tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15234070813923927142024-03-19T02:42:47.031-07:00color my life with lovejust a green-eyed girl learning to loveRuthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05597224255268663002noreply@blogger.comBlogger437125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-4154068503456208112013-09-30T17:40:00.003-07:002013-09-30T17:40:49.382-07:00Doorways<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Doorways represent hope, opportunity, a return home, a entrance to something potentially wonderful.</div>
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These are doorways I took pictures of over the course of a couple days in Italy, but I've been thinking about doorways that have come into my life lately; some have appeared recently, other ones have been there for for a long time and have become more dear as they become more clear.</div>
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Doorways that include people's hearts, ordinary yet long-known places, returning of the fall sunshine and some abstractions like living life fully, the quietness of peace and belonging and ideas of forever.</div>
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Doorways can be terrifying, though. What if that long-awaited doorway is obstructed? What if this one leads to unexpected gloom? What if going through this one causes pain and disorder for others?</div>
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Sometimes, I ignore doorways because the hope is outweighed by fear.</div>
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It's really sad to read that now that I write it down. Lately, I've been looking back at all the wonderful things that God has done in my life. He worked out so many things even better than I could imagine, yet many times, I spent a lot of time fretful and anxious until everything was resolved.</div>
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No more! I resolved with Jesus that I will walk rejoicing through the confusion and fear that seems to frame every doorway like doorposts. He tells me to rejoice always<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+5%3A16-18&version=NIV" target="_blank">*</a> and being a logical God, if he tells me to rejoice, there has to be a reason to rejoice! I want my faith to be bold enough to find it. </div>
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Because walking with a fearless heart sounds like so much more fun than fear. Agreed?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-14449902806155663742013-08-23T09:30:00.002-07:002013-08-23T09:30:54.785-07:00Feeling Wistful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have an almost diagnosable case of wistfulness tonight. It's so strong I can feel it physically in my chest. I long for places and times, memories and dreams, people and life.<br />
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Tonight, I miss Ireland. Do you hear all the songs that Irish people sing? So many are about them missing their country and wishing to be back. Despite the dreary weather and glut of potato dishes, there's something about that land that seeps into your heart and creeps up into your soul. It's the beauty and loneliness, the struggle and serenity that calls to me tonight.<br />
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Tonight I miss friends. I miss getting glimpses of each other's hearts and feeling safe and loved. I miss the closeness two souls find despite miles and differences. I miss my sister Jak most.<br />
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Tonight I miss the places I will find. I miss not filling the calling of being a wife right now; I miss not being a mom yet. I feel a longing to begin and to be there, even right now. How do I begin to describe what it is to miss what isn't even mine?<br />
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All this reminds me of my soul's deepest pining. Not just Ireland, I long for a place of perfection, of indescribable beauty, a place free of struggle. More than the closeness of friends, I long for intimacy of seeing a greater Friend face-to-face. Stronger than my desire to be a wife and mother is my longing to become a whole-hearted worshiper, free from sin.<br />
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Tonight, I'm reminded that what I want most is to see and be with my own dear Jesus. For he is my Home, Friend and Fullness.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-81347250520429231442013-06-24T19:50:00.001-07:002013-06-24T19:56:45.644-07:00Prague, Czech Republic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Once I'd split up with Jak, I flew into Prague and was picked up by a friend of a friend from church who I had never met before. Her name was Leah and she welcomed me into her home for a week. Whatta gal! After a lovely night's sleep, this was the view from the window of her apartment.</div>
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(At this point, I didn't know to be extra, extra thankful for the blue sky.)</div>
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I felt ready to begin this last bit of my three month adventure.</div>
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Ran down the stairs to the street. Sorry if this made anyone dizzy. Ha.</div>
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One of Prague's beautiful parks.</div>
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Further into the city, I found the Powder Tower. In the past, they stored gunpowder in it, until they realized having so much flammable material so close to people and other buildings wasn't the best idea. I enjoyed this story a lot.</div>
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At this point in my trip, I realized my caffeine addiction was out of control. Without a minimum of two generous cups of coffee, I was practically a zombie. Here, I found a Stark Cappuccino and the world looked up after that.</div>
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I wandered through the old City Square and was enchanted by the smell of woodsmoke which drifted everywhere. Woodsmoke is one of my very favorite smells and always reminds me of God's love and constancy. It was just another way Prague felt like the perfect place to end.</div>
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The architecture was fascinating. There is a statue of John Huss to the left. </div>
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This astronomical clock does more than look pretty; it also works and has worked since 1410. Incredible, no? </div>
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Unsurprisingly, I didn't learn all this info without going on a tour. Here's our guide. Batman- er Ammon, from Utah. I keep joking he's a ex-Mormon, but that was unconfirmed. He found a great Czech girl to marry and seemed quite happy and I'm not sure either why I'm telling you this about him. </div>
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He showed us the music hall and told us about how the Czech people appreciate good theater and music.</div>
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I'm not sure what this means. I apologize if it's something untoward, but it sure looks pretty. For all it's written beauty, Czech is a complex language to learn, sometimes having up to twenty-five different ways to end a word depending on the context. I never even got the hang of please or thank you. </div>
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The Jewish Quarter, now a very luxurious and affluent part of town, was originally the place where Hitler had the Jews banned. He actually let the oldest active synagogue survive because he wanted to include it in a museum for an "extinct race". </div>
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Hearing that horrible statement made me thank God that man makes his plans, but God directs his paths<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+16%3A9&version=NKJV" target="_blank">*</a>.</div>
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Erin and Vicki, this giant metronome is for you. There used to be one of the world's largest Joseph Stalin statue on that spot, but obviously, he didn't stay popular. Awhile after it was torn down, Michael Jackson played a concert nearby and everyone decided they would put up a huge, functional metronome. Great idea, no? I'm sure it helps the violinists who come to play in the park. </div>
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About one and half days into my stay, it started to grow cloudier.</div>
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This street performer is playing a didgeridoo. Although it only has a range of about two notes, it sure looks impressive. </div>
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Leah's friend had invited her to come and see a recital at the Rudolfinum, which is a music auditorium and home to the Czech Philharmonic. Excited, I got dressed up in the most dressy clothes I had (which still weren't very dressy).</div>
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We ran up the stairs and got our seats,</div>
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And I took a picture, even though it wasn't allowed. The performance was quite good, but I more enjoyed the high-class feeling and atmosphere of going to a recital. </div>
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Afterwards, we took a walk along the Vltava and got a lovely lit-up view of the St. Charles Bridge and Prague Castle.</div>
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Later in the week, I took Leah's sushi recommendation and had a lovely ginger, horseradish, wasabi and soy sauce enhanced meal.</div>
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I also got to visit Leah's school where she teaches Science. I enjoyed spending time with her and her fabulous roommate Liz just as much as I enjoyed touring the city.</div>
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I also got a chance to help clean the school's new building. They are excited for a bigger facility, but it will take a bit of work over this summer before it's ready.</div>
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One night, we went to a smart little cafe called Cafe Louve and I got sipping chocolate. Basically, chocolate and whipping cream, thick and warm. Delish.</div>
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Wenceslas Square was this enormous street, full of shops and restaurants and various tourist booths. </div>
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Someone creating huge bubbles and that little kid at the bottom is great. </div>
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This is Wenceslas Square leading up to the National Gallery. I loved this street, partly because it also smelled like woodsmoke. </div>
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This is because the vendors selling ham and sausages cooked them over wood.</div>
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Yum. Rye bread and plenty of ketchup and mustard and hot juicy sausage hit the spot.</div>
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Some mornings in Prague were so rainy, I stayed in and drank coffee. It was a cozy, lovely feeling.</div>
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Other days, though I manage to venture out and one time, discovered this charming fellow peering at me.</div>
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The rain kept on and on. Prague was actually flooded by the time I left. I refuse to take the blame for the weather!</div>
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I nabbed a traditional doughnut, which is made by wrapping dough around a hot cylinder and sprinkling it with caramel sugar. </div>
