hemingway wannabe

I got hands-down the coolest Christmas gift from a good friend of mine from the States. It arrived a couple days ago and at first I had no idea what it was. I had never heard of Moleskine notebooks, let alone the city/travel versions, and I was a little confused when I saw little maps of Madrid inside. But upon closer examination, I realised just how awesome those Moleskine notebooks actually are! And Madrid? Of course! Four years ago, in 2003, the person who sent me this gift as well as another friend of ours and myself made a pact to meet up in Madrid in ten years time -- 2013. What a cool present!

I think I'm hooked now. I've been on Amazon (which I really shouldn't be doing!) and browsing through all the different kinds of notebooks available... and I'm making a list, to say the least!

the wheel of death

If I were a more disciplined person I would carry a little notebook with me at all times to jot down random thoughts I have at the most unexpected moments throughout my day. The reason why I bring it up is because for the past couple weeks there have been countless random thoughts I wanted to write about but now... I've forgotten most of them. Oh well, none of it was particularly interesting or life-changing anyways so it's not much of a loss. Like I said, if I were a more disciplined person...

Moving on.

I hate driving. I know I've said this before and I've put it off for five years but the more I learn, the more I can't stand the idea of driving and cars and... anything else associated with me having to sit behind the wheel. Granted, I do experience a sort of power and independence when I get out of the car with keys jingling in hand, but I would give that up in a nanosecond to be free from all the hassle that comes with it. And it's not just a question of my preference -- I'm thinking of the safety of the rest of society when I say I should never be allowed to drive. Evidence, you say? Okay then:

Instance 1: One busy afternoon about a week ago, there were lots of cars on the road -- at least two right in front of me -- and as I was approaching a round-about I turned and entered it without even looking right. What's worse, I DIDN'T EVEN THINK TO LOOK RIGHT. It's not that I couldn't see the car coming at me, it's not that there was something obstructing my view, my mind simply forgot to look.

Instance 2: After parking at a supermarket and turning the engine off, I tried taking the keys out but they just wouldn't budge. No matter how much I yanked, jiggled, pulled, turned, they just wouldn't come out. So I got out of the car and switched seats with my mum who tried for about a minute before I noticed... that the gear was still in drive mode and I hadn't put on the emergency breaks. I JUST TRYING TO TAKE THE KEYS OUT WHILE THE CAR COULD STILL MOVE.

Instance 3: Turning right into the video store. Me: "Hey, that guy who works at the video store must be walking there right now." Kirsty: "Did you even look to see if there were any cars coming??!!??" ... No. I was thinking about the video store guy.

I'm telling you, I'm a hazard. If by some miracle I actually pass my test in January, it will probably be a total fluke and you should not come near me should you see me behind the wheel... I guess I am my own worst critic and all this complaining might just be because I hate doing things I'm not good at (hence I never really understood the idea of "social sports," but that's for another day).

I should just move to London. That would solve EVERYTHING.

a promise I can't keep

It's really starting to feel like vacation -- Friday morning I was so incredibly, indescribably, painfully bored. TV doesn't interest me as much as of late, sadly enough, our DVD collection is getting too stagnant (it's in dire need of an update!), and though I tried reading one of the books that has been taking up space on my bookshelf for a couple years, it just wouldn't do. Not that day. Not that morning. I can't remember the last time I was bored. This is why I need things to do over summer. Boredom and I do NOT get along, at all.

Although, having said that, I really should start working on my summer research project again, things I should finish before my supervisor gets back in a few weeks...

Despite all my complaints, being bored in theory does make me feel good. I know my life is on a path which, the more I progress, the more there is no looking back and that being bored is something I'll miss in a few years. So it's a love-hate relationship.

Exciting news! Every year I go though a period where I vacillate between should I or should I not go back to the States to see all my old friends from Junior High. While planning my trip to the UK I spent some time seriously considering just that, but in the end, opted not to - not this year. And you know what? I'm glad I did! Because less than a couple weeks ago one of my closest friends from Seattle got ENGAGED. It's wild because we're only twenty years old, but then again if you've met that person, then why not, huh? It's so sweet. And incredibly exciting. I'm so happy for her. And I've decided to go! Her timing couldn't be more perfect because it coincides with the first day of my mid-semester break this coming April.

It's funny because on our trip home from the UK, we found out while checking in at Dublin Airport that Kirsty's valid but non-machine readable passport meant she couldn't enter the US, not even in transit. It was a horrible end to our trip, me having to leave her behind in Heathrow not knowing what would happen to her: Would she have to find a place to stay? Call the US/NZ Embassy? Buy completely new one-way tickets home avoiding the US? On the flight from Dublin to Heathrow, I was literally balling my eyes out cos I hated the idea of leaving her behind like that, SWEARING never to enter the States EVER AGAIN. Oh, how one should never swear because here I am, not two weeks later and planning a trip to the good old United States of America. Why, oh why, are they so strict?? But I guess their sovereignty is theirs to do with it what they wish.

I digress. So there it is. I'm going to Seattle. FINALLY. I've waited almost six years for this! It's been a long six years since I've seen most my friends there, with the exception for a few who came to visit me at Harvard. But even that was three years ago! Man, time goes by fast... retrospectively, it really does feel like a blink of the eye.

Stars

Looking back at my last entry, I can't believe it's been a month since all that. The trip was fantastic and there are no regrets here. This was definitely just the beginning of my future UK experiences -- not so much as holidays but more to work and live. And I look forward to that time. :)) But untill then, the memories I now have from this trip will have to suffice!

Speaking of memories, a highlight of Edinburgh has to have been the pub next to our hostel where the loveliest, cutest ginger-haired Scotsman works and has, hands down, the best taste in music. We went back three times, each time leaving with album recommendations, one of which is now in my personal top five.





"Take Me To The Riot," Stars. From their latest album, In The Bedroom After The War. Man, is it great. I can't seem to get enough of it.