Questions's From Yam's Blog Two

What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
I got down and dirty planning a trip, complete with excel spreadsheets that would make a project manager proud

Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
My goals for 2009 were:
Write more, blog more, proactively engage/develop important relationships, and leave the house on Saturdays

I left the house most Saturdays; though I decided sometimes I just want to veg. I did blog and write quite a bit.

Goals for 2010: Travel, write, work on health

Did anyone close to you give birth?
My cousin/sister LaQuita

Did anyone close to you die?
No

What countries did you visit?
Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland

What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
I wrote it but then I erased it LOL

What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory?
August 15 – September 4

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Finally stopped feeling like I’m living paycheck to paycheck

What was your biggest failure?
Letting little things get me riled up

Did you suffer illness or injury?
No

What was the best thing you bought?
A plane ticket

Whose behavior merited celebration
????

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
It’s in the vault – again

Where did most of your money go?
The trip

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Visiting Ireland

What song/album will always remind you of 2009?
Nothing stands out

Compared to this time last year, are you:
happier or sadder? About the same
thinner or fatter? Fatter
richer or poorer? Richer

What do you wish you'd done more of?
Really looking past what people said and more at what they were doing

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Brooding over dumb people and events

How will you be spending New Year's?
Watch Night service at church then home where I have sparkling cider chilling as we speak

Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
Sophia?

Did you fall in love in 2009?
No

How many one night stands in this last year?
Not my style

What was your favourite TV programme?
Sex and the City (DVDs) and Seinfeld (syndicated/DVDs) – still; Also love the Office and Two and a Half Men

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No, but two people hate me

What was the best book(s) you read?
I keep rereading the same books

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Same bands from last year

What did you want and get?
Travel

What did you want and not get?
Winning the mega millions

What were your favorite films of this year?
Still loving the oldies

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 35, and I can’t remember

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Winning the mega millions

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Cute and comfortable

What kept you sane?
My pastor (I was on the ledge a few times)

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Gerard Butler and Clive Owen

What political issue stirred you the most?
The health care debate

Who did you miss?
My friends who live out of the state/country

Who was the best new person you met?
Pamela Robinson

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Life is too short to get caught up with stupid people and small things

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?
Another summer day has come and gone in Paris and Rome and I want to go home

My Christmas Letter

If I wrote a Christmas letter, it would go something like this.

2009 has been a challenging but fruitful year. I believe that the valuable lessons learned will lead to 2010 being a great year!

As you know, I have a goal to take one major trip each year. This year, I visited Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. I encountered many interesting people along the way. I traveled to Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland alone. They are English speaking countries so it was piece of cake. I met my friend Candy and her friend (now my friend) Pam in Dublin. We traveled around the Republic of Ireland, and we traveled well together and had many great conversations about life.

I’ve been obsessed with going to Ireland for some time. I was expecting something wonderful to happen and it did. The trip awakened something that had lain dormant inside of me for some time. I cracked open a door that had been sealed shut for a long time, and it feels good.

I am still working for the Port of Seattle. October 1, 2009, marked our 13th anniversary (included my temp time). It’s hard to believe. It’s had its up and downs. I have great coworkers and good benefits. I am also grateful for the opportunity for training. This year, I have take InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. My team also did a presentation skills training where we were filmed. I was traumatized going in, but glad coming out. I also received a mentor in the mentoring program the Port has. I also participated in a telecommuting pilot program, which I loved! When it comes down to it, I am thankful to have a job.

Church is going well. I am putting the final touches to the first issue of year nine of our newsletter. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long. It continues to be something I enjoy. I know I was called to write, and my skills as an editor are improving. I am also an usher still. I have come a long way from my “mean usher” days. God has been good to me. God has surrounded me with wonderful people. I am truly blessed in this area. God has sent me a lot of love, and I am thankful for it.

I pray that you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Solstice

The winter solstice, aka the shortest day of the year, was yesterday. It was the day of the year with the least amount of sunlight.

The darkest day of the year did not seem as dark as it normally does. The days leading up to it were not as dark as they normally seem. I’ve shared this thought on Facebook. I’ve shared this thought with people around me. Maybe it doesn’t appear as dark because it has not been raining? The rain and clouds do tend to bring things down a notch.

I’m not sure what is going on. This is the point where I can go down the avenue that a light shining in me has made things lighter all around me. I will spare you that, but it does deserve an honorable mention.

My prediction for 2009 was that it was going to be a good year. I predicted that it was going to be hard, but it would be good. I was right. It was a hard, trying year but the hardships and tests have made me stronger. I was not able to avoid situations I would shy from and the experiences increased my confidence. Good, bad, and ugly, I am learning what makes me tick.

The two highlights:
1. Number one is definitely my summer vacation in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland (Northern and Republic of).
2. Birth of my niece/cousin Sade. Her presence brought the family back together. Okay, okay, that should be number one. LOL.

My prediction for 2010 is that it’s going to be an excellent year. Not saying everything is going to be perfect, but if I have learned anything in life it is this, all things work for my good.

I expect good things to happen as long as I put forth the efforts and pursue and conquer all.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I don't want to be anyone but me

I met someone the other day who I realized didn’t like me. In the past, I would have broken a sweat to charm the person into seeing the good, likeable qualities that I have in abundance. Now, frankly Scarlett I don’t give a…

The truth is I didn’t really take to this person either, so what’ the problem? Everyone is not going to love or like me, and I am certainly not going to love or like everybody I meet. The days of trying to please everyone and to be everything to everyone are over. No, today I will focus my efforts on pleasing and being all to people who are actually on my side.

It did get me wondering about this need to be liked. Fundamentally, I think it’s a human nature to want to be accepted and to belong, and in some ways, to be validated.

An event in my life made me realize that not everyone who I thought was on my team is. People often take pleasure in the discomfort of others and are quick to criticize without having all the pertinent facts. This is something I don’t understand and something I watch for in myself. It was a good life lesson. I look at people differently. Things aren’t always quite what they seem.

Life is short and getting shorter every day. It’s time to reach past any fears, insecurities, doubts, hindrances and become the person I was created to be.

I’ve reconnected with a dynamic college friend of mine. She is very outgoing and a naturally gifted public speaker and someone who I admire all around.

I started thinking about everything I wasn’t. I don’t make friends very easily. I’m not always outgoing, though a part of my nature is. I tend to be very reserved. I hate public speaking, but I am becoming more open to it.

That’s when it hit me. I AM fearfully and wonderfully made. I was made to me. I have gifts and talents that make me uniquely me. There is no reason to focus on what I am not. It’s more productive to focus on what I am and use those gifts and talents to become who I am supposed to me. My believe and faith in God are strong. I need to transfer that belief into accepting and loving and being comfortable with who He made me, realizing I am not a finished project, yet.

As the song goes, “I don’t want to be anyone but me.”

2010 To Do List - Take One

2010 To Do List:
• Visit Yams in India
• Figure out and take second trip (probably in Europe)
• Get serious about Weight Watchers
• Walk for 30 minutes three times a week
• Learn something, either:
o Learn to knit
o Learn to swim
o Take a photographer class

Weight Watchers

So, my job has a Spirit and Wellness Initiative. Through the initiative, I was able to sign up for an onsite Weight Watchers. I missed week one because I had a Photoshop class. I attended week two on Wednesday. I realized then that I may not be as committed or serious as some of my classmates.

The spirit is willing but the flesh is week.

The main problem is that the week that just pasted and part of next week are party central. I realize that I don’t want to say no to meatballs, popcorn shrimp, cheese and crackers, cookies, cakes, donuts, etc. I very much want to partake.

What I’m thinking is that this is something I should have started in the new year. If I mentally fast forwarded to Christmas Eve my mouth begins to water. How can I say no to pizza, chili dogs, Chinese food, friend chicken, etc? What about Christmas brunch dinner? How can I say no to that? More importantly why would I say no to that?

What I am thinking is that I won’t be teacher’s pet. I figure each week I will come in about five pounds heavier. But what I ride I will have doing so.

I promise to behave better on January 2, 2010. I don’t want to say no to any special dinner that may take place on January 1.

Secret Thoughts

I watched a movie where a mother tells her son she is concerned about his secret thoughts (or something like that).

Well last night, I was a little ashamed of my secret thoughts. When I will not tell what they were, I will use this entry as a confession of some sorts.

Sometimes, there is what I know is right to do. Then there is what I want to do, which is separated by 180 degrees than what it right. And therein lays the problem.

I'm a writer. If I keep typing, I'll spill. So I must stop now. LOL

The Twilight Zone

There is a movie where a woman is running to catch a train. The movie then breaks into two scenarios. In one scenario, she catches the train. She arrives at home and catches her boyfriend with another woman. In the second scenario, she misses the train, thus never encountering this other woman.

I thought of this movie today.

I decided to catch the bus downtown to get a birthday present. I left at 3:40 to catch the 3:45 bus. I arrived at the bus stop at 3:43. I waited and waited. I assume the bus was early (or it never came). I knew if I went back home, I would not come back out so I waited and waited and waited for the 4:15 bus. During the time I was waiting, I was thinking about how this 30 minute delay changed the people I would encounter.

The first set of people was the bus driver and the people who rode the bus with me. The second sent was people I would encounter on the streets and in the stores I went into.

It’s one of those mind exercises I do quite a bit and gives me this strange mysterious feeling whenever I do it.

