We headed to Mexico in November - hoping to encounter warmer temperatures and fewer tourists (like us). I didn’t rub a magic lamp before we left, but we received our wishes (Where was that lamp when Montezuma’s Revenge hit Jason on the day we were supposed to go to Chichen Itza??). Us- being us, would not be content to just relax on the beach sipping margaritas in the shade of palm trees. Our priorities included soaking up plenty of vitamin D, enjoying the bathwater temperatures of the Caribbean (which was four shades of turquoise at once), and experiencing ancient Mayan citi [View Full Entry]

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It is finally summer in Seattle.....we had a free weekend, again! After the challenging but not very interesting hike off of I-90 the week before, I was excited to head towards Highway 2 off of Stevens Pass, where some of the most beautiful lakes and views can be found. So off we went with our friend Brook, to Lake Serene, one of my very favorite, "I-don't-know-where-to-go" hikes; I am always rewarded with beautiful views and a good workout. Switchbacks and endless stairs lead to a clear, vivid aqua blue glacier lake. Bridal Veil Falls, about 1.25 miles in, keeps motivation high. [View Full Entry]

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I hoped it would be warmer when we got back home, but it hasn't been! That's been my primary excuse for not hiking since we've been back! A couple of weekends ago the weatherman's prediction and what was actually happening outside matched up! But! We also had my four year old nephew for the weekend. I remembered one of my favorite places to go with my girlfriends was Twin Falls--a short hike off I-90 (about 30 minutes outside of Seattle) that has gorgeous waterfalls and family friendly. So off we went.....with thousands of other Seattleites looking to enjoy the brief sunshine. [View Full Entry]

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Last weekend we did a road trip to Boise, Idaho, where Jason grew up, and I lived for the bulk of my twenties. I have always had mixed feelings about going to Boise since moving away in 2003, but this time I fell a little bit back in love with it again. Even though it was just as cold as Seattle, and rainy, there is something about Boise that tugs at my heart. Last weekend we spent time with Jason's family; I also got to spend time with my friend Becky, whom I have not seen in a year or so. [View Full Entry]

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6 months, and I am finally comfortable enough to miss home and crave food from home without going into any sort of panic. And then it is time to go back. The flight home is quiet and uneventful. My last glimpse of the UK was the Isle of Skye, a place I felt oddly connected to; maybe the winter quiet of the island reflects what is going on inside of me. I am leaving a different way of life, of trains and people from all over the world, and quite possibly one of the most challenging social work jobs I have [View Full Entry]

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Time was winding down for me in the UK, and I was feeling restless. Our trip to London a couple of weekends before was great fun, but I needed to see some more country side before travelling back to the US. My colleague Noshela and I hopped in our little red car for a trip to Cornwall. We could not have asked for better weather; once again the sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky. We loaded my small back pack in, along with Noshela's friend and all of his belongings--we were dropping him off in the coastal town [View Full Entry]

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In between touring some of the major cities and countries, we explored bits of England. From the Tor in Glastonbury, rock formations in Stonehenge and Avebury, to a different kind of rock in Liverpool… Liverpool: The Beatles and the Culture Capital (November 2007) A young girl sits next to the old, gigantic dark wood stereo cabinet. Morning sunlight streams through the house’s many windows. Next to her, sitting cross-legged, her dad, barefoot and in faded jeans, holds an album jacket. Records are scattered on the floor as the jangling guitars and melodic voice [View Full Entry]

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"In the market-place of Bruges stands the belfry old and brown; Thrice consumed and thrice rebuilded, still it watches o'er the town. As the summer morn was breaking, on that lofty tower I stood, And the world threw off the darkness, like the weeds of widowhood..." - From the Belfry of Bruges by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. After an exciting two weeks in Germany and Prague, what else was left to see? We decided to have a low-key weekend in Brugge (Brugge is the Flemish spelling. The English spelling is Bruges). We took advantage of the Eurostar-hotel package, hoping that ou [View Full Entry]

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OVER THE SEA TO SKYE (VARIANT) Sing me a song of a lad that is gone Say, could that lad be I? Merry of soul, he sailed on a day Over the sea to Skye Mull was astern, Rum was on port Eigg on the starboard bow Glory of youth glowed in his soul Where is that glory now? Give me again all that was there Give me the sun that shone Give me the eyes, give me the soul Give me the lad that's gone Billow and breeze, islands and seas Mountains of rain and sun All that was good, [View Full Entry]

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Jason left on Wednesday, January 31, after we got back from our trip to Scotland. It was a tearful parting, but when I got back to Reading I knew I would have to move house. Little by little, I took my belongings to Guildford, which is just a 7 minute train ride from my job in Woking. After all of our adventures, I hoped I wouldn't be too bored. (I was not going to use the car because there has been a lot of road construction and bad weather). Guildford is known for many things--the University of Surrey, Guildford Castle, and [View Full Entry]

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