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This is the view from the steps of Prague Castle.</div>
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And here's another view from across the Vltava. Thank you Prague, you were the absolute perfect ending to my adventure. </div>
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From there, it was over twenty hours of travel, being almost hysterically happy to be in Chicago because it was America, fitful naps and then getting a long-awaited hug from my mummy.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-57048174024519644852013-06-09T15:05:00.002-07:002013-06-09T15:05:30.492-07:00Amsterdam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Seemed appropriate that easyJet has orange coloring since we were flying to The Netherlands and orange is one of their favorite colors.</div>
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Amsterdam Centraal sure is beautiful and orange.</div>
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Bikes and cool window designs. </div>
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Of course, the first food we ate when we got to The Netherlands was Thai food. Sorry mom!</div>
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But it was so good!</div>
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Walking along the canals. I really enjoyed Amsterdam because it felt familiar. My mum has always decorated with items from her dutch heritage.</div>
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And I'd read books about big wheels of cheese. The Dutch love their cheese!</div>
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It was very exciting to go into cheese shops and even more exciting to sample the cheese. The baby gouda and smoked goats cheese were my favorites.</div>
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Yes, that is a Chinese restaurant boat on the left. What can I say, Amsterdam is diverse. </div>
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View from the top of the Amsterdam Library. Down in the library, they had the coolest kids section I've ever seen. It was so intriguing, I went down to hang out for awhile. I got some strange looks from little kids coming past.</div>
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Later while meandering, I found a bunch of tents with people selling anything you can imagine. It was like the world's biggest garage sale.</div>
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Here's Hannah talking to that boy she likes in the courtyard of our awesome hostel.</div>
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Dutch cheese platter, FTW. Tasty crackers, nice sweet grapes and four kinds of cheeses, a stinky cheese, a strong hard cheese, brie and a lovely Port Salut. Did I impress you with my cheese knowledge? That's what I thought.</div>
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Some giant was playing with their Easter Hersey wrappers.</div>
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If you look closely, you'll see me! Magic.</div>
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The Dutch love their pancakes and waffles</div>
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And I love their waffles too. Yum. Butter rum ice cream on top of a light, warm waffle, plus powdered sugar. Me + powdered sugar = a mess every time, but a delicious one.</div>
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My beautiful Jak. Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of all our adventures in Holland here so you'll have to ask me for more stories and pictures when you see me in person.</div>
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Even the airport has wooden shoes! At this point, Jak and I split up. It was amicable parting, I promise. She was off to Scotland to meet up with our excellent brother Joseph and I was glad to hang out for a bit long in Holland before leaving for Prague. </div>
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Listening to Seabird - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTkfQu1u7Co" target="_blank">The Sound Of You And I</a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-83144844716112645122013-05-31T02:53:00.001-07:002013-05-31T02:53:50.792-07:00How To Get To Naples, Italy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is the post which marks the time that my camera dies for approximately two weeks and therefore, most of Italy remains undocumented. You'll have to check Jak's blog for pictures of <a href="http://jakandjoesexcellentadventure.blogspot.cz/2013/05/milan.html" target="_blank">Milan</a>, <a href="http://jakandjoesexcellentadventure.blogspot.cz/2013/05/messina-to-napoli.html" target="_blank">Naples</a> and <a href="http://jakandjoesexcellentadventure.blogspot.cz/2013/05/cinque-terre.html" target="_blank">Cinque Terre</a> as her camera continued working just fine.</div>
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This documents the ferry ride from Messina to Naples.</div>
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Hannah and I had both just had a weird reaction to some "provolona" cheese. That was a little scary.</div>
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We waited around in the bay before the ferry left.</div>
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This was the main cabin we were in. Looks a bit like a big airplane, right?</div>
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We claimed a corner by the armchairs. We didn't spring the extra money for an actual room and beds, so we slept in this corner too.</div>
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My beautiful Hannah spent some time interviewing us and creating style profiles. Oh the conversations we've had! I don't think I'll ever forget the good times.</div>
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Although we got precious little sleep (ever tried to get comfortable on chair arms?), the fact that we got to see the sunset and the sunrise consoled us a lot.</div>
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Goodbye Messina. The picture is fuzzy because the smoke flowing out behind the ferry. It smelled naaaasty!</div>
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Then we saw the sun rise from behind Mount Vesuvius over the Bay of Naples. Wow. </div>
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The city hove into the view,</div>
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and soon we disembarked.</div>
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The streets were long and strange, the buildings tall; we felt a little dazed and disoriented as we read street signs and hiked up sloping, cobbled streets. Apparently this city wakes up early, because we saw little old ladies, monks and business people.</div>
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Amazingly, we didn't get lost at all. Whenever we had a question, there was a map. Good show, Naples! </div>
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The walk took about a half hour. We learned early on to be patient with each other and to take everything with a grain of salt when we're trekking with our big packs because somehow they strain a nerve that causes grumpiness and cynicism (maybe especially for me). I like to think that I was part of helping Jak and Hannah learn patience. Ha!</div>
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Finally we arrived! I was so frustrated to not have my camera working while we stayed at this hostel because it was by far my favorite of all the places we stayed. It felt like a resort with lots of flowers, a pretty landscaped courtyard, and free breakfast that we ate about thirty minutes after this picture was taken. The weather was beautiful while we were in Naples and the hostel had plenty of pretty green armchairs to curl up in to read or blog or just rest.</div>
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As nice as the armchairs were, though, I was thankful for a real bed that night!</div>
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Listening to Lee Seung Gi - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNgS3ISbcyU" target="_blank">Alone In Love</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-6719798133072216522013-05-29T13:14:00.001-07:002013-05-29T13:20:51.315-07:00Sicily and Taormina<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Like all good stories, this one starts in a train station. Actually, at this point, it was a story that continues in many train stations, connects at various bus points and really takes off when the plane comes.</div>
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Orange mustache man had a supporting role as Hannah's wingman. </div>
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I was skeptical as to whether he really deserved so much credit.</div>
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After a night in a German train station, (sounds about as sketch as it was), we caught our flight from Munich to Bergamo and spent twelve hours at that airport. Holler back, layovers! We can handle you.</div>
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Finally, we were on our way!</div>
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After an anti climatically short flight - we waited 12 times longer than our flight took - we landed in Sicily and were greeted by our friend Karise. As soon as we got to her apartment in Messina, we all collapsed into bed and knew no more until it was time for breakfast.</div>
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We got breakfast at this place. Yeah, be jealous.</div>
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A traditional Sicilian breakfast of granita with panna (iced coffee with whipping cream) and brioche (an orange flavored egg bread). Yum!</div>
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It honestly felt like a dream to be well-rested, eating such delicious food, walking about in sunshine and speaking English with our friend. </div>
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Beautiful church in Messina. The name bothered me for awhile as I pondered where I'd heard it before and then somehow we figured it was from Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. Ha!</div>
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Chandelier view</div>
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Ducklings for sale! No, I don't think it was for eating, but it's hard to know.</div>
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We bought blood oranges for a snack from a food truck (and I mean a real truck, too). Karise has a knack for languages and started learning Italian years ago. Especially at first, we were intimidated by our complete lack of knowledge and followed Karise around like little ducklings.</div>
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Star Wars church</div>
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A nifty little restaurant and an example of the Italian propensity to double park. The appropriate way to get out if your car is the one by the curb is to come out and lean on your horn until the person parked next to you comes out and moves their car. Gotta love it.</div>
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I've developed an appreciation for expresso that I never had before. It's basically a sensible way to get your coffee down quickly and yet still be effective caffeine-wise. </div>
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I also appreciate cheese, but who am I kidding; I've always loved it, especially on salad.</div>
