Good Changes

Hi!

Wow, ok lots to update ya'll on.

First, I got a new job! It's been a long interview (waiting on HR) process but totally worth it. I will be working as an Academic Advisor starting on 6/15 at the same college I currently work at. I'm really excited for this job change. The job function is more geared towards my skills and interests. Hopefully this change will positively impact my outlook on everything. I'm really optimistic. Everyone I've met in the department has been great.

In other news, I got a new car! When it rains it pours, eh? She's a 2015 Subaru Forester and I am completely in love. Goodbye, 2005 Pontiac Sunfire. I won't miss not knowing how fast I am going, how much gas I have, what time it is or what I'm listening to. I'm enjoying sitting higher and I just think the color is fantastic. New car and a new job in the same week. Bring on the changes!

If you have been watching the news at all you have heard about all of the rain in Texas. So much rain. It's literally been raining for a month. I'm loving it but I'm also not right in the floods--though, they are close. All of the lakes are full and everything is green. Which is great but it seems the rain is over now, for the most part. This past weekend we went to the Trinity River to see the flooding. Keep in mind there is usually not water in this "river".
I'll update soon!

Europe

We've been home for a couple of weeks but we are still trying to get back into the swing of things. I still feel tired all the time.

Europe was amazing. I have never been in a situation where I was the one with the accent. The trip forever changed me--in such a good way. To put it simply, I loved it.

Ireland-This was our first and last stop on the trip. One the first day we were completely exhausted so we checked into the hotel at 9:00am then woke up and explored a bit of Dublin. We went to dinner at a microbrewery. The next day we were on our way to Edinburgh.

Scotland-Scotland is beautiful. The city of Edinburgh is just lovely. We explored the city a bit and I experienced my first grocery store. They are different and I was a bit overwhelmed. The second day we went to the Edinburgh castle. It's on a hill that overlooks the entire city. We then headed over to the Whiskey Experience which we loved. They do tasting based on preferences and we found ourselves talking to the bartender who recommended a great Indian restraunt for dinner. The next day we hopped on a tour to Lock Ness. It was a reallly long bus ride but we were able to tour a whiskey distillery on the way and I feel like we were able to see all of Scotland. Once in Lock Ness, we took a cruise on the lock. How many people can say that they have done that? It was really great. Sadly, we had to leave Scotland the next day to jump on the train to LONDON.

England- If you know me you know I have had an obsession with London for as long as I can remember. There is something about the phone booths and everything else that calls out to me. I was sure I couldn't like London as much as I already loved it in my head. If that makes sense. Well, I was wrong. I loved it more than I thought I could ever love it. It was so great. It is beautiful and there are winding streets everywhere that open up to more restaurants and more shops. We spent a lot of time just walking around and exploring. I loved the Palace and all the sites I've only dreamed of seeing. We caught up with my friend Tom from Denver for lunch  and John showed us around most of London. I feel like I saw everything and nothing at the same time. I could write a book on everything I saw and my thoughts about it but I won't bore you with all the details---even though I want to.

SO now I'm just getting back into the swing of things. Slowly but surely.

More to come later :)

12 Days!

I'm drinking coffee and feeling more human. I wonder what coffee tastes like in Europe. I've been told to not expect good things from the food but I don't care. I have such high expectations. I want to smell the air there, drink the wine and savor every moment.

We've been in a rush to get everything ready in time. A co-worker is going to be staying at our apartment to take care of the cat. She stayed over Christmas and it worked out really well. So there is that. Other than that we have been making sure we have comfortable shoes. Any excuse to buy new shoes is a good excuse for me :). Have ya'll ever worn Hush Puppies? www.hushpuppies.com They are amazing (and cheaper on Amazon). Other than that I think we need jackets that are good for 50*-ish. Too warm for all out winter coats but to cold for a sweater.

We booked this tour www.nessbus.com in Scotland. It had everything we were looking for and good reviews. We are also going to do the Double Dead Tour http://www.cityofthedeadtours.com/the-double-dead-walk/. We are going to be laid back the rest of the time we are there and explore the city.

In Ireland we are going to take a train to Cork and spend a day. The other days we will be in Dublin. We need to look into booking an activity of some sort there. Maybe the Castle?? Tom went to grad school in Ireland so we may try to  catch up with a couple of his friends that still live there.

