Traveling seeker in British Isles

January 16 & 17, 2006 Travels to Dublin
Two very important items were yet to be in my clutches to get my trip going and it was only a few days before I was to fly out. One, I didn’t have my backpack the most important item! Then there is a prepaid credit card that my family had gotten for me. Both were scheduled to be on the 16th of January- the very day that I was leaving my friends home to go to a ritzy hotel with my sister Traci for “girl time”. But they might not come, being that Monday the 16th is Dr. Martin Luther Kings holiday! What a panic! So I will forever remember not only Dr. King for his great works- but how it ran havoc on my last days in the US of A.
The backpack arrived at 1:00 and it took to 6:00pm to get rid of more then ½ the amount of clothes and items kick out. In the end, my very inventive sister Traci got me to let go of my attachment to things and got them soooo crushed down to fit in one backpack and a roll behind.
Once packed, I put it on (with her help) and I almost fell over! The backpack was almost as tall as me! But I was determined to keep all that I had and also pull the pull behind and the camera case with of course my black hat to top off the “travel” look. What a sight! Did I say all my packs are bright red! I’ll tell you – I am a sight to behold!

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December 2005-January 14, 2006 The weeks before leaving the US

Well, to say the least it was crazy. All my months of planning so that I wasn’t out of mind before I left- it didn’t work. There seemed to be thousands of little things that needed to be tied up. Luckily, I was still sleeping, but that would soon be gone too.
I can equate this adventure to preparing for my wedding. It’s a day that you are looking so forward too, but as time goes on and To Do Lists keep changing but not disappearing, the day seems to be the last thing that you can focus on- it seems it will ever get here and when it does you just want it DONE!
And that’s exactly how it felt! I just wanted all this craziness to stop! It was only 7 months from start to finish (my wedding was 1 year in the planning) but it was so much. Not only closing up a life (finances, the dog, furniture, and school) but it was cleaning out years of files, putting my family history into my new computer (which I just got 3 weeks before I left 400+ members), any minimizing my life into to suitcases. I also started a new venture in ART-cards with some family and tried to get some accounts set up before I left. But it was also closing up relationships. Not necessarily getting rid of them…but tying them up and condensing them. You know, telling people how you feel about them, what their friendship meant, and how it will have to be to fit into the future. Some relationships were ended (by their hand), but many were re-kindled. I found that I in wanting to say good-bye to people, I also was saying hello after many years of not talking to each other. It’s funny how your mind works when you are “dying” from your old life and “birthing” into a new. I’m dropping off the plant as far as people being able to find me, like old school mates. How will they find me for the next reunion? See, it’s really crazy the way the mind works, 7 months ago I wouldn’t of thought that as the days clicked away that I would be compelled to contact old school and work mates to say good-bye. But as it did, I did want to tell them how I felt about them and their friendship. It seems just because you don’t talk for 5-10 years, in my heart, they were still my friends, and I wanted to say good-bye.
I called a girl that was a grade school mate for only 1 year (5th grade) then met up again in 9th to 12th grade. She also got me a job at 19 yrs old. And we worked together for almost 16 years. We would talk maybe once or twice a year after that. So I called Mary Rose and another two co-workers- Teri and Daley. They worked with me at the Children’s Home, were I was a Director. We had a nice dinner and had checked up as to what they and their families had been up to since our last get together about 5-7 years back. I saw how time has aged us, on their faces. We know we get older, but we really don’t know how old we get till we see old friends get older. It was great to see them, and to know that my fondness for them hasn’t changed over all this time. They of course, had a time understanding what I was doing. Not only the move, but also the “woo woo” thing- my psychic abilities. I hadn’t known my abilities when I worked with them. Even though I have had about 9 years to get accustomed to them, they had not. They have heard about it 5 years, but we never talked about it. So they questioned me on this area of my life more so then the trip. And Daley was mostly flipped out about the belief of the whole psychic thing. Not a surprise, most men do (in my experience.)
A few days had me writing letters and e-mails to other friends. Again re-kindling. A few wrote back excited for me and sadly some e-mails came back as not received- they had changed addresses. They won’t know that I thought of them in the end.
