To London and beyond

My inner 5 year old self is rejoicing...her dreams are coming true!

In about 18 hours, I'll be landing in Heathrow Airport in London!

Naturally, I had to see these little monster once again...SO CUTE.

The way to my heart: kittens.

Ah....the West Branch Susquehanna River...what a beauty! Passed this several times on my bike rides throughout this past week....





I'll be in flat 10 :)



Ta ta for now, readers! I'll be in another country for my next post.

Here's the grueling part: travel. I'm going to be a sleepy bunny the next two days...hobey ho! The adventure awaits!

1 week is better than 7 days

Perception....all in how one views the world. In study abroad, perception is key. If you're ready for a good time [no sexual innuendos here and forgive the corniness of this clichéd line] then you're going to most likely have a riveting experience. If you're not ready to leave home, then you're probably going to spend a few nights crying and clutching a t-shirt that reminds you of home...

Luckily I fall into the former category. I'm not one to be homesick which comes in handy since this 9 day stretch before leaving will be the longest time I've spent at home since last Xmas break. 

Reflections of this week....I think we're all looking for a little reassurance to feel like we're worthwhile. Not necessarily to gauge our self-worth, but to verify our self-validation....to some extent, each person with their own varying degrees.

To prove to those who deemed us unworthy in their eyes because we've plucked up the gumption to say we'd no longer like to be a doormat, that we're "worth two of them," as Harry Potter once told Neville Longbottom.

Last night in E-town

Saw friends...received hugs...ended up packing at 1am. C'est la vie. Reminiscent of college days...

3 tanks + 1 pair of earrings = $8
Woot woot to bargain hunting. I was in need of a couple fresh tank basics...and couldn't pass up these arrow earrings, especially since my first holes were empty. 

Best $1.50 investment ever

I found this gem in my room. A bit dusty, albeit still in excellent shape except in need of new elastic...

Please ignore disgusting chipped nail polish

Getting crafty whilst I'm home...30 second knuckle ring!

It's rather sad...normally we do our Xmas card pic over Thanksgiving break, but seeing as the British don't celebrate Thanksgiving....well, just easier to take it now.

Pour le Pont des Arts

Getting ready for Paris for my birthday! I have two locks for the famous lock bridge. My sister is my other half and Grammie & Pap Pap are prove that love is forever....they spent many years together, but their love will never cease. Her beautiful spirit will always have a special place in my heart. 

I've been taking time to see people before I depart, my "ta-ta for nows" seem sad, but I know the journey of a lifetime awaits.  It's not goodbye; it's "I'll see you again soon."

Now, if only the packing could be done for me....that would be wonderful.

Kiss me once before you go

13 days and 2 hours until my flight takes off...wow. And only three days left of my internship.

Naturally, instead of packing, my dirty clothes are in a pile and I'm wearing shortie sleep shorts and typing as I listen to new music with the prospect of watching a movie with a friend tonight. 

Typical.

>distraction from my procrastination<

The kittens are growing up! From the top now: Otis, Milo, and Oliver.
Lovely named them. I think one may fit quite nicely in my carry-on... ;)

Normally Starbucks is the franchise notorious for effing up names.
Panera, I can't believe you've stooped so low. I thought you were better than this. Hmm if I want a new persona, perhaps I'll change my Facebook to this [the 'k' is silent, obviously] so no one can find me.

Doodling the tattoo idea I've been morphing in my mind for a while. Another reason why graduation cannot get here quickly enough....yes, Mother, I'm abiding by your rules.

Swag bag from my internship!

Miss Olivia loved her watermelons. Nails...one of the few girly talents I possess.

c/o Uncle Tom

One should never take themselves too seriously. Ha. This photo just makes me laugh at myself every time I see it. Tear-stained face and bruising knee. Typical me...

My furry uncle and I were having a nice bonding moment whilst Sissy got ready and Gramps was sleeping. I endured relentless biting of my wrist where my watch sits; the least he can do is endure a brief photo op.

Book lovers would appreciate this. Wow. Literary overachiever. Love it.

