11 Month in Iceland by the Numbers

11 months, really, already! Where has the time gone?

When I was first looking back on my 11 month in Iceland it seemed to be a blur of the work/life daily routine. As I was planning this post I was afraid I would have nothing new and exciting to share from this past month. I don’t know what month my mind was stuck in because this past month has been full of fun adventures!

So lets get to looking into my 11 month abroad!

13.1 miles ran with H

Reykavik MarathonThe Reykjavik half marathon has been on my bucket list all year and when the day finally arrived I was so excited to join the 10,000 other runners. It was H first race and I loved having him experience the race with me. Nothing like having a speedy boy running next to you to motivate you to run faster!

Reykavik MarathonReykavik Marathon

First Menningarnótt celebrated

MenningarnóttMenningarnótt, or culture night, is a full day of events happening in Reykjavik. There are live concerts in several stages throughout the city, food booths, street entertainers and a impressive firework show at the end of the night. This day draws 100,000 of approximately 325,671 Icelandic people to Reykjavik, the day is a big deal!

Two hours spent singing along with Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake ConcertJustin Timberlake made big news here in Iceland when he came for his first concert on our little island. The concert was amazing but my hope of getting a good JT picture was crushed by the pushy crowds and short girl problems, so a picture of H and I at the concert will have to do.

30 chaotic minutes at Kolaportið

Kolaportið is the flea market in Reykjavik that happens every weekend. Some people swear it is the best place to find seafood and great Icelandic sweaters. Me personally, I can never make it more than a few minutes wandering the small aisles, it can be a bit hectic. But if your in Reykjavik on the weekends it is definitely a sight to see!

One unsuccessful blueberry picking trip

HeiðmörkThe Icelandic blueberries decided not to make an appearance this year in protest to the cold summer we had. Even though we didn’t find any blueberries to pick it was my first time visiting Heiðmörk, a beautiful area just outside of Reykjavik, so the failed blueberry mission was forgiven with the beautiful colors of the area.

HeiðmörkHeiðmörk

Three seasons of Top Chef binge watched

via
First off I just love Tom! H and I are hooked on Top Chef. And I will say our cooking game has stepped up since watching the show, letting out our inner top chef.

First Girl Gone International event

Me and one of my closet friends here in Iceland have recently became the community managers for GGI which basically means we are responsible for planning monthly events for ladies here in Reykjavik. We just had our first event and it was a great night with over a dozen ladies from all over the world in attendance. Post to come explaining more about GGI!

Two days spent remodeling our living room

After almost a year of living in our flat H and I are finally making it feel more like home! Amazing what a difference some paint and new shelves can make in a room! I now love coming home and relaxing on the couch in our new living room.

Before:
After:

First fall in Iceland

Fall is in full swing here in Iceland and I am loving all the beautiful colors that are appearing all over town!

I can’t believe that the next “by the numbers post” I will be writing will be marking my 12 month in Iceland! Writing these post and recapping my months abroad have been a great way for me to look back and see what I have been up to, the big, the small and all the in-between moments.

Previous by the numbers month recaps:
First Month in Iceland by the Numbers
Second Month in Iceland by the Numbers
Third Month in Iceland by the Numbers
Fourth Month in Iceland by the Numbers
Fifth Month in Iceland by the Numbers
Sixth Month in Iceland by the Numbers
Seventh Month in Iceland by the Numbers
8th Month in Iceland by the Numbers
9th Month in Iceland by the Numbers
10th Month in Iceland by the Numbers

Question of the Day?
What is your favorite thing about fall? Any ideas on how I should celebrate my one year expativersary?

September 22, 2014 by
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  • http://www.adventurings.com Cynthia

    Happy almost one year! I totally forgot that I had visited that flea market until you posted about it! It was quite interesting… wish I would’ve picked up a souvenir there. Those autumn photos are quite beautiful :)

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Thank you Cynthia! The flea market is an interesting place for sure! I am loving the autumn colors, hope they stick around for awhile!

