When in Rome...

So, I'm not in Rome, but I am in what was once a Roman fortress, Caerleon. Walking around town you literally run into ruins of the ancient baths, the amphitheater, one set of the barracks, and of course, the wall. At the amphitheater I read that every year they celebrated the birthday of the legion which just so happens to be September 23. That would be today. Crazy. To think that several hundred years ago I would be amongst a throng of people cheering at a killing match as sport. Don't know how I feel about that...

There is so much history here it's enough to blow my mind. I find it fascinating, though sadly it's not all sticking. One of my fabulous hosts is a real history buff and Welsh to the core taking pride (which isn't a strong enough word) in learning and sharing all about the history of the town, country, and everyone tied to it. 

Wales is beautiful. That is what I've learned. It's history. It's nature. It's life.

Historic Thoughts

Why hellloooooo... I think I'm having a hard time remembering or realizing quite where I am. I'm American; we've read since "History" was added to the course requirements in elementary school about the course of civilization (and how we came to live where we do) from Mesopotamia to Rome to Europe, and then finnnaally contained in the blip at the end of the line, to America. It is incredible the amount of history that has taken place in any part of Europe that has then impacted the rest of the world. I walk past buildings older than my nation - these fortunate and delightful people LIVE with such history right next to them. The juxtaposition of old and new living in harmony is something that makes my heart so happy. It makes my imagination whir thinking about those that came before and walked these same streets and did this or that and simply lived life even as I am right now.

Will those after us contemplate our existence as well? Will there be museums about us; monuments at our birthplace, childhood home, and/or death house; or festivals celebrating how we added flavor and meaning to our culture? Perhaps we won't be as well known and adored as Jane Austin or Abraham Lincoln, but our lives are not insignificant. Tonight my friends and I watched Meet The Robinsons, a funny and cute animated movie about the power of family and the importance found in the motto "Keep Moving Forward". May we always remember to support the ones we love and always keep moving forward knowing that we can make a difference in the lives we touch everyday. You never know how the effect may snowball and change the course of history. Maybe another young (or old, we don't have to be biased here) traveler will be walking down a street one day with your name on it. :)

Peace.

Check-in Accomplished

I feel the new chapter is beginning but I think I'm still wading through the preface at the moment. After a mad-dash clean of the house tomorrow and stuffing everything in my bags I should be able to catch a breath as I sink in the airplane seat that will be my resting place while drifting over the Atlantic. *breathe* Stay tuned.

"God works all things for the good..."

Let the adventure begin. 

#WilcoxOdysseys

Purpose Regained

So this blog began because I was going to a another country for five months and because calling wasn't so convenient and Mother still wanted to keep taps, I wrote updates here. Lots of travel and I feel I did a decent job updating. :) Now I'm bringing back the purpose of this blog: travel updates and excited life happenings with some introspective musings speckled in there. lol. My favorite-person-ever assured me that she would follow and read it. So, Katrina, this is for you. :)

After Toronto I moved elsewhere in the States and kind of fell off the wagon of writing though I still felt like I was on some sort of venture. I found it a lot more difficult writing about every day life as it became more an more routine (aka boring or not much to write home about). The thing is I still travel. I love travel. I love going places. I love exploring and seeing new things and learning new things. Staying in one place for an extended period of time makes me antsy. For awhile there, when I was going through a more than stressful time, traveling was one of the things that saved me and kept me sane.

Don't know where I've been all this year. While I haven't matched Kristen who will have successfully traveled out of state in all 12 months of the year, I have logged a couple miles. Some of my co-workers have noticed how often I jet out of town, but for me it's life. It's breath. It's healthy.

January I made my first trek out to Arizona and about fell in love. I was honored to stand in a good friend's wedding and doubly blessed to get to sightsee while out there. We went to the Hoover Dam, Vegas (!!!), the Grand Canyon, and Sedona. All so different and so gorgeous. Can't wait for more extended trips to all of those places.

February my current roommate (Erica) and I drove down to Charleston to visit my previous roommate and I think it was actually sunny for me this time even if it was cold. 

March I went to New Orleans with Erica which was one of the best vacations I think I've had in a long time. The city was fun and the company was awesome. We met up with her family and I can't tell you the last "family vacation" I've had. It felt so good to be included like that and truly be able to relax and feel taken care of like a daughter. I definitely still miss that.

Skip April. In May I met up with my fantastic Nashville friend in Asheville - my first time there. Driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway was quite lovely. I love being in the midst of God's incredible creation. He takes my breath away every time. We also made a girls' beach trip in May - beach and mountains in the same month, not bad, eh? ;)

In June Mom came down to see us which was lovely and gave us an excuse to further explore the cool things in our own backyard of Raleigh. 

July we drove over to Nashville for the grandmother's 90th birthday celebration and Fourth of July. Later on we went to Charlotte for a couple days for my birthday which included a rainy day at Carowinds park, delicious (and freshly made!) pasta at Vapiano's, and a visit to IKEA where the only thing I could find use for was the chocolate. haha

August we had a stay-cation at a local hotel for Kristen's birthday (there are some perks to working in hospitality).

September I just made a trip up to Indy. Man, that drive makes my neck stiff! I wasn't too booked up this time and I really enjoyed being there. It helped that there was awesome weather, my mom's amazing, my nieces are the cutest, and I was there for a friend's wedding. Made me love my 'home' a little bit more and glad that's where I'm from.

And noooowww in 5 short day I will get to board my first plane since March and jet across the Pond for the first time since 2011. I.Am.So.Excited. It's been almost 4 years since I've seen the forever friends I made while in Toronto and now I have the opportunity to bounce between several of them, catch up, and see some sights in the process. 

To round out the year...October, November, and (a smidgen of) December I will be in EUROPE!!!! It's kind of crazy how the trip has expanded. It began as just a trip to England; it's always been my dream to tramp across the face of the Motherland and soak it all in (no pun intended). But then I kept thinking of other friends around and thinking, "Well, if I'm in Europe, it's not that far to 'X'. It would be silly not to go there for at least a little while I'm over here." Thus we now have a 2.5 month trip winding back and forth between 8 different countries. Nine or ten if you count the airports where we have to catch a connecting flight. ha

More than a dream trip come true I feel this venture is significant. Not sure what will come of it but I'm up for crazy surprises from Daddy God. Healing perhaps. Relaxation. Embracing the care-free life. Deep relationships. These are what I hope for. Mom is joining for 2 weeks and Kristen for about 6 which is another exciting thing as we've never done international travel together. Now maybe I should go work on packing...

Peace.

And welcome back. :)