Packing for a holiday...

Normally I am quite organised when packing to go away. I dread being told my luggage is over weight and needing to start taking things out my case in the middle of an airport!! Also, I used to take loads of clothes home which I just wouldn't have worn when away therefore wasting precious weight limit. I then devised my legendary 'clothing itineray' sheets. It's nothing new, in fact it's something which I'd read about a few times but had just never tried. So a couple of years back I gave it a go and took photos of all the outfits I could put together in my wardrobe and then downloaded photos onto my computer and began to match them to the days I would wear them. 

Unfortunately that was the time my case was left in Washington DC on it's way to Vegas- that meant I missed my first day which threw everything off slightly. Crazy right? Anyway, I kept to most of it but swapped days around depending on how I felt. It was great, I didn't get to a point where I thought, "I don't have enough tops," or "I have nothing to go with this skirt." It's something which, if I have time, I like to do now before I go away. I travel next week and I am not going away with anyone I know which means I can't borrow anything which I may forget?! 

Because of this I have began to sort out my itinerary now so that I have time to fill in any gaps. I've therefore started pulling one of my wardrobes apart with clothes.... it's a mess but at the end I will have a ocd super organised wardrobe for my long travel! Hopefully I can be creative enough to not have to wear the same outfit twice...

Do you have any rituals before holidays in relation to packing?

Tips are greatly appreciated!!

An eastern escapade...

Now we're in July, it's half way through the year. Can you believe we're here already?I've been blogging since January and truth be told I didn't think I would still be blogging now. But things are a changing I guess. It probably comes as no surprise to those who have been reading my blog for a while that things last year weren't the best. However, this year I feel like I'm starting to get back into the groove if my life. Strangely this is different to how I was. As happy as I am right now, I have never felt more torn and unsettled. This is not in anyway because I am unhappy, it's more so in a way that I feel like I need to get a change of scenery.

Normally during the summer I head off to some place cool with Miss GG but unfortunately her holidays have been changed and it doesn't look like we'd get to do much. Then I thought about doing a tour. I pondered this thought during the week and went to price up deals. I was very specific over what I wanted (as you can imagine) and was adamant that I would NOT camp anywhere- even though the travel agent said they are always nice. Whatever...I don't want to hear it. This was the one which I had looked at online and wanted to price up, my very own Eastern Escape Escapade...

This would be a tour led group and I would just turn up pretty much.It just looks amazing...I'm just having mini freaks out occasionally thinking how scary this is to do alone. I know I will not be alone per say as I have a whole group around me but this is the first time I've really done exactly what I've wanted. Previous years to the states and other summer holidays have been great but also needed compromise which is good because when you go away with others you need to do what everyone wants. However, this is all me. It ticks off a few places which I have always wanted to visit in this area. 

4 days and counting...

I am in my final week of school before the two week Easter break and boy do I need it?! I finished reports today and I'm now moving onto assessments. It seems at the moment that something which should take half an hour seems to take 3 times as long and I'm now feeling extremely worn... it's not helping that today I was up at 6.30am working as couldn't keep working at 1 this morning. I actually totaled up my hours work last week and came up with the ridiculous amount of :  68 hours!!!!! 

This is including working through my lunch break, working up until bed and then I accompanied some older kids to a swimming gala on the Friday night and didn't get home till after 9pm!!

I know you're wondering what my secret is to keeping going...I don't know though! When I look at it from an outside view I just have no idea how I or any of my teacher friends manage it?! I wonder if teachers are superheros develop this ability to not need sleep or food the last couple of weeks of term in order to get through assessment weeks (as well as the ability to ignore loud noise). Now I have 4 days left, I can feel my body slowing down wanting to sleep. However, I don't listen to such nonsense and keep on going.

As treat today I was a bit naughty and went to McDonalds drive through after work. I know it's not good for you but sometimes it's all you need. However, the weather then seemed to mirror my feelings: it was bright sunshine but a heavy rain shower at the same time. It's like not even the weather can feel properly happy! However, it did provide me with the following photo which I just love!

