liv...<br>the world through pink lenses

The Bike Ride- Which brings us to the present!
Ugg.

Today was a very culturally challenging day. I've been ok with different things and situations up til now, but it just seemed to be flying from all directions today.

It started off well enough. I slept in late (I had the day off, which was nice), got up and had a shower. I had invited my neighbor over for tea, and she came over at about quarter to 11. We hung out and talked for over an hour, and it was really nice to have some one over at the house, rather than me always going out visiting. It was a little overcast this morning, and I was a little disappointed because I wanted to go out for a bike ride. It cleared up, though! So I had a bit of lunch, shot off the rest of the film in my camera so I could get it developed, and then headed out.

Oh Lord. And that's when the madness began. First of all, I would like to say that being on a bike just drills home HOW MUCH I am still not accustomed to which side of the road I should be on. (Dad, don't worry- when you get here, I am fine in a car, so you can still rent one, and I'll tell you where to go!) I can honestly tell you that it is one of the most disorienting things you can do over here. I know that I've been here for almost a month and a half, but being on a little unprotected piece of metal with 2 rings of rubber makes you feel like you've got a big sign strapped to your forhead that says "HIT ME- I'm WIDE open."

Now, add that to the fact that the roads are BARELY two lanes wide. They are so bloody narrow that you can hardly have 2 cars pass each other, let alone try to ride my bike along side them. And then the tourists! My god the TOURISTS!!! I hate them. The don't move for ANYONE, and they are EVERYWHERE. Where do these people COME from? They were diving left and right as I was tearing down the sidewalk and parting then like Moses through the Red Sea.

But where else was I supposed to go? You can't drive on the road. They hit pedestrians here, and there is no fine for it. They figure, Hey, if they're on the road, they're free game (James, you'd LOVE it here). So I'm not safe of the road, I'm swerving to avoid collisions on the side-walk, and I don't even have a helmet (Dad, don't give me the lecture, JM didn't have one!)

So I manage to make it out of town. I figure that I'd like to head up to Staffin Road, which is a beautiful drive that takes you past all my favorite mountains and rivers, and ultimately to Uig, the end of the Island. Umm. No. That didn't happen. The road was all UP, down, UP, down, UP UP UP! And my lungs were KILLING me. I'm still trying to get back into shape here, and I was dying! The fact that the gears on JM's bike kept switching randomly didn't help my pitiful situation either. I'd be in a low gear trying desperately to make it up the hill, and then BAM, 8th gear. BRUTAL.

I don't think the bike was used much, either, because the brakes were in TIP TOP condition. Every time I'd go to pass a driveway, I'd slam on the brakes because I couldn't remember which way the car would be coming out of it. Very disorienting, and dangerous, because I ALMOST flipped over the front end of my bike. I'm serious. I had been picking up a fair bit up speed, and almost went over the handle bars.

I decided to climb one last hill and see if it leveled out. It didn't, so I came back through town again. It really sucks, because I'm not a local, and yet I'm not a tourist, either. I'm sure I looked really dodgy zipping down the street with my bike going Ka-CHUNK ka-CHUNK ka-CHUNK with the gears shifting every 2 seconds, and me motioning with both hands to get people OUT OF my way, while at the same time, damn near crashing because the brakes were too well greased.

BRUTAL. Then I almost couldn't get in because... well... the locks on the doors. That's a whole new story, and I really don't want to discuss it right now. I almost got myself KILLED out there, and now I have to go back into town and pick up my pictures which will be ready any minute. I think I'll change my outfit so no one recognizes me. It was really that bad. I didn't know which way to run.

Anyway, that was my day. I am SO going to take it easy tonight. I think next time I got for a ride, I'll head the other direction- FROM town, with a flatter road. At least until I am in better shape, and have mastered the rules of the road.

Buuuut... It wasn't ALL bad... it was nice to get out and get some fresh air!
- posted by Liv @ 4/18/2004 03:24:00 PM

Another Old Update, but getting closer!
Hello, all my Beautiful Friends!

Wow, it's been SOO long since I've written! (Don't even get me started!) I've been working everyday of the week, and while the hours aren't too full, it's intense! Cleaning is SOO underated! I have a new-found respect for maids!