Two Random Thoughts

I’m amazed how certain scents can bring memories rushing back. I have a Candy-Cane Christmas Wreath that smells wonderful. A co-worker came by and got teary-eyed reminiscing how the smell took her back to childhood. She shared some wonderful memories of her mother’s creativity and her family’s Christmas traditions.

There are certain scents that can take me back. Drakar. Gas stoves. There are certain scents that make me feel comfort. Vanilla. Baked bread. There are certain smells that I detest. Cigarette smoke. Alcohol on peoples’ breath (especially cheap beer).

Smells are right up there with music. SIGH!

In a totally different thought, have you ever observed a situation that you knew was an accident waiting to happen? The best example I can give is putting an alcoholic in charge of a bar. It’s only a matter of time before they succumb to the pressure. It’s like you know something is coming (instinctively) and you are just waiting for the event to happen. In some ways, you have a way to plan your response, but nothing ever happens in the way we expect it to.

Woe is Me?

It’s been a rough couple of weeks. I keep trying to adjust my attitude around it all. This is especially true for things that won’t matter in a year, or a month for that matter. I do think it is okay for me to be honest about things I’m not happy with or are not working for me. The caveat is that I have to do something about it! This is normally the challenge.

My ability to contain myself and “hold things inside” is both a curse and blessing. It’s good when I can control myself it difficult situations. It’s bad when there is an eruption. I can feel it coming.

When I truly think about it, the things that are currently getting to me won’t and don’t matter in the overall scheme of life. If I look at my problems and issues, they seem trite and silly when I look around at what is going on. I have an ex-worker who is starting chemotherapy today. His attitude and optimistic on his condition are incredible. This is a serious problem and one that he could easily and understandably scream his frustration to the world about it. He doesn’t. Yet, I will scream, yell, and fuss about situations that seem petty.

With my intellect, I truly understand how blessed I am. The spoiled, petulant little girl inside of me often loses focus on it!

I have much to be thankful for!

December 12, 2012 - Part Two

Okay, hypothetically, if the world was going to end in 2012 what would I do differently?

As I mentioned in the previous post, my travel plans would be accelerated. I don’t believe in credit card debt, so I would limit my purchases to basics and hopefully manage to travel two to three months out of the year. I’m very disciplined. I could do this.

I would also write books. There are so many books and characters running around this brain, I have to fight my imagination at every turn.

I would take the time to visit my family in Mississippi once a year.

I would spend as much time with my local friends and family as I could.

I would see this job as it is – a means to an end and nothing more. Nothing to be stressed about and nothing to take home with me.

It’s amazing how differently I would do things if I knew I had limited time (I mean in the sense of being diagnosed with something terminal).

But since the world is not ending, I’ll probably continue to drag my feet and procrastinate.

If only, I would kick myself in the butt and get going!

December 12, 2012

One thing I have learned about life is that you have to take advantage of every opportunity given to you . The latest craze that the world is going to end on December 12, 2012, is such an opportunity.

If the world is going to end, that means I need accelerate my travel plans. That would mean fitting Greece, Turkey, Egypt, and Israel in 2010 – also known as one large, expensive vacation.

I say all of this to tease.

I don’t believe the world is going to end December 12, 2012. As the Bible says, no one knows the day or the hour. I do believe that there are shifts and changes happening all around us. I believe that it is a time that people try to bend and twist truth. I believe it is a time when people try to make right and wrong relative to their agendas and motives.

I also believe it is a time when the future has more possibilities than our minds can even fathom. That the goodness, gifts, and blessing God has in store for His People can’t even be imagined by the limits of our minds.

I believe that the Light will shine the brightest in the darkest hour. I believe that the grace and mercy of God will abound greater. I believe that no matter what happens or doesn’t happen that God has me in His hands.

Ready for Love?

Relationships are very hard. I realize this. In some way, part of me shies from the concept of the intimate relationship of marriage, which is why I am still single. Eternally single.

I look around, and I see many divorces and separations and that pessimistic voice says why bother…(My pastor suggested that I look at the positive examples. LOL.)

Then, there is the voice that wants to be free to travel and not have to worry about anyone other than me. This voice is okay with the idea of a marriage companion to travel with but no kids. On a side note, now that I am 35, I think I won’t have kids anyway. So it’s a mute point.

Then there is the part that sings that song by India Arie that says, “I am ready for love, why are you hiding from me…” with such earnest and conviction that the other two voices are silenced.

Man in the Mirror?

About a month ago, a scandal broke out concerning a personal situation that occurred in the life of one of the elected officials who has oversight over the organization I work for.

I was shocked about the allegations, certainly. At some point during the day, I realized that people were actually “happy” about it. It was so weird. It’s like there was a gleam in people’s eyes as they said, “Have you heard…”

I should say that I have/do gossip with my friends. I am not above that, for sure. But there was something different at play here. It was as if people took pleasure and had malicious enjoyment over a very trying time in a person’s personal life.

I wrote a while back about the governor of South Carolina and how we are able to watch people’s life fall apart. What is it about a car wreck that makes people stop and watch? What is it about a tragedy in someone else’s life that causes us to stop and watch?

I never want my life to get so bad that I take enjoyment in someone else’s misfortune. It’s not right, and it’s downright cruel…

It’s like we are constantly looking for something to distract us from our own unhappiness and the fact that we are not fulfilled as individuals.

The Bible talks about focusing on those things that are good. That is what I am trying to do. I also want to look at my own wreckage and make changes. I figure I can deal with the ugliness and pain now or in 15 years or 25 years…

I guess what I am trying to say is maybe we need to spend less time focused on the lives of other people and more time getting ourselves together.

I'm Still Here!!!

I am supposed to blog once a week, but I’ve obviously done a poor job in October. The good news is that I still have a day and a half to make three posts. LOL. It’s not that I don’t have a lot to say, it’s just that I have been holding back. Sometimes, the words just don’t seem adequate. Or I just feel like what I wrote makes me sound pompous, which is not a good thing! Or finally, what I say really opens me up and I feel vulnerable so I pull back. So I wanted to check in and say, I’m still here!

The other reason is that I am addicted to a word game online. I play it during lunch and when I get home until late. I miss my bedtime, and then I am up half the night thinking of words. The game is called Fowl Words. There are seven letters that are scrambled, and you have two minutes to make as many words as you can during that time. At first, it’s easy and it gets harder and harder as you go to higher levels. You decide if you can make eight words in two minutes or 13 words. Then it goes to like 18 or 23. If you make all the words, you go on. If not, you lose. As I reach higher levels, I choose the smaller about. Words have to be three or more letters and scoring is based on how many letters the words are. There is one seven letter word and a miscellaneous number of three, four, five, and six letter words. So a seven letter word is worth more than a three letter word.

Here is a good example:

B e t y r e h

Thereby
Hereby
There
Herb
They
Here
Beer
Beet
Tee
Her
Ere
Bye
Rye….

…okay. You get the picture!

Volume VIII Issue IV

This the Editor's Corner article I wrote for the latest PCC Scroll...

The editing team had a retreat at the beginning of August. I am extremely excited about the direction the PCC Scroll is heading in. With this issue, we have a new section that will be written by Sister Deidre Daymon. The section, “These are the Years,” will focus on the senior/retired members of our community. We also have a new layout, which we hope will make the publication more readable.

At the retreat, we developed the editorial calendar for the next four issues of the Scroll. In short, the next issues will focus on our natural seasons and the movements associated with the seasons. We will parallel the natural movements with spiritual matters.

In many ways, we are starting at the end. We are starting with the harvest, which is when we reap the fruit of our labor. There are steps that take place in winter, spring, and summer that impact what we harvest in the fall. The big question is what are we harvesting right now and how does that compare to what we wish to harvest. From the resting and rejuvenating of winter, to the planting and birthing of spring, to the nurturing and pruning of summer, in the fall, we reap what we have sown.

The reaping and sowing process impacts all areas of our lives. It impacts our financial fitness and our health. It impacts our relationships with God and man. It impacts our ability to do our jobs well. The bottom line is whatever we put in, we will get out.

We are faced with situations that reveal what is really inside of us daily. When given the chance, do we act out of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance? Now is the time to be honest.

It is time that we align our actions and reactions with the fruit of the spirit. I invite all of us to sow and reap love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.

I Miss My Sister/I Want My Sister Back

Mid-September to early October is a hard time for me.

September 21 is my sister Honey’s birthday. She died in a car accident when I was 23 aka 12 years ago.

The last conversation I had with her was in mid-September. She called to talk to me, but I was too tired to talk. I remember us laughing as I was trying to hang up, but she wanted to talk. I was like dude I have to go and practically hung up on her. She tried calling back, but I did not pick up the phone. She urgently wanted to talk to me.

Fast forward about a week to her 25 birthday, and I could not reach her. I tried, and I tried, but just couldn’t connect. I was not able to wish her a happy birthday. I urgently wanted to talk to her.

Fast forward a few weeks to the call I never wanted to get.

My sister knew/knows I love her. But, that final conversation we had when I did not tell her one last time will always stay with me. That final conversation where I was too tired to take the time to talk to her will always stay with me.

Now, I try to hug my friends and family when I see them. I try to tell them that I love them because you never really know when it will be the last time.

Her death taught me a lot about who actually cared for me. I remember I sought out comfort from people who I thought would comfort me, but you know how that goes.

I went through a lot of guilt over her dying and not me. She had kids, I had none. I kept asking God why (and I still haven’t gotten the answer to that question). I was so angry when she died. I remember when I turned 25, I didn't feel like I had the right to turn that age. Then I turned 26, and so, and so on.

