tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25709655650942013082024-02-07T21:13:54.566-05:00A Better Becky BlogA taste of the adventure...Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-62479982185025217602016-12-24T10:52:00.000-05:002016-12-24T10:57:44.392-05:00Finding Christmas<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve been struggling with Christmas this year. Not with the holiday itself, but with making Christmas what I wanted it to be. I did everything right. I had lights strung up in my apartment, I had all of my Christmas decorations up (which is saying something), I set out all of the Christmas movies, set up my tree, bought Christmas cards, the whole bit. My apartment looked like the North Pole. I was set.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And I felt nothing.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not a thing.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Christmas music has been playing on repeat for weeks. I have watched every single new Hallmark Channel Christmas movie, and even some of the old ones. I have been singing Christmas songs, reading Christmas books, baking Christmas treats…</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nothing.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And that’s when I realized something.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is no magic in Christmas as an adult.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was the single most depressing thing I have ever thought. Whatever magic I felt as a child, or even just a few years ago, was gone.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had to be REMINDED to make a Christmas list this year. Normally I just have a list running and it’s the easiest thing ever. I mean, I have a December birthday. I have one wish list for all gifts because they’re roughly 3 weeks apart.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I didn’t even have a list.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I forgot.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I tried to come up with some excuse, some reason why I was so singularly lacking Christmas this year. It could be that I moved away from family and friends. It could be that I work a lot and it consumes me. It could be that the combination of work and writing has made me so much of a hermit that I have too many walls.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nothing seemed to fit.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I couldn’t find the magic.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was trying, I really wanted it. I wasn’t anti-Christmas or any kind of Scrooge. I’m a massive Christmas junkie.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But still nothing.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It just felt forced.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It felt like I was trying.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instead of feeling magic, I felt stress. I felt panicked. I felt all the pressure of expectation, trying to make this Christmas season exactly like all the magical ones I’d enjoyed. It shouldn’t matter that I was away from home and didn’t have anyone to share Christmas magic and traditions with. I could make Christmas for myself. I could.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Except I couldn’t.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I even wrote a Christmas screenplay to try to get it.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It helped while I wrote it, but once it was done, Christmas was gone again.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No magic.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This year, my church has put out a program of sorts to help us all make the Christmas season special. It’s called Light the World, and every day from December 1st until Christmas we were to focus on a specific attribute of Jesus Christ that had been organized into a calendar.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My family decided to work on them together and to share experiences.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I started off okay, thinking about them all and working towards finding ways to make it work.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ultimately, I failed.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I failed to focus my Christmas season on trying to be more like Jesus, the reason we even HAVE Christmas.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How was that for discouraging?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not only had I lost Christmas magic, but I had lost the Christmas focus.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But this morning as I was driving to work (yes, on Christmas Eve), listening to the Christmas music playlist again, I thought back over the special moments I had this Christmas season.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A glorious rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah that brought me to tears.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A family’s tragic loss that resonated with so many, and brought us all closer to God.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An opportunity to serve that made several others want to do the same.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A moment of quiet reflection in a peaceful, holy place.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A song that sparked an idea that opened my heart and brought me joy.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The moments were all there, and there were more of them. They were just hidden by the noise of my life and the stress of trying to make everything about Christmas.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Christmas wasn’t in the presents, the movies, the songs, the treats, or my amazing decorations. That was just stuff, representations of Christmas, certainly, but not Christmas itself. None of things made Christmas.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I didn’t need to make anything about Christmas.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Christmas just is. It’s just there. Whether we have a sparkling tree and lots of presents, whether we have lights and tinsel and snow and songs, it’s there.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Christmas celebrates the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. An incomparable Gift from a loving Father in Heaven. He is the Light to the world, the joy that we sing of, the peace we feel, the reason we even have the magic of the season.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In every gift we give, He is there.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In every song we sing, He is there.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In every tree, every light, every snowflake, candy cane, holly bough, and Santa Claus, He is there.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Christmas is always there because Jesus Christ is always there.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That is the real magic of Christmas, and the best part is...it’s real.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I didn’t fail at Christmas. I didn’t miss Christmas. I found it several times, over and over again, and I found it again this morning.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On Christmas Eve.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It wasn’t too late for me, and there is a very special message in there.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s not too late.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Light the world for the Light of the World. The King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. The Prince of Peace.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-6452750b-3187-e604-d927-eb5b1c652102"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Merry Christmas, friends. God bless us everyone.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="Image result for nativity images" src="http://mymerrychristmas.com/x/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/medium-nativity.jpg" /></span></div>
</div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-38527013859990083852015-12-07T12:38:00.008-05:002016-01-24T09:41:19.513-05:0030 Before 30<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #10131a;">I turn 30 in tomorrow. [Insert terrified scream] A few weeks go,
I was thinking about all of that, and I was seeing all sorts of "30 things
to do before you're 30" on the internet. Well, it was a little too late to
do most of the things I haven't done, but I've certainly seen and done and
learned a lot over the years. So I started my own list. So here for your
enjoyment, I present... </span><span style="color: #202020; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h3>
<b><span style="color: #10131a; font-size: 15.0pt;">30 things I've learned before 30.</span></b></h3>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="color: #10131a;">1.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #10131a;"><b>Find yourself.</b> </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a;">Discover who you really are, underneath all of
the perceptions and assumptions, behind the show we put on for the world,
despite who we have been. You are a unique individual, separate from your
siblings, your classmates, your friends, and everybody else. Who are you? In a world
of several influences, good and bad, find who you are. Figure out what makes
you tick. Carve your own place in the world.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Meet yourself</b>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">This sounds a whole lot like #1, right? Right.
WRONG. Once you’ve found yourself, you need to MEET yourself. Get to know you.
How do you see the world? What do you want from life? What would you fight for,
if you had to? But not everything has to be so deep. Take yourself out on a
date and ask the First Date Questions… And be more honest than you would be on
an actual date! Get to know yourself. See what you discover.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">3.<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Open your eyes to your weaknesses</b>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Notice, however, that I did
not say catalogue your weaknesses. We are hard on ourselves all the time. It's
a human favorite hobby. This is different. This is opening your eyes to them.
Acknowledge them. See them for what they are -- areas to improve upon.
Opportunities to grow. Things to keep us humble. Are you impatient? Are you
easily irritated? Are you a worrier? Are you prideful? Look at your weaknesses,
know your limitations, actively work to improve, and keep your head. We all
have weaknesses, so get over the fact that you have them. Be nice to yourself.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">4.<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>See the value of your strengths</b>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Don't get ahead of yourself,
you aren't a superhuman with unbelievable abilities that the entire world
should stand in awe of. But you do have strengths. Identify them and see how
they've helped you to get where you are and become who you are. Be honest about
them. Look deeply. If you have trouble finding strengths, tell yourself to get
out of the way and look again. You have strengths and they have value. As do
you.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">5.<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Define yourself</b>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Watch out for this one. This is tricky. You are
many, many things. Define does not mean limit. What I mean by this is that you
need to decide who you are. You've found yourself, you've met yourself, now
define yourself. All that you are and all that you can be, it's all up to you.
Not other people. You. Who you are, who you were, what you want, what you
believe, all mix together to make you up. You do not fit in a box, so why are
you trying to? You define you. When you see your own potential and make your
own definition of who you are, you will find strength and capacity you didn't
know you had. Pretty cool.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">6.<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Learn to let go</b>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Now don't start singing Queen Elsa over there.
Unless you really want to, then have at. I'm talking about holding onto things
you don't need to. Like control. Like stress. Like hurt and anger and grudges.
LET GO. It's not worth it to hang onto those things, and you will find it's a
lot easier to function without the added weight. You're offended? Let go.
You're angry? Let go. You're stressed out of your mind and your life is
spinning out of control? LET GO. It's okay. Breathe and let go.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">7.<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Organize</b>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">No, this isn't your mother giving you chores to get
you out of her hair. I'm not talking about the Tupperware hiding in the corners
of your cupboards. I am talking about you. Organize your life. Organize your
day. Organize your time. It doesn't matter how you organize it, or how anybody
else does it, as long as there is order and you get it. That's right! You can
have a system that no one else understands! But order and organization are
important to keeping your sanity and being productive in your life. Organize
yourself, however it works for you.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">8.<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Prioritize.</b> </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">There are a lot of things in your life -- work,
school, church, hobbies, family, friends, associates, people you have to
tolerate, cleaning toilets... And that doesn't even include your Netflix
binges. There are a lot of things that demand your time and energy and thought
processes. How do you fit it all in? Priorities. You make time for what is
important to you. When you put the most important things in your life first,
you will find the time for everything else. If you prioritize that way and
something doesn't get done, it probably didn't need to be done. At least not
that quickly. Just like organizing, you need to prioritize. You need order. Do
the important things first. You have time to do the things that matter most.
Everything else can wait. I promise.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">9.<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Exercise</b>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Don't you dare stop reading now if you think I am
telling you to get off of your couch instead of watching seasons 8-10 of
Criminal Minds on Netflix today. I mean... You should... But you do you. I'm
talking about getting moving, not hiring a personal trainer. Your body was
designed to move and be active. Walk, run, bike, swim, do yoga, go crazy in the
gym (be smart! I'm a sports med professional, if you aren't Ronda Rousey, don't
pretend you are!), just do something! You choose what you do, you choose the
intensity, just do something! Exercise your body, or you will lose it. Exercise
your mind! Puzzles, school, brain teasers, books, learning new hobbies,
whatever strikes your fancy. Challenge your mind to keep it sharp and working.
Exercise your spirit! Do service, read your scriptures, attend church, commune
with nature! Use it or lose it, guys. And you don't want to lose any of it.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Get outside of yourself</b>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">We've talked a lot about you. That's fine, take care of yourself, you do you,
etc etc etc. But you are more than just yourself. Don't get so focused on
yourself that nothing else exists in the world. There is so much good you can
do in the world. Hearts to lighten, burdens to lift, tears to wipe, hugs to
give. Don't be lost in your own head and your own problems. Getting outside of
yourself will give you perspective and clarity that will not only help you to
see your life and situation better, but will give you more substance. To quote
a great man, "We become more substantive as we serve others—indeed, it is
easier to “find” ourselves because there is so much more of us to find!"
Get outside of yourself and give your life more light.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Understand that life has a
purpose -- even if you don't get it</b>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">You are on the path you are on for a
reason. You might not know what it is, but there is a reason. You don't have to
get it. That's okay. You just do the best you can on the path you are on,
knowing that it all makes sense later. Not comfortable with that? Yeah, not
many of us are. But guess what? Life's not supposed to be comfortable all the
time. You need to learn and grow and develop, and smooth sailing never helped
anybody get better. There are people you need to reach, things you need to
learn, opportunities you need to have, and incredible moments you need to
experience. Life has a purpose. You have a purpose. Embrace that and move
forward knowing that you are heading towards something, and that something is
going to be pretty darn exciting. Promise.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Put the value where it
matters.</b> </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">This kind of goes along with prioritize, yeah? Yeah. But this is
different. This is a bit bigger. There are lots of things in our lives that we
can place value on, and what we choose to value says a lot about us. Something
may seem important at the time, but in the long run, won't actually amount to
all that much. You're a grown-up now, so you need to think a little
differently. What really matters to you? Family? Career? Recreation? Religion?
Cheese whiz? [If you said cheese whiz, we need to have a serious talk. With a
2x4.] What you value in life dictates your direction, so you need to make sure
it really matters. And don't forget to value yourself. Don't get obsessed with
yourself, but value yourself. Big difference.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">13.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Invest in yourself</b>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Let's
talk about investing. You put something in, you take care of it, watch it, let
it grow, and reap the rewards through the ups and downs. It works with money
(sometimes) so why not with you? We talked about value yesterday -- now let's
invest. What do you put into yourself? You should put forth energy and effort
in all areas where you are concerned. Exercising, resting, doing things that
make you happy, making plans for your future... There are lots of ways to
invest in yourself. Care about yourself, the same way you would anything else
that belongs to you. How many people take care of their pets and garden, but
not themselves? Feed yourself good things, and I'm not just talking about
Reese's. Good music, good friends, religion, following your dreams, ... live
your best life! Invest in yourself! You are with the effort!</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">14.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Find the good.</b> </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">We live in scary
and harsh times. Life is hard. There's so much bad and ugly and twisted around
us. But guess what? There's so much good too! If you look for the good in your
life, you'll find it. If you look for the good in the world, you'll find it
there too. There's amazing examples of goodness and love and grace all around
us, but we tend to miss it. How much is a hug worth? Or a smile? Or a jar of
Nutella? How much is the love of children worth? Or wiping away tears? What
about having a conversation with a cashier at the store? Or offering someone
your shopping cart? Or taking a box of food to someone who needs it? Find the
good in the world and in your life. And be the good, too.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">15.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Share the good</b>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a;">The next step, after you find the good, is to share
it! All the good that you have in your life ought to be shared with those
around you so that they can find it! We all love being uplifted and edified by
good things and good moments, joy in others' lives, and moments of peace amid
the crazy of the world. Share your moments. Share your goodness. Tell everyone
the good news. Show us your pictures of the wonderful things you see and do and
know. Share the good moments you witness. We need all of the good that we can
find. Sharing is caring. Share the good, for all our sakes.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">16.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Find the Lord</b>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I cannot
stress this one enough. If you were brought up in a religious home, the Lord's
involvement in your life is mentioned often and over and over again. You hear
it, it's in your head, you accept it, you move on. Until the day comes when you
need to know for yourself, for one reason or another. Is He really there? Is He
aware of you? Does He really care? The answer to all of those questions is a
resounding YES. When you seek the Lord, you will find him, and it will astound
you how often you find Him and how involved He is. You will wonder how you ever
missed Him. Your life will be changed in incredible ways when you find the Lord
and include Him in everything. Your relationship with Him will carry you
through all of the hard times and make the good so much sweeter. Find the Lord,
and see the wonders of life unfold for you.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">17.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Let Him find you</b>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">E</span><span style="color: #10131a;">qually as important is letting Him
find you. A lot of times in our lives we try to avoid things, whether it's
things we know we should do but don't want to or dealing with problems that are going to be hard. Or sometimes we are just ridiculously busy and if we stop for
even a second, we'll realize how exhausted we are, or something won't get done
and OH MY GOSH WHAT IF IT DOESN'T GET DONE? Sometimes, guys, we just need to
slow down and face things. The Lord is always trying to reach out to us, to
prompt us, to give us opportunities to grow and serve and become better people.
It's not always the easiest path, but it is always worth it. Don't make it
harder for Him to tell you His will. Listen. Wait. Be patient. Be open. And
then when the answers come, follow them. Let Him find you and let Him guide you
into a life far better than anything you could imagine for yourself.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">18.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Goals and dreams really do
matter</b>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Don't roll your eyes at me, I'm totally serious. Setting goals gives
you direction and focus, and in the everyday humdrum (or chaos) of our lives,
having that direction and focus is something that keeps you stable. Don't
underestimate the sense of accomplishment that comes from achieving something
you have set out to do. And dreams... Dreams can be magical. Having dreams for
your life keeps you hopeful and energetic. The trial of having dreams and not
seeing them come true is painful, but you can't give up on them. You can
achieve your dreams if you work at it, stay the course, and keep it as your
goal. Don't give up on goals and dreams because it's too hard. You can do hard
things, and you deserve to have the things that you most desire. Make your
dreams come true. Be your own fairy godmother.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">19.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>The value of regrets</b>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I'm
not talking about being depressed and dejected because your life isn't what you
wanted it to be. This is simpler, and more profound. Regrets have value,
whether it's because of something you did and wish you hadn't, or something you
didn't do and wish you had. You learn something from your regrets, and those
lessons and regrets can guide and direct you to make better decisions for
yourself later. You can see how you have changed and grown. You can share your
wisdom with others who may be in a similar situation. Your regrets can inform
how you live now, but don't let the regret itself weigh you down. See the value
in your regrets, and have less cause for regret in your future.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">20.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>The danger of looking
back</b>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Yesterday we talked about regrets and how they have value. Today is the
second half of that. There can be a lot of harm in looking back, especially if
you do it all the time. Living in "I should have" or "I could
have" can handicap you from living productively now. If things were so
much better in the past and you get your kicks out of thinking about that and
wishing you were there, you are hurting yourself. Now is your life. Your past
can inform you, but it is not meant to be a mindset. The past is not an
extended vacation destination. It is harder to move forward if you are always
looking backwards. Leave the past there. I'm not talking Lion King mentality
here, because the past has made you who you are and you need that. But don't
let it be so prominent in your mind that you cannot function or move or live
now. You can look back with fondness or with regret, but don't linger in your
looks. Face forward and make your future better than your past.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">21.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>You can do hard things</b>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">This sounds like a silly statement to make, but you wouldn't believe how
important it is. Some challenges that come our way seem absolutely impossible.
It's way too hard for us, we're not strong enough or patient enough or balanced
enough to handle it. But here's the thing: you are and you can. You can see it
through to the end. You can hang on for one more day. You are strong enough.
You don't have to do the whole mountain at once. You just need to take a step.
You might not know how the journey ends, but you know you need to move. So
move. Don't think about how hard it will be, that just makes it worse. It might
be hard, yes, but it's okay because you can do hard things.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">22.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Plans change</b>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Don't freak
out. If you thought that your perfect plan for life was actually how things
were going to go, I have news for you. It won't go that way. You should know
that by now, since the only things that actually follow your plans are the
class schedules you set, and even then sometimes they don't. So why have plans?
Because we like having order and plans make us feel in control. But nobody
likes having plans getting blown to smithereens or redirected to a detour we
aren't sure we like. Here's the thing: everybody goes through that. And we deal
with it. And most of the time, we find that the new plan is actually a whole
lot better than the "perfect" one we had planned out. Don't freak out
when plans change, that's just a waste of energy and time and makes the hard
part last a while longer. Just roll with it. As my mother told me, "This
is Plan A. The Lord doesn't do Plan B. Only our plans get messed up, never
His." So with that in mind, plans changing isn't so bad, right? Because
you're actually following a bigger and better plan that isn't getting messed up
at all. Plans change. And that's okay.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">23.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>It's okay to be alone</b>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">This one is really important, so pay attention. Being alone is not the worst
thing in the world. In fact, it's a great learning and growing experience.
Whether you are alone in your beliefs, alone in your trials, or alone in your
life, it's okay. Don't be afraid of it. Use it as an opportunity to see things
as they really are, and not through the scope of negativity. Standing alone is
hard, but remember what we've learned: you can do hard things. AND you can do
them alone. [Because you're not really alone ever, even though it feels that
way] Take the chance to look at yourself and develop into the person that you
need to be. Take advantage of what you can do BECAUSE you are alone. Strengthen
your relationship with the Lord, with your family, with your friends. But there
is nothing wrong with being alone. There is nothing wrong with YOU if you are
alone. You don't need to be fixed, you need to live! Life is hard and we are
hard enough on ourselves, so why are we beating ourselves up about the fact
that we are all by ourselves? Don't you like you? That's some fine company
right there! It's taken me years to learn this, and it's one of the most
important lessons I've ever learned. It is okay to be alone. It really is.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">24.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Trust takes time, and
that's okay.</b> </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Let's talk about what trust means for a second. In essence,
trusting someone means having confidence in them, believing in them, and being
comfortable enough to give over control or responsibility to them. We might
trust someone to watch our kids, stay in our house, or to cook us dinner
[YIKES]. Or we might come to trust someone enough to confide in them, to let
them help us through hard things, to let them into the more private aspects of
our lives. But trust isn't something that just pops up right away. It takes
time to build and several experiences to prepare us, and them, enough, and you
can't really rush that. And that's okay. Trust is hard. You know what is the
hardest thing ever? Trusting the Lord. Why? Because YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IS
GOING TO HAPPEN. Oh, sure, it's easy to trust Him on the little things, but
what about the really hard stuff? What about YOUR LIFE? Well, as with
everything, trust -- real trust -- takes time. And that's okay. He knows that.
That's why He doesn't beat us over the head with heavenly 2x4s. Or real ones.
As with everything, it takes time and experience to be able to trust Him, or
anyone, enough to be able to give up our stubbornness and privacy and control.
It takes time. But we will find that He, and a few select others, will prove
themselves worthy of the deepest trust, and when that happens, it's okay to
trust them. To turn it over. To share. Because they've earned it.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">25.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>When to wallow and when to
walk</b>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">You might read that go "Wait, wallow? When do I wallow?" The
answer is hopefully very rarely, but guess what? Sometimes that's okay. Now,
wallowing for the rest of your life is not a good idea, but every now and then,
you can be not okay. Don't broadcast it for everybody, but you don't have to be
strong all the time. Our lives are filled with adventures, if we will consider
them that way. But what adventure, in any story, started out because of something
awesome? Most of the time, it was something bad that needed to be fixed and one
person was brave enough, bold enough, or sometimes unlucky enough, to step
forward and say “I’ll try.” And there are bumps in the road, bruises that we
receive, thunderstorms and fire-breathing dragons and sometimes flying monkeys.
It's scary stuff! We might need to wallow for a second. But then what? What
adventure is successful if the would-be hero decides to do nothing except cower
in the face of the path before him? What's going to happen if that person
doesn’t move? So the choice we have is to be the hero and face it, or sit down
and wallow more. The fear is the same. The uncertainty is the same. The task is
the same. What is different is what we do about it. Be the hero of your
adventure. Dark moments will come, and you are allowed to have them. But don’t
park yourself within the darkness and say “This looks like a good spot to
stay.” Get out of them. Ride them out. Realize that what you are doing is hard,
and you are not weak for feeling that way. Then pick yourself up, get back on
the road, and say, “Okay. What’s next?” Get up and walk, because nobody wants
to hang out with lifelong wallowers.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">26.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Feelings are okay.</b> </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Don't
get confused by that, it's a simple statement, and I mean it exactly as it
says. Sometimes we feel like we can't have our feelings because of
circumstances or hard things, that we can't show if we are struggling or sad or
hurting. Or we need to hold in our excitement or good feelings because we don't
think anyone needs to know. Stop that. You have feelings, and you're ALLOWED to
have your feelings. Hard things are hard, and you don't need to be stoic. Don't
display your struggles for the world, but for heaven's sake, you're allowed to
be sad. You're allowed to be hurt. Feel your feelings, acknowledge them, and
then keep moving forward. Don't shove your feelings down because you shouldn't
struggle. Yes, you SHOULD struggle. You learn in struggle. The point of
struggling is to push through and to come out stronger. It's okay to be a
little sad for yourself when a friend gets married and your date night still
consists of you and Ben and Jerry. It's okay to be happy that you got a
promotion that someone else didn't. It's okay to mourn someone who passes away
even though you know you will see them again. It's okay to be frustrated,
irritated, scared, worried, tired, excited, anxious, dejected, and every other
emotion you can feel. Here's the point: you cannot let your feelings rule you.
Acknowledge your feelings, feel them, and then go on. I always told my athletes
with significant injuries "Today you can be upset. You can cry, you can
rage, you can be depressed, you can feel whatever you need to feel. Then
tomorrow you come in here and we will start working towards getting back.
Tomorrow you come to work." That's how it goes. Feel your feelings. You
have them for a reason. And let others have their feelings too. Feelings are
okay.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">27.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Be tough, but don't be
hard.</b> </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">There's a very fine distinction between these two things. Be tough in
life, don't let things get to you, push yourself and those around you to be
better, don't let people take advantage of you, etc. But don't be hard. Don't
be unforgiving. Don't be harsh. Don't rude or cruel or mean. Don't avoid emotions
or block the world out. You need to be strong, but you don't need to be
impenetrable. Does that even make sense to you? I'm thinking in terms of
coaches here, where you have a tough coach who pushes you beyond what you think
you can do, but encourages you and helps you grow. They are not hard, they are
tough. When you are going through life, be strong. Be tough. Don't let things
get to you, push through, be determined. But don't become jaded or cynical or
bitter. Don't build up so many walls to protect yourself that you can't feel
all that is good. Don't let life get you down, and don't let life make you
hard. Got it? Okay, good.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">28.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Take it all in.</b> </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">So often
we go through our days without seeing or noticing anything special at all. We
are set in our routine and just do our thing, and we miss things. The other
night, I was stuck in traffic for two hours and had to find alternate routes to
get home. I was frustrated and irritated and just wanted to get home as fast as
I could. Know what I saw on my detour that I would have missed otherwise?
Christmas lights. I LOVE Christmas lights and I hadn't really seen that many.
