30 June 2013
Meet my host dog!
I honestly have no idea how to write her name... Faustie? Faustee? I really don't know.
And y'all should know by now I am a cat person, and dog kisses are icky to me.
27 June 2013
Life Hacks.
Hi friends. I'm sorry if this isn't the most positive post I've ever had- I'm not feeling too positive at the moment.
I titled this post "Life Hacks" because over the course of my 22 years as a person, living in France on two separate occasions, in two different parts of France, going away to college, etc. I feel I've learned a thing or two about general tips for living a chill life.
I've got two rules:
1. I'm not tooting my horn, don't think I am. I am experienced as a traveler- that's just how it is. Just let me give you some advice without thinking I'm being pretentious. I don't care if you travel or not- these life hacks apply to everyone, everywhere.
2. No devil's advocate. (Advocat in French means "lawyer", btw) My advice is not going to apply to all situations. Obviously if you're in a life threatening situation, always being polite probably will not do you any good.
Alright. Let's begin.
1. Always be polite.
Okay, I don't think I can stress this one enough. You have no reason, ever, to be rude. I don't care if someone is being rude to you, always be polite. Being rude and inconsiderate of others will get you no where in life, and will only make the situation more hostile and less likely to get ANYTHING done. If you're busy and cannot take the time to help someone, then clearly state that to them. Don't ignore them or help them halfway. Being rude will get you absolutely no where. And when you're nice to people, they often are more responsive and more willing to help. On that note, we move to number two.
2. Assholes exist everywhere.
Assholes are in every corner of the world. Stop laughing, I'm talking about the figurative asshole, not the literal one (although those do as well.) Here in gay 'ol Paris I find myself buying into the stereotype that the french are rude. And I see it. When I try ordering at a restaurant and the waiter gives me sass, I want to believe it's because he's French. But that is so far from the truth. He's simply just an asshole. The beauty of assholes is that they don't discriminate. They exist everywhere. People can be real d*cks in the States. Have you ever been to WalMart? There ya go. I don't know if this is an opptimistic or pessimistic view on life.
3. You can only control yourself and your emotions.
I got this one from my therapist. I think this little phrase may have saved my life. I was (and to a certain extent, still am) an anxious crazy person. But the truth is, you can't control everything in your life. You can, however, control how you react to certain situations. You can control how something someone said makes you feel. You can choose to think positively or negatively about it. What someone else does in their own life most times has no impact on your life- that is- unless you let it.
4. Live and let live.
Live your life for you. Don't ever care what anyone else thinks- ever. I know this is such common advice, but you got to do what is right for you. On the same token, let others live how they choose to. Let them be happy, just as you want yourself to be happy.
5. The South will not rise again.
Just throwing that one out there.
6. When in Rome, do as the Romans.
I see no point in traveling to a foreign land if you have the intention to only do what you know how to do. If you go to India and don't attempt to dress like them, or seem like them, why even go? You know, people of different cultures aren't an exhibit from the zoo, they're living, breathing, experiences for you to interact with and understand.
I think I'm solid on life hacks for right now. I know most of this was written out of anger, but sometimes things need to be said. Plus, I'm lacking the urge to finish talking this.
I titled this post "Life Hacks" because over the course of my 22 years as a person, living in France on two separate occasions, in two different parts of France, going away to college, etc. I feel I've learned a thing or two about general tips for living a chill life.
I've got two rules:
1. I'm not tooting my horn, don't think I am. I am experienced as a traveler- that's just how it is. Just let me give you some advice without thinking I'm being pretentious. I don't care if you travel or not- these life hacks apply to everyone, everywhere.
2. No devil's advocate. (Advocat in French means "lawyer", btw) My advice is not going to apply to all situations. Obviously if you're in a life threatening situation, always being polite probably will not do you any good.
Alright. Let's begin.