I remember sitting at her funeral stone faced and mad at the world. I still haven’t cried about it. I just suppress the emotion like if I cry it will be admitting that she is gone from this life. It's like the last picture I have with her. That's it.

The funny thing is that I still expect to pick up the phone and hear her voice. She still owes me money. She used to make me laugh. She could have been a comedian. I am thankful the time we had as sisters, and what a time it was.

• I remember Cathy, Honey, and me singing “We are Family” with towels on our heads when we were little.
• I remember Cathy, Honey, and me staying up every Christmas Eve and watching a Christmas Story all night.
• I remember Cathy, Honey, and me staying up watching Night Tracks on Fridays and Saturdays.
• I remember Cathy, Honey, and me staying up all night the night before the first day of school.
• I remember Cathy, Honey, and me doing our first solo plane trip together.
• I remember Cathy, Honey, and me being in Jump Rope for Heart together.
• I remember Cathy, Honey, and me playing house and dolls together. I also remember early on when LaQuita would play with us. LaQuita was Big Tina, Cathy was Judy. I forgot Honey’s name but I was CeCe and I hated that name.
• I remember Cathy, Honey, and me used to go trick-or-treating and we would go far from home.
• I remember Cathy, Honey, and me in my aunt’s garden like slaves. We were so bitter to be out there.
• I remember Cathy, Honey, and me used to go pick plums from this tree in ML.
• I remember the time Honey got stung by a bee and swelled like a balloon and had to be taken to the hospital. We didn’t realize it was actually life threatening and laughed and laughed and laughed. Actually, it’s still funny.
• I remember Honey was allergic to everything and had asthma
• I remember Honey teaching me how to fight.
• I remember one night at dinner Honey didn’t want to eat what was on her plate. And my aunt made her sit there then she started crying because she said a spider was following her. That was hilarious!
• I remember when Honey made some rolls from a recipe she learned at home-economics and they were harder than rocks.
• I remember Honey coming to visit me when I was at the UW.
• I remember Honey doing my hair when I was a teenager.
• I remember when I was in sixth grade, I used to wear my sisters clothes without them knowing it. They left before me, and I got back before them. I would wear their stuff and then rush home and put it back in their closets.
• I remember that it’s good to remember.

Posted Pictures

Pictures are now posted!

Check out:

http://latonjab.shutterfly.com/

Password is

italia

Enjoy!

Next step is creating a photo album and reliving the trip. SIGH!

Pictures

I am currently uploading my pictures to Shutterfly. I'm about halfway there, and I hope that by midweek I will post a link on Facebook. I warn you that there are a lot of pictures. Would say 1125 be too much in three weeks? I plan to post them all and then download them onto a CD. I will then go through the pain of deleting half or two thirds of them and printing my favorites and creating a nice photo album of the journey. I love this part as I get to smile and relive the adventure.

I was able to sleep Friday night. Saturday into Sunday, I got up around three. Sunday into today (Monday) I got up around five so I'm getting there.

I keep doing this mental check of what time it is in Ireland.

I received a newsletter from St. Placid's Priory and one of the writers said that stability is being where you are without wanting/longing to be somewhere else. So I will try to be stable and live in the present and where I am. I will still plot for my next vacation. LOL

End of the Journey

I am currently home!

On Wednesday, I visited St. Nicholas Cathedral with Pam, which was closed. I was totally sad because it has wooden sculptures of the Stations of the Cross I wanted to see, and it has a mosaic of JFK. There is a bridge called the Simon Weir Bridge that "connects" the church to the courthouse. I say connects because there used to be a prison where the church now stands. It was sort of the Dublin Bridge of Sighs as it was the last glimpse of the city prisoners saw from the courthouse to the prison. Rick referred to Galway as the Venice of Ireland because of this and the canal/bridges.

One thing I liked about Dublin (and Rome, Paris, and London) is the series of bridges that coast the rivers through there. I think I mentioned the Liffey River was flowing extra hard because of all the rain. Also, water was standing everyone: roads, fields, and streets.

We took a bus from Galway to Dublin, checked in, and hit Dublin for one last hurrah. We ended up hanging out at Temple Bar, I know, I know ultra-touristy, and listening to live music. Whenever I hear Galway Girl, it will remind me of Ireland because I heard the song several times while I was there and was able to sing along. ;) That evening we went back to Kozie's but our guy Michael was not there. Sad.

I had so much fun with Candy and Pam. We are all pretty laid back and there weren't any issues with moods, attitudes, etc. Just two wonderful women I was able to take a fabulous journey with.

The journey home was okay. I was up for 24 hours, which helped me sleep through last night.

Now, I am back to Seattle and the rain. It feels nice to be home.

The good news is that I am way under budget so I get transfer the money back into savings and let it be a springboard into my next trip. The question is where to next?!

Galway Day Two

Galway has a really cool laid back feel to it.

Today, we took a tour of the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher. Our guide, Desmond Rory Murray, was very excellent. He had us rolling the entire trip. If I had only one word to describe him, it would be "fresh".

Speaking of fresh, we went to the Internet cafe yesterday and a very handsome (older) man (John) worked there. It turns our he is staying at our B&B as well. He just moved back to Ireland from South Africa and Spain.

Oh, I forgot to mention we saw a family we had met in Dingle while we were enroute to Galway. We have met so many Americans I am wondering who is watching the country!

The Burren is quite impressive. It's 320 square kilometers and is home to 70% of native flora. It's quite poetic how the wild flowers, ferns, etc. grow amongst the barren rock. I think I heard the Burren described as forgettable but nothing could be further from the truth. I could write poems for days on what the area symbolizes in the human condition and spirit. Then there are areas that overlook the water...get out of here. I could spend days there.

We saw the Cliffs of Moher which I consider to be the climax of my trip. They were so beautiful. Romantically beautiful yet tragically dangerous. Again, I could write poems for days, which I should tell you guys I haven't been inspired for poetry in quite a long time.

I saw the Kilferno Cathedral and Crosses. It is a sixth century monastery. There were also some weird tombstones.

Speaking of tombstones, saw the Poulnabrone Dolmen which are 5800 years old and older than the pyramids. They were constructed by Neolithic farmers. It's a portal tomb that looks like a stone table. Very interesting and was known as the druids altar. We also saw the Gleninsheen Wedge Tomb which dates back to 2500 BC.

We caught glimpse of this abbey and saw the Dunguaire Castle from the outside.

We saw an interesting fort called the Ballyalban Fairy Fort. It's prehistoric and was once surrounded by water which tells how much the landscape has changed over time.

So tomorrow we head back to Dublin and Friday I'm on my way, I'm on my way, home sweet home. Ready or not. I haven't quite gotten my head around coming back to reality. I'll try to be Zen about it.

Galway

So, we got an early start to travel to Galway. We bussed from Dingle to Tralee; Tralee to Limerick; and finally Limerick to Galway. There was almost an international incident in that this family acted like they wanted to throw down with us. You know I love peace, but if it's going down, I'll rise up. Luckily no punches were thrown.

I totally love Galway. It has a real laid back feeling. We checked in and walked down to Eyre Square. There is a bust of JFK who visited Ireland a few months before he was assassinated. There is also a door that dates back to 1627. It is a door from a fortified townhouse.

We saw Lynch's Castle, which is now a bank. The building dates back to the 15th century. There were 14 tribes that were in Galway and the Lynch's were the most powerful. There were over 80 Lynch mayors in the 16th and 17th century. This is the only one of their castles to survive.

We also saw Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas. It was built in 1320 and Christopher Columbus worshiped here in 1477, which I find hell of cool. Nicholas is the patron saint for sailors. There is also a statue that was a gift from Genoa which celebrates Columbus's visit.

We also saw the Spanish Arch, which marks the spot Spanish vessels would unload their cargo, mainly wine. The Arches are circa 1584. Galway was once an important port city. We also saw the Corrib River. The river was racing and people were kayaking. I chatted with one of the gentlemen kayaking and was like are you crazy. Again, it normally does not rain so much, but they are getting all kinds of rainfall. The ground can't contain the water.

Tomorrow we head to the Cliffs of Moher and will see part of the Burren. I am so excited to see the cliffs.

I am very sad because the trip is winding down. I fly out Friday morning and will be home Friday evening.

I bought myself a Claddagh ring. The ring has two hands holding a heart that wears a crown. The heart represents love, the crown represent loyalty, and the hands are friendship. If the tip of the heart points toward the fingertip is means the wearer is available.

Oh, we chatted with the woman (Violetta) who works at the B&B in Dingle. She is from Lithuania but works in Dingle Easter to August. She returns home tomorrow. She can make three times what she makes at home in Dingle. She talked about seeking what is shouting out to you. I know what is shouting to me so it is time to start moving in that directly.

Again, tons of sage advice heard on this trip. Life is short and must be lived and lived fully.

All my love.

Dingle

I forgot to mention that in Dublin, we took a taxi ride with John F. Kennedy. Make that John Francis Kennedy. Oh, and Derek is from Dublin in Cobn for a fishing trip. Actually, we met quite a lot of people from Dublin in Cobn either on holiday themselves or visiting families.

So, Saturday we really took it easy. We walked around and visited St. Colman's Cathedral. I have been to many churches (St. Peter's, St. Mark's, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's, Notre Dame, etc.) and I tell you that this was the most beautiful church I have ever seen. It was so ornate, elegant, and peaceful.

