Last month I checked a thing off my bucket list: visiting an English sparkling vineyard/winery! We visited Hambledon Vineyard near Portsmouth and Southampton, about an hour train ride from London. We enjoyed a tour hour tour and tasting, and it was one of the most, if not THE most, comprehensive tour and explanation of the […]
United Kingdom
Finding DNA: Additional Testing
These past few years have been full of science and serendipity with all the DNA testing my mother and I have participated in in search of ethnic lineage, not to mention being matched with BOTH her biological parents’ family members (she was adopted). As we navigate through our new relationships with newfound family members, I […]
Finding DNA: An Adoption and Ancestry Success Story (Part 2)
Those closest to me know that my mother was adopted. It’s no secret, never has been. Her parents (my grandparents) are incredible people who raised her (and me) in a loving and structured home. My grandmother is my hero and my grandfather(s) encouraged me to put myself through college and succeed like they did. We […]
Finding DNA: An Adoption and Ancestry Success Story (Part 1)
Those closest to me know that my mother was adopted. It’s no secret, never has been. Her parents (my grandparents) are incredible people who raised her (and me) in a loving and structured home. My grandmother is my hero and my grandfather(s) encouraged me to put myself through college and succeed like they did. We […]
I’ve Run Everywhere, Man: Vacation Running
I would’ve never considered running on vacation…but gelato happens, so I suppose one must find a balance. I’ve been a runner for about two years. Even though I love my city (Houston), I travel as much as possible. Staying trained for races is what led me to run that one time in London, which opened up […]
Christmas Crackers are the New Stocking Stuffers
Christmas crackers, a popular tradition in the UK, is now a tradition in our home. I had seen them in stores like Marshall’s and Home Goods, but I never fully understood what they were until I became a Doctor Who fan. Rather than buying them though, I make my own. For the past couple […]
British Isles Cruise on Royal Princess (Part 2: England, Ireland, Northern Ireland)
Continued from British Isles Cruise on Royal Princess (Part 1: Planning and Pre-cruise) Day 1: Embark Royal Princess, Southampton, England What a ridiculously efficient embarkation! Rather than a cattle call line that I’ve experienced on other cruise lines, we were able to just walk up to the check-in counter. We were then given a number […]