Merry Togetherness

Happy Holidays, whatever you celebrate, wherever you might be. 

Bows up!

Archery. I've loved archery since before it was done by these three awesome folk below!

More or Less Exciting

I like planning. Some people don't but I like the picking things out and organizing them so it will be a good trip, so I don't bring to much, and so I have the right things.

I have a few undertakings a head of me I have to think and plan for. I'm seeing someone named Will, and we've got a few cool places we want to see, plus a few folk coming over to visit me in the spring.

THE PLAN
My plan is to do more out door wilderness stuff. I'm growing more fold of it as I get older. While I have respect the story of Into The Wild, I have no plans to be so foolish, or hopefully I am not that foolish. Up until now, I've been borrowing ones lying about in the hostel, and really I could just abscond with one but someone else might come to this place and someone else might realize how cool camping is and not have the money to just up and buy a sleeping bag for a few days in the woods.

Summer camping Fun Fact: the clothes don't mater, just the walking shoes and the warmth.

Living Over Seas: How To Pack For Home

In two weeks I'll be heading home, though, by the time you see this, I'll have been at home. Its a surprise for my mom and a few other family members. My dad, sister and brother know, as well as my awesome friends who are picking me up.

I haven't been home (Canada) in over a year, and I'm plunging in at the start of December. Its not warm there, and even less so when you head up into the Great White North. But I feel I've learned a fair bit, reading blogs, reading websites and traveling myself to know what exactly to bring for myself when I go back over seas. Ever the over packer, I've broken down that habit, so that when I went to Germany, I had space enough to brig back a beer soaked Dirndl and Stein in just a carry on bag. 

But back to Canada. I came to Scotland with only a 65lt rucksack and a day bag. While both have proven endlessly useful for getting around in Europe and camping (something I did not think I'd be doing here) I'm heading back home. I know the buses, I know the people and I know I won't be walking long distances over cobbled streets. So I'm taking a road block. The only obstacle to this rolling bag in Canada will be a dirt road, and for those I have people with a car and shameless determination. 

I've got limited space though, due to my wild purchasing of Christmas gifts so really I only have 15% of the suitcase left, a carry on bag, and my own person, heading into Canadian Winter weather. 

The largest pieces of clothing I'm going to be wearing are my winter coat and boots. One is a dense/fashionable black wool coat and the boots are fashionable as well. I was going to bring my new/practical hiking boots but I didn't want to subject them to Canada's deep love of road salt. 

My Home List, as you see in my video

Wool Coat

Compressible Vest

Wool Sweater/Jumper

Tops!
- Thermal Top - Purple
- White Zippered jumper
- White tank top
- Black Tank top
- Captain America Top
-

Top
- Thermal Leggings
- Long leggings
- Short Leggings
- 1 Jean

Undergarments
- 12 underpants
- 1 Bra

Extra
- Face cream
- Hair Brush
- Eye Pencil
- Make up

- Hair elastics
- Hair claw
- Headphones

Great White North

I miss Canada. I miss my Canada. I miss the endless forest. I miss the chilled lakes. I miss the sweet smell of snow.

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

Its that time of year again isn't it? Actually no its not. There is still two more holidays to come, so I don't know why I see your yuletide merchendizing already up around some of the shops. I get the cards, but really the rest of it is a no no. We haven't had Halloween for god sake! I'm finding the likelihood of a story like Night Mare Before Christmas more and more plausible as you spill your Christmas balls into the faces of other festivities.

My Bonny Love: 5 Places I'd like to see in Scotland (that I've not)

There are still a few places in Scotland I've yet to see and have not yet. Since starting work, its been busy, though I think I've not mucked about, travelling because I'm tight fisted when it comes to money. That shall be no excuse now! I will make sure I see these places in the next year!

Foods from Home (Canada)

I miss food from home. My momma is a damn good cook and she has a lavish kitchen. Its always going to be tricky transitioning from kitchen to kitchen, but I find I was rather spoiled by her selection.

My family are animal farmers. Our main production is meat and animal by products.

So I love meat. I didn't realize until recently how much I enjoyed that diet. Even the non-meat dishes, like the fresh veggies or mom's canned pasta sauce, they make my mouth water at the thought.

