January 2022 Month in Review

Boy, the weeks have been feeling so long here, yet somehow I’ve blinked and am already approaching the one-month mark of being in Scotland—time is flying by way too fast for my liking. In a funny way, it’s actually rather stressful to look at my calendar and the list of all the things I want to do while abroad, only to realize it will already be February tomorrow. So much to see yet so little time! Even though there were a few hiccups in the beginning of my abroad experience, I feel like I’m finally over that initial hump and am now enjoying every bit of being in Scotland.

What’s New?

• I think the better question to ask this month is what isn’t new! January has brought so much excitement and change, as I packed a meager backpack and carry-on suitcase to move to another country for five months. I have been busy going to as many campus events as possible and meeting so many interesting people from all over the world. I’ve also been spending a lot of time planning trips and booking all of my weekends full—I never realized just how time-consuming it is to plan a vacation from start to finish. It makes me feel so grateful to my parents for all the family road trips we’ve taken over the years!
• I also cut my hair and dyed it for the first time, in case you missed this blog post. It’s been an exciting change to wake up to purple hair every morning, but I have to admit that I haven’t really thought about or noticed the difference that much—I guess my mind is so preoccupied by everything else that there’s little room left to think about hair.
• I still don’t have any flat mates. I am living in a three-person apartment all by myself, which was really lonely for the first week I was here. But just when I gave up hope (and became comfortable living on my own), I received an email a few minutes ago that someone might be moving in this week. I’m not sure how to feel! I wanted flat mates so desperately when I first got here, but now I have become accustomed to singing loudly and hanging my laundry to dry in the kitchen. Not sure how a flat mate will feel about either of those things.
• As for my actual classes… school here is quite different from in the States. I plan on doing a whole blog post about the differences between the University of Glasgow and my home institution, but to sum it up, I feel like I never know what’s going on during class here! It is my nature to be uber-stressed about school all of the time, but I’m trying really hard not to worry too much about it. After all, I already finished all my real degree requirements, so the grades for these courses don’t really matter, as long as I still pass.

Top Blog Posts from January

• Let’s Brighten Up January with The Thrifty Six
• Weekly Recap #1, 2022 + Linkup
• Weekly Recap #3, 2022 + Linkup

Favorite Outfits from January

I don’t have many choices this month, but the outfit that immediately came to mind from January was this teal faux fur coat paired with a skirt and fishnet tights. I loved the edginess of this look and enjoyed pushing myself out of my comfort zone.

What I Watched + Listened To

• The Bodyguard—I’ve been wanting to watch this movie ever since I saw Whitney Houston’s music video for “I Will Always Love You,” and I finally watched it on the plane ride to Scotland. It was so disappointing! I expected something sweet and romantic but it was really quite bland.
• Season 3 of “You”—I finally got around to watching season three, and boy… did a lot happen. It was entertaining of course, although it’s getting more and more farfetched (obviously the plot was always unbelievable, and now it’s just gone too far). I personally think they should have ended the show after season one, so I’m disappointed to hear they’re making a fourth season! It’s just the same thing over and over again.
• Season 5 of “Big Mouth”—Crass as ever, this was a fun show to play in the background while working on other tasks. It always seems to make me laugh out loud at least a few times.
• The Wolf of Wall Street—I finally saw this movie since it’s on Netflix right now, and wow, was it hard to watch. The people are SO despicable!
• Clueless—Another pop culture movie I had never seen before… and now I understand why. This movie is honestly terrible. I know college girls like to where yellow checkered sets to go as Cher for Halloween, but I really don’t understand what all the hype is about surrounding this film.
• “Emily in Paris”—I caved and watched this show, per the recommendation of my aunt. And even though Emily’s character is super annoying (and a perfect example of how not to act while abroad), I have to admit that I really enjoyed the show. I loved her glamorous lifestyle, and some of the fashion was to die for!
• “My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose” sung by Eva Cassidy—I discovered this song last week during one of the Burns Night celebrations, as the lyrics of this song are actually a Rabbie Burns poem. I think it is so pretty and romantic (although also very sad).
• “Loch Lomond” sung by Peter Hollens—I heard this famous song while actually driving along the bonnie bonnie banks of THE Loch Lomond this past weekend, during the international student tour I went on. I learned from the tour guide that the lyrics are about two soldiers, one who was going to be executed; “I’ll take the low road,” means he will die and return to Scotland only in spirit. Again, such a sad song, but so pretty!

Quote of the Month

• January’s Quote: “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” -Saint Augustine
• February’s Quote: “What may be done at any time will be done at no time.”            -Scottish proverb

What I’m Looking Forward to in February

I’m working hard to plan some weekend trips for the month of February, but one surefire trip I have booked is to the Isle of Skye the last weekend of the month! I’ve heard incredible things about the island and am so excited to see its beautiful scenery. Otherwise, I don’t have any specific plans yet, but I know the uni will host all sorts of unique events in the coming weeks. I’m especially hopeful for some fun Valentine’s Day celebrations!

This Month in 2021: Wearing Your Scarf as a Skirt? | To Splurge or To Save? | When Style Inspiration Strikes | Why I’m Not a Trendy Shopper

This Month in 2020: How to Save Money Shopping with an Excel Spreadsheet | When Fashion Blogging Turns Dangerous | Valentine’s Day Favorites

This Month in 2019: Super Stylish for the Super Bowl | Trend Tester Series: Tuxedo Stripe Jeans | 3 New Approaches to Resolutions and the New Year

This Month in 2018: Airport Travels | Keeping It Casual | Pom Pom Details | Winter Getaway to San Diego: Part 1

This Month in 2017: Green Leopard | Beginnings of Bold | Pine | First Purchase

I took these photos earlier this morning just a short walk away from where I live. Glasgow has so many cool murals around town, and I am planning on walking the Glasgow Mural Trail one of these days to see all the creative art throughout the city!

Anyways, hope your week is off to a great start.

Miles of smiles,

Grace

Checkered Top: Charming Charlie, $13, last worn here | Black Pleather Jacket: Blank NYC via Gracie’s Boutique, $25, last worn here | Skinny Jeans: Express, $42 | Black Knee Boots: Clarks via DSW, $100, last worn here | Maroon Circle Purse: Nordstrom Rack, $50, last worn here