Day 3 (Europe & Going)

The first few days had been stressful,
I think being in Dublin made things a lot harder due to our tight budget.
Everything is so high priced in this city.
McDoubles cost €2 which comes to $2.68
Also they don't have Hot N' Spicy McChickens either :(
I never thought I'd say this but even McDonalds is out of our budget.

We ended up walking our way out of Dublin.. by accident.
We were trying to find a ferry or train out but it was too pricey.
So we found this huge Movie Theater, it was ridiculous.
The place was way to big for its population.
It was about 4 stories high
and only 6-8 people were in there that we saw.
Also they seemed to be obsessed with the movie "Pain & Gain"
The posters for that movie covered every wall, floor tile, and banner.

Anyways we didn't go there to see movies,
We only used that place for a bathroom and a place to charge our phones.

After that we headed south
Aiming for Cork, which is the southern most city.
After walking for a short while out we found an amazing beach.
We spent a good couple hours just grabbing sea shells.
You literally could find any sea shell you wanted.
We ended up taking so many of them

and just walked down the coast.

There was a lot of cool views from the coast,
we even saw this fort/castle thing.
We should have slept there 

and I'll explain that later.
But we did look like true backpackers,
We walked on the walls by the train tracks,
and met a lot of nice strangers.

Our first town we reached we met another crazy guy.
His name was Frank-Quin.
This one made slightly more sense than the last one.
However he was crazy none the less.
It was good talking to him though he was a nice guy.
Then we got super tired as we got in the city.

**BEWARE**
[HIGH WORRY WARNING]

[NOT RECOMMENDED FOR MOTHERS TO READ JUST SCROLL PASSED]

[ALSO NOT THAT RELEVANT]
We took a break on this bench by a red clock tower.

Wished we took a picture of it,

It was spectacular!
But we were so exhausted, our backs could only handle so much.
We just sat there in the middle of the night.
Enjoying our relaxing moment while we could.

Slowly just closing our eyes promising a mini break.

Once I opened my eyes I knew I had fallen asleep. 

I woke up in a panicked state because I had mixed my dream with reality.

I had no idea where I was!

So I told Darien we had to up and go.

Which wasn't that bad of an idea..

It wasn't a safe place to sleep in the first place.

We ended up meeting some girls on the street who were very nice.

No not prostitutes.

Just drunk college girls.

They showed us cheap housing.

But for us it wasn't cheap at all.

So they pointed us in the safest place they recommended to sleep on the streets.

It was a public park that was tiny!

But by rich people, so pretty friendly.

So we set up camp there. 

Slept very little but it seemed to work!

About to further the in betweens of this.

**END**

[MOM YOUR GOOD TO CARRY ON]

Walking the town at night was interesting.

It was a good interesting more the less.

Being that we were exhausted from walking,

And that we were very tired

And it brought on a whole new experience.

Dragging our aching feet barely covering any ground.

It was quiet. No noise, just us.

Thus adding on the loud thoughts.

Hallucination quickly took its opportunity on us.

We kept thinking the other would mention something. 

Plus being dark, quiet, and alone it was easy to get scared. 

Anyone/Anything we saw we would be cautious about.

We walked down a road with tons of stores,

And we saw about 5 girls yelling.

They yelled at us saying "HEYYYY"

Due to our hallucinations we didn't bother to say anything back.

You know, didn't want to look stupid.

So we carried on and we didn't see them as we went on.

We walked all over.

Seriously, it was past tiring at this point.

We couldn't find any good areas to sleep.

Everything just seems to sketch.

Then we ran into a dead end.

Luckily we weren't hallucinating this,

But we found the 5 girls.

They asked about us, our story, 

Who we are, where we're from, yada-yada-yada.

Sorry we didn't take a picture with them. 

They did of us though! 

We're friends on Facebook, hopefully they post it soon!

Anyways.

We had fun going around town with them.

We found this fox they were terrified of.

They said they were vicious,

But Darien and I played with it.

We gave it an orange, it didn't eat it

But it loved us! We've never seen on up close till then.

Anyways it was a fun night and then we slept. 

Anyways the trips been amazing!

People are very friendly.

It's amazing what you can learn from others.

Even if they aren't purposely teaching you something.

Being able to help one another is amazing.

It really brings out the best in us.

This world is huge, and we have much to learn!

Can't wait to see what more this trip has to offer(:

See you again soon!

Day 2 (Europe & Going)

... Oh Ireland,

This place is quite deceiving. 

I wouldn't consider this place spiffy,

But the cost of things here say otherwise.

It's a really small city,

We both got bored and decided we want out.

Whether to the country side or to another country,

We don't plan on being here long. 

Camping seems a lot more difficult,

especially with the fact that there is no where to camp

because a lot of the land is privately owned. 

