So long 2015

It's strange to think that this time last year I'd just graduated from LSU.

I had absolutely no idea what January would bring me, let alone where I'd be in an entire year's time.

The entire first half of the year, I spent stalling.

In January I had no idea what I'd be doing in February.

In February I had no idea what I'd be doing in March.

At one point in the year, I thought I might end up a librarian technician at a local university, which, if I enjoyed, I thought might lead to an M.S. in library sciences.

At another, I thought I might become a seamstress at a local costume shop.

At another, I thought, "well, I guess I'm going to be The Hermit of My Parents' Spare Bedroom for the rest of my life."

It wasn't until May that I finally made any decisions about my future.

MAY!

As I sit here now, I am in roughly the same place I was last year, doing roughly the same thing: sitting in my parents' house, drinking coffee, writing, and bothering my cat.

The circumstances, however, are wildly different.

This year, I know quite a bit about what my future will bring.

In a few weeks, I will return to England, where I will hand in the first 5,000 words of my manuscript project, which I'm calling "Emma Montgomery's Book of Mostly Useful Magic." I will work on it throughout the winter, the spring, and the summer, in workshops and coffee shops, and at home at my desk. In September, I will hand it in. I will pack my bags.

Hopefully, I will know exactly where to go next.

It's very possible I'll be sitting here again this time next year: in my parents' house, with my cat and my coffee.

Maybe it'll be where I want to be. Maybe it won't.

All I know is that this year I have made the right decisions, and I believe enough in myself to think that next year, I'll make the right decisions, too.

Before I leave you for the year: here are some of the highlights from my past two weeks in the U.S.

BOSTON:

NEW ORLEANS:

Best,

Julia

Christmas in Corsham

December is here. Last week I handed in an essay and my first Creative Writing portfolio. On Thursday, I hand in my next portfolio. Then, my first term in England will have come to an end. It's amazing how much and how well I've settled in here. It really does feel like home. I've made great friends. My writing has already improved vastly. The community at BSU makes me feel supported in everything I do.

Even my house is cosy and decorated for the holidays.

I have a printed-out Christmas tree:

and my Christmas village from the last blog:

I even have a real (and tiny) Christmas tree for my desk:

I shouldn't have done, because my priority should be on handing the best work possible in for my assessment on Thursday, but I spent the weekend in Bath to enjoy its festive spirit.

Bath's tree is just slightly larger than mine: 

As is its Christmas village:

which is, in truth, a Christmas market, and where I've been doing the majority of my Christmas shopping. 

It's the most gigantic Christmas market I've ever seen. It winds its way through most of the city centre, filling streets and squares alike.

That's not the only thing the city has to offer this holiday season. There's also a skating rink:

My friends from my course and I visited it on Friday, after our last hand-in. I only fell twice. Both times while attempting spins. Having had my training in roller-blading, my ice skating adventures always tend to be hit or miss.

I think I'll have another go before I fly home for the holidays.

There's also a glow-in-the-dark mini golf course, which I tried my hand at with some friends.

I think this is the most I've gotten into the Christmas spirit in years. Hopefully that continues in Boston and New Orleans.

I leave for Boston on the 15th and for New Orleans on the 18th. I'll have three weeks at home with my family and (more importantly) my cat.

Until then,

Julia