Half Marathon in January

Had you informed me a year ago that I would willingly register myself for a half marathon in January of all months, I likely would have called you crazy.

After having run a half marathon in January, it turns out I'm the crazy one. 

While I was running in the rain, which at one point poured in a very heavy downpour, I thought to myself, 'why are you enjoying this? What is motivating you right now?' And I still haven't come up with an answer. 

After my cousin Jennifer ran a half marathon a few years ago I thought it sounded like quite an accomplishment, but never thought I would ever want to do one myself. I was that person saying things about how running that much has to be bad for your body and especially your knees. Not that I was doing anything that was particularly good for my body at the time. (And if you asked my knees around mile 12 and for the full day after the race if they thought it was good for them, they would give an emphatic NO in response.)

I then met this friend named Sarah who was planning to run 13 half marathons in 2013. She was definitely crazy. But then one day while out on a walk, I thought, 'if sarah can run 13 miles, I can run 1.'

So I ran 1 mile that day back in march and 1.5 and then 2 the next week and then 2.5 the next and by May I ran 6 miles in one go without any actual training plan. 

And it seemed that I liked it. Sometimes I even craved it. But I'm still not sure why really. 

And 9 months after my first full mile run since knee surgery 8 years ago, I have ran the distance of a half marathon twice. Once on my own in the heat of summer. And now once in an official race in the cold rain of winter. 

As spring has been a little crazy, thus me writing about an event in January in May, I have not been running regularly. However, soon I think things might even out. And just a few days ago I was looking at plans to train for a full marathon.

I'm definitely sure I'm the crazy one now. 

We Went to the UK: Food

One of the best parts of traveling to me is trying new things, especially food! If you went back in time to the painfully shy picky eater I once was she would probably think me crazy (and really old).

In Israel, the food was delicious and wonderful and I could not get enough. In the UK, the food was....good? They have much less flavorful options than the Mediterranean, but still interesting to try.

This was our Thanksgiving feast. Not quite up the Frost family standards, but a lovely meal shared with lovely people. 

Sweet potato pie I made via a recipe from Pinterest and Rachael already having all the ingredients. It was pretty good. (I messed up the crust ingredients, but the filling was great.) The English folk didn't seem to mind it either. They don't really do pumpkin.

Fish and chips in London on the river Thames. Pretty delish. The best part was the malt vinegar in packets right next to the ketchup.

This salad, latte, chips, and chocolate croissant were so good. It was our last meal in London. It was a reasonable price and a lot lighter on my traveling stomach than our previous food. I can't remember the name of the shop we got it at, but it was a chain that had as many locations as a Starbucks would here. 

My first ever crepe. How have I gone 29 years and never had a crepe?! It was delicious and from a street vendor at the Christmas festival.

This pork was just as good as any I have had in the Carolinas. Way to go Edinburgh. The bun was also quite tasty.

This is the Scotch list. Just varieties of Scotch available, nothing else. There were sooooo many.

This is the full Scottish breakfast. The baked beans were a little much that early in the day. Well the whole plate was a little much. But we were good sports and tried the haggis and blood pudding and whatever else they brought us. I wouldn't say I loved either of them, but I could eat them again if I had to.

Clearly they know how to do salt and pepper better than us. Pepper should have more holes than the salt, always.

Chai Latte and a scone with clotted cream and jam. This was tasty and good. Best chai I have had (aside from the Indian chai at the Forest) and the clotted cream and jam was delicious on the scone. Their scones are just better than ours. 

Curry from a jar, but prepared with love by Rachael. It was so good. We need to get up to speed with this in our grocery stores. You can get it at specialty stores, but not for the price or quantity you can in England.

Not pictured, but delicious and tasty is the tomato soup that Rachael made of her own recipe, the great cereal at the hostels and chicken Provencal we had at a festival. That chicken had the best seasoning I have ever tasted!

Overall, my taste buds were pretty satisfied on this trip!

We Went to the UK: Hostels

For the sake of saving money and for the goal of staying in a hostel before I turned 30, we went the route of hostels for our non-staying with friends portion of the trip.

