Head Above Water

So relevant right now.

Break Time!!!

I'm finally on holiday!
I'm super excited because I'm going to explore two new countries the day after tomorrow.
I really really needed this break, as I have gotten to the point where I just didn't care about anything work related, and that isn't good for my professional life. I'm sure these six days off will bring back that spark I'm missing and will help me do better.
Just gotta take it one day at a time (yes, cliché, I know).
Goodbye for now, I'll be posting my travel pictures as soon as I get back.

-Nat

Changes are Scary

I am the kind of person who meticulously plans my life, sometimes to a point of obsession, like how much money I can spend daily for a whole year, or exactly what day/month would x thing fit into my life in the distant future. However, just the other day I decided to get out of the work place I hate within the next month and try something completely different. First it made me feel at peace, that I'll finally be able to let go of the stress and anger that I feel every single day. But as the days are going by I am realizing this is not as easy as I thought it would be, this puts certain plans on hold. Things I have planned months in advance might all change with a job change, due to finances and responsibilities. So for the past 2 days, as I rewrote my whole CV I have been kind of freaking out. But hey, I'm trying to look at it as a positive step out of my comfort zone. In a way I'm really excited for what the future holds, and another part of me is terrified. I'm gonna do this though, and I'm gonna make the best out of whatever consequences it has on my life. I guess that's all I can do anyway.

Weekend '19

I guess sometimes weekends are needed to zone out from all the week's problems. I've had one week of work, and I'm already looking forward to the next holiday.

Me Time

Recently I've been noticing my blog has become more impersonal than in the past. I rarely write long posts or updates on my life anymore, other than my travels. I wanna change this though. I miss writing and being creative. Sometimes I feel all the things I do and want to do leave little to no time for me. I'm always running from one place to another, and it's causing me to neglect "me time". I guess this is gonna be my early "new years resolution", I'm going to make time for myself, at home, at least once a week, for 3 hours. I can manage that - I hope.
I'm the kind of person who wants to do everything and be good at everything, and not only do I strive to do these things, but I get frustrated because there isn't enough time in a day or a week to develop hundreds of skills while getting enough sleep, spending time with friends and family, and having time for myself.
I'm trying to learn to relax and let go of some of my expectations, but it's SO hard.

Yeah Right...Smooth Sailing

My life right now

The Netherlands

About a month ago I took a trip to The Netherlands for the first time. It's a place I have always wanted to see, and even though I didn't go in tulip season, it was still more than worth the trip.
Here's some pictures:

 Our flight landed in Eindhoven, where we didn't have time to see much, but everyone says the only thing to see are these bowling pins, so apparently I've seen it all

Amsterdam: 

Because it is famous for its canals, which make the city seem so quaint and beautiful

the mall

 every tram has an information point in the middle where you can buy tickets (so fancy)

I wanted a picture with the I amsterdam sign, which was basically impossible, there were SO many people

basically you could do it letter by letter, but even for that the line was long, so after the "I" and the "d" we decided to move on

For anyone who knows this stock photo:

 Unfortunately it was already dark when I got there, but hey I have a picture in the same place 

even though this one was taken in a different spot, it made a better "semi" replica

if I paid 10 euros for a breakfast I might as well post a picture so it lasts, making it somewhat more worth the price

The Royal Palace 

 I have no idea why anyone approved this sculpture 

 Rijksmuseum

I don't remember the men who killed all the babies in the Bible being described as naked.... 

 Van Gogh!

 my face whenever I see or think of cheese

The Night Watch:

 this was probably the biggest painting I have ever seen, and I was really happy I was able to see it

Well that's all for now, it was a nice trip, and totally worth the visit. I hope to go back still as we weren't able to see Anne Frank's house (maybe then I'll plan it in spring so I get to see the tulips).

Bye

Pizza Pug

Just thought I'd leave this picture here :D

Self-Care

Sometimes I gotta remember to just do me.

Baku-Tbilisi

As a trip to China was not enough traveling for one summer, from August 13 to 18 Jacopo and I went to Azerbaijan and Georgia. 

We spend 3 days in Baku, and then took a 13+ hour night train to Tbilisi, where we spent another 2 days seeing the city and the smaller cities of Mtskheta and Jvari. 

Here come the pictures: 

Baku:

 airport selfie

 Baku is an EXTREMELY windy city!

 The fire towers are even prettier at night

 land of fire!

 fire temple (ateshgah)

on the train between the 2 countries, we had a nice little room

Tbilisi, Mtskhela, and Jvari:

 Georgian 'sweets' churchkhela

 cable car ride

It was an amazing holiday and, along with graduating from uni, the fact that I got to see 3 new countries this summer really lifted my spirits after a difficult year.

I have now officially been to 21 countries, so I'm still far from seeing all 196 countries but this is a start. 

I'll try to post more about my life, as I have lots to post about, just gotta free my schedule a bit.

-Nat