been there

Every summer, since I can remember, my family crammed into a van and headed north for the cornfields of Wisconsin. Stopping to enjoy the sights, sounds, and food of neighboring states -such as the Carolina's, Tennessee, and Ohio- was all a part of the fun. Back then, I considered grits and sweet tea exotic food groups!

italia

However, it wasn't until my first senior year in college that I had the opportunity to travel abroad. Like really abroad. Not to a state that served grits with every meal. That trip abroad took me to Italia for 4 weeks as parts of an art history course. I almost didn't come back- no joke.

You had my heart at the word Dumo.

Where there is never enough good company or enough good food or enough good drink. It is a total win, win, win situation. 

After visiting Firenze, Roma, Siena, Pisa, and Montepulciano I packed my bag...well my bag turned into bags...and headed back to the states. I knew I would never be the same. 

ireland

After finishing up my second senior year in college I was more than a little lost in life. The economy had recently taken a hard hit and was not looking much better for the year 2010. I had been in a relationship, for 4 years and honestly didn't know if I was ready to be married. The thought of working in an office horrified me. The only direction I had was a still small voice prompting me to move to Ireland. I picked up my diploma and immediately headed for the Republic of Ireland.

Settling into a home that was built 300 years before our country was even born - #mindblowing. The warmth, love, support, care, and genuine understanding I received from these fellow brethren was equally #mindblowing.

Here one of the most important lessons in life was learned. Ladies buy a 1/2 pint at a time. Hussies buy by the pint. By the way, if you haven't had a Guinness in Ireland you haven't lived. 

england

Birthday number 23 was spent in London, England baby! 

The changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace was quite the sight to see. I was lucky enough to stumble across this event.

Walking out the wrong door at Wesminister Abbey brought me to the Wesminister gardens. I was quickly escorted out, but not before I scored this great shot!

scotland

Towards the end of my stay in Ireland, I decided to take one last trip with a dear friend Joanne. Since Joanne was from Scotland we naturally ended up there. This is one week I will never forget! So many beautiful views and so much great Bailey's. And like most things that originate in other countries, the Bailey's you buy and drink in the UK is nothing- nothing- like the Bailey's you get in the states.

Peaceful. Cold. Perfect.

I still have not seen light filter through clouds this way again.









until my next big adventure...