March 2022 Month in Review

Grace G.

4 years ago

Boy oh boy, March was quite the month! Between several day trips, hosting a friend for the weekend, starting my three-week-long UK tour with my parents, getting sick, and writing three essays throughout it all, it’s safe to say that the first of March feels like months ago, not weeks ago… Somehow each month abroad has been even busier than the last. I’m exhausted, but I’m trying to make the most of the little time I have left here—only four more weeks before I fly to Las Vegas for my brother’s wedding.

What’s New?

The biggest change between this month and last month is that I’m feeling a lot more ready to go home. Being abroad has been an incredible experience, and I do feel comfortable in Glasgow now—like it’s a place I live instead of a place I’m just visiting on holiday. However, being on a proper vacation with my parents (eating out every night, staying in hotel rooms, wearing the same stinky clothes over and over again) has made me realize how much I miss the comfort of home. Once I finish this vacation on Friday, I want to return to a place where I can cook my favorite meals and do laundry without paying by the load… and that’s not at my flat in Glasgow. That’s back in the States. I don’t want to wish away the few weeks I have left abroad and will still try to make the most of them… but with that said, I will be very excited for the day I fly back to the U.S.
I’m also finally sick of my capsule wardrobe. I’ve been very impressed with myself that I haven’t really missed my clothes that much, but living out of my backpack for the last few weeks makes me long for the options in my closet at home, especially as we enter spring. I also really miss creating regular fashion content, but blogging is far less exciting when I feel like all my outfits here look the same.
I finished my classes the week of March 14^th and officially started my three-week spring break on March 25^th. All I have left in terms of school are two final exams and a presentation in my stained glass class (I finished my final project early).
My dyed hair has mostly faded into a brassy maroon/gold shade now (basically just the bleach showing through). It was fun having my hair a crazy color, but the dye didn’t last very long… I definitely don’t think it’s worth the money or maintenance and will feel quite happy to cross “dye hair” off my list for the foreseeable future.

Top Blog Posts from March

What I Watched

“Love is Blind”—I’ve never been one for trashy reality TV, but I finally decided to watch this show, per the continued recommendation of my friend… and I hate myself for finding it really entertaining. I have so many problems with the premise of the show (of course people will have relationship problems when you force them to get married within a month of knowing each other—a time limit has nothing to do with whether or not “love is blind”) but I do have to admit that I find it interesting to hear what people look for in a relationship. I still have to watch the reunion episode for season 2 and am very much looking forward to the drama of it.
The King’s Speech—Since my parents and I have been learning a lot about the Royals while exploring all the museums here in London, it seemed only fitting that we watched this movie. I remember when it came out but had no idea it was about Queen Elizabeth’s father. It was an interesting and rather heartfelt film (much better than the tearjerkers we usually pick).
Angels and Demons—We decided to watch The Da Vinci Code while in Edinburgh, which is one of my favorite movies (and books), but I had never seen Angels and Demons. It’s not nearly as good as the first movie, but it’s still really interesting. However, the books are so long and detailed that it makes the movies hard to follow, when they pack so much info into a few words of dialogue. If you miss one sentence, then you basically miss half the plot of the movie.

Quote of the Month

March’s Quote: “May the dreams you hold dearest, be those which come true. And the kindness you spread, keep returning to you.” -Irish Blessing
April’s Quote: “Travelling—it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” -Ibn Battuta

Travel Highlights

March was the month of travel! On the 2^nd, I took a day trip by myself to Falkirk, Scotland, to ride the famous Falkirk Wheel, the world’s first rotating boat lift. I also took a day trip to Stirling, Scotland, with a friend, where we got to explore Stirling Castle and see the William Wallace Monument from a distance. Additionally, I went on a student tour with a group of friends to England’s Lake District.

And that was all before my parents even got here. I flew to London on March 17^th and spent several days there, hitting up all the typical tourist attractions—Buckingham Palace, the Harry Potter studio tour, the British Museum, and Westminster Abbey. We also visited Glasgow, Inverness + Loch Ness, Edinburgh, and Manchester. We even spent a day in North Wales exploring Snowdonia National Park. It’s been such a blast, and I have been so grateful for this time with my parents and all the incredible places we’ve been able to visit (and how lucky we’ve been with the weather!).

What I’m Looking Forward to in April

I’ve been a little bummed out the last few days because some of my travel plans for the month had to be cancelled last-minute. However, my friend and I are still going to Dublin in a few weeks, and I am SO excited! I’ve never travelled somewhere just with a friend and am really looking forward to the experience.
I’m also seeing One Republic in concert at one of Glasgow’s major music venues. For most of the concerts I have attended in the past, I’ve only known a few songs by the artist and then enjoy discovering some of their other music in the moment. However, I know a ton of One Republic songs and like most of their stuff (even their old music from way back in the day) so I’m really excited for the event.

This Month on Graceful Rags

Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today! My mom quickly snapped these photos of me in Manchester the other day before we hopped on our river cruise. All my outfits are really starting to look the same… and I think I am going to have to burn these pants after wearing them so many days in a row. Anyways, I hope you had a fantastic March!

Miles of smiles,
Grace

Grey Tee: JCPenney, $6 ($0.13 per wear), last worn here | Maroon Moto Jacket: Denver boutique, $25 ($0.47 per wear), last worn here | Black Skinny Jeans: Express, $42 ($2.10 per wear) | Black Knee Boots: Clarks, $100 ($1.04 per wear), last worn here | Snakeskin Belt: Francesca’s, $9 ($0.35 per wear), last worn here