Employment and Shivonne are no longer antonyms...

Ladies and Gentlemen, Family and Friends (and everyone in between) I am officially employed!!! Hoorah! The long days of waiting, procrastinating, worrying, and enjoying my lazy existance are over. I am now a general assistant at Monachyle Mhor Hotel located 60min from Edinburgh. It's very quaint actually- it's an 18th century farmhouse made over into a cozy yet chic 14 bedroom hotel. It's family run by two brothers and their sister. It's located in Trossachs National Park in Highland Perthshire (I just pretend to know what that means-my sense of geography here is awful). You can look over the website yourself if you like- http://mhor.net/

The craziest part is I start tomorrow! Yep, I check out of my hostel, jump on the train, and arrive in Stirling (which is about 1/2 an hour from my new digs) to meet one of my employers- Melanie. I'm a little overwhelmed at how fast this is moving, not quite sure what all the job entails, but I'm soooo excited at the prospect of a new challenge and to have the sense of finally being settled. My main worry now is greeting my new employer for the first time at the train station with my excessive amount of luggage. I hope it all fits in her car....

Anyways, I found out about this job about five minutes after I sent my CV out to about 5 new job prospects. Now I have the unpleasant task of calling the temp agency I registered with to say I no longer need their service, and to call the manager at Topshop where I was lined up to go to a recruitment night on Wednesday. I always feel so awkward in these situations, but I think it's good for your character.

Ok, I have to rush off now- I'm trying to go to mass at least three times a week for Lent and the service starts in nine minutes. I just want to say thank you for all y'alls prayer and support during these past two weeks...I might have finally found my place here on this side of the pond! Besos!

Waiting...

“Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience.”

So today was another slow, windy day, and I've had a lot of time to think. The temp agency e-mailed the potential live-in-job option they have for me and now we are just waiting for a reply. It can be quite a state of agitation-the not knowing. Waiting is one of the most difficult things to do-especially when you're as impatient as me-but if you embrace the moments (or in my case, days) of uncertainty and timid tension, there is a real opportunity to grow as a person. I've found that if you just constantly sit around worrying about results, you only lose time. You can go over conditions and reasons and the ifs and whys fly through your head at an alarming rate making for a rather unpleasant existance. Instead, one can embrace this place of limbo and engage in a little self reflection. I really think it might be in these moments when you truly learn the most about yourself...

Wind, Blustering Wind

So that pretty much sums up my day in a nutshell. Hailing from Amarillo, Texas I thought I could handle wind. We're talking dust storming, tumble weeding, crazy windy days. While living in Austin people would complain how irritating a windy day was and I would just silently laugh thinking 'you don't even know what windy is.' I guess things really do come full circle because I'm sure quite a few Edinburghers (not sure that's the right term, oh well) are having a nice chuckle on my behalf.

I stepped outside the door this morning only to have it pushed directly back in my face from the violent force I was about to encounter. A little ruffled but otherwise unharmed, I regrouped and pushed diligently on. Crazy. Seriously, crazy winds just whipped around me as I tried to walk as quickly as possible to the office without actually running. I'm sure I looked quite a sight since my foot is still swollen so I was gimping along in an awkward, shuffle like manner. However, at the moment I was much more concerned with my vision or, more appropriately, lack there of. At this point in my life, I have the longest, fullest, curls I have ever had before which, under normal circumstances, I quite enjoy. I think it's a real sign of maturity to actually like your hair the way it naturally comes out of your head. It only took me 21 years to get here. Sorry for the tangent. Anyways, this crazy long curly hair formed a barrier whipping around my head in incessantly changing directions impairing my vision enormously. I tried tying it back with the handy ponytail holder I keep on my wrist to no avail...the wind ripped it right out of my hair. My scarf did manage to penetrate the hair barricade and poke me in the eye-don't ask me how. So it was in this manner that I blew into the shelter of the office windswept, breathless, and with a crazy fro in the place of the exceptionally well behaved curls I had managed to wake up with. I'm actually rather irritated with mother nature right now for ruining a perfectly good hair day.

