Skate!
On Saturday, it was actually sunny in Manchester. And I was actually IN Manchester. And I wasn't at work. All 3 of those are rare occurrences so when they co-incide you know it's a pretty special day.
So I decided to go rollerblading. And realised just HOW MUCH I've missed it. With the music, and the motion, it's like dancing. Okay, I DID dance as I skated through lovely safe* suburbs such as Hulme and Moss Side. I only met 2 gangs this time and only 1 kid chased me.
The cool thing is, I don't care when people stare at me when I'm skating. "Weird blonde chick dancing on rollerblades?" I'm in the moment and it's FUN. I even threw in some cartwheels. :)
Back in the Brisbane days I used to skate every night. I miss that: it was my way to chill down after the day and watch the stars for a while. I saw so many meteorites and made so many wishes (and some came true but most of them didn't, as evidenced by my lack-of-being-married-to-certain-boy) (And looking back, that's a good thing.) I breathed and I danced.
Rollerblading. Good for the soul.
*safe = not very.
And off he goes!
Coffee guy is leaving the city. I shouldn't be surprised. Anyone I ever flirt with takes off soon after (even last month, K left).
At least this time he's not leaving the country, as has happened far too many times to me. It's a bit funny in a way. If Nic has a crush on you, don't expect to stay in your city for too much longer!
Coffee Guy
It's now official. I have a relationship with my coffee dealer.
In the past, I'd shyed away from having any kind of interaction with those who dispense my morning coffee. After all, I didn't want to be known as an addict. And what if they started getting TOO friendly?
However, I'm starting to like the personalised service. He'll usually make 3 coffees at once but he makes mine individually. With extra foam. Sometimes he doesn't charge me at all. And there's always a friendly smile and some morning chatter (he's the first person I talk to each morning).
Turns out it's not so bad having your very own 'coffee guy'. ;)
(And I will miss the joys of Caffe Nero when I move on from this country!)
6 Years
Manhattan. New York City. There's something both exciting and intoxicating about the place. It had been 6 years since I was last there, and going back to NYC was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.
Why? Because of the journey, and I'm not talking Manchester-->America here. I'm referring to my personal journey. In some ways, I AM that girl of 6 years ago, and yet with an added perspective that makes EVERYTHING different.
If only I could go back in time and tell her what the next few years of her life would hold.
- Starting 'real life' (as opposed to university)
- Falling in love for the first time
- More travel and opportunities than I ever dreamed
The last time I was in NYC, I was a poor student. This time, I could afford to buy 2 dresses AND shoes in a cute little botique.
The last time I was in NYC I was despairing at still being single (at the tender age of 22.) This time, I walked with God and I found
so much joy in being on my own. I spent hours wandering through Central Park, sitting in the sunshine, thinking, writing in my journal, breathing the air, admiring the cherry blossoms and knowing that the seductive
city was just beyond the trees. (In actual fact, you can see the buildings beyond the park in most directions!)
The last time I was in NYC, I had my future mapped out and knew what the next few years held. This time, I have no clue, and yet it makes me feel so free.
I've come full circle. And I know that I am SO blessed.
Peaches and grapes and strawberries
I love eating fruit - it's the ultimate healthy snack. But almost every time I buy fruit from a UK supermarket, I end up disappointed. Not that it's rotten, or looks bad, or anything like that... it just has NO TASTE.
Today I'm eating green grapes. They look so sweet and juicy. They taste like nothing. Same thing happened with the strawberries last week, the red grapes the week before and I've given up buying peaches or nectarines because it's like eating cardboard.
"Of course you can get fruit in England!" people say. But it's not exactly a culture of fruit-eaters. I understand why.
At long last
I finally have a public blog to keep in touch with all of the fantastic people who know the non-fannish side of Nic.
So here we go. Real Life. This blog will hopefully contain my continued crazy adventures as I run around Europe and the world. As I post for the first time, I was in France 2 weeks ago, am going to New York City in 4 days, and I live in Manchester.
The world is my universe and it's great. :D
