"The Holy Land"This is a view from St. Cuthbert's island looking out at the North Sea beyond. It wasn't exactly the easiest to get out to being we had to hop from rock to rock, but luckily I had my good old brightly striped wellies on for amazing day at the sea.

"Growing In The Depths"

As we walked up this path from the beach I couldn't help but keep my eyes on these bright yellow flowers growing through the cracks of the stone wall. Our trip to Holy Island was my favorite field trip, excluding London and Paris of course, because we had a lot of free time to just walk around and explore on our own. I really enjoyed being down by the sea shore and trying to look for St. Cuthbert's beads.

"Past The Post"

Instead of trying out a crab sandwich, Charles and I decided to educate ourselves some more by taking a walk to the castle. While walking along this mile long path we realized how lucky we our that our castle is pretty much in the heart of Alnwick.

"Watchful Eyes"
This man is one of the Swiss guards on duty in Vatican City. They are very easy to spot with their vibrantly striped uniforms. This guard looks like he is standing watch in a hallway that leads to the Wizard of Oz.

"The Holy Crawler"

My photag blog just wouldn't be the same without a snail picture. This little fellow was chilling on the wall surrounding Vatican City. We were pretty lucky to spot the little guy because he's probably the size of a quarter.

"Golden Arches"

I just can't get over how amazing the Coliseum looks at night. The lights make the arches glow and look golden against the dark night sky. I could have sat in the grass for hours just starring at it.

"Criss Cross"

I don't know what intrigues me so much when it comes to Celtic crosses. Maybe it's the Irish in my blood or all the intricate designs, but whatever it is it keeps me taking pictures of them.

"Quiet Streets"

I haven't seen the streets of Alnwick this peaceful in a long time, but I suppose this is because it was a Wednesday night and not the weekend.

"To The Sky"

This is the priory on Holy Island. After Christine finally stopped giving us a history lesson, I had a fun time running around with my crew and exploring the ruins. Charles and I also got in a few of our famous jumping pictures that are so professionally captured by Lindsey's amazing motion photag skills.

"Curiosity Killed the Limpet"

When Charles and I decided to treck over to St. Cuthbert's Island, we got very distracted by all of the sea life. We discovered some shells that had animals inside who suctioned themselves to rocks. We later learned that these animals are called Limpets and Charles was killing them by pulling them off the rocks.

"Bridge To Cyprus"This arch was found as Charles, Lindsey, and I were exploring and climbing the rocks along the Cyprus shore. The ground was very jagged and not the easiest to climb around on. Looking at this picture now I can't even believe that we went out and stood on the arch to take pictures because it really doesn't look too sturdy.

"All Is Not Lost"

This may be surprising to many, but Lindsey, Amanda, and I voluntarily went into many cathedrals in Rome because they were so beautifully and brightly painted. We've been so used to seeing all of the cathedrals in England that were sadly Protestantized and made boring and plain. It was very refreshing to see the centuries of artwork were still intact and not lost.

"Past The Path"

As we were approaching this scene, we thought that this was a pretty awkwardly placed stop sign and was maybe trying to tell people to stop and not jump off the cliff. Then as we go closer we noticed it was in front of a huge hole in the rocks and was warning people not to fall down because it looked like you'd probably break something and have a hard time getting back up.

"Come Together"

This picture was taken at the Spanish Steps in Rome. It's seems to be quite the hangout for people to just come and sit and I don't understand why because form this position on the steps one only has a view of a fountain and tons of people walking around. If they would only climb higher to the top they would get an amazing outward view of the city with St. Peter's Basilica in the background.

"Slow and Steady"
Snails are my new favorite animal. We saw so many of them in Cyprus just slowly crawling along the rocks by the shore and also in the tide pools that were left behind from the night before. They are so small that they are easy to miss and I get so excited when I find them.

"El Colosseo"I ventured to the Coliseum both during the day and at night. In my opinion it looks a lot more amazing at night with the lights shining through the windows. By the way, this night scene was captured in Rome, Italy.

"In My Dreams"We saw some pretty cool little cars in Rome. I especially like the old school cars like the one pictured above that was seen on our walk around the Vatican City wall. We didn't quite make it around the whole thing, but it was the sudden down pour accompanied by hail that stopped us.

