Imatra, Finland: Wintertime - January 2015

James and I have now made our new home in Imatra, Finland. We are both still working for International Paper. He is an environmental consultant traveling every day to and from our paper mill across the border in Svetogorsk, Russia. I am now working as a project manager for a global systems initiative and based out of our apartment in Imatra.

James traveled to and from Russia throughout 2014 before finding an apartment and beginning life as an ex-patriot in October. I made the move to Imatra in January. Besides being a little chilly, this part of the world is absolutely beautiful as seen by the photos here. These pictures were taken along the walking path near the Vuoksi River which can be seen right out our living room window.

Memphis, Tennessee: A Second Goodbye - January 2015

I said goodbye to Memphis for the second time in early 2015.

My first stint in Memphis was July 2002 through January 2005. Fresh out of college and now slapped in the face by the real world sadly planted in Germantown, Tennessee. I was working for International Paper and upon leaving, vowed never to return again.

In September 2011 I returned again. This time living downtown steps away from Beale Street and surrounded by good friends. The second time around was definitely better than the first but I'm excited for the new adventures that lie ahead.

I have a solid hunch that I will return again to the Bluff City. Third time's a charm.

San Juan, Puerto Rico: America's Best Kept Secret - December 2014

San Juan oozes with character. From the cobblestone streets lined with palm trees to the stone gates of Castillo San Cristobal. In the few days we spent in San Juan we enjoyed the beach life: swinging in hammocks, photographing the iguanas perched on rocks and scouting the numerous tropical fish flurrying under the spotlight in the waters below the hotel dock.

One day we spent walking the hills of Old San Juan. We visited the Spanish Forts of Castillo San Cristóbal and Castillo San Felipe del Morro peeping out from the look-out points and admiring the piles of enormous cannon balls. We saw a number of century-old churches and dined at Café Puerto Rico where we enjoyed fresh seafood and local rum cocktails.

Italy: Te Amo Amici e Vino - November 2014

"The best week of my entire life," was how James described our trip to Italy in the fall of 2014. While it was a fast-paced trip covering a lot of ground, it truly was an unforgettable experience. We began in Rome: James flying down from Finland and me over from the U.S. We spent the weekend there with friends running through the city and taking in the historic sites ... the Spanish Steps, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and others before closing the weekend on the Ponte Milvio at sunset with our engagement.

Rome served as our home base while we jutted off to Tunisia and Malta. After we strolled through the Vatican City, we rented a car and drove through the Italian countryside. We cruised through Spoleto and then landed in Rimini where James dipped in toes in the Adriatic Sea. We enjoyed a day excursion to the mountaintop city state of San Marino before we ventured through Bologna to Florence.

Florence is my favorite city in Italy. Small enough to feel cozy but large enough to fill your days exploring amazing places. I took James to the Piazzale Michelangelo for one of the most breath-taking views in Italy and then on to the Florence Cathedral, Ponte Vecchio and more. We climbed the 463 steps to the top of Florence's Duomo and enjoyed countless beautiful meals ... and many bottles of wine!