06 August 2014
My Writing Process (or lack thereof)
So I've been invited to join in on the blogging chain gang again.
This time focuses on probably the most important part of blogging: your blog design.
Kidding.
It's writing, of course.
Camila at The Things I Am Crazy For has chosen to include me in this. She's a UK expat too, currently based in Scotland. You can find her talking about her travels, living abroad in St. Andrews, and a little bit of Harry Potter. And since I know nobody hates reading about travel and Hogwarts favorite student, I suggest you check her out.
So this post asks a few questions:
How does your writing process work?
Why do you write what you do?
How does your work differ from others?
What are you working on?
Well ... let's get to it.
How does my writing process work? I wish I knew.
Most of these posts come with a burst of thought - I will jot down a rough draft, to get all of my thoughts on page, and when I'm ready, I can go back and make it presentable.
I've got a nice little list on my notes of different ideas - whether or not they make in onto this site, I couldn't tell you. But for some of those ideas, it may be for the best. Like the note I have on writing about the fact I'll be missing real bacon and ice cubes when I move to London ... is that really necessary?
Why do I write what I do?
Well, to put it simply - because I want to.
I started this a few years ago to ramble on about my adventures studying abroad.
I love looking back now and rereading my thoughts at the time, and because of that,
and the fact that the craziness of life hasn't stopped since,
I decided to keep going with this.
So I like to write about travel, because I like to travel. I like to write about The Beatles, because I like (am disgustingly obsessed with) The Beatles. I like to write about moving to London, because, well, that should be obvious by now.
A lot has gone on, and the more I've dove into this blogosphere, I've noticed that others are going through it too. Which makes is a little less stressful to know that I can share my frustrations with people who understand. It's nice to have a group of friends where we can genuinely be interested and happy in what's going on in each other's lives - and it's even more touching that it's a group of friends that I haven't met (yet).
You tell me.
I try not to fall in with the crowd too much. I don't like writing blogging tips, because they've all been told before in some form. When it comes to tips or advice, I try to cover all the angles and give the 'real' information - something that really frustrates me is coming to a post that has been shared 235325 times and the entire things is something along the lines of, "5 Tips on Traveling: 1) Book a flight 2) Fly to country 3) Stay in hotel 4) See city 5) Smile you've travelled!!!"
Really, it's that easy? Why aren't we all doing this?
Well .... I'm currently working on moving to London.
Which takes up a lot of my time - so what I work on with this blog and writing has been very sporadic.
Once I get my life on track I'm going to try and organize this blog-life.
While I feel like I've gotten my feet wet in this community, there's still a lot I'm missing out on, and once I have the time - if I ever have the time - I'd really like to dive in.
Oh, and my photography. Totally could improve that too.
So there you have it.
A little bit of my writing process - but, as I write this, I'm starting to wonder if you would even call it a 'writing process.'
To sum it up, I like to write about the things I write about, and I like that you all enjoy it.
So with the tradition of chain letters, I've got to pass this on.
There's a few girls on here that are my favorite weekly reads, so I'm really glad that they've agreed to be involved in this:
1) Van at Snow in Tromso
Van is from Germany, and in about a week, will be living in Norway. She was one of the first blogs I started chatting with. And for good reason, seeing that we both have some pretty huge life changes coming up in the very near future.
2) Taylor at DoEast
More support on finding bloggers that I've got too much in common with. Taylor is a fellow American who can't seem to stay in one place either. After spending a year in Egypt, she came home and completed a road trip across the USA, only to move to England right after.
And I thought I moved around a lot.
3) Ashley at Ashley in Adventureland
Ashley is from Florida, and the first blogger I've met in the real world. She's a super sweet girl who just returned to the states in June after a few months abroad in England - as if I didn't have enough in common with the first two girls on this list.
She's been bit by the travel bug, so you can find plenty of advice, travel guides, and future plans on her blog.
They'll have this post on their writing process within the next week or so. And it will probably be much more interesting than mine, so make sure you check them out!
Why do you write what you do?
05 August 2014
Why I Love Hostels, & Why You Should Too
Hostels are given a pretty bad name - we've all heard it.
They are small, they are crowded, they are dirty,
the shower is in the hallways, the sink spits out brown water,
it's sleeps 15 with triple bunk beds, there is no room for any of your things.
But the one misconception about hostels, is that those above comments apply to all of them.
Which is not true.
I have stayed in great hostels, and I have stayed in terrible hostels.
For every negative experience, there are 5 more positive experiences.
So I'm coming at you now - a proud survivor of not just one but many hostel stays,
to tell you that they aren't as bad as you may think
and there are a lot of really great reasons why you may want to choose them over other options.
Cheap? I'll Take It
If it isn't already obvious, traveling isn't cheap. You want to do and see everything, and a lot of times that comes with a price. That being said, the cheaper, the better.
You can find rooms for as low as $20 a night, a when it comes to hostels, lower prices don't always mean lower quality. I've stayed at hostels where I've spend double this, and have had worse experiences than a less expensive room. So if the reviews look nice, and it is in a great area, I will always go on the cheaper side. And when you're at the bottom of the barrel for some spare change, this is definitely the best option.
