For a place called Cannon Beach, there was a distinct lack of explosives.

Once Upon a Time...

Once upon a time, I lived in Portland and we went to the beach.

It was a lovely beach, and we got to spend some time walking up and down the shore and dipping our toes in the freezing water.

After being trapped in the hotel for a few hours we were able to see the sunset.

 

It was all very lovely. Since we were only there for one evening, we decided that we needed to go out to Haystack Rock during low tide.  The catch? Low tide was at 2am. So, after staying up all night (watching Downton Abbey, The Walking Dead, and Pitch Perfect) 4 of us braved the chilly weather and walked the 3/4 mile to the rocks.

It was definitely worth it. Starfishes are fascinating creatures.

The ocean was cold.

The End.

This story was brought to you by my New Year's Resolution to blog more. I'm leaving for London on Monday, so I'll try and keep up on all of my adventures!

Also, if you're interested in donating to my summer study/service in South Africa the link is here: http://www.gofundme.com/61vnoo

On Moving Cross-Country, Grad School, and Insomnia

Oh, hello again, friends! I'm currently suffering from a bout of insomnia, and I've finished all of my homework for tomorrow. So, what better use of my time than to write my first blog post in over 2 years? Lots to catch up on since I last wrote. Primarily, I have decided to part ways with my full-time day job and have made the (choose your own adjective...exciting, masochistic, drastic, impulsive, sadistic, brilliant) decision to return to grad school! Surprise! So! I said 'au revoir' to my day job (though I'm still working half time), packed up my car, said goodbye to my 2 friends, and moved to Portland.

It's a sign!

The program is really exciting, I am doing an MA in International Development and Service. "How is this different from your other MA in International Relations?", you may ask. It's a more specialised focus on working with geographic areas that need assistance in anything from infrastructure to education to basic human needs/rights. I'm going to be able to not only study Development theory, but to put it into practice. I also get the opportunity to travel to different areas of the world and apply what I've learned. The program is through IPSL, an organisation that specialises in providing meaningful, practical service experience to students in all levels of education. So after Portland, my cohorts and I are off to Northern Italy, and then to Thailand!  (Exciting, isn't it?)

Moving is always a bit of a stress...of course I wanted to work until the last possible moment, and then there was the issue of packing. Being the kind and considerate daughter that I am I packed up all of my things in the house (so that, in the event that they decide to move, my parents wouldn't have my things to contend with as well) and packed much more than was necessary for one semester, and drove from Omaha to Portland. 

My Life in 10 Boxes (and 4 book boxes)

On the road again

Driving across country by one's self is really quite liberating. I had plenty of snacks, 

Are you a fan of delicious flavour?

an iPhone full of music, and an iPod full of audiobooks. So, naturally, I listened to the first 3 Harry Potter books while driving. There's nothing like Stephen Fry reading you across the plains and mountains. Luckily I have some wonderful friends to help me along the way and was able to stop and stay the night in Bountiful and Boise (with a quick detour to Rexburg to see the Marlors). And of course there was the beautiful scenery.

Mountain

MOUNTAIN

Sunset

Portland is pretty great. I'm still getting used to having a roommate again and having to share a bathroom...but things will soon settle in. My cohorts (classmates) are amazing people, I couldn't have asked for a better group to accompany me on this journey. We are all really diverse, but all have a healthy respect for one another. We all agree that we're pretty amazing. I've explored Portland a bit, and really appreciate the diversity, quirks, and hidden gems I've found so far. 

Where am I??

Chinatown

Truth in advertising

I've caught up with an old friend from High School, and I'm looking forward to many more fun excursions with her! 

A great view of downtown from Mt Tabor

I've officially started my second week of classes and they're going well, we are in the process of picking our placements and starting the visa process for studying abroad! Busy, busy, busy!! Watch this space for more updates (though not as lengthy as this one...again, insomnia). As the semester continues, I'm sure there will be many more exciting adventures to share. 

Love to all,

Suzzy

One Year Down

Hi All,

Yeah, its been a while. I actually forgot about blogging for a while, life got pretty crazy there for a while. So, whats up?

Let's see, I moved to Rochester NY for a few months. It was...an experience. Lets just say that the good things were great, and the bad things were pretty terrible. I'll say this though, it all worked out well in the end, I loved being able to help out my dear friend Shantell and get to be a full time 'Aunty Suzzy' to 2-year-old Jax. I met some amazing and wonderful friends and got a much needed change of scene. Also, I got to check a few places off of my list of 'things I need to see before I'm too old to enjoy them' (Niagara Falls and Palmyra, NY) I also gained a HUGE appreciation for my family, my parents in particular, my happy childhood, and my non-meddling sisters.


