Why I Think These Tragic Shootings Actually Bring Out the Good in People and Humanity

When it rains, it pours.

Many people know this old saying and most of us have felt the meaning behind it, some of us ten-fold.

Recently, the news has been raining and pouring with tragic shootings. Whether they are reported more-so now due to the gun/anti-gun debates or the particular crime is simply more common, it seems like there has been an increasing number of gun-related news stories popping up lately.

With the amount of sad and tragic news being reported about these events, it is amazing how many people want to add to the pile of negativity and trash-talk our communities and humanity as a whole.

Quite frankly, it annoys me to read status updates on social media about how humanity is going down the drain. It annoys me to hear questions like "what is this world coming to?" It frustrates me to hear people say they no longer wish to live in this country or furthermore, on this planet.

I understand some of these comments are made in a joking-manner, but when events take place like the shooting at Renown Medical Center in the Center for Advanced Medicine on Tuesday, it does not mean that humanity has taken a turn for the worse.

What is does mean, is there are some folks in our community who are going to suffer physical and mental pain. There are families who are going to have to move on without loved ones. There are people who are going to replay the tragic events in their heads more than once. That alone is enough hardship for one town or a community to endure, let alone the negative comments and unnecessary statements being thrown around by the few. While the Debbie Downers and Cynical Susies are complaining about how trashy a town has become or stating their intent to forgo their U.S. Citizenship, magic is happening within the community.

If there is ever a silver lining in this type of situation is is this: communities come together and rally as one to pick up the pieces, help where help is needed, and provide general support for anyone and everyone. The shooting that took place on Tuesday happened in Reno but that didn't stop Washoe County and the City of Sparks from offering help and emergency medical services. It didn't stop the bordering agencies and entities from offering aide, outside their jurisdictions. In fact, the support and collaboration of all of these agencies was so profound, that an eye witness expressed her gratitude and appreciation.

Moving on from a tragic event like this is will never be an easy thing to do. Doing so in a sea of negative comments and trash-talk will be even harder. I am not, in any way, trying to discount the nature of the event or the tragedy that was the shooting. Events like this are terrible and I give my deepest, most sincere condolences to all of those involved.

I am simply trying to say that when events like this take place, and negative comments are thrown around like a football at a BBQ, take a second to look around at the magic happening in the community, in the midst of tragedy. Humanity is not going bad and will not go bad, so long as we have people like those right here in Reno, who are willing to step up to the plate and help the community.

Warning: Famous Landmarks Bingo is Not to be Played Under the Influence

A couple of months ago I introduced all of you to The Killer. This thing is vile, strong and does not let go without putting up a fight. It still has a firm grip on someone very close to my heart and to that I say this:

We use to play games all the time when we were younger. Some games we made up, others came in a box and had instructions. Whether we followed those instructions or not depended on our creativity and imagination that day.

One game I remember us playing quite often was Famous Landmarks Bingo. It was laid out just like a bingo card, with pictures of famous landmarks in place of the usual numbers. One player would pull a card, read the fact about the landmark and the other player had to guess which one it was. If they guessed correctly, they were able to dot the card in that spot (The way we played, we got a dot regardless of being right or wrong). We played that game, round after round, until we had those facts memorized and didn't need the cards anymore. We could call out a landmark and the other person would yell out a fact. Sometimes we were wrong or we would mix them up, and when that happened we just laughed.

It was because of famous landmarks bingo and all the times we played the game over and over and over again, that I was able to point out and name the landmarks I saw in Europe this summer. I would point to it and say, "Pantheon! That was on our famous landmarks bingo!" Then I would think to myself, she has to get here; she has to be able to see all of the monuments on that bingo game, just as I plan to do. We always said we wanted to. We didn't know what it meant or what it would take at the time, but we wanted to. We wanted to visit Stonehenge because we liked the name. We thought the Great Barrier Reef was "so cool!" And the Taj Mahal, well that building just looked unlike any other so, of course, we had to see it someday.

It angers and frustrates me to see that The Killer still has such a grip on her life that she can't see clearly anymore. It has interrupted her thought process, fogged up her mind and taken her morals and values hostage.  Continuing to give into The Killer will take any chance she ever had at seeing those landmarks and rip it to shreds. I would be surprised if she even remembers all the times we stayed up late playing the game.

There has to be some loop hole, some road off the beaten path to get around the "you can't help someone who doesn't want to help themselves" crap. I know that somewhere deep inside her mind she is screaming for help. She is hoping and yearning for some miracle to happen. One that can turn back time and stop her from making the decisions she made. She is hoping that when that feeling comes back, the one that completely overcomes her and paralyzes her mind, she can turn her cheek and refuse it. She is crying out, but she is so numb from The Killer's effects that she can't even hear herself.

I know she wants a relationship with her family. She wants to be close again. She wants to be able to take her parents out to dinner and talk to them about anything. She wants someone to be proud of her. She wants someone to see through the bad decisions and into her good heart. She wants someone to love her the way she knows she deserves to be loved. And, YES, she still deserves all of these things!

I know that if she had the choice between the life she has now and a life free of The Killer, free of the pain and addiction, free of the loneliness that comes with all of it, she would choose the free life. What does a person have to go through to get to a point where they are strong enough to make that choice? What kind of "rock bottom" does she have to reach to make the leap herself? Where is this "rock bottom?"

If I knew, I would pick her ass up and put her there! Why? Because I need her back! These parents need their daughter back! Her family needs the sweet, energetic, curious and brave girl back in their lives. She needs to experience life. She needs to travel the world and see the landmarks we talked about seeing so many years ago. She needs to see the world through the eyes of a child. Her decision to venture too far into the territory of The Killer took that away from her and she deserves to experience it. She can't do any of that under the influence.

If money could buy freedom from substance abuse addiction I would pay for it!

There has to be a way out of this - a way other than the one I've dreamed about.

If Others Judged Me the Way I Judge Myself

Being a female, I am no stranger to judgement. Judgement of character, intelligence, and appearance by oneself as well as by others. Everyone is judged at some point in their life but in my experience, females have a tendency to judge themselves more than anything. This phenomena is so intriguing to me.

Recently I have been paying more attention to the things friends tell me about themselves. They don't like their nose. They think they are fat. They have big feet. Most of these things are news to me. I never  once noticed a problem with the nose, or the size of the feet or even the body fat.

This got me thinking. I too pick myself apart at times and notice things that I am unhappy with. Do other people notice these same things? I will not venture to say these little details slide by everyone, however I am sure that most people don't even notice. So why are we judging ourselves? Do we pick ourselves apart because we aren't good enough for society or because we aren't good enough for ourselves? Why are we constantly harping on the things that makes us who we are?