Honestly, I think another reason why I haven't written is, while I HAVE been keeping busy, not a lot has HAPPENED. I've gotten over all the big stuff: plane trip here, jet lag, meeting people, new culture, getting a job... yada yada yada. So now, even though it is STILL so fun and cool, it's just life to me now, and not a lot to report! Buuuut I will try, for those nosy people out there (You know who you are- wink wink).

Ok, so I've already decribed my job to you- what it entails (sp?), and about the people and stuff. There is this girl named Carrie-Ann, the one from Liverpool, and we get along the best! We hung out and went to a movie the other night, and we are hanging out again this weekend. I know I have already told some of you about her, but hang in there, I am filling in the rest of you! So anyway. We get along really well. She has a really strong accent, and some days we just can't understand each other, but a good time is had by all for the most part. She just got here, too, for the summer, so she doesn''t really know anyone either. Her bf's back home, too... and thats another thing we have in common!

Deb and JM left for Canada yesterday. I was really emotional and just in kind of a wierd mood pretty much all day. I got home and watched Friends (it was the one where Racheal and Ross break up), and I cried. I actually CRIED. How pathetic am I? The only reason I even TOLD you that was so that you could get a clearer picture of my lonlieness.

So then I was going to go out, and I was too tired. It was 6:45 and I was brushing my teeth and putting on my pj's getting ready for bed. It was still so bloody bright outside I had to close my blinds! I was going to read and fall asleep, and then I decided that I would walk down to the harbour and get a coffee to go, just to get some fresh air. I had been feeling sick and out of it all day, so I thought it would cheer me up. After getting coffee, I decided to drop in on a friend who lived nearby. Long story short, she was out, and I chatted it up with her baby-sitter for like 3 HOURS, til she got back, and then we chatted it up for almost another 2! I didn't get home til midnight! Not bad for the girl who was almost stone-dead at 6:45. Oh, alright... it was quarter to seven. Haha. Hopefully some of you will get that. Just a little shout out to all you Dumb and Dumber fans out there.

So that was last night. The house is still really empty, but I think getting out last night cheered me up a lot. I went grocery shopping today and bumped into a few people. One of them is coming over for tea tomorrow, on my day off. That should be fun! I am going to try to keep myself busy while Deb's away, because it's kind of hard if I just stick around in the house all afternoon. I think her and JM are the reason I haven't been depressed since I've been here- because everytime I missed someone, or something about Canada, I'd just go talk to them, laugh about it, and remember it. Now there is no one over here who really understands where I am coming from. It's ok... I am totally going to be ok. It's just a WAY bigger adventure that coming here in the first place. I know they're only gone for 3 weeks of my 6 months, but it's harder. TRUST me.

Anyway, I know that I've only talked about the last two days when I haven't written for 14! The truth is that I'm just hanging out. Working lots, but TOTALLY taking it easy. I go for lots of walks, see friends, and watch movies and stuff. IN the THEATRE. Oh ya, Baby. That's what I'm talking about.

Oh, and Bill's coming out here soon! We are working on getting him out here for late May, early June. I can't wait! We are going to have an absolute BLAST... there is so many cool places I can't wait to take him! And then in July, my dad's coming, so it'll be a party all over again!

The thing I still can't get my mind around is the fact that when Deb and JM get back... it'll be 2 MONTHS since I arrived here. 2 MONTHS... wow. That's one third of my entire trip. Wow.

Anyway, I think that's about all I have to say for now. I'll try to write a little more often, they might just be a bit shorter!

Love you guys, and miss you lots!
- posted by Liv @ 4/18/2004 03:21:00 PM

Life, Work, and then some
Hey Guys!

Wow... Yea, I know it's been awhile since my last update! Thanks to all of you who write and keep me updated with YOUR lives... It honestly brightens my day to hear from you! :D

So... the last time I wrote you you all... I was hiking, right? Well... now I've got to think back to when that was! Ok, it was about a week and a half ago. My cousin Michael (that was inthe pictures with me), left for Dublin a few days later. He and I had a good time... We went exploring around the Harbour and found a wee trail that we thought was hidden, and found out later that it is a well known hike called "Scottie Brek!" LOL. We still had fun. It takes you up this the top of this wee mountain and you overlook the sea and you can look back on all the shops and houses. It was late at night, and the lights from the stored we casting cool patterns on the water and it was just so cool. Neat to get a different view on the harbour, too.

