London Lisa

morning

2012-03-22T13:47:00.002-04:00

I went for a run this morning. My muscles were sore from not being stretched.
The weather was warm and yellow daffodils cheered me on.

I took a break, stretched my legs and found a small patch of baby flowers.
I picked one.

'This is my love,' I said as I admired the simple flower.
It was vibrant, happy and somehow full of hope.

I smiled and tossed it gently in the wind not seeing where it landed.

what's best

2012-03-21T09:45:00.001-04:00

It's taken me a long time to understand the concept of, 'Do what's best for you.'
Whenever making decisions I inevitably felt the pressures of what was expected of me, what others would think and not what was in my best interest.

Today is different.

Instead of going on another work placement I realized that I needed a break. My body was breaking down, a cold yet again, I was tired, irritable and drained. I just couldn't handle facing another day of run around errands, endless internet searches and the hustle of commuting in and out of London.

And so, I didn't.

I made the proper contacts with the office to let them know that I wouldn't be able to make it. And then, I let it go. I allowed my self to rest. I cleaned and organized my flat a bit, I took a long walk and I ended up here at Starbucks, working on various projects. Passion projects that I now have the time to really focus on. I cannot tell you how good it feels friends.

I'm finally learning to listen to my body, mind and spirit. When things start feeling out of whack, it's because they probably are. What a simple and powerful truth.
{instagram: my other office - Starbucks}

restored hope...

2012-03-20T11:42:00.000-04:00

Reading this today gave me a simple hope of what is to come.
Happy Spring friends.
xx

Chillies and Faith

2012-03-19T13:23:00.000-04:00

So there's this Indian restaurant that a friend of mine discovered. It's literally a block from my flat and on Sunday's everything is 50% off...EVERYTHING.

The first time we went there we literally had a table full of food and ate until our little tummy's weren't so little anymore. And all for a few pounds each. So Sunday's is our official feast day.

Yesterday we ate and talked about travels, current events, baseball (him not me) food and religion. It was refreshing to talk about my faith since I've been wrestling with it for a few weeks. And even though we didn't have the same faith, it still felt good to lay it all out on the table, no holding back just honesty.

And while I don't have all of the answers, I'm not sure if I ever will, I enjoyed every single bite, every word that was spoken and the lovely company.

Catch up 2

2012-03-18T18:23:00.000-04:00

Within the past month I have also:

Cried... a lot
Felt desperately lonely
Obsessed over my weight
Hated everything in my wardrobe
Stayed in bed till inappropriate hours of the day
Commuted in and out of London
Read and read and read
Had serious doubts about my faith
Had serious doubts about my future
Hated myself for being unhappy

In life you take the good with the bad. And while amazing things have happened this month, some not so great things have happened as well. And in the interest of full disclosure I wanted to share it with you. Not to bring you down, but because I don't want my blog to be an unauthentic place. This is my life. Some days are good, some days are not so good.

But tomorrow is a new day. And I intend to live it fully.
xx

Catch up

2012-03-13T10:29:00.001-04:00

Within the past month I have:

Finished my work placement at a literary agency
Spent a few days interning at GQ
Laughed a lot
Booked a trip to Morocco
Booked a trip to Paris
Spent quiet nights at home
And loud nights with friends
Gone on bad dates
Laughed and whined about them with friends
Applied for internships
Wrote papers for Uni
Had dreams of my mother and
Quietly been in awe of my life....

Amazing things happen.

Have a sweet weekend...

2012-02-10T06:24:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday dear friends!

How was your week? Mine has had many ups, a few downs and some magical moments. The first week of my internship is over-whew that flew by. Overall I feel like the week went well. Sure I made a few mistakes, opened the wrong mail and called the wrong person the wrong name twice. (ugh!) But, I also was given a project of my own, asked to sit in on an author meeting, told that I was doing better than most, and had some laughs over a few pints with some colleagues. And then on the way home is started snowing. It was cold but snowflakes falling on my eyelashes put a sweet smile on my face.

This weekend my plans include sleeping in and making valentines for friends. I feel like lounging around in pj's and cutting out hearts in paper lace doilies. I love Valentine's Day whether I'm single or attached. And this year, my valentine is London.

