today's THE DAY.

If I'm being honest with you, I have to say I feel like I'm tearing my heart out and throwing it across a lake...

Dramatic. I know... 

You see, I have this problem... this bug of sorts. 

I have to travel. 

I need to explore. 

I thrive off meeting new people and being in places that aren't familiar. 

As the title of this blog suggests, I'm a bit of a gypsy. I don't speak Romani. Unfortunately I don't have dark skin nor do I live among a commune or tell fortunes. I am, however, a free spirit and I love to see the world.

A few times along this journey we call life, I've had the opportunity to live in places with incredible people and opportunities every way you turn... I suppose every place is like that if we allow it to be, but while living in a couple of my places, the very deepest parts of my heart just felt so alive. I'm heading back to one of those places... because it's overall mentality and culture is what I need to achieve my dreams. 

For the past five years, (a record for me!) I've lived back in my hometown. It's been absolutely wonderful, but there's always this tug on my heart pulling me elsewhere. 

This past season (the past year or so) has been one of discovery and liberation as I have slowly been able to uncover interests and gifts that I can put to use as a career. (Extra liberating as I have always wanted to be a momma and just in the previous season of life came to grips with acknowledging that as a good and healthy desire and goal!) I am very excited about the things I'll be learning and the way I'll be able to pour into the lives of others.

However. Right now. In this very moment, I am very sad. I am also a little terrified. 

I've been feeling this way for a couple weeks now - it's taken a while to wrap my mind around this being my new and current reality and no longer a dream.

I'm sad to leave the ones I love so dearly.

As much as I love being somewhere unfamiliar and new, I'm sad to be somewhere other than my hometown where I know people and can freely hug and wander. :) (Two of my favorite things!)

I've been trying to pinpoint my fear and I've been able to acknowledge that it's not the journey out west that I'm afraid of. It's not the fact that I don't have a job and am not entirely sure when I will have one again. I'm very much excited for the unknown and the fact that I don't have a concrete plan, so it's not that either... it's that I won't have constant, tangible access to my family. Ugh, I tell you, that's just the worst right now. If you haven't had the opportunity to meet them... first of all, you're missing out. And, secondly, they might sometimes have a bit of a front that's difficult to read ;) but they're absolutely the most wonderful people alive. But, then again, I'm SUPER biased. :)

Okay, so what I've been trying to remind myself over and over lately is that I can't dwell on what I'm leaving because there are such incredible things waiting for me ahead. I KNOW without a shadow of a doubt that this is the right timing and the right action for me to take, but goodness, it is hard! 

In a few hours I'll take the first few steps in my new adventure...

Tears make it hard to put words together, did you know that?

the liebster award!

Just a little excitement here at girlwithagypsyheart today... even having my page sit idle for a while, sweet Maegan (aka: Mama Bee over at The Bee Hive Buzz) nominated me for The Liebster Award! THANKS SO MUCH MAEGAN!!! What an honor?! 

If you, like me, are unfamiliar with the Liebster Award, let me fill you in... (I did a bit of research after discovering I was nominated.)

I love words, so let's start with the word 'Liebster' itself:

Liebster has German roots and is typically used as an adjective describing someone as dearest, sweetest, kindest, nicest, beloved, lovely, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, welcome, sweetheart, and sometimes even boyfriend... all great things!

SO, playing off that knowledge, this award is given to bloggers by other bloggers. It's similar to a chain letter in that it is sent forward to a number of other writers and it's main objective is to introduce readers to new wonderful up-and-coming blogs. 

The unofficially official rules (I found a slew of rules to choose from, so I'll go with the ones Maegan used...) are:

1. Each nominee must post 11 facts about themselves.
2. Answer the questions from the person who nominated you and create 11 new questions for those you nominate.
3. Nominate 5-11 of your favorite bloggers and link them in your post.
4. Go to their page and tell them.
5. Thank and link back to the person's blog who nominated you.

And so it begins!!