When was the last time you noticed a particularly beautiful day? Or a meal that
really satisfied? Or something that smelled really good? Or a really great
song? When did you last stop looking off in the distance at your destination
and look around at the people and places right where you are? Or enjoy a really
terrific thunderstorm? A sale at your favorite store? A good book? Great
workout? Adorable children? There's so much around us all the time, good stuff
that can buoy us and bolster us and give us moments of peace and happiness no
matter what our circumstances are! Take it in, guys. Take it all in.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">29.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Remember to smile, dear.</b> </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">This is a line from the Disney movie Brave, and it's not meant to be
inspirational, but I find this phrase repeats in my head more often than I'd
care to admit. It's an important truth. Remember to smile. No matter what our
circumstances in life, no matter how we are feeling, no matter the difficulty
of our path, we can still smile. We can be optimistic and happy without
actually enjoying what is happening in our lives. There's nothing that says you
have to have the perfect life in order to find joy, or to be happy, or to
smile. There is some good to be found no matter what. There is beauty and
loveliness and wonderful things, good people, and tender mercies. There is
plenty to smile about. And if you can't find a single thing to smile about,
smile because you need the practice. Someone else is going through hard things,
too, and your smile might give them the boost they need to keep going, even if
yours is a smile just for a smile's sake. There are no prerequisites for
smiling. Smile through your tears. Smile while gritting your teeth. Smile so
big it crinkles your eyes and hurts your cheeks. Smile that loopy, exhausted
smile. Smile weakly. Smile like a dork. No matter what, no matter why, just
smile. You might even convince your face it belongs there. When all else fails,
remember to smile, dear.</span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">30.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Be fearlessly you</b>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #10131a; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Listen,
in life and in the world today, there's a lot of pressure to be something
you're not. Pressure to change. Pressure to go along with things. Pressure to
follow the crowd. Don't do it. Don't do anything because other people think you
should. Don't change who you are to meet someone else's expectations. Don't
limit yourself by another's view of you. In all times and in all places, be
yourself. Be true to who you are. Discover truth for yourself. Own your life
and make the most of it. Take pride in your personal integrity, and live your
life with that same integrity. When the world wants you to be more like them,
stand for yourself and be true to who you are. There are two opinions of you
that matter: God's and your own. Anyone who loves and cares about you wants you
to be yourself, the best and truest version of yourself. You are pretty awesome
and capable of pretty amazing things. So stick to it. Stick to you. Be
fearlessly you.</span><br />
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<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment-->Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-55818508466258890462015-11-22T20:37:00.001-05:002015-11-22T20:37:34.652-05:00Married to the MarquessWell, I didn't think one book was enough, so I decided to release another one!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaUXhq-ohfPiOxuvyk5KhOF61K-cKzrLNBD-a1pMFCLNeY2bgvKK52xCZaYLVq8LEl4oz9VZ6lUMCrZokS-I4fbAEPzRw10uLeeTKetbaVtrbHjlxfpvO8WH2O_B8yOYgW16MzHPtrMM/s320/Married+to+the+Marquess+cover.jpg" width="207" /></div>
Ta da!!!!<br />
Isn't it pretty? You can pre-order it from Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Married-Marquess-Rebecca-Connolly/dp/1943048045/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1448242353&sr=8-1">here</a>.<br />
Sometimes I wonder if this is my real life. Then I smile because it absolutely has to be.<br />
And that's a lot of fun.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-82352988269639205332015-07-16T17:54:00.001-04:002015-07-19T08:27:08.576-04:00Goodreads Giveaway!<div id="goodreadsGiveawayWidget147473">
<!-- Show static html as a placeholder in case js is not enabled --></div>
<div id="goodreadsGiveawayWidget147473">
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<br />
<div class="goodreadsGiveawayWidget" style="border-radius: 10px; border: 2px solid #EBE8D5; margin: 10px auto; max-width: 350px; padding: 10px 15px;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/" target="_new">Goodreads</a> Book Giveaway<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25923014"><img alt="An Arrangement of Sorts by Rebecca Connolly" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1437083308l/25923014.jpg" title="An Arrangement of Sorts by Rebecca Connolly" width="100" /></a><br />
<h3 style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0; padding: 0;">
</h3>
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25923014">An Arrangement of Sorts</a><br />
<br />
by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14116935.Rebecca_Connolly" style="text-decoration: none;">Rebecca Connolly</a><br />
<br />
Giveaway ends August 17, 2015.<br />
<br />
See the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/147473" style="text-decoration: none;">giveaway details</a><br />
at Goodreads.<br />
<br />
<a class="goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink" href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/enter_choose_address/147473">Enter Giveaway</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<script charset="utf-8" src="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/widget/147473" type="text/javascript"></script><script charset="utf-8" src="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/widget/147473" type="text/javascript"></script>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-66682957959232410892015-06-15T17:48:00.001-04:002015-06-15T17:48:50.260-04:0012 Days of Madness<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With all the time we spent in the car and on busses and on planes and on ferries on our trip, we had a lot of time to amuse ourselves... So we made up various renditions of the Twelve Days of Christmas based on our adventures.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have two versions for summing up the trip in general:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12 course corrections</span></span><br />
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11 doses of Benadryl</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10 bottles of coke</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9 service stops</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8 English breakfasts</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7 hour plane flights</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6 bagpipers playing</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5 million sheep</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 different countries</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 crazy tour guides</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 ferry crossings</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 giant bag of Becky's trail mix!</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That trail mix saved us more than once. Meals were tricky some days.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12 hours of driving</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11 trips to Carroll's</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10 scenic pull offs </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9 days with sunshine</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8 cups of cocoa</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7 fights with Prudence</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6 thousand pictures </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5 motorways</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 very full checked bags</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 fighting Irishmen</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 duty free cafes</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And one suspicious solid metal anvil...</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, that anvil.... Still shaking my head about it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then.... There was the souvenir song...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12 pounds of chocolate</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11 refrigerator magnets</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10 Christmas ornaments</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9 pieces of fudge</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8 tartan accessories</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7 Irish t-shirts</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6 boxes of shortbread</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5 Celtic rings</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 bears in kilts</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 Scottie dogs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 highlander husbands</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A mini bagpipe none of us can play</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bagpipe.... Hahahaha. I forgot about that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Great trip. Great memories. Starting the countdown for going back already!</span></div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-84676991433211089842015-06-14T21:35:00.001-04:002015-06-14T21:35:17.778-04:00Eitiltí Amach -- Departures<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">Thursday, June 4th</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">Dublin Ireland and Chicago, IL</span></div>
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<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">Here's my last email from the trip!</span></div>
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<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">First thing's first: the most mysterious Irish word in the world -- Ghrianghrafadóireacht. It's the word for photography, we saw it several times at the airport on our first day and today as well. Here's the thing: no one knows how to say it!!! I literally asked 5 Irish people at the airport and no one knows. We may never know. I may make it my personal mission to find out.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0-7HiJCps-jxoAmKQ4zwVdvLZgJ9FnDunSoca0uojPp83EntcAS_Mx5QLaNb0oAMbDrxTt8bakqaRR9zDW8haBrSYW41qq5PurvzYxv2pO028hCl_MPpVGsonwGTPTdWiK_xM7h9_Gw/s1600/2015-06-04+01.00.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0-7HiJCps-jxoAmKQ4zwVdvLZgJ9FnDunSoca0uojPp83EntcAS_Mx5QLaNb0oAMbDrxTt8bakqaRR9zDW8haBrSYW41qq5PurvzYxv2pO028hCl_MPpVGsonwGTPTdWiK_xM7h9_Gw/s320/2015-06-04+01.00.28.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's really nothing else to say about this. Leaving sucks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
It was an easy drive to the airport, less than 15 minutes! We said goodbye to Prudence and Declan (the Audi), and got on the Hertz bus driven by a Frenchman who helped us with our bags. Not sure what the deal is with the French in Ireland, but there seemed to be many.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12pA6ZK0toWCZ5XKAUf_kVczfGhsQ-u6ofL6BNPCg-cp78YJuOmAL2QD_y0BfGh57b12K1g4uc6Q8y1wykrGsotoNNH7b0IQ-4NXPr0nLM1_jlUw_4yNl-bC56lXfcIffJkggD1nI-JA/s1600/2015-06-04+06.12.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12pA6ZK0toWCZ5XKAUf_kVczfGhsQ-u6ofL6BNPCg-cp78YJuOmAL2QD_y0BfGh57b12K1g4uc6Q8y1wykrGsotoNNH7b0IQ-4NXPr0nLM1_jlUw_4yNl-bC56lXfcIffJkggD1nI-JA/s320/2015-06-04+06.12.13.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prudence saved our lives. We would have died twelve thousand times over without her.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-fAmMr7A8b2mwMarjbPIaUF8ODK3B17zXWRDIDGmbQDVz1IK4vGcve3Jb0jCJyGHZAc9zDSIORJoUl1FQzuIEtwREQpGlgHbcUGD_ROAHhzILGDK9KiRwNCupY2yKqzqpc5F_RDrQiI/s1600/2015-06-04+06.12.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-fAmMr7A8b2mwMarjbPIaUF8ODK3B17zXWRDIDGmbQDVz1IK4vGcve3Jb0jCJyGHZAc9zDSIORJoUl1FQzuIEtwREQpGlgHbcUGD_ROAHhzILGDK9KiRwNCupY2yKqzqpc5F_RDrQiI/s320/2015-06-04+06.12.36.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saying goodbye to Prudence and Declan was so rough. See our emotions?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcLmD8wPbVxAxoqNQ9UIW-Tg1Uu0v2boVWkpEKoB8ZdbEesiNN5t8QbW3f9c21dAg2C1yNSTOH7Wxlk0WWT0DsrHrZ01RTCd-04psNfsNDfRS8XWKk0NswJqA3xhugGcyNYVnPLWoIq4/s1600/2015-06-04+06.31.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcLmD8wPbVxAxoqNQ9UIW-Tg1Uu0v2boVWkpEKoB8ZdbEesiNN5t8QbW3f9c21dAg2C1yNSTOH7Wxlk0WWT0DsrHrZ01RTCd-04psNfsNDfRS8XWKk0NswJqA3xhugGcyNYVnPLWoIq4/s320/2015-06-04+06.31.32.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sniff. But we don't want to be Eitiltí Amach!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0qB-6mKbh_Msj58ROtOdbMPZwp_yyIssyKzl64RCumTVNYW-4iyX987CkICqn-i9ETxkt3HkFNe_teJ0_Djeq9xD9Te7rTstd6EQFvINS5EMDoBDfcxjbW2nyMqUVmmgtRzFeXR6Zgg/s1600/2015-06-04+06.31.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0qB-6mKbh_Msj58ROtOdbMPZwp_yyIssyKzl64RCumTVNYW-4iyX987CkICqn-i9ETxkt3HkFNe_teJ0_Djeq9xD9Te7rTstd6EQFvINS5EMDoBDfcxjbW2nyMqUVmmgtRzFeXR6Zgg/s320/2015-06-04+06.31.38.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sidenote: I love seeing the Irish on the signs. I should learn the language.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGcMhuSdTDsYOK1NUqrPySsoJr1vgi5j6Oq9P5QD6DqlxED82ulexOKz6PsitF1NbNHsi_9Iqse8oyR1BCXTR1I9m6uazQkC8eM_Sn4eg-FWn0-QAghW2kslokEgwHzfQkk1_As2AdEY/s1600/2015-06-04+07.13.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGcMhuSdTDsYOK1NUqrPySsoJr1vgi5j6Oq9P5QD6DqlxED82ulexOKz6PsitF1NbNHsi_9Iqse8oyR1BCXTR1I9m6uazQkC8eM_Sn4eg-FWn0-QAghW2kslokEgwHzfQkk1_As2AdEY/s320/2015-06-04+07.13.48.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BUT HOW DO YOU SAY IT??? Longest word ever...</td></tr>
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<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
There was a loooooong line to get boarding passes at the kiosk, then we saw that the lines were split into flights, which was better. Then there was a long walk through airport to security where took things out to scan. That was annoying, I had so much stuff! </div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
We had to go passed all of the shops and food to get to US pre-clearance, where we did another security check with taking stuff out. Steph's mom packed a souvenir anvil from Gretna into her carry on and got buzzed for it. She couldn't find it forever in the bags, then started crying, so the nice lady said she would ask our flight attendants if they would hold it for get for the flight. </div>
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THEN we got to customs (you can do US customs in the Dublin airport so you don't have to worry about it when you actually get in the states. Nifty!), put in info at the kiosk, and got our lovely picture taken (basically mug shots), then handed everything to the nice man who welcomed me back....while I'm in Dublin. Very odd.</div>
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We waited for Steph's parents outside of the area and I started eating chocolate covered cranberries. "I'm having chocolate covered cranberries for breakfast, no judging!" A lady walking by laughed and I gestured grandly and said "Thank you," which she really appreciated. I think I really brightened her day.</div>
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Finally we got to our gate, and we needed food. There was limited access to food on our side of customs so we made do. We went to the duty free shop by customs. Someone dropped a bottle of Jameson's whisky and it was a strong irritant, so we got to experience Irish whisky after all!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgieGBu5QpPnz_e5vrSFb3Tzwgjjl9c56PZV87SvfnsNTGkJekx_5znSwPhrBjH37uXSNE5HSe4Z8bj8eQxGBhNYAX0chFESfpSlYwX0L9xCEgnlg3O-iPs9o4tt8hQl_8_YSzkrEDOZXY/s1600/2015-06-04+08.20.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgieGBu5QpPnz_e5vrSFb3Tzwgjjl9c56PZV87SvfnsNTGkJekx_5znSwPhrBjH37uXSNE5HSe4Z8bj8eQxGBhNYAX0chFESfpSlYwX0L9xCEgnlg3O-iPs9o4tt8hQl_8_YSzkrEDOZXY/s320/2015-06-04+08.20.24.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahhhh, Jameson's.... On the floor.... I could almost smell it. Kid you not.</td></tr>
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</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
Then..... I got a scone and cocoa for breakfast! Thanks, Ireland!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxxlx6e_MEJz5AS3tDvzjwqMKn9_Z1juYbrEuf2vUhKv7U5U43V3fijMBZjpa_PY_0CPNmM9XfzKWrIhrW3DNHWrXjCLxFlgGH-FkHQUTomoHzjXBFDdxY13pKmdAuC-4k6SI04oB6k0/s1600/2015-06-04+08.45.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxxlx6e_MEJz5AS3tDvzjwqMKn9_Z1juYbrEuf2vUhKv7U5U43V3fijMBZjpa_PY_0CPNmM9XfzKWrIhrW3DNHWrXjCLxFlgGH-FkHQUTomoHzjXBFDdxY13pKmdAuC-4k6SI04oB6k0/s320/2015-06-04+08.45.50.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My last memories of the country of my heritage... And what delicious memories they are!</td></tr>
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</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
The sweet Irish lady that took the anvil came onto the plane and hand delivered it to us before we left Dublin and said "I cleared it with my manager, I didn't even tell the crew. Just hang onto it and don't tell anyone." Marilyn gave her a hug and we all laughed a lot, then she said "I need to get off the plane or they'll leave with me on board!" So awesome.</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
This flight was sooooooo long. Way longer than the first one. And there was a really annoying kid who kept running up and down the aisles trying to get people to play tag. Lunch was chicken and mashed potatoes (fake and gross!) but the crackers and cheese were good. Listened to music, listened to the Irish guys next to us, watched the insane child keep running up and down the aisles, pretending to stick my foot out to trip said insane child...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeskDHChWH5SbDIS6XkAvXPxOCVp_JwzDnhhDvm8peToNF9kDIXFQHYg3Mt6D9vnlfg9xrSYLsDDQPmd9S43yX-0TcQS2WFIHdEcc4LIoP3OkH2ZJY8IGLbdOA6Czm5Dvv06FUi2GuJao/s1600/2015-06-04+09.01.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeskDHChWH5SbDIS6XkAvXPxOCVp_JwzDnhhDvm8peToNF9kDIXFQHYg3Mt6D9vnlfg9xrSYLsDDQPmd9S43yX-0TcQS2WFIHdEcc4LIoP3OkH2ZJY8IGLbdOA6Czm5Dvv06FUi2GuJao/s320/2015-06-04+09.01.42.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sniff. WHY CAN'T WE STAY???</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bLmkUxlJ3KkfAbSbKjyiqM4yobc1XkD2-8En-no3BumXO-yV0LW_SbvrMFR6Eif2DbZEFLWRF1CLAaBuoDfpetP_UhjA0yUngU0mDfkiEJkWvM9YNbfjIT8TKNtYa2v_95Uf-joWyXQ/s1600/2015-06-04+09.50.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bLmkUxlJ3KkfAbSbKjyiqM4yobc1XkD2-8En-no3BumXO-yV0LW_SbvrMFR6Eif2DbZEFLWRF1CLAaBuoDfpetP_UhjA0yUngU0mDfkiEJkWvM9YNbfjIT8TKNtYa2v_95Uf-joWyXQ/s320/2015-06-04+09.50.39.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No! No, get me off the plane!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LlaQg2FQAUhKJBrnaM-vccbBQoZoySDOPuU2jZPaJGiZjQOPgF6bCHHpT5QElTSbLNd2NdtJo_yFbmZ07_b5w-eicuhYRYm8FeQT_M8fKllyiHkriWjZ1jsuJ_4i2fftbvY74TUVju4/s1600/2015-06-04+09.56.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LlaQg2FQAUhKJBrnaM-vccbBQoZoySDOPuU2jZPaJGiZjQOPgF6bCHHpT5QElTSbLNd2NdtJo_yFbmZ07_b5w-eicuhYRYm8FeQT_M8fKllyiHkriWjZ1jsuJ_4i2fftbvY74TUVju4/s320/2015-06-04+09.56.11.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MY HEART. NOOOOO!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhMxt5GvROfOlN4INt8Exj8i-qhi9ypfEqOAej7bxGwv6tUa-NK2cr1gxg-j34O4lEprkjc5oq4hcEqvBJF7IJQXdbyhZdT5NfrUxtcu-dEm8PlrkbvyqbP3wFVstTZ5nlUIOPFcTbV8/s1600/2015-06-04+09.56.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhMxt5GvROfOlN4INt8Exj8i-qhi9ypfEqOAej7bxGwv6tUa-NK2cr1gxg-j34O4lEprkjc5oq4hcEqvBJF7IJQXdbyhZdT5NfrUxtcu-dEm8PlrkbvyqbP3wFVstTZ5nlUIOPFcTbV8/s320/2015-06-04+09.56.54.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DUBLIN! WE LOVE YOU, DUBLIN! NOOOO!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyRF_rj7epBxk3VKtxnanDEZ0mMF8NO-VQYcVfh4rF5ttX4IRei7GHRXXd2Lt-QtPRrchspToRXgGCNG2J9elGx4ZDGLhKOwmAR9eOIA1waoIVlzEDUw-UWCmNETUAeUVD2gNSNjgE78/s1600/2015-06-04+10.23.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyRF_rj7epBxk3VKtxnanDEZ0mMF8NO-VQYcVfh4rF5ttX4IRei7GHRXXd2Lt-QtPRrchspToRXgGCNG2J9elGx4ZDGLhKOwmAR9eOIA1waoIVlzEDUw-UWCmNETUAeUVD2gNSNjgE78/s320/2015-06-04+10.23.11.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We pause our mourning to pay tribute to Skittles... They taste different over there. They taste like GOD'S GIFT TO CANDY LOVERS ALL OVER THE WORLD. You want to know what heaven tastes like? Go to Tesco and get the Fruits bag of Skittles. Devour. Praise the candy gods. Repeat. Okay, back to the trip.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1548yJ75tSTCnWY2P5QDBm_2WDRiNd3SCRiPxamU7khvQs1Kqcwb6Z4RUnFtYji-AXOK_-2KIqxOKA_vP4RVo0dV0bVj6lo9Fh_i2ySykv2PFc3ziX5_hv2PVGecUxsYSCm3usCSQ58/s1600/2015-06-04+10.50.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1548yJ75tSTCnWY2P5QDBm_2WDRiNd3SCRiPxamU7khvQs1Kqcwb6Z4RUnFtYji-AXOK_-2KIqxOKA_vP4RVo0dV0bVj6lo9Fh_i2ySykv2PFc3ziX5_hv2PVGecUxsYSCm3usCSQ58/s320/2015-06-04+10.50.45.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wait, is that ocean or sky? Oh man. That's trippy. Where's my Guinness? Right, I don't drink... Ginger ale, it is!</td></tr>
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And guess what! We got ice cream! On an airplane! Blew my mind. Bonus -- it was pretty dang good! Then second lunch was a chicken margherita wrap and a rich chocolate sponge (aka a cake or brownie) that was SO GOOD. I like international flights!</div>
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Then we were back! We got our bags, took the train to the parking lot, and headed out! Driving on the right was weird, big roads are strange, and billboards are annoying. But hey, it's cheaper and we have really awesome bathrooms! Go USA!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnUPlbC-K6t_klnRrtm4JxCjbanCll15IPU9LR2i1K04ILv9wBjrYUC-nxxB40Qr0pE3rdSiFvbx2orVyf7zRy1LqPXMbALZ-guSKuSCQryfk8N1Fr3jw6coHJppp3DwTTIer7fHIDx0/s1600/2015-06-04+12.14.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnUPlbC-K6t_klnRrtm4JxCjbanCll15IPU9LR2i1K04ILv9wBjrYUC-nxxB40Qr0pE3rdSiFvbx2orVyf7zRy1LqPXMbALZ-guSKuSCQryfk8N1Fr3jw6coHJppp3DwTTIer7fHIDx0/s320/2015-06-04+12.14.27.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jet lagged, weighed down like nothing I've ever felt before, and pretending my heart isn't broken.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwgc0cxV6dshL0518x2Z96RtbzcoIDZV3Pk8n8raKVb8Vu19kkJkiB4aE4Ca9YTrnfow-6rAJuVIdEz6t755-lwx6BeTjLuSg3De8xfKntnp1kEqR0oHEweos7VUikhgXjP_MNZftVqU/s1600/2015-06-04+12.16.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwgc0cxV6dshL0518x2Z96RtbzcoIDZV3Pk8n8raKVb8Vu19kkJkiB4aE4Ca9YTrnfow-6rAJuVIdEz6t755-lwx6BeTjLuSg3De8xfKntnp1kEqR0oHEweos7VUikhgXjP_MNZftVqU/s320/2015-06-04+12.16.04.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And we're wearing sweatshirts and fleece jackets in June... Because we don't know where we are. And we didn't have room in the bags for them, to be honest.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSg2ruVfCA2vyTy_MiP_1Vw4ERT-uiUcaK_fshfbYBH9IqbtonxfNMv7RvmmdE3zjfxHiFbv-Dd0Wn3g4SnPwYQpdxufKxXCoONc4ZmoMsAhzP91LzQwLQTXkJm0VL6jSl3qmXjVxgME/s1600/2015-06-04+12.17.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSg2ruVfCA2vyTy_MiP_1Vw4ERT-uiUcaK_fshfbYBH9IqbtonxfNMv7RvmmdE3zjfxHiFbv-Dd0Wn3g4SnPwYQpdxufKxXCoONc4ZmoMsAhzP91LzQwLQTXkJm0VL6jSl3qmXjVxgME/s320/2015-06-04+12.17.09.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Middle of the escalator selfie!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGplhb4eZpooD4HtE7YKc3I_rYswBGUiZTAkSftuEixz_gPPEYBZzQ60ehmxrdA7AsKEJukOTq-l7LWJyHefhYl2sfXEWsiiEETYAhQlH9baJ0nla-dsWpFy0jsBPOs5FarBGQBLvfjI/s1600/2015-06-04+12.40.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGplhb4eZpooD4HtE7YKc3I_rYswBGUiZTAkSftuEixz_gPPEYBZzQ60ehmxrdA7AsKEJukOTq-l7LWJyHefhYl2sfXEWsiiEETYAhQlH9baJ0nla-dsWpFy0jsBPOs5FarBGQBLvfjI/s320/2015-06-04+12.40.08.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Middle of the OTHER escalator selfie! And we bring it back full circle... The first selfie was on this escalator, as is the last. Sniff. We'll never forget ye, beloved Isles across the sea. Dinna fash, we'll haste we back as soon as we can, ye ken?</td></tr>
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And now we are home.... Or somewhere... We're not quite sure. It's hot, it's humid, and people talk funny... I think we're lost.</div>
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Anyway. It's been fun sharing my adventures with you! Hope you've enjoyed them!</div>
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[And a post-recap note.... I know how to say that word now. Progress is progress.]</div>
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Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-40161727477456283092015-06-13T14:24:00.000-04:002015-06-13T14:24:01.499-04:00Sláinte!<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">Wednesday June 3rd</span></div>
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<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">Belfast, Malahide, and Dublin, Ireland</span></div>
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<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">It was a lovely, lazy morning at the B&B. Looked like it was going to be a gorgeous morning, absolutely no clouds. Of course, this is Ireland, so give it 5 minutes. </span></div>
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<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">We had a delicious cooked meal by the lovely owner Mariann. I had the soda bread breakfast sandwich, which had eggs, bacon (the thick Irish cut!) and sausage. SO GOOD. And of course, hot chocolate, which came in it's own personal heated pitcher that I could pour into my cup. Too perfect! I love Ireland so much.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7f7Ogt__C2t9rvYrSUlnAruKPuKjWqr6doctlTZF3-HPaJ5WrVN7t4BxlnOh4HJVLJS58SIYPjMn74e5mrCKqdjtL-1CI7fo5a4FHTtWVwB8yczRO82vu0FQ8aX9igvXC_qk8WvN27g/s1600/2015-06-03+08.31.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7f7Ogt__C2t9rvYrSUlnAruKPuKjWqr6doctlTZF3-HPaJ5WrVN7t4BxlnOh4HJVLJS58SIYPjMn74e5mrCKqdjtL-1CI7fo5a4FHTtWVwB8yczRO82vu0FQ8aX9igvXC_qk8WvN27g/s320/2015-06-03+08.31.29.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh my gawsh, this was so good.... Ugh...</td></tr>
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At breakfast we talked with a lovely lady from California who has been here in Ireland for 3 weeks with her husband and walked the ENTIRE Wicklow Way as part of a tour. That's 70 miles! She thought Steph and I were sisters, and also thought we were in school in the states. Hurray for looking like early 20's!!!</div>