We'd like to see the sites of Ireland

But most of them are quite a ways out,

And we can't afford a way out there.

People here are really nice,

Although we've ran into a crazy one.

He talked a lot about how tourists and how the public is ruining Ireland's independence.

The funniest thing about that was he didn't know we were Tourists because he talked a mile second and I think he wanted us to agree with him.

Once he heard our American accents you could just see him have this awkward look. 

But he just continued going! 

*Using Ireland's famous words, "Ya understand what I'm saying?"

Then after repeating what he just said he apologized for our time and walked away. 

We walked and walked.

We saw trinity college and it was fascinating!

We found comfy couches and sat there,

Almost slept there, we were so tired.

You can only see/do so much on a budget like ours.

So sleeping on college couches didn't seem like a bad idea.

We ended up going to a cheap hostel.

10 euros a night but shared rooms.

Our roomies were awesome.

Very friendly and accommodating.

One of them told us about how he had recently bought a violin

and with our experience we gave them a short lesson on the violin.

And they offered us spirits.  

The showers/bathrooms were so weird though! 

First off you ask where the toilets are,

Not bathroom, not restroom, just toilet.

They'll be very confused otherwise.

Second, we share them with everyone in the hostel not just our roomies.

When I first went in there were tons of girls.

I thought I was in the ladies room.

But nope, they giggled as they pointed me to the toilets next to them

when I asked where the men's toilets were. 

Peeing with ladies in the room was very awkward. I'm glad I didn't have to use my other end.

Showers are just disgusting and not very private. Even wearing water shoes I still felt gross standing in them. 

Worst part is we didn't bring soap... 

The showers were very cold.

That's not even the worst part.

If they had just been cold it would've been better.

But no... The showers teased us with slightly warm water.

For me the shower felt warm so I took the opportunity to hope in, I was quite happy with their showers, right as I adjusted to the warmth the water switched to freezing cold water, and the tempting would switch right at the time your body could adjust to it.

It turned out to be the quickest shower I've ever taken

Wifi is hard to find so not sure how often I'll get to post but I will always have drafts ready!

So I may post many posts in one day. 

Also sorry if paragraphing looks weird,

My phone doesn't show me what my posts look like from a computer screen view.. 

Not sure how well we will survive.

But we still are staying positive and carrying on.

Day 1 (Europe & Going)

The thought of leaving home to go to another country is beyond comprehension. 

Stepping out of the daily schedule to go out and experience something new is frightening. 

We grow up learning routines so our comfort zones tend to shrink the more we build ourselves into them. 

I think too often we enclose ourselves from the world because we seek comfort. 

It isn't easy stepping out of our comfort zones because of the many anxieties and time consuming efforts. 

You never know what to expect.. 

So leaving the comfort of having a family close and a different world we've grown up on tends to bring on a new feeling. 

At first it becomes frightening, anxiety kicks in with its clever tricks of making the world seem stronger than you. 

Few make it out alive with their mission still set. 

How I view it is that anxiety is a tool to test your inner strength. 

Are you willing to give up when the going gets tough or are you going to fight?

How badly do you want this?

Anxiety is a tough coach but a teacher none the less. Where there is a will there is a way.

This is the beginning. 

I have a world full of opportunity. 

And I am only getting to see a portion of the geography and culture. 

I am honored to participate in such a journey. 

I hope to experience this from many perspectives and learn from these new views.

I aim to grow from all of this and take advantage of my youth so I can keep an open eager mind throughout my years. 

Mom, Dad, Aunt Pauline, Uncle Troy, other family, friends, and random blog spotters! We appreciate your support! I will keep updating as much as I can. We hope all is well at home. Darien and I love you and will put in our very best to do you all proud(: 

  Photo: Airport Drop-off! 

Day ZERO Part 2 (Europe & Going)

The old phrase of time flying when you're having fun never fades.

Bear Lake seemed to run by in a blink of an eye. 

The first day we hiked and injured ourselves, but things turned out well.

Once we got to the lake it was so beautiful. 

For a lake the turquoise water was beyond clear.

We first just hung out on the beach.

Walking out into the water, you wouldn't expect it, 

but you would go on forever before actually getting waist deep!

That was the real beauty of it though. 

Tides would roll in softly, 

Being in the water it was nice to just relax 

and let the waves float you away. 

After our relaxing moments in bliss the weather took a turn.

The rain poured on us during our dinner!

Knowing my family however, 

We created a canopy with a tarp over our campground.

It was really nice. We all sat close to the fire and bonded. 

I was happy to be with my family before our big trip. 

Once we got our boat... 

We let loose and became MaD hAttErS. 

Our "rented" speedboat tore up the tides!

