Middle America

Im visiting an old roommate in Columbus, Ohio.  I know, I know. Not exactly Dublin, or London, or Santo Domingo.  But ever since I landed, or even in the plane, I have had the Counting Crows song in my head. 

"{Ohio}

Somewhere in middle America 

Get right to the heart of matters 
It's the heart that matters more 
I think you better turn your ticket in 
And get your money back at the door"

Love this song.  And Ohio. And middle America! Its so much more than I expected.  Need to post pics once I get back to my comp.  Even saw another Boston Friend at church!  Love small Mormon world!

Quote of the Day

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

~ Marianne Williamson

The quote is commonly thought to have been the words of Nelson Mandela, but it first came from Mrs Williamson. It makes my heart sore to find such words from people outside of my faith. I firmly know that we all have the ability to have the Spirit in our life, and to know of God, and when I find things like this, I get a reconfirmation of that. . . . It makes me want to go out and succeed and grow and help others.

Shout Out to My Dad!

My dad is: Kind, Loving, Quirky, Geeky (hello, pocket protectors!), Intellegent, Hard-working, Faithful, Generious. . . The list can go on.

I have always been a daddy's girl. I loved when I was in Kindergarden at this private school, and my dad would take me to school. From there, my dad would leave the car and ride his bike to his work. I love to wait to watch my dad pass by my classroom windows, and all the kids would wave at him. And my dad would wave back with a big grin on his face. . . . Oh how live was so much simplier then.

My dad is a pretty amazing person. The more I get to know him and learn about him, the more Im impressed by him. Oh how thankful for his desire to attend church as a young boy. Im so grateful for his faithfulness in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and respect for the Priesthood he holds. Im so thankful for being raised in a home where this was available to me.

Thanks Dad! Happy Fathers Day!

Blows My Mind

I know, three post in one day.  But I just feel like I have to share this.  

At said weekend from previous post, I was chatting with a particular young man.  He was interesting enough, but then this comes out of his mouth.  "I think deep down all Americans really want to be European." 

I must say that as much as I love Europe and want to visit as often as possible, and even try and live there, I do love America, and being American.  I was super perplexed as to why he would say such a thing.  Therefore, trying to understand why he would make such a statement, the conversation went on as follows:

ME: Why do you think such a thing?

B: Because Unemployment is getting to high, like it is over there. 

ME:  Have you even been "over there?"

B: Well . . .  No

ME: So, you really want to make a comment like that to someone you really dont know, when you havent even left the US. 

B: Ive been to Mexico

ME: On your Mission?

B: No, that was Brazil.  I went to Cancun and Tiwanna. 

ME: So you are going to base all your foreign concepts on what you saw in Cancun and Tiwanna?

(Seriously?!)

This is why I travel.  

Rhode Island . . .

. . . My Love!

Sam inticed me hang out in to Rhode Island with some of her NYC Friends for the weekend.  It was a lovely weekend.  I didnt head down there until Saturday afternoon due to a 2 y/o My Little Pony Birthday party, and I wanted to help some at the new house.  

There really is a special place in my heart for Rhode Island.  Its a quirky little state.  But it does definitely deliver for being so small.  

When I was living in Florida, and had never visited/lived in RI, I found myself dating a boy from Rhode Island.  I used to tease him that for being such a small state there must be only like two people that live there.  What must the other dude be doing with out him?!  Ahh.  Naive little me.  

Bold Move #5,555,678

Not going to expound on it at the moment.  But I made bold move #5,555,678 for the year. Trying to keep to my new years resolution that this was going to be the year for them.  Pray for me.    

The United Kingdom

Back state side after my random jaunt to the UK. It was a great trip. Made it to Northern Ireland, Ireland, England, and Scotland. It was beautiful, and only had about 2.5 days of rain, which the locals tell me that those are amazing odds! It was also really amazing to be able to meet up with a few old friends, also.

Now its time to face reality, but let me share a few pictures first.

You cant see too many sheep in this picture, but Ireland has more sheep than people. They are everywhere. We actually jumped a fence to try and get a picture close up with them, and they all scurried away, and then stopped, turned around and looked at us like we were lunatics.

Before almost dying on our ride around the Dingle Peninsula. Seriously, there was almost a funeral. Im WAY TOO out of shape to do stuff like that, sadly.

Cliffs of Moher. Totally went past the "Private Property, Do Not Enter" signs and

got some amazing photos.

The "Chair" at Giant's Causeway. GC was proof to me that Heavenly Father has a sense of humor. Loved it.

I was practicing in case we were to follow the rainbow to the pot of gold!

I was able to meet up with an old Boston friend in London, Aimee Latta.

She is lucky enough to be doing her Masters in London.

In front of Buckingham Palace, waiting for the changing of the Guard.

Hanging out in Glasgow with old friend Josh Barton.

Love this shot! Had to put it in.