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Messina has lots of cheese!</div>
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Also a beautiful coastline that faces Italy. Sicily is an island that is independent from Italy but often gets clumped together in people's mind and therefore in their speech. The two countries are quite dependent on each other economically, of course.</div>
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Jak ventured in and got a jellyfish sting for her trouble.</div>
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I edited my skinny jeans to capris to cope with the weather.</div>
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And this orange had a bit of a map of Europe, especially the UK up on the left.</div>
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One day, we went to a nearby tourist town called Taormina.</div>
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I always wonder how the residents of tourist towns can stand all the activity, but this lady seems to be doing fine.</div>
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Looking out over the coastline.</div>
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Jak really liked this tree. "Hey Ruthiey, get a picture of me with this tree."</div>
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It was a lovely toasty, almost cloudless day.</div>
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This is our Italian friend Maria Terreza and our host and good friend Karise. They were waiting for us as we drank coffee and ate gelato.</div>
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Speaking of which.... one of my new favorites is called English Soup. Yum. </div>
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Jak found joy in a small tasty green pastry. </div>
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We went out for pizza<a href="http://www.fratellilabufala.eu/en/menu/" target="_blank">*</a> and got a huge mozzarella ball with rocket and tomatoes. We poured olive oil and balsamic vinegar on it and ate it with bread. This is stuff I've only heard about! </div>
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I got the Vesuviana pizza with mozzarella, black olives, mushrooms and artichoke hearts. Crazy good. The pizzas were baked in a stone oven right in the middle of the restaurant and the crust was so delicious. Sometimes crust can feel like an afterthought, but this was front and center, plus a supporting role so I gave it a standing ovation.</div>
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View down the street from Karise's veranda.</div>
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On Sunday afternoon, Karise hosted a BBQ at her house and some of her friends from church came over. From the left, Antonino, Giuseppe, me, Marianne and Karise. My name was tricky for Italians because they apparently don't really use the R sound or the TH, so my name was most easily understood and repeated if I said it, Druid.</div>
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An evening walk along the coast gave us a view of the fiery sunset</div>
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and the ferry out in the harbor and boats beached on the shore.</div>
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Karise and her friends. Thanks for everything, Karise! You were a terrific hostess.</div>
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Naturally, we went out for pizza one more time before we left. It was only reasonable. This time, we got a ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan cheese one (far right) and a tasty pesto-based one with rocket and mushrooms. Karise had a margherita pizza.</div>
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In Sicily, although there were terrific views, we were there mainly for the food and I for one was totally okay with that.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-22743083271135182972013-05-24T12:14:00.000-07:002013-05-24T12:14:00.159-07:00Berlin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Finally, it was time to send Grace home.</div>
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Farewelling one of her and Jak's favorite things - vending machines!</div>
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One fewer member to our group, we traveled eleven hours to Berlin. We had some surreal moments at this isolated train station. </div>
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A memorial in Berlin.</div>
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The Holocaust memorial was another powerful place.</div>
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Me standing right above Hitler's war bunker where he killed himself. It was strange to try to be a tourist enjoying a city that has such a dark past.</div>
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Berlin has some bright spots, of course, and I enjoyed this one. It's the book reading spot that's in the square where the Nazis burned books in 1933<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_book_burnings" target="_blank">*</a>. There are big bean bags and hammocks set up around book cases and it's just super cool.</div>
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The Neue Wache, a memorial to victims of war and terror.</div>
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Despite all the history, Berlin definitely has a lively, youthful vibe.</div>
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We had currywurst at a little stand beneath the train tracks. Yum!</div>
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We took pictures at a little black and white photo booth. It was only supposed to be two euro, but we put in 2.50 euro by accident and the booth ate it all. :P</div>
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My favorite bit of street art. Berlin has a huge respect for street art and even the police give large allowances to their street artists. It's a mutual respect thing, apparently. The artists don't deface government buildings and the police leave them alone. Sweet deal, no?</div>
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Hey, y'all, life isn't over just yet!</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-44317650988410995302013-05-23T12:02:00.000-07:002013-05-23T12:02:00.279-07:00Dachau<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This post was difficult to consider posting. I don't like to put up depressing things just the fun of it. This is about the tour I took of the former concentration camp Dachau. Growing up, I read a lot about WWII and the Holocaust and so I wasn't expecting to learn anything new, but actually being there was a sobering experience. </div>
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Entrance to the main block where the prisoners were kept. </div>
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The oppression, the cruelty felt tangible. </div>
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An oven in the crematorium. </div>
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A path to where the ashes were disposed of.</div>
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In the church that was built on the grounds, this Bible was opened to <a href="http://www.esvbible.org/Psalm+22/" target="_blank">Psalm 22</a>, the same words that Jesus cried on the cross. </div>
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<i>My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?</i></div>
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<i>Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?</i></div>
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I felt so strongly the confusion, grief and anger that mingled in the reactions and memorials.<br />
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Chapel of the convent build on the site.</div>
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This memorial moved me incredibly. It was a long fenced slope down to a dark dungeon-like room</div>
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with a single strip of light coming from up above.</div>
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It created a powerful image of the hope that God grants, even at the darkest times.</div>
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Part of the memorial included this piece, which starkly expressed confusion and anger.</div>
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And this one, with a chain decorated with Jewish stars.</div>
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The whole place left me feeling quite subdued, sorrowful but grateful. I am so thankful that God gives grace and blesses those who fight for justice. No matter how dark life seems, our hope in him will never be disappointed.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-34550584867223930452013-05-22T07:35:00.000-07:002013-05-22T07:35:00.617-07:00Lindau and Nurnberg, plus random shots of Munich<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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From Garmish, we moved our HQ to Nurnberg, Germany and from there set out on a day trip to Lindau, a cute little island.</div>
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The milky-green of the water continues to fascinate me and I doubt I will ever grow tired of the sight of mountains in the distance.</div>
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<br />I braided my hair so I would look more German... I guess that makes sense?</div>
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Or maybe it was to impersonate Rapunzel in the town where the fairy tale originated. Here's a tower that proves everything.</div>
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The two big tourist spots and admittedly, they're pretty cool, are the lighthouse and the giant lion statue by the harbor. In honor of their coolness and long-standing in the community, I felt the need to pose with them.</div>
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We searched for (more) gelato on the orderly cobbled streets beneath a summery sun.</div>
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And pretty ducks floated past.</div>
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Lindau was how I imagined Alaska would be, wide-open sky and huge blue harbor with random boats. I'll have to test my theories in the future.</div>
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Back in Nurnberg, we were on a mission. As a young impressionable teenager, Hannah had visited Nurnberg and had there the best food of her life. It was the Nurnberger bratwurst, a sausage often served three to a bun and traditionally with a spot of mustard. </div>
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We finally found a stand and I waited as Hannah and Grace ordered our food.</div>
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It was so delicious! Hot and just a little spicy from the mustard on a lovely hard roll. </div>
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Yay Hannah! Love this girl. </div>
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We found a cute church in between storefronts. Notice the smart car and Volkswagon. Small cars are favored in Europe because of the narrow streets and also to increase parking abilities.</div>
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To celebrate one of Grace's last days, we went out to have some traditional German food. We found an adorable, authentic restaurant just across the streets from our hostel in Munich. (Should I be surprised that we found an authentic restaurant in Germany?) Anyway, the food was super tasty! I got a fried slab of pork and a sophisticated version of mac and cheese, plus super yum mushroom gravy. </div>
