Brilliant!

My first post from England! I had an amazing trip over here. Slept on the first flight, then read and talked to people during my layover in Washington. I met a nice lady that was on her way to Copenhagen, Scandinavia and a really nice guy who worked there but was walking around with me trying to help me find my gate (long story).  I finished Man's Search for Meaning. WOW. It's such an impacting book. I can't even find the words to describe it. It was like a message/sign..like it was speaking directly to me (cheesy, I know).  I couldn't have picked a better time to finish that book. I got halfway through The Hunger Games and then we boarded the flight. I watched New Year's Eve for the first two hours of the flight (cute movie), read for 30 minutes, then slept for the other three and half hours.

I arrived at 9:30 AM (4:30 AM in Miami) and my cousins were already outside waiting for me. Andre and Melissa are so grown up! Last time I saw them, Melissa was maybe 3 and Andre was 7. It's been over 10 years. There was a lot of "AHHHH!!! You're in England" and "AHHHH! I can't believe I'm in England!!!!" We got back to the house and I saw my Aunt, Uncle, and other cousin, Kat. Kat's handicapped. She's not as mobile as Debbie (Debs can use the bathroom herself and feed herself) but she's still very aware and responsive. Kat couldn't stop staring at me! She still stares at me. It's as if she recognizes me but can't figure out from where.

Les and I were planning where we were going to go visit these next two months. One of us jokingly said "France" and Les said "oh yeah, we can go there too.." The only expression on my face was: O_O. Another thing to cross off my goals list! (Les started one after seeing mine!)

Our cousin Manuel came and picked us up and we went to Wimbledon to see the dog races. This was my first time meeting Manuel and he didn't even know I was here. (Only the family that I'm staying with knows) I can't wait to see everyone else!

Les and I bet a few times.. I won twice.. I think she won three times. Then we got bored. It was so nice being with family though. It doesn't feel like I came from a completely different country.. feels like I've been here for ages and we were just hanging out.

Today was Mother's Day. Les, Andre, Melissa, Auntie Bernie, and I went to the "cinema" to see 21 Jumpstreet.

I'm trying to be as detailed as possible so when I look back and read this, I can savor every moment.

Tomorrow will be my first day in the house by myself (everyone will be at work/school). I'm not sure what I'll do.. but I'm excited! I'm too scared to leave the house yet.. I don't have a phone so if I get lost.. they'd have no way of getting in touch with me. I'll probably finish The Hunger Games and take care of stuff.

The weather is in the 40's here. I'm wearing cardigans, boots, scarves, and my only coat... I LOVE it. It rained all day Saturday but for some reason I'm really, really enjoying the weather.

Being around my cousins is making me more feminine, haha. There's something about making an effort before I go out that makes me feel good. I guess not looking like shit means I don't feel like shit, essentially. 

Anyway, it's 10 'til 11 here. Bed time...pictures coming soon!

- K

One more thing...

So, as I'm packing/cleaning my room, I've come across a lot of pictures. And, well..

.. I love my hair!! hahah

Hold your own, know your name, and go your own way.

It's 1:51 AM. I need to leave to the airport at 6:30 AM. I'm sitting on my bedroom floor. Details in the Fabric playing in the background. I'm texting Sean and Nimsi. I have two things packed so far. I'm happy. Tired, but happy.

I might not be where I want to be in life right now - career wise/financially (which is really my only issue) -  but man, do I love my life. I have the most amazing friends any one could ask for and life has only just begun. I'm excited to see where it takes all of us in the next 5 years...10 years...20 years, and I'm excited to see how we are still friends through it all.

2:08 AM. I need to pack. I may be taking this trip at a bad point in my life right now (timing wise), but it couldn't feel more right.

This is such an amazing feeling. I just want to yell because I'm so happy, appreciative, blessed, loved and I don't know any other way to express myself.. words just aren't enough. Mmm. I'm smiling from the inside out.

Thank you! Ah, being surrounded by my favorite people was so nice last night. Just what I needed to remind me how great I have it. Even if I don't have it all.. what I do have is amazing. That's what matters. The career thing will work out. I'm determined to make it work out.

Well, this is my last post from the US for at least 2 months!

Osho Quotes

A friend on Facebook had posted this quote:

"Take hold of your own life. See that the whole existence is celebrating. These trees are not serious, these birds are not serious. The rivers and the oceans are wild, and everywhere there is fun, everywhere there is joy and delight. Watch existence, listen to the existence and become part of it."

I loved it so I Googled it and found this one:

"Once you have started seeing the beauty of life, ugliness starts disappearing. If you start looking at life with joy, sadness starts disappearing. You cannot have heaven and hell together, you can have only one. It is your choice."

 That last one pretty much sums up my view on life.

Here is the link to the rest of the quotes: Osho Quotes

Keep smiling!

Away with the faeries!

Today would have been Grandma's 92nd birthday. Lesley-Anne, Wendy and myself got matching tattoos in remembrance of her and what a beautiful, strong, amazing person she was. It's "Love" in her handwriting. I went to Mum's job shortly after to show her and she loved it. She said "Aw, that's really nice." (Ironically, Grandma would have killed us for getting it.) I was driving home from seeing Mummy and I just started tearing up. I was thinking about how grateful I am to belong to this family; how amazing Grandma was and how she raised Mum to be just as amazing, and I think Mum has done a pretty good job on me too. I was thinking about Les and Wendy and all of our other cousins and how close we are, etc. You know when you're just head over heels in love and giddy and you just want to scream it to the world? That's how I feel about my family and my life. Thanks, Grandma! I miss you and ...

I you!

Always and forever.

Here's to something new..

First post on my new blog. I will copy my old posts from my Tumblr shortly.

Karina fills me in on what I did on my birthday...

"...you told EVERYONE how much you love them, whilst you were hugging their face with your extremely sweaty face/arms. It was lovely....and you had your drunken smile, which is a personal favorite of mine...it's kinda like you manage to show all of your teeth at the same time, and make your eyes into a funny shape, and then it's always followed by a ridiculous laugh..." 

I love my friends and family! I had such a blast and my birthday made me appreciate them so much more! Life is wonderful.