So Who Wants to Know What I've Been Up Too?

So this is an insane and cool predicament I’m in… well sort of. I mean It’s been over a year since I last posted. But this post is also a cause for celebration! It’s my 300^th post. Like holy fucking shit! Seven years and 300 posts!

I wish I had posted more. I mean I never even caught you guys up on the rest of my trip! Shit so much has happened and I’ve neglected you all immensely. Well not that many have been paying attention anyway. But this is still like my therapy, it’s a place to let shit out and relax and just say whatever and not be judged. It’s a platform that I feel like I can inspire people and just tell my store. I like telling stories. And I like telling my story.

Telling your own story is something you rarely get to do because everyone that you know has seen your story evolve and watched you become the person that you are. And here… here almost no one knows me. No one knows what shit I’ve been through in the last year. No one knows how depressed I’ve been. No one will judge me on the fact that I’m now gearing up for a trip to Europe where I will be totally selfish.

I’m going to Europe because I feel so trapped and suffocated in my life. I had a boyfriend for the last year and I can honestly say it wasn’t a relationship that benefited me. I learned a lot from it but I’m ready to move on. I’m ready for a new adventure and that’s what I’m off to next month. It’s been over a year now since I’ve had a huge European adventure.

Speaking of European adventures… After Oslo I went to London

Because everyone knows I can’t resist London…

I also can’t resist Trafalgar Square and it’s for an other post but I decided to show my love for Trafalgar in 50 pictures of the square. It was a fun way to spend the afternoon.

I went to Dover to finally see the White Cliffs that I have wanted to see for years!!

And I went to Worcester…

And got a Tattoo!

Then I went to Spain to visit Ana..

And I went back to the Lighthouse that I’d been at four years before and I couldn’t help but reflect even then how much my life had changed…

And then of course I had to go to Barcelona to visit Lenka!

I took a mini Gaudi tour of the city… but that’s another post as well I suppose.

And after Barcelona I went to Paris…

I’d met an amazing French girl while I was in London. We were both staying at the same hostel and she liked my blue hair. So we started chatting and I ended up staying on her couch while in Paris. I met up with Damien’s Sister and we went clubbing. And I lost my wallet. But then I got it back.

And Paris grew a little tiny fond spot in my heart….

After Paris I flew to Ireland. One of the families that I nanny for in the states moved there for 6 months for the dad’s job. So I went to see them.  And we had a fucking blast!

I got to see Cobh again…

They stayed in Kinsale and the town is so pretty…

And I got to see Cork.

It was an amazing trip and it was lovely and I didn’t want it to end. But well shit from home just started weighing me down. Things were really going to shit with the house and all that. And I was still worked up about my dog Charles.

He ended up getting pretty sick and on October 30^th we put him down. It was really hard and upsetting for me because he was my dog more then anyone else’s. So that was really really hard. But then so much changed so fast.

My dad and older brother moved to Mount Holly. Christmas sucked, I spent the morning with at the time boyfriend. Then I put together furniture at my dad’s house and had dinner with my brother’s girlfriend’s family. It was nice but…

Christmas had always been my favourite holiday. It had always been an amazing kind of day and all about family and food and I knew it had to end sooner or later because us kids would all find significant other’s but I still didn’t want it to end and to actually have what I considered an “adult” Christmas sucked.

But I got over it. New years came and went. And the rest of the year really just molded together in a blur of shit and work and drama. 

But in the less shit bit of it all I went to Denver with Jameson, who I was dating at the time. It was a fun trip. So I saw Denver...

And Rocky Mountain National Park.

I went to Canada for the first time and saw Niagara Falls! 

And I went to visit my mum in Texas. That was a bright spot in it all

And my best friend Sheridan came out from Nebraska and we had a grand adventure and saw Boston!

But those mini trips weren't enough to stave off the suffocation of routine. Then just a few weeks ago I decided enough was enough. I needed to clean my life up. I’d been in a constant depressed mood and I was tired of it. So I broke up with my boyfriend and really started to do more of what made me happy.

Since I’ve moved in with a friend. After losing the High Bridge house I moved in with my little brother for ages but then he got engaged and I wanted them to have the house so I moved in with a friend. I’ll be couchsurfing for a few weeks soon because I feel like it. I’ve had more time for myself and to do what I like…

I started writing a new book! And I got a third job. But it’s a fun job. So I nanny for two families on Mondays. Tuesday through Saturday I’m at the shop. And Friday through Sunday night I work at a haunted hayride.

And holy shit I realized since I haven’t blogged you all aren’t aware that I’ve had a “real” job sinc e I got home from Europe!!!! My little brother Hunter works as a mechanic. And two days before I’m home he messages me and asks if I want to be the Service Writer (aka glorified secretary). And I was like yes totally. So he was like okay come in for an interview Monday. I got Saturday night. So I was in for the interview Monday and I started Wednesday. And I’ve been working there ever since!

