God's Gifts To Me Today

1. The lady that snores in my room, did not snore last night or the night before, so that is totally good!
2. I bought and ate a vanilla soft ice cream cone today! it was so good, I loved it! the last time I tried to buy a cone at that place, they were out of vanilla, and it made me a little mad! but it's all good now!
3. I spend about 30 minutes reading in the sunlight today, on the pavement. it was really nice. and warm too.
4. I had a nice lunch at Pizza Hut this afternoon.
5. I watched Star Trek and Angels and Demons today. NEVER GETS OLD, EITHER ONE!!

Location: Edinburgh,Scotland

God's Gifts

1. I had a good lunch today at Garfunkels, this resturant. it was really nice.
2. it was warm and sunny and nice out today!! I actually wore a skirt and sandles today!
3. I saw the movie 12 rounds. I liked it! good action movie, I thought.
4. I went to see the movie Drag me to hell. it was...scary. terryfing. had to go see night at the museum after to cure the nerves. i...sat through it. my hand over my eyes most of the movie but it was terryding. however, am proud i did not walk out.
5. I am getting excited about Nottingham, which is less than 3 days away...

Location: Edinburgh,Scotland

God's Gifts

1. My 5 day tour of Scotland ended today and it left me work out yet I am so glad I did it. It was nice, traveling and seeing the countryside. plus saw some neat things. it was a good tour.
2. There is this song that one of the professors at ACU, Stephen Moore, sings all the time when he speaks in public. I think of this song as his signature song. whenever I think of this song, I hear him leading it. and today we went to this old church to see some medieval stones and inside the church where several laminated cards and small bookmarks for sale, and one of them was the chorus of that song! it was so cool to see that chorus on a small bookmark for sale in this old church in Scotland, so far away from ACU.
3. I had a good lunch at this pub in Inverary. some chicken and rice and a coke. I also bought some snacks for the bus, and I found suspiros for sale at the gas station, and I have not had those in ages, so that was a nice treat.
4. the weather cleared up today! it was warm, sunny, blue skies, and even though it is night time, the temperature is 57 degrees! :)
5. I had this thought on the bus as I was thinking of God that this semester He has been teaching me to love nature. His Creation. and people too of course.
6. I will be in Nottingham,England in less than 4 days!!

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

From God To Me

1. For breakfast(the hostel provides cereal, toast and spreadings, 3 different juices, and croissants for breakfast, a total of 2 pounds for one of each)and had two slices of toast along with Nutella(I am so going to miss nutella....) along with a glass of apple juice.
2. I saw the bridge that the Hogwarts Express passes over on its way to Hogwarts Castle. so cool that I have been there!!! I have now seen: Hogwarts Castle, Platform 9 3/4, and the Hogwarts Express Bridge... amazing! :)
3. I keep thinking about God all day, and how much He loves me. also, yesterday, I was listening to "mighty to save" and thinking about God, when I thought of how the disciplies must have felt when they saw Jesus go up to Heaven. seeing Him in all His glory, seeing the living sacricife....and how they must have felt, relieved that He was okay, that everything He had said and done was true....and it almost brought tears to my eyes. I forgot yesterday what almost brought tears to me eyes, but I remebered today and the same happened.
4. I had a nice chinese dinner: sweet and sour chicken, fried rice(which i did not finish)and chicken noodle soup to start and a coke. really good.
5. I am in an all girl's room tonight which means no guys, which mean chances are nobody will snore, so i wont have to sleep in the lounge! :)
6. At a cafe that had a gift shop near the Hogwarts Bridge, I finally found a Scottish Flag!!!! been looking for once for weeks, and finally found one! I would find everything with the flag on it...keychains, magnets,tshirt,etc. but never an actual flag. now I have!! and when I saw the Hogwarts Bridge too. makes it more special in a way. :) :)

