The Tower

I had been to London at 18, and for my 25th Birthday- so this was my third time. But that city is so huge, I still don't think I've made a dent in my goals or explorations there.

Matching BackPacks for the Road Trip

For our 2016 trip, prior to moving back to Houston, Youn decided to come visit me and do a road trip to Dublin. We didn't plan on stopping in London for too long, but we had already splurged on Hamlet, and needed a pit stop since we weren't used to driving 13 hours all in one go- especially since half of it was driven on the wrong side of the road.

Cumberbatch Nation

I just have to document that on our Annual Vacation, my friend Youn and I decided to spend half of our rent money on the experience of a lifetime- HAMLET, in LONDON, starring BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH. I like to think that its very smart to save - but seeing one of the best actors of our time perform Shakespeare in England.. that has to be worth it. And IT WAS. 

Yes, we just travelled 7 hours to get to London, Yes, Youn was dying from some combination of food poisoning and Jet Lag, yes our hotel was some tiny room we couldn't walk in with no AC... I was still recovering from the trauma of the Chunnel and my bad hair/root fiasco I had going on. Yes, I tried to rock the red lipstick... despite all those little things nagging at us- it was an evening we will never forget. I was 5 feet away from our generations Sherlock, a soon to be Oscar Winner, and all around British hottie and he gave the performance of a lifetime.

Never miss out on chances like this! Its worth it! 

Berlin

Most Americans think of Europe and we hit the highlights, Paris, London, Rome. That is totally okay because those cities are all fabulous. However, I've always had a yearning to go to Germany- specifically Berlin. Why? I don't know. Just say its a calling.

Due to hectic schedules I only had one opportunity to take a three-day weekend and my friends were unable to join me. This meant if I wanted my dream of visiting Berlin this year, then I would have to take the bull by the horns and travel alone. Many of you may think this is just fine since I moved to Europe alone... however, I've always had friends or family on vacation and have never actually done it solo. it is a completely different experience- and although company is amazing, I would recommend it to everyone!

Spree River Canal Tour

Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer

Michelin Star Restaurant- Rita Ora

Lauren and I decided to treat ourselves to a fancy lunch at a Michelin star restaurant- apparently Copenhagen, that tiny little city, is a mecca for amazing chefs- and has several Michelin star restaurants in tow. Michelin stars are given to chefs for outstanding food.

We chose an Italian restaurant- Rita Ora on Christianshavn. More after the Click ---->

Copenhagen

My friend Lauren was able to take a Scandinavian road trip this year and asked me to join her. I could only get away from work for a few days so we decided to have a 4 day weekend in Copenhagen and she would go on to Sweden and Norway on her own.

Copenhagen was such an adorable city- and so white and crisp! Ive never seen a cleaner city- it was all pristine. We had a hotel near the famous Nyhavn area, and spent a first night having beers listening to live music along the harbour. This was Lauren's birthday night, and I was so happy to spend her 25th together!

Peter Alexander Schmidt

The most amazing thing that has happened this summer is the birth of my godson, Peter Alexander Schmidt. The family all reunited in San Antonio on the day of his birth--



I'm so happy to have a Nephew from San Antonio, and a niece from Austin, I love these two sweetie pies--

And of course, since we were in San Antonio- here is your obligatory Alamo picture

 

 

Pooja and Kuri Take AMS

My friend Pooja and her Med School buddies were taking a Euro-Trip and made a pit stop in Amsterdam. Pooja and I went to UT together, and have been able to stay friends ever since- even though her genius self is now a practicing doctor in Washington DC.

We went on a typical dutch excursion, but due to the beautiful weather, decided to travel by water. We rented paddle boats and went to the Rijksmuseum, the flower market, and music festival, and even caught some music at VondelPark.

on the Paddle Boats- its actually stressful to have to navigate around the tourist canal tours

 The flower market is a floating area of Amsterdam with little shops on barges, that sell fresh tulips and flowers year-round. Its a gorgeous thing to see in the summer, when the bright-colored flowers are around. Although, perennials and other species do see their time of the year as well.

The Rijksmuseum was having a Miffy exhibition. Miffy is called Nintje in Dutch and is a very popular kids toy. The exhibition had the nintjes decorated in all sorts of colors and designs. The black and white one I'm standing next two depicts two kids hugging, aka Unity. 

Jumping outside the Rijksmuseum- its not everyday in AMS that its beautiful and sunny

Country Band at the Food Festival- No joke. Pooja and I even Two-Stepped .

I'm so thankful to have had so many friends visit me while I was overseas- It was great to be thought of and never forgotten. These bonds will never break xx 

King's Day 2015

King's Day Haarlem 2015

Another year rolled around and King's day came again- I'll remind you it is the King's birthday and everyone wears orange (lucky for me I have a lot of Longhorn Football attire- it comes in handy to Bleed Orange!)

Ice Ice Baby

After Paris, Annabelle spent some time with me in the Netherlands- Haarlem was not her favourite because according to her it was just a small town hahaha, but she did find it pretty nice to be able to go to the beach within just 20 minutes- we had quite the relaxing evenings, and another night we even got Mexican food (typical Texans!)

 

The Music of the Night

My beautiful cousin Annabelle got to take a European trip for her high school graduation present. She started off in London and then I picked her up in Paris and we spent the weekend there! I gotta say- driving into Paris is always spectacular-

 

 

We had an amazing time hitting all the highlights as this was her first time in Paris- I'm not complaining because I love it there!

 

Paris is always a good option

As part of my mom's birthday celebrations we went to Paris after returning from Iceland. It was a short 5 hour drive- so kind of like driving to Dallas from Houston!! My mom and I went to Paris together when I was 18 as my high school graduation present- but we had 3 days and were exhausted- those memories will always last but she just wanted another chill weekend.

 

 

 

A Series in Snow

I have to devote a series of pictures to snow because when you're from Texas, this is a sight in and of itself. I mean... I've always dreamed of this. 

Just standing and marveling at the snow...

The land of Fire and Ice

In Iceland, they believe in fairies, elves, and magic. This isn't a surprise, because after a weekend there I was sure that magic was real too. It was a beautiful place- from the moment we arrived, it was colder than anywhere I've ever been- however, that just added to the splendor.