Prague

Wow! We definitely needed that.  The trip gave us both the time to destress and reconnect that we needed. It was so nice to be the only people we both knew in a new city, but not have any real responsibilities for the week.  I could definitely live like that...

Our trip to Prague was so amazing!  I absolutely loved it.  The city had a very medieval feel to it.  Of the entire time we were there, it was sunny one day, but we decided we liked it better in the fog because it gave it a kind of personality.  The rooftops even seem to glow!  I always think it's funny that I prefer the cities that are less popular to the ones that most tourists love.  I guess that's probably because I'm not really your typical tourist.  I mean, yes, I definitely do the touristy things in new places, but I also seek out the activities and hobbies of the locals.  I want to learn about their culture and history.  I want to experience the life of the people and not just go for the typical reasons.  I like wandering and experiencing.

The architecture was UNREAL, the food was to die for, and the beverages....  Oh, where to even begin.  Czech beer is delicious, and as the locals will tell you, it's the best beer in the world.  I would have to agree with them, though. It's easily drinkable and the taste is light, yet agreeable.  This is something you could drink with a meal or enjoy on it's own.  Also, it is so cheap! Generally, a pint of Czech beer runs in the price range of anywhere from 29 - 50 czk, which is about 1.05 - 1.80 euro or $1.31 - $2.26.  It was cheaper than the water!

And the mulled wine! MMMMM!!! Called hot wine in most places in Prague, but essentially just warm spiced wine.  It was definitely my favorite drink and I've decided I'm going to learn how to create it at home.  I could drink it all day long and never get tired of it.  It can be either red or white, apparently, but I found the idea of hot white wine to be repulsive, so I never tried that (probably because I don't like white wine to begin with).

Besides the beer, I think James' favorite thing in Prague was the old style ham from the Old Town Square (where we spent most of our time), which I can vouch is delicious!  It was tender and juicy, but extremely filling.  He never did get around to trying the pork knuckle and pork knee that seemed to be so popular.  We did try the beef goulash and dumplings (thanks to a suggestion from the Czech woman on the flight over).  When the bring the plate to your table, you look at it and think 'there is no way I'm gonna be full after this,' but because the dumplings are so dense you actually are full!  The food is really rich and heavy, but due to probably centuries of refinement they pull it off.  Another favorite Czech food was the dessert, trdelník. This is a rolled pastry, toasted over an open flame, and coasted in cinnamon, sugar, and almonds.  I waited until our last night in Prague to get one, but that was actually the best thing because I would have gotten one every single day; they were so good!

The best thing we did, besides wander, was the Bernard Beer Spa.  I know, sounds weird, yeah?  Well, to be honest, it kinda was, but it was also not something you can experience everywhere else.  During the spa reservation, you spend half an hour soaking in the spa bath, which is full of bubbly water with hops, sugar, and yeast added along with a beer oil, and half an hour lounging in a heated bed to allow the vitamins time to soak into your skin and hair.  All the bad things are removed from the ingredients added to the spa, so you don't actually leave smelling like a brewery.  It's so relaxing.

Oh! I purchased a Kafka novel while we were there.  It would be pretty bad to not go to Prague and get a Kafka book... We also walked the streets around Prague castle, where Mozart (allegedly) used to wander as a young man.  There is so much history there, even though it was mostly untouched by war and turmoil.

I definitely think it would be pretty impossible to go to Prague and not enjoy it.  Everything is very close together and the city just has a really romantic feel, I think; even more so than Paris.  One afternoon on a really misty day, we were on Charles Bridge (Karluv Most), one of the more popular landmarks of the city.  We were just enjoying ourselves and basking in the romanticism and wonder of being in a beautiful Eastern European city for the first time when I looked over to another couple on the bridge and realized what was happening.  The man had proposed to his girlfriend on Charles Bridge!  That was one of the most romantic things I have ever been lucky enough to witness... I just loved it.  Charles Bridge, crossing over the River Vltava, in the city of Prague - one of the most romantic landmarks I've ever seen.