Location: Oben,Scotland

Today's Gifts From God

1. Today during our tour of Scotland we climbed this steep mountain to see this rock that was free standing. there's a tale/myth/legend about it being a giant that was turned to stone and then a wind came...anyway, this was suppodly his "man part." however, it was one STEEP climb!! I actually did not finish. I made it a little more than 3/4 of the way up and that was all I could hangle it. however, I am proud that I made it that far.
2. I saw some more amazing sceneri today. Scotland is so beautiful!
3. I heard two neat stories today from our tour guide: one about a creature that lives in a loch that turns into a horse on land and whoever gets on it he drowns them and eats them. the other about a seal that turns into a lady by taking off her skin on land. they were really good! I love story telling!
4. We stopped for lunch at this small village/town called "Portree" and I bought some good souveniers: this marble stone that the people on skye's ancestors would carry when they left home, for safety and luck and so if they never came back, they would always have a piece of their home with them. I also bought this cute wallet in this unique shop that is celtic and Sri Lankan culture mixed together. lots of colors!
5. I listened to worship songs all day today; 99% of all I listened to was worship songs. mostly, I listened to "Mighty to Save." it was good and it made me think about God and how amazing He is. it was good for me.

Location: Kyleinton, Isle of Skye,Scotland

Today's Gifts From God

1. It is day#2 of my 5 day tour of Scotland and it was so nice. we went to this place called Hope hangs in the Branches, and it is where people take an item of clothing and dip it in this well/water that is believed to be blessed and then tie it to a branch and make a wish, a prayer, they want to come true. I did not leave anything but threw a coin into it and made a prayer. It made me think that praying does not have to be words, or even in a church lighting candles. it could be anything you want.
2. We drove a lot today and the scenary was so beautiful! different: it would go from baren trees and grass, and there would be so many flowers growing along the road...so beautiful.
3. I went over a gangway type bridge, about 50 ft or so above river. not the scary 250ft one we went to later in the day(that was...no,not gonna happen) but I still feel proud of myself!
4. I had a nice lunch in this beautiful small fishing village called Ullapool(misspelled) and it was so small and nice. wish I had had more than an hour there!
5. I had Haggai!!it is this..scottish dish and it is less...barbarian than it used to be. I got it a bar as a starter so it was not big but it was good. i would not order it as a main dish(i as in me; it is not a suggestion) but it was good!
6. the hostel have us a voucher for the bar, if you ordered a meal of at least 7 pounds you got a free drink: a San Miguel beer or a can drink. I chose the beer. figured i would try it and it was free. I had no more than...5-6 small sips and did not like it! the smell was horrible and it did not taste good. I will stick to my malibu and coke once in a blue moon. these 5 sips were throughout a 2 hour period while i was eating. i mainly stuck to my soda.i have tried beer...and not for me. which i knew already, but now I have tried it.

Location: Highlands of Scotland(written at: Isle of Skye)

Today's Gifts From God

1. It is day #1 of my 5 day tour of Scotland. It was nice, not having it all crammed in one way but having it spread out, have realistic time at each place.
2. I got to see Loch Ness for the 2nd time in a week It is so pretty and I loved it! sadly, no Nessie was spotted, but the Loch is still gorgeous.
3. During the bus ride there was this cute guy from Hungary sitting next to me. of course I was terrified but it was still cool.
4. We went through a short walk through the woods. it was really neat and so beautiful! these were actual woods(with paths though)! It was really neat and we saw these beautiful cascades/rapids....
5. It was a really good day in general.

Location: Highlands of Scotland(night at Inverness,Scotland)

Today's Gifts

1. I went to see Star Trek again. it is such a good movie, never get tired of it!
2. Saw night at the museum again, and it was funny as usual. I love movies like that!
3. Had a nice lunch at Bella Italia.
4. Wore clean clothes today thanks to doing laundry yesterday!
5. I am alive today

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

Today's Gifts From God

1. I got my hair done today!! I love getting my hair done, and not just because it looks nice and i love my hair straight, but when they're washing it, it is like they are scrubbing all my troubles away. so relaxing! I have not had it done in a while and I felt like it, so I did it. It was different because this time, it really was for me and for no one else. When I get my hair done in Abilene, it is because I want to and because I love it, but I know my friends will see me, I know guys I want to impress will see it, so it is not all for me, you know? this time, no one I know is here, so it is for me. It was also done by a guy, so that makes twice I've had it done by a guy.
2. I did my laundry today!! I had to take a cab to the laundry and then a bus back to the hostel but it was worth it! I now have clean clothes!!
3. I went to see Ghost of Girlfriends' Past. it was such a funny movie!
4. I saw Angels and Demons again, and I teared up at the end. seriously, I know how it's going to end, yet I always am up feeling broken hearted and betrayed over that ending! lol
5. I had a nice dinner at Pizza Hut tonight.
6. there was a strong wind on my way back from the movie tonight, and it felt really nice. wild and free and it was like it was blowing my troubles away and my heaviness away. really nice.