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A warm-yellow building in the Historical City Center in Munich.</div>
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We all split up to do our own thang and I got hilariously lost. Although I was freaked out for a moment that I would have to live as a homeless person in Germany for the rest of my life, I soon found a delightful fair/market that made all the terror worth it.</div>
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Especially some double-chocolate icecream next to the horse rides. One adorbs little pony kept bopping his head in time with the rock music playing on another ride.</div>
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Random shots. Germany sure was fun, especially since Hannah spoke quite a bit so we could actually communicate. Little did we know what awaited us in Italy. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-79423212095779247612013-05-21T11:27:00.002-07:002013-05-21T11:30:00.009-07:00Innsbruck, Austria<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As a daytrip, we took the train across the border from Germany to an adorable little town called Innsbruck in Austria.</div>
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I have fallen head-over-heels in love with trains and the amazing scenery they carry me through.</div>
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To top off the amazing fairytale like feel, a girl gave us some balloons which we promptly used as props. </div>
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My dear Grace matching the scenery.</div>
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The weather was almost crazily hot and the flowers were plentiful and the grass very green.</div>
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I got some icecream which actually ended up being some of the weirdest I've ever had. It was vanilla with dried cherries and POPPYSEEDS. I am not kidding. I'll leave you to chew on that one.</div>
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The views as we came in and out of the little valley town of Innsbruck were completely breath-taking. It took me many tries as the train rushed through tunnels and past trees, but I got some great shots.</div>
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We had so many good conversations, enjoying each others company and just sharing our gratitude and amazement. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-38288103912494152472013-05-13T05:55:00.001-07:002013-05-13T05:55:16.998-07:00Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Following Les Mis, we got up super early and tramped off to the train station. Does anyone sense a theme of transportation here? It felt like boot-camp as we marched double-time with our packs.</div>
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Kinda a gloomy day and we were all tired, but still psyched from the musical, singing the songs (Master of the House, anyone?) and discussing the various themes.</div>
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EMO</div>
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Once settled in our hostel in Garmish-Partenkirchen, we got really excited about some Rittersport chocolate.</div>
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This was the view from our window.</div>
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And this was the Garmish post office, if you'll believe it. Those Germans love the ornate buildings for their post offices.</div>
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We struggled to find something edible in Garmish for breakfast. I know you all feel a great amount of pity for us, but please know that we will survive.</div>
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Beautiful woodwork on a house.</div>
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We went on a hike in the very sunny weather and found this flower. At first, in our romantic view of Germany, we thought this pretty flower was Edelweiss, but it turns out that <a href="https://www.google.de/search?q=edelweiss&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS493US493&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=DeCQUdKCGMPf4QS-6IGYCg&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=643" target="_blank">the real thing </a>is not very pretty. Oops.</div>
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Apparently Hannah is working on her modeling portfolio and this one worked nicely for the athletic wear.</div>
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After a struggle up a hill, we were met by a lovely view.</div>
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and lunch! Fresh baked roll with gouda and pepperoni sausage = happiness.</div>
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Us four lovelies had a photoshoot, but got depressed about our height differences halfway through the self-timer. I would explain this, but it's kinda an inside joke that even I don't get. Something about it being the new version of planking?</div>
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A dear little cat napping and after the heat, we wanted to join in.</div>
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We went hiking again, to a cute little lake and</div>
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then Hannah introduced us to the wonders of Spaghetti Ice, basically a moulded icecream dish with strawberry sauce and shredded coconut on top.</div>
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We were suitably impressed and/or bemused. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-27003377879022738562013-05-11T06:56:00.000-07:002013-05-11T06:56:09.117-07:00Oxford and Les Mis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For everyone reading my blog: No, we are not traveling super super slow. I'm just really behind on my blogging. So if you want more up-to-date posts, check out my sister's <a href="http://jakandjoesexcellentadventure.blogspot.it/" target="_blank">blog</a>. Until then, enjoy!</div>
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After confusion about catching buses, (seriously, what else is new on this trip?) we all made it to Oxford and tramped down the road to our hostel.</div>
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I was super psyched to be in Oxford! Dude!</div>
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Right off the bat, we had lunch. I had a lovely, toasty, cream cheese and smoked salmon bagel. Ah, delish.</div>
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The ducks enjoy the milky green water and low-hanging weeping willows while I enjoy the entire scene.</div>
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Spring in Oxford. The age of the buildings with the newness of fresh pink buds is stunning.</div>
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The Bridge of Sighs, a skyway for Hertford College attenders built in 1914.</div>
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Of course, this is a big part of what our excitement was about. We are all C. S. Lewis and A Severe Mercy fans. </div>
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I think it must be easier to learn if you're studying in a very old, important-looking building surrounded by cool landscaping. </div>
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This was something we'd been planning from the very beginning of our trip, a culinary pilgrimage to The Eagle and Child where C.S. Lewis, Tolkien and rest of the Inklings met to discuss writing. This place helped shape my childhood!</div>
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I got the wild boar burger.</div>
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The place was long and dark and decorated with great quotes and pictures. There's a quote on the beam that was quite applicable to our adventure so far.</div>
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My happiest hours are spent with 3 or 4 old friends in old clothes tramping together and putting up in small pubs. -Lewis</div>
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And the burger was so tasty! The thin slices of chorizo sausage on top gave it a nice kick. </div>
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Early one morning, we all split up and I took this most magical walk in a huge field next to the Thames. Since it was early, the frost was still decorating the plants.</div>
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The sky was marvelous, with the sun teasingly peeking through a screen of clouds.</div>
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Isn't this an everyday scene in Oxford? A rowing team with their coach in a speed boat next to them. Haha, love this.</div>
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This pasture land is free for grazing and this goose is wondering what exactly I'm doing in this field. At some points I was wondering too. I carried Oxford mud around on my boots for several days afterward.</div>
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(Esther, this pictures are for you.) The horses ignored me as I walked closeby their herd. Obviously tourists are nothing new for these Oxford horses.</div>
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Oxford is a city that has been blessed with so much light. I loved the laid-back but scholastic feel of the city.</div>
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It almost made me sad that I was out of school and couldn't go study for a term here. I knew how much I was enjoying Oxford when I started considering going back to school just so I could come here. </div>
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Lunch on a park bench. Some ducks came along and I shared my crusts with them. </div>
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Then we headed back to London for Les Miserables! This was another thing we had planned from the beginning and we were all super excited!</div>
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We took the Tube and then rushed along the sidewalk and into the theater. I felt a little out of place amongst all the other fancy people, even though I had put on the most dressy outfit I could pull out of my backpack.</div>
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We all sat down and the anticipation was electric. I don't have any pictures of the actual musical because it's illegal to take pictures or movies.</div>
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Queen's theater in London is so ornate and majestic it makes the whole experience even better.</div>
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Me, Hannah, Grace and Jak. This picture makes me laugh. We all look like we're going to pop of excitement. </div>
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And the verdict? AMAAZING. I was vaguely familiar with the music (Thanks Courtney) but hadn't ever seen the musical on stage or the latest movie so it was all new to me. I was thoroughly engaged the whole of the two hours and forty-five minutes it played.</div>
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What a great way to farewell London, no?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-35759526492785069902013-05-04T12:13:00.000-07:002013-05-04T12:13:52.133-07:00London<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was a long bus ride from London, but with stashes of snacks, books and movies on our ipods, we made it through.</div>
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Then we got our Oyster cards and lit up the Tube! It was very intimidating at first, I'll be honest, but Hannah's ridden it before and guess what - yep, there's an app for that.</div>
