Study Abroad: Lithuania

To try and capture some of our time studying in and around Lithuania, we were assigned a video project. This is ours.

Easter on the Beach

I've never spent a holiday on the beach, but that's what we did yesterday. Which, by the way, wins an award for being the most beautiful day in Lithuania yet. The sun was bright, air was hot, breeze was cool, and the water was calm. Guys played soccer, girls laid out and talked. 

Roommates. Gems.

 Caught a bus to church. Got an iced latte. Rocked that ^ same outfit to church, by the way.

Summer get at me.

Then we decided to bring back French Toast night as an Easter dinner celebration. Complete with simmered apples, nutella, peanut butter (!), and the like. We played a Taylor DC classic, apple fork or whatever they call it, and introduced Kristen to the game. I have a video somewhere.

All in all, I missed my family, but a weird holiday is good every now and again. Takes us out of the norm and reminds us of what is really important - and for Easter, it's the incredible reality that Christ overcame death. He is risen!

Friday in Pics

The weather is turning here in Klaipeda and the beautiful summery Lithuania is peaking through. We made the most of the weather yesterday, walked down to the Baltic did a little bonfire action and walked back, seeing a little hedgehog on the way. 

Last night reminded me a lot of living up north every summer, and got me so pumped that in less than two months I'll be there again. Lithuania has been great, but I'm ready to get back to family and familiarity of home. 

Less than two weeks until I see my mom and five weeks until I'm back on US soil. I would be lying if I said I didn't have a countdown going.

Caramel & Pear

Hey caramel & pear yogurt I don't know who thought of putting your two flavors together but I like you a lot. A LOT. I may have to put you on the "do not buy" list next to ice cream and cream cheese chocolate bars. Hot dang.

That is all.

Sleeping at Last

(see Riga highlights below) 

Those who have heard of my sleeping habits issues this semester might think that with that title (^) I'm starting to get over them. FYI that's false, but Sleeping at Last is the moniker of Ryan O'Neal, this great guy based in Chicago who has just so happened to write, wait for it, the soundtrack of my year.

His latest installment just came out. See, this guy does not just make an album and let it go. He picks a theme - for this year it's "Atlas" - and goes from there. Space 1, Space 2, Light, Darkness, and Land have been on repeat for the past couple of weeks and it just doesn't get old. O'Neal blends so many different lines and words and sounds together that each time you listen, the meaning is new.

Introducing "Oceans" over on Relevant. It's a sort of pre-release. Take a listen. Yes, it's instrumental. If you want words, check out Space 1/2, Light, Darkness or Land.

Riga Highlights

Saturday afternoon we loaded up with Slingshot to take the bus to Riga. Five hours later, we were there in time for dinner and exploring the city by night. After some Turkish fast food, riding in a bicycle taxi and getting lost too many times to count, we went to bed.

Sunday morning, Palm Sunday, we went to an english-speaking Anglican Church. Dream come true. I had forgotten how much I missed the Anglican service, which to me blends so well tradition and scripture and beauty and mystery of the faith.

We wandered more that day but mainly just spend time in a tea shop drinking the best tea of my life. Anyways, on to the highlights reel: 

Probably the worst picture of the trip, but captured so much of the night. Lots of lights. Crazy bike taxi. Just a blur.

The next morning was rainy, but we still had fun walking around. This is just some random street.

Hunter, Joel and Jonathan saw a tree hanging out over the water. They had to climb it.

Lori introduced us to this place. We loved it.

Danica eating her chocolate cake and me drinking the  b e s t  tea of my life.

This isn't the Anglican Church we went to - but isn't she beautiful? Walking down many of the side streets you could peak up through the breaks in the buildings and see the spire. Incredible. Favorite picture of the trip.

Thankful to have these experiences with such an awesome group of people. So many things seen and heard, taught and learned. Cannot imagine this time spent any other way. Filled with gratitude.

Tallinn Highlights

This weekend, the study abroad group took a trip to Tallinn and Riga. After an overnight bus trip from Thursday to Friday morning, we woke up to a great breakfast in Tallinn, went on a walking tour of the medieval city center and then basically wandered around for the next day and a half. This included drinking chai at a coffee shop older than the U.S. of A., seeing some sweet overlooks, eating pancakes as big as our FACE and spending too much at the cutest little shop. Enjoy -some- of the highlights:

"Hey guys! I want a picture of y'all!" And instead of getting together, you know, smiling and everything they just start 'arguing'...typical.

