Two thousand and fourteen.

All 365 days of 2014 came and went without a single post from me. After years marked by exotic wanderings, hard-earned degrees, and excitement around every corner, nothing about my day-to-day activity stood out to me as update worthy. After all, I named this blog "Adventure" and had come to know adventure as a physical discovery of previously unknown places and experiences. Adventure required a stimulation of the mind and senses. There had to be shock-value. Canoeing alongside hippos, studying at the prestigious institution that produced the likes of Charles Darwin and Gordon Brown, watching the first rays of morning light overtake the complete darkness of night atop a mountain generally unknown to the world. St. Louis and all of it's hometown, American familiarity could not be an adventure, could it? And who would I be without adventure after I had let it so strongly define and guide my life the last few years?

When I look back on 2014 I realize it was a subtle adventure of self-discovery and realization. I made it through my first year in a 'grown-up' job and have surely learned more than I am even aware of yet. As cliche as it is, I am more aware of what I want in a career and what interests me. Somewhat aware, but not exactly sure yet. Humanitarian aid or international education? Law school or PhD? I lived in a way that felt more like I was settled in a home than on a constant holiday. I think they call this the Real World. This has undeniably left me teetering between comfort and languor, and I am still so unsure of where I want to be. Some of the most fantastic individuals wandered back into my life. After years of bouncing around the globe, they have reminded me how fulfilling, and completely vital, relationships are. The kind that don't depend on epic shared experiences (though those too have their place). They have also taught me how valuable independence and self-reliance will be. Relationships have the power to skyrocket you to the highest high but also drown you in an inescapable low if you aren't careful. If there is one thing that has made leaving St. Louis complicated, it's those people. Damn you :)

If I consider the year as a whole, it was an important one for me. Certainly not an easy one, maybe even my hardest, but probably a necessary one in a lot of ways. No idea what to expect from 2015 but perhaps that is all part of the adventure.

The Start of a New Chapter.

Excuse my extended absence! I can't decide if I have just been lazy or if my recent move home and ensuing job hunt have left me uninspired and story-less. 

Lets jump back to August. I never even updated on my wanderings to Greece and Turkey! Though you can't tell from my pictures, I went with my sister. She refused to take any pictures with me and was a bit hostile about having to conduct my individual photo-shoots. I guess she prefers impersonal postcard shots. Anyway, our first destination was Athens where we spent most of our time melting in the brutal sun and visiting the ancient ruins (dating back to the 5th century BC!) the city is known for, such as the Parthenon and the original Olympic stadium. From Athens we took a ferry to Santorini in the Greek Isles. Santorini was absolutely stunning with it's panoramic sea views from atop the caldera and the white houses we have all seen in the pictures. While in Santorini we even got a 'fish-pedi' where a bunch of little fish eat away at your feet. The Kardashians did it when they were in Santorini so we figured it was a must. Next stop Thessaloniki, Greece! We took a bus from Athens to Istanbul and made a short stop in the city of Thessaloniki where we visited the 'White Tower' and old city walls. Finally, Istanbul. It was incredible. I can't say I loved the city in a way that would make me wish to live there, however I thoroughly enjoyed the tourist-musts from the beautifully tiled mosques to the over-stimulating bazaars with their mosaic lanterns, aromatic spices, and locals drinking tiny teas. Aside from Malawi, Istanbul was the most 'different' place I have visited because of its strong Middle Eastern influences. Because of this it was mildly intimidating but stimulating and alluring at the same time. Someday I hope to return because two days was by no means enough time to thoroughly explore the city.

Athens, Greece.

Santorini, Greek Isles.

Thessaloniki, Greece.

Istanbul, Turkey.

Fast forward to more recent days. Since my trip to Greece and Turkey, and my subsequent move back to St. Louis from Edinburgh, I have devoted my days to job applications, cover letters, resumes, and the daydreaming that comes with applying for your dream positions. As of a week ago I officially graduated with my MSc in Africa and International Development from The University of Edinburgh. I was bummed that I could not be there and that I missed out on that experience that I worked so hard for but I was happy to be home for Thanksgiving after missing it the last few years.

To the good news! I got a job as an administrative assistant at the International Institute of St. Louis. This will be a great opportunity for me to get my foot in the door with a non-profit. The Institute works with refugees and immigrants from around the world, of which St. Louis has a large population. They provide a range of services from English language classes and help obtaining employment, to organizing the 'adopt a family' at Christmas time and the Festival of Nations over the summer. I will be working with three program managers, helping with fundraising, volunteers, and marketing. 