All of these thoughts made my mind start spinning and forced me to imagine a day where everyone else judges me like I normally judge myself. I think it would go something like this:

I wake up, get ready and go downstairs to make breakfast. My roommate walks in the kitchen and I look down at today's ensemble because she must be thinking, wow, Katie really thinks that outfit looks good? 
I leave the house and stop at Starbucks on the way to work - it's going to be one of those days, I just know it. As I wait at the counter for my change, my hands are folded into loose fists because the barista who takes my money must be thinking, she could really use a manicure on those hands. Her chipped nail polish looks terrible. 
I turn around, looking for a place to stand that is out of the way and second guess my high-calorie coffee choice. The man standing behind me must be thinking, she definitely doesn't need that latte today. In fact, she could use a gym session or two. 
I grab my latte and make my way to work. Once there, I put my things down and sit at my computer. My coworker walks by and I inconspicuously put my hand up to my head in an effort to cover my face. I try to make it look like I was pushing hair behind my ear because she must be thinking, looks like Katie forgot to do some of her make up today. 
As the work day passes I get a bit tired. A different coworker comes to my office to ask me a question. I reach my hand up to my head, feel the bun my hair is pulled back into and wonder how it looks right now, because he must be thinking,  Katie should have straightened her hair today. It doesn't look as nice pulled back. 
The work day ends and I make my way home. I am sitting on the couch when my roommate sits next to me. I nervously look down at my underarms for noticeable sweat marks - it was warm in my office today. I do this because my roommate must be thinking, Katie sure does sweat a lot. 
I bet she is also thinking that I smell, too. 

All of these quirks, from my chipped fingernail polish to my nervous armpit check are small parts that help make up who I am. Ask anyone who has spent more than a day with me and they can probably tell you something they've noticed about me that stood out. Whether that be my makeup-less day or my hair that is pulled back into a bun, they notice.

All too often we judge ourselves based on what we think others are thinking of us. I know I am guilty. Although the above description was fictional, some of the things listed have gone through my mind before. Sometimes I do wonder if other people notice my make up, or lack there of. Sometimes I do wonder if people can smell my stressful day at work. However, the question should not be if they wonder, but why does it matter? Who are we being judgmental for?

If other people were, in fact, judging us the way we judge ourselves - it would sound as silly as my description above. And if they aren't making it a point to point these things out, why are we doing it to ourselves?

5 Reasons Why I Have a Love Hate Relationship With the Gym

I was talking to a friend earlier today about the gym and he mentioned something that I think is worth sharing. He said, "everyone has that one thing they hate about the gym." This statement seems to be true, unless you are me of course, because I have happen to have more than one thing I hate about the gym. It is because of these things that I have developed quite the love hate relationship with it.

It's not that the gym ever did anything to deserve this kind of resentment, it's more about the personal experience I had with it. What I am trying to say is, it's not it, it's me.

Katie's List of Reasons That Contributed to the Love Hate Relationship With the Gym:

1. It is not socially acceptable to drop it low to the beat of the music at the gym.
    Before I go to the gym, I get myself pumped by listening to fast-paced, high-energy music. On occasion, I also partake in the crack-like pre-workout powder as well. The combination of these two energy boosters is highly entertaining. By the time I get to the gym I am often so pumped that I can't help but react to my music in the best way possible. It turns out, this is not a socially acceptable practice at the gym.
    My most recent experience with this was on the ham curl machine. This machine works the hamstrings and gluts (well, if you do it correctly it does) and it does so horizontally. You lay down on the machine, putting the weighted bar just over your ankles and curl up. I put my headphones in, assumed the position and before I could get a fiver in, "I Love It" by Icona Pop came through my headphones and my bottom side started dancing without my permission. It does this often. My head then began to bob from side to side and next thing you know I am ham curling to the beat, and wiggling all over the place. I am telling you from experience, do not try this at home, or at the gym, because apparently it is not socially acceptable.

2. My thigh muscles swell after a few good workouts and all of a sudden the left and right side are inseparable. 
    Leg days are not my favorite for this reason. I really do not like when my muscles swell after just a few good sets and all of a sudden my legs decide to hug when I am walking. They don't normally touch in the middle and I am not a fan of this happening. After all that hard work and exhaustion you'd think they would hate each other and part ways, but nope! Not only do they swell up and touch, they also make me walk funny, which leads me to my next reason.

3. Unless you have mastered the exit walk on leg day, you are screwed, literally. 
    After a good leg day, my muscles are swollen, like I previously stated and it makes me walk funny (or at least I feel like I am walking funny). I always go into the locker room at the end of my workout to  freshen up and check my leg progress. After giving myself a once-over I head for the car. This is where the exit walk comes in handy and unfortunately for me, I have not mastered it. When I take that last walk out of the locker room, after a really good leg day, it looks as though I just did something highly inappropriate in the locker room. It doesn't help that i'm usually sweating, out of breath and my hair is a mess from doing abs on the floor mats. Wonderful. Now, not only are my thighs hugging, I look like I just sinned with someone in the sauna.

4. Protein, protein its magical juice, the more you drink, the more you...?
    Crop dust! That's right. The gym is always so busy when I go that on any given day I can be crop dusted and have no one to pin it on because there are always more than two people behind me. Not that I would ever walk up and accuse someone of doing a drive-by crop dust but, I wish I could. Keep that bottom side plugged up or walk into the bathroom. Seriously. It's gross.

5. In my profession, eye contact is necessary and expected. Be careful where you try it at the gym, though!
    It never fails that every time I am on the inner thigh adduction machine (the sexual ones where you are repeatedly opening and closing your legs) someone always makes eye contact with me in the open position. AWKWARD. While I always wear appropriate gym clothing, it doesn't take away the uncomfortable feeling. Not to mention, when this happens I always look down and double check for holes in the crotch region and then people begin to wonder why I am looking in that area. I can't win.
    I've tried to avoid this a few different ways. Looking up didn't help. Can you imagine someone repeatedly opening and closing their legs with their head thrust back and face toward the ceiling? Not a good look. I think I will just close my eyes on this machine from now on.
    My last gym had it down - they turned the machines toward the wall instead of facing the middle of the gym. Um, duh! This gym needs to figure it out!

What Your Gynecologist Won't Tell You

Maybe I am just naive and most women over the age of fifteen know this secret already, but I couldn't believe my ears when I heard my gynecologist tell me I could just skip my menstrual cycle while I was in Europe.

Excuse me? Why is this the first time I am hearing this information?

To fully understand my surprise and frustration it would be helpful to know the history behind the visit that led me to this astonishing news, as well as my menstrual cycle and the horror it brings with it. Now, I know what you are thinking and don't worry - I am not going to give you in depth details about the less than appealing liquid aspect of my cycle. None of us should have to endure that kind of torture so I will save you the pain and keep it to myself.

Lets start with the history of the little demons mother nature forced upon me as a high schooler and the perfect timing she had that was the cherry on top of it all (sorry - I couldn't resist).

The story began when I was changing into my swim suit to get ready for our family vacation - 8 days on a houseboat on Lake Oroville. Nothing but swim suits, jet skis, water toys and fun in the sun.

"Yeah, right," thought mother nature. "Cue the torture."

She must have been thinking exactly that because as soon as I slipped out of my pants and underthings, I noticed something that would change my life. You guessed it - I started my menstrual cycle the day we were leaving to the land of half naked humans and probably boys. Yep - great timing, mother nature.

I cried. I cried so much. I thought my life was over. All I could think was, not now, not today, this can't be happening. It was the worst possible timing and to the then 14 year old, it meant my life was over.

My mom tried to console me. She assured me my life was not over. She had a solution. And, of course she did - she's mom!

GREAT! Mom's got a solution. We're going to plug this leak up and move on.

Wrong.

Little did I know - young girls my age are encouraged to only use feminine pads. No plugs for me. Well, that is going to look just darling in my swimsuit, now isn't it?