One re-kindled friend, Chiane, was a woman that I met on my very first Intuition class. We conversed back and forth for months and then we just got busy with out lives. We hadn’t talk for a few years. She was involved with a group of people that were all in the Intuition class and lived close by each other. They were having get-togethers that they would dabble in readings and healings but mostly just fellowship. I attended one such get-together and did reading for everyone. It was a difficult and draining experience in that it involved seeing and feeling a lot of emotion that these women were dealing with in their lives. When groups of people are drawn together there is usually a theme that they share, and this group was not any different.
They all had great loss in their lives. One was dealing with heartbreak of a lost child and court battles with them. Another was dealing with losing their husband to Dementia (sp?) (Losing their mind). And a few (being family related) were dealing with the disappearance of a husband (and brother-in-law, brother) in an airplane over Alaska a few years before. The pain in this group was what was so overwhelming for me. I cried throughout the readings, but insight was given and I hope healing was begun. At the end of the readings, drained and emotionally exhausted – as we sat around the table and ate, then Spirit talked through me to this amazing group of woman. They were told that they were not doing the work that they as a group agreed to do when they chose to come to this lifetime to do. They had gotten on the path (the class, the get-togethers) but they were not doing it to their potential. After this little “speech” I was embarrassed that these things came out of my mouth. I didn’t realize at the time what had happened to me, but have since come to recognized that spirit uses me to tell others things that I myself had never even thought or felt. It’s a strange thing to have happen to you, but we are all tools for the other side!
Anyway, when I talked to Chaine after all this time, she informed me that the group was doing AMAZING work! They were having healing and readings for the public and had been a great light and hope to hundreds of people in the last few years. I was so happy that they had each other on this amazing journey.
Chaine said that she informed the group as to what I was venturing on- and they were all praying for me to get a laptop and the money needed. A week or so after out initial contact, I did receive a new laptop as a Christmas gift and 2 weeks after that I was surprised with a credit card with a prepayment of money from my sister and other family members. So their prayers really helped. They ARE a light in my life also.
Two days before I left, as I was saying good-bye to my good friend Vicki, I got a reminder (from my guides) about an old friend from high school, Kirby. We spent 4 years of high school together and over the last 27 years had touched base every 5-7 years. I didn’t have her phone number, but found it on the net. Which was a miracle in it’s self! At 10:30 at night I dialed her up and was she surprised! She told me a few nights prior to my call she had a dream about me! ( woo woo warning) We caught up over the next few hours and it was as if there was no time between our last visit and this one. She had not heard that I was a psychic/medium and it was the best time of any to bring her up to date (especially after her dream). I was a bit concerned because she is a Born-Again Christian, and they have their beliefs (she is converted from Catholic). To my great delight and surprise, she was very open to what I was involved in and even had some experience in the area. She had found the psychic Silvia Brown on TV and was intrigued by her abilities. It was really nice to have such a good person like Kirby to be accepting of me. Even though I am secure (most of the time) with what I do- it’s nice to have validation and acceptance from people that you respect.
To end this entry, I found that as anything in hindsight- I should of started the good-byes a lot earlier. I was unable to meet with people that I wish I had. I didn’t spend much time with my 2 wonderful nieces and my last days were busy with things and not people. I have always had a TO DO list that is longer then my arm, and with this adventure it was no different. I’m hoping that I will learn from this insight.

God Speed,
Kym

Well I’m just under the 6 weeks mark. I finally bought my tickets 2 days ago. It was a very emotional thing- I was so excited because it was set -and it was very scary-because I really had to go!

It’s not like it’s a trip- it’s a life change and I’m scared. I have never traveled by myself before- not even in the states! But here I am giving up everything and everyone and going to another country to live. So many things pass through my mind. Will I be able to find places to stay, will I be “nice” enough- when I have no feeling of security that I have grown accustomed to? Like food, water, and a bed with heat? Will people be willing to put up a stranger in their house? (would I in the states?) I think I’m a independent person- but am I really? Can I sell myself? (not in THAT way!) but in selling my talents for food, shelter?

