My Travel Nutshell

Imagine boarding an airplane and discovering, upon reaching your seat, that the person next to you takes up his entire seat and half of yours. Then imagine being re-routed from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh because of foul weather and to re-fuel. Then imagine landing in Philadelphia 30 minutes after your connecting flight to Zurich has left the runway. Then imagine adjusting your flights with the US Airways Customer Service rep, only to board your flight to London and sit on the runway for an hour. Then landing at Heathrow 45 minutes before your flight to Geneva takes off, finding you have to go through customs and security again because you're an international traveler. Then imagine running on to your connecting flight as Swiss Air closes the jet door right behind you. Then when you arrive in Geneva, your bag is nowhere to be found and neither is the wi-fi you were depending on to find out where to meet your friends. 

And you'll have a perfect picture of our first 24 hours on the road.

Or...of our entire trip, start to finish. I wish I could tell you it was fantastic, phenomenal, utterly inspiring and I'll never be content to stay home again. But I can't. Travel challenged and stretched us way beyond what we asked for. I was hoping for posts and posts worth of stories to tell, but what really stood out is what we learned from it all. We learned more about ourselves, each other, and how to make the best of things than we learned about any culture or language. And for that, it was worth it. 

I learned that when you're wondering whether or not to hold your tongue, hold it. I also learned that European bus drivers won't wait for you, even when you're ten yards away and running. Run faster. And don't plan a rigid itinerary that will be ruined if you miss the bus (we had a very loose itinerary and still had to run. A lot.). I learned that people are still people no matter where you go. I learned that a government has a whole lot more to do with the personality of a nation than I realized, and it made me love my home in America and made me want to fight for it.

I could tell you stories about our boat ride across Lake Luzern, swimming in a cold mountain lake in Interlaken, biking 26 miles roundtrip to find some old Scottish castle ruins and to climb the famous boulders at Dumbarton. I could tell you about the one time Jonny and I had a fight. Or I could tell you about my first meal in Scotland, when I tried to sqeeze a little lemon on my fish and chips, and instead of landing on my fish, the lemon juice hit the lady's face at the table next to me...and at the table next to her...and at the table behind them. Yes. Even the lemons in Scotland are feisty. But those weren't the real highlights of our travels. 

Despite all the mishaps, we will look back on our time together with a lot of joy. It was a sweet time. I was amazed at the sense of peace I had when everything went wrong, again and again. God was there with us, and every day He gave us reminders of His presence. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." And that's true even when I'm lost in a tiny French village just outside Geneva, when nobody but Jonny knows where I am. 

My next few posts will be pictures and/or videos of our journey. We saw some beautiful things and they're worth looking at. And Jonny is blogging his adventures over HERE!! Check it out. 

Two Weeks Vacation

Hi from Glasgow! I didn't think I'd be able to blog while I was away, so this is fun. My brother and I galavanted across Switzerland last week and are getting to know Glasgow this week. We've been to Edinburgh and caught the tail-end of the Fringe Festival, and today we have some biking adventures planned.

The two of us have learned a lot, even about communication. When we were in Switzerland, he was just about the only human being I could talk to or have any sort of meaningful conversation with. A week of this and you almost feel like Castaway. No, that's dramatic. But really, you learn to hold your tongue a lot and go with the flow a lot and choose to remember the adventure instead of the hassle.

Of the European countries I've spent any time in, I'd say that Italy (six years ago) is inspiring, Switzerland is breathtaking, and Scotland is great fun. The Scots are a dadgum fun people. I confess you'll be hearing much more about Scotland than about Switzerland. I had a difficult time connecting to the culture in Switzerland, and you can only write so much about beautiful mountains. The minute we arrived in Scotland though, we felt like part of it all.

Much more will be coming, so stay tuned. I'll tell you a story or two.

The Way You See It

When life fills with change, I notice the way I see things. We all have our everyday routines and may not think much about how we look at life because it's so... ordinary. But perspective can make a gloomy day cozy or it can transform a friend's thoughtful gesture into an annoyance.

This has been on my mind since Sunday, when I sat next to a blind woman in church. My church likes their music loud, and they usually stick to contemporary songs. But these old lyrics were sung so we could hear the voices next to us: "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of Earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace." When I heard her voice for the first time, she sang about looking at Jesus. I know what it's like to look someone full in the face while everything else fades away, but my idea of the face of Jesus is clouded with thousands of other images of faces. It's possible that the only face she knows intimately is Jesus' face. Perhaps people who can't see the world around them can most certainly see, but they see different things and in different ways. It's possible that they see more of what really matters.

I sit at a desk from 8:00 in the morning to 5:00 at night, every day. With two days left at my current desk, the way I think about my work is opposite of how I'll be thinking about it at my new desk. Here, all is coming to a close. There, all is just beginning.

I'm about to travel to new places and see people go about life in ways I've never seen, and I'm sure it will change my routine back here in Colorado.

Everyone needs a perk-up now and then -- a little jolt in the ol' daily grind. Sometimes we can't keep it from happening, and sometimes we have to nudge it along. I'm ready to freshen up a bit and take notice of how I see things.