1. Always be polite.
Okay, I don't think I can stress this one enough. You have no reason, ever, to be rude. I don't care if someone is being rude to you, always be polite. Being rude and inconsiderate of others will get you no where in life, and will only make the situation more hostile and less likely to get ANYTHING done. If you're busy and cannot take the time to help someone, then clearly state that to them. Don't ignore them or help them halfway. Being rude will get you absolutely no where. And when you're nice to people, they often are more responsive and more willing to help. On that note, we move to number two.
2. Assholes exist everywhere.
Assholes are in every corner of the world. Stop laughing, I'm talking about the figurative asshole, not the literal one (although those do as well.) Here in gay 'ol Paris I find myself buying into the stereotype that the french are rude. And I see it. When I try ordering at a restaurant and the waiter gives me sass, I want to believe it's because he's French. But that is so far from the truth. He's simply just an asshole. The beauty of assholes is that they don't discriminate. They exist everywhere. People can be real d*cks in the States. Have you ever been to WalMart? There ya go. I don't know if this is an opptimistic or pessimistic view on life.
3. You can only control yourself and your emotions.
I got this one from my therapist. I think this little phrase may have saved my life. I was (and to a certain extent, still am) an anxious crazy person. But the truth is, you can't control everything in your life. You can, however, control how you react to certain situations. You can control how something someone said makes you feel. You can choose to think positively or negatively about it. What someone else does in their own life most times has no impact on your life- that is- unless you let it.
4. Live and let live.
Live your life for you. Don't ever care what anyone else thinks- ever. I know this is such common advice, but you got to do what is right for you. On the same token, let others live how they choose to. Let them be happy, just as you want yourself to be happy.
5. The South will not rise again.
Just throwing that one out there.
6. When in Rome, do as the Romans.
I see no point in traveling to a foreign land if you have the intention to only do what you know how to do. If you go to India and don't attempt to dress like them, or seem like them, why even go? You know, people of different cultures aren't an exhibit from the zoo, they're living, breathing, experiences for you to interact with and understand.
I think I'm solid on life hacks for right now. I know most of this was written out of anger, but sometimes things need to be said. Plus, I'm lacking the urge to finish talking this.
16 June 2013
Norway - Kjeragbolten
Okay, this post my father is going to LOVE. He told me if I went out on the rock, he would come to Europe and take my home. He made me promise that I wouldn't get out on that rock. He has what I like to call, The Look and The Voice and when he uses them, you know you are in trouble. He very much had The Look and The Voice out while skyping me, forbidding me to go out on the rock.
But what are the point of rules if not for breaking?
So we went to do the Kjeragbolton hike. Again, for more information on this hike, click here! This hike was rated difficult, and was about the same time length-wise. There are three big hills to climb, and then about a kilometer of "flat" walking to get to this (stupid) rock. There were no trees on this hike, a lot of rock climbing, and I actually liked it better than Preikestolen even though it was more difficult. I really liked the thrill of rock climbing where you could easily fall and really hurt yourself. Oooo the adrenaline kicks in!
So let's see some pictures!
Sidenote: I probably won't be making as many comments on the photos because they're mostly landscapes.
So there. I got on the (stupid) rock. And let me tell you, I couldn't be more proud. Climbing out onto that thing was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Also, here's another life lesson: If you sike yourself out from something you want to do, you won't do it. Just suck it up, and just do the thing. Just step out onto the rock. Just do it.
Okay, if you don't hear from me for awhile, assume papa bear has retrieved me from Europe.
But what are the point of rules if not for breaking?
So we went to do the Kjeragbolton hike. Again, for more information on this hike, click here! This hike was rated difficult, and was about the same time length-wise. There are three big hills to climb, and then about a kilometer of "flat" walking to get to this (stupid) rock. There were no trees on this hike, a lot of rock climbing, and I actually liked it better than Preikestolen even though it was more difficult. I really liked the thrill of rock climbing where you could easily fall and really hurt yourself. Oooo the adrenaline kicks in!
So let's see some pictures!
Sidenote: I probably won't be making as many comments on the photos because they're mostly landscapes.
Alright, let's go climb us a mountain to see a (stupid) rock!