Along the walk, we came across this dog who started digging in the ground like he was going to make a running start and start charging us. He was a strange mixture, and we decided to retreat and go the other way. Well, we were walking down the next street and Kujo came trotting around the corner wagging his tail. He trotted around this other corner, and we were rolling because he was letting us know we were on his turf. Did I mention his owners had him muzzled. I think there is a reason for that!

Saturday night Pam and I headed out looking for me new friend, who I didn't see. BUT we did meet Kevin (aka Stacy), Eamon, Paul (I met my Dublin cop), Hugh and a host of other friendly, nice Irish men. The key is sitting at the bar and everyone becomes your friend. It was very nice and fun.

Yesterday we got up and headed to Dingle. It was pouring rain by the time we checked in. We had a scary moment where our B&B looked like the Bate's Motel but luckily that wasn't it. Candy and Pam were looking at me like they wanted to hurt me since I booked Dingle and Galway accommodations. I believe Candy said this does not look like a place Rick (Steves) would select.

We went for a short walk and Candy and Pam went home, and I stayed out to get soaked for another 45 minutes or so.

Then this morning we woke up to decent weather. We went on this tour of the Dingle Peninsula led by Tim Collins who is a retired police officer. It was so very interesting. We saw this 7th or 8th century early Christian Church called Gallarus Oratory along with some Celtic/Christian monuments. The peninsula itself is very pretty. Cliffs and crashing waves and green pastures. They have plants like wild iris, bamboo, palm trees, and fuchsia from Africa, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and a host of other places. When rich people traveled, they would bring back plants and introduce them to the region. The fuchsia here is referred to Tears of God. It also happens to be the most western part of Europe. The next parish over is Boston, or so the locals says. Factual the next place over is Newfoundland. We also saw a tribute to the Spanish Armada ships that crashed there in 1558.

We then strolled along the harbor and got a picture of the statue of Fungie.

Did I mention I liked Ireland quite a bit! It is quite lovely and you know people for the most part are open and friendly. They have had a very wet August, wetter than normal.

Pam and I went to visit this windows designed by Henry Clark. They go over key moments of Jesus' ministry such as The Visit of the Magi, The Baptism of Jesus, Let the little children come to me, The Sermon on the Mount, The Agony in the Garden, and Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene. There was also a bat in the window. When we visited St. Mary's we also saw two other bats. We think they are between the windows panes. They are very small.


One of the roads we rode along is called The Long Road. I knew there was something special awaiting me in Ireland. It's almost like an awakening and now I am in the position to accept it. Something inside of me has been laying dormant for so long and now it's like I feel myself yawningly stretching out.

It's all very good. I'm just so sad that it's winding down. Tomorrow we head to Galway. I come home on Friday, ready or not.

Take It Easy.

Cobn

On Thursday, we went to Trinity College and did a walking tour with a student named Rory who reminded me of a vampire. He did a great job. Of course, we also went and saw the Book of Kells. There were a lot of people pushing and shoving to get good looks of the works. Two of the four books were on display. Trinity College was built during the reign of my favorite English monarch, Elizabeth I. It was built to promote the Protestant faith in Catholic Ireland. For a while, it was (rich) Protestant males but eventually Catholics and then finally women were allowed in.

We then began walking and hit Grafton Street and St. Stephens Park. After that we went in search of Kilmainham Gaol (Jail). We happened upon Little Jerusalem and went to and Irish Jewish Museum. Some of the Jewish people came when they were expelled from Portugal and Spain during the times of Isabella of Castille and Ferdinand of Aragon (the Inquisition). Others came during the Napoleon Wars.

We finally just took a cab to the Kilmainham Jail and did a tour. Another Rory gave us a tour. He reminded me of a short version of my current favorite actor Gerard Butler. The Jail has a painful history. The youngest male inmate was a 5-year-old boy who was put in jail for a month for not paying his bus fare. The youngest female was a 7-year-old girl put in jail for five months for stealing a cloak. Of course, a lot of leaders of the Irish independence movement were put in jail and executed here. The majority of people consider the leaders to be trouble starters but after their executions they become martyrs and the movement caught on fire. A sad part of the history is that during the potato famine people were desperate for food and would steal and be placed in jail. A jail built to house over a hundred people had ten times that amount and the jail was overcrowded but inmates were guaranteed one meal a day.

Yesterday, we headed off to Cobn, where we are now. I met a new friend last night who has displaced Michael in my affections. His name is Derek. We had made eye contact during the evening and he finally came over and chatted with us. I have a picture of us together. He is a cutie and could be a good import candidate. LOL. During our eye contacts, he began singing this song that goes I have a woman across town and I started cheezing. You'll know how I do!

Today we are probably just going to take it easy before heading off to Dingle tomorrow.

I've enjoyed talking with Candy and Pam and am getting great insights from them. They are two wonderful women who I am glad to get to know better.

Candy's Blog

Here is a link to Candy's blog:

http://candybayard.webs.com/apps/blog/

Dublin

I LOVE Dublin!

Yesterday morning, I got up early to catch a 7:30 bus to Dublin. As I mentioned before, the train tracks are having issues. I decided on 7:30 because it would give me a chance to meet to Candy and Pam at the Patton Flyer bus to Dun Laoghaire (pronounced Dun Leery).

So I got there a little after ten and had to wait for the 11 o clock bus, which is the bus Candy and Pam should have made as their flight got in a little after ten. So about a quarter to eleven I look up and I saw Pam then I saw Candy. This is actually my first time meeting Pam, but I recognized her from a picture. I was so happy because that is how I wanted us to start our trip.

So we caught the bus to DL. Of course Candy and Pam were dead tired but we did head to Dublin. We accidently did one of the walks Rick Steves recommends in his guidebook along O'Connell Street. We also walked around the Temple Bar area. Then Pam and Candy headed back to the B&B because they were tired. I stayed and did some wandering. By the time, night began to fall, I did not want to leave but leave I must.

So I just started to walk. I hit the Dublin Castle. I did not go in because I have been in plenty of Castles but I did want to get a picture of statue of justice that is in the courtyard. The Dublin Castle was were the English ruled Ireland for 700 years. It was here that in 1922 that the British handed power back over to the Irish.

I also wandered over to Christ Church Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Both are impressive buildings and Church of Ireland which is intereting in Catholic Ireland.

I then wandered around Grafton Street which is Dublin's pedestrian shopping mall. I managed to get a picture of the tart with the cart for the record books. I quite accidently ran into this beatiful park called St. Stephen's Green Park. I sat in there for awhile because it was so beatiful and peaceful. It's 22 acres.

I then headed to walk along the Liffey River. I love to be near water. So I met this guy named Michael. He is Nigerian and has been in Scotland for eight years. He says he wants to marry me, but I think it's a little too soon. LOL. I know he wants to come to America but jeez!

He did encourage me to pray to God for whatever I wanted and told me to pray to God to go before me where ever I go. He said that God hears and answers our prayers. I totally accept the sage advice on prayer. I do, and I will. LOL.

I headed back to the B&B, and we went to dinner. We went to this very cool Irish Bar and another Michael took great care of us. We wanted to get a picture with him so he took us around the bar an there is a picture of us pouring some Guinness. It's on Candy's camera, but I am sure it will become a favorite picture of mine.

So today, we are going to Trinity College and to see the Book of Kells and we will also go to to Kilmainham Gaol. Then we will see whatever else we get into. There are some pretty cool walking tours so perhaps we will do one of those.

There were some other stuff on interest like the National Museum and Number 29 Georgian House but both are similiar to things I did in Wales and Scotland. We will see what the ladies say.

Tomorrow we head off to Cobn. It should be a great time to get some R&R.

P.S.

So I am doing laundry, and I hear these drumbeats. The marchers I saw on the way back here ended their parade around the corner. The interesting thing is they were playing My Country Tis of Thee, which I thought was an American anthem.

They say a watched pot doesn't boil. Well a watched dryers never ends. I am ready to go to bed as I have to get up early to be on my way to meet Candy and Pam at the B and B. I'm just wasting time to make it go!

I guess I'll checkout Facebook. LOL.

Rick Steves says that it is never the country you are in that's the problem, it's you. He says you have to find the right lens to view the country in, which is probably very true. Since I am constantly seeking and looking for comfort, it would make sense that a war zone would make me uneasy. So, my rose color lens just prays for healing here and that people are able to find common ground and move on for the good.

I totally dug the Antrim Coast though. Totally beautiful and peaceful!

Belfast II

Before I leap into Belfast, I wanted to talk about St. Andrews for a few.

I forgot to mention that St. Andrews is the patron saint of Scotland. At one point in time, it was the ecclesiastical capital of Scotland and people would take pilgrimages there. Andrew's knee, an arm, some fingers and some teeth were kept here. The white "X" in the Scotland flag is the diagonal cross on which Andrew was crucified. According to legend, St. Rule had a dream to bring the relics northward and the ship carrying them shipwrecked there.

With the reformation, the church was picked over. In England, churches were destroyed but in Scotland it happened gradually.

Today, I did a tour of the Antrim Coast, and I loved it! I would certainly visit there again. My favorite part was the Giant Causeway which is absolutely amazing. Also visited the Dunluce Castle. Apparently in 1639 dinner was interrupted by half the kitchen falling in the sea! This is after surviving sieges and attacks, go figure. Nature decided to take it out. We stopped by Olds Bushmills Distillery, but no tour. I don't like whiskey or beer so I'll pass. Also went to Carrick-a-Rede-Rope Bridge, which I thought about walking over but it was very steep and I don't like the feeling of falling over, plus I wore the wrong shoes. LOL.