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Our first stop of the day was Slieve Gullion Forest Park. It's just on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Little kids from primary schools were there on a field trip and workers were dressed up in medieval-ish costumes. It was a little confusing to find that the park had been turned into place of giants and fairies, little fairy villages in the woods... The kids had to start by doing the fairy magic before they could go on the trail, lots of hand motions and twirling and we were invited to join in. This was the Storytelling Park. The owner wanted to make it more fun for kids, so she commissioned artists to come in and create stories and bits and pieces to make the park magical and interactive.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLES5doJJgq6dzKmmPUPNiKnx1RfJ48pJGA5Y7jAXRCwCMtm2wW2Nfqkd_D74j4KdkKaAoBb3kkKQYqWpV4P1-3laG_vCmHCgeXDQsg9c3s51QcJfhP6BSWSOe2MX_fPkC_rwXVRDojk/s1600/2015-06-03+10.33.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLES5doJJgq6dzKmmPUPNiKnx1RfJ48pJGA5Y7jAXRCwCMtm2wW2Nfqkd_D74j4KdkKaAoBb3kkKQYqWpV4P1-3laG_vCmHCgeXDQsg9c3s51QcJfhP6BSWSOe2MX_fPkC_rwXVRDojk/s320/2015-06-03+10.33.01.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Giant's book of fairytales! So cool!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOkkfCEB0RfbhAOPMfAnPHj69aQhcAGZChFSm-00aCCnoLOc-ZKlAbcChyphenhyphenSq3vRzbedReAAtBKetINYut7vcf2QKgEAAnJp-pzXzbngAdJdJXPDnFTp0vNF0etA0U4RA0Sft4s8zTpawg/s1600/2015-06-03+10.33.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOkkfCEB0RfbhAOPMfAnPHj69aQhcAGZChFSm-00aCCnoLOc-ZKlAbcChyphenhyphenSq3vRzbedReAAtBKetINYut7vcf2QKgEAAnJp-pzXzbngAdJdJXPDnFTp0vNF0etA0U4RA0Sft4s8zTpawg/s320/2015-06-03+10.33.54.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the park workers! She explained everything to us about the park, since we were confused. And she was also guarding the dragon eggs, so there was that.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkSgMhFgw7lA_NS1ymibFNjhb2wNb01XjUV8TCGC8LFWRL2F6N1b6MPcI_yvavt3p5fNlrw6lTDJsjhUthhvvFz4SsKNIw5fNWQVy1XVnt43aBk-Z8fgk5nSq-AJ8ceaf53RwnI3RBBM/s1600/2015-06-03+10.44.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkSgMhFgw7lA_NS1ymibFNjhb2wNb01XjUV8TCGC8LFWRL2F6N1b6MPcI_yvavt3p5fNlrw6lTDJsjhUthhvvFz4SsKNIw5fNWQVy1XVnt43aBk-Z8fgk5nSq-AJ8ceaf53RwnI3RBBM/s320/2015-06-03+10.44.11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wanted to bring the girls here SO BADLY.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGW6z5SZlPltPptEXkUVehtbZu1POc8Dzl1cspO28Axdzs-fxxrKGWCQwsoQhy6Bgr3R6bedTnmbY1NCDYUM-lDGWXwLHhnq7Yha9VBcyWFzLHiTf6VBWbimI7FKu-WoYFp9s0gc4cE8/s1600/2015-06-03+10.57.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGW6z5SZlPltPptEXkUVehtbZu1POc8Dzl1cspO28Axdzs-fxxrKGWCQwsoQhy6Bgr3R6bedTnmbY1NCDYUM-lDGWXwLHhnq7Yha9VBcyWFzLHiTf6VBWbimI7FKu-WoYFp9s0gc4cE8/s320/2015-06-03+10.57.09.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the houses in the fairy village!</td></tr>
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It was beautiful and fun and we think brand new because there wasn't any information or price or anything. We had a blast and became about 5 years old again. We wanted to do the 8 mile drive but it was closed due to flooding and poor conditions. So sad.</div>
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Driving back was so pretty. Just Irish countryside. It was really nice when we crossed back into the Republic of Ireland from Northern Ireland because it goes back to kilometres which is what our car is in!</div>
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Next stop was Malahide Castle, one of the oldest castles in Ireland and the last one to have people living in it -- 1973! That is just crazy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vXGiSqrRSEGFGVLjISyBPTEBA40UKjj1Vn7sDOg0q4oKLvN-hk94aTEgDV9kZgcF6fBJNKp_8zkHINbukjlYaaNkfIiFnKj7Y2T26XsrOVErkHcZMeAzVRB77AweApiZEfRw7FCXfqY/s1600/2015-06-03+13.21.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vXGiSqrRSEGFGVLjISyBPTEBA40UKjj1Vn7sDOg0q4oKLvN-hk94aTEgDV9kZgcF6fBJNKp_8zkHINbukjlYaaNkfIiFnKj7Y2T26XsrOVErkHcZMeAzVRB77AweApiZEfRw7FCXfqY/s320/2015-06-03+13.21.04.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have a thing for wisteria.... And Malahide had a lot!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwxwfbk_HRFKhxnLKPM9DH58aEcXGPelfTHHuH2RmFrU4gQ4vhfVMXs1fxZPE3nXd8EahzakhXzFPo58HNB9gIlg_Frjdh5m1T2n2fOYYnIhjv6KHWE72rRUM-TXD6M72iQNrAQUJ-aE/s1600/2015-06-03+13.46.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwxwfbk_HRFKhxnLKPM9DH58aEcXGPelfTHHuH2RmFrU4gQ4vhfVMXs1fxZPE3nXd8EahzakhXzFPo58HNB9gIlg_Frjdh5m1T2n2fOYYnIhjv6KHWE72rRUM-TXD6M72iQNrAQUJ-aE/s320/2015-06-03+13.46.09.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at this place! People lived here? Oh man.</td></tr>
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We had lunch before we started since the next tour was at 2:00. I just had a wrap (but it was a superfood wrap!) and a fantastic shortbread cookie bar with chocolate and caramel. And some apple raspberry juice by the family company, DP Connolly and Sons. So good! The business is doing well!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ERXr2N1X8Tn2m05oqq12rjl_LpvGuRjaJ35J_XbG6bXohFbQFe7gOI9lHzvQbnwX2BwVuWYjrfmDfnlhyKl5DsCnTOwJWNoNkUxZ84lrSilI_nI102gSX2SZo64KNqJ0QW9_ir1IBtU/s1600/2015-06-03+13.05.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ERXr2N1X8Tn2m05oqq12rjl_LpvGuRjaJ35J_XbG6bXohFbQFe7gOI9lHzvQbnwX2BwVuWYjrfmDfnlhyKl5DsCnTOwJWNoNkUxZ84lrSilI_nI102gSX2SZo64KNqJ0QW9_ir1IBtU/s320/2015-06-03+13.05.09.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How cool is this??? And it tasted AWESOME!</td></tr>
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After lunch we walked the walled gardens waiting for the castle tour. It was gorgeous and old and so peaceful. I got some story ideas from it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5VDnp6OEfyboEq8BDKO9HIMQlIZc_VNK37p76vD_bjkVUKb_cXL95LeYP1hvRxrD9MZC-3Yu8t1oUUFLJ0gg0mJfxY9NKTwwyHmvcKozK6Zz9yia01IrT7wzSlJ7YS_P8yDwDXl5EmA/s1600/2015-06-03+13.23.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5VDnp6OEfyboEq8BDKO9HIMQlIZc_VNK37p76vD_bjkVUKb_cXL95LeYP1hvRxrD9MZC-3Yu8t1oUUFLJ0gg0mJfxY9NKTwwyHmvcKozK6Zz9yia01IrT7wzSlJ7YS_P8yDwDXl5EmA/s320/2015-06-03+13.23.15.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These gardens. I want.</td></tr>
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There was a little display about the history of the Talbot family (who owned the house) and the stories going back 800 years, one of which got turned into a poem, The Ballad of the Bride of Malahide by Gerald Griffin. Very sad and haunting!</div>
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Finally we took a tour of the castle which was interesting and full of history and had lots of original furniture and details. Malahide is full of cool stories and rich history. It's currently under a restoration process, which is awesome, and there was a lady there from the national gallery working on restoring a massive painting of the battle of the Boyne that will be taken down and hung in the gallery next year for the massive exhibition as part of the 100th anniversary of the Easter rising.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzQJWSsRASlfGyX9MDw-f6u8NQmjbyeMX6GBgq92rhxobXG0QQZK3L0ryrfyQp1srKuRzqwwrX9BnS87ZbZMopEajm2Jgb_xUfLQcjyKvnfzARuRp_w2h8ZnMzuvTK87uM1Pejy6AuwA/s1600/2015-06-03+14.35.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzQJWSsRASlfGyX9MDw-f6u8NQmjbyeMX6GBgq92rhxobXG0QQZK3L0ryrfyQp1srKuRzqwwrX9BnS87ZbZMopEajm2Jgb_xUfLQcjyKvnfzARuRp_w2h8ZnMzuvTK87uM1Pejy6AuwA/s320/2015-06-03+14.35.24.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was SO NEAT. I wish I could have stayed to watch her work longer to see the whole process.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLh-le8IN048v6uDSNYFNbdAgBXww74VH026ibxePWCXdwZhkgKYQSOsJNKL_FN1YIQNBXrhWHnLDbdR6HKPl-h5cq_d2xdB5XDuKd8VXuPV9Plsz80jQZK02QTMSBTxNE29qna6BG2gM/s1600/2015-06-03+14.42.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLh-le8IN048v6uDSNYFNbdAgBXww74VH026ibxePWCXdwZhkgKYQSOsJNKL_FN1YIQNBXrhWHnLDbdR6HKPl-h5cq_d2xdB5XDuKd8VXuPV9Plsz80jQZK02QTMSBTxNE29qna6BG2gM/s320/2015-06-03+14.42.57.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Malahide, guys. Just...Malahide.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgpurkfW0PfXDveLyP2eNlOQiQp9uPCNlZUCGnQE-7Xc4x7Q2y-EIBOWuTaykBGk7ZAVN0Qqdw7FR65zmXEr0Qvpa6NaEstCzLEKGvsgp1FxQxKfXk5AgIN7iFz78ajWtaBu70gLbnI0/s1600/2015-06-03+14.47.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgpurkfW0PfXDveLyP2eNlOQiQp9uPCNlZUCGnQE-7Xc4x7Q2y-EIBOWuTaykBGk7ZAVN0Qqdw7FR65zmXEr0Qvpa6NaEstCzLEKGvsgp1FxQxKfXk5AgIN7iFz78ajWtaBu70gLbnI0/s320/2015-06-03+14.47.01.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you think castle, you think Malahide.</td></tr>
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<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
After walking the lawns for a little longer after that, we drove back to Dublin, checked into the hotel, then caught a bus down to Temple Bar, where tons of bars are and more random shops. We walked around and shopped the very last bit we could, amidst the crazy amount of people, and then caught a bus back, and had to stand the entire time.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gCG-T0ul6uvXpmFPaqSCCt0uXw3z9EGAIInRq91k0sq1-tKn52U8a8J6J5zjR23m5ZsefuR0Gf-tKjUDjNNQipI7GciFSNy8OFkh-QeOVYVyUTw3BFSnYtlbkiE5Gc0FE0IAiR2MHbA/s1600/2015-06-03+18.10.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gCG-T0ul6uvXpmFPaqSCCt0uXw3z9EGAIInRq91k0sq1-tKn52U8a8J6J5zjR23m5ZsefuR0Gf-tKjUDjNNQipI7GciFSNy8OFkh-QeOVYVyUTw3BFSnYtlbkiE5Gc0FE0IAiR2MHbA/s320/2015-06-03+18.10.07.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, the river Liffey... I just love this place.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BCW3O8NCmyOFH0akloOWTQ_ksk2mh83F6HoWb4cvGJbTGzGVBf85lnubxMGwSyKGTytak15kCTwLjXTwZfAfuWF9XsUBhorrgbBRG4BEowzE_LcIrKCAeQWAhryLmNvAV4YiJcrq43M/s1600/2015-06-03+18.21.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BCW3O8NCmyOFH0akloOWTQ_ksk2mh83F6HoWb4cvGJbTGzGVBf85lnubxMGwSyKGTytak15kCTwLjXTwZfAfuWF9XsUBhorrgbBRG4BEowzE_LcIrKCAeQWAhryLmNvAV4YiJcrq43M/s320/2015-06-03+18.21.52.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We thought we were gonna die a little bit. But hey, dying in Dublin? Why not?</td></tr>
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<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
We had a light dinner down in the hotel bar. Light meaning I had french fries. And cocoa...</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTf7Q6E1avoaf4k8XDIHlviMLuEiikBzZ10LNBCjslJ2lWa8pfcpUD2b5hWMkhdnXVZ78smZJMs-0VCPOj8mqmPhBsjx3gk3gP42ND7npH1eQdy7FvHs36Gu-kmHnd_ZhBPmAQy0osWW4/s1600/2015-06-03+20.04.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTf7Q6E1avoaf4k8XDIHlviMLuEiikBzZ10LNBCjslJ2lWa8pfcpUD2b5hWMkhdnXVZ78smZJMs-0VCPOj8mqmPhBsjx3gk3gP42ND7npH1eQdy7FvHs36Gu-kmHnd_ZhBPmAQy0osWW4/s320/2015-06-03+20.04.27.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh.....my......goodness gracious heavenly blessed days.... I'm never leaving.</td></tr>
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<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
Then the packing began. And wow it was hard! I was sweating so badly! Memo to me: buy less and bring bigger bags! But that's okay. As long as it closes, right?</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
I don't want to come home -- no offense -- but a break will be nice. We've been running around like crazy people and it feels like we've been here forever. And yet not long enough. I really love it here. A lot. Next time it won't be seven years between visits!</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
Now I just have to figure out how to drive on the right side of the road without a fancy navigation system to tell me which exit from the roundabout to take. We love Prudence -- aka the navigation system lady. She's our best friend and we would have died without her. Several times.</div>
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Maybe Rico will talk to me when I get back...but I doubt it.</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
Oíche mhaith agat! (Good night!)</div>
</div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-57755173378160909632015-06-12T13:00:00.003-04:002015-06-12T13:01:26.363-04:00Boats, busses, and Belfast<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Tuesday, June 2nd</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Cairnryan, Scotland, and Belfast, Northern Ireland</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Greetings from Belfast!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Today was an early morning wake up, but a beautiful day. The room was cold, the bed was comfy, and the duvet was heavy and lovely. And I know you've all been wondering: The shower was awesome and there were massive towels, which were were fantastic. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">We had breakfast provided for us in coolers by the cheeky guys who run the Rhins, and I'll get to that in a moment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">We had to check in at the ferry pretty early, but it was super easy this time and very easy to find. We waited in line in our car lanes until they decided to load us up. Then we drove up into the boat and headed up to our reserved suite!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkf2l74mRsXbbVKMDAaZZz9-MQFUQ6bMFJ-b41AbweVBf8Ka8TkTphgpBNVgJA84pTaEcr0rzVAIlE-sUgtkCdU-FwRqAB_OgW4eWc4dCDCrOKfaxNX6xELzEu3hpnrT7KfOSAumzKmU/s1600/2015-06-02+06.19.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkf2l74mRsXbbVKMDAaZZz9-MQFUQ6bMFJ-b41AbweVBf8Ka8TkTphgpBNVgJA84pTaEcr0rzVAIlE-sUgtkCdU-FwRqAB_OgW4eWc4dCDCrOKfaxNX6xELzEu3hpnrT7KfOSAumzKmU/s320/2015-06-02+06.19.29.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good morning, Cairnryan!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlhUfXdWPvgHNTyJAsV96DBJriqU__q_xnjJIaK5k61q4ZiGoqs5h07ykOvQb3FYELhNxrsJNPD5kUiCFBjYWeCIzAWA6mP4gc36hcrfAXeN1Yuw_-RhtLwqLa6vQRWcatpfOyMTTGls/s1600/2015-06-02+06.29.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlhUfXdWPvgHNTyJAsV96DBJriqU__q_xnjJIaK5k61q4ZiGoqs5h07ykOvQb3FYELhNxrsJNPD5kUiCFBjYWeCIzAWA6mP4gc36hcrfAXeN1Yuw_-RhtLwqLa6vQRWcatpfOyMTTGls/s320/2015-06-02+06.29.35.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sniff. Bye, Cairnryan, you adorable place you!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioe4p0tAf7GvvZ2oSuhCrPX-N7JLTyW0KopBgbSlGEs5JvShgekWGkqXGBuJ6tDkpkzMzxRbF2hyvMrY9VJlnXScak7WLjb4_xYgNb8sWvMrY3dy6Y3lvxqtoofe9uOU8o6AbVWr1adA/s1600/2015-06-02+06.32.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioe4p0tAf7GvvZ2oSuhCrPX-N7JLTyW0KopBgbSlGEs5JvShgekWGkqXGBuJ6tDkpkzMzxRbF2hyvMrY9VJlnXScak7WLjb4_xYgNb8sWvMrY3dy6Y3lvxqtoofe9uOU8o6AbVWr1adA/s320/2015-06-02+06.32.29.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thar she blows! Or however you say it...</td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Our suite was basically a hotel room and we were on deck 10. Yes, 10. But to be fair, parking was on 5. And 6 was for crew only. It was easy to get up top to see everything. The motion of the boat was much smoother this time, but the waves were so big we could still feel it. It was a bit like being on an airplane. And bonus! There was hot chocolate on board with free refills! There was also a spa and a mall and a game room and a cinema on board. Stenna Lines doesn't mess around.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNWp-5SgkOjTH3zGGAy11Wfdo_jvsEjmiBxbs3XEb__DHOcVB06Mc5ULIVKyzjlX5xBqM5ncUeKlKf0aTgPmXKdKvMUo6zc0bU2CedNMEvlrQGCuPNiM2SC9yiMuatOim5Fv5U7e-NWo/s1600/2015-06-02+07.36.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNWp-5SgkOjTH3zGGAy11Wfdo_jvsEjmiBxbs3XEb__DHOcVB06Mc5ULIVKyzjlX5xBqM5ncUeKlKf0aTgPmXKdKvMUo6zc0bU2CedNMEvlrQGCuPNiM2SC9yiMuatOim5Fv5U7e-NWo/s320/2015-06-02+07.36.31.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See? It's just adorable.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Then we got to</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> breakfast from the bed and breakfast boys, which was....ham and butter sandwiches. Don't ask. Thankfully, they also gave us muffins, yogurt, cereal bars, and orange juice boxes. They were all sitting in a cooler outside of our rooms this morning. The thought was nice...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Once we got out to sea, the motion and waves started getting crazy. We went back up to the suite and napped, watched TV, etc. So cozy! We got a phone call to the room about 15 minutes before docking to get ready and head down to our cars. (The overhead announcements don't come on in the suites.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Driving off of the ferry was pretty cool, we took videos. The workers thought we were nuts.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmSDljIprZIqRqhCMRal8YDCmS0YDe1xG54gCbtAaJzbHRHQdpw6xm9KUnopEn9FTQLsh8FwQNTSvkUuvzRyXnkKicqyiORxtKe8bQJFc__EkiLlgVxVgHY075u1Rzpbrxq89wnyoPDk/s1600/2015-06-02+09.38.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmSDljIprZIqRqhCMRal8YDCmS0YDe1xG54gCbtAaJzbHRHQdpw6xm9KUnopEn9FTQLsh8FwQNTSvkUuvzRyXnkKicqyiORxtKe8bQJFc__EkiLlgVxVgHY075u1Rzpbrxq89wnyoPDk/s320/2015-06-02+09.38.42.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this was just so cool, all the cars and lorries under the ferry...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Our first stop right from the ferry was the Titanic museum and it was amazing. Very interesting and sobering. Reading about the process to make it and the details of the lives of those involved made it way more real than it's ever been. And the effect it had on those in Belfast who helped build it and shape everything. The details of victims and survivors was hard to read. I found two Connollys on board. One survived, one did not. It was very cool to see the docks where it was built and launched. Also the girl who gave us our tickets apparently sounded like me when I do an Irish accent, so it seems I am Irish after all!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZhavlI4dVlqTAqiNGhYAj0D7hO5ySqvVW7diWIyuH33zh1NLzVAhrqsehj_jj5imOfSUHJMhsL54B4RywlSQRuy3xLnDWIr80bqmJc1VAc-xYgYhrup_-VJE7fD-HEG0GC9ZMJFDcGA/s1600/2015-06-02+10.55.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZhavlI4dVlqTAqiNGhYAj0D7hO5ySqvVW7diWIyuH33zh1NLzVAhrqsehj_jj5imOfSUHJMhsL54B4RywlSQRuy3xLnDWIr80bqmJc1VAc-xYgYhrup_-VJE7fD-HEG0GC9ZMJFDcGA/s320/2015-06-02+10.55.05.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Titanic was build on the left, it's sister ship Olympic on the right.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsGCv7G7ZqKwJpIJtykXoUuGTT5tQk86lVRzr1Xh0p20dt_hodY9mElXR4PtRhTvbr2RcJLy3z6W4bOPzUtTDsQlOMjWZxU-C-0hFfb7vYju76ngmCQXESnDd-7cvAZku6W9NePIfMC8/s1600/2015-06-02+13.00.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsGCv7G7ZqKwJpIJtykXoUuGTT5tQk86lVRzr1Xh0p20dt_hodY9mElXR4PtRhTvbr2RcJLy3z6W4bOPzUtTDsQlOMjWZxU-C-0hFfb7vYju76ngmCQXESnDd-7cvAZku6W9NePIfMC8/s320/2015-06-02+13.00.32.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a really cool place. It was launched right here after it was built...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoZXovUE3rwxdEGT0pIq54-q9HpeHdialrzaM-qtMsnJZjQPy12dWve4u-0Rgc8Q8y_y8eLjCA8kYrF3wrdf_pnm4e8h_hNMt1PO-O4MvodK7BUxCQe4YkqUyGss6ez1cRsPsV1r_fPw/s1600/2015-06-02+13.13.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoZXovUE3rwxdEGT0pIq54-q9HpeHdialrzaM-qtMsnJZjQPy12dWve4u-0Rgc8Q8y_y8eLjCA8kYrF3wrdf_pnm4e8h_hNMt1PO-O4MvodK7BUxCQe4YkqUyGss6ez1cRsPsV1r_fPw/s320/2015-06-02+13.13.07.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best sign ever. Well done, Belfast.</td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">After that we caught another hop on hop off bus down by the docks. We love those! You can learn a lot and still get where you want to go and do what you want! We had a very entertaining tour guide again! Must be our good luck or something. His name was Ed and he was great. He had some really funny moments.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">"There was nothing wrong with her when she left here! This is what happens when you give your boat to English captain, a Scottish navigator, and a Canadian iceberg. It was nothing to do with us."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">"Everybody jumped on the Titanic bandwagon in 2012 when we had the anniversary celebrations. Everyone. If they could make money, they did. Look to your right, you will see a Thai restaurant. Check out the name. .... Thai Tanic. OMG." He actually said that last part! We about died laughing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">"If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. If I don't know the answer, well I'll just make it up. I'm sure you'll be none the wiser anyway."<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbl5YSXZzb-gNbMF5woC6S4VCDJ-epxFA6bfdmTOMuop4q5DnxG5WJidk_Gdt-Fj1eVIss45SCw1LKOhyphenhyphenk9IFDRtOhJsGTk_L59ccUKb6-nrKv618xu_-Rj5brM0zF25lUu6FIjpYV1Y/s1600/2015-06-02+14.05.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbl5YSXZzb-gNbMF5woC6S4VCDJ-epxFA6bfdmTOMuop4q5DnxG5WJidk_Gdt-Fj1eVIss45SCw1LKOhyphenhyphenk9IFDRtOhJsGTk_L59ccUKb6-nrKv618xu_-Rj5brM0zF25lUu6FIjpYV1Y/s320/2015-06-02+14.05.49.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stormont, the Parliament buildings of Northern Ireland. The only picture I took on the bus tour because... Well, read on and you'll see.</td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">It was fascinating to hear about the struggles between Northern Ireland and Ireland, Catholics and Protestants. It was less about religion and more about how you wanted to identify yourself, as Irish or as English. Much of Belfast and Northern Ireland us still divided. They have separate schools and separate parts of town. There are murals all over the west side for memorials. It was so sad to hear about it. So much trouble for so long. Peace walls were put up around town to keep the peace in the 60's and were only meant to stay up for a few months but they are still up. Peace gates are still only open during the day, completely dividing the area. Very haunting, very how I imagine Berlin was back when the wall was up. Allegiances change from the Republic of Ireland tri-colors to the British Union Jack on the sides of these walls and gates. One side has started having Irish as their first language, the other is covered and filled with British flags and tributes to the queen. It has never been chilling to see a wall of tribute art to the Queen, but this time it was.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">We learned more about the Battle of the Boyne, which was King William vs King James, and you already know about that. Dutchman, Scotsman, English crown, Irish battlefield. Whatever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">We got off to do a little shopping, then got back on a different hop on bus. That was hilarious.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Richard and Francis and Mark (all Irishmen) and Don (a Scot) fought over the troubles and different stories and what it was like. Entertaining and fascinating, and very loud with lots of interrupting. Then it became quite hysterical. They were so great.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Richard was our tour guide that second time. At one point, he asked us to stomp our feet to practice indicating that we would want to stop in case the button didn't work, and then said he'd "just put us through our sevens to be Irish dancers, and we could now officially call ourself as such."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">We eventually got to our bed and breakfast, Maranatha House, and the door locked. We finally got a hold of the lady and she opened it up, it was really cute. We dropped our stuff off and decided to head up to Giant's Causeway an hour and fifteen minutes away. It's these amazing rock formations at the most northern tip of Ireland right on the coast, rumored to be man made and dated before the pyramids. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgsnjBYoTajgp5rpq5Brxm2_bsEDAuXk9FDPjl3SU9CbIJlQQhLdCjLVmfZoNjQNKnZ71_8E5K0cKlwi-v2SYiI3n64b7LUBELm-WaAJwcPBlH9unxFVnNygiE-wXj119huP2sB7-o6k/s1600/2015-06-02+19.07.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgsnjBYoTajgp5rpq5Brxm2_bsEDAuXk9FDPjl3SU9CbIJlQQhLdCjLVmfZoNjQNKnZ71_8E5K0cKlwi-v2SYiI3n64b7LUBELm-WaAJwcPBlH9unxFVnNygiE-wXj119huP2sB7-o6k/s320/2015-06-02+19.07.13.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Causeway! It was actually tricky to walk on...</td></tr>
