I went places!

Greetings from Germany! :)

[great weather for some outdoor-writing, lol]

My vacation is in full swing! 20 more days with my sister and  20 more days left for me to learn German! Ja, das ist nicht gut! I'm usually good with languages but with this particular one I'm not in a good relationship. But since German is the only subject I almost failed in, I have no other choice but to learn it.

Anyways, as promised, in this post I'll tell about my trip.

Me and my sister hadn't been anywhere for quite a while. well... she lives in Germany so technically - I hadn't been anywhere. So we decided to go on a trip together. Since we didn't have enormous amount of money and time, we decided to go to London. And since I have the natural talent of being awesome, I had to plan the trip. It wasn't that hard, to be honest. We didn't have to worry about our accommodation, since I have friends who live close to London. We simply crashed at their place. But I wanted to see something outside London as well, so I had to do some research. And with a little help from my sister, the trip was fully planned! May 23rd - May 29th - London! (Probably wasn't the wisest decision to plan a trip for the last week of university (In Latvia schools end on May 31st and in June is the exam session)  Before I left I had to take 4 tests in one day and arrange everything so I wouldn't have any debts). 

May 23rd. Our plane lands in London at exactly 12:25pm and the excitement begins... Only it didn't last very long as we had to stand in a line at the "border" for one and a half hour!  And after the nice lady got to see that my face matches my passport picture (only I don't look beat up in real life as I do in it) we got our bags and finally met our friends who had been waiting on the other side for this whole time! Anyway, we decided not to do anything the first day. Since me and my sister were kinda tired from the flight and I hadn't seen my friends for a while, we just stayed home and had some delicious cherry whiskey and spent the whole day and night chatting and laughing.

May 24th, which was a Saturday, we spent in London. Went to see all the typical tourist places and objects, experienced the famous London weather. As in - chilling with our sunglasses on one minute, soaked wet in rain the next. But we were all in good spirits, excited and didn't mind the weather at all. We even got to see the Bupa Westminster mile (world's biggest one-mile running event - according to google) and got home at about 10pm. It was a day well spent. And my legs could approve that statement, as they were hurting like hell from walking all day long. Honestly - the only moments we sat down were in the underground and the train back home.

May 25th was probably my favorite. Since we wanted to see something outside London as well, I booked a one-day tour for me and my sister. It started at 8:30 am. The thing I really like about London and probably UK in general - it is really easy to find everything. And the underground is the easiest thing to use ever! So we got to the meeting place early, chatted with some nice police officers, according to whom I was in trouble since it was illegal to smile at that place. Oops!

[ Me and my sister before the tour ]

The tour consisted of 3 stops
*Windsor
*Bath
*Stonehenge

We didn't have much time to explore everything in all those places. But we did get to see the huge and beautiful Windsor Castle. I don't think a week would be enough to walk through and around it!

The next stop was Bath. It is so cute!!!

Right next to this park there is a small bookstore where - of course - you can buy Jane Austen's books. I swear I was more than tempted to buy Pride & Prejudice and go sit in the park and read about the charming Mr. Darcy while the orchestra plays in the background! I absolutely LOVE Bath. It's as idyllic as I imagined it would be

[This was delicious!]

The last stop was Stonehenge. And honestly - I was totally disappointed. Not as much about the fact that there's nothing really to see as about the entrance fee! This might be nothing for many of you, but for me... if I have to pay 25 £ to walk around a circle of stones... No thank you. That's half of my plane ticket. So we decided to simply walk from the parking lot up to Stonehenge (about 1.6 miles) and of course if you don't pay, you cannot go really close to it. But from what I saw, it was enough for me.

We got back to London at around 7pm. The tour was actually awesome. We both loved it. And our tour guide was a hilarious and wise man. After the tour we went straight to the train station to head home. At least we hoped for it... London, however, had other plans for us. All the trains got cancelled for some unknown reason so we spent 3 hours waiting for them to start working again. Funzies...Not really. We got home around midnight. Starving, tired and quite angry. But the day itself was quite amazing :) 

That's enough for this post.

Take care everybody!

-B- 

 

Why? Why me?! :D

Oh wow. I've been gone for quite a while. But do not worry my fellow bloggers. I was here the whole time - reading and enjoying your posts :)

As for me, life is good. I just finished my first year at the new university. May I say - it was a great one. So much laughter, adventures and also tears of the pre-exam panic. One simply cannot live without them, lol. But I ended this year with good grades, wonderful memories and no regrets. And to think how scared and doubtful I was in the beginning... Random road trips, game nights, parties and jokes. That's how I'll remember it.I got to go on a vacation too, but I'll write about that in my next post. In this one I actually wanted to write about something that happened to me TODAY!

