England {Day 1}

Sunday, May 15th

Last month, I traveled to Birmingham, England with a group of young adults from my church to visit the Globalscope ministry at the University of Birmingham.

[Rachel, JW, Connor, me, Shelby, Christina] 

We flew out of Denver around 8:00PM on Saturday, May 14th. I woke up early that morning, finished getting ready to go, and then went to see Captain America: Civil War with my mom that afternoon. Afterward, I finished up and we went to pick up Rachel, our team leader, and Connor and head to the airport.

I have never flown internationally before. (I mean, I've been to Cabo, but that barely counts and it was a really short flight.) Most of my anxiety about the trip was actually from the flights, especially there. I woke up early to try to stay on my week day schedule where I wake up with the sun and go to bed before the sun goes down. When we got on the plane, I got comfortable and got ready to sleep. I took a sleep aid while we were taking off, started a movie, and eventually fell asleep. I didn't get a great night's sleep, but I slept the majority of the flight and realized on the way home that I had no idea what it was actually like to fly for 8+ hours.

We landed in London just before noon and had to wait for our gate until just after noon. We took the tube from Heathrow to Euston Station, where we would be catching our train later that day. We were able to store our luggage at the train station and we finally stepped out into the English sunshine. (No, really. It was incredibly sunny that day.) We quickly found somewhere to eat. For some reason a bunch of us were craving pizza, like you do when you're in England. So we filled up on some great pizza and developed a loose plan for the next few hours.

[Euston Square Gardens]

Thus began the insane amount of walking we did for the remainder of the week. We got a small glimpse of Piccadilly Circus while walking to Trafalgar Square. We saw incredible street performers, including one young woman who was doing an acoustic rendition of R. Kelly's "Remix to Ignition". There were also performers who were "hovering" and other musical acts. It was quite crowded in the square and we were really just passing through to get to the Parliament building, Westminster Abbey, and the London Eye.

[Trafalgar Square / Entrance to the London Underground]

 [King George IV Statue]

We walked by what I think was 10 Downing Street. I saw a street sign that said Downing Street and there was a crowd by the intersection on the other side of a gated area. We were beelining for the City of Westminster.

[Westminster Abbey] 

Westminster Abbey is closed on Sundays, so we weren't able to go in. Instead, we walked around. Unfortunately, I was discovering how difficult it is to find a public restroom in England, so I was quite distracted from the beauty of the Abbey. 

[Palace of Westminster]

The loo I did find was in a quite courtyard near the Abbey. It was such an incredible place. I wish I had thought to take the time to get a cool picture. It just felt like there was so much history there. They had some signs up about how old some of the buildings were and it was mind-boggling how old they were. When we finally found a way out that wasn't blocked off by gates and guards, we found ourselves at the far end of the Palace of Westminster. I was completely mesmerized by the building. The intricacies are incredible, to put it simply.

[Big Ben & Parliament]

We walked back through the park between the Parliament building and Westminster Abbey. There were statues of important historical figures and an incredible view of Big Ben.

[me, Christiana, Shelby, JW, Connor]

[The London Eye] 

We decided to walk across the bridge over the River Thames toward the London Eye. I was determined to get a picture of both the Eye and Big Ben, not realizing how far I would have to go behind the Eye to get said picture. So I settled for this one instead. It served my just fine. 

[Palace of Westminster & Big Ben]

We walked back down the other side of the bridge, dodging other tourists with every step. If I remember correctly, we decided to walk back to Euston Station at this point to rest, charge our phones, refill out water bottles, and use the loo before our train.

Our train for Birmingham left around 6:30 and it was about a two hour journey. We were able to find six seats together and store all our luggage. By the time we got on the train, I for one was exhausted and I actually slept the best on the plane of the whole group. It was hard to really make out all the scenery flying past our windows, but I loved watching the city go by and seeing it turn into the green hills with farms and sheep.

