Today's Travel Lust: London

My last trip to London was in May 2012, and now that it's been almost a year since my visit I'm getting ancy and wanting to travel again. This past week I've been looking through my pictures and writing to the friends I took the trip with. Such a great adventure :)

Here's a recap of my favorite parts:

When we first got off the train at Kings Cross Station all the Harry Potter fans - myself included - wanted to find Platform 9 3/4. We searched and searched on the actual platforms and annoyed quite a few people (embarrasingly enough) but soon found that the platform had been moved! It wasn't quite as legit-looking as the original, but it did suffice. I think our picture turned out well!

Our Sunday continued by attending a service at St. Paul's Cathedral which was completely magnificent. The inside of the church was so beautiful and inspiring.

Standing on Millenium Bridge - glad the Death Eaters aren't here!

Tower Bridge! SO beautiful!

In Picadilly Square with my group for the day

At the British Museum! One of my favorite spots.

Covent Garden's live music - it made me so happy :)

Getting ready to see Wicked with my roomie and good friend!

KEATS HOUSE!  

Visiting Keats house was, by far, one of the most exciting parts of my time in London. I loved the area of London in which he lived and I loved learning all about this amazingly sensitive poet and his muse, Fanny Brawne.

Visit this site to learn more about him!

I'm taller than Keats! (this is his actual height! Poor self-conscious dude) ;)

Sitting in Keats garden, trying to count my British money. 

After acting as our own tour guide the second day and stumbling around London on our own (yikes), the group reunited at our hotel  before heading out to see Les Miserables!

The pic below is of me and a girl who everyone mistook for my sister! It was kind of hilarious hearing that from several different people (even complete strangers!). Do we look alike?!

Standing in the Grovesnor lobby before Les Mis

All in all, it was a wonderful trip. Hope to see you soon, London! 

Celebrating the New Year (in March)

Every year on New Year's Eve, for as long as I can remember, my family would sit around and talk about making goals. I, being the goal-oriented girl that I am (even at 7 or 8), loved the process of writing up these ridiculously ambitious goals and then trying my best to stay motivated.

As much as I'd like to say that this process has worked like a charm for me. It hasn't always. . . . Most of the time I stay motivated for the first few months, and then have a surge of discipline around December once I realize that I'm not going to complete them in time. :(

Soooo. This year I decided to do something different. Inspired by this book, I chose a different characteristic to emphasize each month with four overarching goals.

Four things to get better at:

CELLO 

 Exercise

Staying in touch with my darling

Reading

Monthly Focuses:

January - Dedication

February - Resilience

March - Peace/Calm

April - Intentional

May - Creative/Innovative

June - Ethical

July - Compassionate

August - Generous/hospitable

September - Fearless/Adventurous

October - Sincere/Honest

November - Thankful

December - Joyful

As each month rolls around I try to emulate this characteristic in my daily life, especially as it pertains to my four goals. January went well, February not so much, but I'm actually doing better this month (go team!).

Anyhoo. . . I plan to try to give updates on how it's going in my posts and to give an end-of-the-month summary. Keep your eyes peeled!

A Day of Many Firsts

It seems quite fitting that I should begin a new blog on the First Day of Spring. Just as Spring records new beginnings and fresh starts, this blog will record the new beginnings that I will experience in my life; I have a feeling that there are many of them just around the bend.

About me:

I am a cellist – Currently I am in the process of applying (as a transfer) to conservatories.  After I hear back from all of the schools I will make my decision on 29 April and then announce it to the world on 1 May. (so excited . . . )

I am a traveler – At heart all I really want to do is move from place to place and have adventures in fantastic places. Hopefully, this blog will record some of those adventures.

I am a book lover – This year my plan is to read 50 books. I know that with school and work this coming year, a book a week will keep me busy but, hopefully, not too overwhelmed.

I am a collector – I love to collect. For a good part of my life I thought that I was more of a Feng Shui kind of girl. Ummm. Nope. If you’re an antique lover (which I am) it’s highly likely that you’re not a minimalist.

I am a sister - to many wonderful siblings. They are my best friends and the people who know me best.

I am someone’s other half – He is my secret keeper, soul mate, best friend, fellow adventurer, sounding board annnnd boyfriend. ;)

And now (!), I am a BLOGGER! Follow me through my many adventures!