Start Spreading the News.....

For some strange reason I haven't been able to get America out of my head the past few days. I've visited the States twice before, once on a two and a half week tour of America and Canada with my parents years ago and the second was my failed J1 attempt in 2012. I had gone majorly off the idea of visiting because I was so disappointed with my visit that Summer, in reality I should have just gone to New York where I had more contacts and got a job there, but I was adamant I was going to Cape Cod, which was a decision I ended up regretting in the end!  I ended up hoping on a bus to New York, after leaving Nantucket, extremely annoyed and wanting to enjoy myself before I left the States. I decided in that moment that after five weeks of Cape Cod, I needed the excitement of New York, when I arrived I was sad to have already booked my flights home because let's be realistic New York should have always been my first choice! New York is like London, it has that feeling in the air that anything is possible, that things are happening, people are achieving their dreams, and living exciting lives. I love New York, and the past few days I have been thinking more and more about travelling in the US especially San Fran and LA (hopefully soon).

Mini-Guide

Eat Cupcakes at Sprinkles (780 Lexington Ave) or Magnolia Bakery (Grand Central Station)

Look at the excellent collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Visit the cute animals at Central Park Zoo

Take a trip to the theatre and see Phantom of the Opera

Go on the Staten Island Ferry (very SATC)

See the views from the Empire State

Take a stroll in Central Park 

Spot the Naked Cowboy in Times Square

Be a child again at Toys R' Us and FAO Schwarz

Try get on David Letterman (we were asked if we wanted tickets in Times Sq)

Make sure you're in town for Gay Pride

Look at the beautiful architecture of Grand Central Terminal

Wander around the different areas of the city and get a feel for each place

Go on a grafitti hunt

We've got beaches in mind....

After spending five days in the sun, arriving back to Ireland's cold January is hard. I was lucky enough to get away to Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote with my Mom and Granny for a few days of relaxing. I hadn't been to Lanzarote for years and with the all-year sun it was a great option for us to have a small break while the cafe was shut for two weeks. The main goal of the holiday was to relax and do nothing really, so this small guide is mainly just photograph's of where we were staying. Generally, I am not really much of a sun-holiday type person, preferring instead the call of the city and museums, however after six month's of working hard, I was glad of the few days relazing by the pool!

Eat

Bodega, Calle del Roque Nublo 5, Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote, Spain: Go for the Steak with sides of Mushrooms & Onion Rings and the Crema Catalana for dessert 

Drink

Rendezvous Bar (17 Calle Doramas, Puerto del Carmen), cute little bar with friendly staff and good music

The Brendan Behan (C.C. La Hoya | Old Town, 35510 Puerto Del Carmen) for great deals 

The Blarney Stone (old Town beside Behan's)to see Flanagan's Comedy Show!

Sleep

HG Lomo Blanco, great locations, big rooms, nice facilities 

If you get the chance try some Canarian potatoes called 'Papas Arrugadas con Mojo' which are delicious!

24 before 25

A little late!

1. Get into a Master's I actually want to do!
2. Live in another country
3. Visit three places in Ireland
4. Visit Three new countries
5. Move Out
6. Go to the Verzetsmusuem in Amsterdam 
7. Update the blog more regularly 
8. Read 10 Books
9. Learn Dutch
10. Go InterRailing again
11. Go on the Chunnel
12. Visit Bath, Highclere & The Jacobite Train (Hogwarts Express)
13. Take a class
14. Teach myself Art History
15. Visit Amsterdam properly
16. Do 5 things on my Bucket List
17. Go to 3 Concerts (1. The Gathering Festival, Oxford,)
18. Volunteer at another Gallery
19. Successfully save enough for my Master's
20. Start a Streetstyle section of my blog
21. Write 500 words a week
22. Get healthy
23. Write an Art History essay
24. Become more spiritual*/ Pray More/ Improve my Karma (lol)