Letter to 2012

Dear 2012,

It has been a very long and difficult year. And I wish I could say that I am sad to let you go, but I am relieved. It is about time for us to say our long awaited good-byes. You have brought some goodness with you, but unfortunately the bad outweighed the good this year. I am trying to be as positive as possible because there really have been some good things that have happened, but nevertheless I am ready to see you go. But somehow the greatness of my year and all my accomplishments are somewhat clouded by certain events in life that have changed me and pained me.

I promise you though, that I will remember you and all the things that I have accomplished in 2012. The best thing that I have accomplished this year was moving to England.  I never want to forget the opportunity that I have to be here.

I have travelled to some of the most marvelous places, and seen the most stunning things. But I believe 2013 holds greater and happier times for me. I can say with great happiness and pride that I survived 2012. The world didn’t end, despite what so many believed. So good-bye 2012 my old colleague, for I do not feel like I can call you my friend. I toast you.

Cheers,

Natalie Xx

Bye Bye Christmastime!!



 

Platform 9 3/4... Need I say more?



Christmastime has come and swiftly gone. Now comes the end to my first holiday season away from home. What a bittersweet holiday season it was too. On a side note that is completely unrelated to Christmas: who knew bittersweet is a type of plant... I am completely baffled, I definitely learn something new everyday!! Anywho back to the festive topic of my English Christmas.



My English Christmas was amazing. I will be the first to admit that the closer we got to Christmas, the more I wanted to just go home, but I got over it. I stayed busy and ended up having a really good Christmas. On the Saturday before Christmas I went to London and spent all day walking around with one of my friends. The highlight of my trip was definitely going to King's Cross Train Station and getting my picture taken at platform 9 3/4. Yes, I know I need a life. That is already quite apparent.

St. Paul's Cathedral

London is a beautiful city in general, but at Christmastime it's almost like a dream or a  wonderful fairy tale. The only thing that could have made my London Christmas experience better would have been snow, but why dwell on the little things. I have decided that someday I have to live in London for atleast a year. I love it so much. My favorite thing about London is Saint Paul's Cathedral at night time. It lights up to perfection and is a complete breathtaking vision.



Christmas tree at Covent Garden in London



My Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were very good as well. On Christmas Eve I went to my first Midnight Christmas mass. It was a lot of fun and a really good experience. And on Christmas Day I had a great time. But how can you not have a good day when it includes the Doctor Who and Downton Abbey Christmas Specials? My English Christmas exceeded my expectations in a good way. Even though I couldn't be with my real family this year, I got to spend Christmas with my friends and English family... In England, how epic is that?! 

I hope you all had an amazing and blessed Christmas, and may you have a blessed New Year.

With all the Love and Twinkle Lights in the World,

Natalie Xx

The Lone Lip Balm

Today I went into my suitcase (which doubles as my storage case for my unneeded toiletries) to get out a new tube of lip balm. To my shock and horror I saw that after I opened my new tube of lip balm there was only one lip balm left. The lone lip balm. It was a sad moment. Now if you know me at all you will know that I am a girl who loves her lip balm. I may or may not be a little addicted to it. I can’t survive a day without it. You may be thinking, "just go to the store and by another lip balm." But if you know me really really really well you will know that I do not love just any old type of lip balm… oh no no no… I am very dedicated to Natural Ice Medicated Lip Balm in cherry flavor. God bless those Natural Icers. They make the best lip balm. Ever. But never fear Christmas is coming up in 23 days and my mommy is sending me a package, and I have requested a boat load of this lip balm. Sometimes it's the small things that mean the most.

With all the Love and Natural Ice Medicated Lip Balm in cherry flavor in the World,

Natalie Xx