In other big news: My big sister got married! I'm so happy for her and I wish Heather and Taylor all the happiness in the world. I am so happy to welcome my new brother into the family. Taylor, best of luck man.

I moved back to Omaha because I was offered a 'real' job (one with an actual title, not working retail or weird hours) I'm loving it but I sometimes feel out of my element in a Tech company. I don't speak 'Tech-ese' for one, for another they don't always get my nerdy associations. It will be interesting to see how a huge nerd gets along with an office full of geeks. Which will prevail? Stay tuned...

What's on the horizon? Well getting settled back in O-town for one, finding my 'groove' again, actually getting to go to more concerts, visiting friends, saving up for a trip to Ol' Blighty. I'm missing England more than ever, although my cravings for chocolate and Twinings Herbal teas are being sated for the foreseeable future, I ordered a boatload of tea (yes, I finally broke down and started ordering my British creature comforts online)

So, new glasses, new year, new adventures. I'm excited for the challenges and triumphs of 2011. And I will make sure that I keep up on this blogging deal. I promise.

Loves to all!
Suzzy xx

Musings

Well, as most of you know I've been back in America for almost 5 months now....I can't believe its been this long! I miss England like a fat kid misses at kickball.

So since I've been home I've been job hunting (unsuccessfully....) travelling (within the US) and getting lots and lots of rain! Went to Atlanta in March, saw Heather Jo and all of her crazy friends, we also got to visit Savannah and also go to Tybee Island, which was amazingly gorgeous!
Other than that I've just been hanging with lots of old friends, and reconnecting to Omaha. I've really enjoyed having Shantell and Tony back for the summer, they've made this transition easier, as well as Emily and Matt and Linz and Chris coming to visit frequently...its been nice to have someone here I know. I also have a new obsession: MLIA its made procrastination and time-wasting so much easier!

I've had a lot of...well, lets call them adventures....with my car and trying to get it back to its old self. My 95 Jetta (Mr. Darcy) had been sitting beside my parent's garage for 18 months, and once the snow bank melted, I was able to get it out of the mud...so I've had brakes done, oil changed and even did the spark plugs and wires (yes I did it myself...I'm very handy) And after a slight electrical malfunction last Monday and subsequent bruises sustained by pushing it a few feet (by myself) I think he's ready to roll again....test drive tomorrow.


I've had about 4 weeks of working with the Census...which was great, but I think it has reached an untimely end which is rubbish cause I would have liked to have had another job lined up before this one ends. Anyone have any contacts in International Relations....hook me up. :)

I get to talk to the girls in the Manor a lot, so its still hard to be here while they are all there, but Skype lessens the separation anxiety and at least I get to see my girls sometimes.

So, upcoming adventures include lots of people coming to visit, and a possible trip to Seattle in September! And if I'm lucky I'll get to go back to England before the end of the year (providing I find a job and can save up the dosh)

S0. Love you all, and I will try and think of some fun things to post in the future.

Loves!
Suzzy xx

P.S. This time last year I was here:
And this is why I'm not happy to be back in America.

Leaving Home

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. ~'Annie'

So, instead of packing (which I should be doing currently) I've decided to do my weekly blog! Yay for turning over new leaves...and procrastination.

I'm so blessed with amazing friends and really really really really (x infinity) will miss them! This week has been so great. I got to spend time with lots of amazing people, had a few surprises thrown my way, and still made it out of there with minimal tears. (Good thing I had the Dr remove the tear ducts when he was doing my eye lift, its not like I was using them. -Sue Sylvester 'Glee') Camilla came up on Friday to spend the day going around 'La Notts' and got me back to the Manor in time for a surprise girls' night! It was super fun, Kirst came up with an alternative to Pin the Tail on the Donkey, we played Pin the Lips on Edward.


Then someone let it slip that we were going bowling on Saturday...which I'd not heard of...so my surprise bowling party was ruined...well the surprise part was. I had a blast (and bowled a 127) and got to hang with my friends and chase around 'Thomas'. Today was Stake conference, lots of hugs and goodbyes to a lot of people I'm going to miss immensely. (Coxes I'm talking to you!!)

Tomorrow is my last FHE and last Glee session with the roomies. I'm off to the airport at 6:00am Tuesday morning. All I can say is that it's been a fantastic, amazing, life-changing experience I wouldn't change for the world. And I can't wait to come back!!!!!

Love you guys!
Suzzy xx

Remember the past only as it makes you smile.

Its been a very long time since I've posted last, I'd like to blame uni work, but I've finished. I could blame my internship, but that's been over for a while as well. No, I just have the best intentions to write, but never get around to doing it.