Other than braving the wind, today has been rather quiet. I'm getting so spoiled by all these adventures and meeting awesome people that it seems quite the exception to have a slow day. I took advantage of it though, and after an hour on the internet I made it safely back to the hostel where I have been for the rest of the day reading, resting my over-exerted foot, and waiting for the temp agency to call me with job details. Hopefully this will be my last post about weather (which is a pretty boring and cliche thing to talk about now that I think about it) and I'll have some real adventures to relate soon...

A Few Random Observations...

1. So I was buying a glass of wine today and got carded for the umpteenth time. Just so you know, the drinking age in Europe is 18. Which means I look 17. Nice. I'm pretty much a high schooler then...great.
2. Also today I was wearing my new, very professional looking, grey pinstriped pants. The only thing is I didn't really notice the length before I got here...I'm pretty much wearing pants that make me look like that circus guy on stilts with the crazy long baggy pants- only I'm 5`4" so it's not quite as impressive as all that. oops.
3. Computers seem to have developed an allergy against me. My own personal laptop is in a state of rebellion and won't connect to any wireless networks. In addition, whenever I go to the BUNAC office for free internet service, I seem to always mess up the computer to the point where no one can use it. Great. I'm just bad luck all around.
4. Tshirts make rather good towels. This morning when I trekked all the way to my hot shower option on the fourth floor, I managed to forget my towel. However, my handy night shirt functioned rather well as a towel..good to know for whenever I run out of laundry.
5. I've managed to acquire quite a collection of 2p coins...which is pretty much like 2 cents coins. I really don't understand the logic behind a 2pence coin whenever you have 1p and 5p options. Do we really need it? Whatever.
6. Just so you know...the "quid" is the same thing as the "pound". Took me quite a bit of embarrasment before I figured that one out.

Anywho, I know I've just given quite a few random thoughts, but I felt as if I had to share them with someone. I hope to hear from y'all soon!

Love always,

Shivonne

Enlightenment

This morning was one of those great and defining moments of your life when you look around, realize God's hand in your life, and actually listen. I woke up and got ready to take up the old job hunt once again here in Edinburgh; my plan consisted of me (dressed smartly of course), plenty of CVs (aka Resumes), and a positive attitude entering as many retail stores as possible begging for work, hopefully with a bit of dignity. Well I went down to breakfast quite unsure of how my day would unwravel, and I ran into Ralph who I had met the previous week. So we got to talking over toast and coffee and he offered to take me into his temp agency that did catering work. Naturally, I jumped at the opportunity, went in, filled out the papers, and go back tomorrow at four for an orientation and hopefully my first job assignment....yay! I might actually start earning money instead of spending it.

After my success at the agency, I decided to take on the shops. So far I've handed out 10 CVs and have gotten mixed responses...to make things short, I think that Monsoon and Topman Topshop (I think that's the name...better double check huh?) are my best candidates and I should hear back in about a week to try and arrange an interview. Whew. This looking for work is hard work. Life in the real world I suppose...

Following my rather productive job seeking morning, I decided to take a little walk around old town and see what I ran into. About three minutes in, I randomly chose a little enclosed street to turn on just to see where it went. About 20 yards down, sitting smack in the middle of this little street was St. Patrick's church. Somehow, God had led me right to him without me even realizing it. This is actually the first Catholic church I have come upon (most here are Anglican of course) and it is just a few minutes walk from my hostel. I love how God leads you down his path if you'll just open your heart to him...

Well this afternoon I'm just going to look online for more job opportunities, than catch up with Scott (that Aussie I met on the mountain) for some coffee. Thanks again to everyone for all your prayers..they really seem to be working! Love you all! Muah!

My life in the deep freezer...

So you know when you work in a restaurant and they have those huge freezers that you walk into and it's absolutely frigid cold and you get kinda nervous with these wild fantasies about getting absolutely locked inside and you'll freeze your tushy off and the only thing you look forward to is the ice cream you can eat while you wait to die? Well that's how it kinda feels all the time here in Edinburgh. And no, I'm not exaggerating. Right now I am inside a heated office and my hands actually feel like they might fall off as I type. Brrr..

Last night I bundled up in leggings, sweatpants, two pairs of long socks, a tshirt, hoodie, and gloves just to crawl under my blanket and sleep. Still freezing and unable to snooze, I stared jealously at the useless blankets on other beds that have signs posted next to them saying you'll get charged if you use them-some crap about sanitation rules. blah blah blah. Anyways, for about an hour I just lay there weighing the pros and cons of stealing the five blankets so i can finally sleep. I finally drifted off before I decided only to be awakened at 3am by about a thousand people on the street (at least that's what it sounded like) yelling, singing, jumping around, and lots of other nonsense. Great. I actually managed to fall asleep in my refrigerated state and these losers wake me up!

