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I long to ride a bike, dance, whistle, look at the world, feel young and know that I'm free. -Anne Frank

4/7/2015

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     We landed in Endohoven Saturday and bought our bus ticket to Amsterdam city center. After waiting a hour for the bus to come we ended up missing it due to mislead information by the woman who we bought the tickets from. I don't think she liked us very much. We had to wait another hour for the second bus, I felt pretty bad for Oliver seeing as he was leaving the next day at 5 am and we weren't even in the city yet. After a two hour bus ride we arrived in Amsterdam and made our way to check into our hostels. Mine and Julia's hostel was in a great location. It was right next to the three famous museums and the I AMSTERDAM sign. After we put our bags down in our room we went to meet up with Helen and Nicole who booked a different hostel. We ate some dinner and people watched on a busy street enjoying every moment. 
     The Dutch definitely live differently than we do. For starters, weed is legalized and its normal at dinner to smoke a spliff or joint with your meal. People of all ages were like this. There are "coffee shops" and inside its set up like a bar but instead of drinks you order different types of marijuana. A free spirited lifestyle to say the least. After dinner it was around 11:30 and since Oliver was staying up al night and leaving early in the morning we decided to stay up with him! We walked around for a bit and stopped in front of a canal, sat on the railing and just talked about life. We all couldn't believe that we were where across the world in this city together. It was around 1am when we headed to the Grand Palace and then back to a bar to watch the UK game at 3am. Even though it was 3am there were still so many people out and about. After the game Julia and I could barely keep our eyes open. Oliver left for the bus and we headed back for our hostel. In the morning Helen, Nicole, Julia and I all met up at the Amsterdam sign. It was beyond filled with tourist so we left to go to Vondelpark. Since it was Easter there were families, old people and kids everywhere. It was amazing to see how many people I saw working out. I can't help but think that if Americans had that mentality of staying healthy we all wouldn't be so fat...
    A bit later we walked back to Van Gogh square and just sat there laying in the sun enjoying the moment. Next we headed to Bloemenmarkt (which is a flower market) that was floating on the canal. It was beautiful and just walking through the market I couldn't help but think of my mom and how much she would love to be here with me. I would of bought her something to bring home but its illegal to transport plants across countries and I didn't feel like breaking the law that day. It was nice seeing all the tulips, plants, and seeds you could buy though. 
    Then we took a canal boat tour which was on my to do list in Amsterdam! It lived up to by expectations for sure!! It was amazing to see how the city can be navigated by water. I took some wonderful photos and learned fascinating facts about the city. Most of the cars in the city are electric and the boats are the same way. The city supports eco-friendly machinery and they even have stops all over the city where you can charge your cars. There are also over one million bikes in Amsterdam!! When I say I saw a lot of bikes I mean the THEY WERE EVERYWHERE! I was more afraid of getting hit by a biker than a car. There were even bike parking garages! It was insane. 
     We went to dinner after and then walked back to our hostels to get a good night of sleep and wake up early for the Anne Frank house. Julia and I started walking at 8 in the morning to the Frank house and on our way we passed the I AMSTERDAM sign. It was the first time we walked by and there was no sign of people anywhere. We of course had to stop and take that perfect photo! Helen and Nicole beat us to the Anne Frank house and were already waiting in line. We decided to get there a hour before it opened at nine because when we walked past the day before the line was insanely long! Thank the Lord that we did because even though we got there early we still waited in line for a hour and a half! As every minute passed more and more people came and the long rapped around the block! There is probably 1000 visitors a day because there were hundreds of people there and it hadn't even opened yet.... 
    Inside the Anne Frank house is something I am not even sure I could describe. Everyone walked in silence as they made their way to each room and floor. It is a tragic story of people forced into hiding. I learned how they spent their days in silence terrified that today would be the day they would be found out. I walked in the kitchen where they ate their meals and the bookcase that hid the Frank family. I saw close up the growth lines of Anne and her sister Margot on the wallpaper. The bedroom where she put up photos from magazines to decorate the plane walls and the diary itself where she wrote everything down. It baffles me that not so long ago this tragic event happened to so many people and families. I watched an interview by Anne's father where he talked about after he found out his family had been killed and when we read the diary for the first time... he said that even though him and Anne were close, a parent never really knows their child. That is such a powerful statement to me that I find to be true. Walking through that house is something that will stay with me and something I will never forget. Her story changed me and has impacted millions of people. 