It's a rainbow!!!! :-)

So pretty...

I am well aware that this post is a little all over the place...blame the sleep deprivation! I can't keep thoughts on one track on a good day let alone when I'm feeling shattered.

Hope you have all had a good start to the week!

Countdown...

In 4 days I will be on a flight to New York City!! I have been a couple of times before and it is one of my favourite city. There are so many things which I just love about the place. 

The people- I haven't encountered many miserable people here. I know they are there, going about their day in the glum/hot weather but all the ones I meet are just lovely. It's a huge city with lots of people but compared to London (where people are just miserable) everyone seems happier.

The buildings- I never get sick of looking up and thinking, "Wow! That's so tall." I'm very childlike as I also have my mouth agape while I peer up the Empire State but it's just so tall!!

Times Square- I have a bit of a love hate relationship with this one. I love the lights, the flashing adverts and the vibe but I don't like the amount of people, the shuffling steps you need to take to get around and the people who just stop in the middle of walking to take a picture. But it makes up for it in all it's lit up glory (plus Hard Rock Cafe is there and I love that place haha!).

Brooklyn Bridge- Magnificent. 

Madison Square Garden- This will hold a special place in my heart after this holiday as I will attend my first (of many I hope) NHL game. Oh yeah!

Greenwich Village- I adore the leafiness and outwardly perfection of the place. While I was there last Summer I took a gorgeous photo which sums up how the place feels. I know you think that I don't sound like the type of person to be hung up on photography and you're right- don't get me wrong, I love to take photos but I'm no professional. It's just chance. Plus I was trying to find Carrie's stoop from Sex and the City! Don't judge!(I found it by the way ;-) )

I could go on and on but I think you can safely see how excited I am for a break to this magical city. Any other favourite things in NYC?

I always say that NYC is a funny place as you either love it or hate it. There's no fence in the middle to sit on in New York City!

I'm going to leave you with my perfect Greenwich Village shot!

 

A break away...

So... today is last day of my Christmas holidays. I’m back to work tomorrow...imparting my wisdom and knowledge (although some, including myself sometimes would beg to differ with that) to the future politicians, sports stars, teachers etc. I’ve worked rather hard the past couple of days as I did my usual trick of leaving work till the last minute. However, the cabin fever set in. I hadn’t done a lot else and most of my friends were busy (the usual boyfriend business) or away travelling. Now I’m not complaining about the boyfriends but it’s almost like a club. If you’re single you’re not in it. After last year’s trials and tribulations I’m having to try and keep myself busy but that’s proving harder than I thought!!

What could cheer me up? Hockey of course!! My passion...unfortunately I had no one to go with. Hmm...what could I do? Go alone?! The thought alone made me feel nauseas. I can’t go to a coffee shop alone without a magazine to keep me busy and here I was contemplating go to a hockey game, 3 - 20 minutes of action (longer obv with the stops) with 2 breaks!! Then a little something inside me thought...go for it!! Although I didn’t make any resolutions I decided to challenge myself more and what was more of a challenge than doing something that quite frankly scared me. So i got myself dressed, make up on and with jersey in hand put faith in myself and you know what...it felt great.

Now, I know you may think but it’s only a hockey game...but for me it’s definitely something I am proud of. Growing up with a twin and large family meant I never really had to do anything alone. Times are changing and my passion for hockey may just give me the get up and go I need. After last years season it has been difficult to feel comfortable in the rink and it hasn’t exactly helped me ‘let go of HB’ but my disillusion is starting to fade and I’m actually allowing myself to enjoy it. HB has gone and I only thought of him twice through the whole game...woo!! Oh and I made a couple of new friends. Good evening all round and hopefully this will be my 'break away' to a more confident me...

Cold, a bit dingy but my team's rink! Happiness!