Sometimes I forget that paradise can be found in your own backdoor. Especially when you call home Kiawah Island.
Sorry that I haven’t been as active this week, exams really got the best of me! But now I’m back at home for the next month and I don’t have to worry about school or tests or anything other than how I’m going to spend my day (which has so far consisted of me sleeping in far too late). So, without further ado, here are my top five moments from hell finals week!
While back home for Thanksgiving, dad and I went to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants on Johns Island, Wild Olive Cucina. We first dined at Wild Olive three summers ago and I’ve been in love with the menu ever since. The cuisine is simple and seasonal, while staying true to its Italian roots. Wild Olive is also a ‘Certified Green Restaurant’ (the first of which in South Carolina!), and not only do they buy the majority of their produce and meats locally but they also compost 85% of their compost. So awesome!! So not only is the food heavenly but also environmentally friendly, every Environmental Studies minor’s dream restaurant.
Our second day in Edinburgh was much more relaxed than our first. And by that, I mean that we hung out at The Elephant House for about three hours journaling and reading for our Literature classes. Does anyone know which author first began to write her magical book series in The Elephant House?? [Hint: the main character’s name rhymes with Larry Hotter!]
Our first stop after leaving our hostel that morning was the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland (aka Queen Elizabeth I, who I saw earlier this summer!). The palace is located at the end of the Royal Mile opposite Edinburgh Castle and is situated right next to Arthur’s Seat.
I’ve been doing a lot of driving this past week but I’m finally bunked back into my normal spot in the library back at school. While the drive home and back is long (~5.5 hours), I’ve always enjoyed roadtrips and at each destination I always have loved ones waiting for me to arrive. Since leaving for college, I’ve realized just how big my ‘family’ has gotten over the past 21 years and I’m truly thankful for my actual family and my friends who continually support me when I’m at my happiest, when I’m at my lowest, and everything in between. What I’m not super pumped for, however, is how much work I have due for university in the next two weeks. But, again, I’ve realized that I have to take a step back sometimes and remember just how blessed I am to be able to attend such a wonderful university and continue my education, when so few people in the world have the same opportunity.
