Happy Halloween!!

Today:

I called my mother and she told me to go do something fun because I'm in England.

let the memories be good for those who stayer

Yesterday was a day to be remembered! It was beautiful out and I got a call to work for tomorrow! In celebration Hilary and I decided it was time to go exploring so we went to Gloucester Road. This place is magical, I tell you. Fun little shops, foods from around the world, little markets AND a coffee shop that sells pumpkin spice lattes. Yep, my journey to find a pumpkin spice latte was completed yesterday thanks to Coffee #1 on Gloucester Rd. We sat and felt completely in love with Bristol all over again! I find that happens on a daily basis.

Good days all around!

Miss you! xo

everything is illuminated.

Jonathan Safran Foer wrote a book about a young man traveling to the Ukraine to find out more about his heritage. The man is from the US, vegetarian and can't speak the language. There is a apart of the book where the topic of him being a vegetarian comes up and the people he is with from the Ukraine can't understand this and think it is so unhealthy and continues to push meat on him throughout his journey. It was quite funny in the book and little did I know that when I arrived to the 100 year old house in Poland I was about to have that same scene from the book playing out before my eyes. I went to Poland and everything was illuminated.

I wasn't there for very long (the 12th-16th) but I saw enough to know that I have to go back. I had the authentic Polish experience, staying in a house with a woman who speaks Polish or German. Since I speak neither everything we said was translated. Maria is 83 and has been through more than anyone should. Her stories of living through the war and everything else Poland has gone through would be a best seller if a book was ever written. Maria is the chief of the village and builds parks for young children to play in. She also takes in people who are traveling around whether she knows them or not. Still through everything she has experienced in life there is a light in her eyes and so much love in her heart. If we were all a bit more like that I am sure the world would be happier.

I ate like every meal was my last, perogies (my all time favorite), soups, bread, cheese, fruit, etc. Everything tasted better in Poland! Maybe it was because I was on vacation and I had nothing to worry about while I was there. Not only was the food amazing but the people we were with. Ursula, someone who I have known forever, treated us so well! On our first full day Ursula, Ella (her sister-in-law), Ursula's daughter Ursula who they call Ula, Hilary and I all went to the local market. People, I died and went to scarf heaven... May have purchased three but they are beautiful and weren't expensive! Then they took us

for lunch and I had myself some perogies. Every Christmas Ursula makes them and it's one

of our suppers throughout the holidays. I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't miss them as much as Christmas morning, yes folks they are that good. SO! I has real Polish perogies and my god they were amazing!!

We spent all of our evenings visiting with their family, drinking wine, telling stories, watching Polish tv and understanding "yes, no, thank you and very". (One night a newer season of House was on and I couldn't understand what they were saying but House was totally dancing with Cuddy and I could hardly stand it... I'm only on season 3 and Hilary and I can't get enough of House and his witty humour!) Sorry for the sidetrack. It was so relaxing just to sit there and hear about the history of the house and village.

Hilary and I went to Wroclaw for a touristy day! It was beautiful, sunny and full of fun things to do. I think one of my favorite parts was our couple of hours spent in the gardens.

Think KCIC gardens x 5! It was beautiful and peaceful. The trip came together so fast that we didn't really research too many things to do so we went on a whim and saw things that caught our eye. We also bought some souvenirs and postcards. Once lunch rolled around we walke

d to the town centre. It is one of the biggest centres in all of Europe! That is impressive since Wroclaw was destroyed right after the war and then the aftermath and communism, etc. It is beautiful! Where did we go for lunch you might ask? A Vegan/Veggie Polish restaurant. Yep! Again we had perogies but they were a bit different, still amazing though.

Our last day in Poland was absolutely beautiful! We spent the day chatting, eating well again, going on walks, taking pictures, and just loving everything about the experience we were having. So if you are pondering where you would like to visit in Europe I would highly recommend putting Poland on the list. If I can and I will go back for su

re.

Yet again another European adventure full of history, laughs, smiles, beauty and love.

"It has shown me that everything is illuminated in the light of the past. It is always along the side of us...on the inside, looking out. "

— Jonathan Safran Foer

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend with great people!

I am thankful for you!

xo

October

If I haven't mentioned how much I love October then I apologize to one of my favorite months. I think it's my reflection month (yep, still feel a tad barf-y over the word "reflection"). What have I been thinking about?

-The two months I haven't worked. Last summer I didn't work all of August and took me forever to bounce back. I guess life is testing me again to see how far it can push me. I'm stubborn, I know that and the thought of getting a part time job while waiting for teaching to pick up makes me angry, sad and confused. Didn't I just send six years becoming a teacher? Lame. Oh well, I am going to get over myself and apply for a few places. Who knows! Maybe I will like them. I know there is one place I would like to work. There is a stationary/art/craft/etc. store close by who needs someone to work on Saturdays. I would work there forever if I could. Screams my name doesn't it? Yes. Here's hoping. I think that I should be paid to watch tv. I so that VERY well.

-Trying not to get worried about the travel alert put out by the Canadian government... Mom and Dad aren't worried so I guess I shouldn't be. Mom said "just don't go on that London Eye thing for a while". Thanks, Mom :)

-Life. I would really enjoy living in the woods in a nice little house making art. I would have to be close to the beach because I need to get drift wood for said art. I don't know what I am going to make yet but maybe I can make some money and be one with nature. (that doesn't sound corny when I say it in my head...) I also want to open up a veggie sandwich shop. Stay tuned.

-Making a tofurkey for Sunday. I don't care if I am broke I am making a goddamn tofurkey to enjoy with my Canadian friends and I will be thankful for everything... even this "free time".

-Today I am going to take my camera on a walk. It's been a while and I have yet to discover Ashton Court. There is a deer park thing and you can walk around and see 100's of deer all around!! Sounds magical.

-House. I have an addiction to House and it is so, so good.

-Poland in a week from today!!

Happy day! xo