Most of the time, we just walked around or spent time sitting enjoying the city and chatting.  It was a great experience and I loved spending with the love of my life.  I would definitely go back and I think EVERYONE needs to visit the city at least once in their life.  I just wish everyone could experience it as we did.  This would have to be much longer to completely entail everything we did while we visited.

Much love!

The first few weeks

I cannot believe we've made it through five weeks of classes already! While it seems like I haven't been here long, I've learned way more than I could have imagined in these few short weeks. I'm loving it here!

Queen's University, Belfast is a dream. The professors are phenomenal and extremely personable. They are so involved in what we're thinking and doing inside and outside of lectures. I love the guidance I'm getting. I feel more free to think here than I ever have before. It helps that we only have class three days per week (Mon-Wed) because we get the rest of the week for self-study, assignment prep, and relaxation! Makes me feel less stressed than I would be otherwise..

Main Campus

MBC: Our main building

We went to Newgrange on Thursday because James and I had never been. I really enjoyed it! It was full of history and the landscape around it was absolutely stunning! Figures, this IS Ireland... Newgrange is a passage tomb that is 5200 years old.. It goes completely dark when the artificial lights aren't on, which is slightly terrifying. 

Newgrange

Entrance to passage tomb

Surrounding landscape

Now we've essentially got two weeks off, barring the Tuesday seminars and classes. Through one already, but it's been really nice. We're heading to Prague Wednesday because I have to be in Belfast tomorrow for the classes. I'm so excited! We decided to sign up for the beer spa and a Czech beer tasting! There's so much culture, beautiful architecture, history, and, of course, beer! The break will be absolutely PERFECT!

Also, I got a new job! I'm officially an Independent Merchandiser with Chloe + Isabel. You can view my page at mereritter.chloeandisabel.com. The holidays are coming up, so be sure you check out my boutique for gifts! The only downside is you can only ship to the US, so if you're outside the states and really want something, contact me privately and we'll work something out. I'm really enjoying the job, though. I'm able to express my creative side and customize everything! It's making me think some more about opening an Etsy shop so I can do more crafts... We'll see...

The great change

These last few weeks have been a hell of a rollercoaster! I sadly ended my job at UC Berkeley and left behind great friends and coworkers, moved out, traveled around to visit family and see them before I left for a year, flew to a new country, and then, FINALLY, found a new apartment and started university in Belfast!

I thoroughly enjoyed all my visits to see family before we left, even though we didn't have the chance to see everyone, and loved seeing how James fit in with them. He's still a tad quiet around everyone, but I think it'll get better once he knows people a bit better. Now, it's kinda flip flopped because I'm the quiet one around his family! Figures, right? Ah well, I'm getting more comfortable and getting to know them, so it'll be good. I think it just takes time, especially for me since I'd really like to make a good impression.

I'm just glad I didn't have to do it all on my own. James has been really great about keeping my spirits up and making me see it could always be worse and that things will work out. Making me think realistically and he makes me so happy. I think the worst part of this whole move, besides having to leave the family, was trying to find an apartment at the last minute in Belfast... I mean, school started a week after found the place! So stressful!! It's not perfect and not what I expected, but we're here now!! I actually kinda love it now that we've been here a few weeks. 

As far as the master's goes, I'm completely loving it! Learning tons about not only animals (behavior only, so far. Welfare begins in the next module, which I believe begins in November), but also myself; how I learn best and how to better my self-study (important to get a distinction in the course). I'm enrolled in a foundations for research course. It's actually one of the most useful courses I think I've ever taken. Our lecturer made a really good point this week: there's something wrong with the way programs are structured if BSc graduates don't consider themselves scientists... So maybe it is time to change the way programs are laid out, tailor them more to the students rather than expecting all students to learn the same way and at the same rate.

We only have class three days a week, so it's pretty independent (compared to my previous degree). I have so much more time to do other things here! I'm thinking of volunteering with Guide Dogs NI and doing an entrepreneur course. I definitely miss the life of UC Berkeley, but it's been interesting to synchronize myself with the local culture. 