My high school Latvian teacher died on May 28th. I actually saw her in my dream that night! And as I once wrote in a post - I'm the queen of weird dreams. And I almost never see the dead. So that was freaky. Anyways...She was a special teacher to me and my class so of course I decided to attend her funeral. I don't know the traditions for funerals in other countries, but in Latvia, here's how it goes - everyone goes to the chapel and puts flowers on the floor around the coffin, then stands around the room for a little ceremony...


Now, I've told this before, but I'll say it again - I am the queen of all things awkward. This is not a joke and I'm not overreacting... (and I say I'm the queen of a lot of things, yet, I don't see a crown... Someone should do something about that, lol.) but it's true. If there ever is a possibility of something weird or awkward happening - it's gonna happen to me! Til this day I actually thought it had limits. Apparently not. 

... So I walked into the chapel with my friend, she put her flowers down and then it was my turn... As I crouched to put my flowers down, I suddenly lost balance and totally fell sideways on the floor... The most awkward part was that I couldn't get up... Someone helped me and I just wanted to walk outside as quickly as possible. The worst part is that I couldn't laugh because it was a funeral. My friend Linda already had tears in her eyes but even she wanted to laugh and it was so hard to contain ourselves... but we did. Now, of course, as I'm typing this, I'm laughing in tears as to how clumsy I was! The whole time I was standing there, I was thinking - why ?! why me?! :D 

At first I thought it was a huge embarrassment. Obviously all these people saw me and it was probably the most embarrassing moment of my life...so far. But then I thought about it a little... and I figured how to calm myself down. My teacher was always happy and smiling and joyful. She loved life and lived it to the fullest. And I'll never forget her cheerful laughter. And that's how I want to live my life. So as I look at my clumsy moment - it was a sign from above that this is exactly how I should remember this day. With a smile on my face because I had the honor of knowing her. Or at least that's what I'll keep telling myself to justify my clumsiness. Either way - I'll probably avoid public places for quite a while now. *facepalm*

-B- 

What I've been up to...

A whole month has passed. And I survived! And actually a lot has happened! And it's all good stuff. 

First of all - my sister moved back to Germany. She got an amazing offer which she couldn't pass and I'm happy for her. And I'm happy for myself as well, cause I got the car and now I have someone to visit in Germany again :)

And right before she left, we got to go to Tallinn, Estonia again to visit our friend. We had a great time - went to the cinema, ate some Sushi and had fun. And it was a double goodbye party because my friend is moving to Australia for a year.

[I already miss both of them :( ]

[on our way back home]

After we got home, my sister flew to Germany the next day!! And I'm happy for her because she's happy there :)

As for me - University is going great. I have some awesome people around me, we're studying, laughing and partying together. Sometimes we're combining those 3. I've also become good friends with my roommate. And this is a lesson I learned - once you get to really know someone - they might turn out to be great persons. Just like my roommate. And here comes the big news - I got my own room in dorms! A single room just for me. I wanted it in the very beginning. And now I'm actually only partly happy about it, because I liked living with my roommate. But on the other hand, I also like my privacy which I had none of in the double room. But no worries, I'm now living only 2 doors further. So nothing will really change.

            [This is how we studied for a test :D ]

[First poker night]

 
Another thing I did - I applied for a voluntary work. Starting from next week I'll be reading for people with vision impairment. I figured since I have a lot of free time, I might as well do something good :)

I also am thinking about joining the Debate club. But I don't know about that yet. 

So anyways, I'm sorry for not reading your blogs as often as I wish I could. But for the first time in a while - I've been really busy in a good way. 

Take care, everybody :)

-B- 

I want to sleep but my brain won't stop talking to itself

It's 6am and I'm STILL awake. I've already lost count on how many nights it's been like this. And since I can't sleep I might as well write.

Million different thoughts are running through my head and they are freaking me out. Why is it that whenever something bad happens or you're feeling bad, more and more things go wrong all at the same time? It's like the universe is thinking "Hey, things are already crappy for her. Lets make it worse. It'll be fun!" 

This week has been a complete bust. Except for few moments. University starts on September 2nd and I'm moving into dorms on Sunday.  I'm a super private and shy person so the fact that I'll be living in a small room with a complete stranger stresses me out. Also I've had trouble with the previous university. The Tourism program director hates me because I left. And now she's trying to do everything possible to make me regret leaving that place. Little does she know that her actions actually make me feel happier about my decision. But I guess that's just life. Full of Arrogant and nasty people. 

Also things at home are not so great and I don't even know what's going on here. I can't explain it cause I don't understand it. All I know is that something is bothering my parents but no-one is talking to anyone in this house. So I'm just letting it be. 

