Where in the World is Miss Fin?

Dear Someone,

            I am in fact still alive and well. I am sure you wouldn’t have the slightest knowledge of my well being, due to the fact that I haven’t bothered to write in over a month. I can reassure you that life is good. It has been brought to my attention that I have failed to write you.

           It is quite possible I have gone mad. Last week I bought a round trip flight to London. I will be going on a three-week holiday this summer. I am thrilled. I’m not sure if you are familiar with the Musical Into the Woods. It happens to be a favorite of mine. Recently I have been being thinking about Rapunzel. This could also be in part because of my new found love of Tangled. Or perhaps it boils down to feeling empathy for the poor maiden trapped in a tower.  At any rate though Rapunzel plays a minor role in the musical she has a line I adore. “I am no longer a child. I wish to see the world.” July simply cannot come fast enough. I couldn’t wait for July to start traveling again. Which led me to impulsively purchase a ticket to California shortly after booking my flight to London.

I spent the week with my cousins who live in San Jose. It was quite liberating to travel by myself. I have never navigated the airport alone. I have come to find I am perfectly capable of doing so. It was refreshing to have one on one time with them. It was well needed, and long over due. Better than seeing the spender California has to offer. I was able to spend quality time with my family. It enabled us to strengthen our relationship. In all reality Mr. and Mrs. Casey will be known as the posh Aunt and Uncle who live in Northern California. It was delightful to spend time with them. It was a subtle reminder of the importance of family. “Being of blood” has its limitations. Regardless of bloodlines I will still be Aunt Anne to my cousin’s darling boys. When my oldest sister got married I loved to tease my brother-in-law about the flaws in his bloodline. He couldn’t truly be a Finlinson for he wasn’t of our blood. Needless to say I got over it. I love him, and the other extraordinary editions to our family. My siblings are one of my most treasured gifts.

We spent the week exploring neighboring cities. The beauty of Northern California pleasantly surprised me. I was more than happy to make a quick trip to H&M and Lush. Each morning I woke up to a majestic view of rolling green hills, hills where happy cows graze mind you. I am a culprit for associating California with Disney Land, and New Port Beach. I would have never thought I would see breath-taking vistas of forest encompassed by rolling fog. It was striking. I was tickled pink by the charm of the various neighborhoods we passed through. The trip only increased my desire to see what is out there in the world. In my pursuit to figure out what I am going to do with my life I have been in need of a long drive. Better yet a long drive filled with rich conversation. I love going on drives. The only trouble being I am not the biggest fan of driving. This vacation satisfied that need. As we drove I tried to absorb the beauty of our surroundings. We listened to music, and my sweet cousin let me sing as loud as my heart desired. You know very well that I have a tendency to sing louder than the radio. I was completely and utterly satisfied with my visit. 

        Who knows where I'll go next, perhaps Texas, New York, or the Ukraine? Someday you will have travel with me. After all I just wish to see the world. I hope all is well in your neck of the woods.

 

Yours Truly, 

Miss Fin

           

Lunch Date

Dear Someone,

            I am partial to the lunch date. I like that a lunch date typically has the implication of being casual. Not to mention most lunch dates I find myself going on are with dear friends. So really the lunch date facilitates the reunion of old friends while providing a neutral location to converse.

The lunch date ended with grace and poise as most lunch dates do. I was satisfied with our conversation. Mr. Lunch date always makes me laugh. As I was leaving the car I meticulously placed my foot to evade the snow that could potentially ruin my silver ballet flats. To my chagrin I stepped in an icy patch, only to find myself not so gracefully fall on the sidewalk. Landing precisely on my bad knee. You may laugh but I do in fact have a bad knee. In all actuality I probably need a brace of some sort. I looked up at the car and Mr. Lunch Date was applauding my elegant fall. Mr. Lunch Date unfortunately witnessed the whole event. We both laughed as I quickly hobbled on to my good leg. Life again proves to be embarrassing.

Good thing it was a lunch date. For if it was an evening date I could have been wearing a sassy cocktail dress. I am of the opinion that if one is to gracefully fall or for that matter not so gracefully fall on a date it would be best received in the company of a lunch date. Perhaps I should now attend to that swollen knee of mine.

Yours truly,

Miss Fin

Wishes

Dear Someone,

            Today as I was checking the mail, a favorite pastime of mine I was happy to see a catalog from Boden. I was particularly found of the cover. “Bloom through the Gloom” I rather enjoyed this lovely little message. In our family we openly joke about February being a cursed month. Things typically don’t go very well. Hence blooming through the gloom was a splendid message.

            Unlike most I love January. My birthday is always a highlight, and gives me something to look forward to. The gloom of winter cannot dampen my spirits. That is not until after my birthday festivities. For you must understand that the anticipation of my birthday nearly tickles me pink. You missed an excellent evening, with exceptional company. Now that winter has finally set in it is time to evaluate and set some goals. Wishes for 2011 if you will. Typically people resolve to, alter, change, and modify their lives in correlation with the beginning of the new year. My birthday seems to be the turning point. To bloom through the gloom this year I have resolved to do a few things.

 My first wish is to fall madly in love. That is madly in love with being me. I have a wise sister. On occasion our conversations tend to be inspiring. We went on a Sunday walk to our favorite park the summer before I entered high school. We walked and she offered advice. Advice about love. I was told that the key to success is to love myself. This year I have resolved not to fix a problem area. I have resolved to not look at my body as a problem.  I can't think of a better way to bloom. 

