La Vie En Rose for 2002 August 16

Instead, had a lovely afternoon in Brighton all buy myself, shopping in the north laine. I think I was in a pink mood, because I bought a pink dress and a pink sweater. Not baby pink, the really cute, bright MK "pink dream" pink. It was warm, today, too, so that helped me feel summery. Also, I bought: A mini Maglight (maglights are ridiculously expensive here, but I really needed one for trips), a luggage lock, various cosmetic goods for travel such as more stacking jars, frizz ease leave in conditioner, and a new kind of curlers to try! Also, saw 2 things that combined would be a good idea for presents (shhh.. suprises!!) And had a bagel sandwich that was really good and filling, but I didn't get another milkshake from this really cool milkshake shop that we all went to when we were in the north laine for class- you can choose from 101 things they put into milkshakes, such as smarties or chocolate orange- because it was too crowded. I went to this used bookstore that consists of several rooms of book stacked everywhich way and sometimes priced using a dot code system. I found a really cute antique "school history of england" but it was 2 pounds and by this time I only had 1.30 because the shop where I bought my pink dress didn't accept credit cards either, so I bought The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte, which I have never read and was £1. I noticed on my way out they also had Mansfield Park for £1, and I have never read that, either, so I will probably go back.

But seriously, over the last few weeks, I 've realized what a GIRL I am!! Not that thats bad, I've only just begun to realize it. I always knew I was girlie, it extends beyond all comprhension. Exhibits:

No matter what dreadful traveling conditions I am in, I always try to take care of my appearance. (Until the last morning, after an all night train/ ferry/ bus/ flight/ sleeping in the airport/ station/pub...)

The way I dress.

My job.

My music selections: countless CDs of Broadway musicals, Madonna, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Dixie Chicks, The Corrs, Harry Connick Jr, etc...

My favourite part of any tourist attraction is always the gift shop.

There may be 1,000 gift shops in Edinburgh that sell plaid wool blankets, shortbread, and little stuffed 'Nessies', but I will happily go into everyone just to browse.

With me at all times is my purse, including but not limited to: water, cell phone, diary, travel journal, keys with lipgloss and pocket knife with scisors for cutting split ends, wallet containing up to 3 kinds of currency, 5 forms of ID, 2 credit cards, and picture of dog, portable CD player, pen, camera, sunglasses, eye glasses, and a velocity orange makeup bag of supplies such as a compact, tissues, hair brush and band, cinnimon altoids, hand sanitizer, bandaid, 'beauty blotters', lipstick, lip protector, nail file, 5 different kinds of over the counter medicine, and 4 different kinds of lotion. 4. Why do I need 4 different kinds of lotion? I don't know, but I do. I think its a tribute to my packing expertise (improving weekly) that I am able to use such samll purses as I do!

But don't think I am self disgusted and vowing to change my inner psyche or anything like that. Rather, I see this as a breakthrough in my quest for self discovery. My girliness is an essential part to the whole, and is an enduring character adding to my personality and uniqness... yeah.