Jonathan's sly little look...classic.

The red roofs always get me on these views. If you take a gander to the left you'll notice a little strip of sea. Across it lies Finland, which a few of us took the ferry to visit for an hour or so. I stayed in Tallinn, waiting until Mom gets here to explore Helsinki.

After that overlook, I turned around, took a left and saw this big white wall. Not sure why I liked it so much, but it jumped out.

I wandered alone for a while and loved it. There was an artist who sat and painted on this road, you can barely see him. His art was beautiful.

The streets. These streets were so fun to walk up and down and all around. The shops and apartments were such pretty colors even through the cloudy day. 

Riga tomorrow.

Just Dysfunctional

Seth Godin has been writing some phenomenal posts lately. The latest hit especially close, mostly because I have been worrying about disappointing myself (mostly) and others (to an extent). So when the title "meandering toward nowhere special" - (which is what it seems like I'm doing with this after-graduation job/general life-purpose search) popped up in my email, my clicker was on the permalink like white on rice.

He names five behaviors which, when gathered together, lead to disappointment. The five behaviors being, drumroll please, big dreams (check), poor work habits (ish), shortcut seeking (definitely), lottery thinking (define that? oh. yeah.), and lack of self-awareness (oops).

Wow, so I'm five for five on the dysfunctional list. So, then, what can I do about it?

Then how can I switch these habits to instead focus on the meaningful and impactful. Focus on the difference I make for one instead of one hundred?

How will I pursue inspiration and how can I change the daily processes to expose something new, where do I need lessons to better myself and my skills?

Where is the long route? Let's find it, let's journey on it, and let's learn a thing or two while we're fumbling and grumbling with that map.

Let's bring it back to reality: it can always be better. Negative reviews? The critics are sometimes, if not more times, right than you are brilliant. Listen and get back to work.

So that's my thought of the day.

(To round it out, I thought one more set of () and a nature pic would be good.)

Pienas, not Kefyras

Melissa and I went to the little Iki by Kepeklele today. When I began this post, the intention was to talk about how in Lithuania, they take their hot dogs and dairy seriously. Except, when I looked at this picture, a rookie mistake was realized.

Kefyras is not milk. Pienas (no jokes, people) is milk. We had been cautioned of this the beginning of the semester, because kefyras is definitely buttermilk, not milk. Big difference. I guess I'm making buttermilk pancakes and/or french toast tonight to cover my mistake.

The hot dogs are a big thing here too - I only just jumped on the bandwagon. Mix them with pasta, put them in a tortilla with cheese, eat on the side of potatoes or just plain with Ukrainian ketchup and you have a meal.

Also, toilet paper.

Morning & Night

Last night: celebrated Melissa's birthday with Chinese from up the street, cakes from Maxima, and blurry bad pictures that capture everything I love about our room.

This morning: sat in an empty - and clean, thanks to inspection - room, reading The Fault in Our Stars, drinking Starbucks (thanks, Katie), eating a Kepeklele lemon pastry and enjoying the quiet. 

A Few Good Walks

We've been having some great weather over here on the Baltic. PTL. Good enough for daily walks to the sea, shamelessly buying ice cream cones, and overall happy moods despite the "what the heck am I going to do with my life" crisis happening in my corner. 

I took that picture (^) at an intersection and got weird looks galore (because: - coat // + ice cream). Except at this point, weird looks are the norm.

Looking up, this is all I see. No clouds in sight.

Lots of people come down to the beach after school/work hours. It's a gathering place and I like it.

Sandy boardwalks.

  

On the way back, a big tractor came up behind me to clean the sidewalk. He gave me a sheepish smile, because he knew he was kicking me off the concrete for a while. I didn't mind, because I got to walk through the woods. #happyplace

Finally, his slow crawling tractor (would have been faster if it was a JD, because nothing runs like a Deere) passed by and I walked up the stairs over the bridge...

...to see a train going by. You can see the caboose wayyyy down there. If you would follow the left fork, you would find your way to downtown Klaipeda.

Finally a sunset - almost gave a Midwest sunset a run for it's money. 

Thankful for walks like these.