JM's daughter, Amy, arrived from Stornoway a day or so before Michael left. Shes been here all week, and it's been nice to have someone to walk around town with, and go grab a coffee or do errands with. She's only 12, but she's nice, and we get along.

On Monday night, I went to see a movie in the theatre at the Aros Centre (that was the place that I was thinking of applying... in the restaurant part of it). Anyhow, we saw "Something's Gotta Give," and it was really nice to get out and see a movie. We watch lots at home here, but going to the theatre is kind of a big deal. I haven't seen a movie in the theatre for about a month, now... so it was cool.

On Wednesday of that week, we went to Inverness again. Really fun. I enjoyed it much more this time, and could zip around the mall like a pro, seeing as how I had been there a week before to scout it out. I got some really cool stuff (some for me, and some gifts and stuff), and it was all in all a really good day. We got home late, and because it is such a long drive, it just really wears you out. But it was really good. Just outside of Skye on the mainland, there is this long road that leads to Inverness. I can't think how to describe it to make it seem funny, but it was HILARIOUS. A long time ago, these workers had been doing work on the road on that once stretch of highway. I guess one of the workers left his gloves on the the posts of a fence that was right alongside the road- one glove on each post. Ever since, everytime you drive by, more and more pairs of gloves have been added. There are pink mittens, florescent yellow rubber dishwashing gloves, snowboarding gloves, oven mitts... you name it, it's there. All colors, all sizes. There were at LEAST 20 pairs, and it was so funny. I would have taken a pic, but you aren't allowed to stop on that road. Too bad... I just thought that I would share that little sotry with you all in memory of the gloves, because someone went and took them all down! We were OUTRAGED! they had been up for months! Oh well. That's my story for today, boys and girls.

Onto bigger things (not that the Gloves were world-shaking)... some have you have been asking about how my job is going! FANTASTIC!!! I love it! I started on Thursday, and I've worked 2 days so far. I have the weekends off, but I work Monday to Friday form 10 am-1 pm. This is only for the first 2 weeks before the hotel opens, and we are trying to get it cleaned and ready. Once it opens (on April 15th), I will hopefully get the 15-20 hours that I will work a week a little more compacted into 2 or 3 days, rather than split up over the whole week. While we are just cleaning though, I am glad they spilt it up, because 3 hours a day of hard-core cleaning gets a little monotonous, although I must say that I am working with awesome people, and the time honestly FLIES!

It's actually kind of funny. I (obviously), am Canadian. Of the 3 other girls that clean with me, one is from Liverpool, and 2 are from the Czech. Republic. One of the worker's in the yard is from South Africa, and we have another girl coming next month that is from New Zealand. My boss, Hugh and his wife Linda, are English, but have been living in Scotland for 30 years. I just think it's funny that we are all running a Scottish Hotel IN Scotland... and none of us are Scottish! LOL Well, one of the workers that I have met so far is. I get along really well with all the workers. They are all pretty young, and are as new as I am, so no one is bossy or annoying. There are a few guys that have been there for a few years, but they are really pleasant, and I get along great with them. It's so nice to work in a place with a small staff and everyone is nice and gets along well... different from what I am used to!

I don't want any of you to think that I am just "cleaning." It is a HUGE job. This place is a mansion, and it takes SO much work. Who would have thought that I would be over in Scotland giving some mansion a spring cleaning? I am still kind of shocked at where everything has taken me. Shocked, but happy! :D The ceilings are SO HIGH, and you need a massive latter to even get to the tops of the curtains. This is scary for me, and I have had to overcome my fear of latters (and heights, for that matter), because there is no other way to clean those bad boys, and that's what I'm getting paid for! The rooms are MAMMOTH. There are 12 of them, and each has there one separate bathroom and view. There are long hallways, hidden trails, tons of windows, and old, old, OLD furniture!

I don't mean "old" in a must, smelly way. They are all antiques, and very well preserved. The house in general is very well kept up. Yesterday, we were cleaning out drawers and book shelves, and we came across a book that had an inscription dated 1811! There was a picture on the wall that showed the March on Scotland, and it was dated 1775! These things are from 200- 300 years OLD! And every room is FULL of stuff like this! It is very classy, very interesting, and FULL of heritage.