After I ordered my tickest, I e-mailed my sister the trip info. One for her to keep a record, in case something happens. And two, so she would know that I finally got it set. She called me the next day and said “I’m so proud of you! And I will put on my calender that I will drive you to the airport.” I told her that my friend Linda would take me, being that the airport was not the Cleveland Airport, but The Akron/Canton one. It was much closer for my friend to take me – and it won’t be so emotional. She said “NO! I’m taking you! I will call and get us a hotel room for the night before and we will have our last night together! No men to bother us (she has a husband and a son). We’ll stay by the airport and have just “us” time together. And so what – you’ll cry!” I was kind of stunned by her reaction. I know that I will miss her and her me- but I figured it would be just a hug and kiss good-bye. But I guess it’s pretty important to her. And I have already started to cry! Even as I write this, tears are rolling down my face…..boy, this is really going to be hard!

I had a lot of days in a row running around getting stuff ready. I have to sell my car and can’t find the damm title- which I know I have, but with all the trashing of old papers and packing- I have no idea where I put it! So had to run around getting a duplicate.

Then I am trying to get some small business’s set up with accounts to sell my greeting cards in their stores. And getting advertising jobs sold for extra cash. all this takes lots and lots of time and my nerves are frayed!

I’m living out of my suitcase already at a friends house. She has my darkroom in her basement and I came here for a week to finish up a bunch of photo’s for my friends and family that I need to make. It’s Thursday and I’ve yet to get down there! I have a bunch of stuff to produce and I’m scheduled to leave on Friday!

I ran home to do a final look for my car title before I ran to get the duplicate and find my mother is not doing well. She’s in a big depression and won’t get out of bed. Finding out that I got my tickets didn’t help the situation. As much as she is supportive of me leaving- she is also very lonely. So more depression and then she plays out the depression with liquor. It doen’t make me NOT want to leave, it just makes me worry about her more. And it makes me mad. But she is sick and can’t help herself. But as bad as it sounds, she can only help herself. So in 6 weeks, it’s up to her!
And I do feel sorry for my sister, who will have to carry the load once I leave.

I went to my ex-husbands to get my registration for my car (he’s sellling it) and to see my dog, Brandy. It just broke my heart! She is happy with her daddy (I got her in the divorce and when I decided to leave, Brandy started to have longer visits with her daddy- but now she has moved in full time) but she was so excited to see me! And when I left I felt she was so sad. I would rather have my heart broken then hers….and it seemed both of ours broke when I left. And boy, will I miss my ex! I had just told him that I got the tickets and I could see his sad look. He said that he was happy for me, and sad for him. He wants me to come stay a few days before I leave and spend time with him and Brandy. BOY- this is going to be so hard. Even though our marriage didn’t work out – we are such good friends. We still fight like a married couple, but we have always been there for each other. I will really miss him. I left there in a real funk. For even a few hours I felt the tears just under the surface.

After a few other stops, I was finally on my 1 hour ride to my friends house and I just couldn’t get this feeling of loss to ease up. I came into the house and she could sense that I wasn’t feeling right. He husband went to his TV room and her and I just talked. She’s a really good psychic and offered me a reading. She helped ease some of my concerns and she said that I have done what I can for my Mom and my ex. It was up to them to deal with their issues on their own now. It was ME time. She told me lots of other things about the trip and some of the experiences that await me. It did seem to ease my mind. I was so drained I fell into bed.

I can’t believe all the stuff that has to be figured out before I leave. Friends to see before I leave, the business issues to get final, how to cut down my packing of clothes, buy a coat and boots, get my teeth cleaned, find someplace to stay!, money, money, and more money, need a new lap top, have to get more equipt. for the radio show, find a place to stay, get my family history onto my computer, make more contacts in Dublin and Westport, find out why my little toe is not healing (I broke it), finish moving out of my mom’s, finsh my website, keep my blog updated, dispurse some more items to my siblings and ex, finish photo books for my nieces (they are my muses, and are the stars of my childrens greeting card line),shoot new photos of Christmas lights and trees for Christmas cards for next year, get all my darkroom photos done, money, money and more money – and last but far from least- FIND A PLACE TO STAY!

Add in my feelings of loss, worry, and my biggest- FEAR!

So that’s what is up on the closing of an old life and the opening of a new one. There is comfort in what I currently have- and fear of the unknown. I will mourn the loss of the old- but the new will make it all worth it! I will survive, and so will my family.