"Surprise, Surprise"

This is the amazing view that I was surprised with after waking up and looking out the window on my flight back from Rome. It's not every day you fly over amazing sights such as the Swiss Alps, and it was one of those moments when I realized how smart all of us were to study abroad. You've also got to love Ryan Air for making us fear for our lives on wobbly landings while still getting us where we want to go for super cheap.

"Sunny Days"

Looking at this picture makes me miss Cyprus already. It was so warm and sunny there, and I had a lot of fun exploring along the shore with Charlie and Lindsey. I definitely wish I was back on the beach right now and not in snowy Alnwick.

"The Flames That Burn"
I'm not quite sure why but I really like taking pictures of the candles lit by people in cathedrals. Maybe it's because of what they represent or that each is lit by a different person from probably completely different place in the world and then is set with the rest.

"I Spy Blue Skies"

After arriving in London and seeing the London Eye I was pretty set on taking a ride and getting a high up view of London, but the view from St. Paul's Cathedral definitely changed my mind. Once at the top after climbing many, many stairs, we were able to walk the circumference of the dome and see all of London. I can't say for sure, but I would be willing to bet that St. Paul's Cathedral put the London Eye to shame.

"Confusion By Assumption"

This is the Tower Bridge, not to be confused with the London Bridge. I say this because in April of 1968, the real London Bridge was actually mistakenly bought, shipped, and reassembled in Arizona when Robert P. McCullocht believed he was purchasing the bridge pictured above. This assumption cost him 2,460,000 US dollars.

"Severing Ties" This block and axe was used back in the day to solve many of King Henry VIII's problems. If you got in his way or on his bad side you were set to the London Tower to await your fate.

"Daffodil Fields Forever" This little boy was enjoying himself whiling getting an up close view of one of the many daffodil patches found along the Princess Diana of Wales Memorial Walk. I find the people pictures very awkward to take because you look like a major creeper taking pictures of random people. I'm just glad his mom didn't turn around and see me.

"Long Lost Friend" I think that this is the first squirrel I have seen here while in the United Kingdom. I'm so used to seeing the crazy little things run around campus and pop out of garbage cans with ice cream cones hanging form their mouths. This squirrel looks like it just got done throwing a right hook.

"Night Lights"

Going up to the top of the Eiffel Tower was definitely a highlight of the Paris trip. The view was amazing especially with all of the lights. It was the perfect time to go since we were able to see everything when it was still light out, but by the time we got to the top the sun had set and the city was completely lit up.

"Blurry"

This is actually the same scene as above. I turned the flash off of my camera and slowly moved it while taking the picture. No computer imagining was used to avoid what some may call cheesy effects. I suppose my view of abstract greatly differs from others being I don't believe this picture is abstract at all.

"Freeze" There was a lot of motion in this picture including the traffic, the people on the streets, and me. It was taken while our bus was driving down the street to start another fun-filled and busy day in London.

"Mass of Metal"

The Eiffel Tower looked even more amazing at night when it was all lit up, but I thought the random sparkling was somewhat lame and made it look like a Christmas tree. I can't believe that this structure was made especially for the World's Fair in Paris, and was almost torn down when the fair was done.

"By Candlelight"

These candles were in the St. Sulpice Cathedral in Paris which many are familiar with as the "Rose Line" Cathedral filmed in the Da Vinci Code. I liked how they were so colorful and lit up the dark corner of the cathedral.

"All The Way To The Waves"

This is a very green and bright coastal view of Ireland. The weather was so nice the whole time we were there when it is usually much like the gloominess we experience in England.

"Traded In Your Cross"This church and gravesite was in the heart of Newcastle. I always find it somewhat weird to see church yards filled with gravestones being it's not really like that in the states. The oldest grave I noticed was dated all the way back to 1799, but there might have been even older headstones being I trapped behind the bars and couldn't see that far back.

"Snails See The Benefits"Never did I ever think I would see a squirrel crossing sign in my life. I feel like they are being discriminative and favoring squirrels over other animals such as frogs and snails among many others. As stated in lyrics by my all time favorite band, The Format, "Snails see the benefits, the beauty in every inch." I think that everyone should live life more like a snail and less like a squirrel, so why are the British so keen on saving a bad example.

"Tune Out"
This is my buddy Hannah when we were playing at the park after a walk on the beach a couple weeks ago. She was tuned out to the world like any other kid, and was just running around a lot while rocking her purple wellies like no other.