I immediately went back into 'my life is over' mode.

Fast forward a year or two, countless sleepless nights, heating pads and the fetal position and we arrive at "the pill".

Yes, it might come as a surprise to some that not everyone uses birth control to control birth. It is also used to regulate out of control menstrual cycles like the one I was lucky enough to receive. Its almost as if it came bundled up in a little package and, like most packaged deals, you can't just have part of it, you have to take all of it. All of the emotional ups and downs, all of the muscle weakness and cramping, and the multiple days of pain and agony wondering when life will return to the normal state, it's all included in the package. The only foreseeable, long-term solution at the time was birth control.

Those little tiny pills were like pieces of heaven sent down by the gods. Although they didn't take the pain away completely, they turned the 15-17 day horror film into the normal 4-7 day, PG-13 version. That, I could deal with. However, the best was still yet to come.

I was happier than a clam when I found out about Seasonique, a birth control pill pack that regulates your cycle to come 4 times a year. Score! I was on that like white on rice, stink on poop, and any other fitting analogy you can come up with. Now THIS was heaven. With this new prescription I only had to deal with the little ovary demons four times a year instead of twelve. It was still painful during those 4 weeks but it was tolerable.

Fast forward again to this past summer when I was planning the final details and preparing for my life-changing Eurotrip, and you will find me in the Gynecologist's office. The problem: the demons were supposed to be visiting the first week I was in Europe. Considering my track record of pain and agony, that wasn't going to fly.

I asked what my options were and even selflessly offered to sacrifice my week prior to the trip so I didn't have to endure the pain during that first week and that is when I found out the shocking news.

My options were as follows:

1. Move the cycle up a week
2. Or "simply skip the cycle this time around and start your next pill pack early."

Those were the words straight from the horse's mouth. You have got to be kidding me. Since when can we just skip our cycles? I have been dealing with this crap for years and have never been told I can just skip it and not have to deal with it.

She assured me that it was safe and that women do it all the time when things like this come up. It does not harm the body, nor will it affect any normal, birth control-regulated cycle in any way.

I couldn't really tell you if I was happy or upset at this point in time. I was thrilled that I wouldn't have to worry about those little demons while I was traveling but at the same time, I was floored because I had been dealing with the excruciating pain for years and had no idea that I could skip it, even just once.

Why? Why don't the gynecologists share such important information, especially dealing with cases like mine? Is there more money in it for them? Are there really health concerns that come with it that she failed to mention when discussing me skipping the demons for the Eurotrip? Or do all of the doctors, nurses and front desk girls just enjoy the laugh on their coffee breaks when they see these women who can't fight back against those little demons who carry pitchforks and torches and set fire to your insides?

So many unanswered questions but, I am here to share with you this wonderful information:

If you don't feel like dealing with the horror film for a week, if you don't want to face the demons and the pain they inflict on your lady parts, if you just want to go two months or even three without balling yourself up into the fetal position for hours until you fall asleep and are numb to the pain, skip your damn cycle! Why?

BECAUSE YOU CAN!

I Don't Know What I Want to be When I Grow Up!

After paying thousands of dollars to the higher education gods, taking numerous stressful courses, writing more words than even exist in my vocabulary on a day-to-day basis, and graduating with a degree I was sure I would use immediately, I can honestly say that at this exact point in my life, I have no idea what I want to do when I grow up.

What is this the result of? Traveling the world? Having my first job after college? Not being able to jump in the car and take off on a road trip whenever I want anymore? Or is it simply because I am just 21-years-old? Maybe Avicii's song "Wake Me Up" just really got inside my head.

Aren't I supposed to know what I want out of life at this point? Don't these crazy ideas normally happen in college when students have time to change their mind and start over on another path to greatness? Does this really happen to people after all that hard work and dedication has come to a close? Aren't I supposed to be living my life with the degree I just earned, making a living and saving for the rest of my life and all of the fun, crazy, beautiful, wonderful things that will happen during it?

Before I confuse everyone else as much as I, myself, feel that I am, let me clear something up:

I do not feel like I should have gone to school for anything other than what I did. I just don't know what I want to do with that little piece of paper that tells me I'm now qualified to do so much.

There are so many options and so many paths I can take with my degree and it seems nearly impossible to figure out which one is right for me. I come up with new ideas every day of what makes me happy and I seek opportunities to bring those ideas to life but nothing happens. That is partially due to a lack of opportunities in my area, lack of experience on my end and a complete lack of knowing where I want to be and what I want to do.  What I do know is that I want to do something that I love every day. I want to make people smile. I want to help others. I want to contribute to society in a positive way.

I know I can do that with the degree I have now but how exactly do I accomplish those goals? What position, what job title, what role in society is going to get me to that point?

Blogging? Travel blogging? Social media? Digital media? Event planning? Host my own talk show? Become a TV personality? Do public relations in house or maybe for an agency? Do I want to be a freelance worker or answer to the man at someone else's company? Do I want to work the normal 8-5 or make my own hours?

I get so anxious trying to figure out what it is that I am supposed to do in life and I feel as though I am just running in circles and getting no where. Is it just going to fall into place? I wish I had the answers. It sure would save me a lot of stress from wondering where I am going to be in a year, 5 years or even 10 years from now. Maybe I am not supposed to know just yet. Who knows?

................................................................................................

I'll leave you with this little anecdote that I like to look back on when my mind gets to racing like this..

I met a man once while I was working at the hospital. He came into the ER with his wife who needed to be seen for a minor health issue. Since there weren't many people in the waiting room at the time they sat and talked with me until they got called back into a room. They asked me about school and life goals and plans. I told them what I wanted to do and they smiled and told me I was going to do well, no matter the job. They told me about their life-long marriage and how they have loved every minute of being together. Then, right before his wife was called back to see the doctor, the man then looked at me, right in the eyes and said with a serious tone, "I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up." Then he laughed. Him and his wife were both in their late 60's.


....Should I even be worried?

Euro Trip Mini Blog 7

It's only money.

That is what my parents tell me and that is what I'm going with!

We had quite the (you guessed it) adventure getting from Rome to Barcelona. 

After killing our legs for two days, walking the city of Rome, seeing everything and anything we could in the short time we had, we ran (all joking aside) with our packs to make the train we had to make to get to the ferry on time in Civitavecchia, Italy. 

When we got to the platform (platform 27 - of course the very last and furthest one there is) we were dripping with sweat, red and out of breath. The train we were supposed to take had broken doors so it was still sitting there. Yes! We were then told it would be delayed even more. Drat! Then, come to find out the train next to us that left two minutes after we got there, went to the same place. We could have been on it. Instead, we jumped on the next available train and arrived 15 minutes later than it was scheduled to. 

Per the phone conversation with two employees from the ferry company, the one that had us running in the first place, we had to arrive at least 2 hours before the ferry in order to book the €160 private room and get the Eurail discount. 

The ferry was scheduled to leave at 10:15pm. We arrived at 9:00pm and had to run, again, with our packs, over a kilometer to have any chance in even getting on the ferry, nonetheless booking a room.

Again we arrived out of breath, red and dripping sweat. But, much to our surprise we were still able to book a room, although, that wasn't the only surprise. A private room would now cost us €370 each. A shared, 4-bed room would cost us €135 each and we would have to sleep in separate rooms because they are booked based on gender. 