The End to Another Chapter.

Grad school - Check! My dissertation is written, printed, bound, and submitted and I officially have my life back. It feels great not to have that amount of work hanging over my head! It is hard to believe that in a few days I will be leaving Edinburgh behind me. I thought I would be anxious for this day but really the last few months have shown me how habitable and even exciting this city can be. I am in my own way sad that my masters program is finished (tbd whether I finished with a degree or not) - not the work part but the learning and academic atmosphere. I could use at least another year for the brainiacs here to rub off on me!

I won't cry for too long however as my next two weeks will be spent celebrating in Greece and Turkey! Living the dream before I am officially 'unemployed'! From there I will swing back by Edinburgh to pick up my things and before I take a one-way flight home to St. Louis on August 30th!

WHERE TO NEXT? I think I confuse myself really. Whenever I am having a bad day I push it off on living abroad and whenever I am having a good day I couldn't dream of being anywhere else. I think it must be called 'the grass is greener' syndrome. Although I am not sure if that holds here because the grass really IS greener in Scotland. I am torn between the comfort of people at home and the world of unexplored territory. I think I am a hopeless wanderer at heart but that can be a difficult thing to be. Seeing as I am now in debt, beggars can't be choosers so I think my next adventure will be wherever there is a job for me!

9 Days and 1,200 Miles: UK Coast to Coast Road Trip.

I just wrapped up a UK trip with my parents. They arrived in Edinburgh, just 9 hours late and minus their checked baggage. They must have been a bit delirious because I managed to get them to try haggis their first night! I took them to Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, Calton Hill and the Sir Walter Scott Monument - we hiked up all 287 steps to the top and I have to say it was one of the more treacherous experiences of my life. They certainly made stairs twisty and narrow back then!

Day One of our road trip we toured the Scottish Highlands starting with what we had hoped would be a traditional breakfast in the small town of Pitlochry. Unfortunately it was so small that the city didn't awake until after we had come and gone. As a mid-morning snack we stopped for a scotch whisky tour and sampling at Dalwhinnie Distillery. My dad, the recent scotch connoisseur, said it was good - I will have to take his word for it. After some scenic picture stops of the green hills and millions of sheep we made it to Eilean Donan Castle, the quintessential Scottish castle and the one appearing on all the tourism materials. I have certainly had my fill of castles over here but this one didn't let me down. 

Day Two was St. Andrew's and onto the scenic town of Keswick, England in the Lake District. In St. Andrew's we were able to go on a fantastic tour of the famous course where golf was born, as well as see the town's castle and cathedral, not to mention the cafe where Kate and Wills apparently met up! We didn't do more than eat, shop, and wander in Keswick but I did manage to get some pure sheep wool slippers from the Saturday morning market - wish I would have had them this past winter!

From Keswick we traveled on to Wales. Our first stop was Conwy, which was probably one of my favorite parts of the trip. It was a cute sea-side town with a fantastic medieval castle. The city walls were still in tack so you could walk around the entire town for great views. The UK is full of so many 'old things' that you get used to it but this town managed to amaze me - one, that they could build something like this a thousand years ago, and two, that it is still standing! From Conwy we went to Llandudno, what seemed to be a Jersey Shore for the elderly. We arrived to find we were homeless as the place we booked had apparently 'canceled' our reservation. This led to staying in one of those hotels that you hope you never have to return to.

Our time in Wales was quick. The next stop was Bath. It was another cute English town, perfect for eating and shopping. I absolutely loved the cobbled street we stayed on and it got me thinking that living in the UK for a bit longer wouldn't be so bad.

From Wales we were London-bound after two very important stops; Stonehenge and Highclere Caste (aka Downton Abbey!). Though I appreciated the ancient-ness of Stonehenge, a bunch of rocks can never be that exciting. Downton Abbey however was the highlight of the trip! It was surreal to see the place where Mary and Matthew walk! I got to tour the inside but they didn't allow photos, shame!

Final destination: London. Here we met up with my aunt, uncle, and cousins. We attempted and failed a few pub crawls - my family isn't known for having crazy nights. By day it was another story - we were scheduled to and succeeded hitting up every major tourist attraction and 'old thing' in the city; St. Paul's, Tower Bridge, Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey.

I was sad to say goodbye to my family and see the long awaited trip come to an end but unfortunately my dissertation isn't going to finish itself so it is back to work for me!