Then there is London. LONDON! We keep looking at what to do there. I know we want to go to the London Tower. They have a Sunday Night tour that we are thinking about. I've read that the London Bridge experience is awesome too. The Globe theater is on our radar but we don't want to do too many tours. Tom is interested in seeing a  castle too. I have this city on such a pedestal that I'm not sure how to narrow anything down.

So that is where we are at with planning. Any recommendations???

Happy Valentines Day!

I love you. 

That means I’m not just here for the pretty parts. 

I’m here no matter what.  

-Claudia Grey, Hourglass

Is this real life?!?!

Aside from my wedding I have never been so excited for anything. We finally booked our honeymoon. Not just any honeymoon but a dream honeymoon! WE ARE GOING TO EUROPE! In less than three weeks we will be exploring Ireland, Scotland and England. We are flying into Ireland and spending a day. From there we are jumping on a flight to Edinburgh. We will be there for three days. So far we are planning on visiting a castle, taking a nighttime cemetery tour and maybe spending a day outside of the city. Then we will jump on a train to London. I HAVE BEEN WANTING TO GO TO LONDON FOR YEARS. I am so overwhelmed by what to do because I want to do EVERYTHING! Seriously, everything. Tom has some friends there so we are going to spend one night going out and about with locals but the rest of the time we are on our own. I want to go to the London Tower, Buckingham Palace, explore local stores (book and grocery store are a must), ride the London Eye and a double decker bus and so much more. After London we are headed back to Ireland for a couple of days. Tom wants to do a Scotch tour. We are still researching what else to see and do. And a bonus? We have a 13 hour layover on the way there in Chicago, yes I consider that a bonus. It gives us time to see Jessica and explore the city. I'm also not going to turn down deep dish pizza :)

Anyways, I'm thrilled and so excited I can't handle it. 

Five Years

I'm sitting here in my apartment reflecting, reminiscing and watching the Fault in Our Stars. I read the book so I know what's coming. Five years ago today I moved out of Ohio. Leaving there is the best thing I have ever done for myself.

Everything has changed these past five years. I became independent. I adopted a cat. I learned to live on my own. I found lifelong friends along the way and I found myself. I fell in love, twice if I'm honest with myself but only once for real. I met this man, my husband that I love with my entire self. I grow into myself and created a life that I always wanted. .

If I could talk to my 23 year old self I would say that its ok. Life isn't a race. You'll find Him when you are supposed to. You'll figure out the job thing and all the other things. Enjoy the mishaps. Remember the dating disasters--they will help you appreciate Tom. His name is Tom. He's worth the wait and you'll be so glad you didn't settle. Don't settle on anyone or anything. Keep exploring. You won't live in Denver forever. Enjoy your moments there. You will miss it,a lot. You also won't live in Texas forever....that is still a work in progress. If it doesn't feel right it probably isn't. Trust yourself.

Happy New Year!

It's 2015?? It's an entire week into 2015!? I resolve to post at least once a week. I should really push myself and do two but I already didn't stick to that.

Hi.

Things are going well. I've been sick 2x in 2 months (that's not great) but I'm trying to be a trooper about. The holidays were good. We spend time in Arizona and hung out with Tom's parents. Went to Flagstaff and explored Phoenix. It is a really pretty state.

I have a financial plan. I won't bore you with the details--unless you're into that sort of thing.  You are? Okay, fine. I've recently become obsessed with paying off my student loans. Like, ridiculously checking the balance daily (no it doesn't change on a day to day basis). I have a goal to pay off the total in full in a bout a year.

We also have trips in the works. We are going to go to Denver at some point. I'm crazy homesick and want to hug all of my lovely friends still there. We are planning a trip to NYC in May---Ellie, I want to see you! I've never been there and I'm slightly afraid I'm not going to want to ever leave. We are also planning a honeymoon. Somewhere, suggestions? I applied for my passport over the winter break (two weeks paid off work, yay!). I should have done that years ago but better late than never. So, really we can go anywhere but we don't want to spend over $3,000. --> see, I'm all about a budget.

Other than that, I've started to knit. I know, I'm too young but I really enjoy it and its something mindless to do when I'm relaxing. I'm getting a lot better at it too :) Cheers to the small things.

I'll catch up soon. Happy New Year!