Three years and counting!!

Happy anniversary to me!

Three years ago today I arrived laden down with cases (mostly books!) into Stranraer where my ex's brother filled up his boot with the few reminders of my life as an adult in Ireland.

I was so excited at what lay before me. I can still remember my giddiness as the ferry pulled in towards mainland Scotland. Little did I know that three years later my life would be entirely different to my expectations but if I were to go back and do it all again, I would.

Here today, I am going to take a wee trip down memory lane and remember some of the highlights of the last three years.

For the first two years I was brought into the folds of a wonderful family and I was made feel so welcome and so loved by so many people. I will always treasure the times that I spent with the Scott family and the various branches of it. There was so much loved shared, and I genuinely adored each and every one of moments I got to share with the family. It was sad to leave it but it was necessary. I really did enjoy my time as 'Auntie Lu'.

I started out in Edinburgh working for a coffee shop. It was alright, it paid the bills for a start. What stands out is that I met some fabulous people who really helped me settle in to Edinburgh. I would have been lost without them!

I learnt many things in Garfs. One will stick with me forever.

In France, In the Jungle, The lion doesn't sleep tonight.

Oh no, They Lion is dead. That saddened me.

After the coffee shop I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to join my current company.

In less than a year and a half I rose from Team Leader to Store manager. It is something I am very proud off.

But it is not the achievement that makes me smile when I think of the last two and a half years with the company. It is the experiences I have lucky enough to be part of, and the people I have been fortunate enough to meet. 

I've worked in four stores, taken part in three training programmes, lived with three fellow managers, I have built a really solid circle with these folk. Some have become my best friends. Others I adore with all my heart. 

(and many, many more photos)

I had one of my most life changing moments in becoming single just before my 30th birthday. It wasn't where I saw my life turning to but it was probably one of the most liberating experiences of my life.

Since then, 

I have climbed hills. All the way to the top of the peak.

I told the guy I like that I like him. It didn't go particularly well but do you know what? I did it. I never thought that I would have the confidence to do it again and I feel a hell of a lot better for it.
I have realised that an unarticulated crush is far worse than an unrequited one. When it is unarticulated it festers and grows. When it is unrequited, you can break away from the person and move on. It was a valuable life lesson!

I went to a ball and became a fan of twirling
(though I have always been a secret twirler)



I stopped smoking

I applied for my driving licence and bought my first three lessons... beep beep!

I lost a really close friend of mine, and was overwhelmed by the love and support shown to me by those around me here.

I got to travel much more of the UK with work, and with some great folks as company. We enjoyed our time so much we made lego figures of ourselves. Guess which one is me....



I went to Inverness on holidays, I did not find Nessie at Loch Ness



I sang karaoke. Badly

I saw some athletics with Johnathon

So what does my future hold?
Well, I have my ten plans in Project Lu which I have started working on...
Watch this blog!

In the next three years, what would I like to do?
I want to climb more hills,
I want to see more fireworks
I want to FEEL more fireworks
I want to meet a man who wants to take care of me. That one is weird isn't it.
I have been thinking about this a lot. I want someone who cares for me, Someone who is honest and someone who is kind.
I want to excel in my job, before I settle down. Though I would like to be in that place in three years (I am getting old you know!)

The biggest thing I want to do in the next three years?
I want to continue to strengthen the relationships I have with the people in my life.
I have been so lucky to meet so many wonderful people.