Living in Community

While I lived in Madrid, I had the pleasure of living in a beautiful apartment decorated in photos and collected items from all over the world in the heart of the city. I had the joy of walking to my classes each morning, and soaked up every second of hearing the city buzz, watching the people interact and feeling a completely rare joy in my daily commute. 

My old roommate and dear friend, Cande, and her boyfriend, along with the visits of several friends ensured the apartment was never empty. My first week there her brother was visiting, and overlapping with his visit was another friend. In the four weeks we were there together, it truly felt like a home. There was always a meal being prepared, someone doing laundry, something to discuss, and an open bottle of wine. I've had great roommates and I have great friends. I have two years of stories from living in the sorority house. But this apartment in Madrid was something else. It felt like truly living with a sister, everything is everyone's and all responsibilities are shared. One's burden is felt by all. I learned to cook new meals, I laughed until I cried sitting at my place at the the table, and I had days in the last few weeks where I did absolutely "nothing" at all except enjoy doing nothing. I have deep love for the people I met in Madrid, and great appreciation for all the things they've taught me. 

I leave Madrid sad. I know that a great year is ahead. I know that I have only one year left of law school and that I cannot just stay in Madrid forever. But July 2014 will be the month that I reminded myself of a great city where I truly feel at home. It went by too fast. I met new faces and spent delicious quality time with favorite faces. Certainly, some of my favorite memories were in Madrid's streets, and other favorites happened in that apartment.  I am already looking forward to the next time I chirp, "Hasta luego!" Because with Madrid, it is just that - "until later;" it is never goodbye. 

Running Wild

Beloved readers, a catch-up post is much overdue. As I never seriously intend to blog frequently while state-side, I recognize that living in California I am separated from many of whom I love the most, so I should be more serious about updating this page regularly.

What has happened since I left London?
I finished the semester, and headed back to Atlanta. Hang on for this whirlwind:
Saturday - London to Atlanta, Sunday- drive to Alabama, pick up Grey, drive back (almost 10 hours in the car), Monday - fly ATL to LAX followed by a surprise party with all my friends thrown by my sweet boyfriend. By Friday, I had signed a lease on a new place to live. We spent Christmas in Orange County on the beach and then I moved into my new place the next day.

It took a bit to get it all set up, and there is still a project or two left to complete, but overall I love living here. Since I have a job in downtown this summer, I needed to live somewhere half way between the city and school. I live on the edge of Santa Monica, where two streets over its technically LA. It's got a lot of character. In addition to my art, the art I've collected from travels, tons of pictures and furniture from our Atlanta house, its got Spanish tile throughout and new appliances and cabinetry. Anyways, it feels like home.

Over the holidays, I had several friends get engaged - including two of my closest friends so I am absolutely thrilled for them! One of my best friends in law school with me is pregnant, and another couple that I love just had a baby. It's a really fun time to be supporting them.

This semester, I am taking several classes and also doing a program where I am working with clients who are applying for Asylum in the US because they have been persecuted or have a fear of persecution if they are forced to return to their country. It takes up a lot of time, but is incredible work. The first few weeks, we worked with one family on their case and it was granted! Lots of stress, hard work- totally paid off! It's great to know we helped make a huge difference in their lives, and they no longer have to fear for their lives. Now, we are working on another case and preparing for a trial that will be held in March.

For Christmas, my beau surprised me with concert tickets for the next five months. Our January concert was a band from Nashville called Moon Taxi that put on a great show. Our February concert is Greg Laswell, a very chill singer-songwriter. We go tomorrow, so I am excited! Dad and I also had a particularly wonderful opportunity to go VIP to the Eagles, which was incredible.

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes. I haven't had any revelations yet as an old and wise 25 year old, but you'll be the first to be informed of one.  My actual birthday was spent working all day, and I was in a trial courtroom for trail practice and preparation until 9:30.

But the night before, Brian had taken me on a wonderful sushi dinner right on the ocean in Malibu. Then, the day after my birthday, we headed to a favorite wine-bar for "Wine Wednesdays." Then on Sunday, about twenty of my friends braved the cold California weather (it was 60 degrees) to hang out at a winery in the Malibu mountains. The drive up there weaved through the canyon, looking down on the ocean and was really beautiful. On our way back, the stunning Pacific was in our right lane. We had a huge picnic, lots of great food and company and tried a few different very creative wines like Orange Muscat and Pinot Noir Rose.

The spring semester is off to a great start, and there's a lot more excitement to come!

"Oh, I'm asking why can't we live tonight? 

We are running out of time. 

Just for now, we could come undone with the rising sun. 

Oh, oh, running wild. 