Location: Edinburgh,Scotland

Today's Gifts

1. It was a bit frustrating but I found a Laundrymat!!:) :) my hostel does have a laundry service for 2.50pounds, but the idea of someone else, especially a stranger, doing my laundry is just weird and freaky. it will be a bit expensive, but I hope that I can do it all in one wash and one dry, although I doubt it. so I will be getting up at 8am tommorow with a crammed to the seams backpack and a full plastic bag to do my laundry! so pray that my alarm goes off and/or does not get accidently unplugged during the night!
2. I made an appointment for tomorrow at 12:30pm to do my hair! I know, very girly but I like having my hair done. makes me feel pretty and good! so after doing my laundry tomorrow, that is what I will be doing!
3. I watched Star Trek again! about sixth time, but it never gets old. not as good as slumdog millionaire, but it is pretty good, plus the guy is so so so so cute!
4. I watched night at the museum again. it is such a funny movie. very...turn off your mind to the world and escape. this whole semester and summer is an escape for me in a way, but that is another story.
5. As I was eating my dinner at this restaurant that is in the movie theatre center, there was an alarm to evacuate the building! actually, I was sighing my credit card receipt for my bill and the pen was not working and then this huge beeping sound starts and this voice saying that an emergency has arrisen in the building and to evacuate the building in an orderly fashion. the firefighters came and everything, and then we were allowed in after about 15-20 minutes or so. it was...interesting!
6. I once again fought off a sad mood while watching Star Trek tonight. :) :)

Location: Ediniburgh,Scotland

God's Gifts

1. I went on a Loch Ness Tour today. It went to other places along the way but the highlight was Loch Ness. it was really cool! It was a really pretty Loch and HUGE!!!! 23 miles!!!! I must say that Loch Lomond is still my fav loch so far, just because of how pretty it was and what I felt there, but Loch Ness was fun! we took a 1 hour cruise down it, and that was pretty neat. 1000 feet at its deepest!
2. I saw this amazing sunlight on water sight on the way back to Edinburgh. took a pic of it, so that was cool!
3. I had a nice lunch: the tour came with a free picnic lunch, and I had the ham and tomotoe. removed the tomatoe of course! it was a good lunch!
4. I bought some scottish treats: they were called "edinburgh castle rocks." they were pretty good!
5. I woke up 1 minute before my alarm went off!!

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

My Daily Gifts Today

1. I lost my Trustee Scholarship at the end of last year because my GPA dropped below the 3.0 required for me to keep it. They told me that if I got it back up to 3.0 I would get it back, and it has taken me a year but...I have!!!! I officially got my GPA back to 3.0 and my Trustee Scholarship has been restored!!Granted I have not gotten my grade from my INTS 241 class back but I am not expecting to fail and as long as I get a B in it, I should be good. prayers that I do good in that class, ok?however, for now...I have my $4000 scholarship back!! :) :)
2. Night at the Museum 2 came out today and I went to see it! It was SO funny!! I love Ben Stiller...he is so funny! it was such a funny movie and granted the plot was not very...firm, I did not care because it was still an awesome movie and I laughed a lot during it! I love to laugh...did not do a lot of it during my Anthony Soto thing and not a whole lot last summer, so I LOVE to laugh!!
3. I went to see Angels and Demons tonight(3rd time) and it was so good! I always get teary at the end, but I HATE that ending! it is like watching Judas betray Jesus and I still cannot find any foreshadowing or hints to that ending! breaks my heart everytime!
4. I was getting sad and teary(personal reasons)tonight while watching Angels and Demons but I willed them away, so I am proud of myself.
5. I emailed a person at Southern Hills about wanting to join their "Bridge Building" team in the fall and he's gonna put me on the email list! so excited!

