Currently: Second Edition

If you have no idea where I’m at right now, I don’t blame you. I don’t really even know myself.

The last two months have been a blur of fast-paced travel, Christmas festivities, road trips and lots of nose-blowing. That last one is because of allergies and colds which have come about because of the previous three things. My body is literally telling me I need to slow down.

Which is what I’ve done. We flew from Iceland to Boston and from there went to Chicago, St. Louis and took a roadtrip along part of Route 66 all the way to Phoenix, Arizona, where I’m going to chill out for a little while until I have to think about moving on again.

Reading: I just finished reading Dark Places by Gillian Flynn. After loving the first book I read of hers (Gone Girl) but being sorely disappointed by the ending (it gripped me all the way through but was very anti-climatic) I was hesitant about reading another book of hers. The storyline to this one was intriguing, and the ending definitely wasn’t a let-down as with the previous book, but I didn’t enjoy it quite as much. It was good to pass the time on our aforementioned road trip, though. I’m now looking for recommendations of good books so that I can start something new.

Eating: After all of the over-indulging I’ve been doing the last couple of months (bratwursts + Christmas food + American breakfasts and tex mex = expanding waistline) I’m hoping to get on a healthier track now that I am staying in one place longer than a week. I plan on cooking and doing plenty of walking the dog and exercising, but I definitely plan to indulge in the odd brunch or two – there is nothing better than enjoying the weather on the West Coast of the US while tucking in to some eggs and Mimosas!

Thinking About: How nice it is to have a dog again and how much I’d like to get another one. Not yet though; not until we have a permanent base and have any visas sorted out, but I do love our little-big Basset Hound and know how much she’d love a friend. I’m also thinking about work and how behind I am with it all since I took some time off during Iceland and the road trip. Gulp.

Listening To: A station called The Coffee House on Sirius radio. It’s great to listen to while you’re making breakfast in the morning and enjoying a cup of coffee, although they do play Norah Jones and Jason Mraz a little too often.

Enjoying: Nice weather for a change. After spending all of December at snowy Christmas markets and in the wet and cold UK, it’s nice to wake up to sunny weather here on the west coast of the US. I may not be able to enjoy it for long, but I’m making the most of it while I can!

Watching: Honestly, I’m not watching any shows right now. There has been a big gaping Breaking Bad-sized hole in my life since the end of December and I’ve just not known how to fill it. With travelling so quickly, I’ve not really had time to watch much TV, but now I really want to start watching a show again.

Loving: My new concealer. I haven’t bought any new makeup since early last year, and have been surviving with what I had throughout the year while travelling (I tend to wear less makeup when the weather is really hot). In the States makeup tends to cost a little less than it does in the UK, but I still couldn’t bring myself to shell out for my usual Touche Eclat, so I bought a Maybelline concealer from the supermarket instead. I have to say it does just as good a job, for about an eighth of the price!