If planning to stay in a hostel over a weekend, definitely book as far in advance as you can.

I learned this by not booking that far in advance. I assumed people who stay in hostels are last minute type people, but apparently if it is the weekend, I was little wrong.

We ended up staying at one of the Clink Hostels in London. It was a pretty reasonable experience. The price was within our budget and the location worked for us for what we wanted to accomplish in our time. It was a little more on the hip and partier side than I would prefer, but most things in a large city probably are. There was a place to hang out down stairs and I think I remember a pool table, but I could be imagining that.

We were able to drop our bags in the luggage storage and hit the town to see the sites. We returned to find our bags safe and secure in storage and our room packed like sardines with beds and people. (there was also a funky smell, but it was a hostel, so who knows what has gone on there in the past)

They offered a complimentary breakfast which was pretty tasty for the price! Nutella was always available and in little packets.

We left our luggage that morning in a mostly empty storage room and returned to a sea of luggage that we could hardly get through.

Overall, I would stay there again, but I would also like to try out a different location if I were to return to London.

In Edinburgh we stayed in the High Street Hostel. It was in a 400 year old building on the Royal Mile. I would absolutely stay there again. This one was recommended to us by my college roommate who had lived in Edinburgh for a little while right after college.

The staff and other guests were very friendly and offered great tips on where to go and how to get there. The breakfast was not complimentary, but it was the best cereal I have ever had. We were in this hostel 2 nights and the second night was a Sunday and we had our room to ourselves!

The only strange thing to me was that the bathroom was co-ed. Aside from my step dad, I have never shared a bathroom with a male. Walking into the bathroom and seeing a guy was a little startling in thinking I had gone in the wrong door. Ha.

If you plan to spend most of your time in the Old City, I would highly recommend this hostel. It was a great location and within walking distance from everything we wanted to do and see.

My first hostel experience was a pretty good one, I think, and I would not be opposed to staying in one again. Hopefully, that day won't be too far away!

We Went to the UK: Liverpool

Our first and last city on out trip was Liverpool. The home of Rachael and Andy (and the Beatles).

Upon arriving we took naps and then ate a lovely lunch prepared for us by Rachael. We got to meet baby Ava, who is probably cuter than most babies you know.

We ventured out on the not so dreary England day and took a train to the main shopping area and checked out the Christmas festival. We got to see the Coke truck, which is one of Rachael's favorite traditions since being there, tried some delicious food, and saw the local landscape a little. Andy picked us up from the festival and it was like no time had passed for the 3 of us being together again. (and Jessi fit in pretty well too!)

The next day we prepared for our American Thanksgiving in England. We went to a few shops and on a walk and then cooked and baked a bit before heading to Andy's parents home. It turns out they don't care much for pumpkin things, but didn't mind my first attempt at a sweet potato pie.

If ever traveling, I think it is best to know some locals so that you can see how they really live.

We watched some American football, making it seem a fairly normal Thanksgiving for being across the pond. And those Englishmen knew quite a lot more about football than I will ever know.

In Liverpool we also just spent some time in the Rachael and Andy's home. This was probably my favorite times of the trip. It was so lovely to spend time with dear friends and enjoy reminiscing and chatting about life. And watching some good BBC programming. Andy was pretty delighted that I knew who Karl Pilkington was and enjoyed watching the new show he was featured in.

We were then off to do our exploring of the other parts of the UK.

Upon returning to Liverpool, Andy picked us up and we went back to another delicious meal prepared for us by Rachael. They sell Curry sauce like spaghetti sauce and it is sooooo good.

Our last day in the UK was spent in Liverpool. Sweet baby Ava went off to the grandparents and we got to spend the day with Rachael! We went to the Docks, Mathew St (birthplace of the Beatles), and Central Perk (a replica of the coffee shop from friends). We ended the day at Rachael and Andy's home enjoying each other's company and laughing to the wee hours of the night.

I very much enjoyed our travels, but I think what I enjoyed most was being with dear friends (and a new friend who will likely become a dear friend) whom I have greatly missed in our 3 years of separation.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

England was the 4th time I would be leaving the country by plane (and the trip to get a new stamp in my passport for my 30 by 30 goal). Haiti, Israel, and the Bahamas were my first 3 treks. So England was not the farthest, but 2nd place isn't too shabby.