This couple reminded me of Grammie and Pap Pap...they were married for 65 years as well. Pap Pap knows the length down to the day...love. I wish those of my generation and of my parents' had this. Grammie always said to find someone who makes you laugh and who you can talk to...they picked on another one and kept each other on their toes. The way he still looked at her...she was the center of his world, even when the Little League Series was on.

Timeless beauty. 

Combating major bug bites right now and getting ready to do some yoga.

Hobey Ho, 32 hrs of work to go!

Countdowns and checklists

13 days until I'm home...
23 days until my flight to London....
72 days until my 21st birthday...
129 days until Xmas....
136 days until the new year...
484 days [approximate] until I graduate...
phew

Time is flying...and yet moving impossibly slow.

Looking like a sweetheart in my T-strap sandals and floral dress. At least that's what I like to pretend haha.

My uncle asked me what women want. Well...here's my response. Almost forgot, someone who sparkles in the sunlight like Edward Cullen.

Delicious. Had a solo date lunch with myself at the Capitol Diner. Chicken salad sandwich for the main course...and then came this loveliness.

Stir-fry magic

Gladly welcomes minors for everything BUT booze

Root beer float for the youngling

Capresse panini...mmmm heaven

Peanut Butter Cup Sundae

Haven't visited the Soda Jerk in many, many years....so I decided to go last night for dessert. Absolutely delish. 

Inspiration for my future home....love

Books are wonderful things...

Off to work I go.

Hobbey Ho.

Homebound and full of Dippy Pizza

Last minute decision to head home. Literally. 3:45 I decided. My car was packed just in case my plans fell through the cracks...and it worked out fairly well. Took 11/15 to 322 from Camp Hill and raced *figuratively, Mummy* towards home and friends and FOOD.

My bed felt wunderbar, albeit I will admit, I woke up in the middle of the night thrashing against all of the pillows with which I was suffocating myself...oops.

Twin bed + a bazillion pillows = minor tizzy when I burrow into them at night

True cuddler at heart.

The Castle!

The castle is one of the landmarks en route home...I usually freak out a little at this one because I know I'm not too far away...and then I get caught behind a slow-moving vehicle on the one-lane road with minimal pass zones and curse it up like a sailor. Does nothing to aid in getting me home faster, but does my psyche a hell of a lot of good. 

*please at least go the speed limit*

Pet peeve: speed limit is 45 and people go 40. Stawp.

Fair ride buddy!

My reason to go home are my friends. LOVE LOVE LOVE seeing them. I'm leaving soon, so it means the world to see as many as these wonderful people who have stood by me before I leave....

JoshUa is my bad life decision coach haha. Or so I dubbed him to be funny. We rode the treacherous fair rides that are put up in two days using a bunch of screws and bolts they fish out of a giant bucket. No big deal.

How could I say <no> to this face?

Great night. Saw my JoshUa and my gorgey redheaded bestie, Heidi. We've shared the past almost 10 years together and have seen it all...all of the adolescent pains and discomforts that accompany growing up. Teen angst and broken hearts and bitchy girls.

C'est la vie.

1 of several kittens

I had the pleasure of meeting these adorable furballs....fell in love instantaneously. [oh yeah, and I wore my Ouija board shirt with high-waisted pants. But kittens rule this unimportant]

Things girls love: heels, kittens, and smiley faces. But mostly kittens. They were mewing and they're little faces were just TOO MUCH TO HANDLE. They're cuteness....could not be pulled away...oh my goodness. And I am having trouble ceasing my talk of them. Yeah, I get excited over kittens. This is what happens when Mummy says <no> to animals whilst growing up :(

Goldfish are stupid. The best part of having them as pets is watching them go down the toilet when they die. 

So...I want a baby dragon. They have them at the Renaissance Faire. hehehe

Juuuuuuust wait. Someday.

I do what I want.

...as long as my Mum says it's ok.

Summer Life

I'm pretty sure if my mum knew what I did on the weekends, she'd find me the most boring 20 year old ever....in comparison to others my age.

Summertime is my work period....I work hard during the school year, slamming those books and cranking out papers and notes, but summertime I work for $$$. On weekends I'm either working or doing surveys online or practicing my languages...life of a party girl *woot woot*

More like party in my brain.