We told the woman at the window that we spoke to someone on the phone and saw prices online, which both resulted in different information. She told us our Eurail passes weren't valid at the ticket office and the only way to book with the Eurai is to do so at a place in Rome or another city, even though the ferry leaves from Civitavecchia. She simply didn't care. So we booked separate rooms and headed on the ship for our first ever, surprise, double-what-we-thought-it-was, cruise. 

When we got on the ship we decided to talk to the women working reception there. We told them what we had gone through to see if we could get an upgrade and they informed us that a private room is actually only €100 more than what we paid for our separate rooms and that none of the rooms even come close to €370 each. 

Basically - no one knew what they were talking about. 

End result? We upgraded and €400 later we enjoyed the most overpriced, ill-serviced, mini-cruise from Italy to Spain there is. We had to pay €5 for 30 min of wifi, got to sit next to a pool the size of a queen-sized bed and pay €6 for a vodka orange juice (but with a day like that - you don't say no to a drink)! 

Oh and did I mention the private room we paid €100 extra to upgrade to was actually a 4-bed dorm that was simply made no longer available to the public? That's right - 4 beds, two down, two up, a toilet and a shower. It was cramped with just the two of us so I can't even imagine it with 4. 

The plane tickets we were told of earlier that would cost €140 each to go directly from Rome to Barcelona started to sound pretty damn good at that point. We chose the "lower-priced cruise" because we thought it would be something new, fun and half the price of two plane tickets. Little did we know.. 

Albeit, we made the best of it and got to Spain safely. After all, it is only money, right? 

On the agenda for tomorrow: Spanish sight seeing, costal kayaking, cave snorkeling, and eating our weight in Spanish food! If we can't make a proper  entrance, you best believe we will make a proper exit! 

Spain, watch out! 

Xoxo

Photo above: waves behind our ship.

Photo above: smiling through it in the hallway of the cruise ship!

(Camera added some weird green thing to my face - that's not me, promise)! Haha 

Euro Trip Mini Blog 6

We missed our first train. Anyone who knows me knows how much I hate being late, so that was fun. One minute late costed us 3 hours of travel time and two new destinations in between. Cool. Wouldn't be an adventure in Europe if we didn't miss one, right? West and I were running with our backpacks and coffee looking like we were on the Amazing Race (which my dad and I will be applying for when I get back - we've been talking about doing so since I was 18... Or at least I have and my dad just smiles and nods) so at least that part was funny! Haha and now we're on our way to Venezia, Italy (or as the Americans call it - Venice)!

Side note: West and I recently had a conversation about city names and how they are pronounced and spelled one way in Europe and another way in America. Is this due to American language? I thought all names kept their respective spelling and pronunciation regardless of language. Interesting! I'll have to look into it when I get back. 

Anyway, here is the update on our stay in Switzerland:

West got creeped on by two twelve year old girls in the bathroom. Usually that stereotype is the other way around but this time the roles were reversed. As he was doing his "big business," as the sign on the toilet calls it, a young girl tried the door handle, realized it was locked and pressed her face up to the window glass. West could clearly make out her face so he is sure she could see him. If that wasn't bad enough already she started laughing and ran out of the bathroom. Not two minutes later, she came back with a friend and both girls pressed their faces up to the glass and laughed at West. When he told me this story I was dying of laughter... Him not so much. Haha It just goes to show you - you never know what can happen abroad, or know why the Swiss put windows on the toilet doors! Haha 

Lets move on to a topic that is a bit more fun! Canyon jumping is probably one of the coolest, most adrenaline junkie things I've done thus far! (Video Here) I know I speak for both West and I when I say it was amazing and we would do it again in a heart beat. Furthermore, canyon jumping in Switzerland is even better! The scenery is unfathomable and we wouldn't have been able to experience it anywhere else! Grindewald, Switzerland is beautiful. It's full of rolling green hills with small cottages peppered all over the place and a river running through it (like many places in Europe). If you get the chance to visit, do it, even if its not for canyon jumping (although I highly suggest you do that as well)! 

Another thing to note about Switzerland is that it's fairly expensive. No, I take that back - it's very expensive. For example: West and I bought two hot chocolates to warm up after our jump because it was raining and chilly and it costed us 7 Swiss Franc... and they were small. Afterward we were told that it was actually cheap because it usually costs 5 for one cup. Silver lining! 

Next thing to add to your list of things to do when you visit: high ropes course in the Alps! Very fun, very green and again, unlike anywhere else. We did the third hardest course (so there were two harder ones we could have tried). It costed us $37 Franc each and we could spend the whole day there if we wanted - totally worth it! We had a great time moving, climbing, swinging, jumping, and zip-lining through the trees. When we completed the first course we went backup for more, but this time we did the zip line course. This course consisted of only climbing and zip lines. It was so awesome! By this time we had gotten a hang of the carabeener (sp?) system and were moving through the course quickly, zip line after zip line! It was a great way to spend our morning and it didn't start raining until we left and got to the bottom of the hill! Can you say perfect? 

Last thing to note is regarding the local cuisine. First and foremost - try it. They are so intent on making quality food that it was impossible to find a mediocre dish. Everything we had was delicious, down to the fish and chips in the Irish pub! What we noticed, however is that they too, like every place in Europe so far, charge for water - even tap water. So, to keep within a reasonable budget and spend more of our money on food than drinks, we always filled up our water bottles at the hostel and brought them with us. Some places did not like that! We were told to keep our bottles off the tables if we wanted to drink our own water. Usually I would be a bit annoyed about this because we were still spending 40-50 Franc on the meals, however we did as we were suggested since it is in the culture to pay for water here. 

P.s. We met a couple on the canyon jumping adventure who have been traveling Europe together for the last month. They met through friends at a multi-day music festival called Tomorrow Land and the next day found each other, walking alone in a crowd of 180,000 people. I think that's a sign! Euro-trip love story! They were such nice people. One from Canada and one from Denmark and they seemed like they had already  been together for years. I love seeing the way the universe brings people together! :)

West and I will also have a couple friends to meet up with in Barcelona after sharing a room with them in Switzerland. We talked about the rest of our trips over some drinks and it turns out we will be crossing paths again, so meeting up is a must! It's about to be a party in Barcelona! 

We should make it to Venice around 5pm Wednesday our time. Since I don't have wifi on the train this blog will be posted after we get there. My hope is that we will see some beautiful architecture lit up in the night sky, indulge in some delicious Italian food (duh) and explore the city! 

More updates later! 

Ciao! 

Xoxo

**Update:

On the train leaving Venice and should be arriving in Florence around 6:30pm our time.

Venice was very touristy. It has been overtaken with people selling knock-offs on the street (that they plaster "made in Italy" stickers on and forget to remove the "made in China" tag from the inside) and coming up to your table at an outdoor cafe during dinner - very annoying. The canals smell and the casinos are sized like those in a grocery store, yet they have Vegas, club-like entry points. Overall, it still has a LOT of character if you venture deep into the canals and take time away from the main walkways. We had a fun time exploring the character-filled areas, making our way to the Mediterranean Sea and finding delicious homemade pasta for dinner - that's not very hard. Also - the wine glasses we had for dinner were double the normal size - score! 

Euro Trip Mini Blog 5

He is here! West made all of his flights on time and I made my train and transferred to the bus just in time to make it to the airport to meet him! I've never used public transportation so much in my life! America needs to step it up!

