Trinket Tuesday: The Little Candle Snuffer

Setting: Inishmore, Aran Islands, Ireland

It was rainy when we arrived on Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands, via ferry. We only had one day there, yet we had started it off on a bit of a low note. Our advisers wanted us to ride the bikes we had rented across the island to see an ancient ruin, but many of us were off put by the rain. I, for one, was unbelievably crabby. Having not felt well the day before, I had barely eaten anything within the last twenty-four hours and I was starving. So, I took my sour mood out on the rain and the biking and our advisers. 

We biked across the beautiful landscape–oh, and was it beautiful–but I had trouble enjoying it because of my mood, a result of the gnawing hunger in my gut. When we finally arrived at an area populated by small artisan gift shops and a few cafes directly below the ruin, which we had to walk up to, a group of us decided to skip the ruin entirely and instead found the nearest cafe. Being afraid of heights, I wasn’t too upset about missing the ruin–even as the history nerd that I am–because it was perched high on a cliff. We ate a hearty meal at the cafe, relishing the hot food we were served after our cold and rainy bike ride. After eating, I felt so much better; being in a much better mood, a jaunt around some of the artisan shops seemed the natural next thing to do. The Aran Islands are famous of their wool products, which we certainly admired in the shops. I bought some mittens (kids size because my hands are so small) to make the bike ride back easier–my hands had gotten so cold on the ride there, being exposed to the rain as they were (which inevitably made me even crabbier).
Continue reading “Trinket Tuesday: The Little Candle Snuffer”

USPS Delivers…!

I don’t get snail mail often, and when I do you can bet your boots the United States Postal Service has delivered me goodies from either…

a) Some graduate school trying to woo me into their program (Thanks GRE)

b) The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum sending complimentary stationary and calendars while kindly asking for money (I guess I signed up for their mailing list when I visited last July?)

c) My credit union sending the usual things credit unions send to their members

d) The usual college information from my university…though now, that will inevitably become the alumni association probably most likely [obnoxiously] asking for money and sending information about alumni events

Today though? Today was a happy mail day that just happened to fill my heart with joy. I came back from my first day of work (which wasn’t so bad, though I Continue reading “USPS Delivers…!”

#WeekendCoffeeShare

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you what an unbelievably busy week and weekend I’ve had, about my family vacation across the Midwest to spend time with more family. I’d tell you how my mom, dad, and I flew into Kansas City, Missouri on Saturday for my cousin’s high school graduation party, how we drove across Missouri on Monday and headed for central Illinois for a couple days, and how we then ended our vacation in the suburbs of St. Louis. I’d mention that my brother is currently studying abroad, hence, why he wasn’t there to join us…just in case you would have wondered.

If we were having coffee, I’d explain how much fun I had seeing family I haven’t seen in a while. I’d tell you how much I enjoyed seeing my twin cousins; even though they are nine years younger than I am, I love spending time with them. I’d talk about how we did so much–from a Kansas City Royals Game where my parents and I got dreadfully rained on (and where I Continue reading “#WeekendCoffeeShare”

I Remember…

This post is inspired by a similar post by Sabina over at Victim to Charm.

I was unbelievably struck by the poignancy of her words as she recounted memories of her own in short but beautiful snippets. I fell in love with the idea and wanted to try a hand at it myself. I soon realized that the seemingly simple action of writing down memories (which is, of course, not as simple as it sounds) is an excellent writing exercise.

I was amazed at the memories that came back to me when I really put my mind to it. I soon had pages and pages of notebook pages filled. I’m currently traveling right now, so this was not only an excellent writing exercise, but a pretty good way to pass the time in the car, too.

A memory is so much more than a moment in time. Some memories define a person and others are simply snippets of color on this canvas that is life…they combine to tell a unique and personal story. Here are some of mine, snippets Continue reading “I Remember…”

What am I Doing With My Life? (Or, Getting Through this Awkward Transition Period)

I’m struggling for something to write right now and part of me is thinking “well, nothing interesting has happened lately.”

I mean, I’m an unemployed college graduate living at home.

For the time being.

I’ve been searching for jobs and preparing for Thailand, but life is rather uninspiring right now. Cool things are going to happen in the future, yes, but they seem so far off.

Of course, things have been happening. I have been applying for jobs and Thailand preparations are in progress. I spent all of Saturday with an old friend from high school whom I haven’t seen since December.  That friend happens to have four absolutely precious two week old kittens at her place, so, naturally, I spent the first Continue reading “What am I Doing With My Life? (Or, Getting Through this Awkward Transition Period)”

In Which I Prepare for an Adventurous Spring Break

Hey all,

Just a heads up that I’m heading off for a spring break adventure with two of my college buddies tomorrow…I’m not bringing my computer and I’m going to try my darnedest to stay off social media!

I have some posts scheduled for next week, just because I had the ideas and Continue reading “In Which I Prepare for an Adventurous Spring Break”

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