"take a break, eat a cookie."

Busy, busy... story of my life. I can't begin to explain just how excited I actually was to be coming home for Christmas. As the days drew closer, the more excited I became. Now I'm here ten days later in my favorite city, or as I like to call it, "My city." I'm back to my origin's falling in love all over again. It's been so fun to be with family. It's not as if we do anything exciting, however it's nice to be here with them. Already I've seen a number of friends, and still have more to see before I leave once again.

I've learned a lesson of how important low maintenance friendships are. What I mean, are the friends you can say "hey" to when you have the chance, but may not know every detail to their life at the time, yet you're still special to them and vice versa. How ever, when the moment of reuniting occurs, everything is picked up where you last left it, and time goes on. Laughter fills the air, and the reminisce of old memories replays in our minds.

I feel so blessed to have a number of truly sensational people in my life. Some I call family, others friends. But all are just as special as the other. I am loving being here visiting from place to place. To everyone else, I hope you have a Merry Christmas, or Happy Hanukah, Kwanza or any other holidays that may be celebrated this holiday season!

reality check.

Right now I probably should be cramming for finals but instead i sit with a cup of hot chocolate, feeling a need to write.

I went downtown the other day, and brought my film camera and a desire to see the area through a different eye. My feet carried me as I walked up and down the same street, in the brisk air snapping shot after shot. I'm not sure if the photos will be any good, but a smile was brought to my face as I stared at buildings painted rusty oranges and browns, and took note of twigs, trash and people. As I walked about, I noticed a man. Not the type of man most would probably stop for. An older gentlemen with a white scraggly beard, a nearly toothless grin, wearing old dirty clothes, and sitting on a bench. But for some reason, both he and I caught the eye of the other. I began walking by without giving even a simple "hello" but instead, he took me by surprise. The man began saying " I'm having a good day! Got my money early. Was supposed to get $80, but got $140 instead.. and I'm about to have a real good sandwich. Corned beef with chips. Not the type of chips from a bag, real chips! I'm Irish, and the guy bringing me my sandwich is Irish. I'm about to have a good sandwich, and I'm having a good day!" This man, perhaps homeless just kept repeating this over and over, and for some reason this brought a smile to my face. I saw something I wasn't expecting in him, and that was beauty. Something about this man was special. Maybe it was the simple fact that although he clearly had nothing, he was still so cheery about a simple corned beef sandwich and little bit of extra money coming his way. Things that the rest of us take for granted.. I felt humbled by him, and this moment.

It's that festive time of year where we're supposed to take the focus off ourselves, and notice those around. Here is my question to you.. who is it you need to notice? We live each day in and out, in and out. Running and complaining about having no time, and not enough "things." Is that what life is really about, stressing and whining? Not just today or tomorrow, but every day should be about others. So today, take the time to stop, and be humbled..

autumn light.

The life I live wouldn't be described much as glamorous. It's simple. It's messy. It's lonely, but, it's mine. I feel I live as a Nomad traveling from place to place with no clear direction. I've begun to follow my heart, my gut. This world I breathe in is beautiful. With it's vast mountains, fresh waters, generous lands, and multitude of people. Gracious I am for being able to see so much of it already. I am living my dream.

With living abroad, in a new found place then traveling around there.. now I sit in the city I've thought of for years. The first time I travel west bound, the same time I choose to live. What an exhilarating choice. My neck stretched back as I look up at the mountains every day. My soul met, enjoying the sounds, and smells of fresh water. The inhale of coffee beans setting my nostrils on fire as I brew just another cup.

I now find myself wearing a name tag with the word "Barista." Finally, a barista. My dream job. I sit in boring classes with bright lights, taking notes five days a week. Unless of course it's a holiday. Those are the days I look forward to the most. The days to catch up on some beauty rest and perhaps explore this new place.

I am in University, learning and working for a degree. A degree in what? I'm still slightly unsure really.. but I'll get there. I'm doing the thing I've dreamt of since I was small.

Brave is what some have called me. For going after what I wanted, and finding ways to make it happen.. even when not always having every piece to every puzzle. I like to think of it more as crazy. I mean what am I doing? How did I get here?

I'm happy most days. Thankful really. But I'm lonely, and quiet on others. However, I am living a dream. A dream I once thought would never be anything more than a dream. Never did I think it would one day come true. My dream has now become my reality...

"everywhere i go."

I think it's apparent that for the past year of my life I've been crap at this whole blog thing. It's one of those things where life get's the best of you, and next thing you know days and months have passed leaving certain things left empty. This I know should not be used as an excuse. However, I'm trying it anyway.

I sit here exactly one month away from leaving on a jet plane headed for the mothership. It's crazy to think how I've spent the past ten months of my life living and working abroad. Never would I have imagined myself at the age of nineteen, now twenty (yes, I have now reached the big "2-0") living the life I have this year. I traveled to four different countries, and experienced the world In a way I never thought could happen to me. By far, nineteen was the BEST year of my life thus far!! However, I can not wait to unveil everything twenty has to offer for me in the next year. Here is the current update of what's to come..