I didn't sleep much on the train and he didn't sleep much on the plane but we were both too excited to not explore Prague immediately. So, we got to the hostel, settled in, packed the day backpack (much smaller and easier to carry) and set out to make our way around the beautiful city. 

We saw the oldest bridge in Prague, the largest castle (which was just incredible) and plenty of notable street performers! Although, I can't describe all of the things we saw because there are too many great things to note! The sights are simply incredible (photos to follow soon)! What I can tell you is that you need to visit Prague (and the Czech Republic) as a whole! It's a beautiful, eclectic, and fun city that has something for everyone! 

Here are a few things I've learned after these past couple legs of the trip:

1. A good hostel makes all the difference! 

     Staying at Hostel One Home was one of the best decisions I've made yet. They only have shared rooms, they have common rooms to hang out in, free home cooked family dinners each night, activities planned for each night and an amazing, social and comfortable environment. We met so many awesome people, shared and heard so many travel stories and learned a lot about the places we are going from those who have already been. Choose a good hostel and the rest will fall into place! West had an amazing first experience and we hope to follow it up with similar ones! 

2. Maps are a great thing but getting lost is sometimes better.

     After getting lost (while using the map - hey, sometimes they aren't to scale! Lol) West and I ran into these quaint little cafes, tiny alley ways that led to terraces with old architecture and pianos on the street that are open for anyone to play! We found a huge park that stretches for what seemed like miles, and came upon an amazing view of the river and all of the bridges down the way. Sometimes going off the beaten path has its rewards! 

3. When you think that socially acceptable appearances are global, think again. 

     After staying in a hostel with a woman who didn't think clothes were necessary, I've realized that things we believe are socially acceptable and socially unacceptable are much different than I imagined. Obviously I know that everyone's culture comes with a different set of standards than the next but I guess I never thought walking around, bending over to get in your suitcase, and bending over someone's bed at 6 o'clock in the morning to ask for shampoo, naked, was ok anywhere! Lol culture shock! 

Anyway, we made it to Switzerland after 15 plus hours of night traveling by train and waiting in the stations, which was not fun, but well worth it because traveling at night means arriving in Switzerland while the sun rises! SO BEAUTIFUL! I'm still in awe every time I walk out the front doors of the hostel. Giant mountains surrounding us and a quaint little town in the middle of two large lakes - it's surreal. West is posting some photos now and I'll post the rest when I'm back (sorry for the wait). 

The food is great, the chocolate is delicious (we've had about 5 pieces each already lol) and add the scenery in to make the picture perfect time in Switzerland! 

On the agenda for tomorrow: finding a post office (I failed trying to find one in Berlin) and then hiking up into the Swiss Alps for a little adventure in the high ropes course and then canyon jumping to end it! Pictures and possibly video to follow! :) We're stoked!!

I'll update when I can. As many of you have noted - since West is now here, the updates are coming in slower because I'm more comfortable spending time outside for more hours of the day! And we are having an absolutely wonderful time! :) 

Love from Switzerland! 

Xoxo

Photo above: Prague, Czech Republic 

Photo above: playing drinking games with our new friends in the hostel in Prague after our family dinner! 

Photo above: eating bread with some traditional Switzerland sauce (that we later found out was actually for soup! Haha) 

Photo above: (from the train - ignore the glare and reflection) just before pulling into Interlaken, Switzerland! Gorgeous! 

Euro Trip Mini Blog 4

I'm learning the art of being a world traveler. My time has been much better spent with new friends and around other people, talking and sharing stories.

In Paris and in Amsterdam alike I met people who, like me, just wanted to share the experience with others. It might take a minute to decide who I want to walk up to and introduce myself to but the end result is always a good one. Those staying in hostels are not just there for the cheap rooms - it's not worth it if that's all you are looking for - they are here for the people and the experience. 

In Paris I was able to spend a night out with a group of 4 or 5 people who mostly spoke Spanish, and one or two who spoke English. The great part about it is that it doesn't matter what language you speak, because most everyone understands "Eiffel Tower" and is more than willing to go! When we got there, we were approached by people selling champaign and decided to partake. Then shortly after we heard the countdown from behind us, three, two, one, SPARKLE! The Eiffel Tower light show began. It was an amazing show and it was very nice to spend it with new friends! 

In Amsterdam I've had the pleasure of meeting many people but two in particular who I have spent most my time with. I met both Gunhild, a young woman from Denmark and Annie, a young woman from Canada in the terrace at our Hostel. We are all solo travelers who were looking for people to hang out with and it worked to all of our advantages! 

We took a walk down the Red Light District, indulged in a local Amstel beer and a shot of Jäger, people watched, sang the American songs that are played throughout the pubs, and shared stories of our lives and family and friends back home. "Home" is different for each of us, yet it didn't make a difference with regards to our being together - in fact it made it much more interesting. Conversations often started with sentences like, "in Demark we do this, do you do that in Canada?" It was a great way to learn a little bit about each other's culture. 

Unfortunately Gunhild left this morning so Annie and I hit the pavement again exploring the corners of this compact little city. We stood in line for an hour and a half to see the insightful Anne Frank house that has since been turned into a museum, walked down to Musuem Plein, as the locals call it, to see the "I am Amsterdam" sign and take some photos, headed over to the flea market to check out all of the local items for sale, visited the 7-story library that looks like a cross between an Apple store and an Ikea, and finally grabbed some grub! Lots of walking and lots of talking! I feel like I know Annie pretty well now! 

Exploring foreign cities is much more fun when you can do it with new friends, sharing stories along the way. Its good to be cautious, but not overly cautious to where you experiece mini panick attacks! I've had to remind myself to relax, breathe and know that things will work themselves out! When I did that, things got better quickly! Go figure! 

The best part yet? We all now have friends all over the world and my trip has just begun! I highly recommend staying in hostels for anyone traveling abroad! It's a great way to meet people and experience the cities and towns in a way you wouldn't be able to otherwise! 

Off to Berlin tomorrow! My train leaves at 7am and its quite a long ride. I wonder who I'll meet on this leg of the trip!?

Euro Trip Mini Blog 3

Well, I survived my first train riding experience and made it to destination number 2! It was quite the adventure!

After walking through the Louvre for a few hours, staring and marveling at all the masterpieces and works of art, I was fairly tired. The Louvre is huge and absolutely incredible. I recommend wearing tennis shoes and not sandals like I did (I apparently didn't learn my lesson the first time and didn't think it would involve that much walking. I was wrong...). 

So I took a cat nap at the hostel and got to the train station an hour early because knowing me, and my track record abroad, I would probably get lost on the way or in the station somewhere. Little did I know, platforms are only announced 20 minutes before the train leaves (which doesn't help people like me at all) and I had to sit and wait. 

The train was pretty neat. Everything over here is so green so it was nice to be able to look out at the scenery as the journey went along. My train connection was in Brussels, Belgium and I was to get off, and book my train to Amsterdam from there. This is where the problems began. 

As I feared, the train was booked. The only other option was to take the non-high speed rail. Ok. Not a problem. The catch? The train connection I wanted to sleep on now had 4 stops at which I needed to switch trains. Cool. My hostel was already booked for the night and I didn't feel like sleeping in the train station so it was my only option. 