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According to legend, the columns are the remains of a causeway built by a giant. The story goes that an Irish giant named Finn was challenged to a fight by the Scottish giant. Finn accepted the challenge and built the causeway across the North Channel so that the two giants could meet. In one version of the story, Finn defeats him. In another, Finn hides from him when he realizes that his foe is much bigger than he. Finn's wife disguises Finn as a baby and tucks him in a cradle. When the giant sees the size of the 'baby', he reckons that its father, Finn, must be a giant among giants. He's scared back to Scotland, destroying the causeway behind him so that Finn could not follow. Across the sea, there are identical columns at Fingal's Cave on the Scottish island of Staffa. So there's that. Cool, huh?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">It's a World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. We hiked along the rocks and the shore, took tons of pictures, and breathed in the glorious sea air. Absolutely spectacular and well worth the time and effort to get there.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiH0N6vZoBc59Jbk9OqB5nkkC5noXcqnO59UvRhC5kPgJnCYV28Sk-HEusbQ75unxdmKrx0E7004th3YTtbiDMNxyqJ9gb7oOENhsLxECEQGrEMdLih6l-5FfWGzL7GfE9rahonol0Kik/s1600/2015-06-02+18.49.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiH0N6vZoBc59Jbk9OqB5nkkC5noXcqnO59UvRhC5kPgJnCYV28Sk-HEusbQ75unxdmKrx0E7004th3YTtbiDMNxyqJ9gb7oOENhsLxECEQGrEMdLih6l-5FfWGzL7GfE9rahonol0Kik/s320/2015-06-02+18.49.31.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that! Just look at it! UGH!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoWb0aam1UDL_CVJflRUoW_mqZ2oz30OCSGhw_SUIKYHpOpygd0uBjiJ0s2CA3zDTh9cK5-TBMdeNGKKYWWsWqXM3q7OrWVjx2bjiQGzffHiOBldWk8PwcFl8kI_VPJ6S0rP2gJpDih8/s1600/2015-06-02+18.57.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoWb0aam1UDL_CVJflRUoW_mqZ2oz30OCSGhw_SUIKYHpOpygd0uBjiJ0s2CA3zDTh9cK5-TBMdeNGKKYWWsWqXM3q7OrWVjx2bjiQGzffHiOBldWk8PwcFl8kI_VPJ6S0rP2gJpDih8/s320/2015-06-02+18.57.04.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a gorgeous place.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GdVP1PapdVfB5nG8eK13wmj3any_VhbS87OF4FBIffmYP63DPbsQrgq4HseBtAwilS5CiaEmd1jPb33YVIMNgN1xCoA_ERkg-d8Kds83RYyWnsSJJA4xqQR9DXU5sR4Lvggt90c2puI/s1600/2015-06-02+19.01.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GdVP1PapdVfB5nG8eK13wmj3any_VhbS87OF4FBIffmYP63DPbsQrgq4HseBtAwilS5CiaEmd1jPb33YVIMNgN1xCoA_ERkg-d8Kds83RYyWnsSJJA4xqQR9DXU5sR4Lvggt90c2puI/s320/2015-06-02+19.01.14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes nature is just spiritual, you know?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_Hk0sSXJoqEbmU-WqOJLFtK247klSfghgDnAR5SlBWHQRguPQGmwjmfSt8v6WWJLvgYuTgcwUT-okhUm0BfcI5hvB-9xQuCMTB1lZCwtSsFIC5oYUkp9bBr07dQAg6-NtqjkOZ_qQbY/s1600/2015-06-02+19.11.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_Hk0sSXJoqEbmU-WqOJLFtK247klSfghgDnAR5SlBWHQRguPQGmwjmfSt8v6WWJLvgYuTgcwUT-okhUm0BfcI5hvB-9xQuCMTB1lZCwtSsFIC5oYUkp9bBr07dQAg6-NtqjkOZ_qQbY/s320/2015-06-02+19.11.34.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Definitely coming back here. Have to.</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Just as an FYI... The causeway was ACTUALLY created by lava and stuff. Pretty nifty. But I like Finn the giant better.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmEtXawDH1ir_nzXSwITqZiCIXv2pFSqDkiKDG4u0AyYeThBWkQDmpCvcahZHMFvFeN_8_xANZDEhkNEFTxlRX6_n3L0S5ti1OZluC4x1n9-1kBmpTZCAQD4GP-lponJ4pKEBF6jxUfQ/s1600/2015-06-02+20.48.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmEtXawDH1ir_nzXSwITqZiCIXv2pFSqDkiKDG4u0AyYeThBWkQDmpCvcahZHMFvFeN_8_xANZDEhkNEFTxlRX6_n3L0S5ti1OZluC4x1n9-1kBmpTZCAQD4GP-lponJ4pKEBF6jxUfQ/s320/2015-06-02+20.48.45.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watch out for possible queues when driving... They happen a lot...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Then we drove back, repacked all of our stuff to try and make things got better, and now we're off to bed! We have separate rooms tonight, so Steph and I are in one and her parents in the other. And we get our own beds! Yay!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Tomorrow is another national park and a castle and back to Dublin! I can't believe we're almost done -- and I haven't found my husband yet! Guess I need to stay longer, huh?</span>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-8527375933146670722015-06-11T14:55:00.002-04:002015-06-11T14:55:31.139-04:00"It's a bit bracing!"<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Monday June 1st</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Edinburgh, Argyll, and Cairnryan, Scotland</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Dia dhuit!</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">(That’s hello in Irish…)</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Crazy, crazy day. But what else is new?</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">It was a BEAUTIFUL morning!!! The sun was up before 5 and the sky was so blue! People live here all the time? We had a bit of a slow morning, got to sleep in until 7 and hit snooze twice. Thanks to a bit of Benadryl and natural exhaustion, I slept much better. Then the rounds of showering started, Steph and I turned on music and had a dance party to Sugar by Maroon 5 in our beds and then out of our beds and Marilyn thinks we're nuts, but it just felt good to move and dance, and we were so happy, and it's a beautiful day!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmPHkl0vMaLpU9v_BqYS1RGva04t47HDT_rC2TN-oxw8xOnbb3ATe-bZ_y6DCT8hiCPsiDovBKnM705loTE2dh4BXACN-v7O_sJGcFA4XL9FQmvEgUpgfLqlonsjl4y27UyjRdKiyLmI/s1600/2015-06-01+05.37.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmPHkl0vMaLpU9v_BqYS1RGva04t47HDT_rC2TN-oxw8xOnbb3ATe-bZ_y6DCT8hiCPsiDovBKnM705loTE2dh4BXACN-v7O_sJGcFA4XL9FQmvEgUpgfLqlonsjl4y27UyjRdKiyLmI/s320/2015-06-01+05.37.32.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was my "first thing in the morning" shot out of the window. Not fair.</td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Let’s discuss something before I go further in the details of today. We stayed at the Corstorphine Lodge Hotel just outside of Edinburgh. And before I tell you a good story, let’s discuss showers over here. The Ashling Hotel in Dublin's shower had no curtain, just half wall of plastic or plexiglass, and a massive drop to the ground. I almost died every shower. Then the Premier Inn in Manchester had tiny box shower in a literal water closet of a bathroom where you could sit on the toilet and shave your legs in the shower at the same time. THEN Corstorphine for two nights...where you only had the handicap shower head that wouldn't stay up at first and the pressure is like washing under a drain pipe or in the rain outside, and you turn it on with a button that says "start/stop”. It was ridiculous. Steph’s dad got it to stay eventually, but it was still like showering from a garden hose.</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Breakfast was the same as yesterday, just some cereal and toast and yogurt. Pretty basic, nothing to write home about...not sure why I'm even telling you, then, but whatever.</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">ANYWAY. Then we got our things to start the day. We upgraded our car at the airport in Dublin before we left, thinking we would need the trunk space, and we were right. Now the trunk is having problems fitting everything but it always works.</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Our first stop was just 20 minutes outside of Edinburgh, Rosslyn Chapel. It was beautiful. It’s used in The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown and showcased a bit at the end of the movie. We walked around with guides telling us about all of the carvings and important things. The crypts were so cool, they had the pictures used in the movie. The building is so old and has gone through a really neat conservation and restoration process.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63_dKdQwiMClW0239dIDxHQnv2SfQ4UdLKSX3uTnUX0WfeUjkIFHenWTesGhFRg4wPs6V5FSRA6Ue60Tcuvlef4zHOJyag_pakt4whLiyyFh1gW6C0iFOk0hXYphpRFltZlvUG58PDlA/s1600/2015-06-01+09.24.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63_dKdQwiMClW0239dIDxHQnv2SfQ4UdLKSX3uTnUX0WfeUjkIFHenWTesGhFRg4wPs6V5FSRA6Ue60Tcuvlef4zHOJyag_pakt4whLiyyFh1gW6C0iFOk0hXYphpRFltZlvUG58PDlA/s320/2015-06-01+09.24.10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">COOLEST church!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9RfpAvlREGsIydApOMC3VEJNH8N4R_exkml7U8MIpj98CBYLXD1UrEv6illzOOKpewBOV3twpp9KE2MLs_nTKm-bXKsk8Sm9W14Yc3qrRE9o7kVnYZEbUxTKqS56gJkvYzEPB-BNIoo/s1600/2015-06-01+09.36.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9RfpAvlREGsIydApOMC3VEJNH8N4R_exkml7U8MIpj98CBYLXD1UrEv6illzOOKpewBOV3twpp9KE2MLs_nTKm-bXKsk8Sm9W14Yc3qrRE9o7kVnYZEbUxTKqS56gJkvYzEPB-BNIoo/s320/2015-06-01+09.36.20.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was awesome just to walk around it!</td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">After that, we loaded up and spent time driving through Glasgow on the M8. They were very safety conscious there. There were light up signs that said "Use safety belts." "Drive efficiently." "Caution high winds." "Don't drive tired." "Check tire pressure." "Please drive safely.” From the car, it looked to be an industrial town but bigger than Edinburgh. It looked pretty cool, I wished we could stay. And they had excellent roadways. Probably the easiest time we've had driving through a big city.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53_8L9QORQXjhpPPkSK37bcNLdtVzwl5vi7_pD7YddaP1PHsHeWmYLfHNKv2ny3ABKAvxMXLGlkqvkx0LX3q1iBLjkcpLlcWRBkmOgmtP-fgQpLtVzcS0uaLHNF71NGJVyA7j4VbVjh4/s1600/2015-06-01+11.38.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53_8L9QORQXjhpPPkSK37bcNLdtVzwl5vi7_pD7YddaP1PHsHeWmYLfHNKv2ny3ABKAvxMXLGlkqvkx0LX3q1iBLjkcpLlcWRBkmOgmtP-fgQpLtVzcS0uaLHNF71NGJVyA7j4VbVjh4/s320/2015-06-01+11.38.28.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love Glasgow. Love.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNabP446PZkoJdKSuqVJxZ7l2sqEHBAifbncW5SoDK_9_uydV0qFbruAfPWUTIeE3hl0Iq5wGq6jpJr9l2lxZw-x7aC_NdrJdwJVnYzUne8VesPe8zk79SZPrX4JPDsBgkm80ciczTus/s1600/2015-06-01+11.48.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNabP446PZkoJdKSuqVJxZ7l2sqEHBAifbncW5SoDK_9_uydV0qFbruAfPWUTIeE3hl0Iq5wGq6jpJr9l2lxZw-x7aC_NdrJdwJVnYzUne8VesPe8zk79SZPrX4JPDsBgkm80ciczTus/s320/2015-06-01+11.48.28.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I mean, look at this place! I am so spending lots of time there next time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Bx4cLsDnKaoEW2mJOjdw-Tae2jnX3GSnYSncwNK-R-Mnedz0oqQ58t9wjZZUaZXgHzMec9DIEGK19IKl2HP_UC79CtfvVfNsYNaASjIAScEYgMt5oU2gHYbIy-qrV5v5rDuYwiqUWIc/s1600/2015-06-01+11.49.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Bx4cLsDnKaoEW2mJOjdw-Tae2jnX3GSnYSncwNK-R-Mnedz0oqQ58t9wjZZUaZXgHzMec9DIEGK19IKl2HP_UC79CtfvVfNsYNaASjIAScEYgMt5oU2gHYbIy-qrV5v5rDuYwiqUWIc/s320/2015-06-01+11.49.14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I bet they do, random building! Can't wait to find out myself!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">After hitting Glasgow, we drove through Loch Lomond National Park and stopped for pictures. That was some truly gorgeous countryside. Lots of trees and wild flowers and there was snow on the very tips of the mountains.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHprYrKtwwHFBClYkrlzg8RCvk4D1jQj-yKTpH6WmCdSBpyEkvxbJAmUdGu9xuzXYmsYA6b3neJcFnysgN9AFx3Bh6leZf6iRkuBgplt42G_hbs_zIIM9kpNnTEmrXp0jz_7ERn-so9A/s1600/2015-06-01+12.08.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHprYrKtwwHFBClYkrlzg8RCvk4D1jQj-yKTpH6WmCdSBpyEkvxbJAmUdGu9xuzXYmsYA6b3neJcFnysgN9AFx3Bh6leZf6iRkuBgplt42G_hbs_zIIM9kpNnTEmrXp0jz_7ERn-so9A/s320/2015-06-01+12.08.07.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a pretty drive!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3IQy_-A_1ICMaDe_8UH9ThlSMuVrg6KnexDS-Mc_F_P90hVYYxfvoNFInI__8CWGx2d4QP7lniBDCayE2KIu6WUWt6hT4_YJbsKMn58omiGsfuC08Dl9mZDQdf31Nmb3NmMdNr8k6Zc/s1600/2015-06-01+12.42.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3IQy_-A_1ICMaDe_8UH9ThlSMuVrg6KnexDS-Mc_F_P90hVYYxfvoNFInI__8CWGx2d4QP7lniBDCayE2KIu6WUWt6hT4_YJbsKMn58omiGsfuC08Dl9mZDQdf31Nmb3NmMdNr8k6Zc/s320/2015-06-01+12.42.55.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-ZF-8YZmvXsf8OiTQFDFAj1iaOVMFQIfOipPo2S-Jx3BYtHy886XCIiDfgnLH2kskJ6BmMkelhzA6xEETfIZMwxmIV6SGAuPaoVJYIa0our43CCNFx0BmbB60GP47Xds2IyI3z80YiA/s1600/2015-06-01+13.08.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-ZF-8YZmvXsf8OiTQFDFAj1iaOVMFQIfOipPo2S-Jx3BYtHy886XCIiDfgnLH2kskJ6BmMkelhzA6xEETfIZMwxmIV6SGAuPaoVJYIa0our43CCNFx0BmbB60GP47Xds2IyI3z80YiA/s320/2015-06-01+13.08.26.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">We drove some more, but pulled off in the highlands at Argyll Forest Park because we had to take pictures. So windy, so gorgeous. Another middle of the street selfie, and probably the scariest one yet! But so worth it.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjan3_BJGJw0AkbYJBF_mvLBn2k9PZwDz8OqdFgTHvT73e2i3_QME3FVggEhRWI4OhQmE8F6LgCHa5zum9ReCXNO1mIVNBYfgABKEEChfZnU0JbSxxUe8XHMUdt_s5qbN_dt9q2VZr8rwU/s1600/2015-06-01+13.18.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjan3_BJGJw0AkbYJBF_mvLBn2k9PZwDz8OqdFgTHvT73e2i3_QME3FVggEhRWI4OhQmE8F6LgCHa5zum9ReCXNO1mIVNBYfgABKEEChfZnU0JbSxxUe8XHMUdt_s5qbN_dt9q2VZr8rwU/s320/2015-06-01+13.18.24.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What are men compared to rocks and mountains?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_GiEANXnR5J6rDCIIirpmJr3xVpVpeZ8g8ltFW5jRSpHsGlYA7iIDRqZzTp10dlI7q_NzPMbtQgB_T0VbtMJxwzEtbMZ8Ua123PDzwLIcvnQzMI-DKPWWS_i2NCu-SbYafyjh5xSIyQ/s1600/2015-06-01+13.22.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_GiEANXnR5J6rDCIIirpmJr3xVpVpeZ8g8ltFW5jRSpHsGlYA7iIDRqZzTp10dlI7q_NzPMbtQgB_T0VbtMJxwzEtbMZ8Ua123PDzwLIcvnQzMI-DKPWWS_i2NCu-SbYafyjh5xSIyQ/s320/2015-06-01+13.22.09.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is there any felicity in the world superior to this?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPfBcb8Sntru6cvAFKF920iLXg5v75j2J3dSKlHE0QnJSq_MVP6Oj-A20XhPIC0LHMxnQWa9M8zVJIoZbXbjScsItqjkzJMgbC3rWhYaFVJ7BfBnxjCrP8tP0E1cFK74TEiekjGENlvI/s1600/2015-06-01+13.22.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPfBcb8Sntru6cvAFKF920iLXg5v75j2J3dSKlHE0QnJSq_MVP6Oj-A20XhPIC0LHMxnQWa9M8zVJIoZbXbjScsItqjkzJMgbC3rWhYaFVJ7BfBnxjCrP8tP0E1cFK74TEiekjGENlvI/s320/2015-06-01+13.22.56.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I adore this place. Obviously.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQnVHtjDAdu3ZjLo2M7ERmLNQhBrWUSls6XPuXjrHD0gXWqI_lXAsnFID7QV0TBIk3g9NjX_4y2k9FCGQKKXop14XP-FewgLFYTN5yi2LZksmB_ZNIG3fbhMufloUOpzIWqrdfbKDYng/s1600/2015-06-01+13.27.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQnVHtjDAdu3ZjLo2M7ERmLNQhBrWUSls6XPuXjrHD0gXWqI_lXAsnFID7QV0TBIk3g9NjX_4y2k9FCGQKKXop14XP-FewgLFYTN5yi2LZksmB_ZNIG3fbhMufloUOpzIWqrdfbKDYng/s320/2015-06-01+13.27.11.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Argyll Forest Park, everyone. Go there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Then we FINALLY went to Inveraray Castle and the house was amazing! It was used in Downton Abbey as a house they visited with Rose’s family, and it was spectacular. They are very proud that of being the head of clan Campbell so there were a ton of Campbell clan stuff. There was also a touching tribute to the highlanders that fought in WWI. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwtIETp1JhY90cVyW-VuTL1T2lV8bCebl6ePWD0aKcMnulP7aY6N5du8PAdT329x_5CJvmSsCwMk64wESLkzoVuHiqrc4sqs-5-gcIrPNCaVSV3bDPT1t-eBWKzJhVFuZD0oX23NPxEA/s1600/2015-06-01+13.58.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwtIETp1JhY90cVyW-VuTL1T2lV8bCebl6ePWD0aKcMnulP7aY6N5du8PAdT329x_5CJvmSsCwMk64wESLkzoVuHiqrc4sqs-5-gcIrPNCaVSV3bDPT1t-eBWKzJhVFuZD0oX23NPxEA/s320/2015-06-01+13.58.08.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I mean, really??? People live here?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIgOq4NTlrD10UdU01GKgyoiIAO3RDhoyPcPsL5uDA6Wr27yKaxBhlP-BgnAc4aKyCld_wgdEAqMUBJGydOsxTIO0Izc64V7ZUPe63SLRF1JrwImcY2w5JfSr41C7XGA_MH1B-y1Jy2k/s1600/2015-06-01+13.58.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIgOq4NTlrD10UdU01GKgyoiIAO3RDhoyPcPsL5uDA6Wr27yKaxBhlP-BgnAc4aKyCld_wgdEAqMUBJGydOsxTIO0Izc64V7ZUPe63SLRF1JrwImcY2w5JfSr41C7XGA_MH1B-y1Jy2k/s320/2015-06-01+13.58.12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And they see THIS every day?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_t_wV-KOkKBvbUTTsfZ8d3ZIrQN-a_uNmquzH8JV1NFO_iXYWU2VTOcJTZgE7dzMV1QLwyz8HM_q-th3AX0V42iP5rOEfXjN-aJ_X35QuFGY63Tv3w7w3XdRTxSCjgfyeGXJa_FkjNuE/s1600/2015-06-01+14.02.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_t_wV-KOkKBvbUTTsfZ8d3ZIrQN-a_uNmquzH8JV1NFO_iXYWU2VTOcJTZgE7dzMV1QLwyz8HM_q-th3AX0V42iP5rOEfXjN-aJ_X35QuFGY63Tv3w7w3XdRTxSCjgfyeGXJa_FkjNuE/s320/2015-06-01+14.02.39.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And walk around in this???</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiye4wQvmwl57Xjsv66_iDtm0WjcP3QOjpKaREFoyJw_zVonbNNXz1Uhc2vXzzcQM6FxMC9WxNlvZttbQpajQsW8tifjW-GGVO2TKp7toWysKgGQY_wVWDka7EpbBcNc3dLulE9KO-d7UQ/s1600/2015-06-01+15.40.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiye4wQvmwl57Xjsv66_iDtm0WjcP3QOjpKaREFoyJw_zVonbNNXz1Uhc2vXzzcQM6FxMC9WxNlvZttbQpajQsW8tifjW-GGVO2TKp7toWysKgGQY_wVWDka7EpbBcNc3dLulE9KO-d7UQ/s320/2015-06-01+15.40.12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inverarary might be the most perfect castle on the planet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">We had a lunch of a toastie sandwich of cheese, tomato, and onion, and a homemade scone with jam and cream. AMAZING. I love the food here.</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">After lunch, we walked the gardens...in the rain, which felt very Scottish! So gorgeous. But SO COLD. We were freezing and wet so we didn't stay as long as we normally would have. We were very grateful our rental car has seat warmers!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZaY2KimV42jH2jvKp-ZZpDa1A4IuF6vRV-690nlrxJw5buYBNblCQYhirEn5cPs4qnwxslyLnvW1z7OsnLjKxGsdSCGjkFMRnah7GM3qzoIAkDkbbApsGmRCUoNHmDcyI4h9BEKrpzQ/s1600/2015-06-01+15.44.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZaY2KimV42jH2jvKp-ZZpDa1A4IuF6vRV-690nlrxJw5buYBNblCQYhirEn5cPs4qnwxslyLnvW1z7OsnLjKxGsdSCGjkFMRnah7GM3qzoIAkDkbbApsGmRCUoNHmDcyI4h9BEKrpzQ/s320/2015-06-01+15.44.15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a fair prospect...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyS-ki_sw3tfaSNRvqloh2MLnf7S7pwR1ZZ8Esw22S6LRXStN1H_6wT-8TGhsCBYAx1SM9GSsiveLUa1VpvL8tOd3-saKQ3V6kBQ5CoANNIpSSz5kzEhrLjAJnpsi0hcLf5hPopWsdOw/s1600/2015-06-01+15.45.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyS-ki_sw3tfaSNRvqloh2MLnf7S7pwR1ZZ8Esw22S6LRXStN1H_6wT-8TGhsCBYAx1SM9GSsiveLUa1VpvL8tOd3-saKQ3V6kBQ5CoANNIpSSz5kzEhrLjAJnpsi0hcLf5hPopWsdOw/s320/2015-06-01+15.45.44.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quiet little field of bluebells.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89-8Dy1Axl5BV2gBg9u8BvTvKh_fowsQxlw5EGCH4BLOn-BvnMRO8iw5vftFlEm7rMggoQByfYjp_K41JNLcHegL85dg_86HYLf_0u-3BIb4BOQYz3W4HHvGcoEoEOQLoPAbktD2oI5k/s1600/2015-06-01+15.58.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89-8Dy1Axl5BV2gBg9u8BvTvKh_fowsQxlw5EGCH4BLOn-BvnMRO8iw5vftFlEm7rMggoQByfYjp_K41JNLcHegL85dg_86HYLf_0u-3BIb4BOQYz3W4HHvGcoEoEOQLoPAbktD2oI5k/s320/2015-06-01+15.58.37.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the most adorable little bridge in the distance!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">It was a rainy drive back towards Glasgow until we split off for Cairnryan. Way too many lorries [aka semi trucks] on the road!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEUVPTiCT5ghdKckpI6gkBYmJgQ_tJD_WU32ecw3H2P5DMvrDBXSIR4Qu6aHg7n4W4chLUfkDSwt0EcfCAKcvWTGbgRlAIZUAS6FHt2EslC1KOo1uvmKF500gMaVnFvsrqNp52CWqUVg/s1600/2015-06-01+16.29.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEUVPTiCT5ghdKckpI6gkBYmJgQ_tJD_WU32ecw3H2P5DMvrDBXSIR4Qu6aHg7n4W4chLUfkDSwt0EcfCAKcvWTGbgRlAIZUAS6FHt2EslC1KOo1uvmKF500gMaVnFvsrqNp52CWqUVg/s320/2015-06-01+16.29.09.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hi, Scotland. Nice to meet your usual temper. Still love you.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Something interesting about our fancy Audi car is that we get traffic updates through the navigation system when nearing major cities, cutting off whatever music is playing. And it is always very thorough on the radio stations, no matter what city. So cool and very helpful!</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">The M8 was taking care of us again. "Caution surface water." "Congestion after J27." Flashing indicators of reduced speed. "Queue on M8 (E) after J22." </span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">There was LOTS of Glasgow traffic, thanks to weather and rush hour. Not as bad as our traffic, though, for some reason. We discovered that Glasgow has an IKEA. I've decided that Glasgow is my favorite city that I've never stopped in. And we saw the stadium for the Rangers FC there. Maybe I’ve found a soccer team to support, finally.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsm17gCrSEXpxtC_zZRJOPdoCHxG51dqwgvNVrpnAFU-ck3zp4qYDJSIjABl0PgetAX69gGneq6ay5C4NbYmgOc9yy0dLFeG1PUcPXv31G-6DGDgU9I1H1pTS6XIFBjHnglqkRMJvfQG0/s1600/2015-06-01+17.44.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsm17gCrSEXpxtC_zZRJOPdoCHxG51dqwgvNVrpnAFU-ck3zp4qYDJSIjABl0PgetAX69gGneq6ay5C4NbYmgOc9yy0dLFeG1PUcPXv31G-6DGDgU9I1H1pTS6XIFBjHnglqkRMJvfQG0/s320/2015-06-01+17.44.02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sniff. GLASGOW!!!</td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">After turning off of the M8, there were only small towns and very sporadically. The little town of Maybole had signs that said "Haste ye back." And then the rest of the small towns did too. So cute.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7Q5nsA0Z_2CkxrIaCbDD_TnciU16N4trFREqXQtoYt5busQpTrxP8wxH8EST96xHorRTGL5gv4Up0FM2Bj-1Ozqhj0KO2cf4WTDCgxKgIAWsu_0fyaWHoZcIDyi0M2PgspqS6Ghkw6A/s1600/2015-06-01+19.05.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7Q5nsA0Z_2CkxrIaCbDD_TnciU16N4trFREqXQtoYt5busQpTrxP8wxH8EST96xHorRTGL5gv4Up0FM2Bj-1Ozqhj0KO2cf4WTDCgxKgIAWsu_0fyaWHoZcIDyi0M2PgspqS6Ghkw6A/s320/2015-06-01+19.05.34.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such cute countryside. And random ruins. Wait, what?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmThN3TFQJ1coN_dOL1MH9y2V500JXY-F7-3vPcds49UfQ5lzogY7OrxP9sQMe6Ao3fyYCnlVj5YNAMTRJQHKVSNoKL9AI1zo2roVodeehvaBdcnB4UPmPY2j4bov46LmRfZhqVQV2H0c/s1600/2015-06-01+19.13.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmThN3TFQJ1coN_dOL1MH9y2V500JXY-F7-3vPcds49UfQ5lzogY7OrxP9sQMe6Ao3fyYCnlVj5YNAMTRJQHKVSNoKL9AI1zo2roVodeehvaBdcnB4UPmPY2j4bov46LmRfZhqVQV2H0c/s320/2015-06-01+19.13.10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awww, I love you too, little Scottish town. I WILL haste me back!</td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Oddly enough, one time we saw a sign alerting us to otters. So far we have seen signs for sheep, deer, badgers, squirrels, otters, children, elderly people, disabled people, and a man on a horse.</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Driving along the western coastline was incredibly beautiful. And then the sun came out. It was amazing. How can a small country have so much beauty??? We decided Scotland is middle earth. There is even a town named Lothian that sounds like elves live there.</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">After what seemed like forever, we stopped at the most awesome quaint little bed and breakfast ever. The Rhins of Galloway bed and breakfast. Cairnryan is a teeny tiny and adorable town. This county is just perfection! We went shopping about 5 minutes away in the comparative metropolis of Stranraer at a Tesco and got some light stuff of wraps and fruit for dinner. And chocolate.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighyxR4D6N-qmeLGcn78-ozxs7B41Mr0oJD3bH2HCLwJMPY0ukaBQfjjfgf1NrhO2QegEl5zIUlMy2vQcbLZp1M0mVeZVjZUi1G3dM3QzWd08Gt12Eo9uP46Pyt8j05LgpQVROcxhnpPw/s1600/2015-06-01+19.28.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighyxR4D6N-qmeLGcn78-ozxs7B41Mr0oJD3bH2HCLwJMPY0ukaBQfjjfgf1NrhO2QegEl5zIUlMy2vQcbLZp1M0mVeZVjZUi1G3dM3QzWd08Gt12Eo9uP46Pyt8j05LgpQVROcxhnpPw/s320/2015-06-01+19.28.16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shore and the sky... UGH.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmmHpvcnXEqHyy4K5DClumKnrXUzYWi_CxH7rINWu3QBgNR-lKkPvv87KT4UnvzMUMw4ZyTdx1sM3_7y1dB1G51Sye3bfDFAnE8SORaPn_nSdyOPIWf32RDniYnYY3zqbe66JHf1pXXI/s1600/2015-06-01+19.37.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmmHpvcnXEqHyy4K5DClumKnrXUzYWi_CxH7rINWu3QBgNR-lKkPvv87KT4UnvzMUMw4ZyTdx1sM3_7y1dB1G51Sye3bfDFAnE8SORaPn_nSdyOPIWf32RDniYnYY3zqbe66JHf1pXXI/s320/2015-06-01+19.37.30.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then the sun came out! Breathless...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwAN33fHvRBwZc-7Eb4ivS8cvq2gXYlpfI-m4FX6UO5KlKQ9xcoggPsRTLnEow44YBDNqAkWBd8yJ7VNs6qx7YHRlBLitTkwylMwa9mGZoU50M3src2ngVihaxDXiGDq1oLGUFnqJVgY/s1600/2015-06-01+19.55.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwAN33fHvRBwZc-7Eb4ivS8cvq2gXYlpfI-m4FX6UO5KlKQ9xcoggPsRTLnEow44YBDNqAkWBd8yJ7VNs6qx7YHRlBLitTkwylMwa9mGZoU50M3src2ngVihaxDXiGDq1oLGUFnqJVgY/s320/2015-06-01+19.55.23.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cairnryan is adorable. The end.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVfSQgSQhyx5Vdp6J6q0TQdZMdmv3SIeZLqAcEdoaZoWtV9a1_1W-jitAMZPlJL5MWIpdBEbyN-PApmnQRZ85gK6jJIrLD2xOlD_wmvYhdp_alFqyhADVJKO5grjZ0QNzVMqefT9b7DI/s1600/2015-06-01+19.59.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVfSQgSQhyx5Vdp6J6q0TQdZMdmv3SIeZLqAcEdoaZoWtV9a1_1W-jitAMZPlJL5MWIpdBEbyN-PApmnQRZ85gK6jJIrLD2xOlD_wmvYhdp_alFqyhADVJKO5grjZ0QNzVMqefT9b7DI/s320/2015-06-01+19.59.37.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rhins of Galloway B&B. So cute!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_O950wopYFYB1uTCE7exNHeCdoKpktIA9JJyDcm8LZG1012Kncuny6_wbDtNymILItb-GXlMClyZlcSVfTBYz-6yLvTigGqubTuwQQcZb25cOn98Qy63075LMDGKlyt7qJF_dXTlmHE/s1600/2015-06-01+20.14.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_O950wopYFYB1uTCE7exNHeCdoKpktIA9JJyDcm8LZG1012Kncuny6_wbDtNymILItb-GXlMClyZlcSVfTBYz-6yLvTigGqubTuwQQcZb25cOn98Qy63075LMDGKlyt7qJF_dXTlmHE/s320/2015-06-01+20.14.47.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from my window. WHAAAAAT?</td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">We just got back from a walk along the shore, which was very rocky, but so stunning! The sun was setting and two large ferries were pulling into port nearby, and we were in the middle of nowhere… Windy as all get out and really cold, lots of waves, but that didn’t stop me from putting my bare feet in! We’re on the shore of Loch Ryan here, which feeds right into the Irish Sea. So cool!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFR8k-QpSRVmQHu0TOjKS8YNgpZDDYRkbhVElEABgEo2cI1BD_CQnEnqbtw5rTg20qRLdyBLRExwUZmZnoRhfoztkaxEST_WMQsnx7xDdze8vXPNAH10TEEcT8faqbzDKosEeFsF7S3Y/s1600/2015-06-01+21.05.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFR8k-QpSRVmQHu0TOjKS8YNgpZDDYRkbhVElEABgEo2cI1BD_CQnEnqbtw5rTg20qRLdyBLRExwUZmZnoRhfoztkaxEST_WMQsnx7xDdze8vXPNAH10TEEcT8faqbzDKosEeFsF7S3Y/s320/2015-06-01+21.05.38.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is just stunning. UGH.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0hGoikcYGF5VBok6U5duvVSgaSRHn3BziJdacqAv93E6n2rW4VYlReb0Su3PuWt1vxgVIEIshlmRloqV0XM-NcCr-ZQyX0-sVa4mHd8Amb0UnvgneOelkNIovSNU2TWYxqMMjOIioHs/s1600/2015-06-01+21.55.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0hGoikcYGF5VBok6U5duvVSgaSRHn3BziJdacqAv93E6n2rW4VYlReb0Su3PuWt1vxgVIEIshlmRloqV0XM-NcCr-ZQyX0-sVa4mHd8Amb0UnvgneOelkNIovSNU2TWYxqMMjOIioHs/s320/2015-06-01+21.55.05.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So cool, so creepy, so awesome!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RPq0MXhHiLiMh0E1xoXB1uAvuA1f1jly48StrncIxTKDQbTr0cNr3Ar3GIXZ9-D9RJv_42VcvuSCU1fO5ce28dwZj2Lt_RXGSV34JF2ormKOwp-fBpnQA7ddku-TSpU96eDkpgfubhE/s1600/2015-06-01+22.05.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RPq0MXhHiLiMh0E1xoXB1uAvuA1f1jly48StrncIxTKDQbTr0cNr3Ar3GIXZ9-D9RJv_42VcvuSCU1fO5ce28dwZj2Lt_RXGSV34JF2ormKOwp-fBpnQA7ddku-TSpU96eDkpgfubhE/s320/2015-06-01+22.05.19.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I could get used to this.</td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Tomorrow we get up SUPER early to catch our ferry to Belfast, but we have a private cabin, so it should be fun. Stay tuned for how showering goes here at the bed and breakfast. I’ve checked it out a little, and it looks promising.</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">All in all, a very windy, cold, and Scottish day. And I loved every minute!</span>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-12646842816896683742015-06-10T10:18:00.003-04:002015-06-10T10:20:25.798-04:00And then the sun came out!<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">Sunday May 31st</span><br />
<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">Balmoral and the Highlands, Scotland</span><br />
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<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">Here's the thing about Scotland: there is lots of daylight here. Lots. Like it's fully bright at 5:00 </span>am.<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);"> Pretty hard to sleep without darkening the room, and I am a terrible sleeper. So I was up pretty early. Yay for scripture study before 6, I guess!</span></div>
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<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">Breakfast was okay... The French hostess was impossible to understand. I had cereal with milk (which is not like American milk, oddly enough) and some toast with marmalade. Yum!</span></div>
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<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">We left right after breakfast for Balmoral Castle -- the Royal Family's Scotland home! We stopped at services (aka rest area with restaurants and petrol stations) to fill up with petrol and get some caffeine (diet cherry coke!) then headed on. The drive was motorway for less than half, then was country roads. Really crazy. There's no shoulder on the roads here, so it's always a tight squeeze. And when people park on the street? Even worse!</span></div>
