An amazing family trip + European Observations

I have just recently (very recent as of a few days) gotten back from a trip with my family through Europe. We visited the following places:

• Amsterdam
• Antwerp
• Brugge
• Brussels
• Dubrovnik 
• Couple outlying towns in Croatia including the plitvice lakes
• Zagreb

Most people vacation maybe one or two places but since we ventured to quite a few you realize that when people ask the same questions, specifically, "how was your trip" and "where did you go" that you really wish there was a super short reply that you could offer. Perhaps a piece of paper with all of the locations and an emotional statement "it was an amazing time" versus repeating yourself and sounding a bit like the rain man. Nevertheless, I was all about Dustin Hoffman today and I embraced it.

Obligatory (and let's be honest, amazing) photo shots of the trip:

Favorite experiences from the two weeks away:

• Playing cards with my family 
• Drinking Tinto De Verano (Spanish spritzer) while playing cards
• Amazing views
• Being outdoors
• Laughing for two weeks straight
• Feeling completely at-home many miles away from any of my true "homes" with the family
• White Water Rafting + cliff diving (video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGWToInzK-4)

Now for my casual observations based on my travels through Europe. I have been to quite a few places in Europe now and believe I have some key insights

First of all - regardless of what I write below there is one thing you should do. Go to Siena. Go to Cinque Terre. Put these on your bucket list. While you are at it - a white rafting trip with your family will surprise you. It's honestly more fun than you can handle. Go write it down now. Done? Cool, let's continue.

Few observations in my travels through Europe:

• Stairs are frequent; elevators and escalators are not - this is probably obvious
• A/C is not an absolute - just be prepared to be about "natural air flow." Maybe a fan or two if possible. Maybe not. Croatia did have an A/C in the house we rented but I have also experienced none at all. In London for example - no A/C on public transportation, etc. It can get hot with too many individuals. Trust me.
• Tourists are annoying. My family had a saying on the trip "Large groups of people, when given their free-will and not specific guided instructions/left to their own devices and decisionswill be ridiculously annoying. " These same groups are so easily manipulated. You could see one or two individuals breaking off to go look or do something nearby and then the flood gates of people running to see what these individuals had found. Absolutely crazy, annoying and ridiculous. Sheep.
• Venturing outside of your comfort zone and language can be rewarding. Seeing the road travelled by the massive tourists mentioned above can be quite magnificent. There is a reason (usually) why the "hot attractions" are popular. Yet, trying something completely new and different outside of the mainstream attraction can be equally if not more rewarding.  We stopped off at a very small beach town in Croatia and were rewarded with an amazing experience. Beautiful, warm water and friendly people. Just a very good feeling all around.
• Learn some of the language before you go and while you are there. I didn't read up on the languages before our last trip. Yet, while there I try to learn certain words - ie "voda" = water in serb-croat. Little things make all of the difference and make it easier to get by I think.
• Understand the currency and the rules of the country. Seems obvious.
• In Europe there is not an obsession with ensuring that all possible safety precautions are present. Living in the natural world and taking some risks is far more European than American. As a family we commented on the that we really liked that there weren't gates and fences, etc blocking us from our experiences in the natural environment for fear of being sued or whatever if the situation turns bad. I saw no accidents when in these situations and believe that everyone adheres quite nicely to the most basic of rules.
• Europe is hands-down WAY better at being eco-friendly. For example, in our hotel room in Croatia we had to ensure the window was shut for the A/C to work. Apparently, per my flatmate, this is quite common. I hadn't seen this previously but it makes sense and is much better from an energy-saving level.
• Customer Service is not as strong in Europe though we had a pleasant stay in most places and restaurant service was decent. You always get your food. You don't always get it with a smile and getting the bill can be a lengthy process. Just relax and enjoy the ambiance!

Any others you can add to this??

Sharing just a few of my favorite things from May & June

So because I have been ridiculously behind on my blog posts (look, I am a busy girl, OK?) I have decided to break them up a bit. The past two months have been exceptionally busy for me but at least I have some fun things to post, right?!

This post is going to focus on a few favorite hot items that I have come across that I think are interesting/unique and might be something you should check out.

Audio:
1. Nerdist Podcast
I might have mentioned this podcast before; seriously it is amazing. I would go ahead and start with the Brent Spiner or the Neil Degrasse Tyson episode (more to come on him later) if you want to kick-start your interest. A lot of really cool people have been interviewed by the trio. Chris Hardwick is the main guy from all of the dating show fame. Though, he isn't exactly proud of this past it seems.
http://www.nerdist.com/podcast/nerdist/

Video:
2. Neil Degrasse Tyson
How did I not know of this man prior to listening to the interview on Nerdist podcast? It almost depresses me. This little video has become one of my favorites to listen to. randomly. sometimes even at work. it's true.
My mom and I were having a chat while we walked through the Croatian National Park Plitvice Lakes while on vacation. We were looking at a waterfall and she expressed that you can feel so small when you see something so magnificent. Not to get too emo (bringing the word back in a big way) but I do think Neil's take on this is one to embrace.