And to top all of this crap - I'm sick!!! And this is the thing that's stressing me out the most because I'm already scared of the new beginning at new university, living in dorms and all, and now I have to start with a cold! which just adds extra stress to everything. So basically I'm eating pills and drinking tea cause I have to get well in two days! 

The only good thing is that I have some friends who are pulling me out of all this. I found time to go to a hockey game, went on a road-trip to the sea and today I got invited to a Pancake Afternoon. So I guess not everything is so bad after all. If only I could get some sleep!

-B- 

P.S. I know this is one of those weird posts when you don't know what to say other than "it's going to be ok" etc. So don't feel pressured to comment. This post is more for me... Take care :) 

I have a habit of caring too much!

First, some good news -->

I posted some time ago that I wanted to get into a different university for Translation program. Guess what? I GOT ACCEPTED! And not only that - I got into Budget group again, which means - free studies! This is because I'm a Nerd, as Haritha said, lol. My grades are really good and that is one thing that's appreciated in universities here. I'm excited. And scared. But mostly excited. :) So in 4 years I'll have my Bachelor's degree in Translation. [Hopefully]. I don't like the 4 year thing, but that's what it is in Latvia...

Now, on to the story...

My kindness has no limits and it scares me sometimes cause it might just get me into trouble someday. I care too much for everything and everyone on this planet. For example, if I see a dead dog, bird or even a frog on the road I will feel bad for the whole day. Or even if I see an alive animal all alone on the street - I will feel sorry for it. This has happened a lot. And I can't help it. Just like I can't help the feeling I get when I see old people walking alone with huge grocery bags. It breaks my heart to drive by them in my car when they have to walk. I always want to just stop and ask if I can help them. Of course I never do, cause I'm too shy. That was 'til today.

I was just coming home from work when I saw this old lady who was walking with a walker. She was small, her back was bent and she was walking really slow. I felt so bad for her that I decided to actually do what I always want to do when I see someone like that. So I stopped and said: "Good day. Can I give you a ride?"

She came closer and said: "Oh, no, thank you. No need to bother that much." And just when I was about to close the window, she started telling me all about her life, family, childhood etc. So half an hour later I found myself listening to stories about her younger days and how she has traveled a lot. She even spent some time in Armenia together with some -soon to be- Astronauts. And how she was deported to Siberia when she was 10 and got back when she was 16. And now she wants to get insurance for her house etc...

There I was, in the middle of the street, listening to her stories. When all I asked was if she wanted a ride. It was quite funny and interesting at the same time. And sad a bit too. Because I think some old folks have no-one to talk to and they are happy to tell everything to the first person who is ready to listen. 

Lucky for her, I'm always ready to listen. Besides - I'm too nice to not to listen, anyway. 

This was one strange day for me. But on the bright side - I did overcome my shyness and finally just stopped to offer my help. :)

Take care,

-B- 

 

In search of the meaning of...dreams!

Since the day I decided I wanted to study translation, I've been obsessed with it. But now I've taken it to a whole different level. I started translating my DREAMS.

I know it might sound strange, but trust me - I'm the queen of weird dreams! Here are some reasons why:

*I can remember 99% of my dreams;
*I have 2 dreams which I see repeatedly, every year;
*There are 4 things which usually dominate in my dreams  ( My grandmother's house, Snakes, Bears, Catastrophes/Death (usually mine or my grandma's)).

Pretty weird, huh? And that's why they usually get me intrigued. Which is why I wanted to know their meaning.

I could figure on my own why I see my grandma's house all the time. It's simply because I worry about her and she's on my mind. Also Bears don't freak me out but I do not like snakes and I'm definitely not so keen on catastrophes and death, which I do see often. But they look quite interesting and even cool sometimes, lol.

To answer my questions and clear my doubts, I've spent quite some time on websites with dream translations. And this is what I found:

Bears:
- To see a bear in your dream represents independence, strength, death and renewal, and/or resurrection. Bears are symbols of the cycle of life. You may also be undergoing a period of introspection and thinking. 

*In particular, if you see a bear in your grandmother's house [which have always been the cases with bears], then it implies that your grandmother is a dominating figure in your life. 

Okay, I've always liked bears. Now that I've read the description, I don't mind seeing them in my dreams :) 

Snakes:
-To see a snake or be bitten by one in your dream signifies hidden fears and worries that are threatening you. Your dream may be alerting you to something in your waking life that you are not aware of or that has not yet surfaced. The snake may also refer to a person around you who is callous, ruthless, and can't be trusted. As a positive symbol, snakes represent healing, transformation, knowledge and wisdom. It is indicative of self-renewal and positive change.

Hmm. I'm not sure which meaning to trust when it comes to snakes - the positive or the negative one. All I know is that I still don't like snakes and each time they appear in my dream it becomes something insane and ridiculous. [For example, one time I was trying to save a snake from the bad guys and Ninja turtles were helping me. What the hell? And that's just one example of how insanely weird my dreams are].

