Merry

Happy
Joy
Love
To all!

Mixed bag(s) are packed

My last post from the UK for awhile....and my mixed emotions are getting the best of me.  Bags are packed and in the hall, I've shed a few tears packing up things (I swear, packing just has this effect on me now, don't be worried).

What'll I miss?  New friends, the river, the French bakery around the corner, mulled wine, the view from Richmond hill, public transport, walking everywhere, and my partner.  

There's a funny story here about Tammer and the first time we spent more than a few days apart.  I was basically a mess...but the funny part is that I really didn't see it coming AT ALL.  I genuinely honestly didn't really think much of this two week vacation he was taking.....don't believe me? You can ask my family and friends, they were there. They saw, they witnessed, they made fun.  I thought maybe, just maybe, I'd notice he was gone after 1 week.  Two days later...I knew I was in trouble.  So, I will probably miss him a little bit. 

But what else? I can't wait to see my amazing and wonderful family and friends. I can't wait to recharge my soul just being near them...and the furry ones too.  It's going to be good stuff...the best stuff. And where this blog is headed, I have no idea :)  Texas will be on The Thames again...but for now....we're going to become one with the gypsies.....

Goodnight England <3

Coincidence?

I confess that I haven't bought one single Christmas present.  I should have the time, right?  Probably.  But I can think of a few rationalizations....I hate shopping....everything here is so! expensive....it doesn't feel like Christmas yet to me...

So I started on the Christmas list this morning, with my Mom (spoiler alert).  She wanted comfortable ear buds for listening to music on her iphone ('cause she's fancy like that and has an iphone).  Straightforward enough.  I get to Amazon, search for "comfortable ear buds", and this is what I get...

Comfortable with Uncertainty: 108 Teachings on Cultivating Fearlessness and Compassion [With Earbuds] (Playaway Adult Nonfiction) by Pema Chodron and Joanna Rotte (Mar 2010) 


4.5/5 stars isn't bad.  Should I add it to my basket?

Happy weekend!

From Post Secret....which I usually find somewhat sad and heavy....this one made me laugh out loud.  

Feeling ever so Jet-Set in the airport. 

I forgot to tell you - my dear old friend Emily and I crossed paths for an hour in Italy :)  

  She's changing the world I tell you, changing the world.  Someday I'll say I knew her way back when....

Ex-pats

Last get together of the year with new friends.   It's an International bunch representing the States, Cyprus, Russia, Australia, India, and Brazil.  Everyone looks forward to January get togethers, but for me it's all in flux.  The odd one out and Visa-less, I'm homeward bound in (less than) a few weeks and from there it is a winding road of uncertainty.....which I will aim to view as a winding road paved with continued unique opportunities:)  The part of me demanding Order, Control, and Predicability (hello crazy planner) will just have to get comfortable in the back seat.  Don't make me turn this car around!!!   

Roman Holiday

Warm & Colorful 

The Vatican

St. Peter's Basilica

It's the place to go if you want to feel small. 

Night  vision 

Gladiatorial 

Roman Forum 

 <3 Italy <3 

Pizza Pie

Italy bound and happy. 

Alarm set: 3am.

Who says I'm not a morning person?  All I need is some incentive (gelato).