  • http://www.melaniefontaine.com/ Melanie Fontaine

    Wow, almost a year already! Love the colors of the leaves - fall looks gorgeous in Iceland! :)

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      I know this year has flown by! Everyday the fall colors come in more and more, I love them!

  • http://hemborgwife.wordpress.com/ Bailie @ The Hemborg Wife

    I love flea markets like that but they totally make Fredrik anxious and so antsy I always send him away while I look through everything!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      It sounds like Fredrik and I would be sent away while you and H shopped because I feel the same way. It is so chaotic in there I just get overwhelmed and leave!

  • http://sophieinclogs.com Sophie

    The leaves are so lovely!!! Happy 11 months :) I’m looking forward to hearing about GGI!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Thanks Sophie! Hope your fall is beautiful! And yes I need to share more about GGI it has been a great way to meet other girls around my age here!

  • http://www.rhymeandribbons.com/ Amanda @ Rhyme & Ribbons

    What a month! I can’t believe it’s been almost a year for you! JT alone marks the supremacy of month 11, though- right? x

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      If only JT took me on his trip to the Blue Lagoon my month would have been complete :)

  • http://www.lifeinprogress.ca/ Kathy@Vodka and Soda

    almost a year already!! i love the fall colors in your city; so pretty!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      I know right, I can’t believe it is almost one year already! I am loving the fall colors, I just hope they stick around for awhile I am not ready for snow!

  • http://www.chicadeedee.com/ Dannielle @ Chicadeedee

    Seriously such a big difference with the new red wall! I can’t wait to move and paint, living in a beige box stinks.

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      I was so surprised by how much of a different painting the wall made!

  • http://treasuretromp.com/ Nicole @ Treasure Tromp

    that red wall is hot!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Thanks girl, I am loving it much better than our old hospital white walls!

  • http://withlove-rachel.com Rachel Murphree

    11 months already?! Congrats on the half marathon! Your city looks so pretty, and I love the red wall in your apartment. Only one more month to go until you hit the big milestone… :)

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Thanks Rachel :) I can’t believe it has almost been a year!

  • http://www.therandomwritings.com/ Rachel G

    Too bad about the lack of blueberries! :( You’re closing in on one year so fast! And I’m loving the red wall-the world needs a few more red walls in it, in my opinion.

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      I agree, red walls just make a room so much better!

  • http://thethingsiamcrazyfor.wordpress.com/ Camila

    Congrats on the half marathon again! :) And fall looks AMAZING! I’m gonna be missing it in Canada and I’m so sad, I love the colours! And love what you’ve done with the place - making a flat feel like home really is an important part of the whole process :)

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      I know, even though the colors are pretty I was spoiled by some stunning falls back home so I am really missing it! So true, making the place more like home is such an important part of the process, I already feel more comfortable in our new space!

  • http://endlesspostcards.wordpress.com/ Deepti @ Endless Postcards

    So cool, and congrats on your half marathon! Fall looks beautiful and I’m super jealous that you even got to be in the same room as JT.

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Thank you :) Fall so far has been really beautiful, and I know, it was amazing being at the JT concert!

  • http://www.amyandthegreatworld.com/ AmyMacWorld

    I can’t believe you’re almost at your one year mark! So cool, and congratulations! As I’ve almost hit the two months (and know how challenging it is), I am in awe! It looks like you had a great month and the fall there is just gorgeous. So is that red wall :)

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Thank you Amy! I know I can’t believe I am closing in on the one year mark, seems just crazy to me. Once you get pass the 6 months time really starts to fly. And thank you, I am loving my red wall :)

  • http://bristolinmypocket.blogspot.co.uk/ Sara Rose

    I’m in LOVE with your new wall!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Thank you Sara! Me too :)

  • http://letuswanderlust.blogspot.com/ Carly @ Let Us Wanderlust

    Oooh your living room looks amazing!!! The red is perfect! And how pretty are the Autumn colours you guys have over there at the moment. We are gearing up for summer over here and I do miss those beautiful Autumn colours. Can’t wait to learn more about Gone Girl International - I’m so interested and intrigued! Xx

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      As much as I love summer the colors that Autumn brings are my favorite! Yes I need to share more about GGI soon, it has been an awesome group for me to meet ladies here in Reykjavik from all over the world!