Some has been renovated, and given proper toilets and stuff, but there are still cast iron tubs in some of the rooms, and there is a bathroom in the hall that is labelled "WC" (Water Closet), and has the pull-chain to flush and everything! Totally old-school! I just love it. Cleaning is exciting because you stumble across all SORTS of stuff, and because I am so intersted in Scottish heritage and history, it makes it all the more cool for me.

My boss is a peach. He and his wife are very sweet and generous and, to sum it all up- I LOVE it! And the guests aren't even here yet!!!

So I have the day off. It's not to sunny today, although the weather in general here has been clearing up. The day that we went to Inverness is was 17 degrees! SMOKIN! I think I want to go find a quiet little spot and pray somewhere. I've been getting really tired and worn out again lately, and there is no reason for it. I've only just started work, and other that, I've been taking it easy. I eat well, excerise, sleep lots, and nothing seems to help. I sleep really DEEPLY, but the first thought in my head when I wake up is of HOW TIRED I still feel. I sleep, but I never feel rested. Anyhow, as some of you know, this was a problem for me when I was in Canada. I spent pretty much my whole last summer comatose. I don't want to go there again, and no that I can look back and see how that affected me and everyone ele around me... I am able to easily recognise the patterns, and feel like I am slipping into it all over again. It is probably the most FRUSTRATING thing that I can think of, because there is absolutely nothing I can do about it. I've tried it all. 2 specialists, weekly blood tests (Hey Tabz- More like "WEAKLY blood tests", huh? Hehe), sleeping, not sleeping, praying, medication... everything. I am not looking to you guys to give me answers to why this is happening to me- so please don't think that you are obligated to write and offer me what worked for "Your aunt, or your counsin, or this guy at work who you don't really know, but HEY!!! It worked for HIM!!" Just pray for me. That's really all I ask here, ok?

When I am tired, it makes everything fall apart. I am not really "homesick," although I do miss certain things about home, and the PEOPLE!!! I am glad that I am here. I am having an incredible time, but the only thing that incapacitates me is fatigue. It makes me unmotivated and lethargic. It also makes me reallt emotional because I feel so worn out, and that makes it harder to do things out here. I feel sometimes like I just don't have the energy to go out and meet people. I just want to stay in and sleep, and whatever. It's not ALWAYS like this, but I have days, and from experience, it can get there FAST.

I am not telling you all of this so that it will be like some SOB STORY. I just want to give you a clear picture of what I am going through so that you have a better and easier way of praying into it.

So that's me. And I think that's it for now. I appreciate you prayers, emails, MAIL, phone calls... and everything that you all have been to me, and CONTINUE to be to me. I love you all so much, and think about you all the time!
- posted by Liv @ 4/18/2004 03:16:00 PM

The Quairang!
*This is an old update. I figure that I am going to go back and publish all my updates that I have sent out to my friends, because I have been neglecting those of you who AREN'T on my mailing list. Oh, and let me know if you want to join that, by the way. At least these next few updates will bring you up to the present so that I can fill you in on some new stuff.*

Wow!!!

JM, Michael and I hiked the Quaraing today! It was so amazing- so beautiful.

I feel closest to God when I am in the mountains out here. It is so still, so silent. It's such a raw beauty- the rocks in the green grass... the mountains that climb up and up and then dash off into the sea. The view takes your breath away. We only passed a few people on the mountain today, and we were climbing for 3 hours! It is so vast, so huge. I hate trying to write about things like this, because I just don't have the words to express how it feels to be so small in the middle of something that is so huge and beautiful. It absolutely leaves you speechless.

The air is SO clear. We climbed and climbed. I have a head cold right now, so that added to my astma and just being a bit out of shape made it a challenge! LOL. I was able to keep up to the boys no problem, tho! I've only lost about 5 or 6 pounds since I got here, but I feel FANTASTIC! Really tired right now, but fantastic all the same!

We'd be walking along, and pass a wee pool of water, or a stone wall that are called "dry stone dykes," because all they are made of is stacking stones on stones! No mortar or anything, but they last hundreds of years. Amazing!