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There's Buckingham Palace behind me. This was our unofficial visit before our tour in which we learned that the palace was originally Lord Buckingham's house and the king said it was nicer than his and traded houses with poor Buckingham. Yep, sucks to be rich in a monarchical society.</div>
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Queen Victoria added a bunch of additions with her husband Albert because they had nine children. My ears always perk up when I hear about Victoria because I loved the movie The Young Victoria so much.</div>
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Did you know that this tower is not actually named Big Ben? That's the name of the bell which is housed inside a tower called The Elizabeth Tower. Betcha didn't know that. </div>
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Westminster Abbey! We went to an Evensong later and it was amazing. The sheer weight of all the famous people buried there and all the famous events that go on there was staggering. Did you know that all royal weddings, coronations and state funerals have to happen inside that church?</div>
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Gosh, I'm just full of information. </div>
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Eating a very normal sandwich in a very cool place. This is the LIFE, y'all!</div>
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It's well into a gorgeous spring here. Sorry everyone in cold weather, hope your snow is melting. </div>
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My beautiful sisters finding the way on twilighted London streets.</div>
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I believe this is Westminster bridge.</div>
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And Tower Bridge at night. Ah London, my heart can't take much more.</div>
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Speck of moon above the bridge.</div>
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Ok, fess up, are you guys the reason that the UK has no black bears?</div>
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Wellington Arch. This post is definitely out of order, so sorry about that. (Not really sorry, just hang on for the ride! I've got lots of more!)</div>
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I liked this bird hiding under the statue's arm.</div>
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UK symbol. Lion for England and unicorn for Scotland. It's their national animal, no joke.</div>
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House of Parliament. </div>
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Rosetta Stone at the National Museum.</div>
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The watch display was one of our favorites. Check this beauty out!</div>
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And this gold and carbuncle mini was seriously about the size of my pinkie nail.</div>
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I had a banana split cupcake in Canary Wharf. Yum.</div>
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Also a chicken and avocado with extra pepper in Trafalger Square. NO BIG DEAL, right?</div>
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Downtime with my one and only big sis. It's awesome to travel with someone who knows you well.</div>
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Crazy contortionist street performer. </div>
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This is one of my favorite shots. Gosh, is this real?</div>
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We had some awesome Indian food from this street market. Yum. We liked it so much we went back again another night.</div>
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At Camden Markets, Jak and I shared the best strawberry-filled lemon-glazed doughnut ever. Seriously. Even the doughnut flesh was addictive, which is great because it usually seems like an afterthought.</div>
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Also spinach salad and a meat and veggie pastie by Covent Gardens behind a great street performer. Anyone noticing a food theme here? Me either.</div>
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Also went to the Victoria and Albert museum, which was cool.</div>
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The Shard</div>
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Here's our friend Dominic who generously showed us around his wonderful city. Whatta guy!</div>
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St. Paul's Cathedral</div>
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Evening explorations. </div>
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Even with the Tube, our feet sure were tired after all that walking around London. Great daze, y'all. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-44758911080172029272013-04-29T11:38:00.002-07:002013-04-29T11:38:36.282-07:00Carlisle and Lake District<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Before leaving Scotland for a bus trip to Carlisle, England, we had a nourishing breakfast of eggs and toast, nutella in yogurt and lots of coffee. Yum.</div>
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We spend a lot of time studying maps, it seems.</div>
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In Carlisle, we actually spent a lot of time lounging and resting and eating randomly delicious meals.</div>
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This one was bakery bread with raspberry jam and brie on it, plus apples and pretzels.</div>
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Then, we hopped on a bus for the Lake District. </div>
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I attempted a top knot. Esther, how did I do?</div>
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Rainy, moody England. </div>
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As soon as we got there, we set out on a hike. The woods were lovely, dark and deep.<a href="http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/stopping-by-woods-on-a-snowy-evening-2/" target="_blank">*</a></div>
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Ancient, tangled trees.</div>
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And we found Mirkwood! Seriously, this wood was so dark and silent it scared me a little. Speaking of Mirkwood, I cannot wait for the second Hobbit movie to come out because <a href="http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00053710.html" target="_blank">Lee Pace is king of Mirkwood</a>!</div>
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We struggled up a steep muddy bit, then made it out of Mirkwood onto a sheep hill. I got a muddy shin. We all took a moment to admire this stalwart tree.</div>
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Then made it to the top for a marvelous view of misty mountains, gray-blue lake, segmented fields and collections of houses down in Keswick. </div>
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On the way back down, we got lost, but we found this tree shimmering with water droplets.</div>
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And then we celebrated with the world's best hot sticky toffee pudding. Pretty sure nothing will top this, ever.</div>
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We went to a beautiful lake, the wind chopping up the surface of the water.</div>
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Jak being lovely and wind-blown.</div>
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Mine own self on a mini stone pier.</div>
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Jak and Hannah! Aw, presh!</div>
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Jak demonstrated her terrific throwing arm, </div>
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but was not so successful in hand-to-hand combat.</div>
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Hannah is a fierce warrior, maybe even part samuri.</div>
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She does not spare her foes!</div>
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Unfortunately, we did not get to spend much time at all in Keswick and hopped a train the very next day. We hadn't planned quite right and our schedule called, so off we went.</div>
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The lush and peaceful scenery made for a pleasant ride.</div>
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I know I will always have good memories of the time I spent here. Sometimes there are so many amazing things I see that I have to keep reminding myself to absorb them and store up all the wonder. God, you made the world such an amazing place!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-91385211219751783802013-04-26T11:42:00.000-07:002013-04-26T11:42:12.778-07:00Edinburgh<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8DJF_jnFca0/UWW89fC9NTI/AAAAAAAAGBM/N2PYJzEnpkE/s1600/IMG_1553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8DJF_jnFca0/UWW89fC9NTI/AAAAAAAAGBM/N2PYJzEnpkE/s400/IMG_1553.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Almost as soon as we got off the bus in Edinburgh, we found a street market and got piping hot, crispy macaroons.</div>
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Our happy gang, Hannah, Jak and Ruthiey. We were all super psyched to be in a new city and to have time to explore. </div>
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Ancient green graveyard nearby the castle.</div>
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Before we explored the castle, we fulfilled one of Hannah's life-long dreams and climbed a nearby hill called Arthur's Seat that gave us a terrific view of the Edinburgh skyline and the sea to our right.</div>
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I think the moodiness of the weather in the United Kingdom helps accent the history and grandeur. Some youthful place like California can afford to be sunny all the time, but when you're surrounded by an ever changing sky, it leaves room for more emotions. Edinburgh has stories, man, and not all of them are best told in blinding sunlight.</div>
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Someone else summed up our response to the incredible view and city. (Or maybe, they were dedicating something to their mother, but interpretation is an individual thing, right?)</div>
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Then, we headed up the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle. I was skeptical about how amazing it would really be. C'mon, you guys, what is travel without a bit of skepticism?</div>
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But it was excellent. Just the outside got me really excited.</div>
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Oh my gosh, a big castle that has been around for a long time and is still standing and could even be feasible defended in this day and age! (Discounting aerial or nuclear warfare, of course.) Seriously, though, the castle is built on top of a steep hill that would be very hard to attack. </div>
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I didn't take a lot of pictures, but the interior was basically a city inside itself, winding up and around. There was a chapel, prisons, military barracks and strategy centers, a war memorial and a great hall.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ys_OLg-iKSY/UXgqIC3c0YI/AAAAAAAAGHE/6f4bb_L8Bqo/s1600/IMG_1606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ys_OLg-iKSY/UXgqIC3c0YI/AAAAAAAAGHE/6f4bb_L8Bqo/s400/IMG_1606.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Some American prisoners that were imprisoned here scratched a picture of a ship with the american flag on it.</div>