Location: Edinburgh,Scotland

God's Gift

1. I went to Edinburgh Castle today. I was not planning to go but after I finished lunch (pizza hut) I decided to go. it cost 12 pounds and it was so worth it! there were a lot of hills but it was fun. the Scottish crown jewels were there and they were neat. Not as splendid and fancy as the English crown jewels but neat nevertheless. The stone of destiny was there also; it is the stone where the monarchs were coronated on. It represented a link between the monarch and the land. According to the tour guide it is more important to the scots than the crown jewels and I like that. it was actually taken as a war trophy by the English and displayed in public in westeminster abby, and it was returned to Scotland by the English government in…1996!
2. I had a nice 7up and chocolate fudge cake at the castle, in the redcoats cafe. they had this room called the "jacobi room" and it had a wall of windows that had this amazing views of the city! it was so beautiful!
3. I had such a good dinner at this chinese and japanese restaurant at the cinema complex. it was so good!
4. I went to see "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" Gold Class, and it was nice! it was so funny and i really like that movie
5. I heard from my friend today that he was ok. i was worried after his last blog entry, but according to him he's good, just had a bad day. frankly, i think it was more than a bad day but as long as he's good.
6. I am alive.

Location: Edinburgh,Scotland

Today's Gifts

1. I went to see Star Trek today. yes, this is my 5th time or so, but hey, it is a good movie, the guy is sexy in it, and it is the movie played the most often at the cinema ok?
2. I had a good lunch at Bella Italia. some kind of baked chicken or something with a side of ciabatta bread with olive oil and something else. so good!
3. I went to Wee World Cafe tonight. it was eastern/central european night and it was a lot of fun! Hearing people who are actually from the country they are speaking about is so...amazing. it is a true joy.
4. At the Cafe tonight, I talked to people from Brazil, Korea, Twaiwan, Scotland, and Slovakia. i love being able to do that. something i will definely miss when I go back to Texas.
5. I am getting to really love rainy weather.

Location: Edinburgh,Scotland

Today's Gifts From God

1. I went on a tour today of the Western Highlands, through some of the lochs and things, and it was super duper awesome!
2. I went to Loch Lomond today and as I stood on the shores I feel so...peaceful and...okay. I also felt something else but that is in my british summer blog.
3. The tour guide,his name was Dan and he was so cute! he had the clearest blue eyes I've ever seen and the sterotypical scottish accent...OMG...so cute!lol...
4. I saw the Cutest Highland Cow! more like a bull, but he was so cute(in a powerful way). his name is Hamish and he is so cute!
5. We stopped at this village for lunch and(there were only 5 of us on the tour)the attraction there was this castle and I had lunch there, in a tea room, and I did not go inside, but walked around the outside and it was right out of a fairy tale...so beautiful!

Location: Edinburgh,Scotland

Today's Gifts

1. I went to Camera Obscula today. It's near Edinburgh Castle and it is this place where they have all sorts of optical illusion type things, and at the top, this paranamic view of Edinburgh. it is on a rooftop terrance, so it is outside, and it is beautiful! I took some pics of course, but they dont do it justice. pictures never do the world justice. anyway, it was so much fun! I saw my shadow in about 5-6 different colors, captured my shadow, and attracted light to my hand! lol...it was so much fun, I am going back before I leave.
2. At the Camera Obscula Shop I bought a CD of bagpipes, which I have been wanting since I got here. sure it can be bought online from home, but I wanted one from Scotland you know? I also bought this Agape Volcanic Rock, which is so beautiful!
3. On the way to the movies from the Camera Obscula, I passed tons of shops with kilts and scotland t-shirts of course, and one caught my eye. it is like google, but it says scotland on it instead. so cute!
4. I was having lunch at Pizza Hut, and as I was eating my starter plate of Texas BBQ Chicken Wings(do chickens have wings by the way? just wondered...) and Billy Jean by Michael Jackson came on, which was fun, I love that song! following that....Lady Marmalade came on. so that was a fun time for me! :)
5. I saw Star Trek again...I know, 5th time, but in my own defense, it is a good movie and it is the one they show most often here for some reason. anyway,it was such a good movie!

Location: Edinburgh,Scotland

May 15,2009 Gifts

1. Saw Angels and Demons tonight for the second time...loved it! yet I still cannot get over that ending or find any foreshadowing or hints in it about the ending....
2. Saw the movie fighting. it was good, plot was a little...shaky but it was good. the guy was so cute!
3. Saw Star Trek again tonight...for the fourth time. yeah, I am so so hooked!
4. I had a nice dinner tonight at Bella Italia
5. I stopped myself from crying at the movie tonight!
6. I went to see a movie by myself in Scotland at 11:10am, movie got out at 1:40am, and I took a cab back to the hostel, but still...late huh?