What's New...

Ever had a good friend grow distant, and when you see each other it's awkward because in the same moment you know them so well, but don't know them at all?  Blog, let's make up and be friends again. This is awkward, and I've missed you.

We'll do a life update today, only because I've been on excitement overload for the last month and there's a lot to share. One week from today is my last day in the office. The non-profit world has taught me well. I've learned about people, the importance of strategy, problem solving and seen what goes on behind the scenes. I've also learned that when it comes to non-profits and me, I'm much better on the outside looking in than on the inside looking out. So off I go to a new workplace to learn an entirely new set of information. I'll be working at a small financial planning firm in downtown Colorado Springs (why, yes, the offices do face the mountains!) and studying financial terms and concepts. A whole new world, but one worth learning.

So I step out of my office for the last time and step onto a plane bound for Geneva just a few short days later. Jonny is studying in Scotland this fall, and we're going to explore some of Europe for two weeks before classes begin. You will most definitely hear about it. I'm hoping to take some video footage and perhaps my first vlog will come out of it. We'll have to see.

I return from Europe to start my new job and then board another plane with another man headed for another place I've never been. Boyfriend Matt is taking me to visit his Minnesota hometown. I thought I had an adventurous life, and then I dated Matt. My heart has nearly burst a dozen times from all the adventure we've had.

Needless to say, life is rich and full at present, and I'm reveling in the new. God is kind, and I'm as convinced as ever that He hears even our smallest, most insignificant prayers.

Livin' la Vida Colorado

Fifty-three mountains over 14,000 feet in this square state of ours, and these Colorado people have it in their heads that climbing to the top is a great way to get a little recreation in on a weekend. After completing my fourth summit this Sunday, I'm wondering what all the rage is about.

Is it the soaring sense of accomplishment or the beautiful scenery? The adrenaline rush that comes with wondering just how long your brain can last with minimal oxygen? The physical workout? Or maybe it's being that much closer to heaven?

My feelings may have something to do with last September's climb, where I was literally wondering if I would open my eyes and see the pearly gates instead of the rocks I was sprawled on. Altitude sickness isn't one of the items I would choose from the list of things to experience on a free weekend, so I was shocked when I found myself asking my little brother if he wanted to hike Pikes Peak -- America's mountain -- on Independence Day weekend {aww...}.

there's the little champ now, taking it all in

We hiked The Crags on the back side of the mountain -- the shorter, slightly more beautiful trail -- and made it 13+ miles roundtrip in just over seven hours. We stopped often on the way up to gawk at the views and were, surprisingly, some of the only hikers on the trail.

Approaching the top, Jonny says, "I feel like there should be a crowd of fans up here cheering us on. I'm needing some recognition... something." He's right. This is how you feel, especially when you're climbing a tourist mountain. Everyone else up there either drove cars or rode the train and were there to buy magnets and high-altitude donuts. We felt proud of ourselves, so we had a tourist take this here picture:

Here's a tip for your next 14er: hike with people who aren't funny. Laughing hard above tree line gets dangerous...you go to catch your breath and find yourself with no breath to catch.

I know you hardcore backpackerettes will be ashamed when I admit to you that Jonny carried the pack most of the way, up and back. We brought one pack, so naturally, we both couldn't carry one the whole time. And because it was heavy on the way up and Jonny's a gentleman, he carried it. Because a storm was coming on the way back down and I was slowing the pace when I was carrying it, he was kind enough to take it back.

What I really have to say about climbing a 14er is this: if you have the urge to do it, you must. It is worth it. You won't ever forget what the world looks like from the top. If you don't have the urge to do it but think you'd like to be talked into it, I can refer you to a friend... Despite my feelings toward 14ers, not a day goes by that I'm not amazed by Colorado, and these mountains have everything to do with it.

Independence Day

I know, it's July 5th and Independence Day was yesterday. But because thoughts on things happen before, during and after the moment, I'm writing about yesterday, today.

Americans love a party. We recognize trees on Arbor Day and celebrate the weather on Groundhog Day, and we even throw parties for other countries' holidays. But there's something different about the fourth of July. It's a holiday with no fuss, no gifts, no cards. Instead of sitting around a formal table with family members only, we fling open the doors and take the party outside with family, friends and neighbors. Paper plates, chips and salsa, burgers, hot dogs, and outdoor games are all part it. Something about this holiday lures everyone out. We're comrades, fellow countrymen, co-enjoyers of this wonderful home.

Beneath all the casual fun is something very significant. Deep inside, we have an immense sense of gratitude for all that was done to secure our independence. Standing amidst hundreds of other Americans with my hand over my heart while our national anthem plays is a tremendous privilege, and I did nothing to earn it. Given that, I have a responsibility to protect it and make it the best it can be for my fellow people. I was also reminded that we fought for independence from something so we could be dependent on something else. The people who founded this country weren't seeking anarchy -- they sought a government under God.

America is a gift, and I'm so glad to celebrate it with all who are proud to be American.

Why She Drives Crazy

See previous post, Why She is Late.