There were some beautifully complex dishes, like Italian pastas, Vietnamese noodles and chicken, golden Katy Fried Chicken (the healthy KFC alternative), Rouladin, the pizzas of asparagus topped with sour cream, feta and mozzarella and so many more. Even the simple dishes, such as fresh boiled potatoes, dashed with butter and salt, home made sour kraut with a succulent garlic sausage making my plate and pallet.  

The baking wasn't half bad, and the competition to beat my brother and father to the treats was all the more part of the family game.

I will not discredit my father's cooking either! Hot breakfasts with the potatoes from the night before fried in onion and cheese, with a fried egg, its golden center spilling on to homemade bread.

Ah the bread. That above all I miss. It started with the Cocodrillo, and escalated from there. A thick crust, with texture, substance, and seeds, the likes of which you could only find in a good bakery.

You miss a good kitchen too. Well stocked with all the basics to build a culinary foundation. I knew where everything was. Ach well. :)

Hello Friends

The Truth In Khaleesi

The arch of Dany in Song of Fire and Ice is a fleshed out reality of myself these days. Its an extended, adventurous, murderous, heart racing exploration of Machiavellian principles as applied to flawed and broken humans.

Kilted Up!

Exhausted Little Nest: Before and After

I am moved into my nest.

It's been mostly Exhausting.

I'm very tired.

My Bed for the last 6 months.  I slept in the top bunk "Ewan McGegor"

More Super!

I'm about to embark on a new journey. This is on its way, going in the inside of my room.

In a Room with 2

I live in a room with two other people, occasionally more.

One is a older Gent, we'll call Rabbit (Because he hates them) and the other is the Flower. Rabbit lives in the bunk under me. He's a bit of an oddball. I don't mean in a bad way. His life just didn't follow the route, the normal route we see on the t.v when it comes to life. He's at the peculiar stage in his heart. He's a good man though, a nice man.

The Flower is a learner. Trying to master the language that spills so easy from my mouth and fingers. She's watching the Goonies. Classic. Of course.

I live in a dorm bunk room. Top bunk. Its got a nook in it. I'm a little surprised, sometimes, where I am. I used to have a nice office job. Skirts, Blazers and Heels. I liked it. Or I thought I did. I liked the money, I like the independance it gave me. What I didn't like was the howling loneliness. I live with other people now. I don't make as much money and I'm happy.

Of course. I'm writing letters and cards this evening down south, its the Word's Birthday.

I went up Cow Hill the other day, old muscles aching. It was worth it. Its easier to walk on heather than it is on mashy ground. Its harder than running on sand. Its my get out and do things.

I'm slacking at the moment. Watching Rockn' Rolla. Next. Letters. After that, not sure. I think I need to make some potatoes for me. Its chilly. I'm trying to come up with a sort of direction with this blog. Any suggestions?

I want to create something like this.

I want to write something great. How do I do this? Anyone want to chip in?


Also I need a book. I've read three amazing books in a row. What do I do?

Come Back!

So, I've kinda forgotten about this place since being here. I haven't truly done heaps of traveling. Its more of a personal journey within myself.

So, I've decided to start writing here about my self at least 2 times a week, hopefully, Tuesdays and Fridays. I'm trying to implement a semi-scheduled for myself.

I'll be reporting any art made, exercise done and if I've had any wild adventures! And, if I feel inclined, some travel talk about the UK.

Might even have some guest posts from my best friend!


So as of now I'll be manager of the Hostel I'm living in come end of March, with my own room. The hostel has 36 beds and operates among a series of chains through the Highlands of Scotland and Edinburgh City. Its very exciting, especially the money part. Until then, I need to go after the National Insurance Number people here because they have yet to give me my number! Its been 4 months, the cheeky feckers.

Outside of that, I did a bit of exercise today, which was playing football (Soccer) with Javi and Will. They're way better than me but I had lots of fun trying to pick up the cool foot techniques they seemed to have been ingrained with. It rained as we played, of course, this is Fort William, if it doesn't rain I'm concerned about an influx of hell beasts and the apocalypses.

So this is where we start!