Location: Edinburgh,Scotland

May 14,2009 Gifts

1. I went to see the Scottish Parliment "in action" today. it was so interesting for me to compare the way they approach goverment here to the way we approach goverment. they are so much more open here. the parliment sessions, to watch them, are free. they offer guided tours for 8 pounds of the buildings. the UK parliment, also does tours when parliment is not in session. it is for only a month or so and it costs a bit more but they do. they also televised the Prime Minister Question's every wednesday at noon. they are open and upfront. they call each other on things. in america, goverment is all "hush hush..."i did book a guided tour for 10:20am, but i wont go. i dont really want or need to and my alarm clock situation is a bit tough right now since there are 7 other girls in my room with tons of stuff, so plugging it in is tough. mainly, i dont want to go.
2. I booked 3 scotland tours today! one is a day tour and it goes to the west highlands. it focuses on lochs and mountains and scenery, and whiskey too! another one is for 3 days and it goes around scotland, including the isle of skye. they do book your accomondations, but u have to pay upon arrival. still it is worth it. the 3rd is another day tour and it goes to loch ness. the 3 day tour also does go to loch ness but this one focuses on it a bit more. you have the option on going on a cruise on loch ness, it costs extra but i am so doing it! i am so excited!lot of money but so worth it!
3. I went to see Angels and Demons tonight....it was SO GOOD!OMG!! it is so good! the ending is so...unexpected and heartbreaking! my heart will never mend.
4. I had a vinilla ice cream cone today. it was so so good!
5. I had a good day today....

Location:Edinburgh,Scotland

Today's Gifts

1. I had a good lunch at Bella Italia today. I had a sirlon steak, 7oz, and this amazing dessert! the cocoa powder on top reminded me of this chocolate powder i used to eat when i was little. so good!
2. I saw my first movie in 3D today, Coroline. it was really fun, although i must admit i do have a hard time distinguishing 3D from regular movies, but it was a lot of fun.
3. I went to the Storytelling Cafe at the Storytelling Centre, and it was fun! the theme was rivers and mountains and it was 2 hours long. they had different people come up and tell stories, all which were so good! they also had a swedish group play songs...they had a cello, flutes, guitar, and a violin...so amazing! and cute too :)
4. I saw the movie "I love you,man" and it was hilarious! I so want the DVD when it comes out. very funny.
5. I had a nice shower today. it was good and refreshing.
6. I found my wedding dress...even pictured myself walking down the isle in it. not that that is ever going to happen, but it was a nice fantasy.

Location: Edinburgh,Scotland

Today's Gifts From God

1. I went to "The Elephant House." this is the birthplace of Harry Potter! I dont know if this is the place where she had the idea, but it is the place where she wrote most of her early books. I had lunch there, lasane, and while it was too full of vegetables for me, the double chocolate muffin was good. it was a good experience!
2. I went inside St.Gile's Church on the Royal Mile. while it didnt blow my mind away or anything, I did find this inscription on a memorial/tomb in there that I really loved. it said: "Scatter my ashes,screw them in the air, Lord,since thou knowest all these atoms are,I'm Hopeful Thou'Lt recover once my dust, And condident Thou'Lt raise me with the just." It did not say who wrote it or said it or anything, but I loved it. to me, it is saying that God can always finds us, even if we are nothing but dust blowing in a million different directions, He can still finds us.He is still with us.
3. I went to this thing called "3d Loch Ness experience." it it a 3d short film, about 30 minutes or so, about Nessie, the loch ness monster and what they have done to try and figure out the mystery. it is interviewed some witnessed of it. so cool! I cannot wait to book my 3 day tour and go see it!
4. I went to see a movie here in Edinburgh. let me just say that cinema was so so cool! I saw Star Trek(for the 3rd time). I am going to go see Angels and Devons on thursday night. should be good.
5. I am not sure if this something pertaing to this day, but I realized that I like that I am here for such a long amount of time that I do not have to rush into seeing all the tourist things. I can take my time in going to Edinburgh Castle, the childhood museum, the different museums on the Royal Mile,etc. I can take it slow and easy you know?