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Makes you feel powerful, right? You could blow up the world!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KRF9u_qDmqA/UXgqPWboDBI/AAAAAAAAGH0/TZnsD_8f4II/s1600/IMG_1613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KRF9u_qDmqA/UXgqPWboDBI/AAAAAAAAGH0/TZnsD_8f4II/s400/IMG_1613.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The stonework was awesome.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KRF9u_qDmqA/UXgqPWboDBI/AAAAAAAAGH0/TZnsD_8f4II/s1600/IMG_1613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KRF9u_qDmqA/UXgqPWboDBI/AAAAAAAAGH0/TZnsD_8f4II/s1600/IMG_1613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KRF9u_qDmqA/UXgqPWboDBI/AAAAAAAAGH0/TZnsD_8f4II/s1600/IMG_1613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZawRKM0SwQ/UXgr2GdlrZI/AAAAAAAAGIo/0ECf3O1mtm4/s1600/IMG_1617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZawRKM0SwQ/UXgr2GdlrZI/AAAAAAAAGIo/0ECf3O1mtm4/s400/IMG_1617.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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There's Jak, as we leave the gates. We were hungry so bye, bye castle.</div>
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We all got a Doner Kebab from a backstreet restaurant.</div>
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And it was delicious. It had an awesome garlicky cream sauce, lots of strips of lamb and some red cabbage slaw. We decided that food tastes 66% better when you're hungry.</div>
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I went to an art gallery by myself and found Mr. Darcy. Hi there.</div>
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Here was a painting of the Isle of Skye in Scotland which we wanted to visit but ran out of time.</div>
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Trying out a new lipstick color.</div>
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This cracked me up. After taking in tours and plaques and explanations, humor is a relief.</div>
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Also, I found the world's largest crab and heaviest beetle (on left). Just in case you were wondering.</div>
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And a snack! Er- a snake, rather. I'm not that adventurous in my eating.</div>
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One retro artist had a technique to make paint look like dew.</div>
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Also, Sir Percival Blakeney's cuff links! Tiny Englishmen galloping away. :)</div>
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Also, a claymore! This was a sword that even a huge Scot would have to use two hands to wield and though they look clumsy, they were terrifying and effective on the battlefield. (Andrew, I keep wishing you could be here to see things like this!)</div>
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Edinburgh, you were a marvelous section of our trip. Cheers!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-39445264503206650912013-04-25T12:55:00.001-07:002013-04-25T12:55:57.177-07:00Oh My Life, Glasgow!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hey y'all, I'm back! Also, I'm alive. And I still love you.</div>
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Sorry about the lack of bloggage! Time has gotten away from me and some days there is so much going on that I focus all my mental energy on keeping myself together. Haha, true story. So, I'm doing short recaps of the cities we've toured until we catch up. These will lack a bit of detail, but please enjoy! </div>
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We went to Glasgow cathedral. It was beautiful, with turquoise detailing, but also under repair. Seems like almost everything in Europe is right now... hmm.</div>
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It was a very lovely church. It's the oldest medieval cathedral on the Scottish mainland to survive the reformation virtually complete.</div>
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Beautiful live lilies that smelled so lovely.</div>
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The rest of Glasgow was pretty fun. Isn't this Apple store ironic? </div>
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and some beautiful staircasing in a mall. Cute stuff!</div>
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Also, anyone wanna catch some coffee in a castle? Honestly.</div>
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We only spent about 24 hours in Glasgow and half were spent sleeping and eating ice cream bars (I kid, I kid... we ate candy bars too), so we didn't really do it justice, but it was a good time anyway!</div>
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Hope you all will be patient with me as I catch you up! </div>
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Also this blog post is dedicated to my one and only baby sis, Lil Babs. Thanks for demanding that I post. :D</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-23770514784684179372013-04-10T13:43:00.001-07:002013-04-10T13:48:29.981-07:0011 Awesome Things About Backpacking Around Europe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is the special post I promised you guys. My awesome brother Joseph suggested I write up things I especially appreciate and I have been having a blast capturing this stuff. I will probably write up some more of these posts or something similar as we go. Enjoy! </div>
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1) The fact that I can pack up my entire life into this pack. Seriously, you say? Seriously. As Jak said, "There's something incredibly exhilarating about being this mobile."</div>
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2) Having great food in great places with great people. Ham and cheese on fresh bread in front of Glasgow City Chambers. (Everyone say hi to our new friend Hannah! We also call her Taylor.)</div>
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A hot and crispy macaroon in Edinburgh</div>
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3) Having time to sit and read and drink three pots of tea</div>
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4) Getting so fit from walking everywhere I can lift stones that weigh 250 tonnes.</div>
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5) When hostel bathrooms have enough toilet paper. You might think this one is a joke, but no. No way. </div>
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6) Public transportation!</div>
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...sometimes...</div>
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7) Free beauty products in the hostel, even if some are in German... Hmm now I schonheitspflege it onto my kopfhaut? Okay...</div>
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8) An alarm free existence 90% of the time.</div>
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9) Picnic lunches of an apple, baguettes and Wensleydale with apricots. </div>
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10) Getting a bottom bunk against the wall and away from the window. Both are key because they help protect against awkward clambering and drafts.</div>
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11) A strong wifi signal anywhere</div>
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Thanks for reading! Love you guys.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-28793006197934094872013-04-04T11:41:00.000-07:002013-04-04T11:43:00.013-07:00Dub-Dub-Dubstep Dublin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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While we were in Cork, Jak was getting tired of our less-seasoned backpacking food, as was I. Rice soup anyone? So we went to get Indian food. I think it was a combination of us anticipating it for about two days, a healthy appetite and there being cheese and garlic INSIDE of the hot crispy naan bread.</div>
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Yeah, just let that sink in for a minute. Delish. I can't remember the name of the beef dish I got, but the best way I can describe it is your cool but strange Uncle Wesley's version of tomato soup, a little spicy, a little sweet, creamy with coconut milk and with chunks of beef. So goooood!</div>
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A luminous church at twilight,</div>
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glowing from the inside. So magical.</div>
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A beautiful clock, that unfortunately told the wrong time.</div>
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These daffodil pictures are for you, Mum! </div>
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Dublin Castle!</div>
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My attempt to be impressed while freezing. Pink nose alert! This silly rabbit needs to learn to take her jacket along on city tours.</div>
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Dame's Street in Dublin. </div>
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Did you know why the shamrock is important to the Irish? When St. Patrick came to teach the Irish about God, he did it mainly by teaching. In order to help them understand the Trinity, he took the shamrock. "See, three leaves on one stem. That's like God. Three persons in one God."</div>
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Perhaps, an imperfect analogy, but none is perfect and I was interested to learn that.</div>
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Look, it's my Irish twin! Some people have been mistaking us for twins. We were speaking with an Irish woman and she explained that the phrase "irish twin" probably comes from the fact that the Irish are known to be a little daft. HA.</div>
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Excellent Darth Vader graffiti. </div>
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And a sentimental one. All together now.... AWWW.</div>
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Jak gave us a photographical challenge: pictures of people displaying emotion. I had fun practicing my subtle picture-taking skills. This girl is looking down with love and pride </div>
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at her tiny excitable dog. He was barking at a horse-drawn carriage going past.</div>
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We also took pictures of people who like each other a lot. These guys obviously do, since they allowed each other to wear the same hat.</div>
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The guy in plaid is one of the guys from the church we visited witnessing during their outreach event on Easter Sunday. Cool, no?</div>
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A moody picture of Temple Bar street.</div>
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Over there! </div>
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Thanks for reading, everybody! I have some special posts planned for later, so look forward to it!</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-74352896826390535442013-04-02T12:03:00.001-07:002013-04-02T12:03:10.337-07:00Put A Cork In That Blarney<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is a spy-hole view of Cork. Such a dear little city. </div>
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St. Fin De Barr Cathedral. It's was beautiful! </div>
