i and love and you

I promise I'll get around to posting about Cambodia. I just like to go in order of events, so just highly anticipate what's coming.

Something else that happened this summer: a wonderful trip to the UK with some of my best friends. I've wanted to return to London ever since I did the Tech London study abroad program in 2009, and once I found out the 2012 summer Olympics were going to be held there, I was determined to return. When I am determined about traveling, I will eat beans every day to make it happen. I haven't had to resort to that (thankfully, because I hate beans), but you get what I mean. Traveling is such a huge part of my life, and I hope I get to keep globe trotting for many years to come.

I've only got so many good travel years (the rest of my life is not enough), and God had me in mind when he created what we now know as the United Kingdom. I love every inch of it, and as of this summer, I have completed the trifecta of awesome by adding a Scotland stamp to my beloved passport. 

Here's a glimpse into the twoish weeks leading up to my returning to Cambobo. 

How can you not be in love with a city where all the buildings look like this? 

Edinburgh, you are number two on my list.

Edinburgh Castle

love. love love love love love.

Beautiful Edinburgh. This was taken during our walking tour. Our guide was Canadian, which was initially a huge bummer, but he turned out to be pretty great. It's easy to see why he fell in love with Scotland.

Gorgeous Tower Bridge with her rings

I graffitied the bathroom wall of The Elephant House, the cafe where the first couple of Harry Potter books were written. This was such a cool little place.

Outside of said cafe.

Um, it's July in this picture. I'm wearing a scarf, I'm not sweating, and I'm just so happy.

On the Tube with my travel companions! And that lady who wasn't ready for a picture.

I'm still not ready to comment on the Olympic ticket fiasco of 2012, but we managed to get this close to Olympic Stadium!

The tour of Leavesden Studios, where all the HPs were filmed! Too legit to quit.

Yummy Butterbeer.

Sleeping Beauty's Castle at Euro Disney

in love with the eye

Taking inspiration from Joey Tribbiani and stepping inside the map!

So...a lot of things about the Olympics were weird. But highly enjoyable. So we forgive you, London.

And since the five of us have spent every day wishing we could go back, we'll probably see you again soon.

Well, folks, that's everything. Next post: Cambodia. 

Mere

the in between

This new post comes to you today thanks to my dear cousin, Leigh Anne, who just fussed at me over Skype because I haven't been updating : )

Let's see, I guess I'll start with the time between coming home from the mission trip and leaving again. It was such a crazy time, but it was filled with so many good times and so much love. I went on a road trip with my parents to Dallas and Oklahoma City, I was in a wedding, I spent a wonderful day on the river learning how to wake board, and all kinds of things in between.

I had no clue how to say goodbye to so many people and so many places all at once, but I did the best I could to keep it together and try to express to everyone how much I love them and cherish their friendships. I definitely had my moments of break down, but I was so blessed to have certain people in my life who were there through all the great and the not-so-great moments. God knew exactly how to orchestrate that time, and I'm still amazed when I think back to how everything fell into place.

We are not meant to live this life alone, and I was never alone during this experience. Thank you so much for those of you who were there during the very real moments of me realizing what I was about to do. I'm sure it wasn't easy, but I love you so much for all you did for me. I thank God for calling me to this place and putting in place the support I would need every step of the way.

Here's a glimpse into all the happenings of those three weeks. I had so much fun traveling around and even had a few days when I could just lay on the couch and watch Pawn Stars marathons. Don't judge me until you watch it. All the seasons are on Netflix.

My darling friend, Mary. This was at her wedding shower a few weeks before her big day!

Last midnight showing for a while. The Dark Knight Rises.

Got to ride to Arlington with Leigh Anne, the cousin I mentioned earlier : )

She is also a teacher, and our classes are going to be pen pals!

Something I definitely wanted to do before leaving <3

It was the most American thing I could think of.

Trip to Oklahoma City to see my brother, Reed. The memorial was incredible!

Also got to reunite with Lindsey : )

OKC has such a cool downtown area.

The Reedster

Olive Garden date with the wonderful Megan. 

Keep smilin', keep shinin'...

 This crew stopped by to say farewell before they headed back to Dallas. So much love!

So thankful for him. He's also the one to blame for Pawn Stars.

My oldest brother, Ryan, my sister-in-law, Christina, and their bebeh! 

Can't wait to meet the little guy : )