Location: Edinburgh,Scotland

Today's Gifts

1. I slept in today, as I will most mornings here. except the morning of my scottish parliment tour this friday and the day I leave for nottingham. however, I feel that sleeping in on vacation is always a good way to start the day.
2. I know I said no more souveniers, but I made an exception. you guys will totally understand this...I bought a Scottish Kilt today. the guy said that most stores on Royal Mile that they say they are "scottish made" but the wool is made in India...at least 85%of them. however, he said that he guranteed that it was Scottish made, the kilt and the wool. I bought a Kilt(I think it looks pretty good. it is a size 14, but it is not that I am fat, it is that the sizes are different here). I love it!! I am going to wear it for the first time on my first day of junior year at ACU. since we get two first days of schools, my purple skirt will be the second day. I also bought a Scottish shall (I dont know the official name of it), kinda like what Sherlock Holmes wears in pictures of him but longer. I also bought a Scottish blanket...it will be so good for cold nights(since I dont have a boyfriend, need something to keep myself warm lol)and for picnics/hanging out on the lawns at ACU and studying at night in the library...my blanket is packed away in my suitcases, as well as the shall and blanket(all in the same suitcase). my blanket is packed away at the bottom since I figure I dont need it since it is summer. I might in nottingham though. cold and rainy summer nights in england...and my kilt is at the top of that suitcases. I wont wear it until the first day of school but I am paranoid about leaving it at the bottom of my suitcases. my shall I will SO wear, so it is at the top as well. it is cold here, especially so close to the ocean/water bodies but i am planning to wear it a lot. it is a bit warm but summers here are cooler so I can still wear it. I am SO excited! it cost $101 total, but I know it is worth it. scottish kilt, blanket, and shall...made in scotland including the wool! so worth it!
3. I went to the story telling centre today and it was so good! the guy I went to hear spend 96 days with some other guys hiking the Atlas mountains in Moroco. the pictures were amazing! there was this one of a like....in the middle of a mountain. you would see plants, flowers glrowing in these baren places. live really does survice, despite its environment. it was good. I bought a ticket(different things obviously)for today, tommorrow, wednesday I am going but they said a ticket was not necessary since it is not held in their theatre so seating is not restricted, thursday and friday. only today and tommorow cost money, about 4 pounds with the student discount(even though i told them that i am not a student here in Scotland they still gave me the discount. so nice. saved me 2 pounds). I am really excited. a whole centre dedicated to storytelling. this month's "theme" is travels,so that is really perfect and exciting. you know,before modern technology and before people could read/write, telling stories was how things were told, passed down. it is a lost art and a skill that is a important to have(a scottish woman, heather, that i met at the Wee World Cafe, told me that tonight when were talking about it. it is true. I want to be good at storytelling and I love telling stories! why do you guys think I talk so much about myself? lol
4. I went on a city tour of Edinburgh. only about 30 minutes but it was nice. Queen's Park near the Holywood Palace is...amazing. beautiful. I'll post some pics soon. tommorow problaly. after storytelling center tommorow I am going to maybe grab some snacks and then come back to the hostel and work on that INTS 241 paper, so I will be uploading a bunch of pics at the same time.
5. I went to the Wee World Cafe tonight and it was a really good time. I talked to this woman named Heather for a good amount of time about my time here, england, scotland,kilts, guys wearing kilts, the shack,etc. I also talked to this guy named David(he was from england according to his nametag)the size of cities and oxford and it was also a good time. then everyone played this game called "gobbler"(i think that is how you spell it). basically, everyone writes down two letters in separate pieces of paper(or a deck of cards in this case)each letter not the being the same. then we turn them in and each team is given a 16 square grid, and the cards/papers are shufftled and we write down the letters read from left to right in the grid, then we have to find as many words as you can, at least 3 letters, and the letters must connect in some way, so not just straight but must connect somehow. it was fun. my team lost :) then there was this optional bible study with the guy named David. it was good. we ran out of time MUCH too quickly, but we'll pick it up again next week. i must confess that I found him cute. really. his eyes were such an intense blue color that i found it harder than usual(you guys know how i am with looking people, especially guys, in the eye). lol...so i am only human. however, it is so not going anywhere. i have given up on guys. it was a good time. i really liked it. i am sad that i am only going there about 3 times.
6. this is not really about today, but I saw this beautiful dress in a kilt store, made of the same patter style and same concept, and it is so beautiful. i want to take a picture of it, but i am afraid to. it is purple plaid and I so want it as my wedding dress. the heck with white! I also saw these fancy dress-up, formal kilts for men, the kind they wear at weddings(most scottish guys wearing formal kilts at their wedding. isnt that hot?), i even saw one like a suit but had a kilt instead of pants and they were all so beautiful! i have decided that the guy i marry is wearing one of those at our wedding. whether he's scottish or not, he is. so if you dont like wearing kilts, dont marry me ok?i have decided that i think it is totally hot and a total turn on for me when a guy wears a kilt. lol...seriously though, so hot and sexy.