The train was supposed to split at one of the major stops and only the first four carriages would be continuing to Birmingham, so we had to get off the train and get back on at a car up front. Unfortunately, it was the last day of the Premier League so the train was crowded with rowdy football fans. There was only standing room only, so the rest of the girls filed down to the back of the carriage, followed by Connor, while I stayed with JW near the doors. There was a group of guys our age sitting on the floor surrounded by empty beer bottles who had just come from the Aston Villa-Arsenal match. As soon as we spoke, they figured out we are Americans and started hounding us for being Americans, being named Brad, and eating corn dogs. As the train journeyed on, they sobered up so their banter was a little easier to get into. Toward the end of the trip, we had bonded with one of them (probably the most sober) about Game of Thrones and Dr. Who. After we got off the train, Christina said she, Shelby, and Rachel were talking about how I was a good person on the team to be up there because I could handle it. So they started the hashtag #hannahcanhang. I won't lie, it's one of my more prized accomplishments.

We were met at the train station by Stephen, who used to be on staff at Flatirons and is now on staff at Canvas with his wife. We took one more train to Selly Oak and ran into some Canvas students on the train. We had to walk a bit of a ways to everyone's respective houses. By the time Shelby and I got to Christine's house where we were staying--and the furthest house from the train station--we were exhausted. I promptly fell asleep and got a really good night's sleep considering I don't usually sleep well in new places and had only been awake for about 12 hours.

Two Years with the Envelope System

I started using the envelope system on my final payday of May 2014, a full two years ago now. It's also been a year since I last wrote about my trusty system.

When I started, I had 11 different envelopes and an understanding that my budget might change from where I started. A year ago, I had 19, which is what I still have today. My 19 envelopes are:

apartment - I use this envelope to buy home decor type things or other necessary items for around the house. Recently I bought pillows. Sometimes I'll treat myself to a new candle from Target. (When did I become obsessed with candles?!)

car - I use this envelope for minor car expenses. Things like windshield wiper fluid, an oil change, etc. If I have a major car expense and have money in this envelope, I'll put it toward that so I'm not completely dipping into savings.

Christmas - I use this envelope to save for Christmas expenses all year. I'd much rather set aside a small amount every paycheck than use an entire paycheck toward gifts and everything else that seems to pop up at the end of the year.

clothing - I use this envelope for clothes, accessories, shoes, etc. This one is tough for me because I shop online. However, I try not to spend more than what's in my envelope and then just deposit the cash into my account. "Try" being the operative word.

dining out - I use this envelope to go out to eat, drinks included. This envelope is actually the reason I started budgeting because I was so appalled by the amount I was spending to eat out every month. Some months I do alright, other months I don't. My biggest struggle is that if a meal is over maybe $15, I'll just use my card instead because I know it will deplete my dining out envelope so much.

entertainment - I use this envelope to see movies mostly, but it would basically be for any activity. Concerts (which is rare) or anything else that I might do with friends that costs money. (Hey, it's adventure golf season now!)

Europe - I use this envelope to put money toward my dream of visiting Europe. Sure, it's not going to be a quick gain, but last year I wrote that I wanted to visit Europe by the end of 2016. Well, it's only June 1st and I just got back from England. Granted, I fundraised for that trip since it was a mission trip with my church, but I had just enough money from this envelope for all the extra things I bought while I was there. So it's back to square one on this one. The dream is still real!

gifts - I use this envelope to buy gifts and cards for friends and family. There are plenty of occasions that I need a gift or at least a card, so there ya go!

groceries - I use this envelope to buy groceries, and sometimes to eat out. It's better to "steal" from another envelope than use my card, right?

massage - I use this envelope to save for the quarterly massage I get. My knee pain has turned into knee and hip pain, so it's easier to save up paycheck by paycheck rather than take a lump sum out of one paycheck every three months. It's worked out so far because it's made what some might consider a luxury a very affordable reality for me.

medical - I use this envelope toward copays and prescriptions. Occasionally I'll have a bigger medical expense, but being 25 and relatively healthy, that's few and far between.

miscellaneous - I use this envelope for other stuff. More often than not, it's used at Target. (I mean, I need that $50 picnic basket for two right?)

oils - I use this envelope to buy Young Living Essential Oils. I quit the Essential Rewards program a few months ago since I was buying oils for the sake of buying oils--and spending $50 a month doing so--but now I have some money set aside just in case I need to restock on an oil I already have or want to try something new.

salon - I use this envelope to get my eyebrows waxed and get my hair cut. 

