the very, very, very Great Britain

I had the strangest sensation while being in Great Britain---- I found myself conflicted.

On one hand, I wanted to be a part of it. No, not only for my two-week stay, but forever. I wanted to be English. Secretly, I wanted Prince William and Duchess Catherine as my royalty, I wanted an English accent, I wanted to think English food was "normal" instead of "nasty", I wanted to have their fashion sense (uhhh best outfits ever), I wanted their rich history, I wanted to love tea as much as they did, and I wanted to punt, all day everyday.

But, at the same time, I felt very happy to be different; I felt very American---- and I was proud of it. I felt like shouting the National Anthem in Trafalgar Square, I actually felt pity when people informed me they don't celebrate July 4th (how can they exist?!), I wanted to hug any American I encountered and say "y'all", I wanted to eat Chipotle and a cheeseburger again, and I nearly cried when the security guard in Dulles Airport said "welcome home" after checking my passport. 

Right now, I'm just happy I get the best of both worlds. I experienced a beautiful trip in a country that captivated and raptured me, while getting to return HOME to the purple mountains majesties....good ole 'MURICAH.

England will forever be in my heart. It will forever be a place where I'll strive to blend in and stand proud all at the same time.

Here are a little tid-bits from my stay: 

the view from my window in Cambridge

punting on the River Cam

Cambridge, England

Part of our beautiful campus

punting....with St. John's College behind me

Canterbury Cathedral...mind blowing!

White Cliffs of Dover and the English Channel...on a cold and rainy english day...perfect.

part of the market in Cambridge

Bury St. Edmonds, England

hotel where Charles Dickens stayed and promoted his novels

some cathedral ruins in Bury St. Edmonds

friendly reminder for the tourists

my favorite bridge...."Bridge of Sighs"

yep, really loved it.

my very own Pride and Prejudice moment...feel me?

drinkin' some tea on the balcony of a beautiful restaurant on the water

Big Benny :)

some of the best voices and music I've ever heard

accidentally visited Amy Winehouse's street the day after she passed away

Abbey Road, THE Abbey Road

my amazing group of ladies aboard the classic double decker! 

cheers,

d

disclaimers

I am currently giving up 3 weeks of my life for RA training at Christopher Newport University. At first, I was pretty disgruntled that I had to cut my summer short, but I'm quickly finding that this experience will better me and challenge me and encourage me.

Tonight I learned a new (and wonderful!!) technique from an intuitive friend. "disclaimer night" -- a tradition she established with her roommate during her sophomore year of college. With the roommate's bed lofted and her's nestled underneath, they would lie awake at night exchanging "disclaimers" about themselves that would give insight into their lives. The disclaimers helped them get along with each other, helped them live well with each other, and helped them embrace each other.

Brilliant.

What if we could all give disclaimers to people we meet? How would it affect our relationships? How valuable is it to learn about another person and truly see inside their struggles/habits/personalities?

I've decided to adopt this technique. I'm starting my list here, but will begin employing "disclaimer night" soon, so look out.

DISCLAIMERS:  

*disclaimer: I think it is extremely unattractive when women swear. Please ladies, let's be ladies.

*disclaimer: I have songs stuck in my head a lot. Sometimes I need some assistance figuring out where/what the song is from.

*disclaimer: I like physical touch. Hugging, patting someone on the shoulder, snuggling. I'm not trying be weird. It's just me.

*disclaimer: You'll find me standing on the couch (perhaps with my eyes closed and praying?) during the intense moments of a Dallas Cowboys football game.

*disclaimer: I love going to concerts. Please don't make alternate plans and expect me to show up. No, I will be gawking at inspiring musicians, thank you.

*disclaimer: I show two emotions: HAPPY and OTHER. All emotions not fitting into the "happy" category qualify for "other". While you will always know when I'm happy, you may never know about the others... as I probably won't volunteer my negative feelings.

*disclaimer: I've found that girls that have sisters make the best kind of friends. Women who know how to love/accept/listen/encourage other women first learn it from having a sister.

*disclaimer: I am passionate. And I love to see/cultivate the passions of others -- especially if they differ from my own.

*disclaimer: I pray, I worship, I read the Word, I love to talk about God's work in people's lives.

*disclaimer: I'm one of those obsessive aunts that gushes about my nephew (and future niece!) to people who don't care. I'm sorry. Wait no I'm not.

*disclaimer: I wish more than anything that I was artistic. I like crafting, but never have the motivation because it always turns out badly. Why waste time when the product is lacking?

*disclaimer: Change scares me. I like fair warning.

*disclaimer: I collect shoes and friendships. I'm almost to 100 pairs of shoes; I want 100 friendships.

*disclaimer: I'm allergic to anything that's not sterling silver, or silver, or gold, or white gold, etc. Basically, don't buy me fake rings, because I'll wear them for 2 hours and break out in hives.

