Where's Abby (+ Dylan and dogs)

Dear Mom , thank you for pushing me to   do something   today when I was stuck in a bummy mood... That hike was a hot one, but I'm glad we did it!  Dear discontent,  I'm working on getting rid of you. This transitional phase and job search will be over soon enough. For now, I just need to   be present  and enjoy the time I have with my parents. I probably won't have all this free time again either! Dear Sune,   although I've been super happy and excited for you with this tour, I gotta say I can't wait to talk to my man again. I'm sure Ireland will be sad to see you guys go! Dear Pops,   I hope you know how loved and admired you are. Wishing you a   very   happy birthday and a great year ahead!   The lovely poem Dad will be so blessed to wake up to: Good morning to the birthday boy  I planned to bake cookies, but here's a decoy... I forgot chocolate chips, so here's Chips Ahoy. You can enjoy your real milk, ...

So, remember that guy... that cute, Danish one... really good guitar player... Does awesome cover music... Writes me sweet songs?  Well, that guy, Sune Grip, joined a mix of Irish and Australian guys to form  Niall Rainey and the Dirty Bullets, to make some easy listening, folk sounds.  They just released their first album, "Roll on Someday," and you lucky dogs in Ireland can see them on tour from July 23-28th! They're awesome musicians, with great sound and entertainment.  Give em a listen here .  Get tickets  here ! Aand check em out live online on Monday, July 22, at 3:00pm! :) (Picture from facebook)

For some reason, since I've been back, I've been forgetting/thinking there's nothing to write about now, as if my adventures were done or people weren't interested anymore. But, even being back in Ocala, living with the rents, and being in the awkward job searching phase, a lot's been going on. So here's an update for those still interested in my State-side life.  (Jacksonville... Hopefully my soon to be home again!) Old-fashioned 4th of July  We got to celebrate the 4th of July in proper fashion at the O'Connell lake house with: Neighbors we've spent the 4th with since I was born, doing parades around our neighborhood, great food, three babies, jet skiing, and an awesome firework show.  Walnut Creek parade back in the day. I'm the fourth from the left! Oh, the weddings First, I watched the perfect Belle (her favorite over Cinderella) get married to her prince in the perfect Disney inspired wedding. My two favorite parts of the da...

So I've been back in the States for exactly 2 weeks now, and these are just some of the things I have to be grateful for... Being a part of an amazing wedding for such a wonderful couple Dinner with Papa and Mimi (We somehow forgot to take a picture! :( ) Being reunited with Leslie and Steve! ...and her delicious cooking  Seeing Julia again and an interesting day in St. Augustine Awesome Skype conversations with the boy and jam sessions across the world My super parents for just being so awesome in too many ways to mention Publix Almond milk Easy communication with everyone and phone calls with Chris

     For my last week in Europe, the padres and Linda, a family friend, came for a bit of exploring before retrieving me. We had almost 5 days in Denmark and 4 days in Germany.  In wonderful Denmark , we... Covered the touristy sites in Copenhagen: Rosenborg Castle, The Little Mermaid, Nyhavn, and did a canal tour Introduced them to smørrebrød Enjoyed the botanical garden  Visited lots of dead royalty in the Domkirke , and Vikings in Roskilde   Had a lovely dinner with my friend, Kristina and her family Enjoyed the outdoor life of KBH, showing them the Dronning Louise Bro, outdoor eating, and parks Had a last goodbye shindig at Charlie's, introducing the padres to several friends and the Charlie Scott  Had a nice, but too short introduction and visit with Sune  In picturesque Germany , we... Stayed in the most picturesque town of Traben-Trarbach... Right on the Mosel river, with vineyards and mountains all around...