You'll never believe this, though! I went to a yoga workshop during the international welcome week and met the woman who owns the local yoga studio. Turns out she's from Berkeley, too! She did a degree there before coming to Queen's for her PhD. How freaking cool!?! So I went to the studio today, and I love it...

James and I went to Dublin last weekend to visit his family and celebrate my birthday. ( I'm 23 now...how scary!) His sister and brother-in-law came over for dinner, which happens a lot so I really didn't think anything of it. Anyway, we were sitting around the table (except his parents) when suddenly the lights went out.... So there I was thinking what in the world is going on, but when I looked at his sister she was smiling! Finally, I realized there was a slight glow coming from behind me and that was when everyone started singing.... They really are lovely people. They didn't have to do anything like that for me, but they were thoughtful enough to do it so I'd feel more at home. I was so happy... I talked to James afterwards and he said he didn't even know they were gonna do that!

Then, for Saturday (my actual birthday), we went to brunch and had a small party. Well, I guess you can't really call three people hanging out a party, can you? Well, it was nice, anyhow. It really was a wonderful few days..

Hopefully, this weekend I'll get around to sending out the postcards I promised. I've been meaning to since before school started, so for the people expecting them I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN! I've just been extremely busy... Also, send addresses so I have them! Or emails, or messages. I don't want to fall out of touch with everyone just because I'm halfway around the world.. I miss you all!

Also, I love this artist right now (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbfHe3nd_Lo&index=4&list=PLRWpn939JXLOOlZrmLBuc-NyYGhvuzDNM&spfreload=10%20Message%3A%20Unexpected%20end%20of%20input%20(url%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DhbfHe3nd_Lo%26index%3D4%26list%3DPLRWpn939JXLOOlZrmLBuc-NyYGhvuzDNM). 

Well, what the hell...

You'd swear I wasn't thinking when we decided this weekend camping trip, but I was! I was thinking, "oh my god, let's go to the forest," and, "let's go to Yosemite!" I've lived in the bay for four years and still had never been. Almost blasphemous, that is. 

But OH MY GOD THE TRAFFIC! Quite possibly the worst trip EVER!

I thought it was gonna be perfect; camping, nature, hiking, but the reality couldn't be further from the truth....

We didn't leave Berkeley until after 4.30, so we were already well behind schedule... On top of that, it took us about two hours to get to Livermore, which is actually a 42 minute drive! Absolute ridiculousness. By the time we cleared the traffic and were really on our way it was nearly dark and I was past the point of frustration...

Anyway, drama aside, it was actually not horrible! Stanislaus National Forest is phenomenally picturesque.

 I really enjoyed the camping and hiking aspect of it. I even taught the twin how to fish.

She caught on, mostly. Her only issue was keeping the line untangled... It was definitely a laugh. I do regret not hanging out with her enough over the last few months.. Been too busy caught up in our own respective bullshit, so it was nice to hang out a bit before I'm gone for the year.

Then we went to Yosemite, and let me tell you, you just can't properly take it all in during one day...

Postgrad

I DID IT! I got into Queen's University, Belfast and I leave next month!

I have been waiting for this for months! It's been a long process, but totally worth it..

While I was waiting to hear back from Queen's about my unconditional status, I applied for the International Postgraduate Taught Scholars program, which would have covered my entire tuition. Now, while I wasn't successful in the Scholars application, they were impressed by my application and awarded me the International Postgraduate Taught Scholarship! Everything helps in cases like this! A stipulation of the scholarship is that I may be required to undertake ambassadorial duties from time to time while enrolled, but it'll be worth it! And kinda sweet to be an ambassador for my new university!

I even contacted the athletics club to see if I can join for the shot put event!

I cannot believe I'm finally gonna be studying animal behavior and welfare. It's gonna be fabulous. I started my visa application and have my biometrics appointment later this week. After that, I just wait to hear back about the visa. My flight to Ireland is in mid-September (I'll be visiting family for about a month prior) and it's all becoming so much more real than when I first began the process. I think I've even found an apartment near campus... More news on that later (send me mail, hehe). If you want my address, please send me a private message, as I will not be posting it publicly.

