A Return to Form

I kind of dropped off for a while there, didn't I?

Unlike the multiple other instances where I've disappeared from the Interwebs for a period, I have a real excuse this time. Events transpired IRL that have forced me to turn my attention away from my screen for longer than a few moments.

I hate to get too personal online in such a public way, but this is a personal blog, so I might as well go for it.

1. My boyfriend - of four years - and I broke up, got back together, then broke up again (for good). I am now single for the first time as an adult and it is scary/challenging/fun/exciting/heartbreaking/adjectives ad infinitum. I've learned so much more about men (or boys) in this past month than the last four years combined. It's fascinating. My life right now feels like every rom com I've ever watched, and every trashy chick lit paperback I've ever read.

2. I finished my degree(s)! After five long years, I'm finally ready to venture into the wild, armed with a somewhat useless double degree. I'm currently in job application mode and I'll be spending the next three months as a full-time grad job applicant. This is, of course, on top of my existing three part-time jobs. And I thought graduating would mean I would finally get to RELAX (nope).

3. I've kind of stopped watching television and started catching up on my reading. I set a goal on Goodreads for 2012 of twenty books, of which I thought, 'Pshh, this will be too easy, I will read twice as many!'. Of course, I completely underestimated how much time it actually takes to read that many books, and my final reading list fell well below that goal. So I went online, bought about a dozen books and got reading. As my deliveries arrived, I felt like my eight-year-old self after a trip to the library; coming home with a stack of books and giddy with excitement over which I should read first. So far, I've gotten through Madame Bovary (beautiful, classic, etc.), Austenland (embarrassing, but I secretly loved it), and The Marriage Plot (amazing, like Eugenides reached inside me and pulled out this amazing story which reads like my diary, if I was capable of such high quality prose). Right now I'm reading For Whom the Bell Tolls (emotionally draining, but in a good way), and next up is The Female Eunuch (which I read ages ago, but feel the need to revisit).

4. I'm moving out! Even though I can just barely afford it right this moment (I'm relying on the idea that I will get a decent paying job soon...), I'm moving in with a friend of a friend this week. I get to buy furniture, groceries, cutlery! I'm going to be a real ADULT. Stay tuned for updates on IKEA trips and DIY decorations! :):):)

Finally, here are some of my Insta's to keep y'all up-to-date (follow me @jessthechipster).

Believe in Zero collage mural - a Cyberman at the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular

Kissing booth at the new Newtown Hotel - my new eyebrows of which I was/am very enamoured

Super friendly adorable kitty - less friendly but still adorable kitty who I am soon to live with

Cousin's gorgeous new place in Wentworth Falls that used to be a B&B - studded loafers, yaay!

Hot tea on a rainy Monday - drippy nails, and floral wallpaper I will surely miss