This morning I faced another conundrum upon awakening- the shower in my room is broken and only shoots out ice cold water. Doesn't make sense really since the sink has hot water but whatever. My options are to face the cold artic downpour that is my shower or to pack up all my stuff and hike up to the fourth floor and use the community showers. Feeling brave and ambitious I say what the hell and choose to shower in my room. I figure I can be like that Polar Bear Club thingy where those crazy people swim in a freezing lake in the dead of winter. If they can do it, can't I? That may have been the single worst decision of my life. So I'm shivering in my shower halfway through lathering my hair ready to cry from the cold. I just keep waiting for my body to go numb so I don't have to feel the blades of ice water pelting me. Somehow I actually manage to make it all the way to the point of putting in my conditioner before jumping out and hastily turning on the hot water tap for the sink. So there I am, standing stark naked with conditioner dripping down my back sticking as much as my body as possible into the steaming sink. After a couple of moments of pure ecstasy I regroup, jump back into the shower, and finish up just before the point of passing out. I definately think I should get a plaque or something from that Polar Bear thing as an honorary member. Seriously.

Ok, I realize this whole crazy long post has been about being freaking freezing so I will finally stop whining here and let you go. I promise my next one will actually be about productive stuff...I think.

Update long overdue...

Ok kids, get ready to settle into a very long, very verbose post about my last few days. I apologize in advance for an uninteresting read, but my creativity will only stretch so far. So here we go...

The Late-Night Visitor

It was a dark, gloomy evening in the midst of February. Swirling fog and biting wind blew windingly through the slowly emptying streets of the city of Edinburgh. Up on the third floor of an innocuous building, a young wearied traveler hailing from Texas had recently drifted off into a blissful slumber after a long, adventured fill day. She was blissfully unaware of the boisterous shouts of the pub-crawlers brave enough to face the bone chilling cold winds of the late hour, still unprepared to give into the insistant demand of closing time, unwilling to go home.

Dim shadows danced across the walls in tune to the passage of buses making their final stops of the night, yet our young heroine slept on in the otherwise empty room. Suddenly a timid knock at the door breaks the sleepy night. Bleary-eyed, Shivonne heavily returns to consciousness and, taking in her surroundings, quickly realizes the reason of her premature awakening. What should she make of this late night call? She wisely decides to await a second knock before deciding whether or not to answer. Again, the jarring sound breaks the silence, and, unable to ignore a second call, Shivonne decisely swings her legs over the bed and silently slips to the floor. Sliding soundlessly across the empty room in her stockinged feet, she cautiously approaches the door, grabs the cool handle, and cracks the door but an inch. Staring curiously into the stream of light she discovers....

Candy Marshall, my new roomie and soon to be Aussie friend! Somehow her entry card had been demagnatized, so I had to let her in when she found the front desk abandoned. She apologized profusely, was very embarassed, but also very talkative. We sat in bed talking for the next hour, making plans to meet for breakfast and sightsee the next day. Hoorah! Another new friend...

Another round of Aussies...

So far, it seems the majority of people I meet are Australian, and I'm loving it! They really seem to have that friendly Texan vibe that I'm so accustomed to, so I'm naturally drawn to their enthusiastic attitudes. Candy and I paid an apalling £11 to enter Edinburgh Castle, but thoroughly enjoyed ourselves so I think it was well worth the money. We took a ridiculous amount of pictures which will be available for your viewing pleasure once I discover why my computer won't connect to wireless networks at the moment...

After an evening of souveneir shopping, we returned to the bustling hostel bar where we settled into a booth for an hour of card games and a lazy dinner. After eatting, Candy tried to show me a card trick that she couldn't quite remember. This tragedy drove her to accost every person in the bar, asking if they knew any card tricks and requesting they aid us in our quest of amusement. Just in case you were wondering, I now have a handful of tricks up my sleeve to entertain you with on our next meeting. Get excited.

