Weekend |

August 18, 2014

Lopapeysas, Bacon and Blueberries

When I was growing up we would often go around the dinner table at night and share how our day was. Usually the response my parents got from us girls was something along the lines of, “ya school was good”… So to get us talking more my parents would ask us our high and low from the day. It is such a great way to share your day and H and I often recap our days sharing our highs and lows.

With that in mind I thought it would be a great way to recap my weekend by sharing my highs and lows from weekend. So let’s get to it shall we!

High

First work party of the new school year

Icelanders know how to mix work and play! We often have a party at least once a month and they all have a theme. This event was a lopapeysa theme (the traditional Icelandic sweater) and I was so happy to have one of my own to keep me warm all night. And sparkly bunny eyes just make the outfit complete:)

Low

Saying goodbye to one of my co-workers

The one in the middle of this fuzzy picture had her last day sitting next to me on Friday and I am sad to see her go. She has been so supportive and helpful to me with my Icelandic and learning the ropes of the new job. Hopefully the one to fill her spot will be just as wonderful.

High and a Low

The Reykjavik Bacon festival

All week I have been looking forward to attending the Reykjavik Bacon festival because, I mean really a festival all about bacon, it has to be amazing. I was so disappointed though with all the booths, their dishes did not do bacon justice. This event gets a high as well though because it was a beautiful sunny day out and I love walking this street with views of the church in the background.

High

My favorite salad made an appearance

This salad was the highlight of my Saturday night, it was a wild night. Fresh strawberries, avocado and spinach, a recipe for deliciousness! If only the strawberries weren’t ridiculously expensive, I would be having this salad all the time.

High

Exploring Heiðmörk

Sunday was such a beautiful day so we decided to try are luck at picking blueberries. It is a bit early for blueberries but we were hoping we would get lucky so off we headed off to Heiðmörk, a nature conservation area about 20 minutes away from downtown Reykjavik.

Low

We found no blueberries!

This little berries were about all that we found that were ripe enough to be picked. Looks like another trip to Heiðmörk will need to be happening in a few weeks.

High

Spending Sunday afternoon relaxing in the sunshine

Sitting outside, enjoying a quiet Sunday afternoon is just what I needed to refresh before the start of yet another busy week.

Have a great Monday everyone!

Question of the Day?
Tell me your weekend high and lows?

posted by Kiki 32 Comments
Filed Under: Family, Friends, Iceland, Travel, Weekend Tagged: highs and lows, Iceland, travel, weekend

July 7, 2014

Kicking the Homesick Blues to the Curb

Homesickness.

The sneaky thing that is never far away when you don’t live close to home. Lately I have been feeling quite homesick, I blame it on the non-existent summer we are having here in Iceland. Especially when I see pictures of everyone back home enjoying the sunshine, it makes it quite hard to not wish I was back there.

Skyping with my sisters over the weekend, (who were about to head off to float the river, one of my favorite summertime activities) it was all I could do to not break down crying. Why is it that when you are growing up all you want is to just leave your hometown, but once you do you realize how amazing it was growing up there?

I grew up in a really small town (population size 5,000 small) and dreamed of the day I would leave my town and travel the world. Here I am doing just that, so why do I find myself aching for the comforts of home so much?

This is not meant to be a negative Nancy type of post, this is real life feelings that I know come with the territory of living abroad. I am not one to let things knock me down for long though and when I am feeling down I have a few tricks I turn to that usually help put a smile back on my face.

Tips to Attempt to Beat the Homesick Blues

1. Plan a day full of tourist activities in our area. This is on the agenda for me tomorrow, I think a visit to Hallgrímskirkja Church for some of my favorite views of Reykjavik is needed. And if your visiting Reykjavik ever I highly recommend a visit to Hallgrímskirkja Church!

2. Do one of your favorite hobbies. When I am feeling homesick writing down my feelings helps me get my thoughts out, and sometimes it turns into a blog post Other times I try out a new recipe or read a good book. Turning to one of the hobbies that I enjoy comforts me and helps push those sad homesick feelings away.

3. Do an exercise that you enjoy. For me, going out for a run along the sea reminds me of how beautiful Reykjavik is and it gives me a chance to clear my mind. Those post work out endorphins help as well.

My favorite running path comes with a view that is pretty incredible.

4. Talk to someone who makes your laugh. We all have that person that no matter how down we are feeling can put a smile back on our face. A conversation with my best friend back home always cheers me up and makes home feel like it isn’t that far away.

5. Pamper yourself. Taking a hot bath, enjoying my favorite treat or even a nap, treating myself to something a little extra helps cheer me up. I think a spa day at the Blue Lagoon sounds like the perfect way to treat myself, don’t you?

6. Make plans with someone in your new area. A lot of times my homesickness hits me when I am feeling lonely. Making plans with my new friends reminds me that I have met some wonderful people here and am not alone.

7. Cry. Maybe not the most helpful advice, but sometimes I just have to cry it out and move on.

8.Watch one of your favorite shows. Watching one of my favorite shows, like Parks and Recreation, takes my minds off things and is always good for a laugh.

via
9. Tell those close to you how you feel. I often feel like my friends and family back home forget about me a bit. I know this isn’t the case but since they have my blog to keep them in the loop they feel like they know what is going on with me, but I have no idea what is going on back at home. Letting my family know how much it means to me when they take the time to call or email me always results in us talking more which makes me feel less homesick, a win win.

