The beginning

And so begins Summer. The first day of the rest of my life...

I'm graduating university in 17 days. I will have a BA Honours in Fashion buying with design. Having been in education for 17 years, I am now free. No more pre-planned idea of what a young girl my age should be doing, it's all down to me now. I left my part time job at a design office yesterday. The safe thing to do would be to stay there, get more experience, make some savings, climb the company ladder...I decided a few months ago it wasn't for me.

Don't get me wrong, it was great. Great experience, nice people, free fabric, busy days, made some savings for travels, it was completely ideal for a part time job in my third year of university. The only problem with staying there would mean I have to stay put. Remain where I have been for my whole life, Leicestershire. There is so much more out there, and I am becoming restless. Great journeys are out there, I just have to take the steps to make them. Grab life by the horns, become fearless, and ask myself 'What is there to lose? What's the worst that could happen?'

The first step of my adventures will be Europe. A whole month in Europe, soaking up the sun, the culture, trying delicious food, spending time with my brother, travelling by rail, easily one of the best ways to travel. Train journeys have an element of nostalgia, they're such an old form of travel, and are so relaxing. Sitting by the window, looking out onto the world outside, held in a metal and glass bubble with the humming and clanking of the tracks beneath you. I leave in two weeks, and I cannot wait.

Next, who knows what? I long to create, to paint, to sew, to draw. I need a job I love, as I have worked with far too many people who hate their jobs, and I see how miserable they've become, not wanting to leave the house in the morning, counting down the hours until they can leave their voluntary prison, go home, and count again when they have to return. I consider success to be happiness in life, with friends, family, and career. If you are going to spend most of your time doing something, you deserve to love it, or its all wasted time. My dream is working for Free People in America. I discovered them about two years ago and have been following them ever since, so I suppose after Europe will be trying to get there, down to Philadelphia, and find my place. Fingers crossed. I'll have to wait and see.

So here I sit, alone, in my packed up university house, listening to the heavy thunder of rain on the roof, dreading having to put all my belongings in the tiny car, wondering what adventures will come.

The first day of the rest of my life.