Some of you that heard more of my last trip out here may have heard of my sheep-stalking days. I ALWAYS try to get a picture of them because they are SOO chubby and cute, but even with my zoom lens, they always get away! One might call them... sheepish? Haha. I threw that one in there for you, Tabz. Tell your Dad. LOL. And James, stop rolling your eyes, you KNOW you love my humor. Anyway, I wasted, like 10 pictures this time trying to get the bloody SHEEP! I got one with a blue butt tho. Very nice. LOL. The crofter's spray paint their sheep so that they can tell who's is whose. They also have the marking in the ear, but the color on the sheep helps to distinguish whose is whose. Or whom. Hmm. Haha.

Billy and Dad, I can't WAIT til you get here. I can't wait to share this with you. I am the most ALIVE when I am here. I honestly feel like a whole other person. I mean, I am the same Liv, but this place REALLY renews and envigorates me! Oooh it was such a hard hike in spots! You guys will do fine, though- you're in such good shape! Mom- this one was WAY harder than STORR! AAAA. There are some really steep parts, but I am proud to say that I didn't have to use my bum to get down this time, so I'm MOVIN UP, BABY! LOL.

So first you hike up to this part called the Table. It is flat and open, and is absolutely GORGEOUS. We were standing there looking around, and there was this really steep rock face by it. I was like "WOW! I wonder what it would be like up THERE." JM's like, "Well you are going to find out, because that's were we are headed." I was like, "Umm... today?" So yea... we climbed all the way down from the Table and back around the whole mountain (which takes a very long time), and then a LONG, steady hike up to this spot that overlooks the Table. That part is called The Quairang. It was all so beautiful. I wasn't going to miss ANY of it. I was like "Hit me with the best this mountain has to offer," and boy did they smoke me. LOL. And after such a LONG day of shopping yesterday! ;)

I think that's about all... it all overlooks the sea, so no matter where you go, you can see beaches, and water and it's fantastic. I hope you guys enjoy the pictures. Sorry I had to send them all separate. It would have taken forever otherwise. Don't worry, there IS logic in that, I'm just not going to get into it. You're a tough crowd.

Oh, and if there is any quesion- it's MY ISLAND!!! It's MINE! LOL. Just a shout out to all you Braveheart fans. You know who you are. ;)

Anyway, write and ask me if you have any questions!
- posted by Liv @ 4/18/2004 03:10:00 PM

Shop til you Drop
Hi Guys!

How are you all doing? I am doing REALLY good, except I have a pretty bad cold in my throat and nose and stuff, so please pray for me if you think of it! My cousin is out here from Canada. He is travelling all over Europe, and he is staying in Skye for a coupe of days with us. I've never met him before, but we get along great. Anyway, I wanted to take him hiking this weekend up Storr, but it's REALLY hard to breathe with this cold, so I want it to go away so I can go climb mountains!

Oh my goodness. As some of you know, I went shopping in Inverness yesterday. It takes about 2 and a half hours each way, and then I was shopping for just oever 3 hours, so I was really burnt out last night when I got home! Mom, it was way different than the last time we were there- all the renovations were done! Now, some of you are going to be rolling your eyes at this next part, by try to keep in mind that I am NOT a superficial person, and I usually don't waste a lot of time shopping. Let me see if I can think of a way to describe it...

Have you ever had a dream that you are trapped in a mall and it's of ALL your favorite stores, and you LOVE everything and it's really CHEAP!? Like, you walk around, and there's GAP, Off the Wall, RW and Co., Jacob, etc? Well... it was like that, but one step further. They didn't have very many American stores (the only one I saw was GAP and La Senza), but they had the COOLEST European stores. The clothes were SO cool and funky and colorful. I am dead serious- I would go into the stores, and everything that I saw, I liked. It was horrible, it was like I was trapped in some wierd dream paradox, because OBVIOUSLY I didn't have enough money to buy out the store, and even if I did, I'm not stupid enough to do it. You know how I love skirts? Well, Nan, you know the funky skirts in your closet that I am always trying to steal from you? I found about 300 different styles of them. I'm not kidding. The catch here, though, is that some can be pretty expensive because of the whole conversion thing and throwing PEANUTS at them is worth more than my money, so I was smart enough to only bring enough for what I would need. I had to buy a what shirt and black trousers (that's right, guys... I am BACK to saying trousers again. I've been busted too many times!), so I got those, and a couple other little things as well. I got a REALLY warm light fuzzy pink zip-up hoody with darker pink piping, and a really nice 3/4 lenght grey boat neck shirt, and a couple wee presents for people. Haha Boys, you probably don't care about any of this, but the girls were writing me and asking for DETAILS! LOL.

