Do something different every day

My intention had been to do something different every day – during my 4.5 weeks of holiday. My big problem was that I have no money at the moment. So all the things I’ve been doing have been completed on a budget of £10 a week.

I have kept true to my word and every single day I have left the flat and done something interesting. I’ve been to umpteen gallery exhibitions, loads of times to the museum, been on lots of walks on beautiful routes. I’ve also tried to do different things at the gym, and have been varying my routines. I’ve been cooking foods that I’d not normally have, and have been trying to have variety in my diet. I’m pretty pleased with this. A successfully completed goal!

Except for Saturdays (when I do nothing other than food shopping, slothing around the flat on my own, household jobs, cooking and watching DVDs) I have been out every day.

Since last weekend I have been on two more tours of the Museum of Scotland – I love that place, I really do. I know so much more about Scotland and its history and culture. My visits have been a real delight. And because I’ve had the time to keep going back (I think I have been there 5 times in the last 4 weeks) it’s meant that I can see everything twice, and at my leisure.

I am now progressing to the Royal Museum. This week I spent a little time looking at the Ancient Egypt exhibition (very interesting) and Art 1200 – 1700.

I also went to the Fruitmarket Gallery. I’ll not go back: it was crap.

I’ve upped my gym training too, and introduced some new exercises and a new routine. So, I have variety there too.

I’d like to go to Musselburgh again before I return to work, but I don’t think I’ll get an opportunity until Wednesday. Unless I go tomorrow!

Aside from Saturday when I sat at home all day and ate bread and chocolate (I can do this because I eat healthily all week!) and watched DVDs – I have been out every day and done something interesting. I am still constrained by not having any money, but in the last week I’ve:

1. visited the Dean Gallery and saw a fabulous exhibition of Sir Basil Spence’s architecture drawings, models, photos, film footage. There is also a very nice replica of Eduardo Paolozzi’s studio: fascinating.

2. visited the Portrait Gallery’s new exhibition of BP Portrait Award. This is incredible. I love portraiture. There are 60 pieces shortlisted from 1,800 applications.

3. walked the Shore Walk to Cramond from South Queensferry. I am going to SQF again over Christmas and plan to walk across the Forth Road Bridge. I did this on my first Christmas in SQF, and it would be right to do it for my last one too.

4. been going to the gym (every second day) and have been making an effort to try new things, and not just do the same old stuff.

5. making more of an effort with what I am eating. I am eating healthily but I am making special treats and interesting foods.

I’ve gone somewhere interesting every single day. But because it has been windy and raining I’ve copped out and gone to indoor places – and revisited a few places. I’ve spent more time at the Museum of Scotland, and have again taken a guided tour (a different one from the one I did earlier in the week). I am slowly getting through everything at the MoS – it’s great and I’ve been enjoying it a lot.

I’ve also been to the National Gallery – and spent half a day there. I’ll go back and see the rest of it. Plus I visited a friend whom I haven’t seen for 6 years! That was really nice, and I am going to see him again this week. Plus, I went to the gym – and would like to go again tomorrow. If the weather improves I am going to go to the Botanics again – but this time explore it properly.

I’m pleased with what I have been doing.

I was planning to post my results up once a week – however my flatmate is taking ages in the shower (I am waiting to take a shower) and so I’ll fill in time by updating this.

I’ve been to the Scottish Portrait Gallery – for a couple of hours. I’ve walked along the Water of Leith from Stockbridge to Deanburn. I’ve visited the Modern Gallery of Art (or whatever it is called). I’ve spent a short time (an hour) wandering around the Botanical Gardens. I’ve walked around Arthur’s Seat (Holyrood Park) and along Salisbury Crags. I’ve visited St Giles Cathedral. I’ve taken a tour of The Museum of Scotland. None of which have cost me a penny – because admission is free, and I have been taking my lunch.

Tomorrow I am either going to walk to Musselburgh and along the shores (if the weather is fine) or going to the RSA (Royal Scottish Academy) and the National Gallery if it isn’t. I am going to take an audio tour.

I don’t return to work until 03-Jan-08 – giving me 4.5 weeks off work. I am completely broke, but don’t want to spend all my time sitting at home in the flat. I have a list of free or inexpensive things to do.

I have been going to the gym on my lunch hours, which is good…but monotonous. So on Friday, I ate at a cafe and took a walk up to Bryant Park. It was beautiful, and great to get some new stimulation!

life gets too predictable when you do the same thing every day.
for me it goes like this:
wake up, shower, get ready for school, go to school, talk to the same people everyday (i’m shy so i very rarely meet new people), go home, watch tv, do homework, call my boyfriend, eat dinner, go to bed.

every day goes by so slow. but then it feels like the weeks and months go by so fast. it’s pretty strange.

my house feels like a fish bowl since i can’t go anywhere. i won’t have my liscense for another year. my parents won’t drive me anywhere because of gas prices.

any suggestions to make each day a bit more exciting?

Maybe taking a new photo of something, anything, a day would be interesting…

Today I went out of the subway a different way. AND I ate at a new place for lunch. It was Chinese/Thai, so I shouldn’t get in the habit, which is exactly what my goal is about!!!