I would like to thank everyone who has supported and believed in me for so long now. And everyone who has told me to go after my dreams! I couldn't have done it without yall!

Also, I graduate next summer, so if you want to come visit plan a trip soon!

Check out these adorable videos to brighten your day! :D
http://www.petdoof.com/adorable-barking-kitten-video/
http://www.petdoof.com/puppy-allowed-on-bed-for-first-time-adorable/

<3 Much love <3

People are crazy

You know how the saying goes about how people are generally good? Yeah well, talking to my sister  awhile ago I realized that some people are just inherently shitty.... There are some people that you should just keep at a distance until they are capable of being treated the way you deserve. And while some of them cannot be kept out of your life completely because of familial ties and whatnot, that doesn't mean you have to interact with them more than necessary. Sometimes forcing the interactions just makes the relationship volatile. Just take things as they come and deal with what you can. If things get too overwhelming, then you have every right to step away until you feel like you can handle them again. Or even just leave them behind.

Children involved in divorces and separations usually wind up with a warped view of the world. They are so hurt by the things happening around them caused by their parents that they either retreat into themselves to save them from getting unnecessarily hurt or they lash out at everyone they perceive as a threat to their well-being. The problem with this is they don't always see things for what they are (I was definitely a victim of this for a very long time) because they are trying so hard to save themselves from pain that they are blinded to everything. I found that being less exposed to one parent can really change the way you see them, whether or not it's their fault. If they want to try to have a relationship, they should at least be afforded the opportunity, as long as the child is not in any danger (physically, emotionally, or mentally). However, once given the opportunity, they should not be allowed to walk all over the child just because they are Parent. I know that sometimes cutting off contact is the only way to get someone to realize they are not respecting you the way they should.

Some days it amazes me how one person can infect so many others with lies and hatred. I don't see how that's any way to live a happy life. I just can't quite grasp how some parents are able to rationalize the way they treat their children. But then again, maybe they just don't get it. I just know that I refuse to let myself get caught up in that warp because I don't want to be like that. Be true to yourself and do your best to not hurt others. If you know you are/were wrong, then at least know how to apologize, but do not let yourself get trampled in the process. There's a difference in apologizing because you're wrong and letting people run over you just to keep the relationship intact. There are times you just have to let things go because they aren't worth your well-being. People will either love you or not and if they aren't helping the relationship then maybe it's time to step away until they learn to appreciate you.

I guess I'm lucky in the way I've been privy to so many lifestyles and been exposed long enough that I've gotten to see how it all works out. I know exactly how I don't want to be in life, but that only narrows my choices to a few I won't choose. It doesn't really help me decide who I want to be in life. Although, avoiding who I don't want to be kinda helps me be the person I'd like to be in a roundabout kind of way. I just know that I want to be a good person, whatever that takes.

You know, I try really hard to be kind to everyone and like people for who they are, but some people make it really damn hard.... I'm a fiercely loyal person (I think that's something I get from the Ritter side of my family), so I really hate when people mess with my family and friends. It really bothers me when you do something just to hurt them. I also hate lying, so when I get asked a question it's really hard to not be super blunt about how I feel. Another thing, it's really unnecessary to the way I live. If I'm doing something I feel the need to hide, I probably just wouldn't bring it up, or I wouldn't do it in the first place....

Something people need to remember is that kids are sensitive to what is said about their parents. They are part of them and will be for their entire lives. Hell, I still get hurt by things said about my parents and I'm an adult... So try not to tell that kid you're talking to that his mom is such and such or her dad's a so and so.. Love the kid for who he or she is, don't judge because of the parents... 