It was a good day, really. I am adjusting really well to the culture and stuff. It's kind of nice to have my cousin here, because we can talk about all the little things that we find different and funny. Like... having a carpet floor in the bathroom. And pronouncing "garage" like "GAIR-age," or they won't know what you are talking about. You learn about jags (shots), CV's (resumes), tea (dinner- see it's NOT just the drink!), and various other things. There is SO much more to learn! Haha. And you have to pick it up or else they don't know what you are talking about! LOL. It's pretty funny. We told JM that he is going to need a handbook when they come to Canada, because even though it's the same language, it's a totally different world!

Well the sun is out, and I've got a few letters to mail, so I think I'm going to drag Michael (my cousin) on another little walk with me.

Sorry my email was totally superficial... I'lll write some better stuff soon!
- posted by Liv @ 3/25/2004 02:32:00 AM

I know, I KNOW!!
I am thinking up my next blog. I PROMISE I will post something soon! Thanks for your abounding patience!
- posted by Liv @ 3/20/2004 10:43:00 AM

It's been One Week
Today is the 16th. It's been one week since I have arrived on Skye, and 8 days since I left Canada. It's actually gone pretty fast so far, the days are a bit of a blur. I am adjusting quite well (except for the jetlag which I STILL have!), so I think makes it easier, and also, your emails have been FANTASTIC to recieve!

The weather was nice the first few days after I got here. Not hot, but the sun was out and the mountains were clear. Really nice. The last few days it's been raining and REALLY windy. I have talked to a few people over the last few days, and I still can't really thing of a way to describe the wind- it's INSANE! If you are out walking, if forces against you SO strongly that it feels like it is going to rip your clothes off- I'm not joking. It sucks your whole face back, and if you don't steady yourself, it will knock you over! It's so intense, I love it! The other night we went to church and the wind was wailing and shaking everything, and the roof was creaking like it was going to blow off! MADNESS!

I went for a little walk today to the town. Everyone tried to stop me because they said I'd get soaked, but I just went anyway. HELLO, I lived in Chilli my whole life, I think I can handle a few wee drops. It was more of a mist really, and actually quite refreshing. You are never more than 10 minutes from the water ANYwhere on this island, and we happen to be RIGHT on it. The wind comes directly off the water, and picks up a LOT of speed. It feels like a tornado! My pictures are all going to be crap because I couldn't hold my camera still!

I really like the village. I walked around and looked at jewelry and stuff. They have some nice shops and things. I also went to the bakery and they have some really nice stuff there. Different kinds of desserts, so I picked a few so that we could try them tonight. It's been a really lazy day, actually, and I am quite enjoying it. You can't really go out, or not for long anyways, in this weather, but I have lots of stuff to do indoors, so I don't really mind. I am still not sleeping that greatly, so I like the rest.

Sunday was 2 days ago. There is a service in the morning, and then one in the evening. I went to the evening one with JM, and Deb doesn't really go much because the baby gets fussy. He's settled down alot- Deb says the day that I got here he stopped being cholicky (sp?) so that is good.

We've gone around and done some visiting which had been nice. Meeting new people. Everyone is welcoming and friendly. Oh! I am I am really big into drinking tea again! Haha. It's really pushed on you here, but I like it. I think I am developing a wee tea belly. Haha. Just kidding, it will come with time.

I met a couple people my age the other day. Actually Brent, I met this one guy who looks SO much like you, it's shocking. He reminded meof you, too... he was so funny! I think we'll get along, his humor is similar to mine. They all do this thing once a month were they head down to Inverness and meet up with other youth. I'll give it a go. They also meet every Saturday, and I will definetly go to that so I can meet some people my own age. I am not uncomfortable being around people who are older than me, but it is nice to have at least a few who are more similar. If I don't end up making a lot of friends here, it's NOT because I don't WANT to, but rather be because there ARE none! LOL.

As I said earlier, I don't mind the rain... but I hope it doesn't last long. It can be really depressing... and call me crazy, but I don't feel like being depressed right now. I am really working through a lot of stuff emotionally and spiritually, and I think some sun could really help that.