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This was a picture of the last Judgement, with the angels separating the sheep from the goats. </div>
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Also gargoyles.</div>
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Cork at night, from nearby our hostel.</div>
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Then, abruptly, we went to Blarney castle.</div>
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It was actually very impressive</div>
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with very narrow, thin stairs. Winston Churchhill was one of the people who climbed these stairs at one point. That's a cool thought.</div>
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We were amazed at the size of the fireplace in the family room. I mostly put this picture in because of my dear Jak. What a treat, no?</div>
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We climbed higher and higher. Finally, we got the top and kissed the Blarney stone. </div>
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Did you know that blarney means talk that aims to charm, pleasantly flatter or persuade? Apparently Lord Blarney would do a lot of that because the queen said after a conversation with him, "He's full of blarney." </div>
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And thus the name was born. </div>
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I think they got my printed pictures mixed up with someone else's... </div>
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<br />Actually, I really did kiss the stone, but I didn't manage to get a picture of it. </div>
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We went for a walk around the beautiful grounds. </div>
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It was a chilly day with plenty of cloud cover. Honestly, what is new? HA. </div>
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So we popped over to a cafe called The Lemon Tree and I had the best latte I've ever had in my life. It was also gorgeous and mesmerizing.</div>
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The end.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-12779220520548916352013-03-29T04:36:00.000-07:002013-03-29T04:36:00.845-07:00Hiking the Cliffs Of Moher<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This post is about a recap of our time in Doolin and mainly a recap of our hike along the Cliffs of Moher. Amazing time! I know most of you have seen Jak's photos and gushings, but you might like to get my slightly more scared impressions. :D Here's Jak standing on the streets of tinyy, dear little Doolin. </div>
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A curvy stream down to the Atlantic Ocean.</div>
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Gotta love Ireland. You just look up and there's randomly a castle tower amidst the grazing sheep and flocks of birds. </div>
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I know no one expects me to say this, but the rocks were really cool, dude!</div>
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I feel more strongly the smallness of me, next to the vastness of this sky and sea.</div>
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Oh and wind. </div>
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A little green stream rushes to join the mighty ocean. </div>
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The day was pretty moody, with tiny spurts of sunshine, but the clouds were beautiful.</div>
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Thanks for the fabulous view, Ireland. :) This poor flag was pretty weather-beaten.</div>
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Tiny flowers that brave everything to grow on the edge of the cliffs.</div>
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The wind was pretty strong right and you can see the patterns it created on the surface of the water.</div>
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We kept hiking and it was really, really high. I was getting a little freaked out. Do you see that tiny speck up on the cliff?</div>
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Yep, that's Jak.</div>
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Some beautiful waves on the rocks. </div>
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Abruptly, we were caught in one of the worst rain/wind storms I've been in. Combine that with cold. I don't think this picture completely captures it, but it comes close. After getting thoroughly soaked and chilled, we were a little deflated and high-tailed it back. </div>
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Spotted a beautiful cave on the return trip that we'd missed on our way in.</div>
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We were all in all, pleased to return to our little hostel and sit by the fire, drink hot tea and read for the rest of the afternoon. It was a marvelous hike!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-9330779920754483602013-03-27T12:30:00.000-07:002013-03-27T12:30:12.953-07:00Snapshots of Galway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sunrise in Galway</div>
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The origin of pastels</div>
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This is how a dear little tea house lets their milkman know what they need for the day</div>
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and there it is, right there! Adorable.</div>
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The luminous interior of the Galway Cathedral. In order to have stellar acoustics, the ceiling is constructed of American Pacific red cedar wood. That was expensive to import as I'm sure you can imagine, but I can imagine that it would hearing the organ playing in that church would be stunning.</div>
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This has to have been one of my favorite parts of Galway. Aunty Nellie's Sweet shop!</div>
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Rows and rows of glass jars stuffed full of candy. Yum! The employees will let you mix and match as much as you want and then weigh it up and make you pay money for it. (That's the only downside.) After that, you get to tote your loot away in a cute striped bag. </div>
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I got some delicious treats, some rum and raisin fudge and toffee mice. Those were my favorite. </div>
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Sorry, I'm a bit behind on posting right now! Try to not keep track of where I am and just enjoy the ride. :) Much love!</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-76877333826993147162013-03-23T09:36:00.001-07:002013-03-23T09:39:04.783-07:00Seeking and Resting in Doolin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="text Matt-7-7" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><span class="woj">“Ask, <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23324B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>and it will be given to you; <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23324C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup>seek, and you will find; <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23324D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup>knock, and it will be opened to you.</span></span><span class="text Matt-7-8" id="en-ESV-23325" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.<a href="http://esv.scripturetext.com/matthew/7.htm" target="_blank">*</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> ***</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I guess I suspected that this time away would be a time when God would have me work on some things. He likes to do that when I have time alone, away from common scenes and days filled with activity. (Jak is having some marvelous revelations herself, check out <a href="http://jakandjoesexcellentadventure.blogspot.ie/2013/03/my-oceans-his-oceans.html" target="_blank">this post</a>.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, I'm camped out at our adorable hostel in Doolin, resting up my knee. It became a little wonky after my gleeful retreat down the Mourne Mountain ridge. It's not a huge concern at this point, but I want to be wise and so I dutifully waved goodbye as the big sister headed off on a hike along the cliffs of Moher. Please anticipate the pictures coming later, because it's a gorgeous area.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So with nothing to do, but self-imposed orders to rest, I puttered about our room, watching some Cake Boss episodes and then going for a walk. Doolin is definitely a tourist town. The absolute most common business I came across was a bed and breakfast, a hotel or a hostel. Crazy. That makes it difficult to actually get real groceries however and instead of walking 3km (or 1.8 miles) to the nearest convenience store/petrol station for dinner tonight, I stopped by a cafe and mentally calculated what ingredients I could put in a wrap that would enhance the creamy rice soup we had left over. I thought I was really clever, of course with chicken, olives, cheese and lots and lots of garlic mayo. Yum. We will eat well tonight. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm getting a little distracted. Today, I was struggling to actually go talk to God. It bothers me a lot when that happens, but sometimes my brain struggles with <i>how </i>to seek God. Honestly, it's more than my brain; there's bits of rebellious heart and clueless self-dependent soul in there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, I settled in with a huge pot of tea and tried to settle out what was clogging this essential communication. The usual suspects were flushed forth; fear, doubt, pride and self-reliance. I was wanting boundaries, time-limits, black line goals that I could attain. The danger of that is my attempts to squish God into my little to-do list is that it could all explode my face or become entirely fake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God will not be contained like that. Yes, his tenderness, his goodness allows him to meet us even in brief times of seeking, but he's not going to be summoned and sent away like some genie.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wrote this so I'd have some focus on what is happening when I go to God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How To Seek God: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) Pray for everything - pray for grace to approach, grace to see, grace to know, grace to learn, grace to change.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) Remember everything - remember how sinful you are, remember how awesome God is, remember how far the gap was, remember how big a step Jesus took to bridge it, remember that you are ushered in on Jesus' righteousness, remember the gracious compassion that comes from your now-Father, remember that <i>you are heard</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) Learn something - grab some nugget, some new glimpse, some fresh path and hold it up to yourself, affix it to your soul. Questions show a heart of awe and trust; questions show humility and a desire to know. God promises to honor that<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Is66.1-2" target="_blank">*</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For everyone praying for my homesickness, I'm doing a little better, but I still miss everyone! Feels like a dagger in my chest and I'm only kidding a little. Having the timezone six hours off doesn't help with trying to catch people online. I will be fine, though, I promise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listening to Damian McGinty - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Mt485lsaWo" target="_blank">Take Care Of Yourself</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(HAHAHA, I did not make this up. Thanks for caring about my knee, Damian. <3 span=""></3></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-30509977208662459362013-03-20T14:36:00.001-07:002013-03-20T15:05:17.199-07:00Homesick<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Is this what homesickness feels like? I'm sorry, I'm going to have to plead prior ignorance. I don't think I've ever been homesick before (sorry mum, I do love you).<br />