    Our adventure ended with a few hotdogs and the Heineken Experience which I have to say was way better than the Guinness Storehouse. We ate a few snacks and got our bus back to the airport. We stayed the night in the hotel attached to the terminal and let me say it was amazing. The best shower I have had since I have been to Europe. I got to watch TV for the first time in what seems life forever and fall asleep in a comfy bed. You would be surprised the little things that you miss. 

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     Our whole lives we are taught to go to school for 16 years. Get good grades, study and try hard and you will be rewarded with a steady job and a future. Then you will have money, success, find a spouse and have children. But what they don't tell you in this well constructed advertisement is that it doesn't mean you will be happy. I've seen many people graduate school and then they work jobs they don't like or just settle with what they get. They were led to believe that this is all life has to offer but its not. There is more than you could ever ask for waiting for anyone willing to try hard enough. I don't want an ordinary life down a path that doesn't lead to where I actually want to be. Thats why I choose to be a photographer for my profession. It gives me the opportunities to experience, travel, see beyond a path thats easy to follow down. 
     I want more our of my life and I know people say that they will go see the world someday and do what they want to do but do they ever really do it. Someday for me is today. I am 20 years old and I have already accomplished so much by the willingness to put myself out there. I will finish my degree in a year. I have travelled across the world and lived on my own. I have figured out exactly what kind of person I am and want to be. I have exposed my flaws and promised to work on them and be a better person. I have found a career where I can express and challenge myself. I have grown in many ways and started to pursue the life I have always wanted despite everyone who told me no and thats more than I can say for others. Thats not to say that I haven't had help. My mom and dad have supported me fully and stood by and trusted me to make the right decisions. My siblings have encouraged me to always be myself. My friends have had my back and recognize my accomplishments. I have the best people in my life that will always be there for me. 
     I'm proud of where I am. even though I am exactly where I want to be I've found that its hard letting go of the past. The demons that I have tried so hard to leave behind always find there way back to me in some form...I can lie and say that I don't let them get to me because that would be a lot easier than admitting whats real. The truth is not something I allow myself to tell most of the time. I would rather pretend or make things up then tell people whats actually going on and I fooled almost everyone in my life at one time or another. That is such a sad statement but once again it is whats true. I'm sorry for all the lies that I have told especially to my family because you mean more to me than anything else. I want you to know that I am working on it and that I am happier than I have ever been. I am stronger now than I was before and I hope you can see that. I'm not sure if my past will ever stop creeping up on me or if I will stop feeling the ache within myself but I'm proud that they don't have any power over me. I think without them I wouldn't have the compassion that I do for others. I wouldn't be able to see past other peoples masks. I wouldn't be me. 



     Dad I made a promise to you when we sat on that bench at the lakehouse looking down at the water. I want you to know that I've kept my promise. Honesty, if it wasn't for you making me swear to it I probably wouldn't of lasted as long as I have. I don't know how much it meant to you or even if you remember it but it meant everything to me. It was the first time in a long time I talked with you and felt okay to not be ashamed and to just be honest with you. I love you, mom, jimmy, josh and jori so much I could cry. I just wish you guys could be here with me experiencing this incredible journey I am on. 



    Mom I also want you to know that I have found my strength these past months through the Lord. 


I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. -1 Corinthians 13:4


sorry for any typos I am really tired and too lazy to reread this. Mom if you see any text me and I will change it:)

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There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind. -C.S. Lewis

4/2/2015

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Our weekend journey through Ireland started on a three day tour on a bus. We drove three hours to the Rock of Cashel in Cork, Ireland. It was an old church with a graveyard attached to it and we walked around for about an hour before heading back on the bus. 
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Next on our adventure was Blarney Castle which was truly as site to see. It a serene place where we got to go all the way up to the top of the castle itself. The stair leading to the top were so narrow and broken that I wasn't sure I would fit and make it all the way up. There were different rooms you could go into and secret paths. It was so old I couldn't believe it was still standing. We got to the top where I got to kiss the Blarney Stone for good luck!:)