It was good money and I saved up and paid lots of bills and all that good stuff. I finished writing my young adult vampire novel while at work. So really it was perfect because I didn’t have a lot of work to do so I could write and read. And now it’s just annoying to work there. All the drama is killing me so Tuesday was my birthday!! I’m 26 yay!! And I also quite my job. I gave my boss my one month notice!

I figured I had to do it soon because I take off on November 14^th! So he knows I’m not coming back and it was good to finally let everyone know what the fuck I was doing. Because I’d bought those tickets over a month ago!

So there you are essentially caught up on my life without all the boring whining! And I couldn’t be happier with how it’s all fallen into place. I leave for Copenhagen on the 14^th. Why Copenhagen? Well I’ve never been and the plane ticket from JSK to COP was only $172!!! Yes one hundred and seventy two dollars on Norwegian air! From Copenhagen I fly to Rome and Rome to Prague for Thanksgiving with Lenka! And then I’m looking for a Hostel job in prague so I can chill there for a while. Otherwise I might go be an au pair in Milan… So we shall see! For now I’m leaving the door open to adventure and I’m sure it will all turn out just grand!

Cheers,

The Most Epic Journey

Christmas was last Sunday, I had planned on staying in Europe till after New Years but alas plans got changed and I ended up booking a ticket home the 23rd. Then it popped into my head ’Why not surprise everyone?’ So my mum asked for me to send my flight info to her. I did a bit of poking found the flight I was on ran just about every day from Frankfurt. The email I sent her had my correct flight info but I changed the date to the 28th. My plan was ready to go I was going to show up at home, unannounced, the 23rd of December, just in time for Christmas! 


My ticket had been booked way back in November and I had a friend who was going to help me. Turns out she’s very afraid of keeping secrets and to add to it she ended up having lunch with my mum twice that month after I had told her. So she was scared to death she’d ruin my surprise, she made a tiny slip but saved it and didn’t rat me out. 


So my journey home sort of started when I woke up the 22nd at 10h00. I ended up rearranging and re packing that day then just enjoyed the rest of the time playing Diablo and relaxing with my boyfriend. I left at midnight on the 23rd. 
I took a 30 minute car ride to Metz. 
I hoped on a bus at Metz.
Took an hour and five minute bus ride to Luxembourg.
Transferred busses to take a 2 hour and five minute ride to Frankfurt Hahn Airport.
Then hopped another bus from Hahn to Main (an hour and a half ride)


I need to pause here to tell you about my experience at Frankfurt Main. First it’s a gigantic airport and it took me a while to find the Delta check-in. I got asked all sorts of questions. “Did you pack your bag?” “Where’s your final destination?” and so on. Once the guy determined I was me and had packed my own bags I walked up to the counter to check my back. It weighed 24.5 kilos and I was only allowed 23 kilos. So I crossed my fingers and said a little prayerr as I chatted with the guy behind the counter. He passed my bag through without fees!! Woo!!
So I was off to passport control. I smile and walk up to the desk. The lady takes my passport and flips though it. “You arrived on the 12th of September?” I smiled and said yes. “Where have you been since then?” I told I had been in France and she asked for proof so I pulled out my bus tickets. That was good enough proof I suppose. She nods and looks at me. “Are you aware you’re only allowed to stay in the EU for 3 months. You’ve been here illegally for 10 days now.” I must have turned pretty pale, I felt like vomiting. She turns to the other guy in Passport control and they talk in German for what felt like forever as it sank in I could be getting arrested, probably detained and banned from the EU. She ended up passing me through thank god and I booked it to my gate! Never again in my life!! I had thought I had 6 months to be in and out so I had been confident I was okay. Nope. No more mix ups!! I’m done with border runs!


Back to my journey…
I boarded and was on a 9 hour flight to *drum roll* Detroit!
I get to Detroit and had to pass customs. I passed without a hitch. Rechecked my bag and was off to my connecting flight.
My flight was delayed almost 2 hours.
But I eventually made it to Newark Airport.
From Newark I boarded a bus.
Got to Newark Penn Station.
Missed the early train and had to wait an hour.
Caught my train all the way to the last stop on the Raritan line.
Then the last leg of my journey and by far the worst physically. 
I had to walk about a kilometer and a half up hill (many breaks were needed). 
Then I walked up my super steep driveway, left my bag at the patio. 
Crept up to the side door. 
Took off my shoes and snuck inside.
I tiptoed to the dining room/living room, smiled and said “Merry Christmas!”
My parents, little brother and his 2 friends turn to look at me


And stare…


And stare…


And stare…


Then I suppose it sunk in that I was home and I got a round of hugs. Not quite what I had expected but they keep telling me they were in shock and didn’t think it was me at first. 
My epic journey home consisted of 1 car ride. 4 bus rides. 2 planes. 1 train. Walking and 38 hours without sleep. I think it was worth it though as my family was excited I was home for Christmas and I got to spenc Christmas back in Jersey.