It seems that my time in the UK has come to an end (for the present) I'm going to be heading back stateside in about a week's time and guess what...

I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE!!!!

Seriously folks, the few of you who do read my blog know how much I love it here, how amazing my housemates are, and how much I wish I could stay here forever. Alas, it is not to be. I will be leaving the country that I've grown to love and the amazing people who have made it a wonderful place to be.

So, in honour of my leaving I am going to write a 'Top Ten' list of things I will miss the most about England:

Top Ten Things I'll Miss Most About England (original title right?)

10. Rain.



I know, I know, most people hate the rain, but I've had a lot of good times in the rain, being splashed by buses, forgetting my brolly and walking a mile home from uni, wearing amazing wellies and puddle jumping, and finding the coolest brolly in the history of brollies. :)
Also, it keeps this country gorgeous and green, even in the winter, under the little snow they do get, the grass is lush and green. Gorgeous!

9. Chippies.



Chips in England are an experience of their own, they are eaten with gravy, with curry sauce, with beans, on bread and butter, with pizza, and chilli. You name a meal, it has to have chips. The guys who work at the chippy around the corner know that when I come into the shop, I want a small chips with salt and vinegar. Its just the way things work.

8. Nottingham City.




I love this city, it is a great size, the buses actually run on time (most of the time) and its pretty. We have great designer shops, as well as your really cool local ones. Market Square is decked out for every holliday, including a German Market/Ice Rink at Christmastime, and a giant Ferris wheel (the Nottingham Eye) at Valentines Day.

7. Goose Fair/Bonfire Night/Robin Hood Fest.



When those crazy Brits get together, they have a right good time complete with dodgy carnival rides, fireworks, and burning effigies of failed arsonists. The goose fair has been a Nottingham tradition for 200 years. And bonfire night is just legendary.

6. Walking.




Most people here don't have cars, you walk, or take public transport. I loved all of the walking that I have been able to do here in the UK, our house is right in between campus and town, very handy. Ask anyone who came to visit me, I don't like to spend money on a bus pass if we're not going to ride it more than two times.

5. London.




My favourite city in the UK, this place has everything. I absolutely love the many different things you can do, I took 6 people around London (8 if you count my housemates) and never got bored of it. I probably know London better than Omaha. I love the markets (Camden and Portabello Rd) and all the strange things you see (like random naked bike rides) the West End and all of the fantastic shows, and of course, the Underground. I will miss being able to just hop on a train and be there in 2 hours, I will be going through serious withdrawls.

4. Travelling.


Living in England provides a really good base to explore Europe, I've been able to go to Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Prague, Rome (x2), Amalfi (x2), Belfast, Dublin, Inverness, and Edinburgh. Plus different cities around England. I feel extremely blessed to have been able to see all of the amazing places and I look forward to much more travelling in the future :)

3. Accents.
I'm told that I've got an accent, yeah right. Theirs is sooo much better, one of my favourite things is to hear little children in church saying 'Mummy, I need to go to the toilet!' seriously makes me smile. I will miss trying to figure out where people are from based on their accents, which I'm getting pretty good at! (for the record, you all say oregano wrong!!)
Also, an accent on a moderately good-looking guy makes them look about 5% hotter. Its just how things work.

2. Housemates.



What can I say, I love my girls. They've been the perfect mix of insanity and sanity. They've helped me to stay sane throughout the many ups and downs that come with going to Uni. I love love love them and will remember these times forever! From unicorns, to wrestling matches, hot cocoa, midnight trips to the chippy, 3am trips to A & E, McDonald's breakfast, and Robin Hood, we have had some amazing times and I won't ever stop 'believin'.

1. Friends.



Cheesy as it is, I've met some amazing people here in England, whether they be from my Uni course or from Church, the friendships I've made will continue to have an affect on my life for years to come. I will be back, I promise.

Ok guys, sappiness over, I'll probably continue writing my many misadventures as I think of them, there are some pretty epic stories from my travels and 1.5 years living in the UK.


Loves!
Suzzy xx

Procrastination: Its what the cool kids do......tomorrow.

Be prepared for a new, more detailed blog coming soon...

I'm currently snowed under writing my dissertation but as of Friday it will all be over for better or for worse, I'll (hopefully) have my MA in International Relations and an internship with a local charity. So for all of you people who have been cursing me for not posting...ever...I'll try and be better. Without school I should be better able to catalogue my misadventures.

As for now I'd appreciate any encouragement (i.e. prayers) to help me finish this monster of a paper by Wednesday night. Until then, you'll just have to survive on my facebook updates.

<3 <3 <3 you all.
Suzzy