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We walked around the park for awhile and I felt like I was in a magical forest in a movie. The moss was covering every inch of the land, branches and trees. There were walk ways and small waterfalls all around while we ventured on the grounds. We came across the wishing steps in one of the gardens. It is foretold that if you close your eyes and walk down the steps and back up the steps thinking of a wish in your head the whole time that in one year it would come true. Of course I had to give it a try. I'm not sure if it worked or not but I guess we will find out in a year!! We walked through a poison garden which is something I have never experienced before. In the garden, I found Wolfsbane and Mandrake which I didn't know were real but they are used in the Harry Potter movies! 
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In the heart of the Castle gardens lies the magnificent sight of the fern garden. I followed a grassy path lined with wild flowers and I found myself on a limestone cliff overlooking the ferns. Next we went under the castle into the caves which were dark, damp and small. I had to crouch down at one point just to fit! After we finished at Blarney Castle we got back on the bus and waiting to see what was next. We ended up driving by this beach where we stopped and took a few photos where I got some truly amazing shots. 
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Last on our bus trip for the day was the small Village of Dingle where we were staying the night at the Grapevine Hostel. We went for dinner where I treated myself and got steak and a glass of wine. It was the first time I have had steak since I arrived in Europe and let me say it was much needed. The meal was good but nothing could even beat my dads steak at home. We woke up the next morning and went to the Ring of Kerry. The Ring of Kerry is probably my second favorite place in this world. (nothing will ever beat the lakehouse) This one was a close second though. It felt like I was I was looking at something that couldn't possibly exist. The fog coming over the green grass hills and the water hitting the rocks along the cliffs. 
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The next few hours consisted of chasing sheep in a field, Mitch swimming in a no win zone and stopping to get bangers and mash! Then we took a little walk between mountain passes where I had a delicious slice of apple pie. 
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After we headed to Killarney waterfall which was insane! We tried not to fall in the water while climbing on the rocks to get a good picture! Turns out it was totally worth it!!!
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Then we went to the Killarney National Park and stayed for only a half hour. It was raining and cold and it was time to head to Neptune's Hostel in the Village of Killarney. I decided not to go out because I really wanted to get a good nights rest but ended up not getting any at all. People were coming in and out all night long and making so much noise. We woke up bright and early and headed out to the Cliffs of Moher. 
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It was the windiest day I have ever experienced. I actually couldn't take a step forward at one point because I wasn't strong enough. My friend Nichole actually got lifted off the ground! It was really insane! I was terrified for my life to even walk any where near the cliff side. This is a picture of the place where I to blown completely over and lost my favorite beanie that got blown off the cliff. 
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We headed back to Dublin but stopped at Galway for a hour to check out the town. It was a really lively town and I for sure want to go back and spend the night there before I leave Ireland. The whole weekend was a success and it was great to spend the weekend with all my friends. 
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Edinburgh and Barcelona!!!

3/22/2015

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Edinburgh, Scotland was a place like nothing I have ever seen before. I literally felt as if I was in a storybook of a fairytale. Our hostel overlooked a breathtaking castle that we went in right inside to when we got there. We left our bags in the hostel and wasted no time. The castle was huge and we got lucky enough to witness a couple get married:)
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Then after the castle we went to get some food on the way to the Botanic Gardens. 
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After that we got dinner at a local Italian restaurant. Even though we were all really tired from getting no sleep the night before we went to a pub to listen to some Scottish music. I had a glass of wine as we sat there and laughed at the songs that were being sung!! Here is a link to one of many songs we heard. They were hilarious! 
The next morning we woke up and walked 10 minutes down the road to find Elephants Cafe. It's where J.K. Rowling sat and wrote the first Harry Potter book. I looked out the same window she did with a giant smile on my face while eating my pancakes. We also went to the graveyard below to find the names of the actual people she used for the movies. I got to pay my respects to Tom Riddle! 
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After visiting the graveyard we walked to a local museum and then headed to Aurthor's Seat for some good old hiking! It was a steep climb up and a steep one back down. The top of it was incredible though! The view over Edinburgh was beautiful and it was definitely worth the climb! We all had a good laugh on the way down when Morgan and Bridget wiped out completely due to lack of traction on their shoes. 
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After our hike we went for dinner and then ventured back to our hostel.

