Fresh Starts

I've always loved Spring, not just because of the promise of warmer weather (which I'm still desperately waiting for) but also because it has always felt like a time for fresh new beginnings and de-cluttering my life.  For most people that mean having a big spring clean or clearing out your wardrobe of those why-the-hell-did-I-buy-this purchases but for me it meant letting go of things that weren't making me happy.  And that was my job.  I don't even know how to explain it, maybe it was that the company was disorganised or the area it was in, or maybe it was that the whole office had been under construction for the last month and paint fumes, hammering, and a lack of fridge were starting to get to me. The commute didn't seem worth it, especially for the pay.

It was scary leaving a place, but it was definitely time, I was really worried I wouldn't find anything else for awhile, but I got an internship FINALLY working in journalism paid and FINALLY in central London, I think a happy dance is in order here. It just goes to show where taking big scary risks can lead to really great things. I took a definite risk moving back to the UK last fall without a job or even a place planned out to live. Sometimes I didn't even know WHY I did it, originally I had planned to move back due to an relationship that didn't work out (thank god for that), but all I knew is I needed out of my tiny beach town. As lovely as it is where I'm from, it's one of those places where nothing moves forward, a place where you try and ignore reality. I end up moving in a house with two guys I didn't know (I felt like Jess in the first episode of New Girl) but risks have paid off, those guys turned out to be the best housemates, and one is now my boyfriend, and I'm finally going to be using my two degrees. It just goes to show that some of the best things happen if you just take a few risks.

Surviving a Commute: it's in the bag

I've been commuting from Surrey to London everyday for the past month now with a commute that takes exactly 2 hours from my door to my desk. During that time I've discovered a few things: That if my bus, train, and the underground line are running a good service it's like winning the lottery, that any usual British politeness completely disappears where train seats are involve (oh no worries, I've been standing here first for 15 minutes in the rain and in heels, but feel free to all but push me under the train for a seat), what it would feel like to be in a clown car, and that I'm roughly armpit height (Ew...just...Ew). So I've been coming up with ways to make a commute a little less miserable. The best way I've found to keep your journey from slowly crushing your soul is to have the right stuff with you. Here are my top commuter essentials:

1. A good-sized, structured bag:

I can't seem to survive my commute without a bag that's both big enough I could fit my dog in (not that I ever would, I'm not one of those people) and organised enough I don't lose everything. I could probably survive a zombie apocalypse for a week on the amount of stuff I shove in my bag every morning, so having a good one is so key.

I have my fair share of handbags, but this one that I got from Accessorize right after Christmas is my go-to bag for work. It's big enough to fit anything I need (including lunch and sometimes even an extra pair of shoes) plus it stays super organized. In every other bag I own, whatever I need automatically sinks to the bottom leaving me constantly rummaging for my phone, train ticket, ect. And making me either late, or run into things (oh, hello there wall, nice to see you). Look for a structured bag with lots of pockets. This one has two massive pockets on the outsides, one which is a padded tablet pocket (my iPad is loving it).

2. Hand sanitizer

I don't like to think of how many germs I come into contact with on public transport every day, but a mini bottle of hand sanitizer helps me fight them off. My favourite is the Pocket Bacs from Bath and Body Works, but I can't find them here in the UK. So I've been looking for something similar here (if anyone has some favs let me know). I don't like the ones that smell like alcohol but go for a scent that is clean, light and not overpowering so you aren't gagging your fellow commuters.

3. Cosy shoes

Maybe it's because I spent most of my youth in flip flops, but I can't seem to get through a day in work appropriate shoes without some blisters. For rushing around some comfy shoes are a must, but I can't bear to be one of those people in trainers and and suit (shudder). They may have the right idea, but I need to be a little more stylish. I think a pair of Toms might just be the Cinderella slippers of my commute. Comfy, but look a bit like flats, come in tons of colors, plus they are a feel good purchase since the company gives a pair of shoes to someone who need them. All around win.

4. Healthy, easy to eat snacks

Pick something that isn't messy so you don't get it all over you and the train and go for something fairly odorless, because there's nothing worse than having to sit next to someone eating stinky food. I usually go for a granola bar, dried fruit or nut mixes, all which are easy to eat on the go and full of fiber to keep you full. I also really like graze.com which delivers a box of healthy snacks to your house or work, they all come in their own punnets so it's easy to toss in a bag. Just avoid the dips for commuter time.

5. A tablet

No they don't come cheap, but my iPad has been my sanity saver. I've got a library, notebook, TV, music, game centre, ect without weighing down my bag (especially since I love a good thick book). I do a bit of blogging, watch a film, read the latest issue of Cosmopolitan, and next thing I know I'm there. Yes you could bring a laptop, but I find even a netbook is too heavy and cumbersome for public transport. Make sure it has a sturdy cover as it will probably get knocked around a bit in the rush hour hustle and bustle.

