New Years Eve 2013/2014

Today's reading from "My Upmost For His Highest":

Yesterday

"The God of Israel will be your rear guard."~ Isaiah 52:12

At the end of the year we turn with eagerness to all that God has for the future, and yet anxiety is apt to arise when we remember our yesterdays. But God is the God of our yesterdays, and He allows the memory of them to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual growth for our future. God reminds us of the past to protect us from a very shallow security in the present. 

From reading this today, I immediately started thinking to myself, 'How am I honoring the gift of today with my past, present, and hope for the future right now?'

I think it's easy (and normal) to see "New Years" and "January" as the new start we've all been waiting for. But isn't that the thought each year for so many of us? As if we are suddenly going to be able to break old habits, commit to better choices, and free ourselves from heavy burdens at the hour of midnight. A new year is positive and a gift: Another day and year for learning, growing, living, and loving. And if it does provide the transformation any of us are looking for, I'll be the first to welcome it and be glad!

Today I have found myself enjoying treats left from the Christmas celebration table, drinking tea and coffee, writing more holiday cards and notes, updating my blog, looking at pictures, and soaking up the end of the year. While the "Best of 2013 music" plays in the background, I'm actually making a personal list of all the things I'm personally proud of /glad/thankful/grateful for from this year. 

This morning I practiced yoga, played music, drank coffee, and read for as long as I desired. I didn't set an alarm, I woke up when I was ready, I didn't have anywhere to rush off to, and I could simply 'Be'. I took my last shower of 2013 (Be healthy. Be Clean. Hehe) and decided to dress up for the day. I've tried to not rush myself at all today, keep calm, and enjoy today for all it is. I don't want to feel pressed for time, frustrated about plans for what to do tonight [New Years Eve: International Day of Indecisive Plans], or anxious about things that I can't control today that have to do with days to come. 

I'm looking forward to spending the evening with some of my Irish friends and ringing in the new year together. Who knows where we will all be this time next year.... After all this, this time last year I was in Atlanta, GA with friends and family with no idea I'd really be here in Dublin tonight. 

Today I am glad to be alive, grateful for where I am, thankful for my health/family/friends, and full of joy and hope for what next year will hold. 

As my mom would say, "We are not striving for perfection. We are aspiring to be a little bit better each day, so we can blossom into our best selves."

Light and Love from me to you on in to the days to come.

:)

Lamentations 3:22-23

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

*****HAPPY NEW YEAR!*****

Cheers,

m

Thanksgiving in Ireland

This is the start of my holiday blogging abroad! I realize it's actually Christmas Eve [edit: Now New Years Eve], but before I catch up on Christmas & everything else merry, I need to say something about Thanksgiving!

I honestly didn't expect to celebrate Thanksgiving abroad this year. This was my first Thanksgiving holiday EVER being away from home :( AS WELL AS ever being in school!

I started the day off at one of the schools I'm volunteering at. I had JUST had a spill off my bike complete with scratches and bruises, so that made for an interesting conversation both at work and dinner. But school/work was grand, and I really enjoyed going around the different classrooms teaching the children about our holiday and how we celebrate it. I was the social studies lesson for the day :) I also had the students in my special class do hand print turkey art and write thank you letters. They loved it!

Photo By: M.

Photo By: M.

Photo By: M.

Where so ever we are in the world, be grateful for where you are. 

Photo By: M.

I considered cooking for Thanksgiving and tackling that mighty meal endeavor, but THEN I came across a special dinner for American expats and visitors like me at the Dublin Hilton. There was traditional chow, the NFL game live from London playing in the bar area, and good buzz around the place. It was nice to be around other people looking for a way to celebrate Thanksgiving in Dublin.

Thanks to Democrats Abroad, we truly ate a FEAST!

New England clam chowder, crab cakes, stuffing with cranberry sauce, ham, turkey, ribs, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn bread, carrots, green bean casserole, mac and cheese, turnips and leeks, and the fixings for salad! A few different additions to the trad menu, but no complaints! Actually, I'd never met a crab cake I didn't like to see!

