England Updates, Yo

Happy Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy MLK Day, and #allthethings I’ve missed since Thanksgiving!! I spoke with my Mom yesterday and she reminded me that I hadn’t posted in a while, so here I am with a quick rundown of updates. My Dear Mother also mentioned that I was funnier at the beginning of this whole writing adventure. I quite agree, so first on the list of updates:

What Happened to the Sass

1. Politics. I’m keeping this blog apolitical (you’re welcome), and I’m exhausted from constantly dodging the buckets of bitching being slung all over the place (mostly online, but also in person). In these tired moments, my sass becomes very negative and that is not the place where my creativity flourishes. So I’ve unplugged quite a bit and allowed myself to be absent. I’m tired of being the Token American (and Token Expat) that is forced to listen to people airing their political grievances. This has never been a good small-talk topic and 2016 solidified the fact. I would rather the first conversation I have with strangers be about something positive. When political opinions are the most interesting things about a person or are the go-to conversation starters, perhaps it’s time to diversify interests for the sake of everyone who has to interact with you. The beauty of our earth and the life we’ve been given are infinitely more rich and fulfilling than imperfect human governments.
2. Holiday Season. No travel mishaps to report like last year! This year’s Christmas in Birmingham called for more hygge than sass.
3. I’m sad the England adventure is ending soon and so I’m more sentimental than sassy. I’m really going to miss living here and I’m trying to prepare myself for our move home, or “re-entry.” In all honesty, I’m not ready to leave all of this behind. I’m worried that we lack the tools and strength to integrate our intentional and values-based UK lifestyle with all the pressures and expectations waiting for us in the US. I’ve drafted 3 or 4 posts to share what’s on my mind, but I’m having a hard time putting it into words and striking the right tone. Hopefully I’ll have something to share with you soon.

Spring Travel

We are RUNNING OUT OF TIME to do things and I feel guilty whenever I think about Penny at the doggie hotel 6 times in 4 months. We have some fantastic trips booked to Lisbon & Fatima, Krakow, and Copenhagen with preliminary plans to visit Norway. We’ll be in London a couple times, obvs. Also, I’m having the expected Big Birthday Year Crisis and am trying to plan something epic. Provence? Croatia? Italian Lakes? If this isn’t first world problems, I don’t know what is.

Reading

I’m simultaneously reading guidebooks for all the above places, biographies of Clementine Churchill and Saint John Paul II, the Diary of St. Faustina Kowalska, and blogger recommendations for our travel destinations. Still seeking something great about Maximilian Kolbe so send it my way STAT if you have recs.

Everything Else

1. We were in California for just over a week in December to see my family and attend my sister’s graduation from physical therapy school. I hadn’t seen my siblings since we moved so it was long overdue, to say the least! 
2. We visited the Scottish Highlands and Isle of Skye between Christmas and New Years and it was beyond fabulous. I know I’m due for a post. If you don’t follow me on Instagram, head there now for your dose of Scotland pics in the meantime.
3. Selling our non-essential items = interesting interactions with people via the classifieds. One person came very close to demanding that I not only accept his low-ball offer but also deliver the item. A few people have messaged me: “Hi love, what’s your best price?” …….. My best price is the price it’s listed at, dumb dumb. Let me know when you’re ready to make an offer.

I’d love to know if you’ve visited Lisbon, Krakow, or Copenhagen and if you have favorite cafes, restaurants, bars, or hidden gems that you’d like to share! Similarly, help a girl pick her epic birthday trip, will you? We’re not aiming for a city, but rather a tucked away place where we can “actively relax” with outdoor activities and beautiful scenery.