Enjoy your weekend!
{photo:source}

Working girls & Coffee

2012-02-09T04:00:00.000-05:00

So, let's talk about my internship. For the past three days I have been waking up at 6:45 a.m., commuting into Central London with thousands of others and working within the publishing field. And, it has definitely been a work experience. Little did I know how green I was to the publishing industry. There are so many intricacies to the business, so many contacts to be made, contracts to be signed, manuscripts to be read, things to be filed, calls to answered and yes the occasional cup of tea or coffee to be made.

I've enjoyed it, but it's also raised questions many questions. And the one that excites and worries me the most is: Do I really picture myself working for someone else for the rest of my life? The answer is a resounding NO, and while I know that I can't start and run a successful business overnight, I know that I can aim for it, plan for it, and make it a reality in the future. And of course I have doubts and apprehensions, I have loads of them, but I also know that if I didn't at least try, go for it and give it all that I got then I would forever wonder, which for me would be heartbreaking.

So I'm learning everything that I can while at this work placement. Soaking it all in because I just know one day I will need every skill that I've learned.

By the way, this picture was taken at the cute pub around the corner from my office. Everyday I walk by they have a snappy sayings on their chalkboard outside. Today, it said something to the effect of... 'Hey it's -4 degrees outside. That's still warmer than Zurich, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Russia.....' Their signs make me laugh out loud on a regular basis so the the other day I popped in for a cup of coffee, sat by the fireplace and enjoyed my book. It was the perfect coffee break.

Sevilla {Part One}

2012-02-07T04:00:00.000-05:00

I decided that I wanted a life of adventure. I moved to London last year, made many new friends, visited places I've never been and learned a little bit more about myself each day.
I thought I would do a little more exploring, branch out a bit more. And one night while I was wide awake at 3 a.m., I found a ridiculously cheap flight to Sevilla, Spain and a few weeks later I was on the plan for my first solo adventure.

As I landed in Spain, walked around, got lost, spoke Spanish, and ate delicious food I relaxed into myself my surroundings and explored....

19 January 2012

I am in Sevilla, Spain drinking delicious sangria at Bar Patanchon and waiting for my calamari to arrive. I'm probably drinking my Sangria too fast but I can't help it. It's amazing. I was pretty nervous all night before I left London. I kept asking myself, 'What are you doing?'

But you know this is what I want to do as nervous as it makes me, as freaked out as I get this is exactly what I'm supposed to be doing right now. And so far I've been alright. I've navigated my way to the bus stop to take me to the city center, I've stopped and asked people for directions {all in Spanish nonetheless} and I've wandered around El Barrio Santa Cruz, checked into my hostel, and made my way to this cafe where I've just been served the best calamari of my life. No really, it's amazing. Perfectly seasoned with a bit of fresh lemon juice. perfecto.

It's worth mentioning that it only took me 2 hours to get to Spain from London. There's something to this living in Europe thing. And on my flight, there were so many people who were going on holiday. Backpackers young and old. The older couples surprised me a bit but then again I guess a sense of adventure never really fades in some of us.

The city of Sevilla is beautiful. There are orange trees everywhere and I'm determined to taste an orange. I just have to figure out how to get one. Maybe I'll have to stand on my tippy toes...

Cathedral Seville
I always enjoy sitting in a pew in a cathedral and reflecting. This one in particular isn't my favorite to be honest but it is the largest gothic Cathedral in the world. It feels drafty in here and somehow a bit vacant. But, as I sit here with my moleskin in my hand I can't help but reflect on how spiritual life is beautiful and should be celebrated. I climbed to the top of the Tower Giralda and the views of the city were beautiful. From the top of I got a sense of the Spanish lifestyle. The streets looked quiet, church bells rang in the distance and rooftop pools glistened in the sun. I felt relaxed and warm.

Wandering around...
This lady came up to me and read my palm. I understood most of what she was saying despite the fact that she spoke very quickly in Spanish. She kept pausing to ask me if I understood what she was saying and I kept nodding my head emphatically each time. She said that I had a very long life and that I wouldn't have any troubles in Spain while on holiday. She moved to my love line and said that I had big heart {corazón} and that I longed for love in my life. I don't know what came over me but at that moment tears pricked my eyes. I wondered if to her I seemed lonely.