Spain

We landed in Madrid in the morning and took a taxi to the city center. We had looked for things to do before and decided on going on an air lift to view the city from above!
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We then made our way back and stopped in a churros place on the way! It was a quick snack before we headed to the bus station. When we got there we realized that we all had to charge our phones and that were no plugs anywhere to be seen. We wandered to a restaurant where we got help from the nicest most patient server I have ever had. She barely spoke english but she was a trooper to handle us. Since we all had to charge our phones and there were only two outlets we had to take turns. We ended up staying 3 or 4 hours!!!! We didn't want to go back to the station and wait till our bus at midnight so we decided they would eventually just kick us out when they needed us to leave. We were good customers and ordered a lot of food. I had apple pie for my first course, beer and fries for my second and a hamburger for my third! Our server definitely thought we were crazy but she laughed along anyways. We eventually went back to the station and waited an hour before for our bus. I have never brushed my teeth or changed in a bus station before and I hope to never have to do it again. We took an 8 hour night bus to Barcelona. I have to say it was not my best night of sleep and we arrived around nine in the morning. After we got off the bus we took a cab to Las Ramblas where our hostel Kabul was. We couldn't check in till noon so we decided to just drop our backpacks off and go have a look around. We went to a market just down the road where I got the most amazing gelato and smoothie. It was really cheap and all types of ventures and people were there. 
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After the market we walked 25 minutes down to the beach to see the Ocean! The beach was super windy and we didn't end up staying long. Instead we found a place right near by at Markamarka for fries and sangrias. After we were tired from the long day and having no sleep the past two days so we went back to the hostel to check in and rest. I really need to lay down because I was just feeling horrible that day. It was the start of a nasty cold that I am pretty sure my friend Helen gave me!! I couldn't end up falling asleep though so Morgan, Julia, Bridget and I went down in the square that our hostel was in for a drink. The square was filled at all times of a day and we sat down in the sun and had margaritas. I finally got in touch with Brendan and found a good place to meet up. Around 6 we headed to a park with this beautiful mermaid fountain! After the park we walked to the bar where Brendan told me to meet him. It was amazing to see him and I finally for the first time got to watch March Madness!! Grant who was on spring break was there too and I was happy to see some faces from home. The girls were hungry though and left to grab dinner but I stayed behind to hangout. We watched the games, laughed, caught up, drank some beers and ate some delicious mozzarella sticks. However my cold and no sleep was finally catching up to me and I couldn't bare it anymore. Once the girls came back, Brendan convinced us to go back to the hostel, nap and then go clubbing with them. Sad to say after I awoke from my nap at 11 I could barely swallow and was in no shape to go out so I stayed in. I woke up the next morning feeling better and did not regret my decision! I really needed that sleep. Next we went to Sagrada Familia!!!! Once we got there though I realized my ticket on my phone did not have the bar code on it like everyone else's. There was no wifi anywhere so I had to walk down the street and sit in starbucks to figure it out. I know it was sent in a email and thats the first place I checked. When I pulled up my inbox of course it was no where to be found. I was getting frustrated and was bummed I wouldn't be going in. Thankfully I checked my spam folder just as a last resort and there it was!! Being so relieved, I went in and was able to find my friends inside. The detail and thought put into this church truly amazed me! Everything that could of been thought of was and they were rebuilding it to the exact floorpan that was used years ago with no changes. It is incredible that an architect thought of absolutely everything that to this day they didn't have to change anything. 
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After the church we took a taxi to park Guell. I was surprised on how much Spanish I could retain from memory when the cab driver spoke to us. The whole trip to Spain I really had no trouble getting around at all. I could understand better than I could speak but thankfully I remembered a lot more than I thought I knew. The park was by far my favorite part of my trip to Barcelona. We got to see the city of Barcelona from up high and look down at the view. Brendan and Grant were also in the park but there was no wifi to locate them and the place was way too big! 
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We went back to the hostel to rest and to get ready for dinner and the clubs. Brendan and I finally were able to talk and decided to meet up at club Opium on the beach later. The girls and I went for dinner and then walked back to the hostel to hangout. Turns out our hostel is the shit and in the main area everyone was out and about playing games, watching the games, drinking and making friends. We pregame there and I met some fascinating people. I talked to a group of people from London that were here in Spain for a convention for business. One of the main guys I talked to was a man who was older and had a wife and kids. He was a sweet guy and smiled as he talked about his family! It was really interesting because the older mans boss is ONLY 22 and was flirting with some girls across the room. I really enjoyed listening to their life stories and they were so different to anything I have heard before. It was crazy that they all worked for a person who was my age. 
We left after a few beers and took a cab to Opium around midnight. It was raining when we got there but once we were inside thats when things got crazy. There were people every where dancing. We had just walked into a rave! the lights were flashing and everyone was dancing! We went straight on the dance floor and danced the night way (literally.) I looked down at my phone after awhile and realized 3 hours and gone by! I have no idea where the time went! There was a place outside connected to the club and we went out there for some fresh air. It was still pouring rain but we were under shelter and weren't getting wet. The waves were huge though and it was very windy! I couldn't find Brendan anywhere so I just went back on the dance floor without him. Next time I looked down at my phone it was 5 am and 2 more hours had gone by. Bridget and I got separated from the other 3 before and decided to leave because we had to be in a taxi for the airport by 7:30. We fell asleep for about a hour and then headed back for Dublin where I later found out Brendan was dancing 15 feet away from me the whole time and we never saw each other once! I was pretty bummed that we didn't see each other at the club and I didn't have my dance partner but theres nothing I can do about it. Overall, It was the best week I could of asked for! 


