Wrong Roads

                                        Came across this little message this morning and just had to share.
                                                New Mormon Message by Elder Holland
                                                        Definitely a favorite of mine now!
                                                                         Hope you like it!      

Rattle Snake ridge

Since I'm a little (a lot) behind on posting, I'm just going to double post! 

A week ago my newly made friend Cody and I decided to hike Rattle Snake ridge which is a very popular hike up here. 

It's about 4 miles each way, and is always crowded during the spring/summer time but with the view that it has I don't blame people for hiking it all the time.

So Cody is a recent returned missionary from Chile and we thought it would be a good idea to go hiking since we both love outdoor activities and it would help him overcome his post mission awkwardness haha

As we are hiking I noticed that he would say "hi" or "hey how's it going" to every single person we passed (obviously a missionary thing) and I started to make fun of him so in return he made the both of us greet every single person and count how many rejections we got. Thankfully, almost everyone responded! 

             ( ground level pictures)

We finally make it to the top and holy cow is it crowded! About 5 minutes after we made it a guy made an announcement stating he was going to be flying his helicopter around... me thinking it was just a play toy one didn't think too much of it but then we see these huge blinking lights and sounds and BAM. It was a legit helicopter and I wanted to play with it. But I couldn't so that was a bummer:( 

                Look at that view.

 It was a great hike with a good friend and I'm so glad we decided to go! 

 

Leave the bitter, take the sweet.

Surprise surprise, I am back home in Wa.

Not really quite sure how I feel about it yet... Besides my breakdown in the car on the drive home from the airport.... 

As much as I "wanted" to come home, I really didn't. I wasn't ready to come home nor did I want to, Luxembourg was my reality, my home, and my heart. 

I miss it so much and quite frankly I cry quite a bit over it, pretty sure I'm having some post pardom

Since being back I have road tripped it to Utah for the LDS general conference, got a job (same as before) and have babysat more in my life than ever before.  I don't mind it though. For now..... Haha

I have also, lost my Costco card, lost about HALF of my closet thanks to my mother and have applied for 2 big girl jobs and am currently planning my move to Utah!

Man, talk about cha cha changes!

        It's good to be back at the barre.

        Showing my mother around temple square 

No secret I have the biggest obsession with Diet coke. 

Met up with Elder Kelly's old companion Jared. He's such a sweetheart and met a sister missionary that speaks French so of course I had to have a conversation with her.

Also not a secret that I love chipotle. 

Maybe things haven't changed all that much after all.

I guess being home isn't all that bad. But, there's no place like Europe.

10 things

 Well, I apologize for my absence. I don't really have a reason to give other than I wasn't sure what I wanted to write about hahaha opps.

So here are 10 things I have learned in the last 2 months.

1. I am constantly growing 
 I find myself looking back at pictures and not recognizing myself, I'm doing things I would never think about doing and just learning to be happy.

2. Chocolate really can mend a broken heart.
  no, dont even go there. I'm not talking about a break up here. I'm talking about losing yourself, being in a new place where you know no one and just feeling alone, Its all heartbreaking especially if it feels like a never ending trial. TRUST ME when I say there is no such thing as too much chocolate.  two words though. Portion control.

3. Appreciate alone time.
  Oh how I wish I realized this sooner! Its so important to take time for yourself.

4. I really do love my family.
  I was never one who was emotionally attached to my immediate family but I find myself loving them and appreciating them more and more everyday. how? I have no idea but from now on I will always tell them that I love them. Things change fast, so do it.

5. I know what I want and Dont want in a marriage. 
 this doesn't mean I know everything... I dont. hahahah I wont even go there.

6, I am quiet because I'm afraid to engage in conversation.

7. Higher Education is important.
  I really need to finish school..... like now.

8. Never go to sleep angry. 
  write it out, dance it out and shake it off. BEFORE BED. you'll feel better. Promise.

9. Be nice to your self.
  I've been told that I am really hard on myself and its true, I am. But I'm learning and growing and I've learned to just love myself for who I am now and strive to be better each day.

10. Trust in God.
  " Come what may, and love it"

Let the adventures begin.

 And so it begins....
Can i tell you how incredible it is to live 20 minutes away from 3 countries?
Its pretty awesome,but I'm not bragging.
My new Gal pals that I met at church were so kind to invite me out to go shopping with them. All the way in Germany. I just about freaked because
1. SHOPPING
2.Its Germany and whats not cool about Germany?

  The Country is gorgeous and oh so clean! I was one happy girl.
Being from the US, I dropped a little more than I should have since the conversion to euro and international fees suck :( like who do I talk to about that?....
H&M, Primark and T.K maxx were the only stores I was familiar with and boy were they full of all sorts of amazing clothing. I guess here in Europe its common for stores to close at 6 but we were lucky to have gone to a place that closed at 8pm. (Thank heavens)
My feet hurt about an hour into shopping so you can imagine how I felt the rest of the night haha.
OH! I found my haven. Its a cosmetic store called Douglas.
  Check.it.out.
If you  are from the US, traveling near by and find yourself missing some brand name makeup like M.A.C or Bobbi Brown. You must go!
The place is also a salon so its pretty much perfect. (insert singing angles)
Also found a Starbucks,
Please tell me that I don't have to write about how amazing Starbucks is....
you should know that by now.

Starbucks is a girls best friend.

Friends take Selfies. 

                                                     Man, I really should invest in a camera.

What is this place?

GUYS,
I have some pretty exciting news.
I'M IN LUXEMBOURG.
First thought:
                        where is the nearest doughnut shop and pizzeria?

I guess I am a true american huh?

Gosh I miss american food, I cant even find a decent taco.

so. to all of my friends and family: quick, someone fed ex me a taco.

 Let me tell you few things I have learned in my first week

The roads are narrow.

Europeans sort of suck at driving.

The country is tri lingual and its awesome.

Macaroons are the greatest treat ever.

Its easy to pick up an accent.

Its cold. to. the. bone. 

I would have taken a picture of my macaroon but it looked so good that I ate it the minute it touched my hands.opps, sorry, cant control myself when it comes to pastries:)

BERTRANGE 

and a selfie 

, 

December Days

Even though there has been ZERO snow in Seattle (tears) the Holiday season has been pretty great this year. Although this year has not been the same without Ian... we have found a new respect for him in the family. I mean who else is going to decorate the tree, set up nutcrackers and decorate the entire house? Not me that's for sure and its only because I'm NOT a 6 foot 4 inch  grown man. Lets face it. I'm 5'1 and struggle to get my dishes out of the cupboard. Daily.Its sad.

So the Kelly's do Christmas a little differently than the Barrios' do. And that's ok cause Kelly Christmas is actually this big party and I dig it. 

This year was full of many goodbyes as I leave for Luxembourg tomorrow. (Again Tears)

Our Grandmother came into town this years after partying it up in New York for the last 8 years, 

Good to see ya Tuta.

Party time the Eastwood family.

 One house, lots of people, lots of fun.

Sounds like Kelly Christmas to me

I'm pretty sad about leaving this amazing family and especially these amazing gals.

I think I'm more attached than I realize, because I love them a whole lot.

But I'm more upset about leaving this bugger for a whole year.

I Promise he loves me.

(we've had our moments)

He may be 3 months old and not know who I am but we will be the best of friends. 

Love you AJ.

It's been a Holiday Season to remember. 

I love my Family.