And to be honest, I felt lonesome and I think she saw it in my eyes. She patted my hands gently, told me not to worry that it would come and then blessed me, giving me a piece of plant and instructing me to burn it in three days for good luck. I don't believe in luck, but I kept the leaves and pressed them in between the pages of my moleskin somehow thinking, hoping even, that they would bring me love...

Ready, set...GO!

2012-02-06T17:12:00.002-05:00

Whew! What a day.

Can I just say how absolutely grateful I am that I have been able to take a year off to do my Master's Degree? Today was the first day of my work placement and I can not even imagine working AND studying full time. Between the full day at my internship, two free lance deadlines, commuting (London commuting is NO joke), cooking dinner and writing to you lovely people I am exhausted. But in the best possible way.

It felt so great to be back in an office and working again. Everyone seemed really friendly and I can't wait to really sink my teeth into some projects.

But for now friends, I am going to eat some ice cream, mango flavored yum, and hit the hay. Hope you too had lovely and productive days.

{image source:Wherethesidewalkbegins}

Enjoy your...

2012-02-03T05:27:00.000-05:00

Enjoy it friends. It only happens once a week.

Tonight I'm going on a ghost tour at Hampton Court Palace. Not sure how I got into this one as I get freaked out very easily, but I'm sure it will be a good time... (gulp, I hope!)

Loads of reading to do this weekend, French to practice, articles to write and wine to be consumed.

Coming next week:
Travelouge of my holiday to Spain {!}
Review of my work placement at a literary agency {!}
and much more...

Have a lovely weekend.
xx!
{photo:source}

Parlez-vous français?

2012-02-02T18:59:00.003-05:00

{Thanksgiving in Paris in 2010)

Bonjour! Ca va?

For a while now my daily affirmations have included one line in particular:

I live in London, travel often and speak English, Spanish and French

I have wanted to be fluent in French for ages and recently an opportunity came up at Uni to take a FREE French class. Parfaite, no?

Then tell me why today I found myself dragging my feet to class...I think it was a combination of feeling overwhelmed with all of the Uni deadlines this semester, two work placements and loads of reading to do. But, I went to class and while I have much reviewing to do, I left feeling more determined than ever to make my affirmation a reality.

Très bon!

hair

2012-01-27T12:19:00.000-05:00

For years I unfortunately thought that the only way for me to be 'pretty' was to have long hair... and to have long hair by any means necessary. I spent so much time and money buying hair, weaving hair and braiding hair to give me the long tresses I always wanted.

Today I cut my hair the shortest it has ever been.

I've never felt so beautiful in my life.

A bookish weekend

2012-01-09T07:00:00.007-05:00

{photo via:flickr}

Happy Monday friends - How was your weekend?

Despite a nasty case of laryngitis, which I should have stayed home more and rested, my weekend was good. Had a few pints with a few friends on Friday and Saturday and one of my friends used the word, refined to describe me. {swoon} It made my night.

I stumbled across a fantastic second hand book shop in Wimbledon Saturday evening.

It was stacked with books from floor to ceiling to every cubbyhole and nook and cranny. The place was overflowing with texts and my heart fluttered a bit. I could have stayed in there for ages, but my friend and I were meeting up with some friends at a pub around the corner. So, we stayed for a bit, I purchased a few Penguin paperbacks and then headed over to the pub and proudly walked in with books in my hand. No-shame.

I'm telling you. I could have lived in that bookshop.

One and two

2012-01-06T09:00:00.025-05:00

{photo:A midnight view of St. Paul's Cathedral taken and edited by moi}

Two things have occurred to me:

1. I haven't taken nearly enough pictures of London since I've moved here
2. I haven't talked nearly enough about my London experiences since I've moved here

Silly, silly me.

I will do my best to take more pictures but I have to warn you that I am such a delinquent when it comes to uploading photos. Just ask any of my friends and they will absolutely cosign on this. So, I won't promise pictures everyday, because I would just be lying, but I will try and do at least one picture a week. I have put the bar a bit low on this one but trust me that it will get done.