  • http://anothercleanslate.com/ Kate @ Another Clean Slate

    Looking forward to hearing more about Girl Gone! I read it as Gone Girl at first and thought it was all about the book- ha!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Haha! I am looking forward to the Gone Girl movie to come out I loved the book!

  • http://www.thelotuscreative.com/ Kate Jordan

    You have had an AWESOME month (besides the blueberry picking!)!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Thanks Kate! On to month 12 :)

  • http://bluehairinbelgium.blogspot.be/ Kerri

    I love the idea of this post, but I think it would require some serious note taking on my part to pull this kind of post off. I think I’ll stick to enjoying the read!

    We had a failed blackberry picking trip this weekend… I think the people that lived near the bushes picked them all. Greedy people!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Thank you Kerri! It is a fun post to look back on my past month and the little random pictures I took.

      I love blackberries, I told my mom told freeze some for me to enjoy this winter when I am home.

  • http://montgomeryfest.com/ Annie Montgomery

    you’re so good at these posts. i love that red wall!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Thanks so much Annie :) I love writing these post.

  • http://www.itscarmen.com ≈ CARMEN ≈

    Why did you move to Iceland? My bad if that’s an obvious question, but I’m new to the blog. Keep having adventures. It looks cool over there — literally & figuratively. :] // itsCarmen.com ☼ ☯

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Hi Carmen. I moved to Iceland because of my Icelandic man :) Welcome to the blog, glad you stopped by!

  • http://www.erikafromamerica.com/ Erika

    These are always so fun to read and really remind me how fast time goes! Can’t believe it’s been almost a year for you! YAY! And congrats on doing the marathon! :)

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Time really does go by so fast! Thanks Erika:)

  • Guest

    That flea market looks amazing! I want to buy that woman’s leopard print coat in that picture..

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Me to! They are quite popular this fall, I see them everywhere. They are also ridiculously over priced, somewhere around 300 USD!

  • http://Girl-Meets-Globe.com/ Tina @ Girl-Meets-Globe

    We had unsuccessful blueberry pickin’ years in Alaska too! Hopefully they’ll be in abundance next year. You’ve hit almost a year! Congrats! Are your plans to stay there indefinitely?

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      I agree, I hope there are lots of blueberries next year! Not indefinitely, I want to live back in Oregon in the next few years. I am sure Iceland will always be a place we come back to though, we have no idea where time will take us!

  • http://alexfahey.blogspot.com/ Alex Fahey

    Happy 11 months! A half marathon is on my list, but I don’t know when that will ever happen!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Thanks Alex! A half marathon in Hawaii would be amazing, maybe a goal for the future if you two move back there after China. It is on my bucket list to run a race in Hawaii!

  • http://www.adventuresofalondonkiwi.blogspot.com/ adventuresofalondonkiwi

    What a cool month (bar the berry picking!!). I can’t wait to see what you come up with for your anniversary!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      I know, I think an all day celebration is needed for my one month!

  • http://welaughanyway.blogspot.com/ Yalanda_Meshell

    What a great month! It looks like you are really and truly enjoying your time there! It also sounds like a great place to call home!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      Thanks Yalanda! I try and make the most of each month, helps keep the homesick feelings away as well!

  • http://speaking-denglish.com/ Alex, Denglish Speaker

    10,000 marathoners? That’s like 3% of the population which is dang impressive. How cool you two did that together. And I’m very interested to hear more about GGI!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

      I know right! There were some international runners but still a lot of Icelanders participate. The race has a 10k and a 5k as well so I know these numbers reflect that. It was really fun running it together though, although right after H proclaimed he will never do that again.

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