A Girl's Weekend

We went to Duluth the other weekend, and on our way back, stopped by the ice caves at Pictured Rocks. It was restful and fun, and so I made a little video about it. Thankful for friends and beautiful places to explore.

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.