Life Happens

So I promised to give a life-updating post in the near future and as I can't sleep at the moment (that's what comes of going to bed at 8 o'clock) it would appear that the future is here.

First off, I may have mentioned this once already but graduation did not happen for me. I am a few credits shy of my degree and currently so sick of school and all that "higher education" nonsense that I may never go back. At least it's unlikely I'll be returning to university - college on the other hand seems fairly interesting at the moment. So I'm trying to decide what I would like to take at college - a diploma in publishing would be highly rewarding but fashion design also has its draws (haha - "draws" - get it?). For one thing, I have this bizarre need to make things with my hands - I like to knit, I've dabbled in making pillows, and my latest craze is quilting (I am three quarters done my first patchwork quilt and it is a sight to behold if I do say so myself). There is also the fact that fashion design sort of runs in the family - my maternal grandmother was a dressmaker herself. She died when I was very young and every time I do anything involving sewing I feel connected to her in some small way. So - publishing or fashion design - these are my current educational plans for the future.

And by the way, when I say future I mean future because I am currently also planning a one year back-packing trip across Europe and Asia which will hopefully end in New Zealand. Of course I need to save a lot of money to be able to go on such a long trip so my plan is to work for a year and save and then travel for a year (meaning my collegial plans will not be bearing fruit for at least 2 years). I've only just begun to plan my route but currently I will begin my expedition by taking a plane to Reykjavik Iceland (exploring there for a day or two) and then taking another plane across to Scotland. I then intend to take in my fill of Scotland and England, cross the Chunnel and from there all of Europe awaits, which for my purposes will currently include France, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey. I plan to take a detour or two through Northern Africa - essentially being Morocco and Egypt. Once all this grandeur has been taken in, if my money will allow I will also see the wonders of Cherapunji India, Australia, and then finally end my journey in New Zealand.

I know it is quite the itinerary but this is my best chance to see the world and I intend to make the most of it. If there is some particular place which you think it is criminal of me to leave out of my plans or you have some expert travel advice please feel free to share your knowledge and opinions.

Now then, on to the next life-changing event/occurrence. Banana #2 and I are no longer together. We had two wonderful years together and I thought we had the rest of our lives to look forward to spending together. In my eyes he was my "grow old with me the best is yet to be" but unfortunately my "best" included children and his did not so we have had to resign ourselves to going our separate ways. I still talk/text with him on occasion but I miss him dearly and all in all I'm feeling very lonely of late. But at least I have plenty of things to occupy my mind with at the present. Once again if you have any thoughts on the sad state of my romantic life please share them with me - my mind is all befuddled with the matter at the moment.

I know there is a lot more going on in my life but at the moment that's all the matters of epic importance that I can remember so consider this update done for now.

Nighty night!

I Do Love A Good Book

This is going to be a really short post, and a longer, life-updating post will be arriving in the near future, but for now I just want to tell the world at large (or at least the few people who read my blog) that there is nothing like a good book to cheer you up.

I just finished reading Post Grad by Emily Cassel and I am slightly ashamed to admit that this is quite possibly the first book I have read cover to cover of my own volition in probably over a year. For quite some time now I've been starting books - maybe even getting half-way into them - and then leaving them on the floor by my bed to collect dust. And it wasn't that they weren't good books - they were great, interesting reads, but for some reason I just couldn't commit long enough. Personally I blame it on school. I remember people telling me how being an English Literature major would take the fun right out of reading (naturally I thought they were insane) but I kind of understand what they were saying now ... although I don't think it's English Literature that's the problem, just university in general. I was so stressed at school and I found that I always felt guilty when I read something for my own pleasure - and now, now I'm free. Beautifully and gloriously free to read whatever I like without even a modicum of guilty feelings! And a book about life not quite going according to plan after graduation was just what I needed (we'll ignore the fact that I didn't actually graduate at the moment).

I'm going to tell you right now that this book was not an amazing piece of literature. It doesn't forge ahead into a new genre, it won't reshape the thought patterns of an entire generation of people, it is purely and simply a fluff piece about life post-university. Things don't start out right but they end right and that's the sort of optimism I want to be hearing right now.

So, feel free to share a story or two of your favourite fluff books and may you all enjoy a warm blanket and a good book just as soon you possibly can!