Category: Life

The Book of Mormon and a Mushroom-named road

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Howdy all. Shalom. Bienvenue. Hola. Cheers. That about covers my insight into language. Now, let’s get down to it, I know it’s been a while. I’ve been busy with my internship, class and trying to be a Jetsetter. LOL. Ok, but seriously…busy times. Any who, I would love to jump right in and say that I saw the Book of Mormon on Thursday, and ’twas fantastic. That’s actually an understatement, IT WAS AMAZING.

*Warning, to all of my Mormon friends I apologize and hope you won’t find my love for this theatrical genius offensive*

But in all seriousness, Book of Mormon is one of my all-time favorite productions that I have ever seen. I recommend it, give it 2 thumbs up, and maybe a few extra fingers thrown in there as well–it’s one amazing play. But, don’t take my word for it, go see the production yourself! I can’t give a fair testament of how amazing it truly is! See what I did there… testament… get it? haha I really am my own best audience.

I also hit up Portobello Market with some pals, and basked in the glow of all things vintage and food. I scored some cute clothes, a great meal (and a great brownie… what is diabetes anyways? Insulin is my favorite invention in the world. I am also the worst diabetic these days… oops… #diabetethis?)

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Noms at Portobello Market

After stuffing my face and walking a ton (that counts as exercise, right? DONT JUDGE ME) I managed to find some cute side streets that really embrace the whole Notting Hill vibe, and by managed to find I mean every street looks like Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts might come strolling out of a bookstore at any moment.

A nod to Notting Hill

I hope you enjoyed this random, short post! I will try to be more consistent and update you all on my thrilling life across the pond.

Sending love from LondonTown.

Stay warm, beautiful, and hell–stay Goldman while you’re at it. (Damn I have a pun problem)

XOXO

Maybe a Little Too Much Icing

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Long time no blog! I was busy studying for finals and turning 21. I cannot believe i’m 21.

To be honest the milestone was kind of anticlimactic compared to a celebration in the States. After all, 18 is the big birthday over here. But I had an amazing birthday with the help of my beautiful friends, despite the fact that I could legally drink 3 years ago.

The real MVP’s of this year’s birthday were my amazing friends i’ve made abroad, (giving me a chocolate cake!), and my besties back in Boston. I don’t like to be sappy, but they sent me cupcakes and a bouquet of flowers, and made sure that I got all of my presents in time for my birthday…all the way from Boston. I mean who does that? I think I lucked out.

Anywho, the cupcakes proved a real test to my will power (and blood sugar), but I managed to share more than half and eat small amounts of the cupcakes over time. I deem my first diabetic birthday a success (minus the occasional high numbers)!

Thanks Jen and Kat!

Thanks Jen and Kat!

21 feels the same as 20, with a few minor differences. This may seem obvious, and we all know it’s happening but seldom acknowledge this fact: we’re growing up. I say we because we all do it, it cannot be stopped. Peter Pan had it wrong. Why would you want to stay young forever, when the future holds the potential of new adventures?

Speaking of adventures, I’m headed to Spain for the week to brush up on my Spanish and feel the warmth of the sun on my extremely pale face.

Have a great week everyone, I’ll post again once I’m back from España.

Besos,

-Em

Copenhangin’ but can’t Fly

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Sorry It’s been so long since i’ve posted! Anywho,I spent last weekend in Copenhagen, Denmark.

I love Copenhagen.

Although the language proved beyond my comprehension or ability to even decipher the letters used by the natives, Copenhagen captured my heart and froze my toes. Although I do have to admit that I was quite sick during my  holiday, it did not put an overall damper on my time in Denmark.

Nyhaven

Nyhaven

I spent the days walking around Copenhagen with my friends and eating good food. We went on a canal tour, saw the “mermaid”… well I didn’t but my friends did (I was actually pretty sick).

However, the trip home proved an obstacle of its own.

Story time:

Diabetes supplies are expensive, heavy, bulky and necessary for my survival. I had no problem carrying my average-sized carryon onto the plane on the way to Copenhagen, but upon my arrival at the airport from Copenhagen back to London, I immediately was told to check my bag. Well, I could not check my bag, as it had all of my necessary diabetes equipment in it, including my insulin that needed to be kept at a stable temperature.

Commence minor panic attack.

I have never been so thoroughly mistreated by an airline. Norwegian Air yelled at me, chastised me, refused to let me speak to a supervisor, then once they did, she proceeded to yell at me as well. I know I can be less than levelheaded at times- but when it comes to my health I don’t mess around. No one would see reason, including prohibiting me from gate-checking my bag so as to ensure I would have my supplies at hand up until boarding time.

