Hallo Again!

I haven't written in a while and that really is all my fault. I could say I've been wickedly busy (which is true), but I still found time do watch BBC iPlayer so...yeah.

But I'm back now and I'll fill you in on what's really been going on.

To start, I'm still in London and working well at school and at work--i.e. using work commitments to procrastinate on coursework. But that's still productive, right?

I've been to Brighton, and Bath. I've taken selfies with Elvis and Stonehenge. I've been a right ol' traveller, I have.

Chillin' with my druid friends.

That Elvis tho....

I've also consumed a fair bit of fermented drink, if you know what I mean. However, those are the pleasures of Blighty and they will sure be missed when I'm gone.

 I've also made friends, the best of whom has been a young Chicagoan (I really don't know what they call themselves... I must ask), called Ryan with whom I have embarked upon adventures during my time here.

I also was reunited with my cousin Dominique who I haven't seen for around 6 years. When we last saw each other, we were both under five foot tall and prepubescent. She's now 6 feet tall in heels and towers over me. I'm forever jealous of her ability to source things from high shelves and she envies my shoe size. Despite our vertical differences, we've clicked and have spent time giggling, taking selfies, and drinking Caramel Macchiatos-- so basic, but so good.

This gal has been frolicking around London and other parts of England for the past month, exploring, eating, and being terrified by pigeons. This weekend I shall be travelling to Northumbria to see an old friend-- a girl I haven't seen in nearly a decade. I'm nervous about if we'll click back like it was 2007 or if it'll be awkward. I'm also very excited. We've more or less stayed in constant contact over the years via e-mail and later FaceBook, Twitter, and even Skype; but this will be our first in person meeting and she has lovely green hair.

I'd love to end this blog post by promising to write something next week, but I know if I did I'd probably be a rotten liar.  I'll try, okay? I'll make something momentous worth writing about happen-- unless you'd like to read a type-off of my Tesco purchases. If the latter is the case, you can have your next post within a week, if I can find the receipts.

Until then!

Ann
xx

New Year, New Me.. and all that jazz

I know. I've been missing for a while.... Miss me? If you don't I do not blame you.



Since I last posted I've been through the wringer with finals (I've only gotten three of my grades so far (I'm dying to receive the rest), had a lovely bubbly Christmas with my family and returned to good ol' Antiguan sun, seas, and sand.

Last year I am happy to say I completed my New Year's Resolution to be more confident and outgoing. The people I've met over the past year, I'm sure, wouldn't see the difference but family and friends have. I've ventured out of my makeup comfort zone to add new shades and styles (next, I shall make a resolution to declutter and spend less time browsing Sephora's website), I've found a "fashion" I'm comfortable with and I've made new friends along the way.

I've had a great experience on Tremr.com (hyperlinked image in the sidebar) and met great writers who inspire me to really explore the discipline. 

If a year ago I had told myself that I was going to be doing a writing internship I would've laughed at myself and returned to my miserable internships at banks and businesses. 

In 2014, I believe I finally found myself. I found my style, defined my likes and dislikes, and dare to say, found the adult I want to be (when I finally grow up of course).

Instead of controlling my life with an iron fist and trying to predict the world, I've finally calmed down and started to just take the opportunities thrown at me and go a long with whatever life throws my way.

2015 is going to be a great year. I'll travel a lot more ( more on that to come), be reunited with old friends, and be sure to make some new ones. I'll document it all here.

Happy New Year!

xx

-Anna

Confessions of a guilty napper

I nap, even though my body hates me for it.

I look back at my childhood self with distain for refusing to or lying about my naps to avoid the behaviour. I wish I could take those naps now.

In keeping with either my inner child or inner pensioner, I often find myself asleep before the sun goes down for an average of two hours. This happens two or three times a week if time permits. 

However, when I do nap, I spend the wee hours of the morning scoffing biscuits, watching bad late night television, drinking camomile tea, and being a general nuisance to those who live in the flat below me (sorry, Al).

I also feel incredibly guilty post-nap for frittering to many useful day hours away. The hours I've spent napping could've been used to form economic models or doing homework.

It's the beauty sleep with no effect, I fear. It's also contributing to my newfound nocturnal behaviour and dependence on espresso.

These are just my ramblings after a particularly indulgent four hour snooze-- delirious with that "I've just woken up so now I feel the strange urge to hug people" emotion. Ignore them if you like. 

I wouldn't ignore them if you see me within the next few days.  I may either be extremely energetic or giving you looks of death behind panda-eyes.

Keep Organised!

A lot of people have been asking me how I keep sane/organised.

