There is beauty in choice.

source: http://milagrosmundo.blogspot.nl/

Traveling Light

Source:
https://www.onekingslane.com/product/13281/507183?f=pin#.T6MrCzADt-Y.pinterest

As I have afore mentioned, I will be traveling to Norway with my university choir... we were given the "what-for" today in choir about packing light... considering I have some experience with this, this is the email I sent out to the choir about packing light!!


Hey Y'all! So I know you all know how excited I am about this little TRIP TO NORWAY!!! yay!  I've done a bit of traveling so I thought I would email you some of the resources I use when I pack!  This email may be a bit tailored to the gals of the choir (because I am a girl) but I did try to include some websites that the guys can use too.

Also, Marc mentioned something like we are not going to Norway for our fashion, but! It is possible to look great without bringing your whole closet! à la-

Source: manofthecloth.co.za 

(Side note: we are going to be in Norway for 2 weeks. 2 weeks. ONLY 2 weeks. We can all feasibly manage with one carry on for this time period! It will make traveling around a lot easier too... just something to think about!)


My motto when packing is "You don't need everything you think you do."  Especially when traveling in a groups.  For example, we don't all need to bring curling irons!

Source: www.quickmeme.com 

That said, there are a few essentials and some good "non-essentials" to pack with... =)

Here are the links to the blogs/websites! Just remember to modify them to our situation! (two weeks, weather, what we will be doing...)

• First things first: Weather. It will be spring when we are there.  http://www.visitnorway.com/us/About-Norway/Seasons-and-climate-in-Norway/

• http://herpackinglist.com/2011/12/ultimate-female-travel-packing-lists/ This site is called "Her Packing List"... It's great! And probably WAY too in depth for our trip.

•  http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/pack-light.htm
    ... Leave it to Rick Steves to put together some great packing lists!
• http://codeq.info/ ... this is super rad! It's called the Universal Packing Tool... I just used it for the Norway trip and it has some good suggestions.

• http://www.escapenormal.com/blog/  I just love this travel blog...
• http://skiptownonline.com/ ...this travel blog has some stunning pictures!
•  http://sonsofnorwayblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/expert-tips-for-traveling-to-norway.html   I haven't really read through this... but it could be a good resource on Norwegian heritage/culture =)
•  http://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Looking-Like-an-American-Tourist  This has some helpful tips to avoid being "that one american tourist"... at the same time, we are American tourists... let's keep it classy, though, eh?
• http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/how-get-through-line-faster also, this site if you haven't flown before. =)

Source:travelmemes.tumblr.com 
Another great thing about traveling light: Passing through security is
SO MUCH EASIER!

Also, THIS. I think we will get along well with the Norwegians. =)
Source: thisblogsuckssorry.blogspot.com 

Ok, have a great evening, friends! This is gonna be AWESOME!!! =) (Hope I didn't go too overboard...)

bikram.

So I've been practicing yoga fairly consistently for about a year now... and before that I had moments where I'd practice faithfully for a month, reap the benefits, and stop (for some odd reason... life gets busy, I guess...)  But I had never done true bikram yoga until last Saturday.  By true Bikram yoga, I mean 105 degrees Fahrenheit and the traditional 26 poses.  Let me tell ya... it's glorious.  I have been three times now and am still getting used to the heat and the poses, but it really is wonderful! The place I have been going to is called yarrow yoga and it makes me sad I will be moving so soon! At least I will have a month to practice there! Also, I found a hot yoga place in Istanbul about 25 minutes from where I'll be living!! YAY!
bikramyogamusings.com

saying goodbye.

Seattle...

I am hoping to be abroad for a year or more after graduation. Also, since I leave the day after graduation I won't be home- on the west side of Washington for a while...  That said, I spent my spring break and the weekend after saying goodbye to family, friends, and the place I have called home for the last fifteen years.  It was weird.  I have no doubt I will be back and I know I will see my family and friends again, but this goodbye was a bit more final than any other goodbye I've ever experienced.  Even when I moved to Argentina I knew I'd be back at Whitworth after a semester and back in Seattle living with my family for the summer.  These are some snapshots of my time at home...

on the ferry snapping photos

my family in a nutshell... =)

Goodbye, Farewell

by Kolabomi Adeko 

Farewell is beautiful
A glimpse into the future
Farewell is wonderful
It sets for Adventure

Goodbye is sad
A dive into the past
Goodbye is hard
It memories cast

For old faces must go
Yet new places to go

A chapter opened
And a chapter closed

O Farewell O farewell
How nice if I could tomorrow tell

O Goodbye O goodbye
In thou sweet memories lie

For us you take backward
And make to the past hold
Farewell a' forward
To face the future bold

And today
Yes verily day
With feelings set at bay
These very words I say

Farewell and goodbye
Goodbye and farewell

I say with pleasure and pain
Yes with tears
With grief and joy
Tears of grief and joy

love the forrest!

stunning view!

...Yeah I will miss home a lot! But I am stoked for the adventures I am about to have!!! Now I just have to say "bye" to my friends here in Spokane and Whitworth.... not quite ready for that! good thing I have five weeks...

Cheers!

hannah

back to blogging?

Well.  Those three blog posts were a great run! (sarcasm) So much for that goal... but... maybe I will start up again? Especially now that I have plans for next year!

This is where I am at right now:

I have 5 more weeks left of undergrad. (Must.keep.going...!)

I will then, the day after graduation, fly to Norway with the choir.www.telegraph.co.uk

After touring Norway with the choir, I will fly to Istanbul to au pair for three months to a year.www.lonelyplanet.com

WHOA.

Is this real life? I don't think so... but I'll take it! Good thing I just invested in a great camera!

I think this will be the blog I use to document that trip... YIPEEEEEEE!

Now to do my essays and homework so I can graduate...
hannah