*disclaimer: You will find me up all night when I have a paper due the next morning. I procrastinate.

*disclaimer: I feel the least like "me" when I come home to an empty Morrow house.

*disclaimer: I am loyal. Please don't gossip to me because I don't like to test my loyalty.

*disclaimer: I see the good in people, and I am an optimist. I'm also stubborn and protective of the people I love.

*disclaimer: I like sports, but I hate playing them because I get embarrassed by my lack of athletic ability.

what would you tell the 13-year-old you?

"It's all happening. All the time. Be present. Love unabashedly and without fear. Having a baby is amazing. Don't spend so much time on your hair. Or your body. Or thinking about what you're going to to eat. Or judging anyone. Spend more time with your father. It's okay to get your heart broken. Dance more. Sing more. Read more. Listen more. You will overcome."
--- Abigail Spencer

happy 25th anniversary

25 years ago today, my parents were at Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada for their honeymoon.

My dad purchased a beautiful (and expensive) canvas painting that captured their scenery. It looks much like this: 

The picture has been hanging over our mantel for the past 25 years....in all 9 houses. It is a lovely reminder of their beginning and the life of beauty they have lived.

But whenever I look at this picture, I also imagine a tearful Pam and a stubborn Mark.

You see, whenever my mom vacationed with her family as a child, her parents would buy her a sweatshirt from every place they visited. It was a tradition...one that my dad quickly ruined. He refused to buy her a sweatshirt, insisting that the painting was instead a souvenir that would last for decades. 

This week, my parents are back at Lake Louise to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.

My mom called me last night and said with an undeniable smile in her voice,

"your dad just bought me my sweatshirt"

to which he added,

"it took me 25 years, but I finally got it right" 

a bend in the road

"my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road. I thought I could see along it for many a milestone. Now there is a bend in it. I don't know what lies around the bend, but I'm going to believe that the best does. It has a fascination of its own, that bend, Marilla. I wonder how the road beyond it goes--what there is of green glory and soft, checkered light and shadows--what new landscapes--what new beauties--what curves and hills and valleys further on." --- Anne of Green Gables

enamored with austen

I'm a lover of all things Jane Austen. Here are a few of my personal favorites...

this actor as Mr. Darcy (no one competes): 

this mug (I want it so badly):

the bonnets:

the dancing:

Mr. Darcy: Do you talk, as a rule, while dancing?
Elizabeth Bennet: No… No, I prefer to be unsociable and taciturn… Makes it all so much more enjoyable, don’t you think?

Marianne Dashwood's idea of love: 

TO LOVE IS TO BURN TO BE ON FIRE, ALL MADE OF PASSION, OF ADORATION, OF SACRIFICE!

 ---Sense & Sensibility

this lovely comic of Elizabeth Bennet: 

the disagreements between Emma Woodhouse and Mr. Knightly:

"badly done, Emma, badly done"

the famous Jane Austen silhouette:

the opening sentence of Pride & Prejudice (best of all-time):

IT IS A TRUTH UNIVERSALLY ACKNOWLEDGED, THAT A SINGLE MAN IN POSSESSION OF A GOOD FORTUNE MUST BE IN WANT OF A WIFE.

the rescue in Sense & Sensibility:

"there is nothing lost that may be found if sought..." 

this memoir:

this song from the Pride & Prejudice original soundtrack:

this quote from Persuasion:

I IMAGINED MYSELF INDIFFERENT TO HER WHEN I WAS ONLY ANGRY AND RESENTFUL.  I’M TOO LATE – TOO LATE I BEGAN TO UNDERSTAND MYSELF AND HER.  NEVER HAVE I MET HER EQUAL IN GOOD SENSE OR SWEETNESS OF CHARACTER. SHE’S PERFECTION ITSELF.  I’VE NEVER LOVED ANY BUT HER.

---Persuasion

ode to my big sister

Today, I dug up some old home videos. I found myself curled up on the couch watching myself as a 6 month old baby, playing in the bathtub with my big sister, Taylor.

In the video, my mom and dad were both crammed into the bathroom in our little apartment in Newfoundland, Canada, trying their best to get us to perform, laugh, and talk for the camera. Taylor, at 25 months, showed off her knowledge of colors and said hi to all the family members that my parents listed. However, she eventually became stubbornly distracted with the bath toys. Me, at 6 months, just sat and watched her pour water back and forth from one bowl to another. I was mesmerized.

"Taylor, your little sister is watching every move you make" comes my dad's voice from behind the camera.

As I watched, I smiled to myself---I did then, and I have ever since.

I don't think Taylor would label herself a "leader." She has her own quiet, resolute way of doing things, but somehow because of this, she is a leader. I watched her embrace individuality when we were young girls, make good decisions as teenagers, marry well and love with purpose, and put a little, tiny somebody above herself.....and I have decided I want to be just like her.

