My Moccasins

In case anyone is curious, this is the world as I experience it in my moccasins. Or shoes. Monday through Friday I wake up, roll out of bed to make a cup of tea and some toast (cinnamon toast, with raspberry jam, please) and stare at the television for approximately an hour. If I'm lucky I've dvr'd something I actually want to watch, like Eat Street, Unique Sweets, or the Daily Show, and I don't have to suffer through an hour of music I don't listen to on VH1 Jump Start Music, or worse, that infomercial for wen hair products. 



I go to work and sit behind a counter of delicious things. Delicious things that I can smell. Most of the time, I get through this just fine but other more stressful days, like the majority of this past week, make working in the bakery like working in the seventh circle of hell. Because people like me, who can't eat from stress then stress binge-eat, should not be placed in front of a platter of cupcakes. It's just not kind.

So most of the day is taken up by sitting with this here computer on my lap, its batteries burning lovely little stripe-y marks into my legs. Occasionally I read (though now that it's crunch time with school it should be more than occasionally, it should be every day and be my reading list).

This week was incredibly stressful because my school for next year finally saw fit to tell me, after I applied in April, that they could not offer me housing next year. Needless to say this threw my parents into a panic (and me as well). The idea of going overseas with no set place to live made the whole concept of studying abroad that much more unnerving. After scouring the internet for 2 days, trying to figure out based on internet sources what good areas of London are and what the best prices are (shout out to Alysia and yelp, they were a huge help), I am now the proud renter of a little room (and bathroom) in a student complex in a rather hip neighborhood. Allegedly. I'll be sharing a kitchen with 5 other students, which is intimidating because I don't have the best track record with good roommates (or tidy ones, and a tidy kitchen is a must).

 

And now it's essentially August. I only have work for another month, then it's a flurry of family visits, slapdash adventures, packing up everything I have, and boarding a plane for the unknown.  It's very real and it's very unknown. The regulars that come into my work all know about my grand travel plans, and they all say "that's so exciting" in a way that suggests that nobody ever does this. They sort of wonder at me, like I'm this odd child for wanting to leave everything behind to try a new culture, a new city. It makes me very a little alone, honestly. Even if I know that I'm not. That there are loads of people who travel all sorts of places and move all over the place. I just haven't met a lot of these people yet.

 

 

Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise

Other than loving the song, the title is rather apt right now.

I'm making some pretty major decisions right now. One's that will without a doubt affect the rest of my life, in one way or another. And that's a heady realization, my friends. But it will be good. I think.

Anyway, I got back from England on Friday (a day later than intended, thanks to a canceled flight*) and as much as I enjoy my job(s) and enjoy being at home with my family, I already miss it horribly. 

I'm aware that England is not without its own set of problems, but they have a lifestyle that I find so appealing. First, I can walk anywhere in Oxford or London. On my last full day in London I walked from Kensington to the West End. Granted, it took me two hours and is not how I would recommend traveling to work, school, whatever. But I certainly saw the city, and passed by a great many interesting things. I just wish I were more comfortable about whipping out my little point-and-shoot to capture it (and that I were more satisfied with the results when I do). 

Oxford is always wonderful, particularly when I share it with my wonderful friend that I stayed with. She's in Oxford getting her master's in Modern Chinese Studies, and is very brilliant. Also, joy of joys, she just discovered that she's been accepted to another program and will be staying another year! Oh, the opportunities!

I spent a lot of my time in Oxford the same way I did when I studied there. Reading, annotating, only this time with copious amounts of toast and tea (Eliot would be so proud). But we made sure to eat at our favorite spots, try some new ones, and visit my favorite places otherwise known as bookstores.

But going back to that whole "first" thing (which indicates a serial, don't you know), the food is fresh and organic whether you like it or not. Cooking at my friend's home meant fresh chicken fajitas, fried rice, glazed salmon and breakfasts of fried eggs on toast with salami and gouda cheese. It's enough to make a girl cry, I tell you (especially when she pulled out the homemade strawberry meringues!) 

