Well I’m glad you asked!

Im this time when it seems that everyone is on the internet for some reason, I thought I may as well throw my hat in the ring. I’m nothing particularly special on the internet; not some famous YouTuber or actress, etc.

But I’m starting this blog in an attempt to reconcile these random passions of mine into some form of organised chaos. I feel like maybe, putting all of the things I enjoy in one place will help me better see the threads of personality which weave through all of the things that make me smile (or sweat). Each of these things make up who I am.

I’ve considered starting a blog for ages, but finally had the push i needed this summer when a few coincidences built up to the point that I could no longer ignore them. I discovered old journals of poetry and prose which were a positive vehicle for all those horrid emotions one experiences in their teenage years. I was then approached by multiple people at my grandmothers funeral who told me how valuable the posts she shared of her grandchildren were, and how her Facebook became the place to go to keep updated on out lives.

I was inspired to write again. And I realised that all the people who wanted to keep up with me were turning to Facebook and Instagram to see what Lois’ oldest grandchild was doing across the pond. I’m not the first to say that those social media platforms are usually just cherry-picked, fabricated moments from life which are edited to the greatest extent. So why not create a space on the internet where i can be genuine with my experiences?

So as of now, I will be reflecting on the parts of my life I’m asked about most, as well as documenting the parts which bring me the most joy and pride.

 

So why Training? 

If you know me, you know me running a Half Marathon next May sounds like the punch-line to a joke. But alas, I am indeed training for a Half Marathon. I thought that by chronicling my road to the Edinburgh Half, I would feel some form of accountability to myself and to the internet.

We’ll see how that goes.

Wait… you Travel?

Go figure! Travelling around Europe is SO much cheaper from my home base in the UK than from NJ. St Andrews can be quite the bubble and it becomes very hard to leave it, but I intend on travelling around as much as possible. I’ve already been abroad for 2 of my 4 years, and there’s no time like halftime to realise you need to get moving on your life experiences.

“Uni?’ Wow you’re so British *eye roll* . 

Yes. That header at the top of my blog promises posts about my experiences at St Andrews. And hopefully it will deliver. St Andrews is truly a unique university experience, and as I enter my 3rd year I realise it wouldn’t hurt to explain some of the traditions, events, and various experiences offered only by the University of St Andrews.

This is the area of my life I’m asked about most. Usually when someone says, “Wow, Scotland!? What’s that like? A totally different way of life, right?” I have to rack my brand for a description of the past 2 years that doesn’t sound obnoxious and doesn’t last 2 hours. Not I can simply give them this url.

Win-win.

Writing? Now I’m lost.

Finally, since i have always loved writing in all of it’s forms, I thought I would give myself a chance by posting some things I write here. I have plenty of bits I’ve discovered from when I fell in love with poetry and prose, and hopefully some room left in my brain after IR essays for falling in love with writing again.

I might even put some book reviews here… who knows!

 

And that’s essentially my manifesto for starting up this blog. (How did one man hiding out in the woods eternally taint the word “manifesto” ?)

I hope you get something out of it

xxx

MEP