Truly blessed to be traveling the world! Thank you mom and dad for literally making my dreams come true!!
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Belgium Waffles

3/12/2015

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     My journey to Brussels started with only getting two hours of sleep as Julia and I headed to the airport at three in the morning. I have to say my first day traveling out of Ireland did not go as planned and pretty much everything that could of gone wrong did. While we were waiting in line for breakfast, I received a text message from my mom that Grandma Bea passed away in her sleep just a few hours before. She was definitely one of Winfield's finest and knew how to chat your ear off. (Hearing that she passes wasn't shocking but upsetting none the less. She was a wonderful woman who loved her family and always had a smile on her face. I wish I could be there with my family and friends as they attend her wake today and funeral tomorrow.)

     As we were waiting in line to board we realized we never got our visas checked and stamped before we went through security. At this point I realized that wow we might not be getting on this plane and literally going back to the college. We could get out of line and go back but we would for sure miss our flight. Julia and I decided to play dumb, try to get through and hope they would let us on. Extremely nervous, I handed my papers and explained that I have never flown in Europe and didn't know any better. Thank the Lord she was a friendly woman! She warned us that next time they would not allow us on the plane if this happened again. She stamped us and let us on the flight. 
    
    It was an hour and twenty minute flight and I could barely keep my eyes open. When we landed in Belgium we headed straight for customs. I handed the gentlemen my papers and he asked me "What is the reason for your visit?" The only thing that popped in my head at the time was "Waffles Sir!" He laughed, smiled and said "Waffles it is then!" He stamped my papers and I kept moving forward. We went two floors down in the airport and bought our train ticket to downtown Brussels Central. From Brussels Central we took the underground Metro two stops to reach our hostel. (picture of train station underground, in the metro and walking out)
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    If my day couldn't get any worse when I arrived at my hostel I found out due to a booking error my bed was given to someone else....Now I'm in a new country, don't speak the language and don't have a place to sleep tonight. I immediately start to panic! I freaked out for a good 20 minutes and then realized that this wasn't helping me at all. I needed to figure out my options. I found a hostel two blocks away from where my friends were staying. They had plenty of booking available which made me relieved. Knowing I did not want to stay alone, Julia was generous enough to offer her bed to share for the weekend. I was very lucky to be traveling with such an amazing friend that had my back. After our crazy morning, we realized that we were starving and went for a walk to look around for food. We went into a few places to look at the menu but we had no idea how to read french and were clueless on what was what. Thank the Lord we saw  'Pizzeria' and in any language we knew what that meant. The staff of the restaurant were all Italian and very welcoming. I ordered a delicious pizza for 11 euro and my hunger finally was at bay. 
    We walked around for a little while longer until not getting any sleep finally caught up to us. I was really lucky that the hostel was pretty busy and no one knew I wasn't suppose to be there. We headed up to the room for the first time and took a hour nap. When we woke up we got a text from our friends that they had arrived and were down in the lobby. We all met up and decided to walk to the Grand Palace to site see and get some dinner. Still upset from everything that happened earlier in the day and despite being emotionally and physically drained I kept a smile on my face. I was not going to let anything ruin this trip for me.
     Coming to Brussels I really didn't know what to expect but it sure wasn't what I thought it would be. The city was full of graffiti, art and culture. We found a place to eat called Tongerlo and I tried a new Belgium beer called Mystic. It was incredibly delicious and I 'thought' it was the best beer I have ever had. So of course I ordered two! 
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    After dinner we walked to the Grand Palace and it really was a site to see. The square was nothing like I imaged. People were everywhere on the cobble street next to incredible buildings. I researched the Grand Palace before I came here and the pictures did not do it justice. It was breathtaking in the day and the night. The lights of the building in the square at night was nothing like anything I have ever seen and I will never forget it. (pictures of the square)