The trickiest part about this 4 stop adventure was knowing when to get off. The announcer usually only announces in the language of the land, unless its a newer train, in which case the automated lady speaks in many tongues. I like her. I found a few people going the same route and followed them to the next trains. They were from Germany and Holland and were very nice! 

I finally made it to Amsterdam around 10:15pm. It was dark and I couldn't find anyone to help me find my way. Cue the nerves. I checked and there was no wifi available. Kick the nerves up a notch. What kind of place is this!? Finally found a man to ask for help and when I showed him the photo on my iPad of the map and location of the hostel, he said, "I don't know. Don't you have some kind of gps on there?" He walked away. 

Well yes sir I do, and if it worked I wouldn't be asking you. Psh. On to the next.

I found a bus driver who looked as though he was going on his lunch break. I basically ran to him, begging he help me find this hostel. He told me to get on the tram and ride it into the city. The tram operator would let me know when to get off. So I did that and it worked out well, until I got to the city and the tram operator told me it was somewhere in "that direction." Crap. It's dark, I'm now walking and I'm alone. I was so sacred. Cue the undercover tears and start walking. I was reading every Dutch street sign to see if it resembled the street the hostel was on. I could just imagine West pronouncing the street names with the throat clearing sound because that is what they all looked like. (Haha) 

A few men whistled as I walked by and said hello in tones I'd rather not deal with at this time of night. Aren't there women in windows for that? YEP! I turned the corner and BAM.. There were two pretty ladies swaying back and fourth in the windows on the street, wearing only bras and panties, if that. They were winking at the men walking by and motioning them to come in. They couldn't have been more than 23, but the red lights behind them made them look a little older. And thus I found the Red Light District. I was so happy because I knew my hostel was right around there. 

After walking up and down the canal twice and thinking I was going to give up (not sure what my thought process was there because I sure as hell was not going to sleep on the streets of the Red Light District), I looked up and saw Barndestreeg, the street my hostel is located on. I could have jumped for joy and probably did! I hurried down the street and saw the sign for Shelter City. I walked inside, explained I was late because of the train issue and they had no problem with it. I had to hold back the tears. Seriously. Relieved is an understatement. 

Being that nervous in a foreign country, thinking I was going to be homeless for the night, all alone, was not a good feeling. When I got to my bed in the 16-bed room (which is pretty cool), I quickly connected to wifi to notify my parents and boyfriend who were waiting to hear from me when my train was supposed to arrive around 8pm. I'm sure they were a bit worried. 

What a freaking adventure! 

Here are some things to note: 

1. People here are much nicer than in France!

2. This hostel is awesome! I recommend staying here for anyone traveling to Amsterdam! 

3. No more night trains until West gets here. (I've already changed my itinerary to make that true!)

4. Everyone here smells like weed.

5. There are sex shops displaying dildos on every street.

6. Yes - the girls in the windows are actually good looking (from what I can see - I try not to stare).

7. Its makes me laugh when the girls close the curtains when people try to take their picture! lol 

On the agenda for tomorrow: Anne Frank House, museums if possible, the I Am Amsterdam sign and more city exploring. 

Right now I am enjoying an Amsterdam crepe from the market! :) 

Euro Trip Mini Blog 2

Well it's day 2 in Paris and I have to say this has been quite the adventure already! I've smiled, laughed, cried, been asked for money a dozen times, walked 3 and a half hours to get to a hotel, only to find it was way over the price I was told and i've come to find the plug adapter I bought doesn't work in some countries - France being one of them.

Here are some things I want to remember next time around:

1. Factor in distance and walking time (if you are as frugal as me with your money and don't want to take an expensive cab everywhere this will be important). 

2. Know the hostel and address the day before arrival. Finding one the day of is harder than it sounds without a phone and thinking you will have no where to stay in a foreign country is a little nerve wrecking. Or a lot, if you are me! 

3. Always ask about price! The hotel I was in last night had a pamphlet of all the things they offer - one of which being a "buffet breakfast" (more like continental) and there was no price listed so I assumed it was included in the room cost. I ate some fruit and a croissant and was charged £10 at checkout. Not cool. 

4. Not all French folks are rude.. Most of them seem to be, however a couple have stopped to ask me if I needed help finding something. So I've learned to just ask for help! If they don't want to, they will tell you or pretend to not speak English. 

5. Talking with people you love after experiencing rough days abroad is very helpful! :) 

I'm excited to take the train to Amsterdam tomorrow as it will be my first time being on one and I won't have to walk! It is also just about 5 minutes from my hostel! I knew I'd be walking a lot but didn't expect this much! It took me an hour and a half to get to the hostel today - and I have a brisk walk! Glad I have good walking shoes! 

Euro Trip Mini Blog 1

My experiences so far before even leaving the United States:

1. Lots of people stare at me and my backpack as I assume they are wondering why I am carrying something half my size. So far only one person has mustered up the courage to ask me the question: Are you backpacking or do you always pack that way? This short conversation led him to tell me "good luck" just as many others have told me. I know it is in good faith, but good luck sounds to me like I am heading into a jungle of wild gorillas who collect young brunettes. I'm not. I'm going to a civilized area with good people. "Have fun" would be much more appreciated and make me feel a bit less stressed. ;)

2. The escalator moving up was under construction in the airport... This led me to my first experience hiking upstairs with all of my stuff. My advice? When you pack light for a trip like this, pull all of the stuff out of your backpack, and pack lighter! I can already tell that i'm going to have a great ass and toned legs when I get back! However, I will never know if the new and improved bottom side is from the hiking or the pastries. Oh well! 

3. Large backpacks are definitely good for some things: they hide the ever so secretive butt scratches when you just can't wait! ;) 

4. Lastly, this is a chicken* salad sandwich if I've ever seen one! Salt Lake City, you have inspired me to do better in the sandwich making department! 

* Update : this was a chicken salad sandwich not an egg salad sandwich! :)

How to Use Hashtags Properly: A No Nonsense Guide to Reaching a Broader Audience the Right Way

OK, here is the deal: just as there is a right and a wrong way to spell a word, there is a right and a wrong way to use a hashtag. Although, I am a firm believer that most things are not simply black and white, hashtags come pretty darn close to the two-color scale.

That being said, I have put together an easy-to-follow guide to using hashtags appropriately.

Let's start with the basics:

What is a hashtag?
A hashtag is the new and improved pound sign (#) symbol. In social media it is followed by a word or phrase relating to the overall post. For example, if a photo is posted of a camel on Wednesday an appropriate hashtag might read #humpday.

What are hashtags used for?
Hashtags brings users to a feed that is populated with posts that all use the same hashtag. The purpose of this is to create a thread with posts only relating to a particular trending topic. Another purpose of hashtags is to help your message reach a broader audience than your current following.

Recap: proper hashtag etiquette includes using a few hashtags (3-5) relating to the topic, however it is not appropriate to include hashtags that have no relation to the topic in hopes of reaching a larger audience. Posts with an unnecessary amount of hashtags end up looking cluttered and are annoying to others who see them. This is not an example of using social media strategically and in most cases these posts will actually be skipped over.

Now, let's get to the guidelines:

Keep it simple.
Again, only hashtag words that are related to the post. If the post has nothing to do with having a good night or going to sleep, don't hashtag #goodnight. Hashtags only work if they are relevant.