I don't really know what else to add. OH! Yesterday JM had the day off work, and so we all drove to Neist Point. It is this wee lighhouse on the edge of the cliff that is just sitting there right before the cliff goes PLUNGING in to the sea. It is truly gorgeous. The lighthouse was privately owned, and the last time I was here, the man who owned it was upset about something, and so he closed it to the public. We didn't bother even driving down there (It's over an hour's drive). But I think he's dead now, and it has reopened, so that is good. Not that he is dead... just that we can go down there. Once you pass through the gates it's about a half an hours walk. We didn't do it yesterday, but I we are going back I think in 2 weeks, and then we will do the hike.

JM's daughter is coming from Stornaway, and she is going to stay with us for about a week. We'll probably take her, and my other cousin who is actually going to be on Skye at that time, as well. The weather was bad when we started heading out, but we just wanted to go for a drive, and by the time we got there, the sun had come out a little, and it was GORGEOUS. I hope it is nice when we go again.

How are you all doing? Are you getting my emails? There have been a few gliches, I think, as some of you have mentioned that you haven't been recieving them. I don't know why... maybe it's because of the storm. Sometimes they just get delayed.

I think that's it for now. I am going to apply for that job really soon. I think I am almost ready to stary working. It has been a nice break from it, I must say, and it will be nice to try out this SORT of job. Pray that I get it! Well, you know what I mean. Pray for GOD'S WILL.

I had kind of a rough night last night. Umm. Working through a few emotional things, but what was so encouraging is that JM was up, and he heard me sniffling about it a little. He asked if I was alright, and we talked about it, and it was really good. God has put with the most awesome people to be with. We all fit well together. Deb and I get along well, and I am bonding with the baby. JM and I have had a few really good talks, and I am SO glad for him and Deb. It's hard to be away from the people that I usually call up right away, but he just sat and listened, let me cry and then we prayed. It was REALLY good.

So that's my life in a nutshell. How's yours? Write to me. You KNOW how much I love hearing from you all.

Love you all. Especially you. Take care, Liv
- posted by Liv @ 3/16/2004 02:12:00 PM

An Update
I know this is lazy of me... but I didn't wany to write out my udate all over again, just for a blog... so it is a few days old, but here is an email that I sent out to everyone... it's got all the relavent parts. Sorry if you read it already, and if you haven't, enjoy! This ones for you!

How are you all doing? I am doing well, but the jetlag is affecting me very badly, I am afraid. I slept 5 hours on the plane, which was DECENT (LOL), and then managed to stay awake the whole 5 hour ride from Glasgow to Portree. I figured that if I could manage staying awake, then I could go to sleep at normal people time, and not have any jetlag. It worked for awhile, and then I woke up for a bit, but then went back to bed and slept for another 15 hours, putting me at 2 pm here when I woke up. Last night, however, I wasn't so fortunate. I went to bed at 11:30, and woke up at 12:30, and stayed awake all through the night right til 9 am when I had a short nap. BRUTAL. Absolutely brutal.

I am pretty tired today... no... more just kinda out of it. It's so quiet at night... and God is really teaching me to learn how to be STILL. Em, it's similar to you learning how to be CALM. I am trying to be still, and focus on God, and just wait for him to speak to me, rather than ALWAYS being the one doing the talking. It's funny, because when they showed me my room, the wall above my bed had a framed picture that had the verse "Be Still, and know I AM God."

Also, I was flipping through a mag on one of the planes that this one ad totally caught my eye. It was advertising the new Jennifer Lopez perfume (Don't laugh) called Still, and one it, it said "In the eye of the storm, I am STILL." It totally jumped out at me. And get this... J.Lo is one is, and she is wearing (of all things) a PINK DRESS! (Mom- "It's a SIGN!!!")

Yesterday Deb and I and the baby went for a walk around the town. It's GORGEOUS. So cute and sweet. Cafe's, Ice Cream Shops, cool and funky gift stores, and an AWESOME view of the mountains and water from the harbour. Simply breath-taking. It's a small town, but it has pretty much one store for everything that you need.

Oh, Nan, you were wondering what the McDonald's tasted like over here? Rubbish. The fries are crap and the chicken nuggets are NOTHING like the ones that we have shared on SO many occasions! LOL.

