Trip Overview and My Last Day "Off"

It has been quite a few weeks! I worked myself to death the two weeks leading up to our vacation abroad, hosted family, and graduated, then spent nearly two weeks wandering around on the other side of the globe. It has been perfect! BUT, I am so glad to be back to work, a schedule, not having to pack my bag every morning to catch a train to a new city...and my liver is happy for the break too.

We went to Scotland for my best friend's wedding to the Scotsman of her dreams, Jestein and Jonathan Gibson. I've known her since I was 2 or 3 years old. Matt and I decided to take the opportunity and made the trip a vacation around Scotland for ourselves.

We started out in Glasgow (I), the biggest city in Scotland for two nights for the hen party, some shopping, and meeting up with all of our international friends who came in for the wedding. We stayed in hotels with my sister (who was also in the wedding) and brother-in-law, Jamie and Chris. I don't think anything could have been better than traveling with them for our vacay. It was perfect. My other best friend from college and her husband, Andrea (also in the wedding) and Kyle, ran around with us the first few days too. Adding to the perfection.

Andrea, Jamie and I being tourists in a phone booth at Glasgow University

Matt and I outside Glasgow University

The hen party! (Bachelorette Party) Beth, me, Jes (bride), Andrea, Jamie singing some Karaoke

Lots of this stuff

Then we headed up to Ballachulish (pronounced Ballahoolish, B) and Glencoe (A), for the wedding in the Scottish highlands. I haven't seen a more beautiful place, although northern france and Cadiz, Spain do rival it.

The bride and bridesmaids at the rehearsal dinner: Jamie, me, Jes, Andrea, Chesney

Jes and I having some pillow talk the morning of her wedding

My favorite foreigners and US kids at the champagne reception. Of course we all wore fascinators!

The man of honor and I! Her twin brother, Aaron, was the king of the bridal party.

Blushing bride and I before the reception

My sister, Jamie, and I

Doing the bride's hair! What a beaut!

Matt wore a kilt for the event. He was so handsome!

After the wedding was over, sadly we all parted ways. Matt and I made our way up to the Isle of Skye and Portree (D) for some hiking on Old Man Storr (E), which is one of the most beautiful places in Scotland.

Part of our hike on Skye

Overlooking the Water on Skye

I found a baby rabbit that was left by its mom. I moved it to a more sheltered place on the windy mountain. It was so sad.

We headed back south after that. We stopped for a lunch date in Inverness (F), and then went on to Edinburgh (G), the capitol. Unfortunately, I deleted our pictures from Edinburgh, where we toured the castle and the royal mile. :( I bought some recovery software which didn't work either! Foo. Here is one from the Scotch whiskey tasting we went to. I hate drinking whiskey straight. Matt loved it though.

After Edinburgh, we went to North Berwick to the beach (H). We stayed at the cutest B&B ever, although it was crazy hard to find. We had a local walk us there! :)

Did some fishing

And went on a boat ride to see the Puffin and Seals

We found a few rocks to climb with some wine and cheese and watched the sunset over the beach

Finally, we went back to Glasgow (I) for our last two nights to frolic around with some Scottish, Icelandic, and American friends who are never in the same place at once. We even met some new amigos from Glasgow and Malta!

Overall, it was a wonderful trip! I had such a great time. The past month has been one of the best ever! I graduated, went to my one best friends' weddings, traveled, and was offered a full time position at my company which I'm in the process of accepting now. (Check out the news story I was a part of last week at work.) It has certainly been event and celebration packed.

Now, however, I need to get back to dieting. I did such a great job last year getting myself healthy. Now, its time to get back on the horse and push myself further. I've put on a little weight back from all of the traveling and celebrating and not working out since the last few weeks of wrapping up my thesis, so I'm ready to get that off and then some. I'm excited to share the next few month's journey with you and see what I can do. 

Until tomorrow! I'll leave you with a Scottish blessing and toast:

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

and rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again, 

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.