That night we also met yet another Australian in the bar in our search of card magicians. Though Brigid knew no tricks, she still joined us for a pint and soon became another friend. In case you're keeping count, that is now four Aussie friends that I have acquired, and the list just keeps growing. Whilst climbing Arthur's Seat (a HUGE mountain, sky-high, with unbelievable views of the city) we ran into Scott, Australian travelor who had just arrived in the city. He accompanied us down the mountain, witnessed me slipping in mud only to fall to my rear, and agreed to meet up later in the night for dinner.

At this point I'm just going to interject for a quick comment. I really think that everybody should travel solo at least at one point in their lives. It really is an extraordinary experience- you become much more aware of yourself, learn to really put yourself out there, and are forced to go outside your comfort zone and open yourself up to new experiences. Though I'm sad no one could join me on my travels, I know that I have been much more willing to avoid just staying to myself and have been almost required to just walk up to people and strike up a conversation. It's an incredibly freeing and great sense of accomplishment. Anywho, I digress. Many apologies.

The Americans

This weekend, the hostel seemed to be overtaken by an American population. Both mine and Brigid's rooms were completely occupied by Americans, and everywhere I went, familiar accents surrounded me. However, I did have satisfaction in the fact that I alone remained the singular Texan. It is nice to be quite unique...

One American (Josh) who was currently living in France as an English teacher took Brigid and I (Candy had left in the morning) out to have our first Scottish whisky experience with his South African aquaintance, Ralph. Though very skeptical, I actually LIKED whisky! Believe me, I'm the last person in the world who would have thought it possible, but the whisky here is quite an experience. They actually have whisky tasting like whine taskting. It has quite the smoky flavor, and you just sit and sip a dram while chatting with good company. I feel so Scottish!

After our whisky experience, we returned to the hostel common room and taught Brigid Texas Hold 'Em- quite an undertaking since she had never even played poker. Needless to say, by the end of the night we were satisfied to indulge in a game of Go-Fish.

My Rebellious Body

Although I am absolutely loving Edinburgh, it does not seem to be loving me. Though I don't appear to be quite unlucky as some people who tend to break both feet at one time, I have run into some difficulties. Since my arrival, I have managed to acquire a corneal abrasion, a (at least I think) sprained foot, and a cold. I went to the chemist (the British label for pharmacy), bought eye drops, and pain killing gel for my foot. Hopefully, with a little rest my body will forgive me for my ambitious ways and heal so I can fully enjoy my time again. However, I'm not letting it depress me. You know my theory, you can sleep when you die ( I just might cause myself to die a little early- the only snag in my plan).


The Job Hunt Continues

Well an entire week has passed here in Scotland, and I still seem to be unemployed. But tomorrow is another beginning, and I plan to walk into every shop possible and absolutely force my resume upon them. Hopefully they won't be too off put by my shocking appearance (reference the bloodshot eye, raspy voice, and gimpy foot from above). Though I have been turned down by H&M, I am confident when I find the right job, things will fall into place. Everything happens for a reason, right?

Well I know this might have been the most wordy, rambling, boring post ever, but I hope you forgive me. Hopefully next time, I will have more interesting adventures to convey that won't bore you to tears. I hope all is well across the pond, and I look forward to hearing from y'all again ASAP! Love Always,
Shivonne

Another "beautiful, magnificent, clear, freaking freezing, unbearably cold, but at least I'm not a complainer" morning

6:45am- Wake up, roll over, check the time. Score! 45 more minutes of blissfull sleeeeeppp...zzz

7:30am- Alarm goes off. Wonder again why I chose that particular melody and make mental note- soon to be forgotten- of changing it. Don't even hit the snooze, let the alarm continue for entire minute, and drift off back to sleep...

7:58am- Crap. "Accidentally" slept in, but still congratulate self on making it up before 8...time to take on the day

8:30am- Successfully showered, dressed, and organized my things for the day in half an hour-record time if I do say so myself, though my appearance may be questionable. Oh well..time for breakfast!

9:00am- Ate my wonderfully free meal at the hostel (toast with peanut butter and exceptionally bad instant coffee with milk). Accidentally made awkward eye contact with guy across the table from me so I had to scarf down the rest of my food and get out of there. Grab my stuff, step out the door. Freezing, absolutely shockingly cold winds greet me. Fortitude I repeat to myself. Fortitude.