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<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">But the drive was worth it! Absolutely gorgeous countryside and little towns. Low hanging clouds made everything so cool and very Scottish. Lots of gorse, which is a weed-like bush with stunning yellow flowers. And a drive with us characters makes for some hilarious moments. Like when we wrote two versions of the 12 Days of Christmas, one for our trip and one for our souvenirs. And when we did a Chinese fire drill yesterday in the middle of nowhere Scotland... Today's highlight was </span><span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">"Bridge! River! Disabled people!" (There was a traffic sign that actually said disabled people... Leave it to the Scots to be blunt!)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOJwnF3rxymXJH3S0WISSdlXjq41BrKKEyF57SZWDECyAajJJepjG8_8KhwDcXjykHogDhiHXcR_bEO2lLT2S86wB31iNAWWsFRJN6MbLrsfQVpBA5890sTHYh2vSVKxIuuY2UDdlzNk/s1600/2015-05-31+09.52.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOJwnF3rxymXJH3S0WISSdlXjq41BrKKEyF57SZWDECyAajJJepjG8_8KhwDcXjykHogDhiHXcR_bEO2lLT2S86wB31iNAWWsFRJN6MbLrsfQVpBA5890sTHYh2vSVKxIuuY2UDdlzNk/s320/2015-05-31+09.52.15.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How cute is this little drive?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVt_ZQkvsXFBedPObdumUKxSrqsPHPM-xOPlHXiGCfX0f41Jb2Q7nPApFYoqyjqeBt1ANrHsTOfVYG4ChmSl1EzYi8BiNCSYKx4cDeqtvhPTK2XAJTkqBWo3hZ-zzQV2TCOnW0vF-xtA8/s1600/2015-05-31+09.56.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVt_ZQkvsXFBedPObdumUKxSrqsPHPM-xOPlHXiGCfX0f41Jb2Q7nPApFYoqyjqeBt1ANrHsTOfVYG4ChmSl1EzYi8BiNCSYKx4cDeqtvhPTK2XAJTkqBWo3hZ-zzQV2TCOnW0vF-xtA8/s320/2015-05-31+09.56.47.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One lane bridge. Not scary at all, right?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdWpkWpRfqMJo8qJbDuBfMo-AcmRz40fcLPyawhwIt5gSz-HZwA3_SRa19cU9-yA0mv25uHuH9SvaOaUfnaHDnHJYGBm8vGKHZSg8XHNbJXkBUmhGCYMI0KB9wKnqi2Ci3-IiLaDNAww/s1600/2015-05-31+10.28.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdWpkWpRfqMJo8qJbDuBfMo-AcmRz40fcLPyawhwIt5gSz-HZwA3_SRa19cU9-yA0mv25uHuH9SvaOaUfnaHDnHJYGBm8vGKHZSg8XHNbJXkBUmhGCYMI0KB9wKnqi2Ci3-IiLaDNAww/s320/2015-05-31+10.28.53.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical Scottish weather and roads</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
There was some crazy long and intense bike race going on once we got off of the motorway and headed into the highlands. There were hundreds of cyclers up there! Dangerous and winding roads, hills, fog, nasty winds... It was not the sort of race I would have liked to cover as a trainer, let alone do! And since there's no bike lane and no shoulder, they were on the road... So we had to pass them. In winding roads and no shoulders and hills and rain and mist. Scary stuff!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdptrHafxrhcewRbWi7aEiZcJeWd78Wl3JEJuABecWJy_T9j_HFzS8aY01UBRcn86mzRPrEP-aHS7wYuSDYry40uG5mfRTQJIdIGP0Swjy9OYahCoTS8nqPP-PuiDSEg3crwLC4Z6h_g/s1600/2015-05-31+10.30.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdptrHafxrhcewRbWi7aEiZcJeWd78Wl3JEJuABecWJy_T9j_HFzS8aY01UBRcn86mzRPrEP-aHS7wYuSDYry40uG5mfRTQJIdIGP0Swjy9OYahCoTS8nqPP-PuiDSEg3crwLC4Z6h_g/s320/2015-05-31+10.30.51.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So pretty in rustic, natural way.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzYjhiyTWRLbNZXWAueit-efXr6sdwK08WMFbxonIUbQPynsmlaf4WaWyqI7akgpd51n8bUhJv5-GM19c2kAxUydsJpSy6a98GgWeDsNTSCb0TC6YTGa2URyneVh4NKsM9DlKLPm2p9s/s1600/2015-05-31+10.39.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzYjhiyTWRLbNZXWAueit-efXr6sdwK08WMFbxonIUbQPynsmlaf4WaWyqI7akgpd51n8bUhJv5-GM19c2kAxUydsJpSy6a98GgWeDsNTSCb0TC6YTGa2URyneVh4NKsM9DlKLPm2p9s/s320/2015-05-31+10.39.58.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical Highlands scenery and weather. I LOVE IT.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7P5QX1Il78gihyphenhyphenFvb731IM6JCIk2JNwiZglHL7ziWLYqspkgEH8nFTA1BCljiamw3YaBqCCxQfvuWzrJw6yQ8c4zIXpSCzWvPA-7a-I5vfpqi8-kbjQ55b8UNhgd0XGywWHjzeg2ZJ8/s1600/2015-05-31+10.39.18-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7P5QX1Il78gihyphenhyphenFvb731IM6JCIk2JNwiZglHL7ziWLYqspkgEH8nFTA1BCljiamw3YaBqCCxQfvuWzrJw6yQ8c4zIXpSCzWvPA-7a-I5vfpqi8-kbjQ55b8UNhgd0XGywWHjzeg2ZJ8/s320/2015-05-31+10.39.18-2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Highlands are full of sudden bits of magic.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtgQqqAr7O0VJsCYUezE7QIuGbeF07ZhYE4d-pVntOCyURJjxqMN8_Fe2v_zuYMBEg4mb1r3KVMchchNUerwxHPS-_dnpVwDt2WOy2QK4QDGMRxTvH-ABHDg7FKH7xcCC-dKb7HETfc8/s1600/2015-05-31+10.46.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtgQqqAr7O0VJsCYUezE7QIuGbeF07ZhYE4d-pVntOCyURJjxqMN8_Fe2v_zuYMBEg4mb1r3KVMchchNUerwxHPS-_dnpVwDt2WOy2QK4QDGMRxTvH-ABHDg7FKH7xcCC-dKb7HETfc8/s320/2015-05-31+10.46.38.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terrifying time with the cyclists in the highlands.</td></tr>
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</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
It was amazing to see the difference between the lowlands and the highlands. It was like a completely different country, and yet it still had the same breathtaking beauty and majesty.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYr87UY9PaKjp04a1ZMgVOxkYlw7GwayB67mDiUbcKYRw1HkpUk_6axdJmeR3ujPKv0AngD12cH9jxuor8rqfM_aAyX_BHNHdrNrZAazyasrGw8OcmSWjBxgsxqKLaa2L6wmb3IEh_yY/s1600/2015-05-31+10.54.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYr87UY9PaKjp04a1ZMgVOxkYlw7GwayB67mDiUbcKYRw1HkpUk_6axdJmeR3ujPKv0AngD12cH9jxuor8rqfM_aAyX_BHNHdrNrZAazyasrGw8OcmSWjBxgsxqKLaa2L6wmb3IEh_yY/s320/2015-05-31+10.54.41.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UGH. I couldn't take enough pictures!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9m0lBdI2JkcCyAnXAXhen3hRbRdXfVcD1wSF490FuK31aHGYDgavOisLAph7RmrKawP0NCJYZmlraaYq8REAkfPGdqw26EEhPkc-gJ0srdU7jxitorc95ZiIQKvPMVwUzgZTA7Co05Hc/s1600/2015-05-31+11.04.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9m0lBdI2JkcCyAnXAXhen3hRbRdXfVcD1wSF490FuK31aHGYDgavOisLAph7RmrKawP0NCJYZmlraaYq8REAkfPGdqw26EEhPkc-gJ0srdU7jxitorc95ZiIQKvPMVwUzgZTA7Co05Hc/s320/2015-05-31+11.04.50.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you blame me???</td></tr>
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</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
Then we got there. BALMORAL CASTLE. Amazing and glorious. The most perfect castle ever. Freezing cold and drizzly, so perfect for Scotland. We took an audio tour of the grounds, which was so interesting and cool! Awesome exhibits there. Then we bought stuff and had lunch at the cafe. I had a meat pie and homemade shortbread and hot cocoa, and it was fantastic. Perfectly Scottish and so yummy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxriXNNAJShiKXXDQsiJrOd1oWDpaWUQq43GHCKhRfAnTCJoOTH0pfxrRlc3ASZrAI3V3gw2kyDYA5r-sce8ikOXCePhjoHoh_LxwncKo7H4Hl4dKFB9CAqQUgPriZYAtZpmo2kRiTgM/s1600/2015-05-31+11.42.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxriXNNAJShiKXXDQsiJrOd1oWDpaWUQq43GHCKhRfAnTCJoOTH0pfxrRlc3ASZrAI3V3gw2kyDYA5r-sce8ikOXCePhjoHoh_LxwncKo7H4Hl4dKFB9CAqQUgPriZYAtZpmo2kRiTgM/s320/2015-05-31+11.42.50.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">STUNNING. I can see why the Queen loves it here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Y18v02hqQ3lo1Cbqxz1XfkDU_dmMGUmwMQSq2puRrNYKWTScV56Rh5RLQcNHhmGdqcq1R7PHyt3GL2ssloX5Y0A34POS0xh2Khz6xBba12P2xEfAQ5CFZ2i-Z0rIs2NCDqZ3mklmyrk/s1600/2015-05-31+12.48.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Y18v02hqQ3lo1Cbqxz1XfkDU_dmMGUmwMQSq2puRrNYKWTScV56Rh5RLQcNHhmGdqcq1R7PHyt3GL2ssloX5Y0A34POS0xh2Khz6xBba12P2xEfAQ5CFZ2i-Z0rIs2NCDqZ3mklmyrk/s320/2015-05-31+12.48.34.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most perfect castle ever.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
And then....the sun came out. And we stayed longer and walked around more and had sunshine to change the whole landscape. Steph and I twirled on the lawn at Balmoral, knocked on the door (no one was home), and walked by the river.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpie5GMzlYuEALwOyETs6RCvdSVP1bdRj5tg3qcv0wP-qoGD9QnXLsAcA2vv46586-bep_dBGIM7s67zSqhKM5_ronCkjqg6r-b4tcnJqSIroaJAsoRw_fJnhtB1omGv69iVEGyX-pi8/s1600/2015-05-31+13.56.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpie5GMzlYuEALwOyETs6RCvdSVP1bdRj5tg3qcv0wP-qoGD9QnXLsAcA2vv46586-bep_dBGIM7s67zSqhKM5_ronCkjqg6r-b4tcnJqSIroaJAsoRw_fJnhtB1omGv69iVEGyX-pi8/s320/2015-05-31+13.56.31.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is real and natural. Can you believe that?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmE_iEzPilgP-Xuoqn5cTtGL8XSw1Hg8D7wWkWr-GnQyW-UtV4KbOYnYIFrlUVqGptwlfVI_6qwuEGf5mOXcwcuuy_0U3w3Qhlw4WFdL-GoQIq3-r1TlGl73TmMOh6063ytKeTL26OOGw/s1600/2015-05-31+13.56.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmE_iEzPilgP-Xuoqn5cTtGL8XSw1Hg8D7wWkWr-GnQyW-UtV4KbOYnYIFrlUVqGptwlfVI_6qwuEGf5mOXcwcuuy_0U3w3Qhlw4WFdL-GoQIq3-r1TlGl73TmMOh6063ytKeTL26OOGw/s320/2015-05-31+13.56.48.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This completely took my breath away.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2h_VJsUbXQ9FZr_Nz5sdgBgx4UjXX8liHPl6v-UAGmSOnV0n_-CnwGzCSdm31IDX77jSvLtMiMxQ4QWrTC-l7XQsRJFpvQ5Toc2udZPlaQ92sBP5-ogkzQCgcviZobrVTIfqXL7C2ZM/s1600/2015-05-31+13.59.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2h_VJsUbXQ9FZr_Nz5sdgBgx4UjXX8liHPl6v-UAGmSOnV0n_-CnwGzCSdm31IDX77jSvLtMiMxQ4QWrTC-l7XQsRJFpvQ5Toc2udZPlaQ92sBP5-ogkzQCgcviZobrVTIfqXL7C2ZM/s320/2015-05-31+13.59.40.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn't get enough.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksJ_T-4y1LfFSeXFPrKRnxnLo0bqHioNkiOsqC3hn_-asX_aSg4LUfWhoX4OeXp2sSyBlbfXlPehrK_6G8sA_7Y927sWXf5TLuJrnOCy9v48kaliwAKr29_e88pLcvzLJ3lJxQoQp1Fo/s1600/2015-05-31+14.05.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksJ_T-4y1LfFSeXFPrKRnxnLo0bqHioNkiOsqC3hn_-asX_aSg4LUfWhoX4OeXp2sSyBlbfXlPehrK_6G8sA_7Y927sWXf5TLuJrnOCy9v48kaliwAKr29_e88pLcvzLJ3lJxQoQp1Fo/s320/2015-05-31+14.05.19.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can I just live here?</td></tr>
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</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
We took more pictures and then drove back, and the ride was even more gorgeous than before. We got out randomly in the middle of the highlands to take pictures of the area and of each other, doing our now traditional "middle of the road selfie", this time with some Highlands flare.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVM1mL1FbiDomNs8BxCOw_cckyLVjLeonc7NrYsv4C0eMGZ2F-6dmLLfCy9fiYgIYJ0M6-xlbiBsOR1q8B421ZgNrM2hdQDOz1wlgkecvSLeMDzmBIXdJE8qlXJSj69HMe6Pv3QdreEw/s1600/2015-05-31+14.46.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVM1mL1FbiDomNs8BxCOw_cckyLVjLeonc7NrYsv4C0eMGZ2F-6dmLLfCy9fiYgIYJ0M6-xlbiBsOR1q8B421ZgNrM2hdQDOz1wlgkecvSLeMDzmBIXdJE8qlXJSj69HMe6Pv3QdreEw/s320/2015-05-31+14.46.20.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I mean, REALLY, Scotland???</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSu751_ZECPhbgjywVhp7qFh1UKcCwQexRvQoWMJDNl5FM4Pz3DxKy7rIhEbYHXui6CXTb3lw-KiS3nAbjLcG_ocCZhyphenhyphen2W_2nASagQWl4JDfOqekJH45moE5Bk7odcp1gTE8IUgadPejU/s1600/2015-05-31+15.01.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSu751_ZECPhbgjywVhp7qFh1UKcCwQexRvQoWMJDNl5FM4Pz3DxKy7rIhEbYHXui6CXTb3lw-KiS3nAbjLcG_ocCZhyphenhyphen2W_2nASagQWl4JDfOqekJH45moE5Bk7odcp1gTE8IUgadPejU/s320/2015-05-31+15.01.22.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn't breathe, it was so gorgeous.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRs0TIxw_PEHYIjx8DeemzT_m-R2xOOSj89UiFd8IHuKxK-LZOhCGSHHx5eCIFn9GosMW2CyKXwfE3FBxUXD-ekek3xG35_OzikjwiVkZ9OIQ5SIT5qkwpwwrI2_9um0fRuAuySi4Hsro/s1600/2015-05-31+15.04.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRs0TIxw_PEHYIjx8DeemzT_m-R2xOOSj89UiFd8IHuKxK-LZOhCGSHHx5eCIFn9GosMW2CyKXwfE3FBxUXD-ekek3xG35_OzikjwiVkZ9OIQ5SIT5qkwpwwrI2_9um0fRuAuySi4Hsro/s320/2015-05-31+15.04.42.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had to pull off and take pictures.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWxuOt-jE8otmWPPJNS_CwtTRUckTowdk6yOXTrS2gOeLKv4_pQCdSRY6V9O3YLI9A6p_R4XG5McHbquIPNoQVfECiyGo41BD48Z28Ds4PMr_geiCu_VX1Y9lRH0y9a3y-Vb5L92mn_c/s1600/2015-05-31+15.04.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWxuOt-jE8otmWPPJNS_CwtTRUckTowdk6yOXTrS2gOeLKv4_pQCdSRY6V9O3YLI9A6p_R4XG5McHbquIPNoQVfECiyGo41BD48Z28Ds4PMr_geiCu_VX1Y9lRH0y9a3y-Vb5L92mn_c/s320/2015-05-31+15.04.45.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, my heart... I fell in love.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
I couldn't believe the difference in what we were seeing. My eyes couldn't see enough, I couldn't take it all in, and it took everything I had to process the colors and beauty of that area. My heart belongs to the Highlands now. I gave it away fully and freely.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNp3ZFm1sSx0x_tExiJQe0Zs_NSk88izIPCSbzKSpXhH8nkta8RJIr03qwBUGvD6v__rG97fIQh2f-EMTRTDb9yOBKR-pQiR7mmg5MbqEGbwfkNEodgL5PLbcSOChRhx3Al0GstalJl3k/s1600/2015-05-31+15.04.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNp3ZFm1sSx0x_tExiJQe0Zs_NSk88izIPCSbzKSpXhH8nkta8RJIr03qwBUGvD6v__rG97fIQh2f-EMTRTDb9yOBKR-pQiR7mmg5MbqEGbwfkNEodgL5PLbcSOChRhx3Al0GstalJl3k/s320/2015-05-31+15.04.27.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pure unfettered joy. I adore this place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkL9WXhC297LWLf2tTdmdGP1Y5PYkrbZtdJr5sqKac4oejW7ZGBMkLglvBgMfLj9yFrXoYCjZdJz9lKqLEEztecRAnEJa6WW1hrefCshuAEXCkf0OLHloSqo8daFojNypzpDRwXlq1ABg/s1600/2015-05-31+15.05.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkL9WXhC297LWLf2tTdmdGP1Y5PYkrbZtdJr5sqKac4oejW7ZGBMkLglvBgMfLj9yFrXoYCjZdJz9lKqLEEztecRAnEJa6WW1hrefCshuAEXCkf0OLHloSqo8daFojNypzpDRwXlq1ABg/s320/2015-05-31+15.05.34.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please let me follow that road wherever it goes.</td></tr>
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Once we got back to Edinburgh, we took a bus back into the city centre and sat up top this time. I will always recommend sitting up top on a double decker. You can see everything! And it makes it much easier to see where you are headed and when to get off. We were still full from our amazing lunch, so we skipped dinner.</div>
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We wandered Edinburgh and the Royal Mile (the mile long shopping strip with pretty much everything you could want) and finished up shopping, took a picture of some bagpipers, walked the park by the castle, wandered a cemetery, circled the castle, and got a few things for our drive to the coast tomorrow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFt1Fp4XTrz5dyi0udL7E5yLfsUb84jrcNTi5woeaEm68kKWAzhK_Eh6ZFXd-8MjntZuwp8BFxp3kN3mWg1hmrgTH9eG0qDPhTlBP_yPmi3pzsSq7h3fkMLRp7O81yBUun2etdE3vyU5A/s1600/2015-05-31+19.16.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFt1Fp4XTrz5dyi0udL7E5yLfsUb84jrcNTi5woeaEm68kKWAzhK_Eh6ZFXd-8MjntZuwp8BFxp3kN3mWg1hmrgTH9eG0qDPhTlBP_yPmi3pzsSq7h3fkMLRp7O81yBUun2etdE3vyU5A/s320/2015-05-31+19.16.47.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun makes everything magical in Scotland.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaUMH8UTVDPU379Zcs1Y9RpK2rVLuSThcKoM2ZENkJROFkx2lqf_Rd-r0wF2lpxWyfMAdjAMnbNBTmvzApebgysj2U3XT09WWrjLTSTZ4MFXxpeG22ArXvd0XGsoKL5qUoJbK0J1N56o/s1600/2015-05-31+19.27.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaUMH8UTVDPU379Zcs1Y9RpK2rVLuSThcKoM2ZENkJROFkx2lqf_Rd-r0wF2lpxWyfMAdjAMnbNBTmvzApebgysj2U3XT09WWrjLTSTZ4MFXxpeG22ArXvd0XGsoKL5qUoJbK0J1N56o/s320/2015-05-31+19.27.29.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edinburgh is just so cool.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9-EvHo8e8H43RsaXnLYnKxt56uhAkA9PI2Mq4_jaIAvravTjdWRLG1uGj-MDklWdRIIDxjTuEHh4QbYfZWpfhbv8O-yn7sHFN1w4czUSsMEGKE9ph36a0UUYK5ho7T4ko1CEK6xYD3s/s1600/2015-06-01+05.37.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9-EvHo8e8H43RsaXnLYnKxt56uhAkA9PI2Mq4_jaIAvravTjdWRLG1uGj-MDklWdRIIDxjTuEHh4QbYfZWpfhbv8O-yn7sHFN1w4czUSsMEGKE9ph36a0UUYK5ho7T4ko1CEK6xYD3s/s320/2015-06-01+05.37.32.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is 10:00 is at night. SERIOUSLY, Scotland?</td></tr>
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<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
It was a long day and we didn't walk as much as normal, only 4 ish miles, but we did so much! It was a great day, and I'm exhausted. It's almost 10 and the sun's not down yet. Scotland doesn't mess around with daylight hours! </div>
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Tomorrow is more Scotland adventures. Off to Rosslyn Chapel, Inveraray Castle, and then Cairnryan (our little coastal town that we're taking the ferry from). Road trip! Let's hope my phone lasts -- it's so full of pictures!</div>
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Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-90363612601538539012015-06-09T13:12:00.001-04:002015-06-09T13:12:19.182-04:00I am going to Gretna Green!<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">Saturday, May 30th</span></div>
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<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">Gretna Green and Edinburgh, Scotland</span></div>
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<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">Hey all!</span></div>
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<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">We are EXHAUSTED, which seems to be a typical feeling now. </span></div>
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<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">We did have a lovely night's sleep at the Premier Inn, as they advertised. We wanted to stay there forever. We had a continental breakfast of the same sort of fare we've been having, so I just had bacon, eggs, grilled tomatoes, and yogurt with granola and berries. Yogurt tastes completely different. Runnier and less sugary or sweet. Still good though.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk89WAiPzWRGJ0jAOa9WWGbM-hPz-vFjCmFD85wdKOILzwx82hYN0ri1GWPgQSvF_CBIaBcL_Sh3GmSXdM-0KT6jaz0YpJrAiut1m7WFI-vDajAV8a2_PplZ1sXr3uHWMvaajxCD4gfhI/s1600/2015-05-30+08.21.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk89WAiPzWRGJ0jAOa9WWGbM-hPz-vFjCmFD85wdKOILzwx82hYN0ri1GWPgQSvF_CBIaBcL_Sh3GmSXdM-0KT6jaz0YpJrAiut1m7WFI-vDajAV8a2_PplZ1sXr3uHWMvaajxCD4gfhI/s320/2015-05-30+08.21.08.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny elevator selfie!</td></tr>
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<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">We left right after breakfast for Gretna Green. We got to see the angel Moroni of the Preston temple as we drove up the M61, which was really cool.</span><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
Driving up the M6 into the north was gorgeous. Less trees than we'd seen but lots of hills and mountains, and lots of sheep. Scotland is amazingly gorgeous. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOO7c_U7Oc46dBnOldh6dXIkRtOJSGIvkTAOfWaT-rkRTgJ3RWdxIB2kfi-mtEh-x91aD-KqlUI1JuMgSMsF9sWCps9kCISGR7BQ9lH8-Qv2aYCiN50bx6ILxhrpNTofATlTP0nGkfv8/s1600/2015-05-30+09.56.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOO7c_U7Oc46dBnOldh6dXIkRtOJSGIvkTAOfWaT-rkRTgJ3RWdxIB2kfi-mtEh-x91aD-KqlUI1JuMgSMsF9sWCps9kCISGR7BQ9lH8-Qv2aYCiN50bx6ILxhrpNTofATlTP0nGkfv8/s320/2015-05-30+09.56.53.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first of many, many Scottish drive by pictures.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_EVd6lB_yfXEIznakPqIGodMge3AsK1XA-9mEXi_f1FQcmGkuJvQS7oTUAGemDM6Gow4LA0lIAhuV911-g-MJyrF35dV_Es5RnK_BKczxKeZR-1hfUJOpC22mpS3ir8S5_CSkcy35ao/s1600/2015-05-30+10.41.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_EVd6lB_yfXEIznakPqIGodMge3AsK1XA-9mEXi_f1FQcmGkuJvQS7oTUAGemDM6Gow4LA0lIAhuV911-g-MJyrF35dV_Es5RnK_BKczxKeZR-1hfUJOpC22mpS3ir8S5_CSkcy35ao/s320/2015-05-30+10.41.33.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scotland is my favorite!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjIWxbJStH1NZSqYLzOyZt2UJV3ZtPY27Ki1G7puH4rrNr3pM1plZ89rcZQK6CaW701E7Sv56EerTtAu4Oi6kZEp824WbjqkVuXU9jKuOun8-BNtWR25yhZDY9DRkEw_lFWKFP9QjgOM/s1600/2015-05-30+13.20.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjIWxbJStH1NZSqYLzOyZt2UJV3ZtPY27Ki1G7puH4rrNr3pM1plZ89rcZQK6CaW701E7Sv56EerTtAu4Oi6kZEp824WbjqkVuXU9jKuOun8-BNtWR25yhZDY9DRkEw_lFWKFP9QjgOM/s320/2015-05-30+13.20.49.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheep!!! They have accents there, you know.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgrJ8dqQP9G-lcO9W-B8Hafy04ShW7h4qRp9n5cjRwrMBzXY961aZ996dx-4myZ2zQvNYuFu-vOWqu45qQBqTVVxWDHsLm8ey_bArGMRMn5qx2tnN0jlWd46Bx35f-f_Wch_00XkGkaw/s1600/2015-05-30+12.55.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgrJ8dqQP9G-lcO9W-B8Hafy04ShW7h4qRp9n5cjRwrMBzXY961aZ996dx-4myZ2zQvNYuFu-vOWqu45qQBqTVVxWDHsLm8ey_bArGMRMn5qx2tnN0jlWd46Bx35f-f_Wch_00XkGkaw/s320/2015-05-30+12.55.50.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too pretty. Ugh.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIctQ5RLVX8ptvrBYzKbHp6eelQ1padfKApqglhqngpNzgMulVSye1Ok0WQJCNmjPibMhAc34tvsFXtj-nSkYoU3wOtIg98RgTQRPxadWW-rgCfAZQX_pQSSYt4k0voW7kjVXz4JoptA/s1600/2015-05-30+13.38.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIctQ5RLVX8ptvrBYzKbHp6eelQ1padfKApqglhqngpNzgMulVSye1Ok0WQJCNmjPibMhAc34tvsFXtj-nSkYoU3wOtIg98RgTQRPxadWW-rgCfAZQX_pQSSYt4k0voW7kjVXz4JoptA/s320/2015-05-30+13.38.17.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn't look around fast enough!</td></tr>
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Gretna Green was an adorable little stop. The history of the place is that couples have been running away to get married there for hundreds of years because the laws in Scotland were way less strict than in England, basically anyone could perform a wedding, so the blacksmiths on the edge of town usually did, and Gretna is the first town across the border. We saw the Olde Blacksmith Shop where weddings and elopements have been taking place for hundreds of years. Lots of shopping and pictures. No special rings, but we did find husbands. Sort of.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNUZ3l3ShxMpGQ7d15oIMpUOaVj_XXMRsud31DUrvXt1G8uTImcdtZzIxkrXedzwsxan4YlEzKJAuRWwsZQzw1wn8XmSTwTPuw4ezVmwh6vZ2WUqPxAhLaf0xzsIBgnuy4forrt-ljW8/s1600/2015-05-30+10.47.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNUZ3l3ShxMpGQ7d15oIMpUOaVj_XXMRsud31DUrvXt1G8uTImcdtZzIxkrXedzwsxan4YlEzKJAuRWwsZQzw1wn8XmSTwTPuw4ezVmwh6vZ2WUqPxAhLaf0xzsIBgnuy4forrt-ljW8/s320/2015-05-30+10.47.43.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GRETNA! WE ARE SAVED!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4l1j7_m13NqUPxdUtz0tnmHum91oOQT2JK4na9S877J9Q8sr1jcZdkJzJeX__vClPjeTCW5uOmM5CReRiodb2LWO9d-s4jeSW9RlvAxxwBoQqYb0WhG2WhWdv8nkq5-_Q0CRcKQu9SA/s1600/2015-05-30+11.23.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4l1j7_m13NqUPxdUtz0tnmHum91oOQT2JK4na9S877J9Q8sr1jcZdkJzJeX__vClPjeTCW5uOmM5CReRiodb2LWO9d-s4jeSW9RlvAxxwBoQqYb0WhG2WhWdv8nkq5-_Q0CRcKQu9SA/s320/2015-05-30+11.23.19.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a cute little place!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyULiogZORkkRl62WsA7_v1gh2BDJlDCOqa71z2J3DkKgCkmY961AB_TyIRI_tj8DyVEWuuq-hO7BRtoDQp_BG3dWNbI6g_y2FbGq2sh8qkUybXhUIItsL6CLFgiEhiJ1Xf-0_AGMRS4/s1600/2015-05-30+11.51.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyULiogZORkkRl62WsA7_v1gh2BDJlDCOqa71z2J3DkKgCkmY961AB_TyIRI_tj8DyVEWuuq-hO7BRtoDQp_BG3dWNbI6g_y2FbGq2sh8qkUybXhUIItsL6CLFgiEhiJ1Xf-0_AGMRS4/s320/2015-05-30+11.51.29.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not quite husbands, but it was the best we could do.</td></tr>
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We got into Edinburgh around 2:00, and we couldn't check in until after 3:00, so we hit the town. First stop was Edinburgh castle. We found a free tour inside and it was fascinating. So much history and neat facts! The Scottish Crown Jewels were amazing, the buildings were so cool, and despite the crowd, we had a great time. But there were too many Asians! They had a war memorial for all of the Scotsmen who died in the First World War, and that was surprisingly emotional. Then we saw the National War Museum, and that was way cool. Classic uniforms and weaponry, history, etc. Very, very cool.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvK-jTugkqNWXWQf_Xh2KrnFte9lTyQ0SEqjhhQyq7_T25QaF5xreT1_gNdlDG6c7ec1T2n_e2ehSsUdsaMGXfQvy9jxC2fvqtRyI9uytEF-xdyXkdopLvA4o5P4hplzylIYLYS7THKpo/s1600/2015-05-30+14.40.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvK-jTugkqNWXWQf_Xh2KrnFte9lTyQ0SEqjhhQyq7_T25QaF5xreT1_gNdlDG6c7ec1T2n_e2ehSsUdsaMGXfQvy9jxC2fvqtRyI9uytEF-xdyXkdopLvA4o5P4hplzylIYLYS7THKpo/s320/2015-05-30+14.40.32.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, that? Just a castle on a hill...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlzRfSpZItH8tIBoYl367Gz61iRBtehyDq4oSJNPyiAE9GU8Z9KunMXSjyd2CwyLc6jIrfn1YHJrKj8mJ659agPXPzJYK_4qF2MyEKls-kJTZYb7LppeUv0BRo0rtmjImdTkG1raYMxQ/s1600/2015-05-30+15.04.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlzRfSpZItH8tIBoYl367Gz61iRBtehyDq4oSJNPyiAE9GU8Z9KunMXSjyd2CwyLc6jIrfn1YHJrKj8mJ659agPXPzJYK_4qF2MyEKls-kJTZYb7LppeUv0BRo0rtmjImdTkG1raYMxQ/s320/2015-05-30+15.04.06.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The long, slow migration to the castle...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLjee6Fp0G_TI0IttExN3Jj171Wtyu0vDde7_ipN6MVQKMKyfx6-CJUDImfzf-rMuWfe0RqWO3BvV8Srj-uonp_3gSzLG5vGX6vi6h8HDwJ8UbD7Cv95yukTFXwPmXVVWVAKONe-MJyU/s1600/2015-05-30+15.24.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLjee6Fp0G_TI0IttExN3Jj171Wtyu0vDde7_ipN6MVQKMKyfx6-CJUDImfzf-rMuWfe0RqWO3BvV8Srj-uonp_3gSzLG5vGX6vi6h8HDwJ8UbD7Cv95yukTFXwPmXVVWVAKONe-MJyU/s320/2015-05-30+15.24.54.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And looking back towards the city.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyaLLwOSVl0eo2jSd7m3D94Yf6ZjbcK447Klkd0CA5B6Nt0vVeEhtgcFfQ9wTN6_1nN24XePapPIdMIv5trR8hmml34FYy4XVskJbTFW9KAfAPNpK6tatSTUcWf_Muhxj6jTEleWc4ss/s1600/2015-05-30+16.20.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyaLLwOSVl0eo2jSd7m3D94Yf6ZjbcK447Klkd0CA5B6Nt0vVeEhtgcFfQ9wTN6_1nN24XePapPIdMIv5trR8hmml34FYy4XVskJbTFW9KAfAPNpK6tatSTUcWf_Muhxj6jTEleWc4ss/s320/2015-05-30+16.20.59.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What an incredible view from the top! We got so lucky this day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEm6Q4QqeDtAgoLr4V_gp54LOxZmsxS5Ay1MAbcMNyFpWH5Hc6x4TxJm1tKNRvgF6Kcun4HJephiXcbNnlh2m-4p51dDth5zi62Rjq7c49h6CJMEH0otO3df539i5bneyiw-XiX5tBUG0/s1600/2015-05-30+16.54.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEm6Q4QqeDtAgoLr4V_gp54LOxZmsxS5Ay1MAbcMNyFpWH5Hc6x4TxJm1tKNRvgF6Kcun4HJephiXcbNnlh2m-4p51dDth5zi62Rjq7c49h6CJMEH0otO3df539i5bneyiw-XiX5tBUG0/s320/2015-05-30+16.54.15.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love that flag waving so proudly at the top.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
After the castle, we went shopping on the royal mile. We went a little crazy there, but we couldn't help it! Getting all of our souvenirs back should be interesting...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24ia85eWxwEzFHR6e5iJQU1M67Nr156yAGJiqqv1PjPLGIcimtpO0LcAfeGkFlsPrmoWt2T1159mjNFu2cCMhVpzz9t2KHiV9GRZV3Rfmh0nrK0Dwib0KWtaUNW8lT2K46nbS77NKkdw/s1600/2015-05-30+14.53.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24ia85eWxwEzFHR6e5iJQU1M67Nr156yAGJiqqv1PjPLGIcimtpO0LcAfeGkFlsPrmoWt2T1159mjNFu2cCMhVpzz9t2KHiV9GRZV3Rfmh0nrK0Dwib0KWtaUNW8lT2K46nbS77NKkdw/s320/2015-05-30+14.53.16.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Royal Mile... A challenge in its very name.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