Today, on the way back to the hostel, I came across the marching of some Unionist. They had the Sandy Row flag so they are from around here. Apparently a few days before I got here, some folks decided to display a "show of strength" by setting up their own checkpoint, and they were armed. I guess the police didn't interfere. Some folks say they should have but others say it would have just escalated into violence.

The guide from the tour told me that things were much improved these last ten to fifteen years. The fact that tourists are coming is a testimony to this. He said that 99.9% want peace but it's that 0.1% that are causing the problem. People refer to it as the "Troubled" time in the history.

It's sad here, and it has been a war zone, but even in the midst of chaos there is always hope and I think the good in people will overcome those who want to dwell in the status quo of division.

So tomorrow it's off to Dublin. I was going to take the train but part of the track collapsed last week so bus it is!

Belfast

I am currently in Belfast!

Yesterday, I decided to go to St. Andrews. I was torn, but I figured what the heck. I split a cab into town (the train goes to Leuchars) with a couple from Colorado. The first stop was West Sands Beach, which is where part of Chariots of Fire was filmed. Picture me running down the beach humming the theme music and you will get the idea. LOL

Even though I am not a big golf fan, I did check out the golf course. Apparently St. Andrews is a golf Mecca. I took pictures were Tiger and Jack play. Ha Ha.

I then went to St. Andrews Castle, or what is left of the castle anyway. I then visited the site of the ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral. I tell you what, it's an impressive site. I try to picture how the Cathedral would have looked if it had not been destroyed. It was raining hard and I was getting soaked, but I did see some of the school buildings.

Did I mention it rained EVERYDAY I was in Scotland. The day I leave, it's like blues sky. Go figure.

When I was at Stirling Castle these four young men who I think are from Spain asked me to take their picture. I mention them because they were on the same tour I took to the Highlands. And then, I saw them in St. Andrews. We were walking different directions on the opposite side of the street, but we saw each other laughed and waved. It was SO funny. Then I saw this family I was the Highlands tour with at the train station this morning. I sat behind them without realizing it until I heard the dad's voice. There is something comfortable and and familiar about them. I exchanged email with the daughter who is another 30 something. Basically it's a small world.

So after St. Andrews I went to Gladstone's Landing, which is a home that was a home to a merchant. It was a contrast to the Georgian House. I then ending my touring of Edinburgh the way I began, at the Royal Mile.

I was sad to say goodbye to Jill, the owner. Like Allison, she was very nice and good to me.

So this morning I caught two trains and a ferry to Belfast. When I was in the middle of the Irish Sea, I remembered my near-death Mexican Riviera Cruise and nearly had a flashback. Luckily Tropical Storm Evil, I mean Eva, is somewhere on the Pacific.

I checked in. I am actually staying at a hostel in Belfast.

Belfast. How do I describe Belfast? I am not sure what the word is but there is something __ (can't find the right word) about this place. It may have to do with the history. I would love to hear any impressions anyone else has had. I plan on going back to Edinburgh. As of now, I have not plans to visit Belfast again. Maybe it needs to go through a rebirth or something.

I toured the Catholic neighborhood of Falls Road and the Protestant neighborhood of Sandy Row. I'm not taking sides but the Catholic murals I saw were along the line of we shall overcome and this is why we need to be free. The Protestant murals were pretty violent and angry. The youth hostel happens to be right by Sandy Row.

I'll hold my judgment of the place until tomorrow but I don't get the feeling of home and comfort I had in Wales and Edinburgh. I suppose with all the history it is to be expected.

Tomorrow my plan is to tour the Antrim Coast and then do laundry. I head to Dublin on Wednesday where I will meet Candy and Pam.

This is a good place to slow down and actually relax and chill on my vacation.

Oh, I saw the City Hall building which is really nice.

I also met three very nice Irish men. One of who was quite drunk. Very friendly, but yeah drunk. I don't think it was quite seven when I met him.

Editing

P.S. I am not editing these as I go. I hope it's clear. I'll clean them up when I return. LOL

More on Scotland

There was so much more I wanted to write yesterday but was pressed for time. The blog serves as two purposes. One, it let's people know I am still alive! I think I may have mentioned that my boss asked me how would you'll know if something happened to me. I was like my bed and breakfast would miss me. If they didn't, Candy would certainly miss me in Dublin. And finally, if you don't hear from me on the blog start praying. When I won't blog everyday, I should certainly either be on Facebook, Hotmail, or the blog!

The second thing it does is give me the notes I need to do my photo albums. Two trips ago, I started creating photo albums of my trips. They include pictures, tickets, brochures, etc. that show where I went and what I saw. I figure they will be great for me to have when I am old and gray talking about the good old days!

One point I meant to mention about the castle in Wales is that I learned about the king's toilet. It's this seat with a hole that goes all the way down. Basically there were some toxic fumes in there. LOL. Well the clothing back in the day was animal skin and it attracted fleas and lice. So every night, the king's groom would take the king's outfit and hang it in his toilet. Being in that room would kill whatever was in the clothes and the groom would shake out the dead bugs and the king would put it on. I think we know that hygiene wasn't big back then. They thought showers were bad for you. Oh, how far we have come! Basically, all the romantic, clean cut images we have of the kings of old are false. They were dirty and smelly.

So the first night in Edinburgh, I went to St. Giles. It is described as the Westminster Abbey of Scotland. The inside is gorgeous. At one point in time, there were four churches functioning there, thus the many pulpits in the church. The reformer John Knox is buried outside the church, well under a parking lot. There is a statue of him in there as well. The church has 4 pillars that date back to 1120. I love seeing items with a lot of history and time because it makes me wonder about the people who have walked there before me.

As I mentioned, the Royal Mile is crazy with people and activities. It was fun to explore the first night.

I wanted to go to the National Museum of Scotland and the National Gallery of Scotland because I am beginning to appreciate art more. I like marble and oil on canvas. It wasn't until I went to Paris and Rome that I began to appreciate art. Before that, I would rather be outside exploring than exploring in a stuffy old museum. The Gallery has pieces by Raphael, Titian, Monet, and van Gogh (oh my!).

I wanted to go to the Georgian House because like I said earlier, I like to imagine how life was back in the day. In this case the late 1700s. I like the formality. That's why I love Jane Austen novels. It occurred to me that I have never thought about how the scullery maid lived. I don't know if I mentioned this yesterday but they were working like 100 plus hours a weeks. They didn't read or write and often their families gave them away because they couldn't afford them. Does anyone know of any books written from the maids point of view? So when it's fun to see Elizabeth, Jane, etc. go the ball what about poor Betsie?

My interest in the Edinburgh Castle was to see the Stone of Scone aka the Stone of Destiny. When Edward I conquered the Scots he took the Stone, on which Scottish kings had been crowned on for centuries (since the ninth century), and took it to London and placed it under the English coronation throne in Westminster Abbey. It was there from 1296 until 1996 when Elizabeth II gave it back. Of course the symbolism isn't lost on us on what Edward I was doing. He was a shrewd dude, but effective. Like I said in my Wales blog, he had this Manifest Destiny belief and he wanted to extend his empire by any means. The room were James VI (Scotland)/ I (England) was born is at Edinburgh Palace as well. The Scottish crown jewels I saw date back to 1540. They were last used for Charles II. The 1707 Act of Union created the UK and dissolved Scotland's parliament.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse has been around since the 14th century. Here is where the infamous incident occurred where Mary Queen of Scots husband Lord Darnley and his thugs murdered Mary's secretary who they believed was also her lover. As I stood in the rooms from her privy chamber they (Mary and her secretary) sat eating to the room they (her husband and his thugs) dragged him into and stabbed him to death, I could picture it all!

I mentioned I wasn't going to visit Stirling, but one of my buds at the Port or Portland convinced me to go by saying it was were the highlands met the lowlands so I was sold! Two important battles happened there. One was the Battle of Stirling Bridge. This was lead by William "Braveheart" Wallace. Technically, he ambushed the British soldiers. The soldiers were crossing the bridge two at a time. He allowed half to cross then he attacked. I think rules of engagement mandate they all cross but what do I know about war?

As background, a Scottish king died without an heir and the Scottish nobles were fighting among themselves to decide who would be king. Then enter Edward I who decided he would be king and placed a figure head over Scotland. Wallace fought for freedom. He was eventually captured and killed but he ended up becoming a martyr.

Enter the Battle of Bannockburn in which Robert the Bruce defeated Edward II's army. The site is very green. I heard that the grass around Stirling is green because of all the blood shed there. It was weird to walk on the site I knew a battle had taken place and people had died.

They say that he who holds Stirling holds Scotland which explains why people fought over it. It literally is the bridge between the low and highlands. Stirling was the capital of Scotland for many years.

The Stirling Palace was a gold color and you could see it from miles away. I saw the old Palace where Mary Queen of Scots played as a child (until she was around six and went to France to marry the Dauphin). They say that James IV had 300 kids only one of who was legitimate (Mary). They also said that all the Stuart kings were quite lusty and that one in eight Scots has royal blood in them thanks to the many illegitimate kids the kings had. JEEZ!

Today, I went on a tour of the highlands. It was so beautiful! I saw Loch Ness and was hoping to see the monster but Nessie wouldn't come out and play. Darn it, there goes the get rich scheme I had about selling the picture. It is very rugged up there and the landscape changes ever so quickly.