Starbucks - I use this envelope to fund my terrible Starbucks habit. The worst thing about my job is the closest Starbucks is a 2 minute walk away..if that.

sundries - I use this envelope to buy things like shampoo, deodorant, tooth paste, etc.

Super Bowl - I use this envelope to hopefully fund my pipe dream of wanting to go to the Super Bowl. Or some other awesome sporting event, but probably the Super Bowl. And probably in another 20 years.

tags - I use this envelope to save for my annual car registration. It came in handy in March, but it also got more expensive with my newer car.

vacation - I use this envelope to save some extra spending money for vacation. The purpose isn't to buy plane tickets or something like that with this envelope, but rather accommodate for the inevitable extra spending that I'll do on vacation.

It's been a great system that has worked out well for me for the last two years. I really can't imagine going back. In May, I actually didn't even use my envelopes because I left for England the day after payday and never went to the bank when I got back. It's nice to be back on track this month because I feel much more in control of my spending and aware of the money that I actually have and that I can and should spend on any specific thing.

The challenge for me has always been to actually stick to the allotted budget, but I'm hoping that my lackluster month of May will help me get on track and stay on track. Discipline has never been my strong suit, but I guess it takes discipline to change that, right?

June 2016 Goals

May:

{Spiritual} Break down my Bible study more. Nope. I wasn't even as on top of it this month as I have been. I partially blame my trip to England and everything I had to do to prepare for it.

{Financial} Don't use my credit card at all for 31 days. I think I only used it twice, but one of them was for quite a large purchase.

{Social} Meet with people outside of Merge at least once a week during the hiatus. Kind of, yes. But not in a way I originally intended, so no.

{Mental} Practice typography and learn new fonts. Yes!

  

{Physical} Go to kickboxing at least five times. Not even once. I ALMOST went last night, but I have a horrible cramp in my calf so I didn't want to push it.

{Personal} Don't weigh myself for a full month. I actually did it.

{Professional} Be diligent about completing the daily tasks list every day. This was a crazy month at the studio, so there were a couple of days when I didn't finish everything because of meetings, but compared to how I used to be, it's been much better.

June:

{Spiritual} Start my new prayer journal. I finished my prayer journal on May 31st (I started on March 1, 2015), so I got a new journal to use. I want to change a few things about it, so I'm excited to start a whole new book!

{Financial} Change my IRA account. Upon closer examination, I'm probably not making most of my options in regards to savings. I need to restructure my IRA account to better benefit me.

{Social} Try to adjust my attitude about some things that are bothering me in my social circle. Without going into too much detail, there have been quite a few things that have been bugging me lately. Quite honestly, it makes me not want to be social and hang out with my friends. That's definitely not a path I want to continue down.

{Mental} Read before bed instead of watch Netflix. I should have started doing this after I got home from England and was already in the habit of not falling asleep with Netflix playing (albeit on a black screen) six inches from my face.

{Physical} Go to kickboxing at least once a week. I already paid for a ton of classes, I need to use them.

{Personal} Spend less time on social media. This is going to be tough. It's also going to be tough to measure this. I have a tendency to scroll through Instagram every chance I get. I've been spending more and more time on Snapchat, and even more time on Facebook lately. I deleted Twitter from my phone and rarely post, but I definitely need to cut back on the other three.

{Professional} Start reviewing the front desk girls. This has been in the back of my mind for a few months now, so it's probably time to start. I need to check in with everyone and make sure everyone is on the same page.

Ten on Ten :: May 2016

This is no where near my favorite set. In fact, these pictures are actually from May 11th because May 10th turned out to be too crazy for photos. I trained someone at work, I had a lengthy meeting, I saw Captain America, and I went to bed.

Literally nothing beats this view. 