Taylor, thank you for leading a life worthy to be followed. Thank you for investing where it matters, and for being the kind of woman that I strive to become. Thank you for showing this younger sister just what to do. I love you, and remember --- I watch every move you make.

the romantic life of a librarian

Today, I visited the county library with my younger siblings. While walking in holding Anderson's little hand, I caught a whiff: books.

After making my selections (The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, The Complete Poems of John Keats, and A Man For All Seasons by Robert Bolt), I browsed the shelves and imagined the occupation of a librarian.

I decided I would like it very much.

Smelling books all day, helping people find their good reads, making book recommendations, getting caught by a gripping title, being surrounded by readers of all ages, interacting with children on school field trips --- it would be a good life.

"I'm of a fearsome mind to throw my arms around every living librarian who crosses my path, on behalf of the souls they never knew they saved" -- Barbara Kingsolver  

It's April

And so therefore I want some of these:

When I was 7 years old, my sisters and I were flower girls in my aunt's wedding. Our dresses were homemade. They were floral -- pink, purple, and blue tulips. They had puffed sleeves with tight elastic that cut into our arms, and we had to wear an itchy, coarse crinoline underneath so the dress flared out. To make matters worse, my mom made us sleep in curlers so we would have matching hair. A week or so before the wedding, my parents dressed us up in our dresses and took us to a field full of bluebonnets outside of Dallas for some portraits. We were miserable the whole time. Sun in our eyes, red marks around our poor arms, wind whipping our curls in our face, scratchy fabric rubbing against our legs...I doubt we even smiled for any camera. But, how I would love to relive that afternoon, what I would give to sit in a field of bluebonnets once again. 

the first summer day of many

It is 84 degrees outside.

I finally I have my summer plans figured out.

I just had my second meeting for my summer England trip.

I unpacked some of my summer clothes --- and then ached to go shop for tons more.

I just bought a new pair of black, strappy flat sandals.

Currently, I am sitting outside under the beautiful sunshine on the green lawn with some of my hallmates. Due to the perfection of the day, we decided to take advantage of it.

Yes, folks, summer is vastly approaching.

So, to commemorate the end of the semester and the start of a new, glorious season, I am posting my summer "lists."

SUMMER 2011 PLAYLIST

1. Wannabe -- Spice Girls (for my sisters, mostly)

2. Girls They Wanna Have Fun -- Greg Laswell (such a good cover)

3. Feeling a Moment -- Feeder

4. Hey, Soul Sister -- Train (because of Ben)

5. Cecilia -- Simon & Garfunkel

6. Young London -- Angels & Airwaves (reminds me of driving 90 down the interstate)

7. Forevermore -- Katie Herzig

8. I'm Only Me When I'm With You -- Taylor Swift

9. Island In The Sun -- Weezer (this always makes the list)

10. Nothing Left to Lose -- Needtobreathe

11. Overboard (feat. Jessica Jarrell) -- Justin Bieber (and pretty much anything j.biebs)

12. Save Me, San Francisco -- Train

13. You'll Ask For Me -- Tyler Hilton (another that one that will never be cut from the list)

14. Hey Jude -- The Beatles (reminds me of a sunset)

15. Take It Home -- The White Tie Affair

16. Weight of the World -- Chantel Kreviazuk

17. Shark In The Water -- VV Brown

18. Little Lies -- Dave Barnes

19. Kiss a Girl -- Keith Urban

20. Touch My Hand -- David Archuleta (another one dedicated to my sisters)

21. Love Today -- Mika

22. Here It Goes -- Jimmy Eat World

23. The Awakening -- Switchfoot

24. Come On, Come Out -- A Fine Frenzy

25. Open Your Eyes -- Andrew Belle (the perfect retrospective, end of the summer song)

SUMMMER 2011 FASHION:

1. multi-purpose black dress

2. african sundresses courtesy of my mama and dad

3. metallic sandals

4. bandanas worn in your hair

5. toms wedges

6. straw hats

7. tie-dye

8. homemade jeans-turned-shorts

9. crop tops with neon tanks worn underneath

SUMMER 2011 READING LIST:

1. Anne of Green Gables -- L. M. Montgomery

2. Pride & Prejudice -- Jane Austen (again)

3. Pillars of the Earth -- Ken Follett

4. Murder in the Cathedral -- T.S. Elliot

5. The Lucky One -- Nicholas Sparks (in preparation for Zac Efron)

6. Jane Eyre -- Charlotte Bronte

7. Little Women -- Louisa May Alcott

8. Emmanuel's Veins -- Ted Dekker (courtesy of big sis, taylor-lynn)

SUMMER 2011 TRAVEL:

1. Colorado Springs, Colorado

2. Cambridge, England

3. Wilmington, North Carolina (with my seeeesterss)