9:15am- Overpowered my urge to run back upstairs into bed and made it to the bank so I could open an account. Confidently strut up to the door, grab the handle, and pull firmly to no avail. Quickly check the sign and realize bank opens late on Wednesdays. Only Wednesdays. Today. Of course. Contemplate my choices for a few restless minutes:
1. Stand in the freezing cold for half an hour until kind bank lady finally unlocks the door.
2. Find a cafe and grab a real cup of coffee to overcome the shortcomings of the previous excuse for coffee I had this morning.
3. Duck into a close and read my current literary obsession that I thankfully remembered to throw in my bag.
I went with option three since I'm too big of a wuss for the first and and too poor to spare two blessed pounds on some joe.

9:45am- Braved the cold thanks to the distraction of my book and scurry into the heavenly warmth of the bank, look blankly around, and stand stupidly for two minutes until someone realizes I have no idea what I'm doing and comes to assist me. Bank lady gives a subtle surprising start (as most brits do) as my question comes in the form of a southern twang not too common around these parts. Thankfully she understands me (sometimes they don't) and I am pointed in the right direction.

10:15am- Descend from the bank gaily thinking that I, Shivonne Nicole Glenn, am an international banker at The Royal Bank of Scotland. Yay me!

Now I'm sitting in the BUNAC office for gloriously free internet access that doesn't pressure me every five minutes with notices of how much time I have left before paying again. Funny how things you've taken for granted most of your life slap you in the face. Free internet, alas a difficult find. I'm about to apply at H&M and then I'm off to take in some museums and art galleries....hopefully I'll return as a fountain of Scottish knowledge-or at least I'll have tons more pictures of things I'll be too embarrassed to admit I'm not sure what of.

A Beautiful Day for a little Exploration

This morning I sat up wide awake at 4:20- weird I know, but a good start to a very productive day. I had the hostel room all to myself last night (quite a luxury actually) so I got up, went through papers, organized my luggage, made a to-do list, painted my nails, showered, got ready, and watched an episode of The Office all before breakfast. I was out of the hostel by 8 ready to explore...and I guess God got me up for a good reason because today was gorgeous. It was my first time to see Edinburgh fog free and it was quite an experience, especially so early in the morning before the swarms of tourists come out. Just to give you an idea of the beautiful buildings and landscape-I took 100 pictures today alone. Crazy, but I love every one.

So after spending a couple of hours walking around, I continued on my productive way; I finally made my much put-off visit to the BUNAC office and figured out how to open a bank account which is a pretty big deal here-you practically have to give them a DNA sample. Next I topped up my phone so I can officially make calls- not that I made any because I'm skint (broke) and want to make my minutes last as long as possible. Next off to lunch...I've been eating ready prepared sandwiches from the grocer that just cost £1-a great find if I do say so myself, and they actually taste good. I took my economical meal for a picnic lunch to a parkbench overlooking all of Edinburgh; I felt like I was in a postcard. I spent the rest of the afternoon wandering, discovering, and doing a little reading in between (I'm reading a Fitzgerald novel that's really good-The Beautiful and Damned-you should check it out). Some things I thought about today:

1. I really can't get over the whole concept of Edinburgh...I'll be walking down an enclosed street with sky high buildings on either side, pedestrians running around, cars and buses zooming down the cobbled pavement, and then a street will open and I'll catch a view of a castle, rolling green hills, or a peaceful cemetary. It's really something to find a serene picture amongst the chaos...
2. Why do churches charge admission fees? It seems like a bit of a juxtaposition to me...museums are free but Churches aren't. Huh.
3. If I could choose any accent in the world to have, it would be Irish or Australian. Random thought, but I've been hearing people from all over the world and just something I thought about...
4. I'm biting the bullet and going into H&M to apply for a job. My live-in job prospects don't seem to be available until March so I figure I'd stay in the hostel and enjoy an employee discount at a great store....I went in today just to look around. You'd be jealous. I really wish we had them in Texas.
5. Life is better set to music. I've been listening to my ipod whilst trekking(sp?) along and it really makes you feel like you're in a movie.

So I think that's all I have for now...oh yeah. One more thing- miss y'all like crazy! Besos!

Edinburgh with a little Spanish flair....