And what Thanksgiving dinner could be complete without dessert? Pumpkin and Pecan pie just as good as home, and a fudge brownie and cheesecake slice just cuz!

 American style in Dublin with a full night of celebrating! I didn't feel SO far from home after all, although I still missed my family and friends! That will just always go without saying! :-* Who was at home this year to make sure the chores were done, the china was placed correctly, and photography by the fire place happened???? Haha Now you know you miss me!  I miss ya'll too!

You know what the extra bonus was? Waking up to a Thanksgiving brunch wrap! Coffee, the day off to ourselves, and delicious post-Thanksgiving sammich? It's just the little things :)

My first school day on Thanksgiving Day. Sweet teachers and students wished me, "Happy Thanksgiving" and invited me to share stories about our holiday from The U.S. I included lessons on geography, compare and contrast activities with other holidays, and craft time. The only request for my next visit is snacks :)


















Where so ever we are in the world, be grateful for where you are.

Photo By: M.

With November 2013 complete, Happy Thanksgiving.... & Wishing everyone a fun, healthy, safe, and happy holiday season! 


Cheers, 
M

xx

Londontober 2013

London Street, Paddington. Photo By: M.

Heya!

I'm catching up on my personal journal this month, and realizing I'm still catching up on my trip to London in October (among other blog posts). I'm one for every last detail- breakfast, lunch, and dinner type of memory- but what else can I really say other than this trip was an amazing experience.....

I particularly liked the hustle and bustle of London. I found the tube impressively tight and efficient. London is an expensive place, but there is tons you can do for free (museums, parks, and roaming around on foot)! 

I am so impressed that while we were there it only rained one time! I am equally impressed that the first night I arrived into the city with D, we walked around ALL night and never went to bed. We had the city to ourselves! 

The first time I laid eyes on The London Eye, it really hit me we were in England. It was beautiful in the dark- lit up in shades of blue- and gorgeous by daylight. And while we were in Westminster what other British landmarks stood out? The Elizabeth Tower with Big Ben safe inside, the houses of parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, and that's only naming a few! I don't want to sound like a travel book, but if there was something famous to see.... Diarmuid and I walked like nomads to find it! 

It was also great chatting with locals, finding hidden gems around SOHO to shop and eat at, treking around with friends, and long walks by Queen's Walk with Pimms. 

From plane rides, to bus trips, boat cruises, bridge crossings, tube rides, and epic treks.... The adventure of a lifetime! Hungry for more :)


I'll add a few of my favorite photos and memories from the visit below:

On Westminster Bridge enjoying the view. Photo By: M.

Welcome, to Great Britain! Photo By: M.

Shopping on Oxford Street. Photo By: D.

Wanderluster life. Photo By: M.

The Shard, London Bridge, and London Tower bound! Photo By M.

Photo By: M.

The Shard. Photo By: M.

Photo By: M.

Photo By: M.

My first Pimmmmmmsssssss. Photo By: M.

I look JUST like my mom. Photo By: M.

Life underground. Photo By: M.

The Tube. Photo By: M.

St. Paul's Cathedral. Photo By: M.

Inside St. Paul's. Photo By: M.

The Indian dinners here were fantastic! Close to Paddington Station :) Photo By: M.

Photo By: M.

Living the dream atop the Big Bus! Photo By: M.

Photo By: M.

Trafalgar Square. Photo B: M.

Trafalgar Square. Photo By: M.

The one and only. Photo By: M.

Bur-berry. Photo By: D.

My favorite part. Photo By: M.

River Thames boat cruise! Photo By: D.

Photo By: M.

View from The London Eye. Photo By: M.

Captain of The Eye. Photo By: M.

This is Chelsea. Where you go to feel really, really poor. :P Photo By: M.

Photo By: M.

The view from Heron Tower. Photo By: M.

Londontober 2013! Photo By: M.

Lovies, London! Photo By: M.

Thanks Ryan Air for the nice view. Photo By: M.




I hope to have some more Wanderlusters with me for next year's Londontober! Who's with me in 2014?

Cheers,
M

xx