Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
~Helen Keller
I've been fortunate enough to have traveled a lot in my 31 years. It's my way of seeking out adventure.
But I am not content to just drop in and visit for a few days; I would rather stay for weeks or months and truly immerse myself in that particular culture. France, England, and Hungary are countries where I have spent a significant amount of time.
Here is a guide to some of my travels, both international and domestic. I hope I can inspire you embark upon your own unforgettable travel adventures.
INTERNATIONAL TRAVELS:
Hungary:
August 2010-March 2011 {During Matt's deployment}
I lived here for eight months while working as an intern for a church in the city of Debrecen. I also taught English conversation in a local high school.I had my own apartment during part of my stay but I also lived with a Hungarian family for a few months.
- My first visit to Hungary at age fourteen: And So My Travels Began & The Hungary of My Past
- Big Things
- The Final Countdown
- I'm here!
- Week One in Debrecen
- Weekend in Budapest
- Wedding Weekend Part 2
- Church Camp at a Castle, anyone?
- First Impressions of Hungary
- Here's my Room
- This Week's Reflections
- Oh Challenges, How I Love You
- The Bridge Ministries Center
- Sickly
- Feeling Better
- Matt's Visit, part one
- Matt's Visit, part two
- Matt's Visit, part three--Budapest
- Matt's Visit, part four
- Fall Fun
- Competitive...aerobics?
- Puppy in Peril
- Autumn in Debrecen
- Romania
- Three Months Down
- A Few Things...
- Make More Memories (check).
- Playing in the Darkness Below
- The Beauty of Budapest
- The Parliament Building
- Happy Thanksgiving
- More Budapest {& Szentendre}
- Jane in Debrecen
- Adventures in Teaching {Hungarian-Style}
- Perks
- A Sparkling December
- A Few Things about Life in Hungary
- It Feels Like Christmas
- Magic in the Air
- Making Spirits Bright
- Exceptional
- Merry Christmas!
- A Shining New Year
- Full Speed Ahead
- Latte Macchiatos and Marble Columns
- My New Home
- Big News!
- Reunion
- I'm Back + Sarah's Visit
- Oh, the Fog
- Tic Toc
- The Fog, Our Foe
- A Peek Inside Gellert Hotel
- Be Mine, Valentine
- Hello, Sun
- Bon Voyage, My Suitcase
- The Fekete Family
- My First Water Polo Match
- Twenty Days
- The Countdown Continues
- The Heartbreak Begins
- I am Home
- Fun-Filled Final Week
- The Day of Goodbyes
- Parting Gifts
- The Big Secret
England:
Summer 2008
I lived in Bournemouth, England for a summer while I worked as an activities coordinator and tour guide for a Foreign Language Institute. I led sightseeing tours all over southern England and I was able to experience quite a lot! I also lived with a lovely English family during this time.
- Bournemouth, England
- Day Four in Britain
- Follow the Leader
- A Day by the Sea
- The Sweetest Job, If Only for a Short While
- I've Become a Busy Bee
- Learning a New Language
- My Students
- Always Tired but Always Happy
- My Husband is Here
- Time Flies When You're Having Fun
- My Final Days in England
France:
Summers of 2002 & 2004
January-June 2005
{More posts about France are forthcoming. I started this blog after my stays in France, so I have to do a bit of back-tracking. Stay tuned!}
One of my two majors in college was French and I totally used that as an excuse to get to France...a lot! I spent two separate summers studying in Normandy {six weeks each time} and then I did a study abroad to Strasbourg during my last semester of college. At that time I attended the Université de Strasbourg and lived with a French family. I took advantage of being in Europe and also traveled to Spain, Germany, Italy, Hungary, and Ireland during my semester.
European Honeymoon Cruise:
September 2007
Matt and I spent two dream-like, leisurely weeks aboard a cruise ship in the Mediterranean. Our stops included Italy, Croatia, Greece, and Turkey.
- Part One: The Beginning
- Part Two: Rome
- Part Three: Pompeii
- Part Four: Venice
- Part Five: Croatia
- Part Six: Athens
- Part Seven: Turkey
Trinidad & Tobago:
February 2010
I went on a missions trip to help a church in Arima, Trinidad, revamp their sanctuary. After a hard week's work, we took a few days to relax on the gorgeous island of Tobago.
- God to Me: "Surprise! It's time to travel again!"
- T & T, part one
- T & T, part two
- T & T, part three
- T & T, part four
- T & T--last entry!
DOMESTIC TRAVELS:
Portland, Oregon:
I was born in the Pacific Northwest and lived there when a was a little girl. Nearly all of my mom's side of the family lives in Oregon, including my brother and his family, so my entire life has been dotted with annual or semi-annual trips to Oregon.
Saint Joseph, Michigan:
I grew up in this lovely little town along the shores of Lake Michigan.
Charlevoix, Michigan:
July 2014
Mackinac City and Mackinac Island, Michigan:
September 2012
Shipshewana, Indiana:
July 2011
- Shipshewana {Amish Country}
Gatlinburg, Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains:
June 2011
Orlando, Florida:
May 2011
- Vacation Bound
- Greetings From FL
- The Florida Adventure: the Beginning {Islands of Adventure}
- The Florida Adventure: the Wizarding World of Harry Potter {Islands of Adventure}
- The Florida Adventure: Sea World
- Medieval Times
- Swimming with Manatees
- Wrapping Up {Universal Studios}
El Paso, Texas:
March/April 2011
Hot Springs, Arkansas:
May 2008
