the blank notebook

unaddressed stories of miranda ryan

University on-campus experience – 10 tips from someone who should know better, but doesn’t

Posted on January 30, 2014 by the blank notebook

If you’re toying with the idea of moving away to university – I say go for it! Going away to uni was honestly one of the best things I’ve ever done. The friends I made there are some of my dearest and events from that time still get laughed about. Savour every minute, as before you know it you’ll be old and rusted like me and wonder how you ever managed to party 4 nights straight and still make those 9am lectures. Here are some tips on making the most of it from a not-so-spring-chicken… Continue reading →

The Do’s and Don’ts of Backpacking Packing

Posted on January 20, 2013 by the blank notebook

It’s been a few years since I bought a one-way ticket to a new continent, strapped on my large backpack, and went exploring. *sigh* While this makes me sad, I thought I’d pass on some of the things I’d learned about how to pack your backpack.

Packing

Don’t take more than 15kgs: You’ll really feel those extra kilos when you’ve arrived in Lisbon with no accommodation and are schlepping to the third floor of ten different pensions looking for a room (definitely earned my Portuguese tart that day). Also some of the cheaper airlines have a 15kg limit on checked baggage with hefty fines if you inch over this weight ( and there are only so many pairs of pants you can wear at one time). Continue reading →