These places they take you to...

Halloween party was a great success! Lots of drinking, laughing and dancing. Perfect evening. And, very much hungover today...joy. I dressed up as Eponine from Les Mis...it wasn't the greatest idea/costume, but I am so completely rubbish with costumes. No idea why I love Halloween so very much.

I've been sitting here attempting to maybe do some studying and just contemplating life. It's very odd to think of my life now and my 'old' life. With each day it just kind of slips farther away and it's really hard to imagine that I was ever that person. That person who worked in pharmaceuticals, lived in West Virginia (I still do tear up when Country Roads comes on my iPod), basically devoting my life to my relationship, was not in school... in ENGLAND. God, I love England.

I've met a very lovely girl, Bri, who is also leading a totally new life here in Oxford. I think it's great that we are able to move to England (even if it's only for a year...please don't let it only be for a year!) and be the people we're actually supposed to be. Free, Liberated, Opinionated, Smart women. Fantastical.

Ok, I was distracted and now I am not feeling deep or pensive or anything any more. I'll leave you with a picture (horrible) of me as Eponine. Costume fail, as usual...
-Edit- Can't figure out how to put the pic down here...sooo yeah.

Before this river...

Becomes an ocean.

I'm on a George Michael/Wham kick. Can't explain why :)

We are currently in the middle of week 4 of classes. It feels like we've been going for a lot longer. Don't get me wrong, I am LOVING the course and the people I've met. It's just that we've already learned/done/drank so much :) Feels like I've been here for 6 months, or honestly that I've just always been here.
Of course, everyday something happens and I rush home and just want to skype with everyone back home (ok, not everyone...sorry. Just like 3 of you), but I've also made some really good friends here who fill the void. And not to mention I'm back to my fun, sociable self (can I say that about myself...? Sure) that is always up for a good time! haha...slowing down now as the course work picks up.

Saturday night we returned back from Frankfurt, Germany and the Frankfurt book fair. It was AMAZING. A few of us walked into hall 8 (the international/UK/US hall) which was massive and only one of a bunch of halls, and just felt utterly overwhelmed. Sounds naive, but I don't think I realised just how many publishers there were. We were allotted 2 meetings, but I used my fantastic networking skills (yeah...) and weasled my way into 4: Random House, Bloomsbury, New Internationalist (EPIC) and David Attwooll Associates (literary agent). Random House and Bloomsbury were interesting, but kind of broad. I got a lot more out of the small places I visited. Not to mention the fact that we were there for about 8 hours, so we saw a lot, though not everything!
Saturday we were free to do what we wanted and a group of us chose to go to Mainz, Germany to the Gutenberg museum. Mainz was gorgeous and the museum was ok...I just can't get into museums, even when they're about books! We had a great dinner and some apple wine then shot off for the airport.
We arrived back at Heathrow after only a 1 hour flight. That's right, it takes me one hour to get from Germany to England. I love, love, love Europe.

Now it's back to the grind. Work load is picking up for the courses; numerous projects and group meetings to attend, plus our first marketing test which should be a doozy. And, of course, have to keep mastering my networking skills (read: pub quiz, wine socials, etc.).
We're having a Halloween/bday party at the flat this weekend, which should be loads of fun. The publishers are coming out in Force! And, Friday Harper Collins is coming to campus to interview for about 10 work placement slots. This would mean going to London every Monday morning at about 6am...but seriously. Harper Collins?? Totally worth it. Wish me luck!

Tschuss!

24 Candles

Today, I am 24 years old. Today, I am 24 years old and I'm waking up in Oxford, England where I LIVE. Today, I am 24 years old, living in England and single. Today, I am going with all new friends to a tapas bar and having a fabulous night.

It's strange to think how much your life can change in one year, or even one week. Yes, I have been out of the states for almost 2 months. I have seen 10 countries (if you count the Vatican :) ), I have met amazing people, I have moved to Oxford and I'm studying Books in the greatest book capital in the world. I have recently become single after 4+ years of a relationship that seemed like it would be my last. I have spent some hours grieving over this, but then the thought occurs to me: For the past 3 years of your life you've been plotting, scheming, working towards this. Can you really let something so simple get you down? It's not easy to pack up and move to another country...it's not easy to leave someone you love behind. At the age of (now) 24, a 4+year relationship is a major chunk of your life...and it was an important part that I won't forget and I definitely do not regret.
I'm a new me now, however, and I plan to make the most of it in every aspect.

Yes, I'm 24 years old today and I live in Oxford, England and I study books and I've made great friends and already experienced so much. Let the past rest and the future shine :) 24 is the year.



p.s. I apologize for the over-sentimental, nostalgic-ish rant...But, it is MY blog after all :)