Way back in January I entered my name into a lottery.
The New York City marathon lottery, because I am crazy and dream of running marathons.
When I put my name into this lottery I had little to no hope of getting picked on my first try, from what I read it seemed like no one ever got that lucky.
Fast forward to March and it was lottery drawing day.
I spent the entire day hitting refresh on my email, but by the end of the day I had heard nothing and had given up hope.
The next morning I woke up, feeling a bit disappointed, but still I went to check my email one last time, a tiny bit of optimism was still there. As I sleepily checked the screen I saw an email from the New York City marathon. Thinking it was my rejection letter telling me better luck next year I opened it and quickly browsed over the message not giving it much though.
And then I saw this…
I went from half asleep to fully awake in two seconds!
I remember the first thing I did was call my parents. My Dad and Mom, they have always been my biggest supporter. I have my Dad to thank for giving me the courage to sign up for marathons. He is always at the finish line cheering me on and I couldn’t wait to tell him. (Note to self, it probably isn’t the best idea to call back home late at night and tell them all to gather by the phone for some big news. There may have been a few panicked questions.)
As I announced my news to my family it suddenly hit me, I got in! Something I thought was a shot in the dark and I got in! And then I thought, “I better start running!”
And here we are, 7 months later, and today I am boarding a plane to head to NYC to run the marathon! I can’t believe this bucket list moment for me is so soon, I have hardly been able to think of anything else this past week!
While I am exploring Washington DC and NYC (thank you all for your recommendations) I have two lovely ladies here to share their adventures. Is it a coincidence that they are both Kiwi’s living the life in London??? Read on to hear more about their stories!
Meet Jasmin from Jasmin Charlotte
1. When did you decide to start blogging / what inspired you to start blogging?
I actually didn’t know much of the world of blogging when I started! I ended up spending a lot of my time mucking around and on reddit. I posted a lot in make up addiction and eventually decided that it made more sense for me to make a space to talk about all these bits, just for me. And since that happened the blog has changed so much into the lifestyle space it is into today!
2. What does your perfect weekend look like?
Most definitely a combination of comfort and adventure! I love having a day out exploring, either going to a new place in London or trying out a new restaurant with friends. The ideal Sunday is then wrapped up in a duvet on the sofa, binge watching Netflix, blogging and relaxing! I also love the weekend getaway, travelling to a city in Europe. Weekends like these don’t happen enough!
3. You have traveled (and lived!) all over the world. What’s your favorite place you’ve ever traveled to and what is the next destination on your list?
This is so tough! I love New Zealand and don’t go back enough after living there for most of my life. It’s definitely the place I would recommend the most as it is just an epic country - full of gorgeous scenery and awesome people. I love the states too as you just can’t beat the contrasts of American culture.
I have a few trips coming up - Copenhagen at the end of the month, Gran Canaria at the end of the year then big plans for next year are shaping up!
4. What is one place someone coming to London can not miss?
I always recommend the sky garden. I think London looks best from up high but so many of the sights are so expensive - like the shard and the eye. The sky garden gives you that awesome view, but it’s free, has bars and restaurants and you are surrounded by greenery, what more do you need?
5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
This is also a hard one! I would love to still be in London as I feel as though there is still so much to see. Hopefully I will have ticked a whole lot of countries off the list and be storming ahead in the career. I also hope Jasmin Charlotte is still going strong!
6. Before you go what are three of your favorite posts that you think everyone needs to read!
I love writing my 10 happy things posts where I can just chat about what I’ve been up to and gives us a chance to be grateful for all the little things in life. I also really enjoyed my Bloggers Guide to SEO which was really interesting to write. Lastly my most recent travel posts, all about my trip to Scotland!
Find Jasmin here: Blog |Instagram |Twitter | Facebook
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Meet Emma from Adventures of a London Kiwi
1. When did you decide to start blogging / what inspired you to start blogging?
I’ve been blogging at Adventures of a London Kiwi since 2012, when having decided that we had unconsciously lapsed into a commute/work/home complacency, we weren’t exploring our surrounds to the full potential. I enjoy sharing everything that I’m passionate about here in my corner of t’internet, and have connected with some fantastic people who share my enjoyment for the quirkier side of life. As with most expats, I only intended to travel for a couple of years to explore the UK and Europe. Fast-forward many, many years, I’m settled in London with my hubby and our wee cat, enjoying life and completing our 101 goals in 1001 days list but until we’ve discovered every nook and cranny on this side of the globe, we won’t be going any where.
2. How do you balance blogging several days a week, exploring all over London, working and keeping a social life? Tell me your secrets! :)
Honestly I don’t know… I guess really it comes down to two things: sheer determination and settling into a blogging habit that suited me (and occasionally inviting Mr Kiwi out to blogging dinners - heh, two birds with one stone and all that). I’ve learnt that creativity comes easiest to my weird brain in the later evening; it helps to have a fantastic soundtrack (Delta brainwaves help generate creativity with a good bass line apparently) and no distractions ie. turning off Twitter. I absolutely wouldn’t have been able to do it without publicly setting myself a target of blogging, and seizing that tricky muse went it hits - some days I can draft 4 posts in a sitting, some weeks I can draft 2 over all 7 days.
3. Your posts are always so creative, I adore your writing style! Where do you find inspiration
Simply in the crazy city I live in, the wonderful countries we explore and often in my favorite blogs to read. They’re all full of tips, recommendations and wanderlust inducing photography that makes me want to discover a new place for myself. Iceland is well and truly on that list, and for that I blame you Kaelene. (I hope Emma and Mr Kiwi make it this way soon!)
4. As a Kiwi in London what do you love most about your adopted city? Anything you miss from New Zealand?
I love the history, the architecture, the incredible foodie scene and insatiable appetite for fun. I miss my family’s hugs, but we’re lucky enough to have been home twice this year, and will be again at Christmas (by which time long-haul flying will be curse words in our house!) I also miss a variety of our snacks, and pies in every small grocery shop. They are heated in pie warmers, served with tomato sauce and are nectar of the gods.
5. You have traveled (and lived!) all over the place, what’s your favourite place you’ve ever traveled to and what is the next destination on your list?
I actually can’t pick just one favourite, it’s like picking a favourite child - impossible. If really forced to choose one, it would be Japan. We spend two weeks exploring one of the most fascinating cultures I have ever encountered. Our next trip is New Zealand/Dubai for a family wedding/excuse to leave the airport enroute home, with the slight possibility of a short girly city break in between. But we’ll see!
6. Before you go what are three of your favorite posts that you think everyone needs to read!
The day I drove Sheep across London Bridge
16 signs of a travel addict
Our engagement story (one of our monthly travel linkup tales) - Cambridge, and why it will always have such a special place in my heart
Find Emma here: Blog | Instagram | Twitter
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Thanks again for all of your recommendations and support for the marathon! Follow along with our DC/NYC adventure on Snapchat at kaelene, I will be sure to post lots of behind the scenes snaps of the NYC marathon! And of course I will be updating all the fun over on Instagram! Wish me luck!
Question of the Day?
Any NYC tips? Have you ever won/got accepted to something you thought would never happen?