So I arrived in Edinburgh Saturday night and checked into my new hostel which, incidentally, had a broken shower, broken locker, broken heater, and broken light. Yeah. So I'm lying on my freezing bed in a room by myself in a country I know nothing about reading the little welcome sheet. I pass five minutes or so in this manner before I hear the door open...in walks three girls giggling in a foreign language-I'm thinking great-on top of being alone, I have to watch three girls being all friendsy and having a great time...in the cold (did I mention it was cold?). So did I stay holed up in my cold, dark room feeling depressed and sorry for myself? False. These sweet Spanish girls instantly introduced themselves and invited me to walk around with them. Seriously, so nice. For the next two days they adopted me as their Texan friend and we explored Edinburgh together. Spanish girls are so fun...they randomly start singing when walking down the street and oh my gosh do they love to take pictures. We went bailar en un disco on Friday night, on a walking tour of Edinburgh Sunday morning, souveneir shopping in the afternoon, and hung out at the hostel bar Saturday night (after eating a little cheap Greek food). The only bummer is that they had to go back to Liverpool this morning where they are studying, but hopefully I'll be able to visit them soon...

So before arriving here, I knew absolutely NOTHING about Edinburgh and ZILCH about Scotland...but I've already had quite an education in the short time I've been here. Here's my new found knowledge that I'm now going to share with you so you too can be enlightened of my new surroundings:

1. Edinburgh is split into two areas. The first is old town- a very medieval like feel with towering buildings sprawled against sloping landscape. Gorgeous. There's Edinburgh castle, The Palace, Parliamentary Houses, St. Giles church, and loads of pubs advertising haggis and beer (still haven't tried haggis, but I promise I will). New town is across the bridge and has 18th century architecture dominating the skyline dotted with the most unbelievable shopping centers. Who woulda thunk Edinburgh was such a fashion center? If you want upscale shopping, they've got it. If you want H&M (which I do), they've got it. Too bad I'm poor...

2. Both Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and JK Rowling are from Scotland, and the actual pub where Rowling started writing Harry Potter on cocktail napkins is here pretty close to the castle like school that inspired Hogwarts. Very cool (and yes, I'm a total Harry Potter freak and not afraid to admit it).

Okay, so the time I've paid for internet use is almost up, but I promise to write more soon. Cheers heaps! (they say that here, still not sure what it means.)

I'm Off to Scotland!

So this morning I check out of my hostel, lug my excessively heavy luggage to the tube and then railway station, figure out how to board the train (don't worry...I DID remember to get the ticket), and set off for a new set of adventures in Edinburgh. I'm actually pretty excited about the train ride- it's supposed to be a gorgeous ride. However, it is actually quite a bit colder there than in London so I'm not really looking forward to that. I'm staying there five nights in which I most definately, without a doubt, even if I have to torture myself by holing up in front of a computer, MUST get my job. I know there are plenty of opportunities, but it has been hard to be focused on them when one is exploring a foreign country. sigh. I definately need to increase my self-discipline and I guess this is the perfect opportunity.

Just a couple of other quirky observations:
1. I've come to the conclusion that I must look rather British. About ten people have stopped me on the street asking for directions and advice. Don't worry, as soon as I open my mouth they figure it out pretty fast...

2. One more note about my accent- so I'm a little ashamed and embarrassed to admit, but I have definately been exaggerating my 'twangy' Texan accent a bit. I know, I know, how does one become more hickish (is that even a word?) by moving to a European country? But I can't help it. I'm telling you if I just put on a little southern, texas girl, I'm lost can you please help me charm these reserved and rather serious brits laugh and are instantly more friendly and ready to help. Anyway, this is just a warning for if I come back with a heavier Texan accent than I left with. I know. I'm strange. That's why you love me.

So the next post on this ever growing adventure diary will be written in Scotland. I've heard a lot about haggis which I guess is some local cuisine but I haven't figured out what it is yet...any ideas?

My Last Day in London...

I can't believe 6 days are almost gone! There is just too much to see and too little time to do it in. Lately, I've been visiting a lot of museums because they're free (and I'm an economical world traveler on a very limited budget), so here are a few of them:

1. Museum of London: This museum is all about how London began and its long history all the back from before it was Londonium (sp?) in Roman rule. The museum was actually kinda bland, but it did have a cool exhibit on the fire of London from 1666. Bonus* A cute british museum worker came up and explained part of the exhibit to me- maybe that's why I liked it so much...