A year ago on Twitter, I announced I was going to start using colored pens in my planner. (I used to only use black pen and different colored highlighters.) I'm still color-coded, but last week I started being more creative with washi tape, different lettering, more stickers, etc.

I had to get three fillings today. I thought I was getting one and the dentist thought I was getting four. We decided to wait to do the other one so my entire mouth wasn't completely numb. It was honestly a horrible experience (mostly afterward). The only other time I can remember getting a filling, I didn't get numb for it.

I'm obsessed with chalkboard art and lettering.

 It was the second time wearing my hair like this and I keep getting compliments, so I think I'll go with it!

It's kind of crazy to think that Instagram was the catalyst for landing me my current job. I took over the studio's Instagram when the owners were impressed with my personal page and seven months later, I'm working there full time. One of the first things I did was spruce up the bathrooms with these little bulletin boards with our Instagram pictures. I just ordered 24 more (from Social Print Studio) and added them to the boards. 

I had to catch up with my daily Bible reading (since the 8th) and my prayer journal (since the 5th). I'm supposed to finish Judges today.

I waited until about 3:00 to eat lunch because after the numbness wore off, my mouth was killing me. Eating still wasn't fun, five hours later.

I finished Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt last week and I'm now onto Grace and Frankie. I LOVE this show. I started from season one again, so I just started season two today. Last year my mom and I were talking about it while we were cooking and at the exact same time we both stopped, turned to each other, and exclaimed, "I can't believe Jane Fonda is 77!" It was the best mother-daughter moment ever!

Unfortunately I spent the afternoon waiting for a phone call that never came (at least I was watching Grace & Frankie) and trying not to think about how much my mouth was hurting. But these flowers are still doing okay a week in!

May 2011 | May 2012 | May 2013 | May 2014 | May 2015

May 2016 Goals

April:

{Spiritual} Focus on my daily Bible reading. I'm still on track, but lately it's been a little tough to focus on the Old Testament stuff. It seems like the last week or so has just been lists of people or land.

{Financial} Don't use my credit cards at all for 30 days. Nope, and I actually used one quite a bit in the last week.

{Social} Successfully host my fourth annual Game of Thrones viewing party. Well, I hosted. I guess you could call it successful. I didn't really take any pictures though.

{Mental} Read a book. Nope.

  

{Physical} Start doing yoga again. Nope.

{Personal} Only eat carbs, dairy, and/or sugar at one meal. Nope.

{Professional} Begin work on the barre displays. Nope.

May:

{Spiritual} Break down my Bible study more. I've been doing a Bible study through Merge. My friend and I meet once a week to go over the week's homework and we just decided to start another study by Jen Wilkin to do concurrently. I've been in the habit of doing it all on one day, but it's actually designed to be done in smaller segments every day. I'd like to be doing that instead, especially with doing two at once.

{Financial} Don't use my credit card at all for 31 days. I'm going to try it again this month. So far, so good.

{Social} Meet with people outside of Merge at least once a week during the hiatus. Merge is on a break in May before starting up again in the summer. I'd like to keep that night of socializing with people, since I've made a lot of great new friends in the last few months.

{Mental} Practice typography and learn new fonts. Chalkboard art is something I've started doing at work and I finally got around to writing on the chalkboard that's been blank in my room for months. I love it and I'd love to learn more fonts and maybe even start writing with different pens and all that fun stuff.

  

{Physical} Go to kickboxing at least five times. I tried kickboxing last month, but have been too busy to go to back since. I bought quite a few classes, so I need to start going at least once a week, if not more.

{Personal} Don't weigh myself for a full month. My friend wrote an awesome blog post about weighing yourself and how you shouldn't do it, especially every day (here). I've been weighing myself every day since March of 2011 and it's become a really bad habit for me to have. If it's too high, it can literally ruin my mood for the rest of the day. It's an obsession and I don't want to obsess over it anymore.

{Professional} Be diligent about completing the daily tasks list every day. Last week I redid our list of daily tasks and expect the girls to initial every task after they complete it. This means I need to hold myself to the same standards and also stay on top of the cleaning to set a good example by going first and to help carry my weight.