"Oh You've Got Flaws"

This nature scene was taken it a wooded area after reaching the summit of the never ending hill while on our class hike. It took us about 45 minutes to reach this heavenly place that was adorned with a tower, a house we were not allowed to take pictures of, a lot of trees, and a pack of shy and fast moving peacocks.

"It's The Clouds That Fool The Sun To Set"

This was the only time the weather in Ireland looked a little gloomy, but it actually held out for us and didn't rain. I really like how the tree is silhouetted in the night from the setting sun. It gives the scene a bit of an eerie feel.

"Away From This Scene"

I had a fun time messing with the effects for this picture. Sometimes I feel that signs telling you not to do something in turn make you want to do that thing. This is why I kept the pole and sign pretty bright to stick out amongst the background. The pole is surrounded by dark objects such as the leaves and barbed wire to symbolize the death the sign is warning about.

"One Step Closer"

These peacocks were on the property of the house we were not allowed to take pictures off. They were very hard to get near and every step was a risk since they kept running away once they noticed I was getting too close. I was also pretty disappointed being they never showed off their bright feathers.

"That's The Way We Get By"

This is the Center for Science in Newcastle upon-Tyne. It was a very bright between the colorfully painted building and flashing "Life" everywhere. There was a huge DNA sculpture nearby and I thought this place was pretty interesting since I am a Biochemistry major.

"I Placed You On A Window Sill"

These flowers were adored the gate to the new Percy family gravesite. For those who don't know, the Percy family is the family that has held the title of Duke of Northumberland, and they own and reside in the castle we are staying in. It took us quite a bit of time to walk this far along our nature hike so I'd say that this site is pretty secluded.

"Breaking Through""Yellow" by Cold Play was filmed at this beach in good old Ireland. This a shot I just couldn't pass up with the sun's rays coming through the clouds like so.

"Gan Aiféala"

This Celtic cross was in a random country monastery and similar structures are seen everywhere around Ireland, especially as the headstones on graves. I really like how they are engraved with so much design and how the circle is incorporated into the cross region. It would make a good tattoo.

"Never Did Win Those Spelling Bees"
It's true...I never did win a spelling bee, but I never even actually made it to the spelling bee. Back in the day I was an amazing speller up until 2nd grade around Christmas time when I spelled my first spelling word wrong. The word was "present" and after that the disappointment lead me into a downward spiral. For those confused as to what this has to do with the above picture taken in Ireland, "roadworks" is spelled wrong.

"Sounds Like A Good Time"

These surfers were pretty lame, but I was jealous of them because I've always wanted to learn how to surf. We spent a lot of time enjoying the warm weather on the beach in Ireland and watching them try to surf, but they were horrible and kept bailing out on waves. They pretty much just floated around in the freezing cold water...sounds like a good time.

"When It Snows, How It Storms"

I can across this gravestone on my walk through the Howick Hall Gardens with my homestay Gma Susan to see the newly blooming Snowdrops. Earl Grey, the tea guy, used to own and live on this property. I hope my grave is covered with bright blooming flowers when I'm buried.

"Can You Feel The Love Tonight"

I'm so glad we have a president who makes our country and the people hated everywhere around the world. This mural in Belfast, Ireland pays tribute to our great president by crowning him "America's Greatest Failure." We were definitely feeling the love.

"Diddily Dee Ireland"

This car was hanging upside down in the Dublin Hardrock Cafe. Dublin is very overrated and I'd have to say this is the most interesting thing I saw in the whole city.

"Water Works"This view is only a small portion of a huge fountain in the Alnwick Gardens. It's quite a fun place to go and even has a restaurant in a tree house. There's even a Harry Potter Herbology poison garden where the plants are actually poisonous.

"What's The Point In Going Around When It's A Straight Line"

Apparently there are many of these so called beehive huts across Europe, and they form a perfectly straight line. Now that takes some major skill. I wish they would have let me stay it this hut instead of the hostel for a more historically cultural experience.

"Dead End"

Ireland has some major cliffage along its many coastlines. This cliff in particular is where I had a romantic Valentine's Day lunch with my fellow roommate Furry consisting of an apple turnover, and my two new obsessions, a blueberry muffin and banana, from the local grocery store. It was pretty windy and the cliff could have broke off and crumbled, but that's just a risk you have to take for a great photography picture.