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     We took some pictures like all tourist do and kept walking. We found ourselves down a street filled with Belgium CHOCOLATE shops. I have to stay I have NEVER in my life seen more chocolate than I did walking down that street. I felt like a I was in Willy Wonka and I wanted to try all of it. There were all different flavors, different sizes, chocolate fountains, bricks of chocolate and etc. I picked out 20 different chocolates and put them in a box to bring back to Dublin. Then I got myself a marsh mellow gram cracker covered in chocolate to eat at that moment because I couldn't help myself. Next we found what I had been looking for since I arrived which was a WAFFLE! This wasn't just any normal waffle. It was the waffle that I could never of dreamed of! It was a waffle topped with fresh strawberries and covered in Belgium chocolate. There really are not words to describe the mouth savoring taste. 
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     After stuffing our faces, we walked into a greenery area outside of the Royal Brussels Library. As we were walking around through the greenery I saw many things. There were people playing instruments and singing, couples making out, people smoking and just other people walking around like us. As we walked closer to the library we realized it was open and we walked in to look around. We saw an abnormal amount of people there for an event that was happening that night which was a museum night tour for 14 euro. Basically they offered a shuttle up till 1AM to visit up to 22 museums. Even though I could barely keep my eyes open at this point I bought a ticket. We headed to a museum that was in the library itself and looked at that first. Then we headed to the Museum of Instruments. We waiting in line for about 20 minutes till we were let in. I really was surprised how many people were doing this museum tour. It seems like all of Brussels young and old were there for the event. 
     The Instrument Museum was pretty amazing. They handed us these devices and every time we stood next to an instrument on display it would play a song of what it sounds like. There were many different types of instruments that I have never heard or seen before. The whole building was 10 floors with different things to see. There was this one floor of interpret dancing. There were guys dancing all around. I had no idea what they were doing but enjoyed being clueless none the less. After the 2 museums, Julia and I physically could not stay awake. We wanted to keep going but decided it was for the best to leave. We left and took a shuttle to the nearest museum to our hostel and walked from there. On our way back we saw a pretty incredible sight. I rocket literally went into space right in front of us. I couldn't get a clear picture because the moon was really bright. But it shot straight into the air leaving behind a black streak of smoke and then disappeared into the night sky. (best picture I could get)

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     When we made it to our room everyone was already fast asleep and the lights were off. It was really nice because nobody realized that I wasn't even suppose to be there. The next morning we woke up early and walked to this huge church or palace with a beautiful walk way of trees. We found a bakery near by and I bought a croissant and ate it on the grass. It was a beautifully 63 degrees and a sunny day out and everything seemed pretty perfect. (two picture in front of the palace)
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     After that we all walked to the metro and traveled 25 minutes to see the Atomium. They were these giant balls in the air that we went inside of. I really don't know how to go about even describing it. (two pictures of Atomium)
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    We ate lunch outside of the Atomium on the steps next to the park. We walked through the park and then headed back to the metro. We all spent a hour in the hostel resting then we headed back out for dinner. We found this great place to sit outside and i ordered a caprese salad and chips at the Falstaff. I thought I had tasted the best beer I have would have the night before but I was wrong. I ordered a raspberry beer called Framboise and I will never forget it. After dinner we of course treated ourselves to another Belgium chocolate strawberry waffle. We walked back to the Grand Palace to see it one more time before heading back to the hostel. We went to bed and woke up early for the airport to head back to Dublin. 
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Cliffside walk at Howth

