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Wandering and getting lost in Finland

You know those days that you wake up without having any plans, and by the end of it you are surprised where it took you. Today was one of those for me. I woke up and decided that I wanted to see what else this city has to offer. I went on the web and saw that there are 2 observation towers, that look out over the surrounding area. One is taller than the other, and looking them up I was already looking forward to go to the one called pyynikki. I put on some warm clothes, and was smart enough to put on some thermo leggings under my pants. But by the end of the road there was a short hike up into the forest and with my fast pace I was starting to sweat a little. Nothing more nice than feeling hot when it is so cold outside. 

Cold, snow and reality

Survived another day of low temperatures, continuing snow and boredom. Yes bored, because there is so little that I can do. But on the bright side, I got a room. I am proud owner of my own little space in a flat in the city centre. I looked around on what they had available, but I really wanted to be in the city centre to stay entertained and close to everything. 

Today and yesterday were kind of rough days for me. I was sort of settling on the fact that this will be my reality until June. The cold and snow are not just for a day or week, but for three more months. I feel alone, because I missed the introduction week and am staying in a hostel. But today, after walking back from the grocery store I got a little upset with myself. Why are you looking at everything with so much negativity. Look where you are. Look around you. How beautiful is the fresh falling snow, pure nature. And how awesome is the fact that you are lucky enough to spend half a year somewhere else, in a new place where you get to see new things. And so what your social life has taken a notch back. So what you don't have friends immediately. Is that ever the case? Coming from a place where always I could find someone to hangout with, or to eat with, it might take some time getting used to this. I have to remind myself that this is a normal process, and it makes me appreciate the people I have at home even more. Life is so good, but it depends on the glasses you have on. Learn to have patience and at the bright side. Give yourself a chance and the world a chance. And things will become better. 

With thanksgiving I can look back and look forward to the time I will spend here. A little culture shock or homesickness is perfectly alright and acceptable. Things are temporarily. And who knows, perhaps in June I do not even want to leave because things here are so nice. Yesterday I took a little time to spent in the cold and take some photographs of the city centre. If I am really honest with y'all, I think the city looks maybe even better at night time. I just have to get used to the industrial look it has and coming from a historical city filled with architecture, old churches and city walls you are used to a different view. Doesn't mean it is bad, it is just different. And difference is always good, be open minded and look at the positive. Even the cold temperatures. Love <3

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Holidays part 2

What is more beautiful than Paris? Paris during christmas time. Something about lights and decorations to make a city even prettier than it already is. Of course, this season also brought many people to the city of love, but it did not stop me to bring it a visit as well. We visited the most expensive shopping streets of Paris, without making a purchase ;). Furthermore we went to the arc de triumph, eiffel tower by night and visited some museums. I would highly recommend musee d'orsay, such beautiful, diverse exhibitions and art is present. Free if you are under 25 and otherwise still a very affordable price of just 11 euros.  You can spent an entire day here if you would like. It is situated in an old railway station, with a grand hall and beautiful decorations and statues. Here you can find the thinker of Rodin, paintings of van Gogh, monet, Sisley and so many other great artists. One hint, if you want to skip the 1hr line buy your ticket in advance! For more pictures --> 

Holidays

First of all, I wish you all the very best for this year. Happiness, abundance, thanksgiving, comfort when sad, smiles and laughter, and great company to be around. Dreams to follow, hope for tomorrow and confidence for today. 

Did you have a good holiday season? Was it what you hoped for? Or not at all? Were you taken by sadness, grief or tears? lacking hope for the new year, not looking forward to it? Or could you not wait to finish 2015 and start all over. However you ended 2015, I hope that you can look forward to the days ahead of you. I hope that you can have faith and look up to a bright future. It is not always easy to have hope, but it is something to hold onto :).

I was lucky enough to spend the holidays in a magical place, called disneyland. Wow, what an overwhelming place filled with lights, laughter and joy. 

Click on read more for a sneak peak of all the fun times. 

Trip to Poland

I got to spent a week in beautiful and cold Poland, which was overall very interesting and surprisingly nice. I guess I didn't know what to expect from it because I had not visited eastern Europe before. However, it was such a positive experience, and I will surely visit again. We stayed at a hotel in Krakow, the second biggest city of Poland. It was very cold, but sunny and a clear blue sky. We spent some time touring the city and its surroundings. Apparently, Krakow has the biggest market square of Europe. And luckily enough we came at the right time of the year, having christmas decorations all over the city. At the market square they had set up a christmas market and big tree. 

Besides sight seeing of the city we also had some educational purposes. Whom has seen the oscar winning movie schindlers list probably knows the story. The factory of this story is located in krakow, and is now turned into museum, so of course this was a must see (and less than 4 dollars). We also visited auschwitz, which is about 80 kilometers from the city of Krakow. We visited both Auschwitz I, which shows exhibitions and has turned more into a museum, and Auschwitz II Birkenau, which is still in the state in which it was left by the nazis after the second world war. Overall I would highly recommended this beautiful place for a visit. It is tourist friendly, not too busy (like Paris or London) and its very cheap affordable.

Wanderlust

wan·der·lust (w n d r-l st ). n. A very strong or irresistible

 impulse to travel

I think the above pretty much sums up my personality. I feel like I was born to travel and 

explore new grounds. I always have that feeling of going places, whether it is in my own 

country or abroad. It was not until I saw this definition on tumblr that it made sense, I'm 

not the only person feeling like this. 