Lia on Abortion

She says it well.

Thank you, Lia.

From the Photo Stream

I am one of the worst bloggers - if I even qualify as one. So much to tell, and so little follow through. Like Russia? Where did that even go. Today I put "BLOG" on my list, all caps, so gosh dang it I'm going to do it. Here we go.

Even though this was way back in February, it needs to be shared. Friends threw me a "100 Days to Graduation" party all the way over here in Lithuania, just like they do for us at Taylor. After some detective work, they made my favorite foods and wrote the sweetest, most encouraging notes. This is literally the only picture I have of that day. Guys, you're great.

Danica and donuts at a fair in Old Town, Klaipeda. We looked at lots of woodcarvings, knitted socks, dried fish, and jewelry. 

You already know where this is - St. Basil's in Moscow, Russia. Surreal experience standing in so much history. Our timing was incredible - the day after we left for St. Petersburg, Red Square filled with protests about the Ukraine/Crimea/Russia situation.

Probably my favorite picture of the whole Russia trip. In St. Petersburg, Russia standing inside of St. Isaac's Cathedral.

Today, we went to Nida where we explored sandy beaches, big big dunes, and red pine tree trails, making me ache for my Northwoods. Also, so thankful for Lori. What a gem.

Unbroken

Just finished this book. What an incredible story.

This Wild Season

“Let’s be courageous in these days. Let’s choose love and rest and grace. Let’s use our minutes and hours to create memories with the people we love…I pray that we’ll live with intention, hope, and love in this wild season and in every season, and that the God who loves us will bring new life to our worn-out hearts this year and every year, that we’ll live, truly and deeply, in the present, instead of waiting, waiting, waiting for perfect.” - Shauna Niequist, Bread & Wine

I read Shauna's words on this sweet blog today and could not imagine a more perfect thought for right now. Recently finding myself waiting, waiting, waiting for perfect - for this and that, for this conversation to go like this and that friendship to go like that, for the perfect job to drop into my lap, I've found myself a little lost.

As the countdown to graduation marches on, the thoughts about what happens after creep closer and closer. The worries and stress distract from the adventure I'm walking now. My heart feels worn out after last semester and even this one too - too much regretting and wishing and hoping and wondering in this and that. Not enough trust.

What does it look like to accept grace, and what does it feel like to give yourself grace? What does it change?

To use Shauna's words, it's a wild season - a season where yes, I realize won't necessarily dictate the rest of my life - but a season that has a significant impact on setting the trajectory and tone of the next few years. Where are my priorities? Am I holding myself back before I even have reason to? What does a life well-lived look like?

The questions are endless: fun to consider to a point, but overwhelming as well. This has been my prayer - one of my favorite hymns, reminding me of truths, provoking thought, and encouraging the discipline to rest, allowing God to satisfy as only He can.

Hill of Crosses in Lithuania - spring break Russia adventures to be posted soon(ish).

In St. Petersburg

We are in St. Petersburg, about to go on a walking tour. The hostel is hands down the best place I've stayed ever. The city is gorgeous. I am in love.

At the train station. Peter.

Walking from train station to hostel.

View from the door of our hostel. In love.

Almost a Play-by-Play, Moscow Edition

Past two days + some pretty rad iPhone pics. 

After taking a bus from Klaipeda, Lithuania to Riga, Latvia, we hopped on a night train to Moscow. We talked, we ate, we slept, we made it through the border check and before we knew it woke up to snow covered Russian countryside. Twenty-four hours in total.

We took a minute to drop off our bags, but quickly got right to seeing the city. It began with taking the Metro (a post in itself, the metro system) to the RED SQUARE. What. 

There, we saw the Museum of Russian History, the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral, a huge mall (I forget the name - there have been so many things to remember!). We've been back there since, and every time I get this feeling of awe and amazement. 

From there we made our way around to the main entrance of the Kremlin to tour the Armory and a couple churches within the walls. Everything, incredible. The riches that are in that place...and we were told we only saw 4%. The rest is hidden away. 

Anyways, to today. The first stop on our list was a string of many stops. We explored the underground, the spidery system of trains that traverse the city. They're beautiful, covered almost entirely with white, black, red, or green marble. One even looked like it had gold in the mosaic tiles. These undergrounds also served as shelter durning the Cold War - when you go down the escalator, you go dowwwnnnnnn. Far. 

