(insert crazy monkey laugh)

Mean Girls.  The other night in Youth Group we watched a short clip from this movie depicting cliques and social groups within schools. (the scene in the cafeteria showing the different groups' "tables") --For those of you who may not know, Mean Girls is a movie about high school and changing yourself to fit in, trying to be popular, someone your not, etc.--  Anyways we then reflected on times when we had maybe felt out of place or like we didn't fit in.  So of course I knew exactly what this felt like and piped up to put in my two-cents.  While reminiscing on my wonderful high school memories, I realized that I had wasted a lot of time trying to be in the group, or trying to be certain peoples' friend.  And to be honest, these people weren't worth my time. 

I probably knew this all along, but had never really acknowledged it or accepted it I guess.  And yes, my mom did tell me that after I got out of high school I'd realize how unimportant it really was to be in those groups (so here it is mom -- you were right!).  So it seems as though my knowledge in life's trials has already jumped leaps and bounds since my graduation from high school back in the day(;

I've also come to realize something else recently.  It hasn't been any great revelation, but something that has become more evident since my time here.  This realization is simply this:  You can't run.

For starters, you can't run from your parents.  No matter how far away you are, they will still try telling you what to do.  This occured to me when I found myself agreeing (reluctantly) to call my sister after skyping my mom.  Not that I didn't want to talk to her, but it was late, and I had work the next day!  But nonetheless, I ended up calling her after hanging up with my mom --and was glad i did.

You can't run from the massive pile of dishes sitting on the counter.  It will continue to grow until it consumes the kitchen, and you have no other choice but to wash them only because there is a lack of clean plates, cups, etc.

Your can't run to school in the rain.  -You actually could, but it's so far away that you will end up just as wet running or walking at a leisurly pace. but *Note to self: Look outside once or twice in the mornings to check the weather.  If it is rainging, don't wear TOMs shoes and long, wide leg trousers on rainy days.  Either change clothes or throw on some wellies to keep your feet and pants dry.

You can't run from the past.  No matter what dark corner you shove it in, it will always find a lovely time to pop out and say BOO.  Like the great Rafiki says in the Lion King, "you can't run from your problems, you have to face them" (insert crazy monkey laugh).

You can't run up the massive hill to Tescos/church.  You could, but it would be a huge bother.  It is better to save your energy for your shopping and just walk up, unless you're Britt, and insist on trucking your way up at a brisk pace 'just to get it over with.' (:

And speaking of Tescos, you can't run into Tescos with a list of 4 items and walk out with those 4 items.  You WILL walk out with a significantly larger ammount of items.  ALWAYS.  This seems to be a fact of life here, at least for the three of us.

So now that I have filled you all with a wealth of knowledge, I have finally found my cord and have some pictures to share!  Although picking which ones to post will prove to be a challenge I'm sure.

Oh and one more quick note.  If I ever don't make sense in what I write, my apologies.  My mom has pointed out to me on more than one occasion that my emails don't always make sense.  I think that sometimes my brain gets ahead of my typing, or I have multiple things on my mind.  So if ever you want/need some clarifying, just leave a comment, or shoot me an email, and I will be more than happy to clear things up(:

Now for some pictures!!!

First day at Farnham Primary School

On one of our many walks with Angie (pictured with Britt)
--Rachel in the background playing with Nellie (Angie's adorable dog)

Pictures can't even begin to capture the beauty of this
small town called Fylingthorpe.. the roads wer inter-woven
between the houses.  Hard to describe, but a must-see!

The Beautiful Robin-Hood's Bay (the movie, Wild Child had a scene filmed here)

A trip to Bolton Abbey (georgeous!)

Annndddd my teeny tiny room in our new house.  Im standing in the very back corner.
The clothesline hung across it because there wasn't room on our
drying rack. (we don't have a clothes dryer)
--Notice my bedspread. it is very Big Bang-esque (the television
series which we had begun watching quite regularly until we moved.)