Cheers,

Tourist Time

I’ve been living in Nancy France since September and my deportation fiasco. But it was only last week that I got around to actually seeing the sights. Damien had said there wasn’t much to see in Nancy and the only thing I’d seen previously was Place Stanislas and Parc de la Pépinière. Damien was partly right. There wasn’t a lot to see compared to other places I’ve been. But there was a lot for a small city like Nancy. 
I went walking in the city on a cold very windy day and it was a bit rainy so I ended up only staying in the Old town of Nancy. What did I see?


Place Stanislas 
Stanislas Leszczynski an exiled king of Poland who had become Duke of Lorraine in 1737, planned to create a square intended to honour and glorify his son-in-law Louis XV of France. The foundation stone of the first building in the square was officially laid in March 1752 and the royal square solemnly inaugurated in November 1755. 
At the beginning a bronze statue of Louis XV decorated the centre of the square. The statue along with surrounding allegorical figures disappeared during the French Revolution and it was only in 1851 that a new statue, this time of Stanislas, was erected in its place. 

Place d’Alliance
This square originally called Saint Stanislas Square (part of the architectural unity commissioned by Stanislas). A baroque fountain by the sculptor Cyfflé, which to begin with, was meant to stand in the centre of the semicircle on Carrière Square was finally installed here. It is a symbol of the alliance in 1756 between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and France. 

Place de la Carriere
The need to modernise the ramparts mid 16th century led to an extension of the town toward the east and thus the creation of a new square, the " Place Neuve de la Carriere ".  Carriere was the old French word for a tilt-yard where jousting and tournaments took place in the Middle Ages. 

Triumphal Arch
The triumphal arch was built to honour Louis XV at the same time as Stanislas Square. This impressive gate was built in the middle of the ramparts separating the Old Town from the New Town. It is a reminder of the Triumphal Arches set up by the Roman emperors to glorify themselves ( particular the one for Septimius Severus in Rome). A gilded medallion of Louis XV in profile dominates the entire structure

The Craffe Gate
This impressive gateway into Nancy was built at the end of the 14th century as part of the walls encircling the town. The large twin towers flanking the gate were added on at the end of the 15th century and were used as prisons. The small lantern above the main gate dates back to the 17th century and contained a bell which rang out the hours of the day, the beginning of the curfew and informed the population of public executions. The Lorraine Cross on the facade is a reminder that the emblem was adopted after the victory of the Battle of Nancy

The Duke's Palace
The building of the Dukes' Palace began in 1502. All that remains nowadays of the residence of the Dukes of Lorraine is the wing on Grande-Rue (high street) and the Porterie (the gateway). It includes a niche with an equestrian statue of Duke Antoine -the original group was destroyed during the French Revolution. 
The palace was destroyed in part and redesigned by Boffrand during the reign of Leopold. Then turned into stables by Stanislas. After a fire in 18TH century, it was restored once again, although its appearance was slightly modified it regained its original mullioned windows, high sloping roofs, and gargoyles. It became the Lorraine Museum in 1937

The Church of the Cordeliers
This is a votive church which was built after the victory over Charles the Hardy at the Battle of Nancy. The unostentatious Cordeliers church and its adjoining Fransiscan monastery were founded respectively in 1487 and 1482 by René II. It is still consecrated as a place of worship. Since 1939, it has housed sculptures, religious paintings and funeral monuments including the Renaissance tomb of René II and the recumbant figure of his wife Philippa de Gueldres. The Dukes of Lorraine are buried in the adjoining circular-shaped chapel.

Saint-Epvre basilica and Square 
The Saint Epvre Church towers above one of the largest and busiest squares in the old town. Up till the end of the 19th century the square with its fountain topped by a statue of Duke Rene II was the site of the town's market. The present-day Basilica was built in the second half of the 19th century in the gothic revival style. 

The Cathedrale
The church was built at the beginning of the 18th century. It was originally the seat of the Primate of Lorraine and only became the cathedral in 1777 after the death of Stanislas. 

Saint-Sebastian's Church
This 18th century baroque church with its curvate facade was influenced by the Saint Agnesa Church in Rome. Imposing statues of two dukes of Lorraine, Leopold and Stanislas keep watch over the Church and the neighbouring Market place.

And all this info came from the Nancy Tourist Office site.


I’m really glad I got the chance to see the city. It was pretty and I ended up spotting a few really cute boutiques that I went shopping for Christmas gifts in. I wish I had taken pictures of these boutiques because they were seriously the cutest and coolest stores I’ve ever been in. but I think the highlight of the day was walking into the square and seeing the Christmas tree. And the whole city had lights…

But the tree really made me think of Christmas and if you know me then you know I’m absolutely crazy about Christmas, as my next post will most likely show. You see France has Christmas Markets… yup take a moment to absorb that spic fact. You’ll get to hear all about my Christmas Market encouters next time!


Cheers,