Good Morning! ~ a new leaf

Hello blipfoto! I'm back!

It's been 404 days since my last blip. My last photo was taken when I was on the train home from uni after finishing my second year. I could write so much about what happened in those 404 days...
        During the summer, my sister got married in a beautiful ceremony, followed by a jolly celebration with my family. I had a peaceful and relaxing holiday in sunny Bulgaria which was lovely and refreshing. And then I returned to London to start my final year at uni! I specialised in neuroscience, and it was hard work but really interesting and it all paid off as I'll be graduating with a first class honours degree! I did a lot more flying and even got a job in the workshop at the airfield. I made a lot of new friends and had a lot of new experiences.

There were a lot of highs and lows and it's crazy to think it's all over. It's surreal not to be stressed about uni work right now; I haven't quite relaxed into it yet. Leaving uni is a lot like starting. It's all chaos  but the freedom is exhilarating but frightening. The whole world is front of me now.

There are a couple of reasons why I wanted to start keeping a photograph journal again. Firstly, since I now have so many opportunities ahead of me, I want to document all the things I do. There is so much beauty out there and taking lots of photos helps me to notice and appreciate it.
Secondly, I've made plenty of mistakes in the past and I think they are born out of a mixture of a lack of self-confidence and not being grounded. Taking a photo each day helps to keep me focused and be myself, and not get swept away trying to please others. Most of the blips I have taken were during my years at college when I was incredibly happy and at home, and now taking blips helps me to remember those days and who I am. I want to build my confidence and assertiveness so that each blip, and therefore each day, can be something I am proud of.

In a few of my previous blips, I wrote a list of all the things I was grateful for that day. I think it's an excellent thing to do that will make me happier and keep me grounded.

Things I am grateful for today
- my loving and kind sister for letting me stay at her flat in London for a couple of days and for taking care of me
- warm coffee when it's raining outside
- the friendly staff at Starbucks, Blackfriars and their feedback notebook full of kind comments from strangers
- the opportunity to move on from the past and be forgiven for my mistakes

This photo was taken in Starbucks by Blackfriars in London. I'm staying with my sister for a few days but today she is at work so I'm just exploring London a little and relaxing. Yesterday I read a book which my best friend Beth had kindly lent me and it made me remember how much I used to love reading and what I great pastime it is. Out of the blue, I strolled past a bookshop yesterday and decided to splurge. I can't wait to read these books!

currently listening to: Owl City - TUSD