We're breathing the breath that you gave us to breathe

~Matt Redman

It's 6AM in England, 1AM here in North Carolina. I've been in the US since Wednesday but can't seem to figure out what time it really is. Granted, the past 2 days have been pretty, well, they've made it impossible for my body to know where it is or what time it is. Why am I even blogging at this hour?! I should be asleep. Tomorrow will be a day full of planning, and phone calls, and just plain being overwhelmed.

My grandmother went to be with my granddad and my uncle...with Christ tonight. And while I should be sleeping I can't. No matter how exhausted I am, I can't shut my eyes. And I can't wrap my head around it all and how I'm supposed to go back to England on Sunday.

'Cause we've forgotten what it's like to eat what's rotten

~Ted Leo & The Pharmacists

I was walking home from uni today and thinking about how I hadn't posted in a while. It's just so crazy right now. I had actually planned out in my head, like all you other bloggers do, what I'd post about but that it'd honestly have to wait until after Friday. This class I'm in right now is crazy! But I love it!

So while I'm home tonight knee deep in this...

I get to tell you about this surprise in the mail...

So, as much as I'd rather keep working...I just had to share. Thanks so much for my package! It's definitely making tonight go easier!!!

And since I don't have much more time to waste before actually doing work...I'll leave the rest of you with some pictures from the past 2 weeks. We had much more snow and I had a sushi night with the twins...homemade sushi that is!

Walking in a winter wonderland

It's snowing in England!! Finally! Right now most of the UK is under a severe weather warning, with snowfall forecast through Wednesday. London itself is almost totally shut down in areas. It's awesome! And now, I have my "when I was your age I walked 2 miles in the snow, uphill just to get to school." It's awesome!

It's also great getting to experience this snow with my classmates from Africa, who are experiencing their first snow ever. We properly initiated them with a snowball fight for our half hour break during class today. I feel like a kid again!!

Lift me up above it all...

~Building 429

Freedom!!!!!!!!! I feel a little like William Wallace today. Actually, that feeling all started yesterday around 11:30 when the exam was completed and handed in. The best part is that I really think I did well on it. Then again, I've been rather consistent with my grades over here and much better off than my grades back home, which only really means, I'm making more A's than B's. At any rate, it's a free weekend!!!! No coursework, no lecture notes to read, no studying.

So, what does the weekend entail? Well, first due to the recent (yesterday) passing of the wind tunnel in my kitchen, I'm going to the store and buying all kinds of food and stocking my brand new, very pretty, refrigerator. Yes, after months of limping along with a fridge that didn't keep anything frozen, and kept most things lukewarm, I finally have a brand new one that doesn't sound like a wind tunnel!

Besides that, a few friends of mine are talking about seeing the movie Slum Dog Millionaire (kinda keeping us in the frame of mind of our course), and I'm searching for a new church. I'm also going to do the productive task of cleaning my place, cause for me it's just gross. For normal people, it's probably quite clean. And I'm going to enjoy doing some research and reading on Native Americans so I can come up with the most brilliant thesis project possible, for me at least. So, busy weekend, but it's all about having fun and enjoying what I'm doing. And for me, after this last week, it couldn't be more brilliant timing! But first, back to bed to finish catching up on sleep!!!

When my world falls apart and the light turns to dark

~Interface

Sorry for the delay again. It's been a busy and overwhelming 3 weeks here in my life. It's been about 3 weeks of classes in the new term. And guess what, on Friday I take my final exam for the class I just started 3 weeks ago! That still seems odd. I can't believe I've finished an entire class in 3 weeks. But then again, I'm really glad. This isn't really material that interests me, so it'll be nice to get into the classes I chose to take. Plus I get to learn how to drill a borehole in 2 weeks! And get to play with pumps! Yeah, ok, a little strange.

The past 5 days have been by far the worst 5 days I've experienced here. I honestly don't know how much longer I can hold things together. And normally I wouldn't write about this kind of stuff, but I'm doing something VERY different and VERY bold because there's someone that really needs some help. So, bear with me...if you don't want to ruin your mood, stop reading here...please!

On Saturday morning I heard about the passing of probably the greatest influence on women's basketball, Coach Kay Yow. Most of the country wouldn't know this lady, but I had the pleasure of being on the sidelines for 4 years cheering on her teams. She was such a presence, especially with her very public battle (of 21 years) against breast cancer. Wolfpack country lost a very valuable person on Saturday. What hit me hardest about this news was that my aunt was diagnosed with cancer several years ago. She's fine now, but watching Coach Yow and knowing how long she fought, I can't help but wonder, what if it comes back for my aunt? And that scares me...badly.