Tomorrow is my last full day in Scotland. I leave to go to Belfast Monday early morning.

I am torn between wanting to go to St. Andrews tomorrow and wanting to just chill out my last day here. I've been doing a lot of running around at every night I am reminded that I am in fact tired!

In closing today, I am touched by the Scottish pride. When they asked the pope to acknowledge them as a country during the days of Robert the Bruce they wrote this declaration of independence document (I forgot what it's actually called) where they said it's not for money or land it's for freedom. I'll have to post it because it moved me.

Okay. I need to head home for the night.

P.S.

I am a firm believer that travel grows people, and I think this trip is growing me. I'm a little more adventurous this go round. When I post the pictures, I hope that outside the standard shots of buildings and scenery you appreciate the artistic shots I am taking.

I am already mentally beginning to put together my next trip. Does anyone have anyplace they really enjoyed that I should consider. Does anyone want to join me on an adventure.

I met a woman from Maryland who also traveled alone. I asked her if customs asked her a million questions about traveling alone and she said yes and told me the questions, which were the same they asked me. What is up with the concern over single (women) travelers? If I had to wait for a travel partner, I would never go anywhere! LOL

Scotland Day Three

I was very sad to leave Wales, but so excited to start the next chapter. This vacation is rolling by too fast!

I took the train from Wales to Scotland. Once I hit Edinburgh, I was ready to roll. The guidebook had great directions on how to get to my B&B. BUT the stop is closed due to construction of their tram. Since I couldn't find an alternative bus stop, I took a taxi AKA plans B and C. LOL.

My first night was cool. I hit the Royal Mile. Due to the many film festivals, the city is packed. My host said the population doubles during the film festivals. The Royal Mile was packed and there were many acts doing routines. And people were everywhere. I went to St. Giles Church and I also ended up walking to the Palace and the Parliament building. I met a woman named Elaine and we hung out for a minute. I think she is lonely. Her husband left her for a friend and she remarked that her life as she knew it was taken from her. That hit me in a hard way. She also mentioned a couple she know who both ended up getting cancer. THEN they decided to see the world. She told me to do what I can now...not wait until something major happens. I'm getting quite a lot of sage advice.

Yesterday was a whirlwind. I went to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the National Museum, the Edinburgh Castle, the National Gallery and the Georgian House. I am tired writing all this. Why the rush you might ask? Today I went to Stirling to see the Castle there, the William Wallace Monument, and the Bannockburn Heritage Center. The Stirling side trip was not part of the original plan so I had to cram Edinburgh in. Tomorrow I go on a tour of the highlands. I plan on going to St. Andrews on Sunday. We will see. I have to remember I am on vacation and I need to get some rest.

I am finding the history of the Scots very interesting. I know more English history so I am getting a different view. I plan on studying Robert de (the) Bruce and Mary of Guise more when I return. You should know by now that I am a total Elizabeth I fan, but I am getting curious about Mary Queen of Scots which almost sounds sacrilege.

I have seen where she grew up, the room she had James VI of Scotland/ I of England, the place of her coronation so quite a lot.

I am also hearing grumblings of independence. The Scots are ready for independence from England. Interesting times.

I saw their crowns jewels which are older than England's because England's were destroyed by Cromwell. He was not able to get to the Scots though he tried.

I remember that I love marble and oil paintings, which is why I like the gallery better than the museum.

Oh, and in Stirling the City Sightseeing bus that was listed as a way to get to the three points of interest was ended at the beginning of the year. Again, on to plan b. I made it.

It's great to see so much, and I have a lot more to learn about the history of Scotland. My only regrets are not coming sooner and not having more time.

Oh if only time and money were not an issue!

XOXO

Wales

I arrived at Wales about five on Sunday. I was so tired from the journey, and I dozed off a few times on the train. I got my second wind when I arrived at my Bed and Breakfast. After settling in, I went on a small introductory walk that I found in my guidebook. I ended up eating along the harbor. There was a band playing covers by Pink Floyd and it was the last day of a river festival in Conwy.

I gratefully laid my head to bed around nine. Around two, I awoke and was up until six something before I drifted in and out until about 9:30 when I decided I had better get up and not waste my time in Conwy in bed!

The first order of business was to see the Conwy Castle. It was built during the reign of Edward I. He had many castles built simultaneously in Northern Wales. Basically Edward I had this manifest destiny like belief that he should own what was west of him. The Northern Wales folks were not too happy, but, with the help of Southern Wales (they were upset with the Northern folks whose borders kept inching there way South), Edward I defeated the Northern Wales. (At this point in times I don't think the places were called Wales (North or South). After the defeat, there was an uprising and Edward I came back to suppress it. This time he built the castles to show his strength and presence.

Conwy Castle was built as a military castle, and it was built to survive an attack, which none came. It has several murder halls, which are basically open spaces were archers can pick people off one-by-one. It's built so any army would have to enter one-by-one making the soldiers easy to pick off. There are also three double walls. If invaders made it past one murder hall there is a second. The steps leading up into the castle are narrow and clockwise. Again, intruders would have to come up one-by-one and there is advantage to being up top. Plus, the top has better light. The castle only had 30 soldiers.

I kind of chuckled when we got to the chapel. Edward I had his own special room to view mass from a room above. His queen, Eleanor, had a viewing space for her and her ladies. It was very interesting.

Oh, they kept their horses in the castle. That way if the town was attacked, they had the horses in the castle. Worse case scenario they could also use the horses for food.

Today, I went to Plas Mawr, which is a Tudor period home built during the reign of Elizabeth I. It's set up to show you how life was during the Elizabethan times. The family who owned the home was well to do. There was a great audio tour that explained how the house was run. It was cool.

I took the bus to Caernarfon to see the castle there. This castle was different from the Conwy Castle in that it was built to be a palace, military fortress, and government seat for Wales. I should mention that when Edward I was building his castles, he built them every 20 miles. This castle was left unfinished. It was the place that Prince Charles was invested as Prince of Wales in 1969.

In Caernarfon, I learned the reason there were no further revolts against Edward I after the initial revolt (which happened at Caernarfon) was because Edward I had all Wales leaders killed. He also created lords and barons and lowered taxes because he needed to turn his attention to Scotland. This Castle too had 30 soldiers.

In Caernarfon there is the Segontium Roman Fort which dates back to A.D. 77. It is the western most Roman fort. All that is left the foundation, but it was still cool to see. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I know if I hadn't gone, I would always wonder what I missed. There were 30 legions in the Roman Empire and three were in Britain.

I have been spending my nights on the harbor. There have been families both nights who come down and catch crabs. They put them back when they are done because the crabs are so small. They use bait and basically reel them in. Last night there was a family of four (a boy, a girl, and two twin younger girls). Now the middle child Alphia was having problems. I felt so bad for her because she was in tears because she couldn't catch anything. I figured her being the middle child was worst because the oldest was a boy and the youngest twins. I had to say a brief prayer for her. It was either providence or timing because she started catching crabs. She was so cute, and I thought that would so have been me, but once she caught on there was nothing stopping her and that is like me too. LOL

It is so peaceful here! The people are very nice. I feel loved as people have referred to me as luv and dear. It's more than I get at home. So, if you want to make me smile, call me luv or dear. I have spent a lot of time just walking around and enjoying the water and the green rolling hills.

I love the Bed and Breakfast I am staying at. The house is around 150 years old and the owners are very nice. With the original owner, the room I am staying in was the dining area. Our breakfast room was the sitting room and the room above me was the drawing room. I love picturing the house as it was used many years ago under much more formal times. Here is a link the rooms. I am in room 1.

http://www.bryn.org.uk/bed-breakfast.html

This is my last night in Wales. Next stop is Scotland!

I chatted with Alison the owner a few minutes ago. It was a great, inspiring conversation. Remember friends, life is for living, not existing. And, you don’t live to work, you work to live.

To Wales

Hello Friends and Family:

First of all, I forgot the EU keyboard was slightly different. LOL. I keep typing in email addresses and passwords wrong!

I have made it to Wales! I was able to catch an earlier train than I expected so I got to Wales around 1700 instead of 1800.

I'm a little out of it, but I will make my self stay up tonight to try to adjust. I need to eat that is for sure.

I'm very glad I decided to come here after all. I really went back and forth on whether to come or just hang out in London. It's very peaceful here and it's on the water so I am in love.

I wrote down notes from leaving my house to getting on the train. I will have a lot to say once I am not so light-headed. My body is a little confused right now but it will be fine in a few days give or take.

Away We Go!

For the next weeks, this will become my travel blog. I am so excited! I have placed the countries I want to visit into Tiers A, B, and C. (For some reason, Thing 1 and Thing 2 just popped into my head!). The British Isles are most certainly in Tier A. This visit, I will explore Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. I will need to return. There is not enough time to see all that I want to see. I need to return to England as well. I was able to tour London a few years ago. When I went, there was flooding, and I was not able to explore Cambridge, Oxford, Hadrian’s Wall, Bath, etc.

This year is definitely different. I normally feel a serious pang of homesickness right before my trip. I then consider a postponement of the trip, and I start missing everyone like crazy. This year, well maybe a little, but not so much.

I am ready to go, and the timing is perfect for me to get away and re-evaluate my life. Life is way too short. I am very aware that in this season of my life, I am relatively free to use my time to satisfy the desire I have to travel. Oh, if only time and money were not an issue (smile). I was talking to my cousin about life. We agreed that if we had known then what we know now…well let’s just say life would have been different. This is not to say that it would have been better because we could all shoulda, woulda, coulda all day and never know what would have happened.