11 facts about the girl with a gypsy heart:

1. I hate the idleness of complacency. Enough to warrant doing things I dislike almost as much... like making an utter fool of myself for years just to conquer something I know I'll love and cherish for a lifetime.
2. I am an ambivert. (Aka: a walking contradiction. Watch this TEDTalks for a better understanding and to help you discover which you are.)
3. My balance of grace and justice is pretty much BROKEN. (I'm a lover, not a hater!)
4. I spent a year living in Europe that absolutely changed my life forever and brought light to things I never knew I was capable of. I now am a square peg in a round hole trying to figure out where I belong! :) (It's not as bad as it seems... or at least I'm learning to come to grips with it.)
5. I would rather go to the ends of the earth SOLO than have to organize every little detail or be held back by a group.
6. I could eat avocados with every meal. I could probably incorporate them into any and every type of dish as well.
7. I am a libertarian in every sense of the word. (FREEEEEEEEDOMMMMMM!!!)
8. I sincerely believe I would not only survive, but thrive living as a part of a commune. :)
9. I whole-heartedly believe in holistic health not just because of the evidence and simplicity of it, but because I worship a mighty God who created a perfect earth and I believe that in His work of creating this crazy wonderful residence for us, He delighted in creating solutions for us as well. Everything that grows from the ground and breathes on this earth has purpose and a place. (I could go on and on, but I think that's a view of mine that gets distorted into just being a hippie -- there's much more to it peeps! :) )
10. I have more dreams than I know what to do with, but am nevertheless striving to accomplish each and every one of them.
11. My deepest awareness of myself is that I am deeply loved by Jesus Christ and I have done nothing to earn it or deserve it. (As a sidenote: my very favorite author is Brennan Manning.)

And now, for the questions Maegan provided:

How did you decide on the title of your blog?

My dad and I have always loved adventures and I believe he's the one who first deemed us as having 'gypsy hearts'... we're pulled wherever our interests lie which is usually a road trip or plane flight away. I created my blog in attempts to keep in touch and document my adventures in Europe and thought it was a little long, but nothing short of perfect.

Do you have any pets?

I have a Mollie-girl who is actually my parents', but I claim her as my own. She's a sweet yellow lab and a fellow lover of life.

If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be?

This one is really, super difficult. I honestly am so crazy excited for where my life's taking me and all I've learned in the past few hard earned years that I can't say I'd change a thing, one small difference would have me somewhere other than where I am right here and now... 

What was your favorite cartoon as a child?

I always loved Beauty and the Beast... except for that scary part in the forest. Eeech... I still want to be Belle. :)

Coffee or tea?

COFFEE. I'm a total poser, but in the past few months, I have become such an addict!! I love, love, LOVE that bit of morning when you wake up to a quiet house and sunshine and can sit in the new light of day with a steaming cup and a beloved book and just gear up for all that is to come. Ah, is there anything more glorious?!

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Ireland. I've never met more hospitable, wonderful, gorgeous people in all of my life. I visited during a drought and it was so beautiful, I can't even imagine the sights with lush green pastures! AND they have some of the strictest standards in agriculture which means their food is pure, delicious, and nutritious. 

What are your 3 favorite blogs that you follow?

1. http://suebryce.com/blog/
2. http://www.101cookbooks.com/
3. http://enlightenedmama.com/blog/

What is one thing that you can't leave the house without doing?

My morning coffee ritual - it really throws off my day to miss it!

What is your favorite topic to blog about??

Food. 

And Jesus. :)

...and babies.

......and traveling.

Really, Maegan? How can I pick just one?!

I have a lot of passions. It's a blessing and a curse. My favorite time to blog is when it is so authentic, I don't even have to think - the words just course through my veins and out of my fingers. 

I have three posts in perticular that have been such a delight to write - they always seem to be the ones that get read the most and have the most response to them. All were about different things. Sorry Sweets! I can't pick just one! Not today anyway! 

What is something you do in your house to be more ecofriendly?

We have a compost bin in the backyard and take all of our scraps and seeds and such out after a day or two of collecting in a mug or a bowl. It makes the tomatoes grow super-tall too, win-win!

In your opinion, what is the best blog post you've written so far? Share the link!

There's a lot of extra words from my very favorite author, but here it is... 

I now nominate:

Renae at Launder Life.

Mary at Real is the New Good.

Ashley at Ashley Grace.

Shannon at Organic Girl.

Christen at Brain Bending.

Hannah at These Encounters with God are Defining Who I am.

Andi at The Narrative.

Maegan at The Bee Hive Buzz.
Hanna at Simply Gina.