I hope that this blogg helps some one who is going through the same thing as me. All the other bloggs are about the excitment of leaving, and the experiences of what they see and who they meet. But what about the emotion of it all? Many people are leaving for long trips and yet they don’t mention the emotional part of leaving – even if for a while? I can’t be the only wacko out there- or am I?

Till we meet again-
Kym

I’m 9 weeks and counting to the day I leave Ohio, USA. 7 months ago I decided to close out the life I had been living to venture out to another country to make a new life! I put my belongings in storage, gave the joy of my life (my dog- Brandy) to my ex-husband, quit my job and focused on preparing to travel around the British Isles.

Within the week, my tickets will be secured. The next few weeks my website will be ready (KymMcBride.com), my travel blogg can now be crossed off the list and my bags will stuffed to the brim. My mind is ready for this venture, but in the mist of the calm is a small voice that is screaming “What the hell are you doing!?!?!” I’m trying to quite this voice and I seem to do pretty good until I lay down to sleep and the voice gets really loud and the sleeping part of my day starts to elude me.

The voice points out all the things that I don’t have done – like the really big ones! Like where am I staying, the money I don’t have, the exact travel route not clear- just to name a few. But I do have one thing – TRUST that this is the ONLY thing I can do at this time in my life. It’s a PASSION and passion is the most commanding voice of all- even over doubt. So this is my story…..

I’m a woman in her 40’s. Divorced, with no children. I’ve been attending college for the last few years and have loved every moment of it (Pshychology and Art major (in Photography). I am now a photographer (after a long long list of other jobs) and I am in a art gallery in my home city. I have just started a Greeting card company (McBrideCompany@gmail.com) which will allow a variety of artist to get their work out to the general public. Now here is the part that will either interest you – or make you leave this bogg- I am also a Psychic/Medium. I usually follow this statement with “I see dead people” as in Sixth Sense and most recently “Medium” the new TV show- as an example of what a medium is. I have been a praticing psychic/medium for about the last 7 years. It seems that everyone has some “unfinished” business with someone that has died. Either they have not said “good-bye” or they left something unsaid or something they wish the dead person had said to them. It’s not the need that stops people from letting me help them- I think it’s just the fear of HOW I can help them. It’s not all “whooo” stuff. It’s a conversation – that heals. But enough on this part of me- for it’s just that a PART of me. I don’t have a crystal ball, or dangling crystals or a turben on my head. And NO I have never been on the the “Psychic Network”!

I do have a radio show that I will be doing as I travel. It’s format is music and interviws with people that are working in the metaphysical areas. Healers, Psychics, Mediums (not all psychics are mediums), etc. I will seeking out like minded people and with the radio show – teach people that it’s not the whoooo stuff that people have been instilled with. As of this post the show is in development (it was up and on for the last few months) but it is getting some more work. It’s “Lightworker22Radio.com”

My trip is starting in Westport, Ireland (my family heritage-grandma’s side) meandering to Dublin (within 3 months vacation visa). Then to Wales then up into Chester la-Street, England (my family heritage- grandpa’s side) then up to Scotland (the real home of the English) then back down. At the end of this, I should have MILLIONS of photos (mostly people- my area of interest), tons of radio shows in the can, added a huge amount of new family to my genealogy and an amazing amount of new friends. And most of all – a decission of where I would like to settle down at – and an idea of how to make that happen!

My trip will entail meeting a wide range of people that will assist me on my travels. I am asking for help from anyone that reads this blogg! I will barter my talents for room and board. I can take photo’s of you and your family, clean your house, help cook (not one of my strongest talents), or help you connect with a passed on family member! I don’t smoke nor drink very much. I’m not loose nor am a prude! I don’t push any of my beliefs on others (whoooo) and I’m a very good guest (I’ve been told).
I would work where I was needed (if you have a family business).

Well, that’s “MY STORY” – I hope I didn’t bore everyone. But if you can help – please either contact me through this blogg or my email : KymMcBride@gmail.com. If you even just have tips that I could use – PLEASE HELP. And if not – as my family is doing – “Pray for me Argentina!”

God Speed- Kym