Keep it short.
Using any more than 5 or 6 hashtags gets to be too much, and that is a generous number. If you are using them strategically, you shouldn't need that many anyway. Nothing is more annoying than an entire paragraph of hashtags. It's unnecessary.

Mix it up.
Make it easier for users to read by including the hashtags in a sentence like the following:

I can't wait to see #BlakeShelton sing on #TheVoiceFinale tonight! 

Posts like this flow easier than listing one hashtag after the other and they look less like spam. 

Hashtags can be a great asset to social media, but only when used properly!

Packing for Europe: Checking the Last Boxes on the Backpacking Checklist

Being the planner that I am it should come as no surprise to anyone that I did my fair share of research leading up to this trip. In addition to having a Type-A personality, I like to think I also employ some common sense in most cases as well. That is exactly what that research was for me - common sense. How could I possibly go on a 25-day backpacking trip through Europe without reading blogs, asking questions, calling stores, and more? It would have been a lot harder, I can tell you that.

So based on my research (and personal decision) I came up with a packing checklist to help get my ducks in a row. I have included all of the items below, some with photos to give you a better visual. After my trip I will post an update, talking about what I packed and what I would do differently the next time, if anything at all. Hopefully it helps for any of you adventurous types planning a similar European exploration!



First thing is first: the backpack! This can make or break the trip, or so I have heard. I went to REI and purchased the women's Crestrail backpack. It is full of pockets and organization and it just so happens to be my favorite color - purple. Make sure you get your backpack fitted correctly and make sure you know how to pack it (heaviest things closest to your back). Size of the pack depends on how long you will be backpacking for and what you plan to bring. Just ask a store associate - they are very knowledgeable.



Clothes - **Keep in mind that I might pack a few more items than necessary due to being female and a lover of all things fashion. The basic idea here is to pack as lightly as possible to avoid carrying around any extra weight during the trip. I have to keep reminding myself that I will be able to do laundry so packing one outfit a day is unnecessary. I've been told a good rule of thumb is to pack for 5 days and then wash when needed.

The basic items you will need are as follows:

• Socks and Underthings - I brought more than the 5-day rule because of the advice I got from friends.

  

  Spandex Capris

• Pajama bottoms - I am simply using spandex shorts or capris that I am already bringing.  (Kills two birds with one stone).
• Stretch shorts - 2 pair - easy to match and comfortable for days with lots of walking
• Stretch capris - 2 pair - again, easy to match and comfortable.
• Yoga pants - 1 pair - need I say it again? (See above.)
• Jeans - 1 pair, 2 if you are feeling fashionable 
• Maxi skirts - 2 - Comfortable, can be dressed up or down and the ultimate plus - you can go longer without shaving your legs because they are full length! Score!
• Short sleeve t-shirts - 4 or 5 - Make sure they all mix and match with your bottoms so you can make more outfits out of less clothing!

  

  Maxi Skirt

• Long sleeve shirts - 1 - only if you think you will need it. I think in most cases a shirt with a rain jacket would suffice. 
• Tank tops - 2 or 3 - again, mix and match them with everything so you can wear them out!
• Scarfs - 1 or 2 - these are completely optional but mine are very light and barely take up any room - so why not?
• Bikini - 1 - bring this just in case you have time or visit a place where you can use it!

  

  Rain Jacket
• Water proof jacket - I've been told this is a must have so I picked up a light one that will pack away nicely and match with most outfits! The one I bought is pictured to the right and it is the Columbia Women's Switchback II Jacket from Cabellas ($34.99). 
• Running shoes - 1 pair - I am bringing my Nike Frees because they are comfortable and I can be on my feet for long periods of time without issue. 
• Sandals - 1 pair - I am bringing a pair of sandals for the places that will require a nicer outfit and for the skirts. 
• Flip Flops - 1 pair - these double as shower shoes as well as lazy shoes (or so I call them) for when you don't want to dress up.

Toiletries - **Make sure these are small enough to go with you on the airplane if you are planning to carry your pack on (3oz. is the acceptable amount).

• Shampoo and Conditioner - I am only bringing one or two to start me off and then I can replace them once I am there. Again - anything to make the pack lighter.
• Body wash
• Face wash
• Wash cloth - I wasn't told to bring this but think it might come in handy!
• Tooth paste and toothbrush - well duh! Just don't forget them!
• Razor - be careful bringing this on the airplane with you - might have to purchase them abroad.
• Deodorant - with all the walking you will be doing this is a must!
• Lotion
• Sunscreen - protect your skin!
• Chap stick - if you are like me, you always have this with you anyway.
• Face wipes/baby wipes - these could come in handy when you don't have a shower or sink easily accessible.
• Make up - I am bringing the bare minimum but it is definitely personal choice.
• Prescriptions - don't forget these
• Over the counter drugs - Advil, Aspirin, Anti-diarrhea (this one was advice-driven based on friends who backpacked before me and reminded me of all the local cuisine I would be consuming that my stomach might not be use to). 

Travel Necessities and Other Items - these are other things you may need.

• Plug converter - this is not a "may need" situation. You will need this if you want to charge a cell phone, camera, or use anything with American plugs attached to it. 

  

  Microfiber Towel

• Sleep sheet - if you are staying in hostels and don't want to use the things they offer.
• Travel towel - microfiber dries quickly and packs very small so I would recommend that. I am bringing the Fina Ultra Absorbent Waffle Weave Microfiber Hair and Body Towel. It is smaller than a normal body towel but the reviews said it worked just fine and dried quickly. I will give my own review on the updated packing blog when I return.
• Toiletry organizer bag - it was suggested on multiple blogs to bring the folding organizer that you can hang in the shower, but I am just bringing a small toiletry bag that fits all of my things. 
• Combination lock - bring this in case you'd like to leave your pack in a locker at a hostel. They don't provide them. Make sure you get one that lets you set your own combination. I purchased a two-pack at Walmart for $6. Do not bring a lock and key - you don't want to lose it and be out of luck.

  

  Combination Locks

• Money belt - I was urged to bring one with me and will urge everyone else to do the same unless my experiences tell me otherwise. I purchased the REI brand money belt with the RFID protector (no extra cost) and will review it when I return. 
• Notebook and pen - you never know when you will want or need to write something down.
• Laundry detergent - one travel pack will get you there and then replace it as needed. 
• Glasses/contacts - if you wear them, make sure you bring extra contacts in case they rip or get lost. 
• Inflatable water bottle - I was told they are useful because they can be easily stored when they are empty. Sold at the dollar store, in most cases. 
• Plastic bags - for keeping wet or dirty clothes separate from clean clothes.
• Travel lint roller - you don't want to be the only lint-filled person in Europe. I've heard they are very fashionable!
• Small blanket - this is what I am bringing in leu of a sleeping bag. I have heard it is easier to pack and works just the same. 
• Snacks - for the long train rides or when you don't want to purchase a meal. Granola bars, canned fruit, etc. 
• iPad - I am bringing mine for blogging/reading purposes on the trains but it is not necessary.
• Passport, Drivers License and copies - make sure to have copies as well as the real things with you in case they get lost or stolen. Also it would be smart to have them saved in your email in case you lose everything. That way you can get to the American Embassy and locate them via your email. 