When traveling I often seem to not carry the same anxiety as many other travelers. The only thing I ever seem to be concerned about is my luggage. Did I pack too much, will it get lost, can I take my crochet hook on the plane or is it a weapon? It generally doesn't even cross my mind that something could go wrong with a flight.

The first round of the trip I did not check my bags.

I prefer to not check bags because I want to be sure they travel with me and it keeps me from over packing. So no worries on the getting lost part and my crochet hook made it through security just fine.

My traveling companion also took my lead and did not check her bags. Thankfully.

The weather on the east side of the country was not being 100% cooperative and Jessi literally made the flight by 4 minutes. With how close she cut it, it would have been almost certain her bags would not have cut it. We had been texting throughout the day. When I landed in ATL, I received a text that said she might miss the flight because her flight from PA to ATL was delayed.

Right about the time we started boarding, I received another text that said she landed in ATL but was still on the plane. I checked in at the desk to ask if they would wait or if they had to close the gate even if we knew the person was at the airport. They said they had to close. So I advised Jessi to book it and go straight to the train and run to terminal F.

Thankfully, she made it to the train to the international terminal in time for them to assure me she would be fine.

She had to run. Duffle bag and all, Home Alone style, through the airport.

When they told me if she was on the train, she would make it, I went ahead and boarded watching the door for every passing person. Then there was Jessi! and I did a few fist pumps in excitement and we settled into our seats.

We sat on the runway for a little while and the pilot came over the intercom system and told us we were having trouble with the right engine. As in it wasn't working?! A few of our co-travelers and ourselves joked about this and how it would really be best to not tell us about engine trouble and let us assume the runway is congested. One of these co-travelers had an English accent making his jokes and the excitement for the trip (and to see my favorite Englishman, Andy) even better!

After a while the pilot came back over the intercom and said it APPEARED the engine was ready to go. Appeared, huh? I would like a little more certainty than that, but alas, we were off on our 8 hour flight.

Sunrise somewhere over the pond.

The meal was delayed because of turbulence, but it was actually very good. The best airplane meal I have had (not that I have had that many).

We had individual TVs with games and movies and music and I didn't sleep nearly as much as I should because of this.

We were given a second meal just before arriving in Manchester. The flight time passed surprisingly quickly.

Security was very also smooth and fast! Best experience I have had. Well, except when I went to Eluthera and we were on a private airline.

We made it to baggage claim to meet our taxi, which has already left without us. But Rachael hunted him down and got them to come back for us. This was my first ever taxi travel! Many people were surprised by this, but I have never lived somewhere that taxis are necessary. Our driver was funny and chatty. We told him it was our first time in the country and he said he wouldn't have come.

Not a cute UK cab, but it got the job done.

He had been to the States a few times, but only to FL for Disney.

We arrived at the Symesies' home and settled in a little and then began the on land part of our adventure.

We traveled by trains and cars and buses and a boat and I will write more on those in a later post!

We Went to the UK: Edinburgh

We arrived in Edinburgh by train after dark. Our hostel was less than a half mile from the train station, but because of what they call closes (side streets that are very narrow) and our lack of knowledge of these, we took a very round about way to get there. But we found it!

We stayed at High St Hostel. It was a 400+ year old building. The staff were super kind and friendly and they had the best cereal for their continental breakfast. 

Once we were checked in and found our bunks, we went out to explore a little. It was dark but it was only about 7 or 8 o'clock. 

We found our way to the Christmas festival and wandered around. It was very similar to the one in London. 

The only thing I would change about the whole trip (really) would be that we would have made it to the St. Andrews festival that night before it ended. We missed it by about an hour. 

After a little meandering to find a view of the castle we headed back to catch some sleep before an early morning. 

That night the hostel was cram packed. 

The next day the plan was to get up early, walk to the castle at the end of the street on the royal mile and then go to a church service.

The weather this day was perfect. The sky was blue as could be and it was not overly chilly. 