I was then told that they “don’t do that”… even though they did. I was forced to check my bag. I had to take out as much of my supplies as I could, and carry them (loose) onto the plane. Although I am lucky that they did not loose my bag, the entire experience left me upset and shocked at the lack of understanding of such a common disease. Anywho, moral of the story: Don’t fly Norwegian Air.

Re-reading this, perhaps it’s something that you had to be there to understand. Oh well, sharing is caring, right? Sorry for the rant.

Look for another post sometime this week!

Stay warm and beautiful

-XO

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Pop, Fizz, Clink to 2015

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As tomorrow brings a new day and with it a new year, I feel it an appropriate time to take a glance back at 2014’s Highs and Lows (in life and blood sugar).

First things first (I’m the realest-jk), 2014 showed me, well… myself. I discovered my strengths (in my self and in my friends and family), my weaknesses (always chocolate cake and Netflix) and everything in between.

2014 revealed my Diabetes. 2014 showed me that I can laugh through the sadness. And, at the risk of sounding dramatic (LOL classic me) 2014 personified my future. No more late night snacking on whatever I want, no more morning workouts without eating breakfast, no more- well no more normal life.

However, with the changes of 2014, I can say yes to healthy eating, yes to routine, yes to friends and family that continue to support me and my constant babbling about my health and life aspirations. With 2014 I say yes to London and New York City and Boston. I say yes to the Florida sun and tanning on the beach with my pumps out for the world to see. I say yes to so much-yes to me.

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As quickly as I glanced back at 2014, I look forward to 2015.

Next year brings new, untold stories, adventures, friends, countries, twists and turns and so much more. I would be lying if I said I was not anxious about what the future holds, but with that anxiety comes a semblance of strength. With a year like 2014, and all of those twenty-something years that got me to where I am today, I know that with every year comes a new lesson, and every lesson an important block in the foundation of my life.

2015 is an unwritten chapter in my life story, and I cannot wait to see what this chapter brings.

Stay tuned for London posts! I will also post abroad updates on this blog. Let me know if you have any specific ideas for posts!

Stay beautiful and kind!

XOXO

A Diabetic Thanksgiving

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Shoutout to my talented twin for making the pies!

I love Thanksgiving. I always have, and I always will. Thanksgiving and I go way back, and our love blooms from the fact that my mother is a chef. She is an amazing chef that cooks the best (in my humble opinion) mashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar and pecans, the best cranberry sauce, the best fudge pecan pie and pumpkin pie—well you get the picture. She’s fantastic. She’s like Martha Stuart minus the jail time and uptightness. Okay, maybe that was a little harsh on Martha. Martha, if by some odd twist of fate you’re reading this, you rock don’t ever change.

This Thanksgiving was my first as a Type 1 Diabetic (RIP pancreas, it was a great 20 years).

While I longed to fill my plate with large unwarranted portions of carbs and fat and everything delicious… diabetes got in the way.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: Poor Emily, not able to over eat on a holiday that exacerbates Americans’ issues with obesity and their climbing rise of obesity, also ironically, type 2 Diabetes. So yes America, you are literally eating yourselves into a disease where you cannot eat what you were eating before. Irony? Moderation people. I digress.

Anyways, back to my first Carb-controlled Thanksgiving.

While I got to eat almost everything that I normally do (except the ice cream AND pie, but I mean, that really is gratuitous isn’t it? Well that’s what I’m telling myself at least), I still wished I could eat without worrying about how much insulin I gave myself and if my pump could handle the carb-load that is Thanksgiving dinner.

Shoutout to my talented twin for making the pies!

That being said, I had a few high blood sugar numbers, while on the whole, it went well. I learned that diabetes, although sucky and just a bad disease in general, does not mean that I have to swear off of the foods that I love. Everything is about moderation. I have learned self-control, and maybe, just maybe, that is the silver lining of having a faulty pancreas—andType 1 Diabetes.

This Thanksgiving, I realized that I am thankful for my family, friends, food and most of all: Insulin. While I hope that one day I can be thankful for a cure, until now, insulin will have to do.

So as finals approach, and I find myself reaching towards chocolate instead of carrots, I’ll take what i’ve learned and realize I can have one square, and then eat the carrots and pretend that I am eating chocolate. They say seeing is believing… well if I see the chocolate and eat the carrots… that works too, right?

There actually might be such a thing as too much icing, but there is not such a thing as too much beach. I miss Florida sometimes.

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Stay warm you beautiful people~

~XOXO