2/28/2015

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Today we ventured as a group to the fishing village of Howth. We hiked five miles along the coast line full of wondrous beauty. It was simple day full of simple pleasures. A day filled with friends, laughter and hiking all of which are my favorite things. Its been awhile since I have gone hiking and I knew today was going to be a good exercise. Which after all this Irish food I desperately need. When we reached the top we were lucky enough to see some of the local Irish coastguards doing some training. They were scaling a cliff over the seaside. 
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I was impressive seeing their bravery as they rock climbed down the side of the cliff on such a windy day. They need the practice though because apparently a few people die every year from falling off! Needless to say there were no casualties today! Once we finally reached to the top we got to enjoy a local place called Summit Inn. It was a nice lunch and a good break to be out of the cold and just relax. 


After a hardy meal we made our way back down through the quaint village of Howth. All of the houses were pastel colors with adorable doors. After we made our way through the town we walked just a wee bit further towards the peer and fishing boats. I got to see some hungry seals eating in the bay and fisherman doing what they know best. All in all it was a splendid blissful day! I can't wait for my next adventure right around the corner! Next weekend I finally am leaving Ireland and going to Brussels in BELGIUM!!! Super excited!! 


Enjoy all the new photos and see the world through my lens as I travel this beautiful world!! 
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Strength Grows From Weaknesses

2/23/2015

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It's been a month since I first arrived here in Ireland. Everything about my life seems different somehow. I feel as if I have been opened to a new world I didn't know anything about. As if I was blinded from everything that was in front of me the whole time. These people I have met here have changed me. Were all connected in some way and completely different at the same time. It's strange how much of an impact someone can make on me after only knowing them for a month. 


Everything about myself has grown in some way. I feel happier, wiser, healthier, braver, smarter and older than I have ever before. My whole life I have seen things a bit differently than other people which is one of the reasons I think I have such a strong passion for photography. I pay attention to the little details about the people I meet and everything around me. I image taking a picture in almost all moments of my day. Pausing time for just a second to capture the little details of a moment otherwise gone. Being here has changed me. For the first time in my life I have been completely responsible for myself. No one take care of my mistakes. I'm discovering how capable I am being on my own.


 I have always been curious about everything around me, asking questions and being fascinated why things are as they are. Wandering about alone when I wasn't suppose to. All those instincts have finally grown into something so much greater. It gave me strength to come to this unknown place and just live for myself. It feels good to finally be lost in the right direction. Sometimes I don't need a plan. I just have to trust, breathe, let go and see what happens. I refuse to be afraid of life around me. Of course I have to remain smart and cautious but that doesn't mean holding myself back.


 I feel like I'm waking up to everything around me that I never payed attention to before. I feel authentic and beautifully vulnerable here. I feel independent, strong, courageous and fierce. I'm finally moving on from the past thats haunted me for so long. I am kind, creative and compassionate. 


I am aware of my weaknesses and will apologize for my actions when necessary. 
I will never stop trying to be a better person and I will never say sorry for who I am. 


                     For the first time in my life I truly know and accept myself. 
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Just One Day

2/15/2015

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All day I have only been thinking that this can't be real. Staring out at a landscape that looked like a backdrop to a film with the sun beaming down between the clouds. It was adventurous day filled with incredible beauty that I so desperately needed. A day filled with friends, laughter and excitement. It has been the first valentines day that was truly special. We went on the P.S. I love you tour and got to venture through the Wicklow Mountains and the National Park. I walked down the same road as Holly did in the movie but to my disappointment Gerard Butler was no where to be seen. County Wicklow is known as the garden of Ireland.

 We ate lunch at Glendalough Village where Kitty and I wandered off the path and found a beautiful creek where I had some peaceful time to think alone. Also got to see the field where Braveheart was filmed which was really awesome! 

Our tour ended at Loch Tay Lake where we got to see an old cemetery full of rich history. Everything about this country is breathtaking. I wish I had more to say about today but I don't. I hope my pictures show you everything that I can't say and you can see the world through my eyes. Enjoy!