Then Sunday morning I found out about the passing of a friend of mine from high school. Granted, we hadn't kept in touch, it still touched me because of all the talk of our reunion this year. (Has it really been that long?!) Plus, she had a baby girl last week...and I can't help but feel for that child.

Then my mom told me on Sunday that my grandmother was in the hospital. She's doing better, so I'm trying not to worry. But it always seems to be a mystery of sorts.

And to top it all off, my manager informed me tonight that our boss will not be returning to work. (Here's where I really need some help!!) He's a new boss, only been here a little over a month, and he's 23. Today he was told he has cancer and was only given 6 months to live. At 23! And it all puts things in perspective.

So, I don't normally ask for this, and it's way out of my comfort zone. But people say God performs miracles and heals those that are sick if we ask. So, I'm asking God for a miracle for Kristian and I'm asking anyone else out there reading this to also pray for healing and a miracle for him.

"When my world falls apart and the light turns to dark.
When the clouds gather round and the storms overwhelm.
When my heart breaks in half and my strength cannot last.
When I'm lost in this land and I can't see Your plan.
I'll stand...
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand."
~Interface

From here to the far lands

~Angels and Airwaves

*This post was also taken from my travel journal...*

Edinburgh: Day 2

I did not sleep well. I swear it may have been warmer outside! But anyway- after getting dressed - sans shower, I proceeded into town.

First stop: Edinburgh Castle. I opted for the audio tour and was very glad I had. Beautiful place! Commanding too! It was neat to see things way older than America. I saw the crown jewels - nothing like what I saw in London at the tower. Still beautiful though. Probably the coolest thing for me was seeing where a prisoner from the American Revolutionary War had carved the 'stars and stripes' into the door of the prison. Kind of gives a sense of pride that someone believed so much while so far away.

After spending a few hours at the castle I proceeded to walk the Royal Mile. This was basically Old Town for me. Lots of gift shops but still pretty neat.

I decided to take a second stop back in time and go on the tour of Mary King's Close. This is an underground area that used to be street level - before they built the city chambers on top. It's also supposed to be haunted. No ghost sitings, but it was a neat experience.

I continued along the Royal Mile until I reached the Palace of Holyrood. Not quite as commanding as Buckingham, but still breathtaking. What struck me the most was the Scottish Parliament building across the street. so modern - it has no problem sticking out amongst all the old.



Finally I took a hike - with literally breathtaking views - through Holyrood Park. I went up to Arthur's Seat. Since it was beginning to get dark by the point, I headed back down the volcano - did I forget to mention I'd climbed a volcano? - and back up the Royal Mile.

I headed back to Haymarket for dinner. Then to the cold of the hostel - thoroughly exhausted.

If I had my own world, I'd build you an empire

~Angels and Airwaves

*The following post is taken from my travel journal...*

Edinburgh: Day 1

Who knew that 2 years ago when I started planning my Scotland trip that this was the road I'd take to get here?! I mean, I live 5 hours away right now. Weird.

Anyway, the journey here started off rather stressful. I got all the way to the train station only to realize I didn't have my railcard. After begging and pleading with the lady at the station I realized I'd have to go back to my place to find it - and hope I'd catch my train. Thank you taxi driver - who incidentally is named Ishmael (funny cause I was reading that book). Found the railcard and made it back to the station with time to spare.

When I was waiting to board the train, the twins were leaving the train. We all said hi then I jumped on board. It was fun seeing them right before leaving. Train after train after train (5 total) I eventually made it to Edinburgh.

I found my hostel pretty quickly. It's an old church building. I find this quite fascinating. Basically there are at least 12 rooms located in what used to be the sanctuary. No ceilings to the rooms so when you look up you see the rafters, stone archways, and stained glass. In all honesty this is much cooler sounding than reality. It's cold! While there are heaters in each room, it's freezing! I mean, the heat just keeps going up, to the rafters, never warming the room. Plus the showers stink! I'm trying to figure out how I could go without showering or washing my hair for 2 more days but I think I'll have to just give in. At least tonight.

After getting settled I headed to a pub called Haymarket for dinner. Yummy!!