And tea . . . I love that England (some, I know not all) take the time for tea. An hour to just sit, or just talk, or just read, and enjoy a moment to yourself in your workday or studyday . . . there's nothing quite like steam rising out of a nice big mug, or that wonderful caramel-colored swirl of milk right before you give your black tea its final stir. Particularly paired with a good book.

Good friends, good food, good architecture, good art, good books, good travel . . . .

*they said it was mechanical issues, in which case I say, please, cancel away. I'd rather spend another day in Oxford than drop out of the sky.

photos are my own, please e-mail me before reposting

London (from my window)

A distant cousin of the Whomping Willow, and the Victoria & Albert

Things Every London Girl Has (that I need)

-A cute/functional scarf

Source: Dear June on etsy

           -the weather changes at the drop of a hat, and what might be a pleasant day pre-rain, might just be chilly and damp post-rain (like today). A cute cotton scarf like this one from etsy is functional, but can be rolled up and thrown in your bag when you don't need it.

-an umbrella

source: Raindrops

           - I know many would argue for a functional black umbrella, but I like a witty little something to my looks, so I really want this one.

-cute, sturdy shoes that aren't sneakers.

 

          - I've seen some chucks around, but I'm pretty sure that well-made leather shoes are the only thing that stand a chance against all the walking I'll be doing. I'm loving these heels, and need to find flats.

source: Seychelles

 I'm having a fantastic time in London, though I don't have any pictures to prove it because I feel like such a damn tourist** with my dinky little point and shoot digital (it's a wonderful point and shoot, and in fact it's very compact and useful because I can throw it in my purse and just go . . . but I feel silly)


** NOT that there's anything wrong with being a damn tourist or taking pictures anywhere with any camera that you have. I wish I COULD take more pictures no matter where I am. I just feel very silly and self-conscious because I don't know what I'm doing. Hopefully I'll get over this. I'm determined to take more pictures in Oxford (I'm heading off for Oxford in just about an hour!)

Every Stranger's Face I see

I'm very pleased to announce that in five short hours I will be winging my way across the ocean to England! I'll be spending a few days in London then making my way over to Oxford to visit a very dear friend who is studying for her master's degree. I'm very excited to be going back to England (and specifically Oxford) because I love it so dearly. England is the first place that I ever really felt like I was an adult, or at least like a contributing member of society. It is also the first place that I really had to depend mostly on myself to survive--my parents weren't just down the highway like they were when I was at school. 

Anyway, I thought I'd do a quick "how-to-pack-a-fair-amount-into-a-tiny-space" post, because all too frequently we either a) carry too much with us or b)don't know how to utilize space properly. My mom taught me how to do this by, for every vacation we went on, letting me pack my own bag (a total mess) then making me unpack it and systematically re-pack everything. This technique can be applied to just about any holding bag . . . I once packed a months' worth of clothing, a bathing suit, and a towel in a pink jansport backpack. Mind you, pretty much everything had to be thrown away when I got back, but that had more to do with a lack of laundry facilities than anything else.

First, what I bring with me. I'll be gone for 10 days, and will be taking everything with me as a carry-on rather than messing with checking a bag, etc. I usually add about 2 days to the essentials . . . twelve pairs of undergarments, 12 shirts, etc. I'm bring one cardigan that matches with just about everything and a light weight spring jacket that I'll wear on the plane. I'm also bringing an extra pair of jeans, 3 pairs of shoes (one that I will be wearing on my feet on the plane . . . obviously). Anyway, here's a picture of what had to go in the bag (and the first bag, which my dad usurped because it's HIS suitcase and he apparently has sharing issues.

First thing is first: in the indentations where the pull out handle sits along the bottom, layer your underwear so that the bottom is flat (sorry, no pics of my underwear, internet. I had to draw the line somewhere).

2) Any pants, fold these lengthwise once and lay along the bottom, atop your underwear (my mom and I diverge on this matter . . . she says this takes up too much space. I disagree.)

