Saturday, September 28, 2013

Want More Amy?

“A schoolchild should be taught grammar―for the same reason that a medical student should study anatomy. Having learned about the exciting mysteries of an English sentence, the child can then go forth and speak and write any damn way he pleases.”
From Writings from The New Yorker 1927-1976 by E.B. White


So if you enjoyed reading about my adventures abroad, check out my new blog. This one focuses on my journey as a writing. It will include short stories, character sketches, book reviews, and reflections on my writing process, as well as anecdotal incidents in my life as a writer. It is completely different from this blog, but I'm excited to explore a different side of myself with you!
Okay, so the link's below. I've already got a book review up, so check it out (if you really want to live on the wild side, you can follow it. I know that might be too much of a commitment for you). Enjoy!

My New Blog: Amy Finds Her Words

Friday, September 27, 2013

Picture of the Day

What was the first thing I had when I got home?
Yep, Caribou Cooler
Ah, it's good to be home

Thursday, September 26, 2013

The Beginning

“What is that feeling when you're driving away from people and they recede on the plain till you see their specks dispersing? - it's the too-huge world vaulting us, and it's good-bye. But we lean forward to the next crazy venture beneath the skies.”
From On the Road by Jack Kerouac


Blogs are an interesting thing. Have you ever just typed an address in and put .blogspot.com on the end? There are some interesting (and disturbing) things to be found in the blogosphere. Yet as one blogger I found put it - this blog has filled its purpose. I began this to record my amazing adventure living in England for grad school, and that is what I've done. Time has gone by so quickly.

Picture of the Day

Homeward Bound

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

A Swede in Stockholm

“What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing. It also depends on what sort of person you are.”
From The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis


As the plane landed in Stockholm,  the weather couldn't have been more different than what I'd left in Amsterdam.  The sun almost blinded me and the blue sky went on as far as I could see. I could only see the trip sailing smoothly.  I couldn't have been more wrong.

Picture of the Day

Aerial view of a beautiful city

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Friday, September 20, 2013

A New Favorite: Amsterdam

“How happy is the little stone
That rambles in the road alone,
And doesn't care about careers,
And exigencies never fears;
Whose coat of elemental brown
A passing universe put on;
And independent as the sun,
Associates or glows alone,
Fulfilling absolute decree
In casual simplicity.”
― Emily Dickinson



So, I like traveling alone.  Not just a little bit,  but a lot a bit.  I think it feeds two needs: 1) My need to be alone - being an introvert,  by nature I struggle being with people 2) My need to do what I want,  when I want - I'm like a two year old this way. So when I decided to go on a trip at the end of my year in the UK, going on my own was a dream come true. Where to go, and how long to travel were much harder choices to make.  I,  of course,  started with an elaborate plan that spanned four countries,  two weeks and transportation included air, rail, and water.  However,  the price tag was a little steep, so I scaled it back to two cities and nine days.

Picture of the Day

Clouds rolling in (or out?) over the canal 

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Picture of the Day

Ironically the only windmill in Amsterdam was a restaurant!

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Picture of the Day

One of the most recognizable bridges in Amsterdam

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Picture of the Day

 
I'm currently staying at Anni's so I thought this was an appropriate time to share this:
It is the "Wall o Art" which has slowly been built over the course of this year and includes both old pieces which Anni has brought with her and new items which have been collected this year.

In a Year

“There is a kind of magicness about going far away and then coming back all changed.”
From New Chronicles of Rebecca by Kate Douglas Wiggin


You don't realize how much happens in a year until you starting examining it. As I wrap up my time in the UK I look back and am amazed at everything that has happened both here and back home.



Saturday, September 14, 2013

Picture of the Day


Clean house - check
Bags packed - check (well, sort of, but that's a tale for another time)
House key turned in - check
Good cry - do to

Completely moved out
Where has the year gone? 

Friday, September 13, 2013

Picture of the Day

This is what our lives have become
being excited for a free backpack that will hold more stuff for the journey homeward

She made me touch the lower-back pad because it was "so soft" - what has become of us? 

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Picture of the Day

Great time at Shadya's going away party - I'm going to miss this girl!

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Picture of the Day

Long lunch with my WMG peeps before we all disperse to our own countries

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Picture of the Day

Final Roomie Dinner
The three kitchen buddies 
(aka Harold & Kumar - apparently I get to be Neil Patrick Harris, I don't get it, but this is Zain and Ting's metaphor, not mine, so I went with it)

Monday, September 9, 2013

Picture of the Day

 
 For the first time in my life I get to celebrate my birthday at the end of the school year, instead of the beginning! 
I had a great time with my friends on a day trip and then some cake at Anni's, the weather even cooperated!

Oh, and since it's my birthday I'm doing what I want and am having more than one pic - so there.

With the girls at the Broadway Tower


Course I had to get my pic next to this!







Sunday, September 8, 2013

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Picture of the Day

Having dinner with friends for my birthday

Friday, September 6, 2013

Picture of the Day

Dinner with the guys
Well, really the guys eating dinner
Best part is that they look like they are posing but they refused to do so, this is just how they are
Love it

A Beach Holiday

'"What do you like doing best in the world, Pooh?'
'Well,' said Pooh, 'what I like best-' and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called. And then he thought that being with Christopher Robin was a very good thing to do, and having Piglet near was a very friendly thing to have; and so, when he had thought it all out, he said, 'What I like best in the whole world is Me and Piglet going to see You, and You saying "What about a little something?" and Me saying, "Well, I shouldn't mind a little something, should you, Piglet," and it being a hummy sort of day outside, and birds singing.'
'I like that too,' said Christopher Robin, 'but what I like doing best is Nothing.'
'How do you do Nothing,' asked Pooh after he had wondered for a long time.
'Well, it's when people call out at you just as you're going off to do it, "What are you going to do, Christopher Robin?" and you say, "Oh, Nothing," and then you go and do it. It means just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering.'
'Oh!' said Pooh."
From The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne


So after months of stress, cold weather and clouds in England we'd finally had enough. Over a month ago we decided to go to Portugal once our dissertations were submitted.

The original plan included a group of about eight.  Not shocking, as the day got closer people dropped like flies.  By the middle of August, Anni and I were the last ones standing.  But we were going to take this vacation even if it was just the two of us.

After some recruiting we convinced Sandra,  Kanar, and Shapol to join.  But as August rush by and our deadlines snuck towards us,  we put off and put off booking.  The week before, calamity struck - Kanar and Shapol, who are Kurdish, weren't going to be able to acquire visas in time.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Picture of the Day

We spent a few hours in Faro before heading to the airport

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Picture of the Day

Sandra and me drinking mimosas with a poolside breakfast - this is the life!

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Picture of the Day

Another beautiful day in Portugal

Monday, September 2, 2013

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Picture of the Day

The girls came over to my place and I made them stuffed cannelloni
We planned to go to the cinema but we were all so tired it was postponed to next weekend