En route to Orwigsburg, PA

Oh my, how time flies....from college-bound to London-bound. 50lbs heavier (exaggerating) and hair much longer and redder.

MINIONS

Despicable Me 2. Sooo good.

My sister obviously loves me. She brought me a Minions shirt and my favorite: Lego candy!! Mmmm this delicious candy is so difficult to find!

I learned the hard way that milk chocolate chips just do not melt correctly when making chocolate chip pancakes....these turned out terribly and we about threw them up. Gross.

Still have yet to learn how to make my eggs Benedict...

Ooooh boy!! Much loved at work!

Yum.

This is what happens when one has blisters and one doesn't allow adequate time for proper healing and then runs 4 miles out of the blue...

Ouch. Lesson learned. Finding other ways to exercise that don't involve ruining my tootsies any further...

London

44 days and counting....how many days I have left until I leave for a whole semester abroad. Excited? Hell yes. Mentally preparing a list of places I want to see? Oh, yeah. Nervous? A little....I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. 

It seems as though when I leave somewhere, whether it's home, or leave school for a night, something BIG happens. That can be happy or sad....such as the case of the beginning of summer...I'm trying to put aside those fears in order to fully enjoy my study abroad experience, yet at the same time, I'm wondering what the heck is going to happen on this side of the ocean whilst I'm away....

Also the annoyances with paperwork. I'm not liking this trickling in of form after form. I'm ready to just have all my ducks in a row...

And it's been a while...

This summer is going by so quickly!!

Interning is halfway over...I have 56 days until my flight to London...and working my butt off serving part time. phew

I have many many things to update on here....but that may take a while and I may seem like a camera-obsessed fruitcake with a ton of selfies.

But I do have some pics of some interning outfits! Trying to stay sleek and chic.
Eh...you get the idea haha.

I'm also trying to learn how to live with an 8 and 11 year old...my cousin is currently dancing because she weighs enough that she doesn't have to use a car seat. Oh, these are the fun moments of summer! ....besides sunbathing and movies and Hershey Park [went yesterday, got burnt], ice cream [although that's great all year round], and of course, running in the sun! Wonderful feeling, drippy sweat and blood pounding in my ears from that last push to the end.
Fan-flippin-tastic.

Spanakopita!!

This was at Giant. Innovative people.

Suspenders and high waist and palm trees. Mash-up complete.

New shirt from AE! Woot woot!

Bowtie ftw!

This was the day we went to visit two of the PA Correctional Industries facilities: Mahanoy and Frackville. It was eye-opening...interesting.

Palm tree shirt again, remixed with a skirt and leather belt [C/O of Nana Magic Shalimar!]

The minions have landed.

1780s rifle

I went home for a long weekend for the Fourth of July. Fajer and I went to Fort Roberdeau on the fourth and then I grilled for Mum, Fajer, and Lovely. Hmmmm another love of summer...grilling.

If you're expecting to bring a flat screen up here,
you're gonna have a hard time.

I don't know how Colonial ladies fit their buns up here.

Hello, Fajer.
For some reason, I just laugh whenever I see this picture.
Must admit...it's funny.

PB cheesecake from Retro Eatery

Lovely and I went to Retro Eatery for a delicious late birthday dinner for Lovely. Mmmm.....

Bearded Girlfriend obviously loves me.

Two of my really good friends and I caught up over dinner and ice cream and bowling afterwards! 

Somebody was obviously happy to see me.

Polka hearts, polka dots, prints covered.

My furry uncle was so thrilled to see me!!

My Gramps's cat thrashed out of my hug moments after this...he refused to pose for me, although he's quite photogenic and will pose any other time. Way to be a diva, Jack. Way to be.

Tonight I need to catch up on my French lessons...I've been lagging on this app called Duolingo. It's actually pretty good with teaching languages! I tested out the German language on it since I'm fairly proficient there, and only mediocre at French...

It's thorough with explanations and the little game aspect makes it fun. French is more of a review since I find it more difficult than German, albeit it sounds prettier. I started learning Italian this summer. That, losing 15lbs, and learning to make eggs Benedict were my two big summer goals.

Must. Kick. Butt. At. Language. Now.