Explorers Hike at Glen Tanar Estate

Thursday was AWA Explorers hike day and we headed out to Glen Tanar Estate. Ryan, Angus and I did a hike at this estate with Jonathan, Laine, and Bailey back in June. We did a completely different route this time and I was able to capture this stunning view at the top of our climb.

Oh Scotland, I continue to fall deeper in love with you.

Kirkhill Forest Hike

Sometimes a lot of words aren't necessary. These are pictures from a short hike I did last Saturday with my friend Nary and again the next day with my four legged buddy, Angus at Kirkhill Forest. Beautiful views from the top of Tappie Tower and only 10 minutes outside of the city center.

It was a perfect day

Same view, different day

Sandefjord, Norway

You got a little sneak peak of our trip to Norway last week but I'm here today to tell you all about it or at least show you more pictures :-)

Our friends, the Thorsens (Thomas, Christina and Kayla), whom we meet in Singapore, were headed to Thomas' 'home'town for the week from Singapore to close up their summer house and graciously invited us to come spend the weekend. Christina is my Singapore bestie, one of the first friends I made after moving there and I'm pretty sure we'll be friends forever! It was the perfect weekend of friends, food and manual labor (moving boats and using drills and stuff which is more of a hobby for Ryan than actual labor). We couldn't have asked for better weather or a more relaxing way to spend the weekend. And since there was no schedule or strict diet, we got to sleep in and eat as much Norwegian ice cream and hot dogs as our hearts desired. (Norwegian ice cream is up there on my favorite foods list....so creamy!).

So thankful Christina and I keep in touch and we hope to make this annual trip. Thank you again for the wonderful hospitality. We can't wait for next year!

Precious Kayla

The Thorsens

Kayla telling Mr. Ryan how to wash the dishes ;-)

He listened

Me and K washing dishes

At the top of The Hill

Enjoying a Norwegian tradition....taco Fridays

taking the boat for a spin

There we are in the boat with a great shot of house

Tusen takk, Thorsens!

My Days Are Numbered

My days as a Lady of Leisure are numbered. I received my official letter from the Health and Care Professions Council that I have been approved and can now register with the HCPC and be eligible for employment. It only took 8 months (sarcasm). They took their sweet, sweet time reviewing my credentials.

I really shouldn't complain because it's given me 8 months to live a life of leisure, explore this beautiful country and grow some amazing friendships. With that said, it's going to be hard giving up this lifestyle. I'm going to miss my spontaneous lunches, afternoon coffees, weekly hikes, long afternoon walks with Angus and never rarely being too tired to have a hot meal on the table for my hubby.

But it's time for me to start contributing to my student loan payment again (thanks, babe!) and the DINK (double income no kids) life is pretty sweet (but so is the expat SINK lifestyle) and I do truly love the career path I have chosen. I am looking forward to working with patients who need my help, having colleagues again, using my brain and joining my husband's valiant effort to provide a future for our family.

Wish me luck in the job search, the transition to working woman and finding the time and energy to maintain the wonderful friendships that I have enjoyed while being a Lady of Leisure. I'll keep you posted on the progress. Luckily, with visitors coming and a trip back to the US in October, I get to keep my title just a little bit longer :-)

Torphins Hike

As you know from this post and this post we were able to get out and enjoy the Scottish summer with some great hikes with great friends and the doggies. I've said it before (probably more than once) and I'll say it a million more times but hiking is probably my favorite thing to do in Scotland (I've probably typed that exact sentence before too).

The AWA Explorers group started back up and our first hike was through the country side of Torphins. We trekked up several hills and through quiet farmland before enjoying a sack lunch and descending through a canopy of trees. It was great to get to catch up with friends I see weekly, those I hadn't seen all summer and meet some new faces too.

 

Wordless Wednesday: Sandefjord, Norway

And All That Jazz

I am thankful for the friends I have made here for many reasons but one that tops this list is that I don't have drag my hubby to the theater because I have awesome girl friends to go with me. The one time I drug him to The Lion King has full-filled all of his theater desires for the rest of his life. Men dancing in tights just really isn't his thing. He just doesn't appreciate the arts ;-) and I think my living room dancing is enough for him.

Last Wednesday, 6 of us headed out to see CHICAGO at His Majesty's Theatre. This was my third show at the theater and it gets better every time. The auditorium holds about 1,500 people and the decor is very cozy and inviting.

We all enjoyed a pre-theater dinner at Pavarotti's which is just a 45 second walk to the theater. Since we didn't have time for dessert before the show, we ran over during intermission where our dessert was waiting on us. Not a bad set up at all!

The show was great! Some of my favorite music comes from this musical and I found myself singing All That Jazz and Cell Block Tango for days after. If you haven't seen a show at HMT, it's a must. It's Aberdeen's little treat!