Location: Edinburgh,Scotland

Today's Gifts From God

1. My luggage was not a major problem in terms of them being allowed on the train. a hassle to carry around but other than that, not a big issue.
2. I had several people throughout the day help me with my luggage when I needed it-up stairs, onto the train, on the luggage racks on the train,etc. Angels from God :)
3. I was walking around the street near my hostel and I ran into someone from ACU! his name is Jeremy Davis and he works in the admissions office. he told me that, btw. I dont recall him although I do know I know him, if that makes sense. we only talked for less than 5 minutes but it was nice that within my first hour here I ran into an ACU person!
4. Most of the stuff that I want to do are near my hostel,right on High Street(my hostel is on Blackfrair's, right off High Street): the storytelling centre, the Wee World Cafe, two of the castles, tours...amazing! and I can see the ocean from the street, since it is on a hill...so beautiful!
5. I made it here!

Location: Edinburgh,Scotland(can ya believe it?!?! Millie's in Scotland!!!!)

God's Gifts To Me

1. I went to see Star Treck for the second time...I am offically loving that movie! makes me want to see the series(yes this is a repeat of a gift from yersterday but it was given to me again today)
2. this is technically last night, but before I went to sleep last night I turned off the lights in the room(duh, well...ask me about it because I didnt use to) and the moonlight came through the window(it is not even a pretty view, just the back of buildings) and it washed the room. it was so nice and peaceful. :)
3. I had my guided tour of the scottish parliment confirmed for friday, may 15 at 10:20am. I am WAY excited! 
4. I had a  good lunch and dinner-both at chinese/japanese restaurants. sweet and sour chicken with rice for lunch and chicken fried rice for dinner. really good. 
5. I did not cry my  heart out today. 
6. this is my last night and day in Oxford!! it is a little sad but I have been living(can ya believe it...I am living in England!!)in Oxford since January and I love it but I am ready to go to Scotland tommorow for 3 weeks and experience a new country and city and culture and after that start my summer World Wide Witness internship in Nottingham from June 2-August 4!! 
7. (this is yesterday but I writing it today. the realizign of gifts counts as a gift too)I received a reply yesterday to the Email I send the International Rescue Mission in Abilene, Texas about getting involved next semester with them since that is my new major and they said to get in touch with them again when I get back so I definetly will! 

Location:(for the last time-a little sad but it is time to move on in this 7 month adventure)Oxford,England

My Gifts From God For Today

1. I moved into the hostel in Oxford I will stay at for two nights. it is doable for 2 nights. 
2. I watched Star Trek...and I loved it! it was very good...full of action and deep insights. i am officialy a new fan :)
3. I watched  coroline, a movie. it was very good and I loved it! 
4. I had a good dinner
5. I am in a better mood today. 
6. my free ticket to see the scottish parliment in action on thursday from 2-6pm is now reserved!!

Location: Oxford, England

Today's Gifts From God

1. i went to see Hannah Montana the movie today and it was better than i thought.
2. i ate
3. i slept late
4. it cost a lot but I booked my ticket from London king cross to Edinburgh via first class. just need the buy the ticket to London paddinton which shouldn't be too bad with my railcard(that i forgot to use on the Edinburgh ticket)
5. i didnt break down crying like i wanted to do.
   

location: Oxford,England

Today's Gifts From God

1. I got to sleep late today-11:30am
2. I went to dinner at the Royal Oak(a pub on Woodstock Road) with a friend(Jessica Lane). I had bangers and mash and they were so so good!
   