I just know that I don’t want to look back in 15 years (at 50) and wonder what happened and why I missed out on fulfilling my life’s dreams and desires. No, I plan to win in this game called life. Am I not more than a conqueror?

So I invite you to check back in a few days or so (Wednesday at the latest), and walk with me as I journey through the U.K. It’s going to be awesome!!! I will try to stick to the facts and not subject you to my musings on life. Notice I didn’t promise!

Smooth Criminal

Last week, I went to see a few movies. Both times, I went to McDonalds to pick up dinner. I decided to “sneak” the food into the theater, and so I tucked it in my bag. The second time I did my hiding act, I realized I wasn’t fooling anybody. The smell of French fries was clearly emanating from my bag. I got a good chuckle out of the whole thing.

It got me thinking about the law. When certain crimes happen, people are so quick to use the word criminal. What I realized is that most of us are criminals. Please, stay with me.

It’s like sin. People have this habit of placing sin in these stratospheres of big sin and little sin. Sin is sin is sin. No big sin; no little sin, just sin.

When it comes to crime, you are either breaking the law or not breaking the law. People making u-turns are criminals. People talking on their cell phone or texting while driving are breaking the law and therefore criminals. There is no stratosphere of crime, however, we have dictated punishment based on what we as a society feel is suitable to the crime.

This gets my blood boiling and on a new tangent of how different people are perceived a different way for the same crime and action. As a black woman, this is something I think about all the time. If you don’t believe me, watch the news and read the newspaper. Watch the placement of pictures with crimes. If there is no picture, it is normally a white person who has committed the crime. If the person who committed the crime is of color, believe there will be a picture. I know; I have paid attention to it!

Now, back to the fact that crime is crime. I came to this conclusion because I am so tired of people saying what they would NEVER do with judgment against the person who committed the crime or sin. I have concluded that I know what I am prone to do. None of that worries me. What worries me is the things I am prone to do but have no idea I am capable of doing it.

I call it accidents waiting to habit. The right time the right temptation could equate to an accident. Speaking of accidents, a hit and run is my case-in-point situation. Now, I would like to think if I accidently hit a pedestrian or a bicyclist, I would stay and not flee.

Who knows what is going on through some one’s mind that hit and run? Fear. Flight. Panic? I have no idea. But it a good example for what I am trying to say. We can’t say what we would or would not do unless we are faced with that test.

Lens

I sometimes keep my glasses tucked into my shirt. One time, I leaned over, and they fell into the toilet. This led to a thorough cleaning, of course. When I put them, I realized how dirty they had been. I could see perfectly fine, but once I cleaned them, I realized how dirty they actually were.

It reminded me of the lyrics of Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue, which says, “Just when things went right, it doesn’t mean they were always wrong.”

I say all of that to say this, sometimes there is absolutely nothing wrong with where we are at right now. Sometimes God just wants something better for us. Or maybe God just wants to give us a different perspective on where we are or what we are looking at/dealing with.

We have all been damaged and scarred in some manner and this impacts our lens and view of life. I would like to think God is leading me on a path where my lens gets cleaner, which cause things to being clearer and hopefully more pure.

Oh, how I could long for an age of innocence right now, but I am afraid those days have indeed passed. Sigh.

Silencing the Inner Judge

Up until last year, I was constantly punishing my mother. She did not raise me, and I had a hard dealing with my negative feelings towards this. Then one day, it hit me. My mother has been punishing herself all of these years. I didn’t need to punish her, she was punishing herself. When I finally had the “I need to stop punishing you for the past conversation,” she told me she deserved it. Nothing could be further from the truth. In the end, all things did work for my good.

I say that to say that: We are our own worst critics. We spend so much time punishing ourselves and speaking negative about ourselves. We really don’t need anyone else to tear us down; we do a good job of discouraging ourselves. But how do we silence our inner judge/critic?

I realize it is the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart where the answer is for me. From there, I can give encouragement and compliments outward to edify someone else.

P.S. I figured out the Wales thing. I will spend an extra night there, which will make it worth the trip. I delayed/extended Edinburgh by one day. I will subtract one night from Belfast. I’m so excited. The countdown is on.

Staying Off the Ledge

This was written for my church newsletter. Volume VIII, Issue III of The PCC Scroll

A few weeks ago, I was on the ledge. I sent Pastor a text that simply said, “I need to make some changes.”

I had been feeling a bit off kilter. In early May, I was able to pinpoint an actual emotion. I was walking home one day when I realized what I was feeling. It could be summed up in one word: restless.

Once I defined the emotion, I blogged (http://latonja.blogspot.com/) about the feeling. In my blog, I was honest. I said that it was not a new emotion for me, but I was able to suppress the feeling most days. I went on to speak of the different directions my life could head in as I reach a crossroads in my life.

I turned 35 in March, and I am having “What is it all about?” moments. It is like Solomon seeking the meaning of life in Ecclesiastes 2. I too felt like I was chasing the wind. We had a windstorm a few days back, and I was not able to catch it. In chapter two, Solomon reminds us that a life seeking pleasure and riches is meaningless. The cure to my restlessness was not traveling, a new job, a new degree, or any other item on my newest “To Do” list.

When the editing team came together to write the Word of the Quarter, I mentioned my sense of restlessness and mused about what it could represent. Minister Jo Ann gave me an image that has helped. She spoke of a mother bird rustling the nest to coax her baby, which had gotten too comfortable, out of the nest and onto the next stage of its life.

The cure to my restlessness is to get over myself and serve God and others in a new way. I have gotten comfortable, fat, and lazy. I am used to doing things in my own time and way.

The truth is that in our humanity, we all struggle with something. At some points in our lives, we all fight battles. At times, we may even feel like we are being overtaken, and I think admitting to these feelings is necessary. In his book The Wounded Healer, Henri J. Nouwen speaks of ministers making their own wounds available as a source of healing. It is in that realness we can be authentic to a world that is suffering.

As I get older, I am more comfortable with being unplugged, honest and transparent. As we minister to broken people, our truth (good, bad, and ugly) coupled with the Good News of Jesus Christ and love will be the most authentic gift we can offer. It is in service to God and our fellow man that life takes shape and gains meaning.

Pass the Kleenex

I am totally not a crier. I will not let myself on any given situation. Case in point, I sat stoic and mad at my sister’s funeral. I just don’t cry very well.

So last Friday, I was just so frustrated with my job, life, and myself that I felt like my soul was crying and it was quite overwhelming.

Then on Sunday, I got on my car to go to church and this song called “Walking Her Home” was on the radio. I managed to back out of my parking space before I started crying. I then watched the video at work on Tuesday and started crying. I printed the lyrics and read them and started crying. There is a song by Brian McKnight called “Marilie” that makes me cry as well.

As far as I can tell the common theme is a man loving a woman with what I consider to be a true, pure, romantic love. I invite you to Google the lyrics.

I would love to have someone feel that way about me.

Yesterday's News

We are able to watch peoples’ lives fall apart.

The media is on steroids with the Internet. No matter what happened, no matter where it happened, it could turn into today’s news. Eventually, it turns into yesterday’s news but not before a person’s life is torn apart by public opinion, intrusion on their family, and every stone of their past turned over and dissected for the whole world to see.

I am not sure what gives the media the right to call someone repeatedly and then say calls where not answered or returned. Or to go to their door and then say the door wasn’t opened or the person who answered refused to comment.

But in a week or a month the media and public will have moved on to another topic. But the person’s life will be damaged and uncovered in such a way that it’s painful to put back together.

The media drives me crazy.

For example, when a person in the public’s eye dies, the media is there like a virus. If your mom, dad, brother, sister, or friend died how would you feel? So to ask a person how they feel is quite dumb in my opinion. Grief is an emotion we all understand and feel at some point in our lives.

I’m not quite getting this out the way I want to, but I feel really strong about it.

Yes, people choose to be in the public eye but even they need to have some privacy.

I think of the sins of my past, present, and future. I would not want them exposed in a way that would injure those closest to me.

I think sin is sin. I don’t believe one sin is greater but society seems to. I also don’t think anyone is beyond repentance. I mean anyone. Someone once asked, well what about Saddam Hussein. In my opinion, Saddam Hussein was not beyond repentance. If one person is beyond repentance then guess what, that means none of us are. And believe me some of what I have done is not pretty. And who knows what I am capable of doing given the chance, temptation, and opportunity.

I am particular offended when people who don’t go to church or believe in God act like those of us who do are supposed to be miraculous perfect. I wish. I can go over a number of stuff I’ve done post salvation that would send tongues wagging and make people say, oh well she is a hypocrite or she is not saved.

When what it boils down to is that I am human and will make mistakes. This does not justify me going out and purposefully committing any sin against God. But it does say hey I make mistakes and will continue to make mistake because that is part of the journey.

I began thinking about this when the story came out about the governor from South Carolina.

Rent

In March, I wrote about Moment’s in Time. Today I had such a moment. I went and saw Rent with my dear friend, Des. I had seen Rent before in New York City, but this Broadway tour had two of the original cast members, Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp. When Pascal sang “One Song Glory,” I felt emotional and deeply moved.

In my case it would be more along the lines of getting that book out of me or putting together that book of testimonies or poetry.

There were some songs like “Will I?” that make me ache with sadness at the thought of someone dying alone with AIDS or cancer. It would be very lonely and there are people who are very much alone and that makes me sad.