Three weeks after hitting American soil and re-visitng the dreaded Ohio humidity, the wheels on my Ford Explorer will head west. Yes ladies and gentlemen, it's a quick hello then another goodbye as I head off for the city of Seattle! What can I say, after the year I've just had, it just didn't feel right sticking around in the "Nasty Nati." I mean can you really blame me? The decision for another move was in no way sudden or irrational, but I've been thinking of doing this for quite some time. To me, it kinda feels like now or never. Either way, I'm excited and ready for yet another challenging year.

Incase you're wondering, I'm headed to Seattle (well actually more of a suburb just outside the "Emerald City") for school in which I'm planning to study Business Marketing. I suppose like most college students this is subject to change at anytime, but for now, this is it.

For the first time in my life I'll be moving to a place I have never been, and pretty much know no one in. Crazy you call me? Well perhaps. But I like to think of it more as adventurous. If anything, this year away has taught me what kind of story I want to write with my life. Which for me, is a life out of the ordinary not doing what the media, people and the world tell me "is right." I've learned that sometimes, taking a step outside the box you've been put in is okay.

I'm excited for my life out west. I realize that in no way will it be easy (I think it's important you know i'm not completely delusional). However, I can not wait for the stories to share in the ways I learned and grew. I say.. BRING IT ON!

Please don't take this the wrong way, but I'm not looking your approval on this decision but I do hope you're able to support me in one way or another. So, stick by my side as I continue to go forward with my future. Pray for me and read my blog entries whenever they may appear. Ohio, i'll be seeing you soon and Northern Ireland, it's going to be difficult to say farewell. It's been brilliant having your ears to hear me this past year, and I hope to have you by my side once again..

u p d a t e .

I've been reading a book called "Red Moon Rising" by Pete Greig and Dave Roberts. It's the story of 24/7 prayer (a prayer movement happening all over the world) and how it has come to be. I have found myself encouraged and mesmerized at the stories of what God is, has and can do. The following paragraph stood out to me the other day, so I thought I'd just quickly share.

"God is challenging us as people to dare to feel the pain all around us. To move from praying for people from the comfort of our own salvation to interceding with them from a position of need.. Will we allow the things that break God's heart to break our hearts too? It will mean more tears, and more listening. God is allowing us to feel the pain, to be weak and broken so that our prayers have power."

... "so that our prayers have power." - I love it!


I'm living a good life here. Hard to believe I've been here seven months and am left with only five remaining. I'm completely unsure of where or what I'm doing after my year here. Honestly, I'd love to stay forever, but unfortunately my bank account has different plans. I've been praying obsessively about this, because all I want to do is follow God. Sure, I'll figure it out (eventually). But for now, I'm completely unsure.


So that's my life at the moment. Nothing exciting I know. However, I love it more than anything.

"doubt yourself & you doubt everything you see."

ricky, my brother from another mother. sometimes we get bored and go about for a wee dander.

my vibe dance crew after our big showcase.

two of my favorite kids.

my first latte (that i made).

the french alps.

the little brown envelope.

In my room sits a little brown envelope. It's nothing special, not a sight to see. In it contains money saved I have left over from the previous month, or am sometimes blessed with. The other night, I cramed a few more pounds in, pulled every note back out and began counting. But, before I started counting, I prayed a little prayer. It went something like this "God, make it stretch."

Did I mention I'm going on a mission trip to India, and that we have to hand in our plane ticket money of £400 Sunday?

Last time I counted the money cramed in my little brown envelope, there was hardly £315. After I prayed my little prayer, I found myself sitting with £417. Exactly what I needed with a little extra.

God, You're so good to me.

there's more to be heard than what your ears can hear.

Have you ever thought about your passion? What do you enjoy? I'm not talking about sitting on the computer checking your facebook all day, or texting and phoning your friends constantly. But rather the one (or two, maybe even three) things that stop your world. The something that floats your boat.

A few weeks ago I received an email from my mom, and in bold letters what did it say? .. "What is your passion" three times over and over again. This easy no brainer question hasn't left my mind since. That was when I found myself thinking deep. A harsh reality has now struck me, and struck me hard when I realized that I feel there truly is nothing I completely and whole heartedly am passionate about.

Yes I love people, and enjoy helping them out in any way I possibly can. If I bring a smile to their face and they just so happen to laugh a time or two along the way, then that just seems to be an extra bonus. But that's not something I can do when sitting at home alone and bored. It's not something I can do when I need to take a breather and want to be alone. It's not something I can do to pass the time. The internet is a handy gadget and a way of life these days. However, I find myself consumed by status updates and photos being uploaded daily. Too much of my life is wasted away clicking and scrolling.

I suppose there is no real point to this post other than to ask for you to pray for me and that I would find what my passion is. Pray that I find something that I'm not only good at, but also love doing. Some have cooking, others have reading, photography, an instrument, but what do I have and not only that, what do I love?

It's good for me to be surrounded by people with solid passions because it has now caused me to ask myself this question.

If you're anything like me, then I encourage you to ask yourself the same question my mom asked me, and that is "What is your passion?" If you're unsure as I am, go to God with it and ask Him. Incase you've forgotten, He's always there ready and willing to answer at any minute, every second of the day.