We had dinner at the Filling Station, which is not a Scottish place, but that's okay. I had the Mac n Jack.... Macaroni and cheese with bacon and spices (SO GOOD!) and then some ginger beer to drink. So good. I love that.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1RVza69q4taQAJ_GVYHPyR46TUTcWWY75lBA7Q0RyaCxHio0BCiXEKi5qX6pMVHX4UfSq9bC6Dr57foo5lhIib3PR8ZI1dAvO6nc18RgQQscI8K9s8eUz0BlQhWSq_Lgrn6jiJxJgw4/s1600/2015-05-30+18.22.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1RVza69q4taQAJ_GVYHPyR46TUTcWWY75lBA7Q0RyaCxHio0BCiXEKi5qX6pMVHX4UfSq9bC6Dr57foo5lhIib3PR8ZI1dAvO6nc18RgQQscI8K9s8eUz0BlQhWSq_Lgrn6jiJxJgw4/s320/2015-05-30+18.22.31.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GOODNESS GRACIOUS GIVE IT TO ME.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWda4oc26K-OCO6fYz3KJyjoQP8QzvSaeoRvdvd-1vfldMPCfVbcNi-c_43f78AnhqF58o7rStnhpbp70hHE9W17ADqdBUMFBrrWtQzbBl1tv2ocXBfYxLJdnLqvC7WcGsPeP1ywRg5Q/s1600/2015-05-30+18.50.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWda4oc26K-OCO6fYz3KJyjoQP8QzvSaeoRvdvd-1vfldMPCfVbcNi-c_43f78AnhqF58o7rStnhpbp70hHE9W17ADqdBUMFBrrWtQzbBl1tv2ocXBfYxLJdnLqvC7WcGsPeP1ywRg5Q/s320/2015-05-30+18.50.30.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginger beer in the middle of the street... So what?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
We wandered and shopped a bit more, listened to some awesome street musicians, and enjoyed the fact that it was a partly cloudy and slightly warm day in Scotland -- UNHEARD OF! Great day.</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
Our hotel tonight is a house that was made over, each room is large and family sized. We're sharing a room, and there's a double bed and 3 twins, so lots of space.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVRf1kX0Xf0YRg3Lrl6SRpXOKECEG4_hL0QPzrD7NMs-NTNzkABPETdNSUu-Q-YLY3-iUIm0bAyZUq3Y3MyScH5WQpEsHNKgj-lQcLu9q5lUrEXBJd_soc120q0-SogdO1-fuAXzLLuo/s1600/2015-05-30+14.07.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVRf1kX0Xf0YRg3Lrl6SRpXOKECEG4_hL0QPzrD7NMs-NTNzkABPETdNSUu-Q-YLY3-iUIm0bAyZUq3Y3MyScH5WQpEsHNKgj-lQcLu9q5lUrEXBJd_soc120q0-SogdO1-fuAXzLLuo/s320/2015-05-30+14.07.47.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutest hotel!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_QbbFiaHpJsSzxZmgWrOEFDRw0CmQ9jNxuHm1kp8-zDJqhIHO5WYtcEkgF0eAa0XNYAF9rKpk1F8yEIc1q8K0zIPuPo32umAQ-xllpztbvDfBdlHLLlIXqlPvQRlMSaGIT0dNv9QFYQ/s1600/2015-05-30+20.20.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_QbbFiaHpJsSzxZmgWrOEFDRw0CmQ9jNxuHm1kp8-zDJqhIHO5WYtcEkgF0eAa0XNYAF9rKpk1F8yEIc1q8K0zIPuPo32umAQ-xllpztbvDfBdlHLLlIXqlPvQRlMSaGIT0dNv9QFYQ/s320/2015-05-30+20.20.34.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "family" rooms. So many beds!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
Tomorrow is driving up to Balmoral Castle, the Queen's residence, and more wandering of Edinburgh! I'm almost done with souvenirs for everyone, which is great because there is almost no room in the inn!</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
This is an awesome trip and I love it. If I came more often, I wouldn't need to get so many things! </div>
</div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-49617263950344204692015-06-08T18:17:00.000-04:002015-06-08T18:19:20.448-04:00"You go, and then we'll go, and then we'll all go together!"<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Friday May 29th</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Dublin, Wales, and Manchester</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Today was a bit nutty…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">I took it easier at breakfast. Just porridge and Irish bacon. And some toast. And cocoa. But we were so early that it was cold cocoa, so it was like really good Nesquik. It was all still so good! We found the brand of the cocoa, we will be hunting for it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Traffic in Dublin was nuts. We had to get across town to the port and the GPS on the phone and on the Garmin had no idea where we were. We were almost late. It took forever to find the Dublin Port. But some nice people in a gas station helped us. Go Irish. If we hadn't have had priority passage and boarding, we wouldn't have made it. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmrghPWONZO9gkyfjhPNSywaiTY6RkmV6NDfvpdIqAyL-Jpmfk8qqHsGJLlMWW34KuIObcXefEuYre99t9mLxg_AmJOTMOcHgtm447Zea0FvXO6avwTfkTOao0gbC1KwZQGdGxV7s1Ik/s1600/2015-05-29+08.32.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmrghPWONZO9gkyfjhPNSywaiTY6RkmV6NDfvpdIqAyL-Jpmfk8qqHsGJLlMWW34KuIObcXefEuYre99t9mLxg_AmJOTMOcHgtm447Zea0FvXO6avwTfkTOao0gbC1KwZQGdGxV7s1Ik/s320/2015-05-29+08.32.56.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Headed onto our lovely little ferry!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our boat called the Jonathan Swift. He's the author of Gulliver's travels. We paid extra for Club Class and it was so worth it. It was like being on an airplane, only roomier. We thought it felt like the Titanic, but without all of the iceberg stuff.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooDU40xDtvHVIm047gy__E3D8ROVUOuTviiH_Hhk0YgDoIiJqiLZyg61awvRgscYmljKwCb84LIUbKluCuxJXkfLzvWVUcw68O40V5EUIgL2z096OgH_FNQ2GGJViO5rjOqD2o_Zy2bM/s1600/2015-05-29+08.40.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooDU40xDtvHVIm047gy__E3D8ROVUOuTviiH_Hhk0YgDoIiJqiLZyg61awvRgscYmljKwCb84LIUbKluCuxJXkfLzvWVUcw68O40V5EUIgL2z096OgH_FNQ2GGJViO5rjOqD2o_Zy2bM/s320/2015-05-29+08.40.00.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Club Class. Very classy, no? We did think about all of those little people in steerage...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">We were up on Deck 5. I went out onto the deck and it was amazing. Chilly air, very fresh, and I could feel the boat turning. Perfect day for being on the water. The only way I can describe it was that it was very bracing. So invigorating.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_j2eWPWuef7YBU1hWkWWv4jmHtBVG6VnVVsAV80LUrYGEbWRn-sF_TwRjQ-00s2hS3zhZ7_DjMZsJTT7Ckq3c7M5x9AxGmiKug0HfEgNui4e4b8Q0WKP4RcGoqYD7OXdoVxscuN09kZU/s1600/2015-05-29+08.54.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_j2eWPWuef7YBU1hWkWWv4jmHtBVG6VnVVsAV80LUrYGEbWRn-sF_TwRjQ-00s2hS3zhZ7_DjMZsJTT7Ckq3c7M5x9AxGmiKug0HfEgNui4e4b8Q0WKP4RcGoqYD7OXdoVxscuN09kZU/s320/2015-05-29+08.54.41.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I LOVED being on the deck of that ferry.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqk7v3v30CXGNKahH5Cy5y9Ce4D_UWiUIJPDzCp5sutVLfRA8Du7lDfB9G_QSwKgQtAZlrUD_0ApOWgWSVC_jxkHXJ6xnq884_s8TjTvt_1P4WjKbORFhhVnXnlj5XrhPSnZysxNAh14/s1600/2015-05-29+08.55.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqk7v3v30CXGNKahH5Cy5y9Ce4D_UWiUIJPDzCp5sutVLfRA8Du7lDfB9G_QSwKgQtAZlrUD_0ApOWgWSVC_jxkHXJ6xnq884_s8TjTvt_1P4WjKbORFhhVnXnlj5XrhPSnZysxNAh14/s320/2015-05-29+08.55.58.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last views of Dublin.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFE_GwlDf_kpR52akAMB2J6wLWPRfCySNOxzdG5Q2FXHNqZSX12PcG_h1vhiMNeLVpzVvKJWa8QRoKnM-daT__jDxgnQ9kvxLmPpCkbe1Ii0HI2wflv6dSd7UFOwfFZ6vTRIz6R4rUDQ4/s1600/2015-05-29+08.57.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFE_GwlDf_kpR52akAMB2J6wLWPRfCySNOxzdG5Q2FXHNqZSX12PcG_h1vhiMNeLVpzVvKJWa8QRoKnM-daT__jDxgnQ9kvxLmPpCkbe1Ii0HI2wflv6dSd7UFOwfFZ6vTRIz6R4rUDQ4/s320/2015-05-29+08.57.12.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The views were stunning, I couldn't believe it.</td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">We had to use a code to get back into our seating area. That’s how special we were. And the food and drinks in Club Class were free. We may have had some diet coke before 9:00.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Once the boat picked up speed once we were out of the harbor a ways, it was SO HARD to get balance. I actually felt a little sick from it. Mom would not like it at all. We went shopping in the gift shop and the bottles of booze kept shaking and we were falling into things and it was hysterical. We laughed our heads off. Because this boat is a faster ferry, you pay the price and it's a rougher crossing. So weird. But we got to park the car underneath the boat, so that was cool.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Once in Wales, we started driving around and headed for Manchester in England. Driving on the A55 was SO GORGEOUS. And MUCH nicer than the scary streets of Dublin. We stopped for a walk and bathroom break in Old Colwyn in Wales, and it was gorgeous. Wales is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. They also have the strangest language. I have no idea how to say anything, and all of their traffic signs had things in English and Welsh, so we could see what it was, but WHAT DID IT SAY? It was nuts. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsqPMD6iG9r6pWRfNNJy5zO_adfaek8DyMviC_OT7F39f0rtaX4UCQNdSYFxqR8v3vkipeqYlkhEJldmSiRiNkoTFMytpKn-Kai59EPoT4cUMIhyphenhyphennDOdLct7I9UIv5SEFHR1zHm-XkGM/s1600/2015-05-29+11.03.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsqPMD6iG9r6pWRfNNJy5zO_adfaek8DyMviC_OT7F39f0rtaX4UCQNdSYFxqR8v3vkipeqYlkhEJldmSiRiNkoTFMytpKn-Kai59EPoT4cUMIhyphenhyphennDOdLct7I9UIv5SEFHR1zHm-XkGM/s320/2015-05-29+11.03.43.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving off of the ferry into Wales!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmO8Vc7ONIbt5DkoELJM2v9bYfyKWNBajKYEUP27Uw2OHWhxRItncvDVfcx8NEiuAJehKK0dmwZB8T5ytTDQqehmacAL2To0WMZGWiL-vvTvHF3iUO6kOrmWkhoGdWrehywSeW1fjQsnY/s1600/2015-05-29+11.56.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmO8Vc7ONIbt5DkoELJM2v9bYfyKWNBajKYEUP27Uw2OHWhxRItncvDVfcx8NEiuAJehKK0dmwZB8T5ytTDQqehmacAL2To0WMZGWiL-vvTvHF3iUO6kOrmWkhoGdWrehywSeW1fjQsnY/s320/2015-05-29+11.56.35.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wales was STUNNING. Next time, I'm staying longer there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLkv4qPMcmZKuSuRfexaKhq3izghfAs4KyUEnyTOcTJqewB_ohsu2r4LMxyQsPnFSj9JUyyl6BGvVc8rH8EDE6YgV-IrMo82b5Akm-ZY_QYxyoKzkNzOgUauX_KL5f0JzIWLOJ13lkus/s1600/2015-05-29+11.58.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLkv4qPMcmZKuSuRfexaKhq3izghfAs4KyUEnyTOcTJqewB_ohsu2r4LMxyQsPnFSj9JUyyl6BGvVc8rH8EDE6YgV-IrMo82b5Akm-ZY_QYxyoKzkNzOgUauX_KL5f0JzIWLOJ13lkus/s320/2015-05-29+11.58.01.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a gorgeous coastline!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyCQXCEVZsd-isUCU8Cm-39zrAuLGYigjpEtli9f29XbWo2mvCovoCKnp9vxKbAyBZE1Xs1aIvn49chuSSXLxAW6Qxs3JRoW7b_v3lEC9ExW61Diq9DQoiTU0lvBLZXk_K7qG-9mD1iU/s1600/2015-05-29+12.22.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyCQXCEVZsd-isUCU8Cm-39zrAuLGYigjpEtli9f29XbWo2mvCovoCKnp9vxKbAyBZE1Xs1aIvn49chuSSXLxAW6Qxs3JRoW7b_v3lEC9ExW61Diq9DQoiTU0lvBLZXk_K7qG-9mD1iU/s320/2015-05-29+12.22.09.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colony Bay beach! So awesome.</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">We got to Lyme Park (aka PEMBERLEY) around 2:30. It was amazing. Absolutely amazing. Perfectly restored, so much history, so many fun things! We literally saw the whole house. Then we walked the grounds for ages, just loving it, even though it was cold. We even saw some deer grazing by the rhododendron gardens. I tried to find Mr. Darcy, but he seemed to not be at home. More’s the pity. But we took tons of pictures and had lots of fun. We may have forgotten to eat lunch, so we got some fudge to make up for it.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflOtKdcLD2R0IbJzIV5rqCb2CRr8TxfREVRW1D7qNxIXpBVKKEIk3vlRmkOTywUuSRZrZUJDmWD2NtNYoCMZyaxjIUQaFrE1mQN2Cm8MRZdgI9nBr2UAzR3wAl0HgUmbRGcq1DNxQiKk/s1600/2015-05-29+16.17.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflOtKdcLD2R0IbJzIV5rqCb2CRr8TxfREVRW1D7qNxIXpBVKKEIk3vlRmkOTywUuSRZrZUJDmWD2NtNYoCMZyaxjIUQaFrE1mQN2Cm8MRZdgI9nBr2UAzR3wAl0HgUmbRGcq1DNxQiKk/s320/2015-05-29+16.17.50.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IT'S PEMBERLEY!!!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrDvOHp8DYtPqExkDqpO7e_Kf8Jz2hxs5kxaqab_CSsGA2J2QemHJm-BMjkpaQLSPf5YwSsbqVKve3nGtEmkQZuLFyd0XiMM5lHdr7lNQrkOOVIFbGWGwR1utciCwgEXSjrDi9bkmEGL0/s1600/2015-05-29+16.18.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrDvOHp8DYtPqExkDqpO7e_Kf8Jz2hxs5kxaqab_CSsGA2J2QemHJm-BMjkpaQLSPf5YwSsbqVKve3nGtEmkQZuLFyd0XiMM5lHdr7lNQrkOOVIFbGWGwR1utciCwgEXSjrDi9bkmEGL0/s320/2015-05-29+16.18.23.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where is Darcy?!?!?</td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">When the house and gardens closed at 5:00, we walked up to the hunting lodge up on a ridge and the wind was CRAZY and the views were amazing. I couldn't breathe, and yet I'd never been able to breathe so freely. I may have cried a little. I took some panoramic shots, but there is no way to capture what I saw. So beautiful.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_T-Vsplryz-1beDl4qgKUbvG-uT7fhrrhHo2ioqJR-YQ_1OY3Ca62Hj1L7FNfZvTVIecfcMY7AaVv5UgJ5RYvidB3hbW5EXCeBj3NEeLrrE752OLj554asLTQwaSdLoACKFLlnkFfj0U/s1600/2015-05-29+17.07.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_T-Vsplryz-1beDl4qgKUbvG-uT7fhrrhHo2ioqJR-YQ_1OY3Ca62Hj1L7FNfZvTVIecfcMY7AaVv5UgJ5RYvidB3hbW5EXCeBj3NEeLrrE752OLj554asLTQwaSdLoACKFLlnkFfj0U/s320/2015-05-29+17.07.16.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such gorgeous countryside, the walk up to the hunting lodge was so pretty!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMgleY1NV4MUTGjL4lsg0g02rOtLHpY4T2E4T_Z0BT2yovqUgFZgPSO-Fymq96oOKEsDvTqGrU26znYkxuQZih134txAdLLfQeGUTpfIOibIBtGp3WkgF98D4b1cOz8RIMQixR2m_LO4/s1600/2015-05-29+17.07.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMgleY1NV4MUTGjL4lsg0g02rOtLHpY4T2E4T_Z0BT2yovqUgFZgPSO-Fymq96oOKEsDvTqGrU26znYkxuQZih134txAdLLfQeGUTpfIOibIBtGp3WkgF98D4b1cOz8RIMQixR2m_LO4/s320/2015-05-29+17.07.50.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a bit of a hike, though. And the wind was NUTS.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0ofYTuYCKuvoyFSMR2Ue6uUaT3OM0prs3EuFigZZ8Lcg0p_dDL8mW4AAnAq6gifKFe2utetwtfyikI2EwglBK3ZGV4RPRlqb-Z_jYccE6NCJRnGAjZqidl5BY8l4o5MlDvxTxlAtGSk/s1600/2015-05-29+17.12.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0ofYTuYCKuvoyFSMR2Ue6uUaT3OM0prs3EuFigZZ8Lcg0p_dDL8mW4AAnAq6gifKFe2utetwtfyikI2EwglBK3ZGV4RPRlqb-Z_jYccE6NCJRnGAjZqidl5BY8l4o5MlDvxTxlAtGSk/s320/2015-05-29+17.12.18.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the top. I can't even describe it.</td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">We drove into Manchester after that and went to our hotel, which promises, from the front desk, a wonderful night’s sleep. We could all use that, so we will see about that. We walked across the street to the mall, and it was fantastic. Trafford Centre is the coolest mall EVER. So huge, so many fun stores, and again it was like Titanic. Literally, the fine dining area of Titanic was the food court. And there were SO MANY RESTAURANTS. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrIhTyw6Uz6tWh4bSSv2H6QRslmR9t989gLq__wba91xVYCpo1LEBnwlyEqLfPU0_oKNzu2Q14ANmOvHITrpham7nGBxVW6DUJi41npeJZ6K3qyErQXJWTppZZacxSZT-iaYLUo6rDro/s1600/2015-05-29+20.15.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrIhTyw6Uz6tWh4bSSv2H6QRslmR9t989gLq__wba91xVYCpo1LEBnwlyEqLfPU0_oKNzu2Q14ANmOvHITrpham7nGBxVW6DUJi41npeJZ6K3qyErQXJWTppZZacxSZT-iaYLUo6rDro/s320/2015-05-29+20.15.19.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Titanic dining court... I mean, seriously...</td></tr>
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But we knew what we were doing. Five Guys. Or as we called it, Five British Guys. It was the best thing we have done all trip food-wise. Five Guys was so fast, way faster then the States. The food tasted just as good, maybe even moreso because we wanted it so badly. They had beer available, of course, and MILKSHAKES. Yes, you read that right. Milkshakes. How many times have we said Five Guys needed milkshakes and HERE THEY WERE! We almost died. They said we could add bacon to the shakes if we wanted, but we opted not to. All mix-ins were free, though. And they are GOOD shakes. So amazing. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnE6uMlg2ef5Ro7lRqMDf8sZ78-WaITTD7q-U-dGs6FZGVzZW0BNGcnWjG65hShKcq2GV5ldV6H1NO2oNX2dSBxI-54dD6vp8p_Qf0O90EXhNmtoP4KGHokVyybIZ4Ww7iltVhhyxHeA/s1600/2015-05-29+19.31.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnE6uMlg2ef5Ro7lRqMDf8sZ78-WaITTD7q-U-dGs6FZGVzZW0BNGcnWjG65hShKcq2GV5ldV6H1NO2oNX2dSBxI-54dD6vp8p_Qf0O90EXhNmtoP4KGHokVyybIZ4Ww7iltVhhyxHeA/s320/2015-05-29+19.31.24.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We came, we saw, we conquered...and it was SO GOOD.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgHRLXpWYzSM8Qytu-qqAjTohsDsyHDOFb0ntaMblqFrg1Y0yf8r252xyMl-U0jh_ntpwmtkChfcVARd0kgc-_6B6teUVh1IDcVIJhDcEgf4rvA-wcGFAAIA1ZsywgEklqyKsvhxzRJI/s1600/2015-05-29+19.58.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgHRLXpWYzSM8Qytu-qqAjTohsDsyHDOFb0ntaMblqFrg1Y0yf8r252xyMl-U0jh_ntpwmtkChfcVARd0kgc-_6B6teUVh1IDcVIJhDcEgf4rvA-wcGFAAIA1ZsywgEklqyKsvhxzRJI/s320/2015-05-29+19.58.42.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not quite British food, but THAT MILKSHAKE. No regrets.</td></tr>
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We did some shopping at the mall briefly, and Steph and I ended the day watching the Pemberley scenes from Pride and Prejudice to bring it full circle. We took a picture of our picture in "the spot" and held it up to the movie, and we were so right. We're such dorks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">LOTS of roundabouts today. We came up with a theme for it, since they are nuts here. We said “You go and then we’ll go and then we’ll all go together!” It worked for roundabouts, exits, traffic in general….life…. It’s a good motto!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">We barely made 8 miles today, which is light compared to the rest of our trip so far! Nice to keep it easy… Blegh. My feet hurt! But my heart is happy, so I’ll take it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Tomorrow we head up to Scotland. Gretna Green is first, lots of fun history there that I’ll talk about tomorrow, then up to Edinburgh! WOOHOO!</span>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-44401327350458624882015-06-07T10:22:00.000-04:002015-06-07T10:27:10.799-04:00If the sheep decide to form an uprising, we're in trouble<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Thursday, May 28th</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">County Wicklow, Ireland</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Today was nuts! We had a traditional Irish breakfast buffet for breakfast here at the hotel… And it was MASSIVE. SO MUCH FOOD. We died, it was so awesome. And the hot chocolate was the best I have ever had in my entire life. We are here at the Ashling for one more night, so we are jazzed to have that again. We’ll see what else I can get tomorrow, I’m pretty sure I had almost everything today…</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnZGE7GYZ5y64_hAxBQ3zKGQSV68xubbYQtmaMWwZR7OqVX_FLc1VEMa5XOpV2GyKWblvgeKF-iIwoE7O35lU-M73qkpVJ8Dd760qNqSnHXkAtXBCO42rK5PRVzFca1I3pJ8W0P4yrQI/s1600/2015-05-29+06.49.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnZGE7GYZ5y64_hAxBQ3zKGQSV68xubbYQtmaMWwZR7OqVX_FLc1VEMa5XOpV2GyKWblvgeKF-iIwoE7O35lU-M73qkpVJ8Dd760qNqSnHXkAtXBCO42rK5PRVzFca1I3pJ8W0P4yrQI/s320/2015-05-29+06.49.01.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most amazing hot chocolate to ever pass these lips. Hunting for it to keep on hand.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Then we got picked up by a bus to take us down to O’Connell street for our bus tour. We got on the bus for County Wicklow and the Wicklow Gap tour and that started a whole lot of fun. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzFfEvdOSQO7SRXMhGVkQtym2Zfk30M9eEwLbgR-pTDLih21WmcgVzefuTolgeRgtkTxYiZbujZk_kAJ8R-Ko72lQQ2Np9ILBY2D7eqQEO4p8AqtZFGsPd45WQnL2-a2RNoh99DSJyVw/s1600/2015-05-28+10.01.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzFfEvdOSQO7SRXMhGVkQtym2Zfk30M9eEwLbgR-pTDLih21WmcgVzefuTolgeRgtkTxYiZbujZk_kAJ8R-Ko72lQQ2Np9ILBY2D7eqQEO4p8AqtZFGsPd45WQnL2-a2RNoh99DSJyVw/s320/2015-05-28+10.01.42.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for a crazy day of fun in the country!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Apparently county Wicklow is considered the Garden of Ireland, so it was bound to be stunning! Our tour guide was Trevor and the driver was Eagars, and it was a riot. I took lots of notes and Trevor quotes today so here we go.</span><br />
<br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;" />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">The Spire of Dublin or the Monument of Light, which was put up for the millennium….two years late. “It’s the tallest sculpture in the world. 5 million Euros, 200 entries, and they chose that.... A spike. We call it the spire in the mire, the stiletto in the ghetto, the rod to God, the pole in the hole. It is apparently a 21st century interpretation of a Celtic standing stone, he was certainly stoned on something when he thought of that.”</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPrU2txeDTadpaYFAP-59EvMxp45fu5qrtWQq0WsnpGS7UxW1OUgE9C0h3N3MucG7hIHw_kE_YeBrJjtErfFOJb-SXcj4uXq6SZkVUY6d1F_yz8pMrBp8C7Xz6zS4Wzkyh8IxxFbopVU/s1600/2015-06-03+16.35.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPrU2txeDTadpaYFAP-59EvMxp45fu5qrtWQq0WsnpGS7UxW1OUgE9C0h3N3MucG7hIHw_kE_YeBrJjtErfFOJb-SXcj4uXq6SZkVUY6d1F_yz8pMrBp8C7Xz6zS4Wzkyh8IxxFbopVU/s320/2015-06-03+16.35.14.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long shot of the spire</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwM_sAADJENBfOGgpPD1fni8bWEIiUMeLz61QPOUDGriP5w-x0qykvwu0dbBzfaDIRPhOyyJ1oFP2V1GYie-b8jFx7OFgW5bIQdt5ek9xGL03az72ivcLF1KSRjJ7zVay1hRiK8ljfTI/s1600/2015-06-03+16.37.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwM_sAADJENBfOGgpPD1fni8bWEIiUMeLz61QPOUDGriP5w-x0qykvwu0dbBzfaDIRPhOyyJ1oFP2V1GYie-b8jFx7OFgW5bIQdt5ek9xGL03az72ivcLF1KSRjJ7zVay1hRiK8ljfTI/s320/2015-06-03+16.37.56.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little bit closer. Not much better, right?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">We passed a statue on O’Connell street of Daniel O’Connell, who is an</span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"> Irish national hero, aka the Liberator,</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"> and there were 4 angels on it, representing four virtues he possessed: fidelity, patriotism, courage, eloquence. One has a bullet hole in her left breast from the Uprising in 1916. "If she were alive today, she'd be dead...” </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAGMK8JQBB1Z-uSyoMRfF1jK_iWnXr9XAet0ZpiISasbVIBGDfVagGhJqWcBySFvFS7HdVSR8mg7eWZFjGSMgVzYsNibjcWEIVG8S4jptOPt4a8P067j7XFdXYXnqdCbs8scyngfR168/s1600/2015-06-03+16.39.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAGMK8JQBB1Z-uSyoMRfF1jK_iWnXr9XAet0ZpiISasbVIBGDfVagGhJqWcBySFvFS7HdVSR8mg7eWZFjGSMgVzYsNibjcWEIVG8S4jptOPt4a8P067j7XFdXYXnqdCbs8scyngfR168/s320/2015-06-03+16.39.10.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel and the angels. Can't see the bullet hole from here, but it's there.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">In speaking about the war between King William of Orange and King James II, he said: "A Dutchman defeated a Scotsman for the British throne in Ireland. If you are confused by that, so were we.”</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvsKJLZz87_JrTdr2SIwuDg-8SdhOmxsAp3OZe4dyOoeHslb1bPDAtXvM2q67QbatGFYZNKqNuWIz0i5Vt6EvO-8ip7V1YGy-cjpIBMEBjj5UloWylbLP5E1q5gyNiNznX57TIbqzwiI/s1600/2015-05-28+10.28.45-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvsKJLZz87_JrTdr2SIwuDg-8SdhOmxsAp3OZe4dyOoeHslb1bPDAtXvM2q67QbatGFYZNKqNuWIz0i5Vt6EvO-8ip7V1YGy-cjpIBMEBjj5UloWylbLP5E1q5gyNiNznX57TIbqzwiI/s320/2015-05-28+10.28.45-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The garden of Ireland is right! So many pictures from the bus windows.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Interesting details of the Irish flag, also called the “Tri-Color": green is for nationalists, traditionalism and Catholic heritage, orange is for unionists, Protestantism and supporters of William of Orange, white is for peace, in the hopes that they would eventually become one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">"We have an international crew today, your tourguide is from Ireland, your driver is from Latvia, and the bus is from Germany, so welcome to the European Union."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">"Eagars is a very capable driver, he only had 3 pints of Guinness for breaky."</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vu27omcCkV2zb4ovXYLKbLyHZofEgawBJSgrepQXywYa1QT_7kLpn8P7fMVrUsb4TGl8NN8_eT8xaxyWWg8k6JHrCg0GluB2FWdISHxAjQvQLvBNwfQeus67p_0mVc2-eXpHwi8XN24/s1600/2015-05-28+11.57.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vu27omcCkV2zb4ovXYLKbLyHZofEgawBJSgrepQXywYa1QT_7kLpn8P7fMVrUsb4TGl8NN8_eT8xaxyWWg8k6JHrCg0GluB2FWdISHxAjQvQLvBNwfQeus67p_0mVc2-eXpHwi8XN24/s320/2015-05-28+11.57.42.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eagars NEEDED to be a good driver for these roads!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Wellington hated that he was Irish. He was once asked how proud he was to be Irish. "Just because one is born in a stable doesn't make it a horse." Daniel O'Connell shouted across the Parliament floor "It might not make you a horse, sir, but it certainly makes you an ass.” Touché, Mr. O'Connell.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Our first stop was to this gorgeous little place called Glencree. It was established by Wellington as a reformatory school in 1801. It was used during the Irish famine in 1850's as a reformatory school for children, used during trouble in Belfast in 1910's for children from the north and the south to promote peace and unity, used during the 2nd world war for children. Still used today to promote peace. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlytrk57jOymSAWB5_AvbiZRXspca5LjIGTbCZ7xWbhYURUmY3wV19ha85BK38gw-FobaUQaLvTGVv22zTRqW3qvFLlPxXCTKVR4brhr6zRj_yt5bVGWFQhJR1oTwdK_NgCoe3DTgrk5k/s1600/2015-05-28+11.10.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlytrk57jOymSAWB5_AvbiZRXspca5LjIGTbCZ7xWbhYURUmY3wV19ha85BK38gw-FobaUQaLvTGVv22zTRqW3qvFLlPxXCTKVR4brhr6zRj_yt5bVGWFQhJR1oTwdK_NgCoe3DTgrk5k/s320/2015-05-28+11.10.07.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gates of Glencree</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWOyt1aEoCEyR_IFv3MR0cf0ovnCyMQffri0LAXujhYT1XYlbS-4MWHQePbwtXADk_-xApkDxXlzsltQp7HOLUOrnscwj4CNRxvib3Eqqen6yGuxwRE31-HnPgEDSZeamjj5kBHm_K00k/s1600/2015-05-28+10.42.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWOyt1aEoCEyR_IFv3MR0cf0ovnCyMQffri0LAXujhYT1XYlbS-4MWHQePbwtXADk_-xApkDxXlzsltQp7HOLUOrnscwj4CNRxvib3Eqqen6yGuxwRE31-HnPgEDSZeamjj5kBHm_K00k/s320/2015-05-28+10.42.08.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Kevin's church at Glencree, just inside the gates</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmoWfIT-ND8lpTtePONGNOOTfxfTkG-lnoo1QL_lGT-kMGVgnXFxALwjmiLHtFRE8y-avA40IlCefKJ9p2KWp2OZ04rmQ6UON6d5vCMe4ghVddarpjlqy_r20eMgs52JD0bYi_kekDug/s1600/2015-05-28+10.43.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmoWfIT-ND8lpTtePONGNOOTfxfTkG-lnoo1QL_lGT-kMGVgnXFxALwjmiLHtFRE8y-avA40IlCefKJ9p2KWp2OZ04rmQ6UON6d5vCMe4ghVddarpjlqy_r20eMgs52JD0bYi_kekDug/s320/2015-05-28+10.43.33.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The barracks! They aren't used now, but they leave the building up.