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I feel like I've lost so much security, almost like I've misplaced the ground beneath my feet. I feel like so much of who and what I love is far away and the distance sprains my capacity to love, but I must try and so I do. It's painful, but what choice do I have?<br />
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Disconnecting was a big reason that this trip was planned, but disconnection is a terrifying thing. Surroundings and community are something that function as support beams for so many aspects of identity. Who am I, I wonder, without my small group, my church, my bosses at work, my residents, without most of my family? Who am I when I'm jumping around, sleeping in a different bed almost every night, shopping at different stores for odd cobbled-together meals cooked in a different type of pan in a huge variety of kitchens? Who am I?</div>
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I guess this is a good thing. Sometimes I lean too heavily on my framework around me and completely miss changes I could make and opportunities that I have to stand up on my own to take.</div>
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But I feel like this distance is killing me. I feel like I subsist from email to email, on bits of information from my friends and family and we relay prayer requests in short format, like telegraphs. </div>
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<i>Please pray that I will... Stop. God is with you! Stop. Miss you and am praying. Stop.</i></div>
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Gosh, I sound sarcastic. This is really just unprocessed junk I'm spilling. I don't even know what I need. I feel like I'm calling out, "Someone? Anyone?" I know I need to be like the blind beggars, calling persistently, "Jesus, Son of David! Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us!"<a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/20.htm" target="_blank">*</a> When he stops to look at me, his eyes compassionate and full of strength, "What do you want me to do for you?"</div>
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Lord, I want my eyes to be opened! Open them to your glory, your mercy, your ability to completely satisfy me, to fill me with joy, to turn me from my self-centeredness to be full of your glory. I know you can do it. Please do. </div>
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I think I'm going to try to talk with my mum on google hangout. That might help with all this.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-4454088292122165872013-03-20T03:21:00.002-07:002013-03-20T03:29:21.309-07:00How The Irish Celebrate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of our mornings opened up to an unbelievable fog. </div>
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The Derry Peace bridge looked like a magic wand letting off a shining orb.</div>
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Peacefulness and purple flowers in the neighborhood.</div>
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On St. Patty's day, we went to the parade. This seemed to be the big event of the day, along with the market with a ton of booths selling fair food and various sundry Irish items. Obviously, there was a lot geared towards tourists, because tourist season begins NOW in Ireland. :)</div>
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The old codger you see in the photo above began to talk to us after we'd been standing for awhile waiting for the parade to begin. Obviously a fixture in the community, he kept greeting people as they passed and kept jokingly offering me as a date to various people he knew. I felt a little awkward, but it was a funny situation.</div>
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Another delightful codger waiting with his granddaughter for the parade to begin. Does it sound funny to say that I enjoyed watching the people more than the parade itself?</div>
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Waiting and waiting. Splashes of green everywhere.</div>
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A small child farther down from this boy started gnawing on the bars. Poor little guy must have missed lunch.</div>
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This child looked like a Hobbit.</div>
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A leprechaun! His stilts let him jump up and down quite high. He was a little freaky and came over to offer me a kiss, but I ignored him. </div>
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Steam-punk! Regina, this is for you. It actually played music, if you'll believe that.</div>
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Unfortunately, there was no candy thrown at this parade. The only two requirements were 1) be part of a group or organization and 2) wear the strangest costume you can put together. </div>
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Bagpipes! First I thought, wait that's Scottish, but the Irish codger said they were authentic.</div>
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The parade wasn't very long, but it was quite a bit of fun!<br />
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This is later in the market square. Derry is called The Walled City and even has original cannons and the police were manning the cannons. There was a lot of security at this event and I was glad. There were some people intent on partying it up and making trouble and knowing that policemen were about made me feel much safer.</div>
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We listened to some excellent <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lHjSmalmuI" target="_blank">Irish music</a> for a bit, but it was cold and ballet flats weren't keeping my feet warm, so we headed back to our hostel.</div>
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But before we went in for the night, we went to get candy for our own little celebration. Jak found her new best friend in a gummy snake she named Jeremy McCoy. He's Irish, you see.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523407081392392714.post-18222440775536241822013-03-19T01:47:00.001-07:002013-03-19T01:47:46.930-07:00Beaches and Peaks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This post will exemplify the saying that you can experience all four seasons in one day in Ireland. Or in our case, all four seasons in about three hours. Pay 'ttention now, y'all.</div>
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This is my perspective on our Mourne Mountain hike. You can find Jak's <a href="http://jakandjoesexcellentadventure.blogspot.ie/2013/03/the-mourne-kingdom-and-newcastle.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Jak was amazingly alarmed by early morning Belfast. This is the good morning face she said you'd never see. Ha. That's what she gets for taking her sister along on her great adventure!</div>
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Good morning Belfast! We love you!</div>
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After some bus trouble, we finally made it to Newcastle where we had Summer on the beach. The warmth was relative, but it does look pretty nice, no?</div>
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Jak, our fearless leader took us up past the treeline. This place I dub the season Fall.</div>
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Mazes of roots, and my dearly muddied boots.</div>
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Once we reached this height, I turned to Jak.</div>
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"We just stepped into a calender picture."</div>
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Honestly, we couldn't believe the beauty of the place around us. This lovely spot was a cool temperature that felt like Spring.</div>
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It began to get a little colder, as you can see the ice immediately and snow up ahead. I began having a bit of a tough time. Jak kept talking about "getting in a groove" and "finding a rhythm" but mostly for me it seemed like we kept charging up the mountain fast and faster. I felt confused. </div>
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"C'mon, it isn't that bad! Just over that ridge the sun is shining. We will make it, okay? You're doing okay!"</div>
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Okay, I thought. That girl is FIT.</div>
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I don't know if you can see it in my face, but I was <i>wrecked</i>. (That's an official Irish term.)</div>
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Finally, we reached the top! My fingers were so chilled that I could barely fumble my camera out to take this picture of the Great Wall of Ireland. No one hears about this scenic wonder, probably because no one takes the time to climb all this way to see it. </div>
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In case you missed it, this season is Winter.</div>
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Like conquering warriors, we scaled the wall and were afforded a bit of protection from the wind. The view was a little disappointing and the foggy gray clouds had moved in enough that the effect was a little dismal. At least to the eyes of this young exhausted lass.</div>
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At this point, Jak wanted to go farther and try to find a peak where we could get a better view. I suggested (or rather begged and pleaded) that we call our two hour hike a success and head down.</div>
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She hesitated and the little toes inside my boots which were quite squashed by all the tramping and my heels were which rubbing a little raw made me squeal out a bribe,</div>
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"I will buy you hot chocolate!"</div>
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And I did. We descended and what a lovely treat, with the nicely hot chocolate smothered by fresh cream and strawberry flavored mallows. </div>
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After that, I felt more revived and we went to play chicken with the waves.</div>
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Our extremely cute selves.</div>
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Props for waterproof boots. </div>
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I wish everyone who has ever been stressed could spend more time at the beach. It seems the ideal therapy; so peaceful and calming to hear the waves swoosh in, pause and then tinkle out over the scattered stones and shells.</div>
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This is for you. Hope you can imagine yourself here for a moment.</div>
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Then again, maybe not. I promise I will try for nicer faces in the future.</div>
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