            My second wish is to jog 500 miles in 2011. In all actuality this goal is very manageable. Ultimately the goal is to prepare for my first 5K in May. Running has always been something I have wanted to do. Yet I built mental blocks as to why I was inadequate to do so. I am grateful to have a body that is able to run, even if it is in small increments. I love the way exercise makes me feel. A friend from work introduced me to the program couch to 5K. I have an ingenious ap on my ipod that indicates when I should run, or walk. I followed this program in London. Some how it was easier running through Kensington Gardens with the sound track of Pride and Prejudice running through my head as we ran through the fog. The treadmill will do for now. It has been lovely. I have enjoyed having a running partner it makes me more accountable. The time goes faster in the presence of good company. I can’t complain.

         My third wish is to learn how to cook. Within the next year I will be able to compile a small collection of recipes. I am open to suggestions, so if you have any recipes you’d like to share I would appreciate it. I would like to spend each month working on a category. I thought I would start with soup. Ideally each week I will try a new recipe. So by the end of February I should know how to make four different variations of soup. I am thrilled about the prospects of this wish.

        Perhaps February won't be too unbearable this year. 

Yours Truly, 

Miss Fin

       

Happy Valentines Day

Dear Someone,
 
        Just a thought! Happy Valentines day!

Yours Truly,

Miss Fin

Cheers to Three Years!

Dear Someone,

            I walked into the house today singing I Have Dreamed from the King and I. Mr. Fin inquired as to why I was singing. The question prompted additional lyrics to come to mind. A song from show choir called The Sparrow to be precise. The song answers the question simply, I sing because I am happy.

I am happy to have dear friends who I can count on at all times. It is marvelous to have friends that I can count on even if it’s not always geographically convenient. Today I was kindly reminded that distance does not have to be a hindrance. I am happy to have someone who takes time to write me letters. Happier to know there is someone who will patiently listen while I sing in the car, on the phone, or in the kitchen. Not to mention listen while I sing extremely high, loud, and off pitch. Someone to insist that my room is never void of a vase of fresh flowers, and most importantly someone to watch me safely get past the blue gate and into my home. I am happy to know that I am genuinely loved and cared for.

Thank You!

 Three cheers to three years! February eleventh will always remain a special day. It marks momentous memories shared with someone quite wonderful. If you were here we would have a celebration! As far as I’m concerned it’s a lovely day. 

Yours Truly, 

Miss Fin

Back

Dear Someone, 

I am in the process of getting back to school, back to work, and most importantly back into a routine. I have decided that it would be detrimental to the state of my happiness to go back to a sorority. Why would I engage in something that makes me completely, and utterly miserable? Perhaps I could change my attitude about the situation. Then again I have already made my decision. All that is left to do is to respect the choice that has already been made. 

I am enjoying being back to school. I am lucky to have some friends in my classes, and the opportunity to make new friends. All I do is math. I haven’t quite figured out how to balance my schedule. Last semester was rich in literature, and writing. I haven’t gone this long without reading in over a year.  Now I find most of my time is consumed by solving an absurd amount tedious equations. At least it’s done in good company. My classes are going well. I am particularly found of my swing class. Stubbornness is not a newly acquired trait of mine. As a child I refused to dance. I can only remember going to a class once. My tears won the battle, and I never went back. At various school dances as the music slowed down I would race for the doors to evade my date. I will admit it was terribly impolite. Dancing simply was not my thing and I was not going to participate. About a year ago I decided that I wanted to learn how to dance. It was in all actuality quite a break through. One excellent blind date, and all of my dancing preconceptions were dissolved. It is now something that I love to do.

 Back to work. I love working, and typically I love my job. I love the people I get to interact with, and the friendships that nannying has cultivated. I get to work with outstanding children. I am trying to avoid going back to my normal tendencies. Working over 40 hours a week is not necessary or advised. Twice a week seems to suit me quite well. 

Being back has meant consciously deciding what I want to be back in my life. It comes down to filling my time doing the things that I love, and sometimes filling it with the things that are necessary… like math. I need to spend more time doing the things that bring joy in to my life, and eliminating the things that don’t. Ultimately it’s good to be back.

Yours truly,

Miss Fin

Miss Fin Drops In

Dear Someone,

        I suppose that all good things must come to an end. I am fairly sure that if they never ended we would by no means have the opportunity to absorb the beauty and splendor of the adventure. I find myself writing you with the intent to relay the pure joy I felt in my travels abroad. I am grateful for the opportunities I had and the friendships that were made. London was simply delightful. What a beautiful, and charming place to have lived. Most importantly a place I was able to call home.

        The last week after finishing finals was busily spent trying to fit in any last minuet delights. Favorite places were visited and bid farewell, musicals viewed, frozen yogurt devoured, and wallets emptied. Our hoards of chocolate were unveiled and hastily packed to bring home to our loved ones. We managed to arrive home safely without any weather delays. I must say it is good to be home.

Handel's Messiah. Conveniently at the church where the original manuscript was written

Tea and crumpets at Kensington Palace.

Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland

Packing is tedious.

Farewell

      I admit have been extremely slow to write. That is in part because of my inability to decide if I should write to you. For you see my holiday has come to an end. Though I am confident that I could fill pages with over looked excursions I have come to the realization that life continues to move forward. I look forward to the adventures that lie around the corner. It would be a shame to stop writing all together. Rather you can periodically… that is from time to time count on me to drop in.

       

Yours Truly,

  

Miss Fin