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Also at Glencree was a German war burial site for the German pilots who crashed over Ireland during the second world war, who were buried in Ireland where they died, and most were not identified. They have now been reintured all together here and a memorial is there. That was really cool.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPvWGEGTomQOeIX_ZNsm5tt6Mf5ZVSEPGf0qOE2pnw3fWx1-QbmYlZLXEVilVOCzxvscThMuPG9lETGpwiaRUH4UaXW_32uxPF9uI8M6Bu13TaYNXJAeMRcnyaNkugOD7DKRiKpsuk30/s1600/2015-05-28+11.00.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPvWGEGTomQOeIX_ZNsm5tt6Mf5ZVSEPGf0qOE2pnw3fWx1-QbmYlZLXEVilVOCzxvscThMuPG9lETGpwiaRUH4UaXW_32uxPF9uI8M6Bu13TaYNXJAeMRcnyaNkugOD7DKRiKpsuk30/s320/2015-05-28+11.00.29.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deutsch in Ireland? Go figure.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOB_AE_OyeDSrPR9EMlW3Gjyp26dKU4XXWrhAqihN_9-T7q_-5YhfulPZCLdRYvNuBZCP7RbltAk0fvqbHNiaRXdQiMtGigK_uoWzdMmD59icHd_Ca_BDxNou_aFEbbb9eYP_QEUXZdQ/s1600/2015-05-28+11.01.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOB_AE_OyeDSrPR9EMlW3Gjyp26dKU4XXWrhAqihN_9-T7q_-5YhfulPZCLdRYvNuBZCP7RbltAk0fvqbHNiaRXdQiMtGigK_uoWzdMmD59icHd_Ca_BDxNou_aFEbbb9eYP_QEUXZdQ/s320/2015-05-28+11.01.07.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loved seeing this in German. So touching.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wu0MLcm4-X1AvKIwRFbZlvC1Z0Xp9pOKdQv9k-O0ERMKx8rnZZEIfeFvOGHc9zOo715w5Yr0Vc0yop-vvgvxCb7d2IeqmM6NKzhXxEevBMY0nGtaIWH5ZdIbdaRfDpEnR2Witckv2oc/s1600/2015-05-28+11.06.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wu0MLcm4-X1AvKIwRFbZlvC1Z0Xp9pOKdQv9k-O0ERMKx8rnZZEIfeFvOGHc9zOo715w5Yr0Vc0yop-vvgvxCb7d2IeqmM6NKzhXxEevBMY0nGtaIWH5ZdIbdaRfDpEnR2Witckv2oc/s320/2015-05-28+11.06.28.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the English version. They had it in Irish on the 3rd side.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9WCbbGiQCSld90zqSuJ-EOiL61wY7aB05AehUc5qeGfSIkWRGujEKxHcq5me3FVGwvowfUCADU_396FEELLH8T2pOgskdF4XCpaKf51xEAPUF6uHxd2VYd0FgYpWeu5xz3b01DdkDFs/s1600/2015-05-28+11.01.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9WCbbGiQCSld90zqSuJ-EOiL61wY7aB05AehUc5qeGfSIkWRGujEKxHcq5me3FVGwvowfUCADU_396FEELLH8T2pOgskdF4XCpaKf51xEAPUF6uHxd2VYd0FgYpWeu5xz3b01DdkDFs/s320/2015-05-28+11.01.21.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The quiet little German cemetery with almost no names.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeIgZUsRpoa0kn31W_CR1Lqva8hQedlZk0U7A_grvuesUOBABFgZrCW2s8vVHMsEGM9yrHYpT2kYacVfxCyuIfKmjDIUVJTIHjy5rgiWsIN3-8USvtm5gpb6FQFMoG5yAEsHeYv5KDGk/s1600/2015-05-28+11.02.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeIgZUsRpoa0kn31W_CR1Lqva8hQedlZk0U7A_grvuesUOBABFgZrCW2s8vVHMsEGM9yrHYpT2kYacVfxCyuIfKmjDIUVJTIHjy5rgiWsIN3-8USvtm5gpb6FQFMoG5yAEsHeYv5KDGk/s320/2015-05-28+11.02.30.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of the stones just had this written on them, as identities have been lost.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28PslK6ZOYHdlO_4yLezBuGQfacqalgMDvyAVU3uhMvm1-F0DMil42x-08AzUzlGz2M9WB0j9uqVcBaQc7YxcIPBA9GdPWurW_V5BLErDGpKIbdi_aoCslIXf1FsGsMpWsKpSyh3zHXY/s1600/2015-05-28+11.07.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28PslK6ZOYHdlO_4yLezBuGQfacqalgMDvyAVU3uhMvm1-F0DMil42x-08AzUzlGz2M9WB0j9uqVcBaQc7YxcIPBA9GdPWurW_V5BLErDGpKIbdi_aoCslIXf1FsGsMpWsKpSyh3zHXY/s320/2015-05-28+11.07.18.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Truly a special place.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">We drove to the bridge from PS I Love You, and took pictures there. So gorgeous! One of the most beautiful places I have ever been.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkU834ChombQ7GaCZnLWH4hF5O30Yiw48Uv-JrXKIN95QizD8LscekmdGyeVe9EkZN9mSSJr3ITFYlH4CEJT1SZxpDNiSO-qRkIJK5CK_kC1_qcAl0HL-BADI0ojz79rA20Pb1kiYEq0/s1600/2015-05-28+11.38.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkU834ChombQ7GaCZnLWH4hF5O30Yiw48Uv-JrXKIN95QizD8LscekmdGyeVe9EkZN9mSSJr3ITFYlH4CEJT1SZxpDNiSO-qRkIJK5CK_kC1_qcAl0HL-BADI0ojz79rA20Pb1kiYEq0/s320/2015-05-28+11.38.05.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No heather on the hills, but Trevor said he's never seen heather look like it did in the movie in 15 years as a tour guide. Movie magic LIES.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWX7qEYG58cTbadArMoo8-dRtKP_x8-1LxSnse_hxHGWkRn8HdaVG78E-SJuVtZZCE5FkvE2nbUog1WrtKoPskbS3zlKKukQAJu4c16dU5QaLK5nIikK4YyVMhSvDIxb_uyBMEV0gYY4/s1600/2015-05-28+11.39.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWX7qEYG58cTbadArMoo8-dRtKP_x8-1LxSnse_hxHGWkRn8HdaVG78E-SJuVtZZCE5FkvE2nbUog1WrtKoPskbS3zlKKukQAJu4c16dU5QaLK5nIikK4YyVMhSvDIxb_uyBMEV0gYY4/s320/2015-05-28+11.39.35.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for Gerrard Butler, and he's late...</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Fun fact: 6 million people live in Ireland. There are 8 million sheep. As Trevor says, "If the sheep decide to form an uprising, we are in trouble."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Wicklow was used for the movie Braveheart. "Those weren't Scotsman, they were members of the Irish national reserves running amok wearing kilts.” <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOkm1m3BjrFMXpA2_8NNBg8tgn4Hx45xGfE8NSNPc-bBg3bGGNa5FbcLKX4Kr_6qbHf2U-o1cO4QPg4556p7PludnVMuYgayyaLXwT8V0I4VJVLa_jddleXrd8z0rN4QNb-bCH2fNYsg/s1600/2015-05-28+11.37.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOkm1m3BjrFMXpA2_8NNBg8tgn4Hx45xGfE8NSNPc-bBg3bGGNa5FbcLKX4Kr_6qbHf2U-o1cO4QPg4556p7PludnVMuYgayyaLXwT8V0I4VJVLa_jddleXrd8z0rN4QNb-bCH2fNYsg/s320/2015-05-28+11.37.23.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See why people film in this area? My goodness...</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">When Trevor was talking about the movie Far and Away, which was also filmed in Wicklow: "Tom Cruise sounded like a demented leprechaun.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Our next step was to Guinness Lake. That was gorgeous and up high and the views were amazing. They do the filming for the show Vikings and the set was there, so that was cool.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAq6hH1pr_5YUBoxdTvpx_hAUkwLPIkmWnAW_B82Fc3hBU7o1DffZbKnAKHXyN9pl66aJUA2W4wXe74qjtERH_sWHs51ghYSIFREbU1i9Y6Pv7CTO0KUUDSRSsbfBuO90ujmrDLMQi6CI/s1600/2015-05-28+11.53.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAq6hH1pr_5YUBoxdTvpx_hAUkwLPIkmWnAW_B82Fc3hBU7o1DffZbKnAKHXyN9pl66aJUA2W4wXe74qjtERH_sWHs51ghYSIFREbU1i9Y6Pv7CTO0KUUDSRSsbfBuO90ujmrDLMQi6CI/s320/2015-05-28+11.53.16.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guinness Lake! If you look closely, you can see the Viking village down on the sand!</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">We saw the little village of Annamoe where Daniel Day-Lewis lives. We saw the driveway up to his house, which we did not see, which was sad. Steph and I have plans to come back and find him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Then we went to my favorite Irish place: Glendalough. It means the glen of two lakes. It’s a Monastic city founded by St. Kevin, and anyone can claim sanctuary for 90 days. We were tempted. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbKjKGBiaPDYZVSNMc9M7xXdHAJxQL_YOwoeEmDa6dcpwVOzbOOLxP_v7fc-DnHoP4rbU8G8wpB1ruK88r0rIk4UUJuM-yTv90v9ON6j7cGCJSfmgD86oCEWgssPMVgs3SWrCorezjEw/s1600/2015-05-28+12.54.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbKjKGBiaPDYZVSNMc9M7xXdHAJxQL_YOwoeEmDa6dcpwVOzbOOLxP_v7fc-DnHoP4rbU8G8wpB1ruK88r0rIk4UUJuM-yTv90v9ON6j7cGCJSfmgD86oCEWgssPMVgs3SWrCorezjEw/s320/2015-05-28+12.54.38.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The inestimable Trevor by the Celtic cross at Glendalough!</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">The day was so pretty, and then suddenly we saw rain coming in when we were walking to Lower Lake, and it was coming in fast. “What do we do?” “Nothing, there’s no time!” So we all threw our hoods up and stood there, waiting. It was hysterical, we just got hit with this wall of water that we saw coming in. Then in 5 minutes, it was over and the sun came back out. So classic. I walked barefoot in the waters of the Upper Lake, so I felt super Irish.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_7SOvYm8PKIU5lm-PTW9gZqoL3DOtZrAoVa8196hyphenhyphenwiHws1Be3Z5nfVfcevM1kE-wEeORpES9vKjy_oY0F_nvlfWa4Nzd7nYU6l7kqbmySbNBMKx_Z2-Dy7We8EwxOCKTO0cxHJpaX4/s1600/2015-05-28+13.17.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_7SOvYm8PKIU5lm-PTW9gZqoL3DOtZrAoVa8196hyphenhyphenwiHws1Be3Z5nfVfcevM1kE-wEeORpES9vKjy_oY0F_nvlfWa4Nzd7nYU6l7kqbmySbNBMKx_Z2-Dy7We8EwxOCKTO0cxHJpaX4/s320/2015-05-28+13.17.01.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upper Lake! Have you ever seen such colors?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4NutkXStUZJqPrLl8wHphY5Y0yVR5vB9AvN7V3RcjFxMy3Es5Gj-egOtAX-N9xUNFf4Ri9oY_A3f9jQ21UM84sYlLQJClsRQ5hWIqQ2etQ1tN1BtCHqpHcj_DqKq12EolBF5bDxvoP4/s1600/2015-05-28+13.18.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4NutkXStUZJqPrLl8wHphY5Y0yVR5vB9AvN7V3RcjFxMy3Es5Gj-egOtAX-N9xUNFf4Ri9oY_A3f9jQ21UM84sYlLQJClsRQ5hWIqQ2etQ1tN1BtCHqpHcj_DqKq12EolBF5bDxvoP4/s320/2015-05-28+13.18.18.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upper Lake was so gorgeous.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZuR7VEh4Ub1vRF4NtKdnGduGXe8NNeomx5GspcrCwNl7ra4PD1tdfUClTN9q_eH2WD6aE5AhRrf9lKCZ6zDKFtjqE5SCvH7b0V-TC7GK7FFMZfREX9vrEvYQ6hRqHMElM-CydrHDdRE/s1600/2015-05-28+13.18.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZuR7VEh4Ub1vRF4NtKdnGduGXe8NNeomx5GspcrCwNl7ra4PD1tdfUClTN9q_eH2WD6aE5AhRrf9lKCZ6zDKFtjqE5SCvH7b0V-TC7GK7FFMZfREX9vrEvYQ6hRqHMElM-CydrHDdRE/s320/2015-05-28+13.18.22.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took my shoes off right after this...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VfrHV4KEn0YMnpyG_eNgpB2s-JjrEMpY4y1ETAwtYk3RukuGVPMB_1_zYSlRMhxF3WIdQlikDE95lYhk-oYkJ-UkWo0advR9yq8ATShUTf5_3bk_u8Ri-Cv8joIOQwxbKJHpHkhC2-M/s1600/2015-05-28+13.20.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VfrHV4KEn0YMnpyG_eNgpB2s-JjrEMpY4y1ETAwtYk3RukuGVPMB_1_zYSlRMhxF3WIdQlikDE95lYhk-oYkJ-UkWo0advR9yq8ATShUTf5_3bk_u8Ri-Cv8joIOQwxbKJHpHkhC2-M/s320/2015-05-28+13.20.11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I match the countryside! It's a sign, I should stay.</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">There is an old tradition at Glendalough that hopping around the tall Round Tower on 1 foot ante-clockwise 7 times means you get married within 90 days. Steph and I didn’t want to take any chances, but 90 days was fast, so we didn’t do the whole 7. Still, we’ll see.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8kEn_4Bc8fnQ1RlCkLmc4vkqZENriVQu8Y1eWrr7BQav7_gwi0MRLTGZ2TKVMYtuqUDe8Map-COilAOq0y7mZvvrcRn-IDohyphenhyphen_fHvqD_Boum3jXrW0lZUP5RM6AuFMnHV8D-zn_yOo0/s1600/2015-05-28+12.40.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8kEn_4Bc8fnQ1RlCkLmc4vkqZENriVQu8Y1eWrr7BQav7_gwi0MRLTGZ2TKVMYtuqUDe8Map-COilAOq0y7mZvvrcRn-IDohyphenhyphen_fHvqD_Boum3jXrW0lZUP5RM6AuFMnHV8D-zn_yOo0/s320/2015-05-28+12.40.13.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Round Tower! Hopping took place after some people left. Didn't want to be obvious.</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">After that, we got back on the bus. We were trapped on the bus forever after a horrible crash on the motorway, so took a detour to the restaurant, and it took ages, so Trevor started PS I Love You movie on the bus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">We FINALLY got to the pub. Johnnie Fox's is the highest pub in Ireland, established in 1798. The table we sat at had drawers filled with notes and drawings from other people all over the world who had eaten there. So we spent a bit of time coming up with what to say before the food arrived. I had traditional Irish lamb stew served with a puff pastry. It was AMAZING….<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIOthDsUX4ztyhUCW72ZQp2k2AwtqlWOgxn6IKN0Q8FRdKNAXDK4fBaMFG3mdtTbbYplpUeIEesoKz_oF2Nf_ZL1UXUts6eqXoPIYWA5wldwJrRfpdErN6Qadg__QRK-RkG94ZPfeySY/s1600/2015-05-28+15.59.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIOthDsUX4ztyhUCW72ZQp2k2AwtqlWOgxn6IKN0Q8FRdKNAXDK4fBaMFG3mdtTbbYplpUeIEesoKz_oF2Nf_ZL1UXUts6eqXoPIYWA5wldwJrRfpdErN6Qadg__QRK-RkG94ZPfeySY/s320/2015-05-28+15.59.11.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Johnny Fox's! Coolest pub ever. We had the whole back of the place reserved for our bus.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgso_j-Gr-Vsxyg8Bb8kd-i1MQT7IKugeXY8BHWZ-ZbYse9umPWTsVLsXunnkdZBNiBfFsDFYJxofzzOIBKuSHqpyRt9S-KcnRFu8BMikBgVpMU5KACeYwCQ2Vq-aLF9LEZQg_zleazWXE/s1600/2015-05-28+16.23.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgso_j-Gr-Vsxyg8Bb8kd-i1MQT7IKugeXY8BHWZ-ZbYse9umPWTsVLsXunnkdZBNiBfFsDFYJxofzzOIBKuSHqpyRt9S-KcnRFu8BMikBgVpMU5KACeYwCQ2Vq-aLF9LEZQg_zleazWXE/s320/2015-05-28+16.23.22.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The drawer of letters.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQmSZ3z7BPYdzK8WykzDYLvU2NmfsI8QWG-Pi7w_HCW16pTWjy9sQjUYTwiJg61UodPpWzB1Meczok-VYUHhDKjiUY9JVJ06se3Lue5uKNF1WSy4eAQJ3uVZE5UuHkgP5ejfDO1mcX_Q/s1600/2015-05-28+16.27.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQmSZ3z7BPYdzK8WykzDYLvU2NmfsI8QWG-Pi7w_HCW16pTWjy9sQjUYTwiJg61UodPpWzB1Meczok-VYUHhDKjiUY9JVJ06se3Lue5uKNF1WSy4eAQJ3uVZE5UuHkgP5ejfDO1mcX_Q/s320/2015-05-28+16.27.14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummmmmmm........</td></tr>
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</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Then we headed back to Dublin. Thursday nights in Dublin are dubbed "late night shopping" nights because all of the stores are open until 9:00. Then we took the public transit system, called the Luas, back to our hotel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">One last Trevor line for the day: "800 pubs in Dublin. 650 churches. We have our priorities straight.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">It was a fantastic day. I have lots of pictures to show when I get back! Tomorrow we take the ferry to Wales, go to Lyme Park [PEMBERLEY!!!], and then up to Manchester. Fun and busy again!</span>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-32771696863995077062015-06-06T12:58:00.000-04:002015-06-06T13:04:27.743-04:00"How do you say 'hello' in Ireland?"<span style="font-family: inherit;">Tuesday, May 26- Wednesday, May 27.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Chicago to Dublin, Ireland</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />We got to the airport around 2:00, and had to use a kiosk for international check-in. Scanning the passports was a little weird, but we managed, and my bag was 34 pounds, which I was proud of. We got TSA Pre-check, which was AWESOME. Didn’t have to remove shoes or jacket or laptops. That was the best. Then we just hung around and waited.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieipY6KAIzhON7b7JQozCcRZPhqe2hrXwLOkPlWWrBO5m8Mg-qRPNiwqx464a5zXyj0aY2BG1ZuJdMw9U7QDqro-dA4mU1gszQmCKDDknpPVF8ykp3FIzXtgGTPzNl996_tkHW3ivJOOA/s1600/2015-05-26+chicago+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieipY6KAIzhON7b7JQozCcRZPhqe2hrXwLOkPlWWrBO5m8Mg-qRPNiwqx464a5zXyj0aY2BG1ZuJdMw9U7QDqro-dA4mU1gszQmCKDDknpPVF8ykp3FIzXtgGTPzNl996_tkHW3ivJOOA/s320/2015-05-26+chicago+2.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chilling at the airport and tormenting innocent travelers...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There were some girls at our gate that had to be either fresh out of high school or young college kids, and one said to the other “How do you say “hello” in Ireland?” “I don’t know, that wasn’t in the book!” We just shook our heads. Some people… We MAY have told them you need to say "Top of the morning' to ya" when in Ireland and they MAY have been really excited and believed us.... But I'm not admitting anything!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The plane was roomy and we had two seats together on a window and aisle on one side and Steph’s parents were in front of us. We watched a storm roll in while we waited in a HUGE line of planes. We were number 10, and there were more lining up... Cool pictures though.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqu4YwhByGvmWT17SRtjRhr5ClsBjHGl3Sjuot3v6VGmnC7NxN4pHcAYdUcRc_wVNXZxly26lehKbBc90RPEOfD1CrE64yRZfjhgGXjwzDyxk0TvrPMY5zV26EaJ5Af6dx1P7rJ4SXILM/s1600/2015-05-26+chicago+the+runway+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqu4YwhByGvmWT17SRtjRhr5ClsBjHGl3Sjuot3v6VGmnC7NxN4pHcAYdUcRc_wVNXZxly26lehKbBc90RPEOfD1CrE64yRZfjhgGXjwzDyxk0TvrPMY5zV26EaJ5Af6dx1P7rJ4SXILM/s320/2015-05-26+chicago+the+runway+2.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Storm rolling in over the plans in Chicago</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There were a handful of drunk UK people around that made things loud until we took off, but they fell asleep right away. We got dinner shortly after we got in the air and I had this chicken and rice dish that was actually really good. Couldn’t sleep at all, so we watched movies and played games on the ipad, and the flight actually felt really fast. We also got breakfast, yogurt and granola and a muffin, and that was a nice surprise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Funny story: one of the flight attendants had a really cute apron with shamrocks all over it and I told her that I loved it. She said she made it and had made some for the entire crew since they would be traveling together for a bit on this assignment. I told her again that I just loved it and she did a great job. She asked me where I lived and I said Cincinnati, and she said she was from just north of Dayton. Then she said “Give me your email and I’ll give you mine, and I will make you one.” So we did that exchange and this morning she told me she could get it to me by mid June. How crazy is that? So nice of her!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">All in all, I got maybe five minutes of pretend sleep on the plane, but that’s okay. I just stayed hydrated and made sure to eat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We jumped right in with getting our rental car…and it’s so weird to sit on the left side in the front and not drive! And the roads are SO NARROW and driving is NUTS. I am so glad that Steph is driving and not me. I would be so stressed.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLisspr1vIx3MBfheRhaq1GZdyHINa3gfsrLXm3e_y8yTD72SKzfOyVmklcHxt93payFZECwVRMT_dLQWK8cll6Bd06Ckj-Hn95_cGSsRV7tdnscEsF86qHkpdqLm1tizdJdUdJx2ImKU/s1600/2015-05-27+dublin+meeting+declan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLisspr1vIx3MBfheRhaq1GZdyHINa3gfsrLXm3e_y8yTD72SKzfOyVmklcHxt93payFZECwVRMT_dLQWK8cll6Bd06Ckj-Hn95_cGSsRV7tdnscEsF86qHkpdqLm1tizdJdUdJx2ImKU/s320/2015-05-27+dublin+meeting+declan.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Steph getting acquainted with our car...on the wrong side...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmgM8RFrgJEU17do7jP_oAoCrARva4UTsiKnJD3ON_fH1mAGRIonL6wMkU6ITdg9Fhl8AouJgmg_AZZXSm5WRQu1wu1gCs-HcN01lzCV5kKUAH7Tx_xQpaTcc0tTF7xXD8SUHS4hhBb4/s1600/2015-05-27+02.13.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmgM8RFrgJEU17do7jP_oAoCrARva4UTsiKnJD3ON_fH1mAGRIonL6wMkU6ITdg9Fhl8AouJgmg_AZZXSm5WRQu1wu1gCs-HcN01lzCV5kKUAH7Tx_xQpaTcc0tTF7xXD8SUHS4hhBb4/s320/2015-05-27+02.13.11.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is my "I'm navigating what now?" and "why am I on this side?" and "holy crap, we're going to die" and "so this is jet lag" face. Very complicated, I know.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
We’re staying at the Ashling Hotel, which is fancy and on the far end of Dublin, which isn’t great, but we deal with it. We knew we needed to keep moving or things would get ugly, so we immediately set off for a bus tour of Dublin, where you can get off of the bus at any of the stops and then get on a later one that comes there. They run every ten minutes at least, sometimes closer depending on traffic. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hop on hop off, they call it. This particular company, City Sightseeing Tours, has right red busses and crazy fun drivers. This is my ad spot for them... I'm done now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The first time we rode the entire route, all 23 stops, and our tour guide was hilarious. His name was Declan and he would randomly break into traditional Irish songs that related to what we were seeing, and then randomly some Elvis or Frank Sinatra. He told us so many stories and said so many jokes. One of the favorites was “People always say the Irish drink a lot, and we do.” Haha!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was so cool to see Dublin this way! We all got tired sitting there on the bus, and I was shoving my face with trail mix to keep me awake. We got fish and chips for lunch [SO GOOD] and shopped a little, then got back on the bus route to see a few things.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7EtTnZbEOYTCCx3Ie-FVLJZ986vrIwcRMK9WVlTgTGKP-0-WdzAiJmBTPvChfZX4PXJ-6XT8zzI412u3v21DIssgtNamXtyFerqN3gVfddWS59vHkQHJXyy2T_ROnxFdX1Wt_YfwwxYs/s1600/2015-05-27+14.12.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7EtTnZbEOYTCCx3Ie-FVLJZ986vrIwcRMK9WVlTgTGKP-0-WdzAiJmBTPvChfZX4PXJ-6XT8zzI412u3v21DIssgtNamXtyFerqN3gVfddWS59vHkQHJXyy2T_ROnxFdX1Wt_YfwwxYs/s320/2015-05-27+14.12.20.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Temple Bar -- An area with tons of shops and...bars... Go figure.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today was Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Guinness Storehouse [we didn’t take the tour there, it was 18 euros and the line was HUGE, but it would have been interesting to learn about the company since they have been an Irish staple forever], and the Jameson Distillery, which was a really cool older building, but again we didn’t take the tour. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPIiKFl4WT4WEV_gS56h7IxbW7LuZK7IZsSubX2s7BMbA_wFh0YBEbURKaIvi3FxIBheg-j-rltk8I4rcoewNOhhVw2fW0utp0VHtUrbfuVwKSk8p4HffndiSFSlZjVKMj9jMoC4DIj8/s1600/2015-05-27+14.19.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPIiKFl4WT4WEV_gS56h7IxbW7LuZK7IZsSubX2s7BMbA_wFh0YBEbURKaIvi3FxIBheg-j-rltk8I4rcoewNOhhVw2fW0utp0VHtUrbfuVwKSk8p4HffndiSFSlZjVKMj9jMoC4DIj8/s320/2015-05-27+14.19.29.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dublin Castle. The best secret castle ever. You'll miss it if you don't look for it.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iRSVMw9t1tdGS8eoxZ1Ehrd-T5MayMGs8Bnw8WZWzdVOiMk7ifKk7Wq5EYW465WuHzsfznuXGgiyj6tk2KmCvbOP6IT8iWph-huyt1kneYHqqPAqeV2w4qmcY6rO0l-sAHBpJII9kes/s1600/2015-05-27+14.40.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iRSVMw9t1tdGS8eoxZ1Ehrd-T5MayMGs8Bnw8WZWzdVOiMk7ifKk7Wq5EYW465WuHzsfznuXGgiyj6tk2KmCvbOP6IT8iWph-huyt1kneYHqqPAqeV2w4qmcY6rO0l-sAHBpJII9kes/s320/2015-05-27+14.40.35.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Christ Church Cathedral. So pretty! I love old churches so much!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Then we went to a steakhouse in an old Victorian building for dinner and OH MY GOSH, that was so good. Rib eye with garlic butter and potatoes... Mouth watering remembering it. I was so full but wanted to keep eating!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then we went for a long walk in Phoenix Park, which is this awesome preserve where there is a zoo and some huge houses belonging to the US ambassador and the president of Ireland… And there is also a really cool sculpture for Wellington there (did you know he was Irish??? I didn't!), so that was fun and we really needed the long walk.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7Bpyg29zn7d2vONHnmyXGauIo8E22lxMWrAsL_pmn41-72LtVxOg41gOSgUAIjdUvfyzHXRTLhKKVU54GjniQEeOaSonb3SSIrCIY4_Di162LdJLP89Ma3euOB0i-XyO3Kl5MLMLgB8/s1600/2015-05-27+19.08.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7Bpyg29zn7d2vONHnmyXGauIo8E22lxMWrAsL_pmn41-72LtVxOg41gOSgUAIjdUvfyzHXRTLhKKVU54GjniQEeOaSonb3SSIrCIY4_Di162LdJLP89Ma3euOB0i-XyO3Kl5MLMLgB8/s320/2015-05-27+19.08.20.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Memorial to Wellington in Phoenix Park. Really neat, lots of cool details on it.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then we stopped by a train station to get route information for tomorrow, since we need to use the train to get from downtown back to the hotel tomorrow. They have a system a bit like the tube in London, but above ground. Not nearly as elaborate, but cool.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ChwLkz25pYWBkkBSTMobTpULdg7008-U_VRsP3RTVW0OXJVmczXnAyiUM_ORkqh1da2vj8hEIHvdMlB0KDgNocKXOocs4tFctay_ZakAjk9N0VWrUSj31FTYBiZKCVX8oT0BY7-eLHc/s1600/2015-05-27+19.39.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ChwLkz25pYWBkkBSTMobTpULdg7008-U_VRsP3RTVW0OXJVmczXnAyiUM_ORkqh1da2vj8hEIHvdMlB0KDgNocKXOocs4tFctay_ZakAjk9N0VWrUSj31FTYBiZKCVX8oT0BY7-eLHc/s320/2015-05-27+19.39.43.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dublin by evening light next to Heuston Station! I look tired, but Dublin looks great!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Tomorrow we take an all-day bus tour of some of the countryside and it is going to be AMAZING. I’ve seen some of the sights before and they were favorites so it will be great to see them again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m already getting presents, and it’s fun to find things for people! The accents here are so fun and we’ve already had some fun interactions with locals. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring!</span>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-35197435620908273542015-06-05T22:27:00.002-04:002015-06-05T22:27:34.757-04:00Wanderlust<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvOKsDYaYEoEfw1LZM9XsmCDVyDjSP1lwg_ES9f5NO4aaYvjLZmO3wgqUNkrAqnWsLUISbPu3zgOHTs17wrrpRbohnR1f5MwsvnhQFqiCy1oWTT0EOnH4Dh3eVRRIC1T3tW4NAemoIsw/s1600/2015-06-03+08.10.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvOKsDYaYEoEfw1LZM9XsmCDVyDjSP1lwg_ES9f5NO4aaYvjLZmO3wgqUNkrAqnWsLUISbPu3zgOHTs17wrrpRbohnR1f5MwsvnhQFqiCy1oWTT0EOnH4Dh3eVRRIC1T3tW4NAemoIsw/s320/2015-06-03+08.10.24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wanderlust is an interesting word. Technically it means liking to travel and such, but for me it has always encapsulated
more than that. Wanderlust is a bigger thing, something that encapsulates your
heart and soul, something that lives with you all the time, grows restless with
monotony, and gives your heart wings with the thought of adventure. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve got wanderlust. I’ve got it badly. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s why I loved travelling with my teams. It’s why I’ve
been all over the place. It’s why I can’t sit still. It’s why I have so much
more I want to do and see and experience.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I went to the British Isles for over a week with some
friends recently (just got back, to be honest) and it was the most awesome, wonderful experience ever. That is home
for my heart and soul, and coming home is exquisitely painful, even though I
know I must.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My best friend and her parents were going over for fun and
to see some things they missed the last time they went over, and I was
fortunate enough to be invited. I had spent two months in England at the end of
my time at BYU seven years ago, and I’d never really come home afterwards.