3. Your Father's Murderer: A Letter to Zachary

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1152758/ 

I came across this documentary when checking out top films by year. Do other people do this? Do other people watch movie trailers and go check out lists of top films to make sure they catch-up on the "best of" films? I hope so cause I love doing this. It's quite relaxing. Anywho - back to the film.

I want to be very honest. This documentary will make you cry. I do not care how strong you are or how unemotional you are during movies. This is a tear-jerker. Despite the fact that I watched this when I got home from my vacation with my family and was already a bit sensitive, I am so glad I did. In addition to being an impressive film (when there are a LOT of crappy films to choose from as of late) I value the need to appreciate the the importance of an individual that didn't get a chance to live the life they should have. 

Look, just go watch it. Thanks.

App:

4. Keek Video iPhone App

I was downloading a bunch of applications to my iPhone and found a couple I am in love with; one of them being "Keek" (http://www.keek.com/). Apparently a couple of the Kardashian girls use this app quite a bit which obviously is an ENORMOUS influence on my life (*insert sarcasm here*). It is a fun app. Basically you just provide updates via mini-videos and then upload. I did a couple quick videos which are terrible but including one (http://www.keek.com/!y43jaab) just to show the example. Feel free to laugh at my attempt. I will get better if I continue to use it.

If you are really cool you will "keekback." #justsaying.

Reading:

5. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

If you like gaming and sci-fi/fantasy movies/books you should absolutely read this book. My dad gave me this as a gift while on vacation which was lucky as I had forgotten to bring my own. I loved it and didn't want for it to end. Apparently the movie is in the works which is going to be amazing (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1677720/)! 

Tip: Pay attention while reading because there is a little "afterparty" for this book that continues the game after the last page has been turned. 

Gaming:

6. The Tribez

Everyone already knows about draw something, scrabble and words with friends. I am really liking this other game called "The Tribez." I was just looking for something simple to occupy my time when I didn't feel like reading, etc. It's pretty fun and is FREE. Obviously there are little insertions in the game where real money can be used to make your game go quicker and achieve extra levels more quickly but you can get by without. 

New favorites to come for July in a future post!

End of the weekend tune

On the bus ride back from Berkhamsted tonight I felt like having a relaxing time in my room and listening to one of my favorite renditions of the Star Spangled Banner - always gives me chills. Nona Gaye duet with her father, Marvin. Kind of sad but so inspiring. Enjoy!

Barcelona, Glasgow and home again - jiggity jig

Hola! It's been a couple of weeks since my last post but I have been a busy bee. Since my last post I have traveled to two (technically 3 new places), submitted my side project to an incubator for an analysis (and potentially support!), entered and started training for a 10K and celebrated (after today) two birthdays! Plus all of the normal work/life stuff. Travels: *Barcelona - Fun trip with friends over the weekend *Glasgow - work trip for a conference *London/Berhamsted - back home for ice bar bday celebration and country bday celebration Starting off with a trip to Barcelona with some friends last weekend our group of four girls (an American, Polish, British and Scottish girl group enter a Ryanair plane...) took a plan from Stansted and landed in Reus. It's about an hour and a half away from Barcelona and requires a bus as you can see from the map below.

The Ryanair travel was quite different than I am used to. EasyJet, Ryanair, etc. sell very cheap tickets with the idea that their are no frills. You are allowed one small bag (not a purse plus bag; just 1 bag per person) and it's a bit of a free-for-all as there are no assigned seats. Just need to make sure you line up early enough to sit with who you want and where you want. I didn't really mind this too much; at the end of the trip if you arrive on time or early they play a little song. The song is the same as at the beginning of a horse race, right before Trevor Denman would say "and away they go." So we arrived early and the little song played and everyone clapped. Kinda fun. Then we were off to go through customs (extremely easy as this is a super small airport) and find our bus. We were worried we would be late. This is a tad laughable knowing what I know now. The credit card and money counter machine broke. Plus, our bus driver had no calculator and couldn't really handle money exchange. He had a LOT of difficulty providing the correct change to each of the passengers and so it took about an hour just to get on the bus! We were a bit tired on our way to the hostel, Casa Gracia, which is located in the centre of the city. I was meeting my friend Dimitri there as he lives in South Spain but is moving back to the states. We arrived and our rooms were not ready which was quite annoying. I hadn't seen Dimitri in a long time so it was great getting to see him but we all just wanted to change, brush our teeth and get some food. Yummy tapas to be exact. Visited parks, cathedrals, la Sagrada Familia. Saw a lot of the Gaudi buildings which are really quite cool. A couple pics of a cathedral and the park!

