189. Read 1 book for each month for 6 months

Tipping the Velvet

This year I discovered Sarah Waters through a copy of the Night Watch I picked up in a charity shop. An English writer who I've come to love, her books have a common theme; history, sex and lesbians. That said there's more to them than that. The books are also beautifully written and constantly captivating - Fingersmith being the best example of this (try and find a book with more twists).
All of this said after the Night Watch and Fingersmith I found Tipping the Velvet slightly less captivating. Perhaps it was the lack of shocking twists or the fact I'd grown slightly more accustomed to historical lesbianism but for whatever reason, this was a slow read for me. Despite this, it was still a good book. Reading about lesbians and cross-dressers in the Victorian era is truly eye-opening and never dull. And if you haven't read Sarah Waters yet I highly recommend it.

#75 Start some sort of exercise class/club and attend once a week

Zumba has come and in a very small way changed my life for the better. I never thought I'd be one for any kind of dancing but there you go. 

#173 Visit the Pompidou

On a spur of the moment trip to Paris, I was finally able to fulfil my wish of visiting the Pompidou. A winding metallic museum, I'd always appreciated the architectural importance of the place and it lived up to the hype. Whilst there I was able to visit the permanent modern art gallery as well as an exhibition about post and pre-apartheid South Africa. My favourite moment though was the pause between paintings on the covered balcony. From there I was able to observe the Sacre Cour and Paris in all her glory.

165. Knit a Present For Someone

I'm onto crocheting now, but last year around Christmas time I actually managed to knit some working house socks for my sister .Why house socks - they're too chunky to be straightforward socks really but not really hardy enough for slippers. My sister being the saint she is demanded homemade gifts so it was the perfect excuse to complete this task. Multicoloured knitting project - done.

114. 115. Got a Budhist Centre & Meditate

Buddhist centres are perhaps unsurprisingly to most (but surprisingly to me), a lot like church. A small huddle, some chit chat but once the meditation begins a lull takes over and I found myself feeling the same wash I feel in church. This was a really great experience and something I've told myself I must try again.

133. Go to a Music Gig

After almost a year away from the blog I've decided to come back again and fill in the gaps.. So far the resolutions have not only proven to be incredibly satisfactory to tick off, but have also been a big motivator at times to shake myself from a rut every now and again.

This time last year I travlled to the West country for the first time ever. Specifically Bristol. It was nothing like how I expected but also wonderful, creative and incredibly raw. In my mind Brooklyn is an easy comparisson in terms of gritiness but also humourful street art and little art collectives as well as maybe Brighton. While there I ventured to Stoke Croft - the land of the hipsters and found a great cafe cum-car-cum-yoga studio where we stayed until a band started playing. I've also been to see Hozier this year, however, I feel that this small intimate impromptu gig was exactly what I wanted to find since I've compltly missed seeing new bands away from support acts since leaving uni.

116. Get accupuncture

I did it. It was good. I'd do it again.

Acupuncture, as it turns out really is as simple as a haircut. It might have been the half an hour of stillness more than the needles but I definitely felt something.

I went in mainly because I'd been suffering from chronic sinusitis brought about from allergies. It's hard to say if the acupuncture sorted out the root problem. What it did do was make me feel incredibly relaxed afterwards.