The Liz Kent Experience

I know. You’re reading the title of my blog post and thinking, “You should have posted that back on January 1st!” But really….should I have? I don’t think so. Because, let’s face it, most of us have probably already broken our resolutions anyway. Right? I know I can’t be the only one that sets goals and then fails miserably at them. And if I am, well, this is me standing (or typing) up and saying, “Hello World! I’m a Failure! And I’m Proud to be one!”

I think failing is one of the most beautiful things we can do. I know that sounds counterproductive, but hear me out. If I hadn’t failed by not getting accepted into all of the graduate programs in the US, then I never would have moved to Scotland. I wouldn’t be in this wonderful country learning more about myself, but also learning in depth about all of the things I don’t understand, and never will fully understand. But that is the beauty of failure. Failure leads to progression. Progression leads us to being better. Being better leads us to becoming better. And becoming leads us to who we dream ourselves to truly be. Failure, is a beautiful thing.

The thing about failing is that you can’t get stuck in the negative self thought that usually follows in that moment of rejection or failure. That’s the key part of failing, not getting stuck in the negative part. Now, I don’t have a solution to not fall for those negative thoughts, except I’ve always been able to find the silver lining in life. Maybe that’s the key. Looking for the silver lining and not being willing to give in. That doesn’t mean I don’t listen to negative self thoughts here and there because I’m human and I do. But the key is to push it out of your mind and figure out how to work around the problem.

You have to do the same thing with failing at your New Year Resolutions. You just put your head up and you keep trying. No one can fault you for trying and doing your best. I think about that on a daily basis. Trying to be better then you were the day before. That’s what resolutions are about.

The pictures on this page show two different types of New Years (Hogmanay) festivals. The first are of a fireball festival that happens in Stonehaven and the second is the Burning of the Clavie in Burghead. Both fire festivals are magnificent and really fun to attend. One of the meanings I’ve taken behind both is that fire cleanses. These fire festivals (for me) show the getting rid of the old and bringing in a revitalised and new year. It’s like a refiners fire in essence. It cleanses and purifies to make it into something new and wonderful. It’s all about your perspective.

I don’t even know where to begin! London is possibly one of the best cities I’ve had the privilege to visit. It was bustling with people and normally I don’t like that, but I loved every aspect of the busyness of London. It almost felt like home. It felt like home in the sense that I felt completely comfortable being there. Everything about the city was just phenomenal. I can’t describe it other then I am completely and totally in love with that city. But let’s be real for a moment…visiting and living there are totally different things. I know this. I’m sure the traffic and crowded spaces would eventually drive me crazy, but for the 10 days I was there I couldn’t find anything wrong with the place. It treated me well and I would love to go back.

While I was there, I did a number of different things. I took an all day trip to Windsor, Stonehenge, and Bath. This was a packed day full of wonderfulness. I sound like a complete romantic and am sounding like I’ve romanticised the whole trip but quite honestly I cannot describe my awe. I’m mostly in awe because of the history of places. Placed steeped in so much history have always fascinated me because I believe they play a role in our folklore (see what I did there…bringing in my studies). And maybe that’s why I love folklore so much. We can sometimes use folklore to try and explain the unexplained. But do we need to fully realise what’s going on? Why can’t we just have a little faith and trust? Anyway, that’s a different blog post. Back to my trip.

Another highlight of my trip was doing the Warner Brother’s Studio Tour of the Harry Potter sets. Guys….I was in the Great Hall! I got to see original costumes by actors like Emma Watson (let’s face, she’s pretty much the coolest) and Alan Rickman (Always). The Great Hall was also all decorated for Christmas so that was super fun too to see those props. I spent about 6.5 hours there just walking and reading and taking the whole experience in. I loved everything about the studios and it was just fantastic.

I went to the National Gallery, the Museum of Natural History, and the British Museum. Some of you may think that is super boring, but quite honestly those places have all been places I’ve wanted to go. The British Museum has such an amazing collection of Ancient Egyptian relics that I was in heaven. Also, they have the Rosetta Stone! I saw the actual Rosetta Stone! So cool! I saw paintings in the National Gallery by Monet, Manet, Van Gogh, Rubens, and they were having a special Caravaggio exhibit. Caravaggio is one of my favorite artists so that was just perfect timing.

I saw Phantom of the Opera, on the front row. Sitting in the front row was quite an experience. Phantom was everything I had hoped it would be. I know some of you are shocked that I didn’t see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, but I couldn’t go to London and not see Phantom. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is for another trip.

I saw the London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Leicester Square (fun fact, there was a movie premier while I was there so that was crazy), Picadilly Circus, and so many other wonderful places. It was truly a once in a lifetime trip and I’m just thankful for undestanding and amazingly supportive parents because going to London meant not going home for Christmas. It truly was amazing and something I will forever remember.