it's april 29th, and it's my mum's birthday. 

this is the absolute longest i've spent away from my family to date. 

i think i've decided that no matter how cool a place you're in or however many awesome things you're doing, the people around you do matter. it's easy to get stuck in a place for a long time and eventually feel yourself itching to leave and willing to do anything to get on the road, no matter where that road takes you. 

but i think chris mccandless was right when he concluded that happiness isn't real unless shared. and while he discovered this too late, i suppose i, being an ocean away at the moment, am choosing to embrace this reality now. 

so i sit here on a monday afternoon, trying to incorporate all methods of accepting what is, and all other alan watts and buddhist wisdom, thinking happy, teary thoughts for my mom on her day of the year. i miss her in a distinct way only a daughter can miss a mother, but the sacrifice is the 'realization' and that is what's beautiful today. 

so maman, mama bear, happy birthday and cheers from england. i love you and i'm so happy to think i'll be seeing you and piper on these london streets in a matter of days. 

we're goin' to barcelona

sometimes 

i miss kirk so much i revel in the memories of the, like, two discussions we had that resembled arguments.

a great song for my mushy sentiment

today's climate here in london reminded me of summers spent in maine. lush green everywhere.
- the pine was always my favourite -

the breeze, the birdsongs. the only thing missing (aside from everything) was the smell of salt water.

At times I also hear the wind blow by

And find that merely to hear the wind blow makes

          it worth having been born.

alberto caeiro

everyday

4/20

roman baths

"There's a feeling I get when I look to the west and my spirit is crying for leaving." Led Zeppelin

went to stonehenge and the city of bath with my british life & culture class yesterday 

stonehenge was "underwhelming" (-rachel ratton) and bath was enchanting and full of life

the weather was the most pleasant since being here, blue skies, shy clouds, smiling sun

the drive was unfailingly the best part, rolling hills, trees, hot air balloons

it's been a beautiful weekend

smiling about a lot, but here, some for kirk

hwhoa, two blog posts in one day, i know.

 but i was feelin' it! 

just thought you guys haven't seen my goofy face in a while so here are some up-to-date photos of yours truly.

feeling bright today. for nothing too special. but i guess i'm excited about some things 

right here. and. now.

the light from the setting sun

my brilliant, hard working, totally deserving sister graduating in 16 days

the smiling spring weather and its motivation for working out more

a proper hair cut (more like correction), anthology magazines, candles, a tent and my dog waiting for me when i get home

the dalai llama's speech(es?) being streamed live tomorrow

seeing my beautiful mom and sister in less than a month

the small amount of stress caused by schoolwork since being here (comparatively)

watching beasts of the southern wild tomorrow

spending these last two months discovering new things, with some close friends, in this place

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”
― Dalai Lama XIV

scotland, the last trip of my spring break. 

flew, with katlin, north. we stayed with her family friend who was the most accommodating and high energy hostess that made us feel so at home. 

over the course of four days we got to the know the town of edinburgh by driving through its streets, stopping in its shops, napping in its parks, tasting local cuisine, getting lost in its side streets, indulging in its jazz talent, and hiking up arthur's seat to peek at everything we'd been surrounded by. 

maybe the best part though, was my surprised eyes when we discovered the highlands.

so here, some digs of what we saw.

lots of mountains, lots of clouds, lots of salty water.

the north sea

the cutest yak i ever did see. also the only yak i've ever seen.

everything was beautiful

we're just gonna walk through the highlands!

first ones to get off the bus, last ones to get back on

loch ness

we found nessie

a middle aged couple holding fingers. love is pretty special.

gifted sunflower seeds planted. maybe they will be beautiful and strong someday.

molly's house

from the top of arthur's seat, looking out over edinburgh's glory

and now it's spring.