And my questions for you are:

1. For you, what is the most rewarding part of blogging?
2. Why do you blog?
3. What inspires your writing?
4. Do you have a routine for your blog? If so, what is it?
5. What makes your heart so full you think it might explode? How do you feel you can encounter these moments more in life?
6. What is your favorite time of day and why?
7. If you discovered you were just gifted a plane ticket anywhere in the world with any two people, where would you go and who would you take with you?
8. Do you prefer blogging or journaling?
9. If you could rewrite the definition of 'adventure', how would you describe it?
10. What is your very favorite town and why?
11. Your choice (or both!) -- what is the most popular post you've written thus far and/or what is your favorite blog post you've written to date?

Nominees, please either send me the link to your Liebster Award post OR, better yet!, leave a comment with your link so I can learn the answers to the questions I've asked you! :) I'm excited to hear all the different answers and discover more reasons why I love these writers!

Thanks again, Maegan, for the nomination! What a fun way to celebrate the art of blogging?!

dangerous connor's pass, the blarney castle, and a last-minute change of plans!

The Connor Pass is the tallest mountain pass in Ireland. It is located in County Kerry on the Dingle Penninsula. The road bridges the gap between Dingle, the town, and the coast on the other side of the mountain.

We had been warned that Connor's Pass is very dangerous and NOT recommended for tourists... we were even told that many locals avoid it for the treacherous set-up. The travel books and websites we'd Amanda had scoured before our adventures also all warned against it... 

I'll be honest... I was nervous. 

Amanda was confident that this would be  the thrill of a lifetime.

It's a good thing I trust her. :)

We had a blast.

As you can see, we were up close and personal... and going a bit too fast for me to capture the full sign.

Remember how I mentioned Ireland had been going through a drought in 2010? I'd say it's still quite beautiful.

I don't believe any of the danger lie in the winds, apparently they were a bonus just for us. Amanda and I were (as always) avid photo-takers, eager to document each and every sweet memory we encountered on this grand adventure. We found a scenic carpark where in one direction, we were able to see as far as the Aran Islands off the coast of County Galway, and in the other direction, we were able to see the beautiful backdrop of all the memories we'd just made in Dingle town. 

We stepped out of the car and found ourselves in a wind tunnel. As you can see by the photos, we nearly blew away! We could not stop giggling. It was unlike anything either of us had ever experienced. Unfortunately, the photos do NO JUSTICE. It was really super intense!

Tour buses, trucks, campers, and caravans are not allowed on this road due to the lack of view (and space) allotted while driving. 

See what I mean?

Amanda did an incredible job driving through the pass. Only once did I truly fear at the sight of this face, merely because it was followed by the sight of this vehicle:

I so wish there was something in this photo to gage how crazy narrow this road really is! We did work up a sufficient amount of nerves and fear prior to the drive, but both agreed that it was well worth the risk. I can't wait to try it again on my next visit... hopefully not during a drought!

SO much of the beauty of Ireland, and much of Europe in general, is the romantic history that lies there in their many castles that accessorize their roadsides and rolling hills. I guess when you know the history in detail, it's a lot less romantic with all of the captives and slaughterings and lack of freedom... but the princes and princesses and the fight for freedom! Now, that is romantic. 

We came to a fork in the road. We could follow the path laid out for us, follow the traditional tourist trap, and continue onto the big city of Cork... OR we could find something new.

We took the blue pill.

We followed the plan. 

I just wanted to build a little anticipation for ya. ;) (You're welcome!)

Beautiful Blarney Castle!!

One of my favorite 'games', if you will, is the 'Small World Game'. Some may know it as the 'Sixth Degree', but it's basically meeting people and finding that you already have a connection with them through a mutual friend, location, or experience (I typically start with people and I love it, it's just so great.) Well, as soon as we stepped out of our car, I saw a group of gals walking our direction with an Okoboji sweatshirt on. I really doubted there were more than one Okoboji in the world and asked the young girl if she was from Iowa. Sure enough, she was from Spencer, Iowa and knew a sweet girl I grew up with from elementary school. They were visiting for Spring Break and were going the opposite direction of the path we'd so recently covered.

We were told daffodils were typically EVERYWHERE by St. Paddy's Day... that they normally took over ditches! This was the first we'd seen and they were clearly manually placed there for aesthetic reasons by the people of the Blarney Castle.