So far this is what I plan to bring with me on my trip and yes - it will all fit in one backpack! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask and I will answer them to the best of my knowledge. Otherwise, I will write an update when I return and share my post-adventure secrets. 

Stay tuned for updates from Europe!

I'm Going to Eat My Bread and Have it Too.. So I Can Have More Later!

With the new fad in Reno being healthy eating and gym membership - yes, I said fad - it's hard to avoid the stereotypical topics of conversations that go along with that. 

Every day on social media you see people checking in at the gym, posting photos of their workouts, before and after progress, healthy dinner photos and more. Unlike many others, I don't think this is a bad thing nor do I find it annoying. In some ways, I actually find it to be inspirational and motivational.

What I do find annoying, however, is when people decide that telling others what food is healthy and unhealthy to consume is OK. I understand offering advice or sharing knowledge of some delicious, intriguing recipes, but judging what people consume based on their current shape, size, or overall health is simply preposterous. 

I have been told many times - by people who frequent the gym - to avoid eating pasta as much as I do, to eat a healthy breakfast and make sure I don't skip it and to substitute unhealthy foods with healthy foods. The thing that annoys me the most is when I'm in the middle of eating something and someone says, "That is so bad for you." 

Oh, is it? I had no idea Mac 'n Cheese was bad for me. Let me put this down and eat something with less sodium, less carbs, less fat and less sugar. I'll eat a celery stick. Yes - that is what I will do. 

It's like, listen, I am a healthy person overall. One freaking bowl of Mac 'n Cheese isn't going to kill me. Nor is it going to make my thighs grow three sizes bigger by the time I get to the bottom of the bowl. Eating pasta is actually OK believe it or not. Should I eat it every day? No. Do I? No. Thank you. 

That brings me to my next point - people who tell you the nutrition facts about food you are either eating or thinking about eating, as if you can't read the package yourself. Thanks for the vocabulary lesson, but could you save it for after dinner? Based on what you are telling me, i'm trying to eat my way to death over here and I might not have to listen to you anymore. 

Unwanted nutrition facts aren't cool. Period.

Furthermore, just because I didn't go to the gym this week does not mean I am lazy. It means I am enjoying my time at home and don't feel like going. Or maybe I am blogging.. which is more important anyway. 

Lastly, if I want to eat some candy. I'm going to eat some damn candy. I am a grown woman and last I checked it wasn't a crime to to eat a spoonful of sugar - just ask Mary Poppins! So jump down off your high, organic-fed horse and get with reality. Not everyone shops at Whole Foods and has designated leg, arm, back, neck, nose, and toes days at the gym.

Now, before everyone jumps on me for this I will say, I have talked about the fact that I shouldn't eat the donuts at work on donut-Fridays but that is different. First of all, it is MY body so I can decide whether I should or should not eat the glazed goodness. Second, donut-Fridays happen every week so I am bound to tell myself to refrain at some point. Bottom line? You should only be telling yourself what to eat and not eat. 

There is another side to this issue though. 

I am a relatively in-shape female who would like to continue being relatively in-shape. That being said, sometimes I actually do leave my blog to go to the gym or other times I will trade out the sugary cereal for egg whites in the morning. When this happens I don't need people asking me why I am working out or why I am eating healthy. Did it ever occur to you that I might like the taste of salad when I am eating it? I don't ask you why you are eating pie when you already have an ass, so don't ask me why I am eating egg whites when I don't need to lose weight. To my knowledge, simply eating egg whites won't make me drop ten pounds. If it did, I wouldn't need a gym membership - or my job, because I would have a chicken farm and be rich. 

Just because I choose to be healthy 68% of the time doesn't mean I think I am fat or need to lose weight. It's called prevention. I am preventing myself from becoming unhealthy and living an unhealthy lifestyle. I don't want to gain weight and have to work to lose it. I want to maintain my current lifestyle so that doesn't happen. I mean, I don't know about you all but I am trying to work smarter not harder. 

Not to mention, I happen to like being semi-healthy. Sometimes. 

The overall idea here is this: you shouldn't concern yourself with what other people are doing. If they want to eat pasta, let them eat pasta. If they want to eat a salad, let them eat a salad. Because I can tell you that no matter how many times someone tells me not to eat the extra piece of bread at the Italian restaurant before dinner - I'm going to eat it. 

The Killer.

In all of my 21 years I have never encountered something so detrimental. I have never seen something so small engulf everything in its path like it does. I have never wanted something to disappear as much as I do The Killer.

It lures. It deceives. It captures. It hooks. It harms. And it kills.

It kills dreams. It kills opportunities. It kills potential.

It takes lives right out from under people.

It collects souls in a little, tiny bag and it carries it everywhere and suffocates them until they bow before it.

It rips apart families and causes incomparable pain and anxiety.

It steals youth away from the innocent.

Its a killer.

We call this killer drugs.


My point of view is different than some in that I have explored my fair share of The Killer's territory. I haven't wandered too far into the neighborhood but enough to know I don't want to live there. It is dirty. It is dark. And most repulsive of all - it is sad. It's a very sad place to be.

And coming from a person who has seen, first hand, the effects of The Killer, I can tell you that it is not something to be taken lightly. It is serious and once it smells your interest, it won't let you go. It will have a grip on you like a snake that has locked its jaw on its victim.

Currently the victim is someone very close to me and the Killer's grip is strong.

I can't even begin to organize my thoughts into the words that would come close to explaining how I feel about this situation. Sometimes I feel nothing at all and other times I feel helpless and scared that something might happen.

I have woken up numerous times from a reoccurring dream that I can't seem to shake. In this dream I receive a call that something has happened to this person whom I care so much about. Each time I wake up I frantically check my phone to make sure it was, in fact, a dream.

After reassuring myself that everything is OK, I realize soon that nothing is actually OK. That scare being a dream only meant that I didn't receive a call that night. The Killer still has his grip on someone close to my heart. The dream simply serves as a reminder of what could happen. It is a reminder of what this person is experiencing and how deep into the Killer's territory they really are.

To us, the people adversely affected by these types of situations, it seems as though The Killer is more important to our loved ones than we are. However, I have come to realize that this is just not so. The Killer only makes it seem this way. This person who I care so much about never chose one side or the other. The Killer chooses for them when they step into its territory. If I feel helpless, I can only imagine how this person feels.

Trapped. Stuck. Imprisoned.

Imprisoned within the cells of The Killer.

Four tall, concrete walls on either side with only a slight crack and a chisel as means of escaping.

In so deep that it will take everything in their power to get out. Every ounce of will power. Every last bit of self control.

Or maybe just a statement - I NEED HELP.

Because what these people don't realize a lot of the time, is that if they help themselves, if they exert every last bit of self control and every ounce of will power they have left, there are people who will help them. There are family and friends at the top of those tall walls waiting for them to grab hold of the rope they have descended down to them. To grab it and hold it tight so that they might escape the grip of The Killer and make the climb to the top.

Unfortunately though, it is not until they grab the rope that they can be helped. They can't be lifted by the strength of others unless they take that first step themselves.

With every cell of my being, with every bit of hope, and with every last ounce of love I have in my heart for this person, I hope they can find the strength to reach up and grab that rope. I will do everything it takes to pull this person up, I just need to see some commitment, some promise, some light in their eyes.

I know it is still there.

I know you are still in there.


** This post is written without names for a reason, so please respect that decision.