10. Remember why you moved there. Sometimes it won’t be easy but you moved to this new place for a reason. Whether it is a new job, significant other, or school it was something important enough for you to leave your comfort zone and start a life someplace new. Reminding myself of how happy I am to finally be living in the same place as H and the awesome job I have helps put those homesick blues to rest a bit.

If all else fails look at pictures of puppies, Azora’s face always cheers me up:)

If only life abroad was glamorous trips, delicious new foods and non-stop fun like the movies make it seem. Sadly this is not the case but reminding myself of this amazing journey I am on and getting myself out of my funk helps me feel better.

We all have our own things that work to cheer us up, I hope some of these tips that I use help you if your ever feeling homesick.

Question of the Day?
How do you deal with homesickness? And tricks that work for you?

posted by Kiki 35 Comments
Filed Under: Azora, Blogging, Family, Friends, Iceland, My Thoughts, Weekend

June 16, 2014

I Was a Cheerleader For a Night

Happy Monday Everyone!

Today is a Monday/Friday for me since tomorrow is Iceland’s Independence Day. I am really looking forward to joining seeing all the celebrations happening around the city, it sounds like quite the fun day!

First though let’s back up and talk about what an amazing weekend I had!

Friday evening we headed to H’s office summer party for an eventful night. I have met his co-workers a few times but anytime I am going into a group setting with lots of Icelandic being spoken I get really nervous. It was a good thing I had a bubble to stay safe.

Has anyone else played bubble ball before? It was so difficult standing up in those things after you got knocked over, which for me was every few seconds! This game was a blast though and is definitely one way to break the ice when getting to know new people.

After an eventful game of bubble ball I was recruited to teach everyone how to play beer pong. Apparently if your from America it automatically means your a pro beer pong player. Good thing I am!

H and I take our beer pong games very seriously, we have to keep our undefeated streak going!

Another thing others automatically assume if your a blonde from America, your a cheerleader and should have no problem climbing on top of the pyramid that all the drunk ladies think is an amazing idea.

This is what happens when H let’s me loose at his work parties:)

Saturday was a big day in our house, it was H’s birthday and I wanted to make the day extra special after he spoiled me on my birthday!

Birthday pancakes, an amazing birthday gift basket (I am quite proud of my creative skills for this gift;), and a nice dinner out, I would say my handsome guy had a great day.

Sunday morning we woke up bright and early to head out for a hike at Esjan.

This hike was extra special to me. Every year on Father’s Day ( a very happy Father’s Day to my amazing Dad) my family goes on a hike at my Dad’s favorite spot. This is the first year I was going to have to miss the hike with my family but I wanted to keep the tradition alive so I brought the hike to my Dad with lots of photos.

I hope one day I can take my Dad on this hike, Esjan is so beautiful. A big shout out to my amazing Dad, he is the best Dad a girl could ask for and I am so blessed to call him my Dad. Without his love and support I don’t think I would have been brave enough to make the move to Iceland, run a marathon, heck I probably would still have my training wheels on if it weren’t for him. I hope you had a wonderful day Dad, I love you!

An amazing weekend indeed. Now I have a case of the Monday blues after looking at all my pictures from this past weekend! Hope everyone had an amazing weekend and a Happy Father’s Day to all the Dad’s out there!

Question of the Day?
Have you ever played bubble ball? Does your family have any traditions they do on Father’s Day?

posted by Kiki 36 Comments
Filed Under: Iceland, Weekend Tagged: Birthday, hiking, Iceland, weekend

June 9, 2014

I Got Sunburnt in the Arctic

Happy Monday!

Our weekend was spent outside taking full advantage of the amazing weather we have been having. Iceland may not be the hottest place but when the sun shines it sure is strong! I will just say it is possible to get sunburnt in the Arctic.

Since the sun is streaming through my windows this morning I can’t focus long enough to write a post so instead I am letting the pictures from my phone do the talking. From a wedding in the South of Iceland to sunny days in Reykjavik it has been one wonderful week.

Our cabin we stayed in last weekend in the South of Iceland. Such a beautiful area, the views are stunning.

A real Icelandic countryside party, complete with an old barn, guitar playing and everyone in traditional Icelandic sweaters.

The old church the wedding was in. In traditional Icelandic weddings men and women sit on opposite sides during the ceremony. The bride and groom also sit on opposite sides next to their fathers while the ceremony is conducted by the priest and not until the end do they come together and stand in the middle. It was an interesting wedding experience!

The beach behind my work. If the sun is out this place is packed.

I love walking around the harbor on sunny days and looking at all the boats.

An evening run with views of the always beautiful Esjan.

My neighbor has the most beautiful flowers in her yard!

On windy days this part of the sea is full of windsurfers. Not sure if I would ever be brave enough to try windsurfing here in Iceland but the are fun to watch.

The midnight sun setting at 2am over downtown Reykjavik. If only I could stay up this late all the time so I could always watch this gorgeous sunset!

I am off to enjoy more of these amazing views of Reykjavik before I have to head back to work tomorrow. Have a great week everyone!

Question of the Day?
Have you ever experience wedding traditions different than the ones you are use to? What is your favorite way to spend a sunny day?