We checked out the castle from the outside and planned to go back the next morning for the tour. 

Walking back down the royal mile we passed a Santa playing Christmas songs on bagpipes. As it was the first day of December, it seemed rather appropriate. 

We made it to the church which was a lovely service, but to our slight disappointment, the pastor was from New Jersey and lacked the accent we had hoped to hear.  

After church we went out for brunch and both ordered the traditional Scottish breakfast. I'm glad we waited until later in the day for this because I could not have handled it first thing in the morning. There was sooooo much food and it was all good. I'm pretty sure I didn't finish most of it.

After brunch and checking in at the hostel to trade out some things in the day pack we asked for a hike recommendation and ended up hiking up Arthur's seat. This is a must do if you ever visit Edinburgh! You can see the whole city and the coast line and the rolling countryside. However, if you do hike it, wear shoes with good tread. It was a slippery climb at times,but this added to the adventure. 

After this Jessi and I split up for a little while. I did some souvenir shopping and stopped in a used book store and a vintage clothing shop and found a fantastic scarf that I just couldn't pass up.

Next on the list was a nap. It had gotten dark and all of our hostel roommates had moved out and we had the room to ourselves! To the introvert in both of us, this was a lovely time in the day.

After a good long nap, Jessi suggested we go see a movie. I thought this was a great idea! It was about a 10 minute walk and it was a great movie. We watched the movie Sunshine on Leith which was filmed in Edinburgh. It was a hokey musical but very enjoyable and neat to see the city that we had been touring all day on the big screen. 

After this we wandered back through the Christmas festival and into a pub that had some good live music coming from it. 

We sat and listened for a little while and then went back to enjoy a peaceful night in an almost empty hostel. 

The next morning we took off early to hike up Canton Hill for another view of the city. We then came backed, packed up, cleaned up and checked out of the hostel. Leaving our bags in 'storage'. 

We headed off to tour the castle and what a great tour guide we had. Kilt, boots, and Scottish accent to go with his extensive knowledge and snarky commentary.

After the castle we stopped in a weaving factory. This was one of my favorite stops of our trip. There were giant mechanical looms working hard to make the many tartans and plaids that Scotland is known for. 

We wondered around a little more and ate lunch. We passed by the birthplace of Harry Potter, the White Elephant Cafe. 

After this we were headed to the train station and back to Liverpool. 

Edinburgh was very much more my style than London. I could definitely see myself returning there for a short or long term visit. 

Next stop Liverpool!

Commitment, Transitions, and Satisfaction

The grass is always greener.

Maybe. 

Maybe it's just a different shade. Or it could be the same, just better lighting. 

I used to think I was a little bit of a commit-a-phobe who always thought the grass was greener, but really, I think I just enjoy change and trying new things. A week from today my whole rhythm of life will change and be a new thing. 

Some might think I'm leaving the camp world in search of something that will make me happier. And maybe that's partially true. 

But in all honesty, I don't like to think I live my life in pursuit of happiness. Yes, there are many things in my life that bring me happiness, but I hope that is not my main pursuit. 

I am leaving this job because it was very clear to me it was the Lord guiding the process, that it was time and that the opportunity that came up was the next chapter in this continuously edited book of my life. 

There will be struggle, there will be a lot of learning by trial and errors, there will be wonderful new people to interact with, there will be many new experiences, but ultimately, it will not satisfy and I will see greener (and less green) grass all around me. 

And that's ok. 

I have learned that I am of the sort that is often looking for something else, what might be next, not really fitting in. And I could not say words better than C.S. Lewis on this subject:

"If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world."

This world is not the world we were created for. This new chapter of my life is not being written to bring me to my ultimate happiness. 

My hope is that the new chapter continues to sharpen me as a person and point me in the direction which the Lord wants me to go. Which will bring me joy that comes from knowing the Lord.

I am excited for the this new season and the learning and new relationships that come with it! 

But mostly I am excited that I can see and feel the direction of the Author of Life  in this whole process. 

I am not yet where I belong, and this job will not be where I belong, but until I reach this place to belong, I am looking forward to serving the community and building deeper relationships and understandings of the things this side of life.