this year - TFIOS, The Maze Runner, City of Heavenly Fire, The Flash to name a few. As we say goodbye to the past, I hope you may be able to look to the near future with hope, positivity and light.
I can't wait to see what 2015 will bring! So from my heart to yours, I wish you a wonderful and prospectus happy new year! To this next coming year, and what more exciting adventurous that may bring! May 2015 be kind to you, and bring you unlimited happiness and joy. I'll see you on the other side with some awesome projects to come your way real soon! ^_^
I can't wait to see what 2015 will bring! So from my heart to yours, I wish you a wonderful and prospectus happy new year! To this next coming year, and what more exciting adventurous that may bring! May 2015 be kind to you, and bring you unlimited happiness and joy. I'll see you on the other side with some awesome projects to come your way real soon! ^_^
When I was in Year 7, my English teacher gave my class an assignment - to write a letter to our future-selves that we would open in our final year of high school. At 11 years old, I remember thinking it was a strange concept. I couldn't imagine myself five years down the line as a 16 year old young adult, ready to take on the world. What would I want to say to myself? What would I want to know? I remember writing that letter so clearly, and also the day I opened it. Its a memory that I've always held very dear to me. So when I came across this tag on my Bloglovin feed, I instantly jumped right at that opportunity. What better what to honour that memory than writing another letter to my future self. I'm also at a significant point in my life where anything can happen, and with that, you can't help but wonder where life may take you. So without further ado, here is the letter I'm sending to my future self 10 years from now ....
I love to write. It's my passion and my favourite past time in the world. I could list all the reasons why I love to write, but since I've already done that earlier in the year, I'll tell you a little secret. Ever since I was 14, I have always always dreamt of publishing my own novel some day. It's a long term dream of mine! So when I heard about NaNoWriMo several years ago, - the ultimate month of novel writing - I couldn't help but feel so excited about the possibility of it! Imagine being one step closer to publishing your own novel .... Just the thought gives me chills!
In the past, I've always been put off with participating as November is literally one of busiest times of the year for me - with essay writing, deadlines, upcoming Christmas and birthday plans. But this year - as a last minute decision - I thought I'd put those excuses aside and at least try. Honestly what's the worst that could happen? I told myself, 'Instead of trying to reach the goal of 50,000 words, I'll aim for 30,000. 1000 words per day give or take. That seems manageable.' And so far, it's been going pretty well. I made it through the week with almost 7000 words right under my belt. To say I'm feeling good is an understatement, but ... it did not come easy I'll tell you! This is literally the thought process I went through this week ...
Day One: A proud 1000 words - yay. I'm off to a good start. I'll have myself a little snack.
Day Two: Just about reached 2000. A little bit trickier than yesterday, but I got there. Awesome!
Day Three: I've got the urge to major edit everything I've just written, and I don't know if I can shake it. Must resist ... must resist ...
Day Four: I'll try and get a few words in before bed ... I'll just nap for two seconds ... just resting the eyes ... zzzzzz
Day Five: Gotta make up for yesterday. Double take; I got this. Sorted. Not as poetically awesome as day one though ... Editing will make this all sound awesome in the end ...
Day Six: Can't think of what to say ... Guess I'll skip this scene and move onto the next ... and the next ...
Day Seven: Finally, the scene I've been waiting to write forever has arrived ... let the juiciness begin!
Overall, I'm really happy with the experience and enjoying how it's going so far. Can anyone else relate? If you're taking part in this year's NaNoWriMo, tell me how it's going. I'd love to hear from you all!
In the past, I've always been put off with participating as November is literally one of busiest times of the year for me - with essay writing, deadlines, upcoming Christmas and birthday plans. But this year - as a last minute decision - I thought I'd put those excuses aside and at least try. Honestly what's the worst that could happen? I told myself, 'Instead of trying to reach the goal of 50,000 words, I'll aim for 30,000. 1000 words per day give or take. That seems manageable.' And so far, it's been going pretty well. I made it through the week with almost 7000 words right under my belt. To say I'm feeling good is an understatement, but ... it did not come easy I'll tell you! This is literally the thought process I went through this week ...