Somethings are difficult and a little frustrating. It took me at least 5 minutes to get the can opener working today, and this keyboard is different. I can't fure out the locks on the front doors, and words are different. The " sign isn't where it should be. It's switched with the @ sign. And what the heck is ¬ ? It's kind of cool using the £ sign, though.

But I digress. It's a tad wierd getting into the other side of the car. Driving in the left lane isn't as disorienting for me this time around as it was last time. That's a ray of sunshine. The money is different, but has many similarities to canadian dollars. It's just the coins that I have to get used too, because there are a LOT of them!!!

We also went to the Job Centre today to see what's out there. Apparently tourist season officially starts this weeked, and hiring is prime. So, I scoped it out a wee bit. There is a position open (Mom, it's at the Aros Centre- remember? The one with the cool gift shop and restaurant that we had lunch at on our way to Kilt Rock one day), and it's for a pretty decent wage. I would be what's called a "waiting staff," which I found out is pretty much a waitress. I'd clean tables, take orders, work the till a bit... that sort of thing. I am not going to apply yet as I am not quite adjusted, but it is a seasonal job, and starts in March and goes till October. Pray for God's favor for me in that area. It's only 15 hours a week, which would be PERFECT for me... enough time to still be able to travel around.

JM and I have been planning some hikes/walks. Dad and Bill, and I going to check it out and find the best spots for us to go. Mom, the first place that we will probably go to is the Quairaing. Do you remember? We could see it when we were at the top of Storr. It's the one that is shaped like a huge table. I am SUPER excited. It looks GORGEOUS.

Umm... guess I should backtrack. The flight was pretty good. I prayed really hard for peace, because I was SUPER nervous about it... layovers and stuff like that. I managed just fine, and met up with a few people who were headed my direction and we helped each other out. I was a little scared about Heathrow, London... but it was well marked out, as I had heard, and I didn't have any trouble. My layover was for a couple hours, so I walked around the gift shops a little bit, and was pro coming back through security. Tabz, I already bought your present!!! I saw it in the COOLEST, funkiest, cutest shop in the airport, and I thought of you right away! I got really sick about 7 hours into my first flight (which was almost 10 hours). I can usually feel the difference between if something is a natural or spiritual sickness, and it felt spiritual. I think if was fear. It totally paralyzed me, and for just over an hour, I couldn't move... all I could do was sit there and pray. It eased up as we landed, and I can see that this trip is forcing me to rely SOLEY on God, as their is no one else.

I have my Uncle and Aunt here, and they are FANTASTICK, but they have a new baby, and I always knew that coming here would stretch me, and I can feel it already. It has been wonderful to get all the mail, emails, and phone calls from you all. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. It's wierd... I don't really feel LONELY, but I DO feel quite ALONE. Just... separated. It's a whole other world over here, and that makes it easy to feel the miles.

My room looks absolutely SMASHING. I've got tons of pictures and stuff up on my walls, and my crazy down quilt from IKEA TOTALLY makes it home. I am SOOOO glad that I brought it. (Glad you couldn't talk me out of it, Mom! wink wink).

I hope I've said everything I wanted to. Oh. Once I left you guys (Mom, Dad, Bill, and Deanna) at the airport, I made it alright. I was pretty much sobbing as I passed through security and the guard tried to cheer me up!! It was actually pretty cute. I tried to put everything out of my mind so that I would be able to focus and find where I needed to go. Once I found my first gate, I can't even express the amount of pride and self-accomplishment that washed over me. It was only the first step that I had made on my trip... but that was just it! It was the FIRST STEP! I did it all by myself! I must have been grinning like an IDIOT, because people were looking at me a little odd, but I didn't care. I am developing the WHOLE new level of independance, and I am THRILLED.

God is amazing. You all are amazing. Thank you all for your love and SUPPORT!!! Thank you for encouraging me to continue my dream, even when you knew if would be hard for all of us.Thank you for seeing the BIG PICTURE involved... like how we are all going to grow as people when I am gone, and not downplaying my vision and excitment. Thank you for letting me go, even when I know that some of you had a REALLY hard time saying good-bye for 6 months. Thank you for caring for me, loving me, and raising me. I love you all so incredibly much. You are my support system.

That's about it for now. Deb and I are going to go to the Aros Centre for a bit, the one that I was telling you I will probably apply for. Please write to me. I love you and miss you all...
- posted by Liv @ 3/14/2004 08:05:00 AM