2. The Victoria and Albert Museum: This museum is HUGE and I didn't get to see it all, but here are a few highlights: The fashion collection (extensive photo gallery on this to follow once I can use my laptop online) with amazing pieces starting in 1580 and going up to present day; Raphael cartoons (massive paper drawings) of tapestry plans by, who else, Rapael; The Great Bed of Ware- huge Elizabethan bed from the 1500s which was so famous Shakespeare referenced it; and rooms upon rooms of artifacts from British history. *Interesting sidenote: the building was built in the 1800s and actually survived the blitz during WWII- there are still pieces of the outside walls missing.

3. The National Gallery: TONS of paintings. I mean I seriously got lost in there. Some of the cooler things were biblical paintings from the 1500s, a series of pieces by Van Goh and Rembrandt. Some of the not cooler things- a sixty year old man hitting on me and asking me out to dinner. I mean, really?

4. The British Museum: They have an incredible Egyptian collection of sculptures, the actual Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles (sculptures from the Parthenon in Greece...apparently those Greeks are still pissed England has them), beautiful jewelry pieces from all eras, and a beautiful collection of historical clocks. The only downside were the masses of elementary age kids running everywhere. Yuck...very effective birth control experience.

Apart from the sights, I've actual met a couple of cool people. I feel kinda bad because in one of my comments after a previous post I mentioned my two Aussie male roommates weren't nice- but they are. Scotty and Matty (yeah those are their names) roomed with me until today, were very friendly, had great travel stories, and took me out to eat one night and to a pub another. They love my accent as much as I love theirs so there's that (I'm not gonna lie, I actually exaggerated it a little for a better effect). It's kind of a bummer that they left this morning (for India. to snowboard. on the highest chairlift in the world. 20 kilometers from Pakistan. yeah.) but it's not too bad because I leave myself tomorrow...which reminds me- I should buy my train ticket...

Hello Everyone!

So....these last couple of days have been quite eventful. I've really been praying and thinking things over about what my future may hold, and I've come to a surprising but settling decision. I'm going to come home. No, I'm totally kidding. But I have made a major decision. Just after my last blog, I attended my orientation session on how to obtain a job and long term accomodations, and it definately gave me some much needed perspective. If I stay in London, get a job, and long-term accomodations, I will just have enough money to get buy after taxes. Although I have absolutely LOVED my time here, walking around, experiencing new things, meeting people from all over the world, my main reason for living here is to TRAVEL.

I've learned about a great option from orientation: live-in-jobs. These jobs are generally in hotels or pubs in more rural communities, particularly in Scotland. They pay minimum wage, take care of food and accomodation, and give me the weekends off. This would be a perfect opportunity to take advantage of in my situation. I know this isn't really what I had planned, but I don't want to spend my time here worrying about money and finding a long term job. If the opportunity presents itself, then great! If not, there is always the work in Ireland program...

So that is my big revelation. Though unexpected, I feel really happy in my decision. Please continue to pray for me. I'm calling the agency who will place me at my job, and I hope to make a good impression (if I'm lucky I'll get to work in reception instead of service!).

Oh one more thing to add to this never-ending post- all the new places I've been! So here they are:

1. Buckingham Palace and St. James' Park- I went here at night so I definately want to go back so I can walk through the park

2. The London Bridge (not the one that fell down, but the reconstructed one)

3. The Tower Bridge- GORGEOUS, amazing piece of architecture. However I didn't go up to the top because I wanted to save my money for...

4. The Tower of London- my very first castle! officially called HM Tower of London (Her/His Majesty's- it changes with the current monarch). This was so cool, I stayed for four hours. You get to explore all the different towers (including the bloody tower) and learn all the history behind it. I also got to see the crowned jewels, but I actually like the armory better. Funny huh?

5. Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum- so I've always wanted to see this, and I was super excited, even paid the exhorbitant £25 entry fee (that's $50 to us folks), and was deeply dissapointed. I mean the wax figures were cool and all, but there were tons of people running around. But there was the interesting part about how Madame Tussaud got her start during the revolutionary war by making wax death masks. pretty crazy huh?