(new album also contains new Causeway video via youtube link and  Book of Kells trip to Trinity College)




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Giants Causeway

2/9/2015

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This morning started very early when we got on a bus and headed to Belfast. It took us two hours to get there with the fog creeped in all around us. I felt blessed to be there and found myself smiling out the window. As we arrived in Belfast we stopped for 15 mins, which was enough time to get coffee and go the bathroom. 

Then we headed another two hours to the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge which was just incredible. The cliffs over looking the ocean took every breathe from me. 

Today has been a day that has made me really look into myself and
Grateful is the best way on how I can describe this feeling.
I am grateful for the everything that has happened in my life. 

I am really happy that I have such an incredible family and best friends that have given me strength over these past years. 
I am grateful for the pain and everything that has made me break in my life. There were a lot of tears that I had to cry through and battles that left me scared and shattered over the years. But I had to fall to rise above all of it. I believe that now where my heart is, is only grateful. I pulled myself out and have been stronger since. I am proud of every tear because they got me here to this place that I thought I would never be. I am grateful for the person I have become and everything about myself. 

Sitting on the rocks of the Giants Causeway brought me to a place of redemption. The wind covering every inch of my skin I felt completely free. Free from everyone and more than all free from myself. There are many things I have run from in my life and the biggest one of them all is me. I have to stop letting the past consume me and get over that pain. I brought myself here to a place that is absolutely incredible. I never thought this is where I would be and here I am living my dream. I have come so far. My mom recently told me how proud she is of me for becoming the woman I am today. That means more that I could ever explain to her. I have tried my best these past few years to get over my own sadness and be the best person I can be. I am beyond happy that she has seen and appreciated my approvement. I love my family more than anything and am thankful for their supportment though this whole adventure I have been on. I have been through many things in my life. Things that I have made me question my faith and made me rethink everything about myself.  I finally understand, not particularly why things happened but what I was meant to learn from them. That is just what I have done. Learned. Figured out what is good and bad. What is worth putting my time into and what isn't. Why things may happen for a reason and how everything has two stories. I have really learned a perspective in my life that is different from others and I couldn't me more grateful for all the pain and suffering because it honestly wouldn't of made me who I am today, 
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Jeremiah 29:11 - 13

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.


-Mom you sent this to me along time ago and I think of it often! Thank you for your reminders of what truly matters in my life. 
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*Hop on hop off tour of Dublin*

2/1/2015

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This weekend was another adventure in the land of the Irish. It began with my Friday history class where we walked around downtown to some of the historic buildings in Dublin including my first castle! We walked around for a few hours soaking up all the history before us. The day ended with a pregame at my place with some new German friends we met earlier in the week. We went to the pubs and danced in the streets outside of Temple Bar listening to some locals sing and play the guitar. 

On Saturday we woke up and started with are on off tour of Dublin city that was prepaid by KEI. We got to see all the parks, major streets, the presidents house, Phoenix park, the train station, Dublin prison, and much more. We went into the Old Jameson Distillery on Bow Street. Even though I have never particularly liked whiskey, I got the chance to taste some of Ireland's finest Irish whiskeys. 
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Today we decided to tour Dublin's Prison named Kilmainham Gaol. The Gaol is rich with history having detained leaders of 5 different Irish rebellions between 1798 and 1916 within its walls. I captured some truly amazing photos of the prison. This was the first time I have ever been in a prison and I have to say I loved the eerie feeling. 
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Strolling through Dublin

1/26/2015

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I went to the National Gallery of Ireland today to view history in person. I really do not believe there are words to describe the feeling I felt looking at the Monet, Picasso, Rembrandt, Cezanne, Renoir, Caravaggio, Goya, Heda, Leech, Poussin, Van Gogh, Vermeer and much more. All of these beautifully preserved artworks are breath taking. Its strange that for the past three years I have studied in extent all of these works  and now seeing them in person was fulfilling in a way i can not put into words. It almost brought tears to my eyes at how old these pieces are and where they have been in history. I would like to go again one more time before I leave to get one last look. 

Afterwards we strolled through some wonderful parks and I got to see the Oscar Wilde statue scultpted by Osborne. All in all it was a delightful first Monday in Ireland. 

Asked someone about what the weather was like in Ireland and he responded "Well, the weather is like a womans' mind. Always changing!" hahah Thought it was just hilarious!

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    Janessa Gates

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