Yay cliffs! And random dude!
And, I didn't get the poopies after this. #winning
Top of hill three I believe. Yes, we had to hike that mountain side. More awkward stair climbing.
Fanny pack on a mountain!
I look like a sherpa.
The rocks all looked like this, pretty neat.
As yes, vertical climbing.
Snow!
Note: Joy was scooting down the mountain, she didn't fall. She wanted to make sure that I clarified this. (More note: She and Ron are currently on a cruise around Norway and far north. Jealous.)
Rock is drunk.
My lens had fogged, and I didn't realize it.
Okay, with these photos, I was going to send them to my dad saying I had made it out on the rock, because this is a rock in between two other rocks... technically...
Alright, let's talk about the (stupid) rock. See that tiny speck directly above the woman's head? that's where the rock is situated. (You may want to enlarge the photo) (Also, photo cred to Ron and Joy, they gave me this photo to better reference the height.
Zoomed in. Its that little speck up there.
Cliff that people were base jumping off of. (Again, may be Joy and Ron's photo.)
Here we are. The (stupid) rock.
I keep calling it stupid because it's literally just a rock that people stand on. We hiked 3 hours one way and 3 hours back to look and stand on a rock.
Here is where you would stand to take pictures of the (stupid) rock. Honestly, this part scared me more than the actual rock itself. You slip, you dead.
This is a stolen photo from the interwebs. She is sitting with her feet on the rock like I am in other photos. Also, that's the ledge to get out onto the rock. Here, you can really see how it drops off and if you fall, you dead.
Yeah. No.
I don't think I can get out on that thing.
I'll just sit here and smile instead.
"Yeah, this isn't gonna happen."
So I'll just chill here. At least I touched the rock.
Joy finally made it out on the rock standing!
Alright, we gotta take a pause. So, I attempted to get out on the rock by sitting down first. Joy had told me if I got nervous I could crawl out like she had her first time, so I went in with that mind set. I sat down and looked at the (stupid) rock and decided it wasn't gonna happen. I was NOT going to get out on that rock. So we left to hike back and I just told myself I'd come back and now have an excuse to come back to Norway. About ten minutes after leaving, I asked if we could go back. I was going to stand on that (stupid) rock whether I liked it or not. So we walked back, and let me tell you, I haven't had that intense of an adrenaline rush in a loooooonnngggg time. I was determined. Ron offered to come out with me if I couldn't make it out myself. No. I was determined. I walked right up to it and just walked out to it.
I'm going to stand on you, (stupid) rock!
Thumbs up for standing on the (stupid) rock!
Got the sign out. BTW- unfolding that piece of paper while on the (stupid) rock was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life
I really hope you can see how far up it is. I think it's 1000m.
So there. I got on the (stupid) rock. And let me tell you, I couldn't be more proud. Climbing out onto that thing was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Also, here's another life lesson: If you sike yourself out from something you want to do, you won't do it. Just suck it up, and just do the thing. Just step out onto the rock. Just do it.
Okay, if you don't hear from me for awhile, assume papa bear has retrieved me from Europe.
Norway - Manafossen
Manafossen is a hidden waterfall between two cliffs. It's a fifteen minute hike to get a good view, but you can see it's river and other smaller water falls from the road below. To read up a little bit more on it, click here.
We went to Manafossen after hiking Preikestolen, and let me tell you, the dogs were barking. That means my feet really hurt. Honestly, the only time I have heard that expression is from my dad. So if anyone else has heard of it, let me know.
We went to Manafossen after hiking Preikestolen, and let me tell you, the dogs were barking. That means my feet really hurt. Honestly, the only time I have heard that expression is from my dad. So if anyone else has heard of it, let me know.
Don't come to France and get me, Dad.
Feet pictures.
So there isn't a whole lot to say about Manafossen, it was a much easier hike than Preikestolen, btu a good place to take pictures. When it's sunny out, a rainbow appears at the bottom due to light reflection and science.
Next stop: Kjerag.
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