I understand where they're coming from. I'm a full-time student taking seventeen credits, I have an internship that requires around 12 hours a week in-office as well as an e-board position on a society at my school. I even find time to write on this blog (semi-regularly).

To tell the truth, I've no idea why I'm still sane. I can never get a full eight hours a sleep and I'm always hustling to go to a prior engagement. However, I do have a tips and tricks I use to keep on top of my schedule, grades, and tasks.

1. Avoid Procrastination:
This is the most obvious one and I suppose that is why it's first. If you get something today, try to do it today or as soon as possible. If you leave it until later, many other things may pop up and you may forget about it altogether. You will thank yourself later for taking the stress off your future self.

2. Keep a whiteboard in plain sight:
I have a whiteboard on my bedroom wall right on my work desks. On that whiteboard, I  use markers to write a checklist  of my tasks for the week. Whenever I had a small notebook, I NEVER remembered to open it and whenever I put my task on electronic devices I always got distracted. Having that big reminder on my wall that I can see whether I want to or not lets me know exactly what I should finish by the end of the week or at the end of a fortnight. It also makes me more productive as I am driven to tick off each task.

My bad handwriting is for my eyes and my eyes only. Don't judge.

3. Turn of WiFi, 4G, or block social media websites whilst working:
When I'm typing a paper I have already researched for or am doing written homework I turn off the WiFi, turn off my cellular phone, and switch off the television. In other words, all electronic distractions cease to exist for that time. If I need the internet for research, then I block Facebook, Twitter, and the like for the duration of my work. This helps me to keep focused on the task at hand. A good website you could use to block social media sites is ColdTurkey.com.

4. Write notes in alternating colours of ink:
Yeah black and blue ink are fun, but sometimes when it’s three o’clock in the morning and you have that cumulative History final the next day, it can all mush together into an uninteresting mess. By writing important points such as definitions, formulae and NBs (Note Bene) in coloured ink, your eyes are captivated by the information and are less tempted to gloss over it. I also find it much more appealing to my eyes than highlighters.

5. Pack at night:
When my mum used harass me about packing my rucksack for school in the night I got annoyed and huffed and buffed. But now, I thank her for getting me into the habit. At night, you can take your time and pack leisurely, remembering what you need for the following day. In the morning you are hectic, watching the clock, and regretting sleeping for that extra half and hour. It saves you the time to have a calm sit-down breakfast then just pick up your back and go!

 

6. Utilise calendar apps:

Every cellular phone, computer and tablet nowadays comes with a stock calendar app. Even if you do not like the stock one there are many alternatives in the different app stores. Set the calendar to alert you two hours before your next appointment. That way, even if you forget, you've got time to get ready and leave for it.

7. Set your watch fifteen minutes ahead:

This is a habit my father got me into. When your watch is a quarter-hour fast, you will get anywhere fifteen minutes early (or if "late" then on time). When hurriedly checking your watch you will forget about it's prior settings an just work on the time you see.

These are the small things I do that help me keep organised and on top of things. I hope they help! Do you have any organisational tips and tricks? Feel free to comment below and share!

xx

Cheeky H&M Hall

This last week, I did a little bit of online shopping at H&M. I needed a few unique or on-trend tops and I wanted to stray away from my usual blazers and try a leather jacket. I got what I wanted! Here are the little bits I've bought.

1. Patterned Sweatshirt- $29.95 :  This is a patterned and quilted jumper that I got for my Fall/Winter wardrobe. In keeping with Fall and Summer 2014's floral trends, this Fall and Winter seems to have the florals in more cool hues. This will definitely look great with a pair of black jeans in the winter and some regular blue jeans in the fall.

2. White Jersey Top (Graphic Tee) $12.95 : The city I now live in (New York) and two that I really want to visit in a classic white tee- how could I refuse? It is really soft and comfortable and should be really good for the hot summer months left.

 3. Rib-Knit Top (Sweater) $19.95 : This is a really warm and thick wool sweater which should be great by itself on those cool fall days but also great under a coat in the winter. It is also follows the Fall/Winter 2014 trend of monochrome, black/white pairings (Thank God because black and white is pretty much my staple clothes palette).

4. Biker Jacket- Black 59.95 : Now, this was the only item that was for me a disappointment. It didn't fit me well and the neck just seemed a bit off on me. The pleather (faux leather) used felt a bit rubbery. I was going to try to keep it and style it out, but I'm afraid I won't get much money for wear. Sadly, I have to return it and stick to blazers.

And that's it for my short hall. Just a few bits and bobs for my Fall Wardrobe I received in the post today. I hope you enjoyed these little articles. Tell me what you think!