On a cold day in the middle of December, I saw this quote on Pinterest, cliche I know, but it inspired me to apply for an internship that was farther away than I had ever been before.  I got accepted, moved across the world, learned more about myself than I ever thought was possible, and became a better person, friend and employee. Now I'm sitting here in Ukraine on my very last day wondering where the time has gone. I visited 14 countries and received 27 new stamps in my passport. I can even speak Russian (but don't get your hopes up, I can only say a few things).  I hope to catch up on this blog soon, sharing stories and pictures of my adventures. See you back in America.

Living in Ukraine

It hasn't been an easy journey--I'm not sure why I needed to come to Ukraine, yet, but I felt completely okay with the decision to live here. I haven't learned much about being a graphic designer, but I have learned a lot about culture and having compassion for those that don't have everything I do in America. This is how they live everyday and they don't know any better.  I've never been more happy to live in a land that's free! I can live here for 3 months and experience the life that they lead; the dirtiness and filth, the poor planning, the social economics, poverty, etc, and then I can come back and live in America where I'm free to choose for myself the way I live.
Thank goodness for the best of friends that I've made while living here, and for the best of friends and family that talk to me everyday from across the ocean, for it would be a much harder experience without them.

I'm so lucky to be traveling every few weeks while i'm living here in Eastern Europe. It is the highlight of this time here! So far I've visited Amsterdam, Hungry, Slvania, and Italy. In a few weeks, I'll be in the warm sunshine on the beaches of Greece. Sometimes life is really hard :)

February

Happy February! It's been a long month, but I made it through and now can think about all of the exciting things coming my way!

1. I'll be fiddling my in first PAID concert! About a year ago I took a job at a local violin/fiddle shoppe teaching lots of little kids how to fiddle. And boy-it has brought more opportunities to me then I ever thought would have come my way!

2. My friend and I are opening our own fiddle studio. It's been a lot of work, but we are excited to get things going in the Spring. Come visit us when we open!

3. I'm moving to Ukraine for 3.5 months! I applied for a graphic design internship and found out a few weeks after the New Year that I had been accepted! I can't wait for this new adventure in particular. It's going to be a lot of hard work getting there; learning Russian, packing, figuring out flights, money etc.  I've been assigned to work with a company that designs calendars, business cards, logos, and works closely with the design work for the Ukraine Temple.  I'll also get to travel to 15 other countries while I'm there. HOORAY! I can't wait to go back to Europe.

4. I've been on so many dates recently that my head is spinning... Maybe ONE of them will work out ;)

5. Being outdoors has been my saving grace. If you know me, you'll be surprised to hear that I wish winter was over (maybe I should have spent more time skiing) .. I am looking forward to summer :) It's been a cold long winter

Image via

Remember that one time I said I would post the Canada pictures, eh? Oops...that never happened.  Be prepared for picture OVERLOAD now! A lot of good memories and friendships were solidified during the trip. Deciding to visit Canada was spontaneous; We were all in the living room chatting and telling stories when we had the bright idea to take a road trip to Alberta Canada to see Tiffany & Alex's wedding. I am so glad we chose to go, even though we had only known her for a few weeks :) They probably thought we were crazy and not completely serious about actually going, but little did they know....

We learned a lot about each other on during the 24 hours we spent in the car. Many Disney songs were sung, stories were told (mostly in a Cascade Montana accents haha), and lots of pictures were taken. It's a miracle we're all still friends :) Thanks to our many Canadian friends that showed us hospitality, took us to Canadian malls, fed us Canadian food, introduced us to Canadian men (my favorite!), became Canadian tour guides in that beautiful land, and of course, fed us toooo much Canadian candy.

Pit-stop in Cascade, Montana! On a side note, the bathroom is behind the meat department.. kinda creepy

Wedding Day!

 

These photos are taken from inside Waterton National Park, which is like heaven if you ask me. I would gladly live inside the park :) It has a European feel; Green waters, quaint little shops, and rolling hills for miles. It was super windy and cold when we got to the top of Bears Hump, but it was so beautiful!! I could use a good hard hike through the mountains right now. Nothing is better than the smell of pine trees and dirt.

At the top of Bears Hump

Can't wait to go back!

Life according to my iPhone

Oh Canada!

Only 8 more days until I leave for Canada! My roommate, Tiffany, is getting married!  Two cars, five girls, two boys, trips to the Temple, receptions, dancing, hiking and canoeing in Waterton, campfires and seeing the biggest teepee in the world. Ohhhh boy, I am so excited. I can already tell you I won't want to come home.  Stay tuned for lots of pictures :)

I Love...

ROAD TRIPS!
Nothing is better than leaving the house, work & the blah-ness of everyday life to something a little newer and more exciting.  I wish I could say I was visiting Europe or going to Disneyland, just off for a short trip this time!  Valentine's Day parties, BYU Basketball games, shopping, eating,  "The Vow", and visiting my Grandparents & old roommates are just some of the things on the list.  I'm pretty excited!

Don't you wish this would happen the next time you went on vacation? You know, when you run into 'The One' while out-and-about in a new city. The probability of this happening to me=.001% Maybe one day... :)