There truly is no day like today. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is not promised. Today is the day to use any special occasion items you have. Today is the today to work towards your purpose and destiny.

It was just another reminder to live life to the fullest.

I am the Cure

Last Sunday, I took part in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. My job had a team that was co-captained by two breast cancer survivors. One of my coworkers is in chemo right now for breast cancer, and one of my friend’s mother is a survivor.

The first thing that struck me was the number of people who took part in the walk. A voice inside my head kept repeating this is only one type of cancer.

As I walked, I was moved to see breast cancer survivors surrounded by their daughters, granddaughters, husbands, etc. I was also struck by the families who came together in honor of a loved one who passed away from the dreaded disease.

It was a pretty emotional morning, but I felt like I was taking part in something way bigger than me. I felt like I was walking in a community even though I didn’t know most of the people around me. We were all there for the same purpose and cause.

When I first woke up, a part of me lazily wanted to sleep in. Then I realized I had made a commitment to take part in the walk. I had an obligation to the people who donated money on my behalf and an obligation to the word I had given my coworkers that I would participate.

I am glad I got over myself and my own wants/desires in order to be part of a community.

Facebook’s fifteen books you've read that will always stick with you.

1. The Bible
2. Wuthering Heights
3. Pride and Prejudice
4. A Tale of Two Cities
5. In Search of Satisfaction
6. One Hundred Years of Solitude
7. Sense and Sensibility
8. Emily Dickenson poetry
9. Edgar Allan Poe short stories
10. A Taste of Power
11. To Die for the People
12. Lord of the Rings
13. Chronicles of Narnia
14. I’ve Been A Woman
15. The Wounded Healer

A Journey of Kindness

A few days ago, I had to talk myself out of bed. Getting out of bed led to what I will refer to as a series of unfortunate events, which almost led to a breakdown. By the time I was leaving my house, I was convinced I should have stayed in bed. Nevertheless, I pressed on. I got on a crowded bus, and I sat down. A woman across from me gave me a tentative smile, and I gave her what I hope was a blank look. Hopefully it was not a death glare. For some reason, I just wouldn’t/didn’t smile back.

Once I arrived at work, I went through what I will refer to as a series of fortunate events. It culminated with me remembering the signature I put on my hotmail account. It simply says, “Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.” Immediately, I thought about the woman on the bus who smiled at me. The only thing it would have cost me to smile back at her was me getting over myself, my mood, and my woe is me attitude of that day.

It was actually a shame and not one of my finer moments.

I few years ago, a woman came to my church and spoke. During the service, she said to the usher in the back (me) that God wanted me to go a journey of extra kindness. She said that my kindness to others would unlock doors for me. She went on to tell me to do what God is promoting in me and for me to walk alone with God. She said that God was setting me up and that God was ready to blow my mind. She told me to come alone with God through a kindness, a trail of being kind.

That day a few days ago, I forgot about my journey, and unfortunately I cannot that moment in time back to be kind.

Are you happy?

Despite my claims of being an introvert, loner, shy girl, there are times when I realize this statement is not true. Or maybe I’m just becoming more of an extrovert As Time Goes On. Or maybe they are “on” moments in time because there are times when something shines so brightly within me that I feel it.

I make friends on busses and airplane. Lately, it’s been older women, and I try to ask them the same questions: Are you happy? What is one thing you wish had done? What is your biggest regret?

I’m not quite sure why I am so interested or what I plan on doing with this info. I have a firm desire to be “happy”. Not saying life is all mountain-top experience but isn’t it possible to have joy even during the darkest hours?

So to my reader(s) (I know I have at least one, thanks Liza): Are you happy?

Technology

Technology is quite the interesting thing.

I was on Facebook, and I was able to chat with my friend Yamini who is in India. She was waking up, and I am a few hours from turning in.

I wonder what Henry VIII or Elizabeth I would have thought of all of this. Could our ancestors have imagined how far technology has advanced? What’s next?!

LTB Unplugged

I’ve been feeling a little off kilter lately. I wasn’t able to pinpoint an actual emotion until a week ago. I was walking home when I realized what I was feeling. It can basically be summed up in one word: RESTLESS. To be perfectly honest, this is not a new emotion for me, but most days I am able to suppress it. I often wonder if I am suppressing who I am. I know I often suppress what I desire.

One of my weaknesses is that I am able to place emotions in compartments. This is good and bad. For example, I am single thus I am supposed to be abstinent. Any desires I feel to the contrary I am good at putting into a box and putting it on a shelf. That is 99% of the time. The other 1% of the time- not so much.

In a way, I feel like I spend time denying who I am to be someone I am supposed to be?

There are times when I feel like my life can go down two different roads. One road involves getting married and settling down with a kid or two. This is the road most traveled and some ways what is actually expected of me. It’s what I expected of myself. The biggest question I have had surrounding this desire is that I could never figure out if it was actually something I wanted or something I was told I was to have. Like we are all supposed to get educated, get married, buy a house, and have 2.1 children. We are supposed to work nine to five until we are in our sixties and then retire.

The other road, which winning the lotto would be a clear sign this is the road for me would involve quitting my job, paying the condo off, finding a house sitter and traveling for a year or two or three. I would be a nomad. If I were to be perfectly honest, I am surprised I have been planted for so long. But I have family and I have a community and I do have a responsibility to that. Don’t get me wrong, Seattle is home. I have always felt this. This is where my family is, the family I have created and chosen.

This is me unplugged and honest.

Is Any One Listening?

At work today, I was doing data entry. For background noise, I was playing music videos via You Tube to pass the time. I played three oldie but goodie Guns N’ Roses songs back-to-back: Don’t Cry, Estranged, and November Rain.

To back up, there have been times when I have reflected on my youth and realized how much I did not understand. For example:

· I didn’t understand what Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet REALLY meant
· I didn’t know what oral sex was until late high school
· I didn’t understand the meaning of the songs I sang in elementary music class
o Blowing In the Wind
o The Sound of Silence
o I Wish We’d All Been Ready

As I caught glimpses of the videos above mentioned my interpretation of what I saw from an adult view point made me think who was monitoring what I was watching.

Axl Rose is certainly a very passionate and strong voice BUT the theme of suicide, death, rage, violence, mental instability, etc. really stood out in a way I never noticed before.

I feel this way when I listen to lyrics of the songs I grew up with. For example, LISTEN to the lyrics of In a Darkened Room by Skid Row. What do the lyrics of Quicksand Jesus mean? I could go on and on.

Writing is a beautiful way to release emotions and demons. It seems like people are crying out, and I have to ask is anyone listening. I am a bleeding-heart liberal in that I want to know the cause of an action. What makes someone walk in a building and begin shooting? I want to know what happened because they are obviously damaged.

I just wonder what I am not listening to.

Die Gedanken sind frei

I took German in high school. Unfortunately, I don’t remember the language. This is true for Swahili, which I took in college.

However, I have remembered parts of a song I learned either my sophomore or junior year in high school. I can especially remember singing the first lines. The song goes:

Die Gedanken sind frei, wer kann sie erraten,
sie fliegen vorbei wie nächtliche Schatten.
Kein Mensch kann sie wissen, kein Jäger erschießen
mit Pulver und Blei, Die Gedanken sind frei!

Translation according to Wikipedea (I know, I know):

Thoughts are free, who can guess them?
They flee by like nocturnal shadows.
No man can know them, no hunter can shoot them,
with powder and lead: Thoughts are free!

According to my memory the first two lines are:

My thoughts are free, no one can erase them
They past by like night shadows

I have always wondered why I have remembered this. The lyrics of course are poetic.

Here is the song in German and English:

Die Gedanken sind frei, wer kann sie erraten,
sie fliegen vorbei wie nächtliche Schatten.
Kein Mensch kann sie wissen, kein Jäger erschießen
mit Pulver und Blei, Die Gedanken sind frei!

Ich denke was ich will und was mich beglücket,
doch alles in der Still', und wie es sich schicket.
Mein Wunsch und Begehren kann niemand mir wehren,
es bleibet dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei!

Und sperrt man mich ein im finsteren Kerker,
das alles sind rein vergebliche Werke.
Denn meine Gedanken zerreißen die Schranken
und Mauern entzwei, die Gedanken sind frei!

Drum will ich auf immer den Sorgen absagen
und will mich auch nimmer mit Grillen mehr plagen.
Man kann ja im Herzen stets lachen und scherzen
und denken dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei!

Ich liebe den Wein, mein Mädchen vor allen,
sie tut mir allein am besten gefallen.
Ich sitz nicht alleine bei einem Glas Weine,
mein Mädchen dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei! Thoughts are free, who can guess them?
They flee by like nocturnal shadows.
No man can know them, no hunter can shoot them,
with powder and lead: Thoughts are free!

I think what I want, and what delights me,
still always reticent, and as it is suitable.
My wish and desire, no one can deny me
and so it will always be: Thoughts are free!

And if I am thrown into the darkest dungeon,
all this would be futile work,
because my thoughts tear all gates
and walls apart. Thoughts are free!

So I will renounce my sorrows forever,
and never again will torture myself with some fancy ideas.
In one's heart, one can always laugh and joke
and think at the same time: Thoughts are free!

I love wine, and my girl even more,
Only I like her best of all.
I'm not alone with my glass of wine,
my girl is with me: Thoughts are free!

P.S. I still have no idea of what I want I want to do about Wales!