Chocolate Cake for the American

I dont think the irony/symbolism of this has set with the Scottish lady who baked me a chocolate cake with an American Flag sticking out of it.

4:30 GMT time i'll be very proud. A lot of Scots are asking me (as soon as they see my passport) what this means to me. I say; "I grew up in a racially divided area on both sides of the fence. I've seen it firsthand. I feel like a lot of black Americans or people of any color who were once shunned, can finally put their suitcase down. They're home. Color isnt a factor anymore." They are just shocked at the response.

So today i'll be eating Haggis with tea and chocolate cake to watch the 44th President, Barack H. Obama sworn in...along with the rest of the world.

Fucking finally.

Holy Nessy

I arrived in Glasgow Scotland this morning and started my 5 hour bus journey to Lochcarron in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. My god this is the most beautiful place i've ever laid eyes on. It's just unbelievable. Turning on roads through mountains and snowstorms overlooking frozen lochs and seas surrounded by clouds painted in white and grey. It's just beathtaking. Not to mention the unlimited amount of stars I can see in the sky... I'm literally 5 hours away from the nearest city. I cant believe it.

I cant wait to model in this tomorrow. Hopefully the snow will come but not in full force.

I feel really isolated here, which typically isnt a good thing for me but I find it very peaceful and interesting. For the short amount of time I am here I think i'll love it. I dont know how anyone cant....












.... and just think i've only seen 2 hours of daylight here....

Rain

It's been raining off and on since i've arrived. This morning I awoke to birds chirping and the sun shining without a cloud in the sky. An hour later, pouring down rain and 20 mph winds. They have a reputation for the greenest country on earth for a reason.

Went for a drive today to see a lot of beautiful canals and old stone bridges. Absolutely beautiful. It started raining (shock) and the wind kicked up so we went back.

I'm off to Scotland tomorrow until Thursday, then back home on Friday. I hear there are 'heaps of snow' in the Northwest Highlands - which is where i'm going. I keep reminding them it is colder and there is more snow where I live. They cant seem to believe it.

I must take pictures.

Here's one from my adventure a few days back: 35 degrees 40+ mph winds above the treeline. It doesnt show the greenery here because well, it's too cold to rain in this particular location.

"Yes, I'm American"

I have said that a few times, it seems people are very interested in what I have to say. I think they are wondering if I fit the stereotype they have in their head. A loud, obnoxious, Bush loving, huge appetite, that can only speak slang english.

Nah, the Irish are very nice people. They are very welcoming and generous. Just dont talk about football, rugby around them. I have always found soccer incredibly boring. I did watch a Rugby match last night that was pretty interesting. It's basically American football but much faster paced- similar to soccer. I enjoyed it actually. They just wouldnt stand a chance against an American linebacker. ; )

I'm having fish pie and "spuds" for dinner tonight. God their potatoes are fucking unbelievable. After experiencing an authentic Irish pub yesterday and talking about how the Irish love Florida for vacations.. I can use a Guinness.

Off to Scotland Monday.. the far northwest. I hear it is some of the most amazing landscape in the world. I'm thrilled.

Irish Gangsta's Paradise

Listening to "Gangsta's Paradise" (while Des - the photographer - wasnt noticing what was on the radio) then looking out of the (what we call drivers side) passenger's side of the Saab noticing the sheep, stone walls, and acres of green with picturesque mountains in the background. .. and laughing at what couldnt be more opposite of what Coolio was speaking of...

I posed in 35 degree (F) damp cold with 40+ mph winds above the treeline... god it was beautiful.

I have had one thing go awful for me, and that was unfortunate - my cell phone was stolen at the airport while I was sleeping my jet lag off and one hour of sleep on the 6 hour plane ride. I actually needed a new phone so this is a great way of getting one.. I just wont be able to until the last week of January. I'll post a blog asking everyone to text me their phone numbers that I have.

This is a great country. The people are incredibly friendly and the landscape is just phenomenal. This is only my second day in...

I'll post images as soon as I can. I'm a busy girl with no WIFI. Dont worry, I have stories... god do I have stories.

It's 9pm here and I am very tired.

Tears of Joy

is what I cried today in the doctor's office with Shaun and his mother to talk about what is "wrong" with Aidan. At 3 1/2, along with Fragile X Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder is what he's been diagnosed with. He doesnt have Autism but traits of Autism not even really strong enough to be on a spectrum or Aspergers. He has rituals with spinning/swinging, no language, and difficulty with socializing. Though he is very social he just isnt as social as he should be and has difficulty with doing things "normally". The doctor disagreed with the psychologist on saying he is Autism-Spectrum due to his very social behavior and he only has a few traits of Autism and that is directly related to Fragile X. He may even grow past these "autistic traits." Which is what i've thought the entire time but I never wanted to get my hopes up. It's hard being optimistic with this.

This is a very very good thing. With us, the school, and his speech therapists help he will progress and never regress. He's almost normal in other areas except language. He rates with a 16 month old in that regaurd but he is babbling more and wanting to say things...

But the best news is he will speak. My son will talk. I have dreams about him saying words and in my dream I run and hug him and kiss him. My dream will come true soon. I am the happiest mother in the world right now and i cant stop smiling and crying.

I love my special little guy.





Me and my world.

Love Sarah

is what I autographed on quite a few copies of Renee Jacobs' calendar PROVOCATEUR last night in Atlanta. I had no idea what to write. I've signed a few prints for people but nothing like this. I was initially there to support my girl Renee but she got into gushing about me (making me blush) as well as revisiting our crazy story to get the shot in that calendar. She's a great speaker and a wonderful photographer. She deserves all the success she gets. We had lots of wine after... LOTS.

ATL was alright. Jay Bowman was a wonderful host and a complete gentleman. I cant wait to see the whole 3 frames we shot. I left the airport today in Georgia, it was 60 something degrees. Landed in Columbus to 19 degrees. Fuck.

The great news is my Europe trip is coming together very very well. For January, i'm impressed. Looks like Dublin for 4 days, Germany for 3 and Scotland for 3. I'm excited.

Tonight i'm going to play with my little guy and try to stay in from this arctic air while it snows.

Kinda wishing I was California, except in this image there was 50 mph winds, hail, and it was about 40 degrees:




Image by the talented and dear friend of mine Renee Jacobs.