So, drink it in." 

-Moon Taxi, Running Wild 

chuffed

Yellowhammers in Scotland? Yes please. 

Ross scrunching down about three feet to be my height

Castle Edinburgh 

Overlooking Edinburgh

tell me that's not exactly how you always pictured Scotland...

A few weekends ago, I had the pleasure of visiting a friend in Scotland. I know Ross through my little sister in the sorority, and we haven't seen each other since 2011. Ross is from a little village outside of Edinburgh but studied at "uni" in Aberdeen, where he is still living and working. I can't tell you how spoiled I was to have a weekend completely immersed in the great people that live in Aberdeen and Edinburgh. I was welcomed with such warmth, had a lucky streak of great weather and laughed hysterically all weekend. Thursday night, I flew into Aberdeen. All day Friday we explored a castle, had a great lunch along the harbor and collected supplies to make Yellowhammers (the delicious signature drink of my favorite bar in Tuscaloosa). Yellowhammers were the key ingredient to a birthday party for Ross' little brother that night. Saturday, Ross, his best friend from high school and I drove into Edinburgh. After walking the streets of Edinburgh's city center, we headed to Ross' hometown- a picturesque Scottish village with sheep and green pastures for as far as the eye could see.

On the train back on Sunday, I left feeling I had met great people and enjoyed a completely authentic Scottish experience. The country has so much to offer. I am so grateful to Ross, for being such a phenomenal friend and letting me crash his weekend plans. It's certainly been a highlight of my year. I got to watch Alabama football on Saturday night with a KAO koozie on my beer. I learned excellent English phrases and words that Americans should adopt. Ross and friends are hilarious, and had me laughing until my stomach hurt multiple times. I was the shortest person for miles. It was an absolutely delightful weekend and I'm indebted to all who helped make it happen. Can't wait to host the Scots in Tuscaloosa, Atlanta, York, Los Angeles, London or wherever I happen to be!

this is the best week EVER!

first and most importantly, I GOT INTO LAW SCHOOL!!! let me back up. so as you know, i have been working my little tail off on applications. i have submitted 26 in total and have already heard back from several schools. most exciting is my acceptance to University of Miami. I still do not know if I got the scholarship that I applied for, but will know one way or another in the next three weeks or so. I was also offered a substantial scholarship to St. Thomas, which is also in Miami. I am really excited. I didnt realize quite how homesick, stressed, discouraged and overworked I was until my friend, Ansley landed and brought a taste of home and a breath of fresh air with her. She got here on Thursday and had the day to herself while I worked. When I got off, we had dinner with my roommate here and scurried off to the airport. Ansley and I landed in the Canary Islands (Las Palmas) at midnight and our family friend picked us up.
The entire weekend was like a dream. Pilar, who I met in Rome last summer because shes a dentist with several of Dad's lasers, is like a mother to me and she really went above and beyond with her hosting duties. Thursday night, we walked along the beach and settled into her mother's apartment that's the qaintest little resort home with a huge balcony over looking the beach. That's where we had several awesome feasts. Friday, we shopped, walked all over the city, saw some awesome sights and relaxed. Saturday, we attempted to visit one of the most famous beaches in the world but the wind was pretty miserable. Wind-1, Stephanie & Ansley-0. Pilars son is 23 and her nephew is also 23 so it was really cool they hung out with us and invited some friends. It was a really awesome day, minus the realization we would not be coming back bronze beauty queens. At night, we hit up Carnaval. The night before we had gotten a taste of the madness but Saturday was the parade and it was completely insane and incredible. I have never seen or experienced anything quite like it. The costumes weren't Walmart Halloween $13 purchases. No, no. They were meticulously planned outfits with no detail overlooked. Mostly, friends were there in huge groups all dressed identical. So in the crowd, you could spot an entire crew of GI Joes or Ariels or lions or whatever. We took so many photos and just had an incredible time. Sunday's plane ride was rough because we didn't want to leave, but I was also looking forward to showing Ansley around my city. The rest of her visit, we managed to meet up with my friends here and eat more great food. We celebrated my acceptances and just celebrated being together and her vacation. It was AWESOME. I was super sad she couldn't stay longer. I also received big news my roommate from last year will be coming in April! The weekend she will be here we will go to Barcelona with Dad for a Biolase event. I don't know if I am accurately explaining how amazing the last two weeks were, so here are some pictures in hopes of doing a better job.
Wishes of an equally AWESOME week to you! And go watch Step Brothers for me because I just kept repeating "this is the best week EVER!" in Will Farrel's voice. and it really was! Looking forward to hearing more back from other schools and starting Spanish classes 4 days a week this week.