We even played some flip cup which apparently is not common in Europe? This was a pretty big past time for me and my college friends. Apparently in Europe there are not a lot of games to go with drinking - everyone just drinks! haha Next up was Glasgow; for a work trip. Glasgow reminds me of a super small San Francisco (read: lots of hills) but where everyone speaks very difficult-to-understand English. I had the most amazing red bean and sweet potato burger at O'Neill's Irish bar. Seriously, amazing! I had the most hedious travel and spent a LOT of time waiting on an airplane or at the airport. We even had to change planes at Gatwick airport and take a bus to go about 20 feet to ensure that no one got injured. Quite crazy but all of the staff were very pleasant and I would rather be safe than sorry! London: Saturday night I took my friend Lucy out for her birthday to the Ice Bar. Had visited this bar with Drew when he was here and I love it. They have such amazing food. Took a couple pictures as well. Recommend (highly) the goat cheese starter. Also, I think choosing three small plates versus one large and 1 small is the way to go! The drinks are overpriced but the delicious food and ambiance makes it worth it.

Bad news was that someone stole my wallet. Kinda common here but still bummed me out. As that was my last night to drink alcohol for the next month it was a sour note to an otherwise lovely evening. I have been training for my upcoming 10K which isn't until July 8th. Also, would love to lose about 10 pounds before our Croatia/Brussels/Brugge/Amsterdam family trip at the end of June. Cannot wait! Now off to Berkhamsted since we have a Bank Holiday - yay for May Day! :)

Easter has past; time to go to Barcelona!

Starting off this post with another very funny commercial from the UK featuring Yoda (aka puppy) and two girls from the Salon:



So I have been ridiculously busy trying to get my new side project going; very time intensive but so exciting. I would call it a business but it's too new to see where it will end up going. Some fun things to do on my own outside of work - but I am spending a lot of time learning more about digital advances and keen to to have something of my own that could provide an benefit to the larger population. More to be revealed as I continue on my journey!

I am still adjusting to life in the UK - not sure how long it will take but I am more comfortable and confident that I have ever been 6 months in. My sister and Drew were both in town for a week at a time and being a tour guide to them both proved my local knowledge has vastly improved. So good to see them - it's tough having people on vacation and you are still living your regular life. I am used to vacationing with people - not staying home and showing people around. Takes a bit to get used to but no more visitors for a while.

Lucy and Drew's bday were both this past week - I gave Lucy the gift of the Ice Bar (food + drink) - seriously so much fun! Can't wait for us to go together. Also had some family in town, Eric - tried out a Brazilian Steakhouse in Covent Garden!

Still, I totally miss my family and friends from back home. So many exciting things happening at home and I just want to be a part of it all. I hate being so far away when there are engagements, baby showers, parties, vacations, etc. Plus of course, Isabelle! Also, I miss having things be decently priced - I hate never having money. argh! It's an amazing city - way too overpriced. I know everyone says that, but it's true!

Here are a couple pictures from Ice Bar London (go if you can! food and bar are amazing; no the restaurant is not in ice) the duck boat tour (very fun!)




Heading to Munich this Tuesday for a video shoot and then Barcelona is only a couple of weeks away. So friggin' excited! Going with Lucy, Tori, Eliza and meeting up with Dimitri! Hoooray.

Sunday Roast

We decided to do a housemate Sunday Roast. This was a brilliant (or in UK speak, LEGEND) idea. Consists of potatoes, pork, yorkshire pudding (not really a pudding at all), gravy, other veggies.

Please see photos below:





Eliza is choosing to hide behind the boys:

Hiking Trip and Making Plans

It's difficult for me to describe how amazing I felt after going on the hiking trip with the UK Wild Adventures group in Buckinghamshire.

I felt a sense of purpose and ease being with a group of people; some I knew, some I didn't, touring through a very beautiful, scenic place. I feel at most peace with my decision for moving here when doing activities like this. I even took a moment of craziness to heart, rolling down the mountain and laughing the whole way along.






Still in a situation that is tough for me - where to keep my cat. My bf has been keeping her for me but it's not the best situation and is a continuous point of stress for me. I feel constantly conflicted about it. I would have no idea this was going to be such an issue.

I have been focusing on getting my taxes done and realizing more and more how annoying it is to live here and do things that seem ridiculous as an expat. Like bank transfers. Such an easy solution - get the numbers of a person's bank account and transfer money over. This is a standard practice here and completely not the same over in the states. We still take out money or write a check to supply money to a person. Also, taxes are easily reconciled for everyone I live with but myself. It's utterly frustrating. Taxes and my cat = sore point.

I am again super excited about my sister coming and then Drew (the BF). At the end of April I will be exploring Spain. Barcelona to be exact with my favorite team, Tori and Lucy. Cannot wait!