But being a student and having a crazy tight schedule and a limited budget, traveling is 

one of the last things on my list I get to enjoy. - Maybe more than the average person, but 

it can never be enough ;) -

I haven't heard a lot of people talking about it, but I have a bucketlist, things I want to do 

before I die. Actually, it's more like places I want to visit before I die. Take a look below

 on my list.


1. See the Northern lights

2. Visit Easter Island

3. Climb to Machu Picchu

4. Ride on a camel alongside the piramides of Egypt

5. Whale watching in Cape Town

6. Count kangeroos in Australia

7. Ride a cable car in San Francisco

8. Jump of the Niagara Falls (not really ;) 



                                         

I would say nice plan for the next couple of years, right? These are some famous places I 

want to go to, that I need to see before I die. But I also have to take a step back and

 realize all the wonderful places I have been already, in my 20 years of existence


1. Walked along the Seine, Paris

2. Shopping on Oxford Street, London

3. Made some crazy pictures 'in' the bean, Chicago

4. Walked over the Rialto bridge, Venice

5. Met miss liberty, New York

6. Climbed the Alps several times, France & Austria & Italy

7. Walked over the famous Charles Bridge, Prague

8. Spotted wolves in the Rockies, Colorado

9. Experience great music, Austin TX

10. Got some great sunburns, Croatia

11. Feeling like a little girl all over in Disneyland, PA

12. Saw a city with no boundaries, Amsterdam


The reason why I am listing this is not to show of in any way. It is to show my gratitude and make myself aware of the life I was given and the many opportunities I got throughout, I am beyond blessed. All of these experiences made me the person I am  today and shaped me in more ways than I'd ever could imagine. You meet new people,  new cultures and become more open minded. You are amazed with the beauty you see  around you, in people and in life. Visiting places, whether it is a town 60 minutes up north or 600 miles west, it is an experience that life cannot take away. Sometimes I feel  like I learned more about the world by traveling than 10 years of history classes. 



                                 
(The world is a book and those do do not travel read only one page)


And this might sound crazy to some people, but I love traveling by myself. Get away from

everything and find time to relax. I sometimes travel 2 hours to get to the beach, by

 myself. Just sit in the sand and let the wind blow in my face. Lay down and listen to the

 waves. Look in the sky and watch the clouds move. It is also a great place to pray, or

 read your bible, or other favorite book. Traveling sometimes means getting close to God.

 Yearly I go to the mountains, and I feel that is the one of the best places to talk to Him. 

You feel so close and are amazed at the beautful nature created. You can also combine

 traveling with spreading the word. I did not have that opportunity yet, or had to courage

 to do it, but hopefully one day I will. 

                            

And at a last note, traveling is the place to find yourself. Find your strengths, your

 capabilities. Believe it or not, I have discovered so much about myself during all these 

trips. If you have identity problems, a depression or are worn out, go somewhere, for 

real. You will have no regrets! Traveling is so much more than 'just traveling'. Explore, 

dream & discover. 

I have been ridiculously (is that a word) busy. And so many things are happening at the same time, it's crazy. First I want to give an update which is kind of good news. My grandfather was diagnosed with prostate cancer, yet has quite a good diagnosis. He refused any kind of treatment, which is OK, he is almost 90 years old. Instead he's getting hormones, and all his levels dropped and he is simply doing just wonderful. Here I was so frightened to loose him, but for now he is actually healthy. He can still live on his own, does groceries on his bike, goes to the chess-club. I was so afraid having to say goodbye to him, and the opposite happened, he is in great shape! That is such a big thing that I couldn't be more thankful for.

London!

Well furthermore I got to travel to London in December for school, to attend a conference. It was great, and I just love that city. All the Christmas decorations were out, and I just finished the semester, so no better start to my well deserved break. 

Look at the pretty-ness!

At the moment I am searching for an internship, which is a pain in the butt.  It is so difficult, so many organisations and places I would love to go to. Next to that I'm attending college full-time, trying to squeeze in gymtime 3-4x a week and still working on school when I get back to my dorm. Overall, I am just too busy, or at least thats how it feels. My head is just full of stuff and I really need to take it a step back and find some peace and quiet. Which is more difficult than it sounds, especially when you don't have the time for it. My weekends consists of doing NOTHING, literally. I try to plan nothing so my body and mind can relax for two days, to gain back fuel for the next week. 

 Don't forget to take a step back every once in a while (or every day if you can/want to) and think about what is happening in your life, during your days and in your mind. What are your dreams? What are you doing at the moment to make them come true? Who do you love or care for? Do they know? I find out almost everyday that 24hrs is just not enough...yet we often do not make the most out of it. Life is so simple yet so complicated. Do what makes you happy. That's all. 

And if you want to take a time out of working, doing homework, going to classes, working at your office job, or WHATEVER you do, I have so tips

- Paint your nails (yourself, or treat yourself and get a mani/pedi)

- Go to a park, pack some fruit, walk around and sit on a bench. Inhale the fresh air, look around, life's good :)

- Find an 'impossible' recipe online, go to the store and get the ingredients. Prepare and make a picture of it. How much does it (not) look as the recipe? Maybe it tastes delicious!

- Go to the beach (my favourite place in the world ) sit in the sand and let the wind blow in your face. Close your eyes and listen to the waves. You can also go to a lake or river, it's so peaceful. Don't forget your little picknick!

- Simply do nothing. It is probably harder then it sounds


Don't count every hour in the day, but make every hour in the day count
&

A happy heart makes the face cheerful (proverbs 13) Have a great and peaceful Sunday!