Irish wit never ceases to amuse me. :)

Amanda told me this was the only reason she agreed to come to this silly stop (she's not a huge fan of tourist spots -- a lot of times, I'm not either, I definitely most enjoyed the locals we met and following their suggestions). She's got a good point. It's an incredible view.

Thanks to this kind lad, I survived kissing the Blarney Stone and we were able to carry on our merry way.

The original plan took us back to the city of Cork where we'd landed just a week earlier. We arrived and found our B&B with little to no problem. We put our things in there and drove a little bit into town. 

It was that moment where it dawns on you that you're just not quite where you need to be but that you're very close and you actually do know what comes next... we looked at each other and said, nearly simultaneously, "I don't like the city! I feel claustrophobic! Let's drive back down to Kinsale and see if we can find anyone we met last week!"

And simple as that, we were a mere 20 minutes from the most beautifully, magical pub in the world.

We parked the car in the carpark overlooking Kinsale Harbor and marched inside. We found the same table we'd started our journey at and made ourselves comfortable. 

Before we knew it, the bartender and others were coming over to our table, recognizing us as 'The American Girls, John and Danny's friends'. Over the course of the night, we learned everything we needed to know about exploring Ireland (too bad they ALL weren't there a week prior!) If only I could find that napkin I'd taken notes on!! They informed us how to find the house where Def Leppard stays when they're in Ireland, where to find Sinead O'Connor and Bono, they told us about where the end of P.S. I Love You was filmed and how to get there - seriously, conversation packed with vital information for one (or two) looking to explore Ireland and all it has to offer... I wish I could find that napkin!!

Anywho. Just being a part of the local scene was magical. They filled us in on their personal lives and asked us about ours. They asked our favorite part of our trip and we responded that obviously it was Kinsale, which was why we decided to make one last stop before leaving. 

It felt as if we'd always been a part of their community. It was gorgeous.

Amanda tracing our trails to share with our new friends.

John enjoying a traditional pint.

Local, incredible Irish duo.

And last, but certainly not least, Danny, our new bar-tender!

the best gift...

I don't know about you... but my love language isn't gifts. I like gifts and I enjoy giving gifts, but not when they're expected... certainly not on holidays. It just puts so much pressure on them! 

I was so thrilled when I mentioned to my beau that I was having a hard time coming up with something perfect to get my dad for his birthday. 

My dad is someone who has what he needs, enjoys Led Zeppelin, and doesn't necessarily enjoy more 'stuff' if it isn't something he's picked out himself... (honestly, I realize I am more like him EVERY DAY.)

Stephen instantly replied that I should give him a push pin, map of the states, and a jar with $20.

I sat silently for a moment to encourage him to elaborate so I could understand fully what he was getting at. He went on that it's all about the presentation. He said I need to wrap them all up separately and explain each gift as I give it to him. 

I am continually amazed and at how perceptive he is to me and the people I care about from SO FAR AWAY.

I knew this would be well received, if not the most perfect gift ever. 

Dad's not huge into gifts either, but I can't tell you how perfectly he received this one.

I walked into their house announcing that he needs to close his eyes that I was bearing very important birthday gifts. I handed him the small parcel enclosing the push pin. He opened it and, quite honestly, probably knew right then what I was up to... but continued to play along as I gave him a poster rolled up and wrapped so inconspicuously... 

I ended up purchasing a map of the world, partly because I would rather explore far away lands... and partly because it was $3 cheaper than a map of the states. :)

Did I mention that I can't even put into words how perfect this gift is for my dad? So unbelievably perfect.

I handed him the jar with $20 in it and told him that I have a matching jar at home, where I'll do just that - match every dollar he puts in there. I hope I was clear enough that he needs to let me know when he puts money in there so I'm not dropping Benjamin's all at once!

If you're looking for the perfect gift for someone adventurous and who speaks the love language of quality time, THIS IS MOST CERTAINLY IT!

After I pulled myself together from the great success of this presentation, if you will, I was sitting there next to my Daddy watching 'Vikings' on the History Channel and asked him where we were going and he just nodded at the TV. 

I smiled. 

He later confirmed how excited he was to see Ireland and Norway. 

You and me, both, Jefe. So excited.