To top that off we had to get a tube. 

Each of us took it on, and it was like riding a bull at a rodeo.

Especially when we hit those wakes!

Most of us only fell when the tube would flip, 

but we all abused it till we passed out. 

Once we got back we packed up and headed home.

Almost thought about making s'mores. 

Good thing we didn't.. 

Mother Nature wasn't done yet, 

she brought much more rain then the night before.

But luckily we were packed and on the road by then. 

That was our pre-trip. 

I couldn't imagine spending it with anyone else.

That was our vacation.

But in less than 12 hours we will be off.

Out of our comfort zones and into the wild.

My cousin and I will be putting in our best effort,

and take Europe by storm. 

This is our Journey, it won't be easy.

But with our strength, intellect, and potential... 

We'll make our marks & define ourselves. 

Here we go... 

 

Day ZERO (Europe & Going)

Here I go, into the abyss..

I never thought I'd be going on this journey, well anytime soon that is. 

It's funny that these trips are the most exciting trips one could dream of, but once they actually start I go into paranoia of whether or not it will happen, if I'll be ready for such an experience, or if  I'll have everything I need. I still don't feel like my pack has everything, like i'm forgetting something.. This day will be my uphill battle on this adventure,
DAY ZERO. 

Days like this I get everything packed 

I double, triple, quadruple check my bags till I have satisfied my anxiety. 

This is it.

I am taking the leap, 

and boy is it scary psyching myself up for this.

But I'm staying optimistic. 

I believe this anxiety is just preparing us for whats to come. 

Even better, it'll be helping us enjoy ourselves once we finally reach the comfort of our destination.
Wherever that should be... 

I'm still at home, waiting. Bear Lake is our first stop.

Most of my cousins have already left to reserve us a spot.

I'm sure they are still driving, it's a while away.

As for us my aunt and uncle are putting everything together...

..Figuratively..

Seems I have taken this opportunity to take a break.

Quick summary of what is going down.
My cousin and I have planned a trip to Europe.
We will be taking a single backpack,
for each of us of course, and that is all.
We fly there Sunday, August 25, 2013.
However our family wanted to have one last hoo-raw,
so we are off to Bear Lake this weekend.
Then come Sunday our flight is off! 
We will be going where the wind takes us.
An adventure with no cause,
heads up high and survival instinct kicked in.

To think this is happening is beyond me.

I couldn't be any more proud or terrified at the same time.

I don't feel one is ever ready for such a big move.

Living in Europe for 4 months.

No money, Just communication.

I feel like I will be using my social game to get me through all of this.

It seems to be my only hope! 

As for now, we're off to Bear Lake.

I will be ready.

I will enjoy myself.

I will carry on with strength and wisdom.

AND I WILL WRITE MORE! 

...stay tuned for more... 

"Who am I?"

It seems to be a rather important question to a lot of people. 

Everyday we're given opportunities... To choose, to learn, & to experience. 

These opportunities guide us and show us the people we are.

So "Who am I" is a question that is being answered on it's own. 

Now, I find this interesting. The lives we live, the people we are. 

We are unique, curious, intelligent people. It's in our nature. 

It's fascinating to know what humans are capable of. 

Our uniqueness brings us important roles of new understandings.

Our curiosity helps push us towards opening new doors.

Our intellect strengthens us by increasing our knowledge and making us better. 

We all know this. 

We all see whats happening, maybe in different views but we do know. 

So now that you know who are you are, what you're capable of...

Experience it. Go out and live your life. 

Being born with those 3 things. 

YOU CAN DO ANYTHING.

So who are you? You're a Human Being! 

So get up do something exciting and worthwhile. 

Define yourself. Better yourself. 

Because that's what human beings do. 

I'm Back

Terence McKenna - Nobody is smarter than you are

               Now this video I found really interesting, I honestly feel the same way. Through the experience I've gone through, I believe nothing is right unless it has been understood not by others but by me. I feel like this is where people have a hard time coming to terms with understanding. I don't know what you've been through, what you've learned. How am I to fully accept every word you are telling me as truth? Now I am not saying we're all liars here, but I am saying is that it isn't easy making someone understand something you've never experienced. You can give a person insight of things you have experienced or learned and they will take into account everything you are saying, however the words that come out of your mouth will be going through all of the experiences and learning processors of the person you are talking to's brain. When I give you words like Love, Respect, Honor, Sin, Religion, Peace, War, we wouldn't all have the same definition for those words. We learn from the raw data we are given in life. With that I believe some of us connect better with others because we've gone through similar understandings, but we all have our own view and definition going on throughout our lives. It's really interesting. Be open minded. Take into account the different languages our minds all have. We all are seeing things differently. And the best way to help someone understand your language is to be an example.