A-to-Z with D

My life spun off its axis a week ago. If you'd asked, "Hey Danielle, how's life?" on June 30th, my answer would have sounded like this: Professionally , I'm in a transition period. I'd love to do something with my new masters but don't have clarity as to what that would be -- and since it would likely require yet another expensive degree, it seems wise to sit on that decision a bit longer. My VA work has all but dried up and I can't find the passion/motivation to chase new clients, so I've ramped up my engineering freelance work to pay the bills. I've also continued my part-time work for nonprofit GripTape and the University of Edinburgh while also applying to remote/hybrid positions around the UK. Ultimately I don't think I can settle on new career plans until my visa expires in 2026, but I'm content with my patchwork approach for now and it works well as a frequent international traveler. Socially , I need to expand my friend circle i...

as posted on CaringBridge TL;DR -- It hasn't been easy, but I'm doing very okay for now.  :) --- Turns out I chose the most inconvenient time to move abroad. It was a bucket list item for me and I'm enamored with Scotland, so I have no regrets. But I can't say I expected to have such a serious family emergency pop up and find the love of my life -- both back in the States -- within nine months of leaving. Life truly does sneak up on your when you least expect it. I struggled the most with my dad's news immediately upon finding out. It was Saturday, May 20th. I'd been out hiking with Kathryn and Maria in the morning, exploring the lush greenery of Blackford Hills in South Edinburgh. One of our topics of conversation was about cryptic, out-of-the-blue calls from our parents and how we're at the age where our minds immediately jump to, oh no, who's dead? I told them how, the night before, my dad had called near midnight - which was odd not only for the timi...