Happy Three Kings Day and Enjoy your weekend lovelies!

perfectly fresh

2012-01-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

{photo via:pinterest}

(apologies for the pixelated picture, but I just had to use it.)

Since we're all friends here, I'm going to let you have a peek into my personal journal. Here are my thoughts on the new year...

So many things have happened in a year and I cannot believe I find myself looking at another year.

Another perfectly fresh start.

What I truly want out of this year is to not live in fear. I want to live in each day, travel, learn more and more about myself and develop my passion more than I ever have before. I want to lay aside the burdens that get me down, the desires of my heart that have yet to unfold and boldly live knowing that God holds my precious little world in His more than capable and loving hands.

And that is all friends. No resolutions to lose weight or exercise more, or go on more dates. I just want to live this year to its' absolute fullest and grand potential.

Do you have any thoughts or goals for the new year? Care to share?

a gem of truth...

2012-01-04T12:28:00.000-05:00

{photovia:designlovefest}

Well, you are....

Sweet memories...

2012-01-04T11:46:00.000-05:00

{photo via:Onecharmingparty}

Happy New Year my dear friends!

How were your holidays? I had such a fantastic time back home with my family. If I'm being perfectly honest it took me a few days to adjust to being back in Virginia. I missed the busy streets of London, but found that the time with my family was very much needed. It felt so great to, 'be the little sister' as my brother stayed at my parents house for a few days as well. It felt like we were kids again, teasing each other, running around the house and eating cookies.

My mother and I spent a lot of time together as well and I just have to tell you, that woman is the best thing that ever happened to me. She's my rock and without me having to say anything, she gets me. I missed her more than I realized and made sure to get as many extra hugs as possible to hold me over until June when her and my dad come for a visit.

Perhaps the best Christmas memory this year was salsa dancing in the kitchen with my dad. We haven't done that since I was a little girl and it felt so great being twirled around by my daddy, laughing and as carefree as a seven year old me. Twenty years later, it still feels sweet.

I also spent a few days in New York with my aunt. Oh the fun we had! We went to see all of the Christmas landmarks in the city, including the handsome NYPD officers. (One even stopped me in the middle of 5th Avenue and held traffic so that I could cross the street. I'm not kidding. It was definitely a moment I'll never forget.) My aunt also took me to dinner at Whym where I had the best calamari of my life and afterwards we went to see an Alvin Ailey performance which was amazing. We ended the evening with cocktails on the rooftop bar of Dream hotel. New York is amazing, I will live there at some point in my life. I am sure of this.

New Year's Eve was spent in London with new friends at a private club. I danced the night away and at midnight, with champagne in hand and confetti flying in the air, I was alive, happy and hopeful for a grand year.

So many sweet, sweet memories in 2011 and so many thoughts for the New Year. The best is yet to come friends. xx

Merry Christmas Dear Friends

2011-12-24T01:50:00.000-05:00

In all of my travels this year the song couldn't be more true,

'There's no place like home for the holidays."
From family dinners, to ice skating and coffee dates with friends, to friends getting engaged, and the annual Messiah Sing-Along, the past week and a half in Virginia has flown by. I'll be in New York for two days and then fly back to London on the 29th to enjoy New Year's Eve in my new home.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happily Ever After.

Luke 2:11
"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."

{Photo via: Mamauk}

tres chic...no?

2011-12-23T16:00:00.009-05:00

If I could only dress in one color it would be black - easy. As a matter of fact, most of my wardrobe is black. I tried to venture out and bought a hot pink jumper but I just feel like a highlighter whenever I wear it.

Loving this chic inspiration board. Especially that lacy bra, absolutely lovely. This look could be worn on a date, to lunch with friends, out shopping - the possibilities are endless.

That watch is pretty great too. xx

{Photo via:paris2london}

London, Paris, New York

2011-12-22T09:00:00.000-05:00

It just occurred to me, whilst looking at this image, that I have visited, photographed, experienced and breathed in all of these places. And now I am so fortunate to even live in one of these amazing cities. This makes me joyful beyond measure. My life is a massive blessing.

