Oh, I'm sorry. It appears I've opened the door to the past.

It's really funny the way that certain places can make you feel certain emotions. For me, I think Glasgow is going to be a place that stirs up particularly happy memories for me.

When I knew that during Easter 2009 I would be visiting Glasgow on my field trip I was totally uninspired and thought to myself, "why couldn't we go somewhere good?" and "how am I ever going to do well in second year?". But, thankfully, I was so wrong. Glasgow was the turning point of my degree. Everything that I thought "Geography" was, was turned on its head. I found new ways of looking at things and became confident in my own intellectual abilities. To the extent that I produced my personal best academic work. Not only this, but I learnt that to succeed you don't have to use flowery language, have a private education or have a "posh" accent. Or, as my lecturer put it, sometimes saying things more simply can be more intelligent than trying to make things sound more complicated than they are.

Then there's the humour element. My research project was on benches. I nearly got told off by security for lying across a bench in the shopping centre. And oh, seeing my lecturers drunk...

I hadn't really thought how much of an inspirational city Glasgow was to me until going back last weekend. Yes, it is cold, and yes, there is some beautiful architecture that is juxtaposed against a boarded up building just 10 feet away. But Glasgow has so much more to offer- friendly people, modern buildings and the occasional kilt wearer.

What made Glasgow even more special for me this time round was the people I shared my visit with. Getting off the bus and being greeted by friends I made in the USA, the comedy value of "Mrs Doubtfire" on the front desk, dancing with hot-kilt-wearing-scottish-guy at the Ceilidh and having chips and gravy all made for an amazing weekend, in what I already saw as an amazing city.

I know I'll go back to Glasgow one day. I have to, I need the Starbucks mug...

xxx

And then one thing led to another and, before I knew it, we were...shopping

Sale shopping is becoming one of the things I love, but I hate. I love it, because you get things cheap. I hate it because it usually involves elbowing people. To be honest, I'm a little bit like "Rachel" hiding in the dresses with a whistle...

During the start of my "new year mega-clear out" I decided that my wardrobe needed to transition from American preppy casual clothes to a slightly more grown up work wear look. So the January sales were a great place to start doing this, despite it being over 8 months until I get to wear my new purchases.

Best places have been Warehouse where I got a shift dress for £20 and the Next Outlet down in Portsmouth where I got a suit jacket for £9. I also got a couple of evening dresses, one from Warehouse and the other from Urban Outfitters. I've never really shopped in Urban Outfitters until after I got back from the States, as I never really saw myself as trendy enough, but they really do sell some nice and interesting things there. I'm a little addicted to shopping right now. Working in retail makes you want to buy things. I'm pretty sure they put something in the music in shops that secretly says, "buy everything".

My work wear wardrobe is going to be pretty standard I reckon- pretty tops and shirts, a few dresses and suits for days when I need to be all important looking. For a moment I considered power dressing, but I don't think I suit Cruella de Vil chic...or bright red lipstick.

Also on the agenda, and FINALLY done today was getting my hair cut. I probably shouldn't admit to having not had it done for 7 months- but I just wanted my long hair back. Short hair + rain + humidity = Diana Ross. It's looking so much healthier now though, side fringe is back as well as more layers. My American layers looked like a shelf.

xxx

PS- if you are into fashion, or like to look at pretty things- read Polly's awesome blog. It's better than mine...http://soulisrainingclothes.blogspot.com/

It's a metaphor daddy...

2012- The year of a new blog. Or, in China, the Dragon. The main reason for starting a new blog is my friends, those close by, those far away and anyone else who desires an insight into "what's occurring" in my life. Sometimes you're out of reach, sometimes we are just too busy- but I never forget people who have been part of my life, however big or small.

2012- The year of change. And it's weird because I know what my changes will be, and I've known for around 3 years where I wanted to steer my life- I've just taken a few diversions along the way to get there.

2012- The year of trying something new. I'm toying with a few different ideas of challenges, travels, or more home based activities- but whatever I do end up doing I know that I will learn from these new experiences.

So, where did 2011 leave me? I learnt a lot about myself- and am continuing to develop my strengths and improve my weaknesses. I learnt that from every failure comes success. I learnt that "wishing upon a star" can make your dreams come true, but that, your dreams may be different than what you originally think they are. I learnt that when one door closes, a hundred more are opened...

What do I want to achieve in 2012? I'd like to be fitter and healthier. I'd like to see as many friendly faces (old and new) as possible. I want to create some "me time". I'd like to read, and finish books. And I know that I will finally embark on a "real" graduate career. No nonsense, no pretend, no diversions...

My blog posts will probably seem quite random, but, I'm random so that fits I guess?

Enjoy x

The glass is never half empty, it just keeps being filled up...