Day One: A proud 1000 words - yay. I'm off to a good start. I'll have myself a little snack.
Day Two: Just about reached 2000. A little bit trickier than yesterday, but I got there. Awesome!
Day Three: I've got the urge to major edit everything I've just written, and I don't know if I can shake it. Must resist ... must resist ...
Day Four: I'll try and get a few words in before bed ... I'll just nap for two seconds ... just resting the eyes ... zzzzzz
Day Five: Gotta make up for yesterday. Double take; I got this. Sorted. Not as poetically awesome as day one though ... Editing will make this all sound awesome in the end ...
Day Six: Can't think of what to say ... Guess I'll skip this scene and move onto the next ... and the next ...
Day Seven: Finally, the scene I've been waiting to write forever has arrived ... let the juiciness begin!
Overall, I'm really happy with the experience and enjoying how it's going so far. Can anyone else relate? If you're taking part in this year's NaNoWriMo, tell me how it's going. I'd love to hear from you all!
Hello world! It is so good to be back. :D You may have noticed over the past several weeks, I've been pretty absence from the online sphere. That is pretty much because of how hectic things were during this last final term at university. Unfortunately, because of the workload I had, I had to take a blogging hiatus to get through it all. But now, I am back and ready to get back into all things popular culture. I've missed so many entertaining things while I've been at university and it's time to catch up! For the movies I haven't seen, to the books I haven't read. I'm really excited to be back, and I can't wait to get back in the full swing of things!
I've decided to take a slightly new direction with this blog. Instead of just posting reviews (which you will continue to see plenty of might I add), I've decided to branch out with some more lifestyle orientated content. I hope you enjoy the changes occurring in the next couple of weeks. I'm so looking forward to it! Hope to see you all soon. Stay awesome people :D
I've decided to take a slightly new direction with this blog. Instead of just posting reviews (which you will continue to see plenty of might I add), I've decided to branch out with some more lifestyle orientated content. I hope you enjoy the changes occurring in the next couple of weeks. I'm so looking forward to it! Hope to see you all soon. Stay awesome people :D
So today, for once, I'm going to talk about something a little bit different outside the world of media entertainment and creativity. There was a time in my life during my years at school when I thought, 'by the end of my university years, I will know exactly what to do with my life. I will have almost everything figured out, and it'll have all come together by the time I approach adulthood.' Now, almost several years later, I'm in my third and final year of university and ... I'm still trying to figure it all out. The amount of days I have left towards post-graduation life is continuously growing smaller and smaller, and turning 21 ... is just another one of those milestones that just signifies adulthood.
Those questions that I've always wondered about; what I want to accomplish in my life, who I want to be, my intended plans for after graduation, are kind of haunting me at this very moment in time. But here is the simple truth - no one on the entire planet has the exact answer to all of these questions. Even if they do, the answers they have aren't set in stone. You never really know where life can take you. It's pretty unpredictable. What I failed to realise back then is that, having a plan isn't always the best thing. You never know what's around the corner, and having a plan or your eyes focused on one section of the road can stop you from seeing other things come your way. For some people, things come early on in life. For others, it comes at the most unexpected moments. It's just the way it is - serendipitous. But that is the beauty of it all. You never know what will happen and when it will happen. Your age does not define you, or the time you will reach success. Age is literally just a number, it is you who gives it meaning. To assume that you will have all the answers by a certain age, is to assume that by that particular point you will understand exactly how the universe works - and no one has managed to do that. It's okay not to know where you're going, time and experiences will help lead you there.
So, as I turn 21 this week ... I vow to focus on the now. I vow to focus on present, instead of living in a future, which I'm helping to shape by living in the present. Tomorrow bring what may, today is all I know. And for that I'm happy, because the future is full of bright opportunities and chances that I have yet to come across, memories that I have yet to make, and experiences I have yet to live. Just thinking about the possibility of that is so exciting. To be open to new experiences, because you never know where you're going, and who or what you may find along the way. Striving for the best forever and always!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Social Icons