{photo via:idadonner}

2011-12-21T23:28:00.002-05:00

I'm wearing this tomorrow....

Classic. Simple. Perfect.

{photo via:fromParistoLondon}

A London Adventure...{part two}

2011-12-21T23:15:00.000-05:00

How so very rude of me to keep you all waiting....
Now, where was I?

Right, I had just ditched my friend and was now riding the train solo into London with £1.45 to my name. I was sitting across from a family of four who were besides themselves, giggling over the silly American who had just 'lost her friend.' I looked up at them, shrugged my shoulders and tossed them a smile. What else was there to do?!

I got off the train at Vauxhall and waited on a bench at the train station for my friend. As soon as the next train approached, I flagged her down and, after seven minutes of apologizing I then broke the news to her that I had left my wallet and only had a couple of pounds to my name. We hoped on another train and brainstormed things to do.

Fifteen minutes later we found ourselves in front of the Natural History Museum and I found myself in heaven. There was so much to see, experience, touch, and watch and all for FREE. After a few hours of wandering around I finally laid eyes on my favorite animal....

I loved her. She was a full scale replica of an adult Blue Whale. I was quiet as I walked around her and took in every detail. It was by far one of the best things that I had ever seen in a museum.

After whalie (that's what I named her...how original) we were starving and walked into a small Italian cafe and my friend treated me to a diet coke and a pizza. We slowly ate are meal and chatted about the amazing museum and the beauty of it being free.

It was lovely day and proved that much can be done on a tiny budget.

A London Adventure...{part one}

2011-10-15T08:20:00.000-04:00

Yesterday a friend and I made the decision to journey into central London. Tired of exploring Kingston and being disappointed that we couldn't make it to Germany for the Frankfurt International Book Fair, which is the biggest book fair in the WORLD, we set out for Central London.

We had just started climbing the steps to the train station when our train pulled in. "Fantastic," I thought. "Let's make a run for it." And so I did.

I managed to swipe my card and jump on the train only to hear my name called out in the saddest and sweetest way I've ever heard it said in my life. Almost as if a puppy was calling my name.
"Leeesa!"

I turned around just as the doors were closing with my friend and I standing on different sides of the door. I tried to reach my hand out to her but the red doors were closing so quickly I yanked it back. They closed with a thud as I heard the conductor blow his whistle and the train lurched into motion.

"OH NO! I'M SO SORRY! I'LL TEXT YOU! MEET ME AT VAUXHALL STATION-I'LL WAIT FOR YOU THERE!" I shouted through the closed doors.

I dragged myself to seat as a few people were tossing me quizzical glances no doubt wondering why this loud American girl was shouting on their train. I reached into my bag for my mobile when I realized that my purse was feeling a bit 'light.' After looking around in it for five minutes, it's a big bag, it hit me.

I forgot my wallet.

I laughed in spite of myself, found £1.45 and realized I was about to find out just how much I could do in London. With nothing....

Routine...

2011-10-10T06:43:00.000-04:00

It's half past 11 and the fact that I am:

1. Up
2. Showered
3. Dressed
4. Eating Breakfast
5. And blogging

is a bit of an accomplishment. For the past weeks I've gotten into a horrible routine of sleeping till noon, only to struggle up and watch episodes of Outnumbered on BBC iplayer for another hour, before dragging my lazy butt out of bed to make breakfast, at 1300 mind you, and finally deciding to 'get serious' about my day at 1600. (That was 1pm and 3pm for you Americans. Believe me, adjusting to "Military Time" was difficult.)

The last time I had this much free time was when I was in the womb.

So, I made a deal with myself. I'm allowed one day a week to lounge but the rest of the week, I should be up, showered, dressed and ready for the day by 10:30 a.m. There is way too much to do, see and experience for me to be lounging around in my PJ's all day. I live in London folks. L-O-N-D-O-N.

So this morning, as my alarm clock went off at 10a.m. and I awoke to the sounds of the children across the street in Catholic school playing, I showered, made my bed opened my windows and enjoyed it. This is my life now and I plan to fit in as much as possible.