When I said cheap, I wasn't kidding..
A Place For The Lost
Looking for a walking tour? Need a map? Want to know what goes on around town at night? Hostels have all of this. And more! Everything I could possibly think of needing, I could find either in the bulletin boards on the walls, the brochures in the lobby, or by asking the staff. And if you're lucky, you may find yourself in a hostel with computers in the lobby for you to use for free.
They. Have. It. All.
A Melting Pot of Culture
Right off the top of my head, I can tell you I've stayed with South Americans, Belgians, Australians, Indians, and even other Americans. And while you are able to learn about someone else's culture and way of life, what I really love to learn is their travel story. Everyone's came from somewhere, and everyone is going somewhere.
No better place to meet some cool people and make some quick friends - nobody stays in a hostel to keep to themselves.
Fun
Shouldn't that be reason enough? Everyone is there for a good time - you can always find a party. And if you're lucky, you may find your hostel has it's own bar inside of it. Who doesn't want to come home from a night out for an after-party right below where you're sleeping? I've had drinks with groups of people who I've ended up hanging out with the nights after around the city. We're all here for the same reason - it's more fun if we explore (and drink) together.
There's an explanation for this ... well, not really.
Hostels are so much more than a bed to sleep in for a few nights - so much more.
It may not be a place with the most comfortable bed, or shelves of space for all of your clothes,
but that's not the reason you should stay there.
It may not be a place with the most comfortable bed, or shelves of space for all of your clothes,
but that's not the reason you should stay there.
They are a place to open your mind up, and get out in the world in a more outgoing way.
I still keep in touch with people that I've met. I have memories, hilarious memories, that are some of my favorite moments in life.
Try and find a hotel where you'll have as much opportunity for these things - because you won't.
Happy hosteling!
03 August 2014
Sunday Lovin'
Welcome baaaack!
1) Do you already know what this is going to be?
Yep - TWO WEEKS.
Two weeks until I can start complain about rush hour and crowdedness through the Tube,
until I can hustle through people who don't know how to walk, while I'm trying to get to class on time,
until Heather and I are finally back living where we're so sure we belong,
until I'm finally writing this blog from the place that most of you think I already am.
TWO. WEEKS.
2) A Stroll Through Tromso from Van at Snow in Tromso.
Like me, she is moving in a couple of weeks to a place she also fell in love with.
She understands a lot of my stress of moving countries,
but soon enough we'll be able to share excitement that we are FINALLY there!
3) I just downloaded this amazingly cute August calendar desktop background,
and I have to say, I'm obsessed.
4) Sara at Bristol In My Pocket was just recently in London,
and has been throwing out city posts lately, so you all know I love that.
5) Getting Started With Running with Christina at Route Bliss.
I haaaate running. I hate it.
But I do know that the more I run, the more I enjoy it, and the more inclined I am to keep it up.
This is great for those of you who are just beginning the terror that is going on a run.
I promise, it's not sooo bad.
6) This Staycation Travel Link Up
because why can't you travel in the city you live in?
The link up runs until August 7 - so go get your local travel on!
5) Getting Started With Running with Christina at Route Bliss.
I haaaate running. I hate it.
But I do know that the more I run, the more I enjoy it, and the more inclined I am to keep it up.
This is great for those of you who are just beginning the terror that is going on a run.
I promise, it's not sooo bad.
6) This Staycation Travel Link Up
because why can't you travel in the city you live in?
The link up runs until August 7 - so go get your local travel on!
I don't know if I've ever read anything more true to word on what it's like to come home
after you're life was changed abroad.
"It's like learning a foreign language that no one around you speaks, so there is no way to communicate to them how you really feel."
01 August 2014
Fab Four Friday
Through viewings and bookings and cancelations and more bookings,
We've finally secured housing that we are actually really happy about.
And with about two weeks let until our big move, this was crucial.
So - to say the least, it's been a GREAT week.
And why not keep this excitement going with some good ol' Fab Four Friday!
A Hard Day's Night is a song that everyone knows (I think? Well, you should).
It's such a fun song, and you can't help but start tapping your foot to it at the sound of that first chord.
This video is the opening of their first feature film with the same name,
and aren't they just the cutest?!
I love watching this because they are having SO much fun.
Ohhh, these boys never fail to put a smile on my face!
FUN FACTS:
- Did you notice George and Ringo completely wipe out right in the beginning?
Makes me laugh every time!
Makes me laugh every time!
- This title, A Hard Day's Night was created by Ringo - I know ... Ringo???
Apparently after another long day of work, Ringo made the statement,
and if you have learned anything about these boys - something as quick-stated as that
can turn into something as big as a hit song to title their first and most-anticipated motion pictures.
- The name was actually picked for the title of the film,
the song came after this, and was written specifically for the movie.
- The opening chord is one of the most identifiable and famous notes played.
Like, it has been seriously analyzed by people to figure out the exact chords used.
What's been found, is that the chord is played with
an electric guitar,
an acoustic guitar,
a bass guitar,
a piano,
and a little snare & cymbal.
Never thought something so simple could be so complex, huh?
Pretty cool.
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