Archives for January 2014 | Unlocking Kiki

A Snowy Day in Iceland

January 31, 2014 by Kiki 30 Comments

First off I am so glad so many of you related to yesterday’s post, I am loving all of your comments!

Last night winter reappeared in full force here in Reykjavik. Of course the snow comes back just as my hopes for spring were rising and I was finally able to walk on the sidewalks without slipping everywhere on the ice.
While I may be ready for summer and sunshine I still get excited over a snow day. Especially when its that beautiful fresh fluffy snow and the sun is out shining making everything sparkle.

I made sure to head out this morning to get some pictures to capture the winter beauty before it turns into the iced over slippery hell I know it will become by the afternoon.

At least for now my street and backyard look a winter wonderland.

There is something so beautiful about the old cemetery a few blocks from my house, especially with the snow covering everything.

When I want to complain about how cold and miserable I am during the winter I try and remember how beautiful calm winter days can be.

This was the Reykjavik sunrise this morning, it even came up before 10 am which means spring is basically here. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, I am off to ride my bike to the store, this cold weather calls for a day of baking!

Just kidding I don’t have a bike and if I did there is no way I would brave the snow to try and ride it!

And in case your in need of some reading over the weekend check out some of my favorite blog reads from this week:

After Margo at Gutenblog Y’all shared her pictures of a canal cruise in Bruges, Belgium it has definitely been added to my travel bucket list, looks so beautiful!

Thanks to Belinda at Found Love Now What for sharing this article reminding us that its the little things in life that make us happy and gives a list of 30 things to not give up doing, its a great read for everyone.

This article inspired my post this week “Sorry not Sorry” and gave me the pep talk I needed.

If your searching for some more link-ups to join Nicole at Treasure Tromp has a great post with a list of link-ups for each day of the week. Check them out, meet some great new bloggers, share the blogging love.

Question of the Day?
Anyone else having a snow day today? What are some of your favorite reads from this week?

Linking up for #backthatazzup Friday

Sorry not Sorry

January 30, 2014 by Kiki 41 Comments

You know those articles you come across that really make you stop and think? Well the other day I came across such an article that really made me step back and thing about things I have done or am currently doing in my life.

The article, “5 ‘Mistakes’ That You Should Never Apologize For In Your 20s”, is about certain mistakes people may make in their 20′s that they shouldn’t be apologizing for. For me this article made me look at certain “mistakes” I think I have made and made me realize that I should instead be looking at these “mistakes” as life opportunities.

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These three points listed below are ones that I related to from the article and are “mistakes” that I have at times let hold me back from my true ambitions in life.

“Don’t be sorry for moving a million different times to a million different cities”
Already moved multiple times but still haven’t found the place that is right for you? Don’t let the worry of what others might think about yet another move, keep on going until you have found the place that is right for you. At least that was what I tried to tell myself this past summer when I was deciding on yet another move.

When I told people I was moving back to Iceland after a not so successful move here two years ago I was worried as to what they would think about my decision. Some people I didn’t even tell until just a few weeks before my move out of fear of what they would say.

Looking back I realize I shouldn’t have let other peoples opinions about my decisions determine my life path. I am so glad I didn’t let the fear of what others think hold me back from this move, whether it works out or not it will be an experience I will never forget.

Azora showing me some support as I pack up to move again

“Don’t be sorry for leaving your good friends and family to chase your ambition”
This statement hits home with me after making the decision to move 4,000 miles away from all my family and friends to chase my dream of living abroad. Being so far away sometimes makes me feel guilty that I am missing out on birthdays and holidays, my siblings games, and dinner nights with the family. When these times happen I find myself wishing I was close to home and start to wonder if I made a mistake by leaving those I love behind?

Growing up I always knew that I wanted to get out and travel and knew this meant that I would have to leave my family and friends. Working up the courage to leave your family, friends, and comfort zone behind though is not easy at all. I found myself unsure if I would be brave enough to make a move somewhere on my own, and at times felt like I should just stay near home so I wouldn’t have to go through the difficult transition.

Having support and love from those at home though is what has helped give me the courage to get out and explore the World and I am so glad I didn’t just settle for staying home.When I start to feel like I am making a mistake by not being there for my family all it takes is a phone call home to realize that the love and support is set for life, not decided by my area code.

My biggest cheerleaders in life, love my family

“Don’t be sorry for wanting more, ever”
I am guilty of this in so many ways! Not necessarily in the fact that I am constantly wanting more materialistically but in the sense that I can’t help but change my plans and life goals constantly. One day I may think I want to be a nutritionist, the next day I think I want to go back to school to get my MBA, and by the weekend I may just want to become a writer and travel the World, you never know.

With my plans constantly changing about what I want to do I find myself at times worried what others may think. I feel like I am making a mistake by trying so many different things and that I should just be starting a set career path and settling down. Then I think, there is no way I am ready to just settle down in a job that I will be doing for the rest of my life, I have no idea even what that job would be!

