Do something that matters

Standing in the shower, rinsing off my Smashing Good Pumpkin facial mask with my Tranquilizer snarky bar, I realise I'm irritated. These last few weeks I have been in numerous political and/or religious conversations; some polite and respectful, others not-so-much... So, I have something to say about it. Politics and religion are not the be-all and end-all.

I may not believe in Allah, God, or any other deities out there by name, which is my right just as it is yours to believe in anyone you like. If there is any god out there, he or she hasn't been directly involved in our lives for many - MANY - years, so I do not feel any need to 'give my life' to that being. There is way too much going on here for that to be my main focus. I may not follow organized religion at all, but it's totally fine by me if you do. I'm not going to judge or discriminate against you because you believe differently. It's not my place.

See, I believe in people. I believe that humanity - if we all pull together and tolerate each other no matter our beliefs - is capable of great things, extraordinary change! I believe we need to focus more on bettering our society and less on furthering our respective religions. I want to see more people out there practicing love and respect and acceptance. Less hate, less discrimination against those who look, believe, act differently than you. Everyone has their own burden, so respect that and do what you can to make someone else's journey a bit easier - or, at the very least, no harder. There are so many issues in the world that we do not need to add to it with minute complaints. Yes, someone else's focus might be suicide, bullying, Planned Parenthood and you think we should actually be focusing on LGBT, animal welfare, mental health. Guess what, they are all equally important because they are all issues that have an effect on SOMEONE. It my not be you, but there is someone out there going through a rough time in relation to at least one of those issues. So, as long as they ARE being worked on, that's progress in my eyes.

If someone has a different focus than you, it's probably because they see the world in a different way, so take a minute and try to understand their situation rather than making a snap decision to hate them or judge them for having different priorities. This is life..there's no one way to live it. Do what is right by you, but above all, love your fellow inhabitants.

Yoga is life...

As I sit here, having finished my first yoga practice in...awhile... I realize yoga is a lot like life.

Sure, it starts out easy enough, but that soon progresses to the point where you're wondering why you even decided to do this in the first place. Sometimes its a breeze, sometimes you need support. There's definitely those times you just have to trust yourself and try harder. And then there are times you just want to call it quits. Yoga can be fun, but it's not always, just like this life... Yoga can be relaxing, too. Or cause tension. It can be exactly what you need to figure it all out, or it can be the most infuriating thing you've ever tried. The thing is yoga, like life, is never the same. Every practice is its own entity (different for each and every one of us, so don't try to compare yours to everyone else), and you never really know how it's gonna go until you step on the mat. But sometimes you just need to start! Yes, it can be difficult, and damn does it suck sometimes, but it's all gonna be worth it at the end. 

xo, 

Mere

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