Cut Off

For two+ weeks, I was greatly removed from the internet. Every once in awhile my iPhone would connect to wifi and I would get emails, and updated on Facebook. But it turned out to be more seldom than I thought would happen.

I got home from my trip and started to get back into my normal life, and I got depressed. After about a week, I realized that it was largely due to the amount of "social media" I allow into my life. Dont get me wrong. I love it, and am a huge advocate of it for many years now. But like everything else, there is a balance to life. And when one area has a larger hold than others, its just not good.

So. Im cutting myself off, slowly! And granted Im not great at this, but Im starting small. I took off certain apps from my iPhone. Im trying to reduce my personal internet usage at work, etc. Ive already started to notice a difference. Now if I can just keep with it and make it more of a habit.

I noticed that the new Mormon Message on Parenting is largely about media/electronics in a child's life and regulating it. Looks like I need to start with myself, if Im ever going to be a good parent, when that day comes.

My Heart Hurts

When I was with my friend and her family in Germany, her little guy would say "my heart hurts" anytime that he was unhappy or his feelings got hurt.

And that is the only thing that has been coming to mind lately. My heart hurts. Maybe its just the post-travel blues. Maybe its the irrational behavior that I have been exhibiting lately.

Im a romantic at heart. But I also hate to be the center of attention. In someways those two things contradict. But still, I want someone to make some outward expression of their 'love,' but Ill even just take interest, right now.

I think that is why I love the scene in The Wedding Date when Nick tells Kat:

I'm allergic to fabric softener. I majored in comparative literature at Brown. I hate anchovies. And I think I'd miss you even if we never met.

And then he grabs her hand.

Something so simple, quiet, and perfect.

Im turning 29 next month. Ohh. My heart just hurts.

Mangum Bars are the new Pan au Chocolate

I have been hesitant to post about my trip as I am waiting for all the pictures from my two travel companions. But. Oh well.

What a lovely European Whirlwind Trip that was. I wont bore you with ALL the details, but will just give you an overview.

Karlsruhe, Germany - Meet up with an old high school friend, Brandi, whose husband just took a job in Mannheim, Germany. Since it was so recent they still werent in their house yet, and we decided to visit in a different city altogether. It was great to spend time with her and her little family, and experience all things German together. I was amazed at how much German actually came back to me.





Luxembourg - What a fabulous little place. So clean and immaculate. Loved it here. All 18 hrs of it! I included a picture of Ilja, a fellow backpacker from Germany.






Brussels, Belgium - It took a few hours to enjoy it as the cleanliness was starkly different than that of Luxembourg. But the buildings were amazing, the food delightful, and the people so kind. Wish I had a local to show me around. Next time!







Delft, Netherlands - A relaxing few days spent with an old friend, Leah, from my days of pretending to learn German! She has been living there for 1.5 years now and her husband has been there for 3, so it was so nice to be with locals, and feel like a local. We rode bikes, enjoyed the country side leisurely, watched a movie (in which I was the ONLY one laughing at the movie in the whole theater), went to the North Sea, and just enjoyed being together and catching up.








Amsterdam, Netherlands - Leah and her husband joined me for the first afternoon there, and we meet up with my two traveling companions, Jasmine and Angela, and another fellow Boston friend Amie. We were all so glad to have 'locals' who knew where to go and what to see. Rent bikes again, but this experience was alittle more frightful. Enjoyed riding along the canals. We walked through the red light district, during the day and it wasnt really what I thought it would be like. Lots of nice parks, and museums.









We will not mention the night we hung out in the train station, er the platform.

Copenhagen, Denmark - Saw the original Cristus statue, and where the mermaid statue should have been, rode bikes again, and enjoyed the city.







Stockholm, Sweden - This was my favorite city. Visited the Palace. Saw where the Nobel Peace Prize is given out. Went to SoFo (thought to be like SoHo in NYC). Stadhuset. Historiska Museet (Sounds so much cooler in Swedish, the History Museum). And loved wandering through the streets. The Swedish people are so friendly, and beautiful! :)




** My favorite lunch. French Hot Dog and a bottle of Fanta Exotic.




This was taken on the cruise ship, er ferry, that we took to Helsinki. Loved leaving Stockholm and seeing all the islands. We played the 'Guess which one is Elins' game! Lots of good options.

Helsinki, Finland - We were tired by now, and just relaxed on the one day we had here. Visit a cathedral, relaxed in the Esplanade park, enjoyed a coffee shop, and watch Inception.

Fest i Nord - Background: This is an annual Scandinavian singles Mormon conference that has been happening for many, many years. This year it was in Lohja, Finland about an hour outside of Helsinki. I met some great people from all over the world. Visited with old friends. Enjoyed the spirit of Saints from all over the world who have such amazing testimonies. Danced, man do those Scandinavians love to dance!







When are we going back? Or to the other hundreds of countries that are out there?! My bags are packed, at a moments notice.

- When I traveled to France with a dear friend, we, er I, ate Pan au Chocolate everyday, if not multiple times a day! Since it was summer, I traded in my pastries for ice cream. I would give anything for a Magnum bar right now!