You’re always homesick for England afterwards, ask anyone. Employment and grad
school and general lack of funds had prevented me from going back since, but
thanks to my good job now, I could afford the trip, and had the schedule to do
so. I jumped at the chance, and it was once in a lifetime.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve not come back yet, not really, and I’m not sure I ever
will. But now instead of just being homesick for England, I’m homesick for
Scotland. And Ireland. And even Wales, though my time there was incredibly
brief.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jet lag is still raging, my emotions aren’t recovered, and I
have no idea how reality is going to go once that comes into play, but that’s
how it goes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wanderlust makes it harder.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It keeps you there even longer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To relive it and enjoy it again, I’ll be posting on here the
emails and notes I made every day so everyone can have a taste of what I did
and the great experiences I had. Pictures, stories, quirky fun bits, everything
I can.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe you’ll all get wanderlust too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope so. It’s addicting and fun and makes you feel alive.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It becomes part of who you are. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And the world is brighter for it because there is so much
more of the world to see.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>The trip begins in Chicago on a Tuesday afternoon and it turns into a very long Wednesday in Dublin. Tomorrow you will see the first day in its massive entirety, and we will begin.</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It's some fantastic stuff.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sit back, relax, and get ready to be infested with wanderlust.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You'll love it.</div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-74301044714462674492015-03-26T11:57:00.002-04:002015-03-26T11:57:18.360-04:00In the Defense of PrincessesA friend and I decided to start a blog about princesses.... I know, why? Well, because we're tired of people criticizing them, and no one defending them. So now we are the defenders. Take a look!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://princessdefenders.blogspot.com/">http://princessdefenders.blogspot.com</a><br />
<br />
<br />Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-38131926437748423392015-01-15T00:38:00.000-05:002015-01-15T00:38:38.145-05:00It's been a while...It's been a REALLY long time, actually. But if you want to know what I'm up to at the moment, take a look at this:<br />
<a href="http://scentlessadventures.blogspot.com/2015/01/anniversary.html">http://scentlessadventures.blogspot.com/2015/01/anniversary.html</a><br />
<br />
It's been a bumpy road, and here's not much else to say. Hopefully I'll have some real updates soon.<br />
Til then, thanks for still being here.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-15651805266038172202014-03-11T15:01:00.003-04:002014-03-11T15:01:37.605-04:00Just a Thought<div class="MsoNormal">
So things are going well for me, all things considered. I’m
almost done with school [62 days!!!] which means I have to find a job [now
taking suggestions and applications….anywhere…] and get ready to move.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It sounds so grown up, getting a job and moving. I mean,
I’ve done it before, I’ve graduated twice already (three times if you count
massage school, four if you count pre-school) and I’ve moved a lot in my life.
But this one….this is the beginning of EVERYTHING. I knew when I had my job in
Lafayette that I was in a holding pattern, just trying to figure out what the
next step was, and I knew the same thing with every other place that I have
lived. But this is huge. This is a great big step out into the real grown-up
world. I could be in this next place for ten or twenty years. I could be there
for one year. Who knows? This is officially where planning ends.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m not sure I like that. I am a HUGE planner. Like one of
those people who planned out her high school courses as a freshman. For all 4
years. And I did the same with college. The unknown is not exciting for me,
it’s terrifying. I like knowing what I am getting into before I get there.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Well, life doesn’t work that way. So one of us has got to
change.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Turns out, that would be me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m getting there, I really am. I’m excited for the
adventures ahead. I’m terrified that I graduate in 62 days and I have no idea
where I am going or what I am doing. I’m thrilled to move to a new place and
learn what to love about it and meet new people. I’m REALLY excited to have
more time and money than I do now. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But in looking back, I have to admit that I have learned and
grown so much from my time here. I’ve been stretched and pulled and yanked and
beaten down in ways I never knew I could endure. But I’ve also grown in ways I
never thought possible. I’ve become a woman I never knew I could become. I have
met people that have changed my life, and I have had experiences that I will
treasure for the rest of my life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what does the future hold for me? I don’t know, and I can’t
plan for it. But Someone has a plan for me. He knows what is ahead and what
lies in store. So the question might not be as much “Am I ready for this?” but “Do
I actually trust the Ultimate Planner?” <o:p></o:p></div>
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The answer is, of course, YES. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So I really don’t need to be afraid anymore, do I?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Just a thought.<o:p></o:p></div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-48993314986485733282014-03-10T23:15:00.002-04:002014-03-10T23:15:38.595-04:00New blog!Hey guys. I'm starting a new blog all about my new adventures in the world of senses. Follow my stories and experiences at <a href="http://scentlessadventures.blogspot.com/">scentlessadventures.blogspot.com</a>.<br />
I'll still have this one going for all the rest of my craziness, so don't change the channel. Now there's just more to love and laugh at!Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-37812405113587881012014-02-08T10:08:00.001-05:002014-02-08T13:29:56.848-05:00Life lately and thoughtsSo I feel like I should let people know what's going on, but I hope you will take it in stride and not feel like I'm announcing my own problems to get attention. Like Elder Scott has said, "...everybody has problems and nobody wants to hear about yours." But I've learned a few things that I think are important to share and I wouldn't have learned them without going through this.<br />
Most of you, I think, know that I got a concussion almost a month ago. We're not sure what happened, nobody saw it and I have a lot of memory loss from that day. But I've had a concussion before, so not too big of a deal, this one was just worse than last time. After two weeks I still had some symptoms that didn't seem to be normal or resolving as fast as they should be, so I went to a doctor, who sent me to a neurologist, who ordered all sorts of tests. X-ray, CT, EEG, and MRI, the whole gambit. After some brief scares, we discovered that I still have some blood in my brain (common after a concussion) but it was in the area of my brain that is near the olfactory nerves, which control sense of smell, and that area also helps with emotions. One of my only remaining symptoms is the fact that I can't smell, [and therefore can't taste very well] so that made sense. Emotionally I seem to be fine, but jury may rule otherwise, I've always been too emotional for my own good (haha!). Anyways, the blood should reabsorb and resolve on it's own, but doctors say we can't really be sure what is going to be permanent at this point until that happens. I promise I'm fine, just experiencing life a bit differently these days.<br />
I've had some interesting insights because of this. I happen to have injuries that are completely internal and no one could tell I even have them. There's no sign I wear that says "I can't smell and my head still hurts" and I'm fully functioning at work and school. But I know I'm not 100% yet. No one else does. Which begs the question: what are others going through that I can't see? Not all problems and injuries are visible to the world, but that doesn't make them less real or damaging. I'm as guilty of rash judgments as any human, but it seems so heartless now that I've seen a brief glimpse of the other side of things. I've had moments where I just think "You have no idea what I am going through, what this feels like. You don't even know." And now I wonder how many other people have that thought on a daily basis, and how many times have I been the cause of that thought.<br />
I don't know how long I'll be like this, and that doesn't matter. What matters is what I've learned and continue to learn from it, and one of those things is that we all struggle in some way, some physically, some mentally, some emotionally, and some in ways that no one will know or see. So I'm determined to be more like our Savior, Jesus Christ, who suffered everything and had no bitterness, never complained, and loves everyone, weak and struggling and imperfect and tired though we all are. God loves us perfectly, He knows our struggles, and He would not put obstacles in our path without giving us a way through. Might be over, under, around, or just patiently pushing through. But there is always a way.<br />
To quote my mom, "This is Plan A. The Lord doesn't do Plan B. Only our plans get messed up, not His."Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-7231049831256465002013-10-09T08:21:00.002-04:002013-10-09T08:24:07.913-04:00The Truth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It is way past time for me to be completely honest about
something in my life that defines me, who I am, what I am, and why I am. It is
so precious to me that I sometimes do not speak about it as strongly as I
should, for fear that I will not do it justice. But I cannot be afraid anymore.
I refuse to be afraid anymore.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am a
member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have been from the
very beginning and while I did start off on this path because my family put me
on it, as I have grown and matured and developed I decided it was time to know
for myself. This was in high school, when so many are trying to figure out who
they are. I had never felt a desire to leave the church, or to question
anything I had been taught because it had all felt so right. But I knew I could
not testify of the truth if I did not know it for myself. I couldn’t rely on
the faith and testimony of others any longer. So I followed the example of the
prophet of the restoration, Joseph Smith. As a young boy, he wanted to know
which church he should join. But he did more than wonder. He took his questions
to the scriptures and searched for answers. He read in James 1:5 “If any of you
lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and
upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” This prompted the 14 year old boy
to go out into the woods behind his home and pray, trusting in the promise of
the Bible that he would receive an answer. He did receive it, as the Father and
the Son appeared to him and told him not to join any of them. What would follow
through this faithful young man was a work that changed the world, and
continues to change it to this day. Because of him, we have the Book of Mormon,
an ancient record of followers of Jesus Christ on the American Continent.
Joseph Smith translated the words of prophets in those ancient times, and we
now have their testimonies today. They testify of the divinity of the Savior,
of His life and His mission and the great mercy and miracle of His infinite
atonement. A scripture in the Book of Mormon, given by its final author, a
prophet named Moroni, says this: “And when ye shall receive these things, I
would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of
Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart,
with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto
you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may
know the truth of all things.” That was my signal that it was long past time
for me to show the same faith that Joseph Smith did, and ask God if what I had
learned, and what I had hoped to be true, really was true.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I did
not have an angel visit me. The Father and the Son certainly did not appear to
me as they did to Joseph Smith. Lightning did not strike, music did not play,
and there was no neon sign flashing the answer at me. But what I did receive is
a feeling of warmth and comfort, peace in my mind and in my heart, and I knew—I
KNEW!—that it was true. I did not need anyone to prove anything to me. I had
asked God, and He had seen fit to reveal it to me. It is true. And that
knowledge changed my life.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Because
I know it is true, I live my life differently. Instead of viewing my religion
as a responsibility or a sign to wear around my neck, it has become a part of
me. I don’t just do “Mormon things” because I am supposed to. I AM a Mormon.
There is a difference. Knowing what is expected of me is one thing; knowing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">why</i> it is expected and what I can become
because of those expectations is much better. I try to live my life as a disciple
of Jesus Christ. This means that I hold myself to a higher standard. Yes, my
church has high standards. Some might say we are old fashioned, and I’m proud
of that. In the world we live in today, who wants to be on the forefront of the
tide of liberality that takes away every moral guideline that was ever in place?
What will be gained if we give up our souls? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
high standards of my religion are in place for protection. My high standards
for myself are in place because I belong to the Savior and Redeemer of the
world, Jesus Christ. He has ransomed me through His atonement, and my
weaknesses and sins and mistakes, my hurts and my longings, my grief and my
loss, are swallowed up by that. He has paid the price for me, so that even with
my shocking amount of failings, I can be made clean and whole. I can live
forever with Him and our Father in Heaven after this life, if I am worthy. I
have devoted my life to Him, to His work, and to His children. Am I perfect? Of
course not. I am far, far from it. If I had to spend a minute on my knees in
prayer for every sin and weakness that I commit in a day, I would be kneeling
until the end of time. But He takes my efforts and puts them on His mighty
shoulders and carries me. He knows my heart. He knows that just because I mess
up does not mean I am a bad person or lost or weak – though I might argue with
Him on my weakness. He sees my heart. He knows that I am trying. And that means
something to Him.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I love
Him with all of my heart and all that I am. I will never be able to comprehend
His suffering, or His goodness, nor will I ever be able to express gratitude
enough for a fragment of what He has done for us. I am eternally indebted to Him,
and that is why I have given myself to Him.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We are
all children of a loving Father in Heaven, who laid out a plan for His children
so that we might learn and gain experience through mortality. He knew we would
mess up, which is why He sent our brother, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior. He
knows us better than we know ourselves. He has a plan set for each of us. Every
trial, every hardship, every good thing is in place in our life perfectly so
that we can become the people He wants us to be, the people He needs us to be,
so that His work can go forward. He wants nothing more than for us to return to
Him. He loves us beyond our comprehension, and He will never leave us to face
this world alone. Never!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifm6TzPq3VTorx3ADvl8lFtUSRGW2VwhD0Ipy4Dt-Ocjj9nN3ErPyf9KRt6nuYWdYlOAKg6tMq47YErl_ndYKvoED64CnvF597raUCEcr1W8W38-ELwLM2HEmZ8x96lSKx1udWNIzoRog/s1600/jesuschrist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifm6TzPq3VTorx3ADvl8lFtUSRGW2VwhD0Ipy4Dt-Ocjj9nN3ErPyf9KRt6nuYWdYlOAKg6tMq47YErl_ndYKvoED64CnvF597raUCEcr1W8W38-ELwLM2HEmZ8x96lSKx1udWNIzoRog/s320/jesuschrist.jpg" width="224" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There
are so many questions in this life. Confusion and turmoil run rampant and it is
only getting worse. But I can testify, with every fiber of my being, that we
are not alone. That the answers are here. That peace and understanding and
guidance are found here. Honestly and earnestly seeking for answers will result
in revelation of truth. In a time when we do not know where to turn, I know
where to turn for my solace and consolation. I know where to go for my answers
and problems. I am not a great person, I have no power or influence. But I know
that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. He is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my</i> Savior. He is the Master and Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
He is the Messiah, prophesied of for generations before. He is the source of
peace and goodness and life. I know that God, our loving and eternal Heavenly
Father lives and loves us. I know that He sent Jesus Christ to the earth to
save us, to help us back to His presence. I know that families can be bound
together for eternity, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not just until
death to you part</i>, but for eternity. Love and families are eternal, they
were <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">meant</i> to be eternal. Heavenly
Father wants us to be together forever. He has a plan for that. He has a plan
for everything. And His plan is perfect.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I know
that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church of
Jesus Christ upon the earth. I know that we have the fullness of His
everlasting gospel. I do not say this because I am the #1 fan of my church, although
I might be. I say this because I have studied scripture, I have searched for
truth, I have asked, and I have received. What I know I know. Anyone can know
with surety for themselves if they will follow the example of prophets and apostles
before: search for truth and pray for answers. If you ask with faith, if your
heart is in the right place, if you yearn to know so that you can do God’s
will, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">YOU WILL KNOW.</b> I know this is true
with all of my heart. I know we have a prophet on the earth today. His name is
Thomas S. Monson, and he has been called of God in this day to lead us and
guide us in the paths of the Lord. He is just as much of a prophet as those
found in the Bible. He is the purest example of Christlike love, because he
knows the Master. He strives daily to be more like Him, to see all as He sees
them. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I hope
one day to be able to say the same about myself. But for now, I am trying.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I know
this has been really preachy, and not at all like my usual humorous posts. But
this is important to me, and
I do not and will never take it lightly. There is much trouble in the world.
But there is also SO MUCH GOOD. There are so many good people who are trying to
be like Jesus, who want to do what is right, and who serve their fellow man
with grace and charity and love. There is hope in the world, and there is hope
in His gospel.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So come
into the fold. Bring the goodness that you have found in your life and see if
more can be found here with us. And together, we can build the kingdom of the
Lord. We can walk in the Savior’s footsteps together. We can help each other on
our journey through life. And when our mortality is through, we can rejoice
together in the kingdom of our Father, where peace and hope are eternal and
love never ends.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For more information, message me at </span><a href="mailto:bconn369@gmail.com"><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;">bconn369@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> or go to </span><a href="http://mormon.org/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mormon.org</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">God bless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-75979410028368835382013-06-06T11:26:00.001-04:002013-06-06T11:26:51.187-04:00Adventures of the ImaginationThe last few days have been quite the adventure for me, but not in the way you would think. I'm still living and working in Morgantown, I've not done anything especially exciting or adventurous, I don't have any more money now than I did last week [in fact I have less], and tomorrow will be pretty much the same as today. But not all adventures are things you can see or that are apparent to the outside world.<br />
In the world of a writer, most of your adventures happen inside your head.<br />
Don't get anxious, I'm not crazy. I just have a really overactive imagination. And when I get fixed on something, it takes over.<br />
I have no idea how other writers work in their craft. I'm fairly certain we're all different in our methods and madness. For me, it gets pretty intense and I have to watch out or I get carried away on extraneous stuff and lose the story itself. In this case, however, I just call it research.<br />
I have a story. It's completely different from anything else I have ever written, which is probably why I'm so fond/proud of it. All along I thought it was a 3 book series, of which I have completed the first, began and laid out the second, and plotted the third. I had a general idea of what people looked like and how they acted, but nothing specific. I had a general idea of what the outfits and locations looked like, but nothing specific. And I don't need specifics. Not really. That's what imagination is for, right?<br />
Anyway, I've had this all ready for over a year. The first book was finished in the middle of last fall and it just sat there. I had my two advanced readers look at it and they loved it. But then, they tend to love everything I've written. I got some advice and suggestions, which I took and adjusted, but being in grad school sucks time out of your life and so it just sat there. Eventually, I asked two others to read it, and got positive responses from it. But I still didn't have time or energy to let myself get back into it.<br />
Then school got out.<br />
And the fun began.<br />
I am one of those people who writes to music. I can listen to a song and put a scene to it. Within reason. So I usually line up a playlist of the sorts of music I think works with the material I'll be working on. If a particular song works exceptionally well [ie. is perfect for what I am writing at the moment or distracts me enough to put a new scene in my head], it goes on what I call the "official playlist", meaning it will be used later or when I put together my actual soundtrack when all is said and done. Yes, I do official soundtracks. It makes me happy.<br />
So I was working out the other day listening to my unofficial playlist and ideas just kept coming. And suddenly I realized that three books wouldn't be enough with all I wanted to do, so it became four books. And possibilities expanded. Battle scenes, emotional scenes, new characters, characters I'd forgotten, tragic deaths, spontaneous hilarity.... It was overwhelming.<br />
So I decided to step back and get some specifics. I generally try to have what I call my "dream cast", meaning if I were one of the lucky few who got to have her work immortalized on the big screen, who would play my characters. Obviously, it's not a perfect system, but it helps me to be able to picture how the features I've described my characters as having or possessing work on real people. And having real people to go off of makes planning out actions and emotions and nuances easier. For me, at least. So I set about finding my main guy. That came pretty easily. I know you don't know the story, but if you are nice, I'll give you a teaser later. Anyway, the main guy to know in this story is Nash. He is quiet, strong, loyal, and carries a dark past. He is also observant, kind, and just the slightest bit insecure about himself, but he knows in his heart that he is a soldier. So, for him, I chose Max Irons.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVgUpQzMW7DbEPt2PN5KPljbUMqvncRKL3bu_73JxHcZVySPsUCsgdV3hs1Fq4U0IsMtMrm8A6nRAZfgmiAZWVng9VOHTQV2LeoK_saf9_AyqarndYaSuFZqqTimNEiOMPY2y7gsqTB0/s1600/2013-06-05+20.47.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVgUpQzMW7DbEPt2PN5KPljbUMqvncRKL3bu_73JxHcZVySPsUCsgdV3hs1Fq4U0IsMtMrm8A6nRAZfgmiAZWVng9VOHTQV2LeoK_saf9_AyqarndYaSuFZqqTimNEiOMPY2y7gsqTB0/s320/2013-06-05+20.47.14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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He might be too pretty, but we'll see.</div>
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I knew who I wanted for a couple of additional characters, and I won't spoil it for you, but the hardest one by far was my main character, Liv. Liv is tough, hardened by life and circumstances. She will do anything to save her family and does not care about anything beyond that. Until her own past is brought up and she finds out she's a part of a much bigger world and plan than she could ever have imagined. The adventure in the book is hers, as are most of the drama and emotions. I had absolutely no idea who I wanted to play her. I couldn't think of a single actress that had everything I wanted or saw in Liv. That could have been just me being picky and protective of my character. I spent ages on IMDB looking at pictures and profiles and movies. I tried lots of actresses, but some looked too young, too old, too pretty, too girly, etc. No one was perfect. So I moved on to other characters and got just about the entire series cast.</div>
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Then I accidentally clicked on "birthdays" and scrolled along to see who had a birthday that day. An actress I had never heard of piqued my interest and I looked at her. She was blonde, which meant I had to think if she could work as a brunette. Then I found a picture of her as a brunette. And the search ended.</div>
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Meet Sophie Lowe, my inspiration for Liv:</div>
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I won't tell you how excited it made me. You wouldn't understand. But having faces to go with my names makes this real. I know I'll never make it to movies, and it's highly unlikely I'll even get published, but I'm a writer. I write. I don't do it to make money or to become famous. I do it because I love it and I have stories to tell. And now my characters are more real than before. And more adventures can take place.</div>
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-2080518728332085612013-04-23T07:44:00.000-04:002013-04-24T07:47:01.628-04:00This is hardAlrighty, it's about to get real up in here again. Sorry about that, but this is my blog and I can vent if I want to.<br />
Life is hard. I know life is hard for everybody and we all have our different challenges and trials, but right now my life is HARD. Hard enough that I don't want to get out of bed in the morning unless it's Sunday because that is the only day that feels safe. Hard enough that one day at a time is all I can do. Hard enough that I feel like I'm being pushed to the very edge of a cliff and have to figure out how to stay on when everyone and everything around me is shouting "JUMP!" I have never felt so stretched in my entire life.<br />
Now, to be fair, I am a ridiculously emotional and sensitive person. It is the end of my first year of grad school, and I'm exhausted in every single way a girl can be. Everyone tells me I'm in the homestretch, but it feels like the end of the obstacle course in American Gladiators where they put the hardest stuff all at the end and do their very best to break you. I always thought I had good life endurance, but this all makes me feel like a weakling.<br />
I know what part of the trouble is. I'm trying to live righteously. That's not a bad thing, not by a long shot, but it does invite the devil to be hard on you because he wants to break you. I read numerous talks yesterday where the thought was said that when things get really hard, take that as a sign of encouragement that you are on the right path. That made me feel good, but it didn't help me to figure out how to get through it.<br />
I've been praying with more sincerity than I ever have, and I always hope for miracles. But I'm starting to think this is one of those "push through it" times where heaven steps back and says "We're here, but you have to do this. Come on, one more step. One more day." I pray for strength for myself, which I always receive (sometimes by the end of the day I'm on my hands and knees, so to speak, and crawl home, but I make it) and other days it's like "Whew, I made it. That could have been worse." I pray to be positive, because I have to remember that with all of this hard stuff, I am an example of the gospel of Jesus Christ and people watch me. So I bite my tongue when I want to complain. I smile when I want to scream. I pray when I don't think I can do it. It's hard, but I have to do it. I pray for the people who are making my life miserable, because I don't know what else to do, and the Savior told us to pray for those people. I think it helps. But even the Spirit can only go so far in some cases.<br />
I thought I had learned this lesson before now, when I was in a similar situation feeling just as lost and confused. I thought, "Hey, at least I won't have to do that again." I can see now that was to prepare me for this time. This place. These people. This is the real test. At least I hope it is. If it gets any worse than this in the future, God and I are going to have to have a serious talk.<br />
I want to quit. Every day that thought pops into my head. "You don't have to do this. You can go home where there are people who love you. There's a job there you can go back to. You don't even want to do this. Go home. Give up." And never has any temptation been so enticing to me. Would anybody blame me for quitting? No, they've told me as much.<br />
But will I quit? NO.<br />
I may not know why the Lord sent me here and put me in this situation with these people and this place, but I KNOW THAT HE DID. I may be mostly alone here, fighting for my life, so to speak, and without any idea of how far I've come or what I'm doing right, but none of this matters. What matters is getting through it, even if it's by the skin of my teeth, and not letting go of what I know to be true. Nothing will shake my testimony of the Savior and His Atonement. Nothing will make me break the covenants that I have made. Nothing will take away the fact that I have been sealed to my family for eternity. Nothing will actually break me. I may crawl home at the end of the day, I may break down in tears on the phone with my mom because I want to go home, I may feel so hurt that my chest actually aches, I may wonder why in the world do I have to do this (and more terrifying, what could this possibly be preparing me for?), and I may have to talk myself out of bed every morning only to roll on the floor to my knees and pray for the strength to go further, but I will not be broken by this.<br />
Others have gone through worse things, and no trial lasts forever. The scriptures always say "And it came to pass" not "And it came to stay."<br />
So when I feel like my best will never be good enough, when one more day becomes too much, when I am tempted by the thought of giving up, I will remember my Savior, who knows exactly who I am and what I am going through, who has felt everything I am feeling, who endured far worse with far less complaint, who has never left my side and never will, who picks me up at the end of the day and brushes me off and says "Good job, you did it!" He is all the strength that I need.<br />
If that is all I need to learn, that truly relying on Him is the only way, then I say BRING IT ON.<br />
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. It may be a very dim light and a very long tunnel, but it is there. One step at a time, I'm getting there. Hands and knees some days, but I'm getting there. I am being built for something, and I want to give the Lord the best version of me that I can. He deserves the very best.<br />
I am so grateful for my friends and family that remind me every day that this isn't it, that I am more than this, who make me laugh and tell me it'll all work out and say all sorts of sweet things to make me feel better. You make the day brighter, and I love you for it.<br />
I will make it. We will all make it. We may have bumps and bruises and scrapes and scars when we're done, but everybody knows that bumps and bruises and scrapes and scars come with the best stories. So in a future day when we're all around the camp fire with s'mores telling our stories, I go first. Pass the chocolate.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-7499900595076428062013-04-08T11:33:00.002-04:002013-04-08T11:34:54.135-04:00WorryTime to discus something that is super personal and drives me crazy and my parents crazy and no doubt my friends crazy, but it is something that I have been dealing with for some time now. It doesn't seem like a big deal, when you look at it, but it can be. And for me it has been.<br />
This big, ginormous, annoying elephant in the room is worry.<br />
Seems like no big deal, right? We worry, we're human. Parents worry about their children. Kids worry about getting in trouble. Students worry about passing exams or classes. Girls worry about impressing boys. Boys worry about impressing girls. Worry is a part of our lives.<br />
Worry can take over our lives.<br />
I don't believe I'm alone in this, but I have had moments where worry has been so intense that it has taken control of my mind. I become anxious and panicked and cannot think straight. Perspective goes out of the window. All I can think about is my worry. What if. Those are the scariest words for a worrier.<br />
I do a decent job of pretending to be tough and trying to keep a good perspective, but worry eats away at you and sits on your chest until you can hardly breathe. It makes you think the Spirit is telling you something is wrong, even though you know in your head that you're fine. It can make you think you're having a heart attack. It can make you want to vomit. It can take the feeling away from your knees. You can feel completely paralyzed and paranoid because you feel like the floor is going to fall out from under you.<br />
People can tell you that none of this matters, that you're fine, that life is not about this, and all of that is true. But you can't hear that when you are worrying. Because for this moment, this IS your life. For where you are and what you are doing, this is important. Will it determine the course of your life? Probably not. Will it take away from who you are? Probably not. Do you lose anything because of it? Not really. But you worry as if all of eternity is resting on this one thing.<br />
I don't have any secrets on how to fight this. Every person is different. All I know is it's not healthy, it's not right, and you cannot live like this. So for me, I just pray, take a deep breath, and go through my life one day at a time. Someday, maybe I'll figure this all out and have secrets to help others. But for now, I've got today. And it's a beautiful day to be alive.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570965565094201308.post-28389712600623722542013-01-20T18:05:00.001-05:002013-01-21T06:11:24.007-05:00New Year<br />
A new year. It always seems like that should mean something to me. Every year since I was a teenager, I have pretended that a new year means that I will set new goals and become a new person. That works for a lot of people, I know, and I respect that. But ever since I was that ornery teenager, all of my goals and resolutions have been the same, and they tend to fall away before Valentine's Day.<br />
I don't know if any of you know this about me, but I have very little self-motivation. If it is left up to me to get myself to do something, it will wait until the absolute last minute if it is a necessary thing, or it will not get done at all if it is not necessary. I am also prone to sporadic spurts of energy or devotion or fascination, which inevitably become old and fade away. This makes my rare moments of self-motivation success fade just as much as the rest of them, since they, too, become old.<br />
For example, take my devotion only a few years ago to becoming fit and healthy and toned and thin. I worked out five days a week at a gym and did core workouts at home every night. I was dedicated for a few months and there was nothing that would stop me from my goals. Then it got cold in the mornings. It became too easy to stay in my warm bed and just do my workouts at home. Then I swapped my pushups for being propped up on pillows with a book in my hands. And thus was the end of my fitness fad.<br />
Anyway, that's how I am. My resolutions have been the same for years. Delve more deeply into the Gospel. Be a better visiting teacher. Pray with more feeling. Be physically healthy and more active. Be positive about life and love. Etc etc etc.<br />
Last year I decided to try something different. I knew it would be a big year, one in which many things about my life would change, and I was nervous. So instead of resolutions, I opted for a theme. After much deliberation, I chose this one: Have hope. No fear.<br />
I wrote it at the end of my [very] occasional journal entries and it became my mantra. When I had a rough time for one reason or another, I repeated my mantra. It helped a lot more than my random resolutions ever had.<br />
So. This year I will also have a theme, because this year, I will need extra help. My life is HARD right now. A lot harder than I ever thoguht it would be. I've been thinking about this for a while now, and I tossed around a few ideas of what could help me. Nothing has seemed right, for one reason or another. But right around the new year, two new phrases popped into my head, mostly because they are on a ring my friend gave me years ago, which I wear every day, so I see these words often. But after reading my "Daily Message" from yesterday, I am decided. The message was President Uchtdorf's talk from last General Conference called "Of Regrets and Resolutions", and this was the quote that struck me today:<br />
"Brothers and sisters, no matter our circumstances, no matter our challenges or trials, there is something in each day to embrace and cherish. There is something in each day that can bring gratitude and joy if only we will see and appreciate it."<br />
I needed to hear that, and I need to remember it. My life is not exactly what I want it to be right now, but it is not in my hands. It is in the Lord's hands, and He is the one who will get me where I need to be. I need to be happy regardless of my situation and have faith that all will be well.<br />
My theme is similar to last year's, but has one distinct difference: Be Brave. Love Life.<br />
I need to be brave in the Gospel and in my faith in the Lord. I need to love the life that He has given me and remember what a blessing it is to even be here.<br />
So, for the year of 2013, I will be brave and I will love life.<br />
Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443028297055054033noreply@blogger.com0