After exploring we came back up to the Red Square where we toured St. Basil's. If you saw the picture I posted on IG/Facebook, that's the place. Walking in, I imagined it to open up to a huge all-encompassing view to the tops of the domes. Not the case. It's actually broken up into rooms and hallways, most of which are intricately painted of saints, church fathers and other designs. At the highest point we could go, three men stood and chanted. Amazing experience.

The next church was just as incredible. Words can't describe, and pictures weren't allowed. Dangit. But it was so meticulously created, with each piece and painting done in a way that reflected the glory and power of God. That's my take, anyways.

Arabat Street was next. In its day, it was the place to live. Rich, influential, movers and shakers of the day lived here. What day? I forget, exactly, but maybe in a future post you'll get more details.

Quick trip to Gorky Park to see the biggest ice rink I've ever seen (feet were just too tired at this point to do anything but hold me upright). This was then followed by seeing the Red Square at night, all lit up. After being those Americans we came back to the hostel. Day two, done & done. 

Tomorrow afternoon we go by train to St. Petersburg, where we walk walk walk and see all the things.

I'm so doggone tired. But cannot believe this experience. When we have little breaks, I find myself wondering how the heck I ended up here. I am in RUSSIA. Also - all of the stories that surround us - how events twisted and turned and shaped the lives of those who lived then and now. Are we products of our culture, or is our culture a product of us? How are we defined by the events and decisions happening around us?

McDonald's burger. We'll call it a cultural experience. 

Remixes and Senior-itis and Crepes

Listening to Hillsong Reunited's remixes...kind of surprised I like them, but we'll go with it.

PTL'ing for finishing an application that was hanging over my head for forever. Here's to that.

Kicking myself for throwing down two competitions: one with Danica & Joel, another with Beth & Suzanne for most miles run before leaving Lithuania/graduation, respectively.

Missing my family A LOT. Also, they're in Colorado right now having the time of their lives skiing.

Homework and school things are catching up with me. Blame it on the senior-itis.

Watched a great TED talk on design.

Walking around and seeing new things. Trying out new coffee places. Having great conversations. Continuing the never-ending process of learning about myself. Appreciating home more and more. Trying to speak Lithuanian. Eating crepes.

That about covers the last week.

From LCC to TU

We were all missing Taylor a lot. So we made a video about it to put into Nostalgia Night.

What Makes Your Heart Beat?

This.

To: Kaunas

Lauren, Danica, Gracie and I made a little weekend trip to a nearby city - Kaunas. It's just a three(ish) hour bus ride from Klaipeda and offers the little change of scenery we were craving.

After classes on the 14th, we got to the bus station, hopped on and were headed to Kaunas. We got to our hostel, The Monk's Bunk and crashed. I don't think the guy there knew what to do with us - he kept asking what kind of bar we wanted to go to...or maybe a concert? We wanted girl time and sleep. Typical.

The next two days consisted of walking around Old Town, exploring old churches and cobbled side streets. We spent way to much time inside of coffee shops, but I don't think any of us would complain. It was just nice go get away for a little bit. 

I think even my unedited, iPhone pictures will capture the few days better than my words will at this point. So here ya go:

Big church? Impressive.

Four girls, just adventurin' to find the hostel late at night. Finally found it in a back alley. Our parents love this, I'm sure.

Breakfast the next morning. Best pastry I've had to date. Had to document.

Books on books on books on the main street.

We couldn't go in this church, but it was massive. And goregeous.

Remaining section of the fortress(?) in Kaunas. There's a river to the right, and the Old Town sits to the left. If you look far left, you'll see part of the church that's captured in the photo below.

Imagine that behind where I'm standing as I'm taking the picture, that there's a huge, sad looking sanctuary. Except, pews line the aisle and colored pictures are hung on the walls. 

We saw a WEDDING. For those of you who have been following my Pinterest board, you'll know I've been into those lately. Ring-by-spring am-I-rite.

Cookie shop. Those chocolate ones, front and center left? Yum.

The main walking path, which we spent 99% of our time walking, was great to the directionally challenged (me). Took us straight from this beautiful church to our hostel directly down to Old Town. Dream.

Danica - Me - Lauren - Gracie

The cutest old man took this picture. No English, but big smiles all around.