Next, put in any shirts that may need pressing, or are delicate, folding loosely but neatly. These are followed by novelty tees/embellished tees, with the embellishments (usually) folded to the inside if possible. Roll up any t-shirts/cardigans, sleep shorts, etc. in logs and stuff the sides and edges of the suitcase, doing the same with your socks (shove socks into your shoe cavities if you can, as well).

Fancy/dirty shoes should be put in shoe bags and if you don't have them, you should invest in them because they are amazing. Then tuck shoes and belts into the mesh pockets. Put your toiletries (because it's carry-on, all have liquids must be 3 oz. or less) into your one quart bag. Double bag this into a one gallon bag, throwing your toothbrush into the one gallon bag. Toss in comb and brush.

(see? new suitcase, with less space, actually. and my foot.)

 For my carry-on "purse" I try to throw in just the essentials. Electronic cords go into the outside zippered pouch of my suitcase. I keep my hotel confirmation with me, as well as a few vouchers (british for coupon) to some restaurants I looked up. I also keep a moleskine for my thoughts, a moleskine guidebook so I can know where I'm going without feeling too embarrassed, my daybook, my iPod, my camera (not pictured), my wallet, my passport, some currency, my glasses, a magazine, my Kindle, and probably a book. This will go in my laptop bag/messanger bag (also not pictured). oh! and some gum, because it helps the ear-popping process go a bit easier (another trick from my mom, when I was a little kid and close to tears on the way to California because my ears wouldn't pop)

 Other tips and tricks for flying internationally:

1) Wear a fresh shirt on a red-eye flight.
       It sounds like common sense, but the last thing you want when you get off a plane in the morning is to be  wearing the SAME shirt you've been wearing for over 24 hours. I'm not saying you have to change in the airport bathroom, just put on a fresh shirt before you leave the house.

2) Be prepared to whip out your glasses (only applies to fellow contact-wearers)
      You know why.

3) Bring your sunglasses
      Nothing says "leave me the hell alone" on an airplane like "sleeping" with your sunglasses on. Plug into your iPod (another must), slide on your shades, and go to your happy place. And on that note:

4) Go to sleep. Even if you have to force yourself.
       I cannot sleep on planes. It's something about the altitude, I dunno. But this also means that I have the WORST jetlag. EVER. So this time around, I'm buying me some Nyquil at the duty-free and chugging that sucker before (not all of it, I'm not that crazy) I get aboard the flight. Don't drink soda, don't eat a full meal, don't turn on a movie. GO. TO. SLEEP.


**An utter sidenote, slight rant (Mama, stop now if you want to protect any tender sensibilities you may have)

In preparation for this trip, I bought condoms. Not because I'm the sort of girl to have a short fling/one-night-off thing. Not that there is anything wrong with girls that are, it's just not my style. In fact, I'm 99.99999 (repeating) % positive that there will be no hanky-panky of any sort whatsoever on this trip. 

HOWEVER, despite never being a girl scout (or boy scout), I like to be prepared. I think it's pretty silly for a girl to rely on a guy (particularly a random guy) to provide the protection when she is just as able to go to the store and purchase some herself.

This attitude in mind, I was a little upset and unnerved by the looks I got from women. Women mind you, not men. The woman in front of me in line with her young daughter kept looking at me like I was some slutty pariah, casting me side-long glances. And when I say she had a young daughter, I mean the kid was teething.

Now, I had hoped (rather innocently, I'm sure) that we lived in world where we are all a bit more accepting of people's sexual practices, whatever they may be and whomever they are with. I would also hope that we would applaud young women who take control of their OWN safety and protection rather than leaving it to some guy and/or the fates.

I do not believe, under any circumstance, that sex is something to be cavalier about. Which is why I'd rather buy myself condoms while blushing a shade of red that stoplights would be proud of and be safe and sure of my own destiny, then be bullied and cowed by preconceived notions of what is socially appropriate.

And that's all I have to say about that.