Instead of viewing my desire for more as a mistake I am going to try and look at it as my motivation and drive to continue growing into the person I want to become. I don’t want to look back on my life decisions with regret that I didn’t strive for something more. Who knows maybe I will never settle and will be that 80 year old grandma who decides she wants to move to Argentina to learn Spanish and salsa dancing:)

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Question of the Day?
Are you guilty of making any of these “mistakes” and letting them hold you back from your life ambitions?

Linking up with Her and Nicole

The Blue Lagoon

January 29, 2014 by Kiki 56 Comments

Welcome to another Travel Wednesday! For this weeks post were heading to the most famous pool in Iceland, the Blue Lagoon.

In case you have missed my other Travel Wednesday posts you can find them here. Now back to the star of the day, the beautiful blue water at the Blue Lagoon!

The Blue Lagoon

I visited the Blue Lagoon in the summer of 2011 and I now understand why it is one of the most famous spots in Iceland. The Blue Lagoon used to just be a pool out completely in nature but has since turned into a large tourist hot spot with new buildings and a beautiful spa. Even though it’s a touristy spot I highly recommend spending a day relaxing in the beautiful blue water.

The Blue Lagoon is located in a lava field about 24 miles away from Reykjavik and was actually formed by “accident” in 1976 from the operation of the nearby geothermal power plant. When people discovered the bright blue water and its benefits to the skin it became a popular spot for Icelanders to visit. One good accident if you ask me!

The above photo shows the white silica mud that covers the floor of the Blue Lagoon. The silica mud along with the mineral rich water is used in the Blue Lagoon’s research and development facility to create products that help treat skin aliments. You can find a range of beauty products coming from the Blue Lagoon and I have my eyes on a facial lotion set, hint hint for Valentines day H:)

H and I enjoyed a relaxing afternoon here, but be warned if your a couple don’t get to close to each other because the lifeguards will come tell you to separate. Apparently people having sex in the Blue Lagoon tends to be an issue since the cloudy water is almost impossible to see through. Don’t worry though you won’t be swimming in dirty water, the water is renewed every two days so you can swim at ease knowing its not “tainted” water.

Helping each other put the silica mud all over is allowed though and highly recommend. It is like getting a facial included with your swim, and don’t worry about looking silly with your face mask on, everyone is swimming around with a silica mud mask so you will fit right in.

Once you see the color of the water you will quickly understand why it is so famous and known as a wonder of the World, truly a beautiful place and a must see when in Iceland!

Question of the Day?
Have you ever been to the Blue Lagoon?

Linking up with Humpday Confessions. and Nicole!

Iceland’s Golden Circle Winter Edition

January 28, 2014 by Kiki 45 Comments

As I mentioned yesterday this past weekend we had some friends visiting Iceland from London. While they were here we of course had to take them to the Golden Circle and I was more than excited myself to see all the beautiful sites in the winter. When we were headed out that morning though and this was the color of the sky I will admit I was less than thrilled to be spending a day outside.
These clouds were so dark and between the wind, rain/snow and cold it wasn’t the best day to be visiting the Golden Circle. Our friends were really excited to see everything though so in true Icelandic style we just talked about how crazy the weather was as we were walking outside in it.

This is my I am so excited to be out walking around in the freezing cold and rain face.

Even though the weather was terrible we still made the most of it and went to all the stops along the Golden Circle. With the snow covering everything it made it look like a winter wonderland and we got some beautiful photos.

Þingvellir
Not as colorful as in the summer but still beautiful in its own wintery way. This was are first stop of the day and it was during the worst part of the storm so we didn’t stay long to take more pictures.

On our way to our next stop we saw these adorable horses so we of course had to stop and take pictures with them.

From my experience Icelandic horses are really friendly and tend to run right up to people when you walk up to the fence. So if your ever wandering around Iceland and see some of these adorable horses be sure to go up to the fence and give them a pat, they especially enjoy apples

Geysir

When you get into the parking lot for the Geysir your greeted with this view which I think looks so cool with all the steam in the air and the snowy mountain in the background. There was hardly any people visiting the Geysir (big surprise given the weather) so we basically had the whole place to ourselves which is a rare thing to find, especially in the summer months.

I love all the colors in this photo, such vibrant green and blue colors mixed with the reddish brown of the ground and the white of the snow all topped off with the steam, so beautiful.

Gullfoss
By the time we arrived at Gullfoss I was pretty well soaked through my three layers and ready to head home but I am so glad we didn’t skip out on seeing this waterfall in all its winter glory.

Even though it was not the best weather to be out exploring in I am so glad I finally got to see the Golden Circle with its winter coat on. Just be sure to bring snacks, wear lots of layers, and bring someone to take all your pictures for you since you won’t want to take your gloves off. A big thanks to H for being my photographer for the day!

Question of the Day?
Do you prefer traveling in the winter or summer?

Linking up with Bonnie , Whitney, Glossy Blonde & Karly Kim!

A Snowy Day in Iceland

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