3. with the same friend, I went to see a movie. it was "state of play" and it was really good. I liked it.
   
4. I had some good ice cream between dinner and movie.
   
5. I played 20 questions during dinner
6. I laughed a lot today.
   

location: Oxford, England

May 5, 2009 Gifts

1. I got all my stuff packed in my two suitcases, and they are 37 and 38 pounds each, so I am definetly good on the under 50 pound limit. I just cannot buy anything this summer.
   
2. I went to the Gardener Arms pub on North Parade with: Liz(blond hair Liz), Raine, Maddy, Janie, and Kyle w. it was fun :)
3. I watched Zoolander and Forgetting Sarah Marshall with most of everyone tonight. it was fun and I laughed a lot.
   
4. I felt a good cold-ish wind on my way to and from Ollies.
   
5. I asked my Dad if he would mind if I took a 3 day tour that goes around Scotland via bus. it costs 59 pounds but does not include hostel or food, still, that is pretty good for a three day tour, and it would be so cool to see other parts of scotland other than Edinburgh. He said yes, so I am excited! I will try to keep expenses down though. groceries, no souvenirs, and low on costly attractions. parks and museums are free there. they have 144 parks in that city alone and a childhood museum and a wee world cafe and a storytelling centre....so i am excited.
   

Location: Oxford, England

May 4, 2009 Gifts

1. Went on a cruise down the Themes River from Oxford to Abbington(group trip). it was a lot of fun and very relaxing. 
2. I laughed a lot, mostly on the cruise. We played MASH on the way back for the whole 2 hours. it was very silly and lots of fun. 
3. I watched Apollo 13 and it was such a good movie!
4. I watched Space Jam and as always, amazing movie and songs, and also, bugs bunny continues to be amazing. 
5. Took my  Humanities final. I did not study at all, so I most likely failed. however, it counts a good thing because other than the 5 page study abroad reflection I AM DONE WITH SCHOOL for this year! now I get to stress deep down over my GPA. 

Location: Oxford, England and Themes River. 

life is so so good. 

Today's Gifts

1. I slept in until 12:30pm today, which was really nice.
2. I had a nice lunch at chez gaston and I left a tip.
3. I saw a really good and funny movie today(which was deeper than I expected and that was nice). it was called "the ghosts of girlfriends past." i know, every guy's nightmare right? it was a take on a christmas carol.
4. I felt a nice cool breeze 0n my way back to the house from the movie.
5. I will be in Scotland in one week!

Location: Oxford, England

May 2, 2009 Gifts

1. Went to See Abby Road in London-walked down the famous crosswalk....
2. Went on a tour that went to St.Paul's and Tower of London: St. Paul's was so beautiful and interesting. I wish I had had more than an hour there.
3. I went on the above tour because it went to tower of london, where the Crown Jewels are kept. they are so so beautiful and amazing...seriously, guys, those were beautiul objects. goodness...
4. I had a girl compliment my skirt on the central line tube(westbound)on my way back to paddinton station to get back to oxford.
5. Went to see the Lion King musical for the second time tonight, and it was BETTER than the first time. gosh, I wish I could go see it every week!

Location: London,England

God's Gifts To Me Today

1. Tried a new dish at Chez Gaston. I always order the same thing and today I decided to try something new. I tried the pasta with cream sauce and chicken. it was good but I do prefer Dr.Damien better: pasta with Mediterranean meatballs and the regular spaghetti sauce. so good.
2. I mailed two more packages to my parents, but smaller and lighter and cheaper($45 instead of $123). they contained all my jewerly and small things that I dont want taking up space and weight in my luggage. plus that way I dont have to worry about losing small items like that over the summer.
3. I had ollies for dinner tonight. my usual chicken kebab, plain with a 7up with BBQ sauce(on the kebab not the soda). it was really good, but ollies always is.
4. I am going to get involved with International Rescue Committee when I get back to Abilene in August. I love my new major and want to do as much with international students as possible. I send the lady an email today telling her that I wanted to get involved starting in august and what to do to make that happen.
5. Had a relaxing time watching some of the boys playing freesbe.

Location: Oxford,England