6. Travel umbrella

Especially if you live in the UK. Unless you enjoy being soggy at work. The smaller the better so it fits easily in a handbag, although I guess you could get a full-sized one and use it to fight your way onto the train, the choice is yours.

7. Mini Emergency kit

I keep a little coin purse with some little emergency items in it like plasters (bandaids), a nail file, paracetamol, eye drops, cotton buds, ect. Whatever little mini things might come in handy. Some other things I usually make sure I have: tissues, dental floss and a mini toothbrush, Berocca, and a travel sized deodorant (here's to wishing other London commuters would bring is along with them).

8. A leak proof travel mug

I love my morning Costa latte, but getting one everyday would cost me a fortune. But I need that bit of caffeine and something warm to keep me going in the morning. Getting a good coffee mug is better for your wallet and the environment. Try finding a leakproof one (amazon.co.uk has a few) so you can just toss it in your bag.

All my essentials! Ready for another long day!

Day in the Life of an Intern

Oh the glamorous life of an intern, early mornings, making tea and coffee, getting stuck with the jobs no one else wants, spending a lot of time pretending you know exactly what you are doing when you have no clue, all this for very little to no money. And only if you are lucky graduates, because in many industries competition is fierce! One interview I attended had over 100 application within a few days of the ad. Even worse, sometimes you're competing with people with a few years experience. It's hard to even find a place to start, and when you do, it's even harder to make ends meet, especially if you're like me living far from home with a rent to pay (oh hey weekend job!).

Er, cup of tea anyone?

Actually I can't really complain too much.  Yes I'm broke, and yes I work in what I'm pretty sure is the least glamorous part of London (the view from my office is of two cheap takeaways, some graffiti, and a dead tree with about 50 pairs of trainers in it). But spend my day managing the company's social networking, designing the homepage, and even got to assist with a photo shoot not long ago. I've rarely spent my time making cups of tea or dealing with angry bosses, and unlike some bigger places, I get a lot of input and responsibility. The commute from Surrey is the worst part, but I wouldn't ever trade my cosy quiet house here, and I'd be lucky to have a place the size of my wardrobe for the same price in London. This is a peek of what my day is like

5:50 drag my not a morning person self out of bed and make an sorry attempt at getting ready. Highlight of my morning is my housemate always has a cup of tea waiting for me and my boyfriend usually gets up to have breakfast with me (again why I refuse to move)
6:57 Get on the bus, I could actually take the next one and get to work on time, but sometimes it decides not to show up. I don't know why.

7:25-7:35 stand on the train platform debating whether to freeze but have more of a chance of getting a seat or take my meager pocket change and get a coffee. Even if I'm the first person on the platform I'll inevitably have to fight about 10 middle aged men for a seat. Usually I lose and end up standing barefoot holding my heels for the next 40 minutes while they smugly read their newspapers. I've gotten crafty though, yesterday a man pushed in front on me and started taking off his coat and I slipped into his vacant seat, whipped out my book and looked at him really confused like I'd been there the whole time. I'm quick, small, and wearing uncomfortable shoes, don't mess with me.

8:15-8:50 London, hope there aren't tube delays. Sardine myself into a train. It's ok though because I'm usually one of the last people left after awhile. Most likely because no one want to go to that part of London.

9:00 sit at my desk and pretend to do something important. Usually I'm just reading emails from my mom...

I spend the rest of my day doing graphics for the web page, which will usually get revised about a hundred times while my boss decides what she wants, and because I am relearning photoshop after not using it for a year. Essentially this is how I role with internships, I act lie I know what I'm doing when 9 times out of 10 I have no clue. I keep this up until lunch time and have my home brought sandwich.

There's always a point after lunch where I run out of stuff to do and go back to looking like I'm doing something important. Usually I'm researching stuff to write about for their blog, which usually turns into me reading articles on fashion websites and calling it work. Ill usually get another project later in the day, like coming up with a new social media contest. It's all fairly easy really and they give me a lot of free range. Everyone is pretty nice there but it's also weirdly quiet all the time, except when my boss is in the room. Sometimes she sits in and stands over my shoulder when I'm doing graphics. Which is a little nerve wrecking considering I'm trying to hide the fact I've forgotten a lot of things on Photoshop since graduating over a year ago, and usually means everything takes about three times as long to do. Usually I leave at five, and hightail it out of there so I can make my last bus at 6:30pm home (which is ridiculous) so I'm always that person who looks like they can't wait to leave, not my best habit.

Another commute home. Usually by the time I've eaten dinner and washed up I'm exhausted and ready for bed, what have I turned into? I've felt a bit bad lately because my night owl boyfriend usually wants to hang out, watch a movie, ect. But I'm so broke and tired I'm lucky if I can stay awake through a TV episode. He got quite used to when I first came over here, the first two months I was settling in and then I was just working at a shop on the local high street through the Christmas season, I had a lot more time and money on my hands.