On life, recently

A few days ago, I was walking across campus and it suddenly hit me: I am so lucky to have gotten to spend the last four years here, living and learning. Berkeley is a beautiful campus and a wonderful place to grow. It really pushes you to be better and more accepting of other views and beliefs. It grows you as a person, but only if you let it in to your mind and heart. Accept the guidance of others, even when it's hard, but never be afraid to let go of the things that don't push you to where you WANT to be in this life. You only get one shot, so do things that make you happy, healthy, and sane. Don't hold onto the negativity; it holds you back.

Living in the Bay Area, I got the chance to get closer to a part of my family who have done so much for me, even before they really knew me. They taught me a lot about our world and became truly wonderful role-models. My grandma taught me to be myself, even if no one likes it. If they love me, they'll accept me. But don't be an ass, no one likes that... There is an art to being yourself without being mean to people or being just plain rude about your beliefs. You should practice respect in all aspects, but especially in the art of disagreement. If you can respectfully disagree with people or beliefs, you'll get a lot farther in life. My great-grandma taught me a lot about loving someone whom you have absolutely no requirement to love, and how to do it without ever making that person feel like an outsider. My grandpa taught me how to be a better person by showing me how I don't want to be, which is not a bad thing, just a different outlook. There is always a way to get better and work on yourself. He also showed me how to look at the world and society differently than most people. Be weird if that's who you are because holding back only affects you, really. They've been great and I wish them the best on their next journey. Safe travels!

Although, even though I was close to some of my extended family, I still lived on my own and experienced becoming my own person without the pressure of fitting into someone preconceived notion of who I SHOULD become in this world. I was able to explore multiple paths and ways to live my life in an attempt to see what fits me rather than what others think should fit me.

I expanded my worldview through travel, student and professor interactions, and just general exposure to a bigger world than just the here and now in the Berkeley community. Im not saying that living in the present is bad, but make sure you're working towards a bigger plan in the log run. I worked with people who made me a better coworker, daughter, friend, and person. I was challenged daily and given ample opportunity to succeed.

Life's been hard and money's been tight, but I've gained so much from this experience..

I learned how to work with others coming from different backgrounds and/or views toward a common solution that works for everyone. I learned how to let go when its just too stressful to hold on. I learned how to say goodbye gracefully and how to hold on for all its worth. I discovered how to be angry with someone without it seeping into everything else and how to forgive when I just cannot keep being angry. I learned how to disagree and how to compromise. I learned how to interact with disagreeable people with respect. I learned how to love people when just liking them is difficult, how to accept people for what they are at face value and not try so hard to mold them into what they aren't, when to give no quarter and when to give it all you've got. And best of all, I learned how to love without holding back, how to give without expecting anything in return, and how to be enjoy life for all its aspects.

Don't ever forget how to let go and have fun LIVING life. Don't let yourself get caught up in all the bullshit that happens. Its truly not worth it...

Much love. I plan on infusing this life with love... <3 <3 <3

Happiness abounds

Where do I even begin? It's been so long, and so much has happened since my last post. Over a year and a half a lot can change, for better or worse. The big highlights in my life since October 2012 (my last post) are:

1. I've graduated college and have received a Bachelor's of Science. I'm a Cal grad! Go Bears!
2. I'm in a very committed relationship to a wonderfully caring man. He's foreign and has a super sexy accent... :D
3. I'm potentially going to graduate school in September to get a Master's of Science in Animal Behaviour and Welfare.
4. The school is abroad, so I get to live my dream of living in Europe somewhere for awhile.
5. I have finally purchased a one way ticket!
6. I interned at an animal shelter internationally.
7. I lived in Dublin, Ireland for a summer, and then travelled to 6 different countries in 8 days.
8. My boyfriend travelled over 5000 miles and registered for classes so he could spend the summer with me. Now, if you knew him well, you'd realize just how big a deal it really is for us.
9. My dad came back from his tours abroad and made it to my graduation.
10. My grandparents also came out for my graduation.
11. I will be going to visit one great-grandma in August and then the other in September.
12. My little sister is coming to visit!

There's probably a lot of other really great things that have happened, but we'll stick with these for now.

I'm just so much happier lately than I have been in a very long time. It's so much easier to relax nowadays and I'm loving life!