things i will miss the most

Adios, Edinburgh.

All good things must come to an end.
So what better way to end this journey, than a list?

The top ten things I will miss the most about Edinburgh:

1. The three-flush toilet technique. Those of you who visited know what I'm talking about.
2. The kettle. Hot water in about 10.2 seconds.
3. Saying "Cheers!" to the bus drivers. And then realizing it doesn't sound as cool as when the Scots say it.
4. Sticking "u" in the middle of all my words. What's your favourite colour?
5. Green grass year round.
6. The Treehouse Coffee Shop.
7. The Europeans' genius use of space, or the lack there of.
8. Thinking a 20 minute walk to the grocery store in 30 degree weather is a good day.
9. Scottish dairy products. It tastes like dessert all day long.
10. Ordering a drink in a pub. Or just pubs, period.

You know I can't stop at ten...

11. Eikon church and everyone there who made me feel at home.
12. Haggis, neeps, tatties, bangers, mash, and a good shot of whiskey ;)
13. Running from the bedroom to the kitchen trying not to set off the motion detector light in the hallway.
14. Celebrating Scottish holidays with the locals.
15. Walking down Princes Street and glancing to my right to see a 500+ year-old castle. A freaking castle!
16. Stepping onto the street and looking right FIRST for cars coming.
17. Not worrying about tips :)
18. Irn Bru. Enough said.
19. That 45 minute ride on Bus 35 to the airport.
20. Tesco, ScotMid, TopShop, Woolworths, and BP candy bar runs.

Edinburgh will always be one of the greatest cities in the world in my book.
Until next time...cheers, mate.

Thanks to everyone who read this and kept me in their thoughts and prayers while I was away on my little adventure of a life time. Couldn't have survived without your support.

And I'd like to thank the Academy...and my fans...

click here to see pictures from Mom's visit to Edinburgh during my last week and from our trip together to Stockholm, Sweden:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2024847&l=85070&id=177501993

back to reality

So it's January 13, only 11 days until I fly back to reality.
I realized today that I've already begun reprogramming my brain to go back to the real world.
I'm paying bills, budgeting, searching for more design gigs, registering for classes, etc.
This four month hiatus has been exactly what I expected it to be, yet completely different.

I knew it would change me, I just didn't know how.
I knew it would stretch me, I just didn't know where.
I knew it would suck at times, I just didn't know how much!
I knew I would meet incredible people, I just didn't know how hard it would be to leave them.
I knew I would learn things about myself I never knew before, I just didn't know how they would be brought to the surface.

The night before I left the States, I wrote in my journal an encouragement to myself for when I questioned why I had come all the way to Scotland to find myself: Rediscover the beautiful woman you are. Be you. True, authentic, raw, natural. You.

I knew I would accomplish that, I just didn't realize how much it would stick with me.

Ok, I'm done, que the stupid comments from the brothers :)

so little time

so much to do, so little time.

Taylor and I had 3 days in Paris and 1 day in London, but I think we crammed in about a year of activities! Too tired to write now, so get the story visually:

Paris:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2024530&l=ec253&id=177501993

London:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2024528&l=0008a&id=177501993

Love and miss you all...home in 15 days!!

oh dear...

oh dear, it's been FAR too long since I last wrote.
terribly sorry, really.

and again, i can't stay long because it's WAY past my bedtime, and i leave bright and early tomorrow for Glasgow and then on the Paris with Taylor!!

to keep you occupied until I get back late Monday night, look at these pics from the past couple weeks...

Caroline comes to Edinburgh to visit for Christmas:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2024332&l=90223&id=177501993

Taylor's first few days in Edinburgh, including New Year's Eve:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2024334&l=5d31f&id=177501993