6. Harrods- Torture. Pure Torture. I'm in the most lavish, beautiful, gorgeous collection of all the best designers in the world scaling five floors and presented in the grandest way possible, and...I'm poor. No purchases here, but very fun to look at (a little scared to touch though).

**Just a side note here. I specifically traveled to see the London Museum of Fashion and Design and it was being reinovated. I was really bummed. But hey, just another thing y'all can see with me when you visit! (also, The London Dungeon-except maybe ivy-which is a thrill experience going over medieval torture, the War Experience which lets you experience what the bombing attacks of WWII were like, and much much more!) Yes, I'm trying to bribe people to come with these cool options.

Whew! I bet you thought I'd never shut up. Well just in closing, I have FINALLY got my phone to work. Now I'm not really sure how much it costs to call back and forth, I just know I've prepaid for some time. But anyway, here is the number:

07766754593
I don't know if you need the country code, but if you do it is: 01+1+number
(i think)
Okay. I'm really done now. Much Love!!!!!

p.s. when I find a free wireless zone, i'll post pictures...i have A LOT!

Like a kid in a candy shop...

Ladies and gentlemen I am pleased to inform you that following a flight cancellation, an eight hour layover in Houston (p.s. if anybody has ANY questions about that place, I've got you covered), and a brief stop in Detroit I HAVE ARRIVED!!! I got here at 11 in the morning making my way through immigration (with one surly attendant drilling me for about thirty minutes), customs, luggage claim, and finally hauled 150lbs of luggage (I wish I was exaggerating) through to separate tube lines, connections and all, without getting lost. Go me! That was definately the hardest part of my trip, but once I checked into my hostel and dropped the load I felt light, free, and ready to take on the city...so I did.

For the past five hours, I've been wandering around London and stumbling upon the most awestrucking images and experiences. I don't know what it is about Europe, but everything is so poetic. There are subtleties, nuances, and intricancies in each piece of architecture. It's like I'm a little kid again, and London is my candy shop...I just eat it up never getting enough. I saw Westminister Abby, the Houses of Parliament, and Big Ben. I walked the Westminister bridge across the Thames and went to Trafalgar Square. I wandered into London China Town with more orange and red lights and lanterns than you can imagine. I went down Piccadilly street and windowshopped my way through Donna Karan, Burberry, and Vivienne Westwood ending up at London's equivalent of Times' Square- Piccadilly Circus. I'm enjoying walking around so much that the cold and blustering winds don't really bother me. Yeah right. That's a lie. It's freaking freezing here and this Texas girl is a wussy. But it's definately worth it...

On a final random note to sum up my rambling blog, I've been watching tons of British films...in just the past few days I've seen Sense and Sensibility, Atonement, Alfie (the old Michael Caine version), My Fair Lady, and a little bit of Harry Potter. Anyway, my point is y'all should pick up a British film the next time you're in a rental store, watch it, picture me there, and then get jealous and come visit me. Soon. I miss you all so much and the only downfall to this wonderful experience is having no one to share it with.

I hope everyone is well and is enjoying Super Bowel Sunday...pretty sure I'm not going to see that here so someone send me the score! Love you peeps!

I'm Ready for London, but Apparently London is Not Ready for Me...

So today I experienced one of the most anti-climatic moments of my life. 12:30pm: I've carefully packed away two suitcases weighing less than 50 lbs each containing the contents to support me for the next 6 months as well as a carry on that weighs approximately 1 billion lbs with other necessary materials. I say my goodbyes, shed some tears, arrive at the airport, drag my bags to check in, and am shortly informed of my flight cancellation. Yes. The flight to change my life was cancelled. I am now departing for Houston via London at 9:30am tomorrow. I am finally at the point where i seriously cannot WAIT to leave and then I'm told my plans are delayed. Seriously? But I've come to terms with it. I firmly believe everything happens for a reason, and God has mapped out my life according to his plan. For some reason, I was meant to be in Amarillo for one more day and I have embraced this gift. My mom and I went to the matinee (we say Atonement, one of my new favorite movies), and then I spent the evening relaxing at home. As hard as it is, I just have to remember to trust in God and be grateful for every opportunity, no matter how unexpected it might be.

I realize I have definately slacked off on my blogging responsibilities, but as of today I will be writing so much that no one will want to read it. I can't wait to reach my destination and share all my adventures with everyone. I love y'all so much!