Now comes the part that I do not like the most about my dreams.

Death / Catastrophes

They wouldn't bother me so much If I didn't see them as often as I do! And the weirdest part is that when someone dies or when something terrible happens, it usually happens to me, my grandma or the world (while I'm at my grandma's house - further called - The house).

Some examples:

*I was at The house when a War started. I was hiding inside and all I heard was that my grandma went outside to defend us and she got shot.

* I got kidnapped while I was at The house.

* Me and my friends were at The house, when suddenly a lava started to flow from the woods. We all climbed on trees and then a giant wave came from the woods and went over our heads. When it was over, I went to look around and found my grandma dead, frozen  next to the pound.

*I once drank water from the well near The house and when I got home, I was sitting with my family in my room and suddenly my voice got more and more quiet and in the end I couldn't speak or breath so I just died. 

*There was a comet coming directly towards the Planet Earth. Everyone could see it but no-one could stop it. So I just stood and waited for it to reach me. It did and everybody died. But then I woke up with my sister at The house and we were little and in different bodies, like if we were re-born. 

*But I have also dreamed about the death of my sister, my mom and other relatives.

And many many more and even weirder dreams like that. Pretty freaky, if you ask me.

So here are some of the meanings of these things:
- To dream about the death of a loved one suggests that you are lacking a certain aspect or quality that the loved one embodies. Ask yourself what makes this person special or what you like about them.

To dream that you die in your dream symbolizes inner changes, transformation, self-discovery and positive development that is happening within you or your life. You are undergoing a transitional phase and are becoming more enlightened or spiritual. Dying does not always mean a physical death, but an ending of something. 

To experience a catastrophe in your dream represents sudden instability and upheaval in your walking life. You are feeling extremely anxious about the unknown changes that are in store for you.


How can something so terrible, as death, mean something positive? even if it does, I do not like dreaming about me or others dying. I wish I could do something about it.

Well, these are just the most weirdest things about my dreams. There have been few with numbers. I once had a dream where somehow everything was about number 12. It was the most important thing and it was dominating throughout the whole dream. I've also had a dream (in a terrible time of my life) when my dead grandpa put his hand on mine and said: "Don't worry, everything's going to be ok." That was sweet, but still - odd, because he knew what was going on with me.

Do you believe in those dream translations? Or do you think it's just a bunch of crap? And please tell me you also have strange dreams, otherwise I'll feel like a complete weirdo.

Take care,

-B-  

 

I'm back! ...kinda...

There is nothing more dangerous to my mind than having too much of free time. Being home alone all the time with no job and nothing to do is driving me crazy and I start to doubt myself and the whole universe.

I quit university. That program was way too easy for me  and when I caught myself correcting my English professor, that was when I realized I needed something different. Something more challenging than this. 

I got accepted to Coventry University. But due to several circumstances I won't be going there. Instead I will try to apply for another university in Latvia for Translation program. 

I would much rather do nothing at all but still get paid, lol. But I want to be successful in life so I really have no other choice than studying. Now I'd like to say that everything sucks, since I didn't get a summer job and I'm surrounded by some shady and mega-arrogant people. But then I would sound like a whiny little creature. And I don't want to be that. I just have too much free time and with that comes really bad and doubtful thoughts about me, my future, the world in general and everything around me. But I'm not saying I'm bored. I shall never be bored, since my mind itself is a crazy place. I'm filling my time by reading books, learning German and getting on my cat and dog's nerves. 

                   [Now you know How! :D ]

I also miss blogging. A lot! But for the last couple of months I found myself completely unable to write even a sentence. My life is just too boring to write about it, lol. ;D

But there have been several happy events since my last post. I'm officially 20! It feels great to say it, cause 19 still counts as a teen. But 20 is a young adult :D 

I celebrated in Lithuania. Me and my sister went on a mini trip and saw some beautiful places [I will put some pictures at the end of this post]. I also passed all my exams and finished first year with great grades. Plus, I attended an extra course of Intercultural Communication which was led by a guest-professor from USA. That was interesting and I enjoyed learning in English. Since I enjoy English more than Latvian. I can't even remember when I last read a book in Latvian, lol. Anyway, the professor will be in Latvia again in July, and we already arranged a meeting to catch up with each other.


So for now I have nothing else to do but just hope to get accepted into university, read and relax. And I should really try to have some adventures during summer, otherwise I'll go nuts! I'll figure something out, so I have some stories to tell :)

That is all, for now.

Take care, everybody :)

-B-

[Cross Mountain]

 

[there are MORE than 100 000 crosses. No one knows how many exactly are there because, come on, who can count? And there are new ones added every day]

[Tulip field]