December’s been an interesting month, one where it’s completely hit me that I’m living abroad. It involved reflecting on the year, forming more solid ideas about my thoughts on living in Toronto, spending my first Christmas away from family/my home and seeing more of the US.
Here’s my monthly update for December!
Where I’ve Been:
Toronto, Canada
Long Beach, California, USA
Los Angeles, California, USA
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Killington, Vermont, USA
Highlights of the Month:
Exploring more of the US
It’s weird to think that a few years ago I had never been to the United States and I had no desire to go. Now, I love exploring new parts of it and basically have this period of my life living in North America to devote to travelling around the country (and Canada too, of course!).
Since going to San Francisco and Big Sur in 2014, I really fell for California. Long Beach and Los Angeles – Southern Cali this time around – were on the Agenda over Christmas (to visit my boyfriend’s brother who now lives in Long Beach). I had long thought I would dislike LA, and while there are some parts I can’t say I enjoyed going to, LA is a huge place and of course there were things I liked – more so than not, actually.
Mini-Christmas with my boyfriend in Toronto
My favourite festive thing that made me feel a little bit normal was actually my mini-Christmas the weekend before the real thing with my boyfriend in Toronto.
I think it comes down to feeling familiar; I’m so protective and loving over our little apartment and it’s really started to feel like a home recently, and because we have all the facilities, we were able to shop for things that would make it all a bit more homely: we had a Christmas tree and I could do some Czech traditions I’m used to in my family home.
Lowlights of the Month:
Not being with my family at Christmas
I really did wonder how I’d do on this – I’m going to do a full post about it very soon, but it’s safe to say it did not feel like Christmas and that sucked!
Most Popular Instagram:
Double-whammy this month…
https://www.instagram.com/p/-_wNC3R2uQ/?taken-by=kpowley
My Instagram Pick:
Also going to do a double-whammy…
This picture was a throwback from cruising Iceland and Greenland. I recently found this one of me and my dad looking out at the Greenland landscape and it makes me smile, us both admiring the view silently and unaware that my mum is taking a picture of us :)
I long to live in a place that offers both ocean and mountain views. It has the most calming effect on me.
What I’ve Been Writing:
I pathetically have only published three blog posts this month – a little because of what I mentioned in previous monthly updates about feeling unmotivated, and also because it’s actually been a pretty busy month.
The Moments of Worry During Solo Travel
2015: My Year in Travel & Goals for 2016
What’s Next?
When I first started writing this post I had literally no plans and nothing booked for 2016 travels. Now things have changed: I’ll be visiting home in London over 10 days at the end of April for a special occasion and I’m already really excited to see my family and friends. As for other travels, I have plenty of ideas and over the next couple of weeks I’ll be planning a few travels, including a Caribbean adventure or two and exploring more of Canada and the US. Stay tuned!
