I had the most perfect day Saturday. Like one of those days where you love every second. Which I did not think would be the case since I was missing out on Applebutter Day at home. Applebutter Day is a holiday in my family. It's pretty legit and my favorite day of the year, a wonderful day of sitting around a fire stirring apples and just hanging out with family. It's the best day. I feel pretty blessed that I still had the best day, despite being so far from the festivities. What did I do you may be asking? Well, I went to a castle. Some might say THE castle. I went to Neuschwanstein Castle, you know the one that Walt himself visited and got the idea for Sleeping Beauties castle at Disney world? Yeah. It's kind of a big deal. Would you like to see it? Okay, I'll show it to you...eventually.
Things that make up a perfect day include, but are not limited to the following:
I made friends! I met some other Au Pairs (nannies) from America on the 2 hour train ride from Munich to the Bavarian Alps. It was so much fun. People make life interesting.
One of my new friends offered me an APPLE! ON APPLEBUTTER DAY! I was so happy, I wished them a Happy Applebutter Day and told them all about what we do to celebrate! And then asked if I could take a picture of her handing me the apple...good thing we had been friends for a few hours before I asked that...otherwise it could have been awkward. Am I right? You know I am.
Me posing with my apple. I ate it shortly after this shot. It was perfect and delicious and crispy. I was so happy.
The perfect fairy tale town, horse drawn carriages included (well for a fee of course!)
Did I say I went to one castle? Scratch that, I meant two. The first I went to was a summer castle to the parents of the king who built the second one...No big deal, just a summer castle, but here are some views of said castle so you know what sort of summer castle we are talking about here...obviously no bigger than one you or I would have...you know, for the summer.
Next thing that makes up the perfect day? Meeting Hungarians. Which is obviously something I am searching for everywhere I go. And they were in abundance at this particular tourist trap. I swear I heard Hungarian all day long, I tried to start up conversations every chance I got...here was one of those chances....
I asked some Hungarians if they would take my picture, I asked in Hungarian which was a great way of saying, "Hey, lets be friends!" Works every time.
A view from the fairy tale castle...if you look closely you can see the summer castle below...
Some views of the breathtaking Neushwanstein...
Another reason it was the perfect day? The weather. It was the most beautiful fall day, which is one of the reasons I love Applebutter Day. Fall is my favorite season and I needed a good crisp fall day with some beautiful leaves of all different colors. I think I died of happiness all day long.
It was a bit blustery at the top of the mountain....Pooh Bear style. And here is another instance that I asked Hungarians to take my picture. She did a great job, yes?
Blinded by the light...
My return trip home lasted 4 hours. I missed a bus by 10 minutes, then I missed the train and had to wait 40 minutes and then when I got to the place I had to transfer it took another 30 minute wait and then when I got back to Munich I had to wait for the train to my stop. Which sounds horrible, right? Double the time? But it was fine, I was on a high from having the perfect day. Besides, I got to walk around some random towns while I waited...here is one. Its beautiful right?
In other news I turn 30 a month from today. Yup, the big 3-0. And it has made me think a little bit. About life, you know. Because according to life 30 is supposed to be super depressing, but to be honest I'm not the least bit depressed, I'm still excited to have a birthday (I love birthdays. Like so much so that one year for Halloween I dressed up as a birthday party and wrote November 23rd on myself so that people would know it was coming up) Mostly I just feel blessed. I have lived an incredible life. I can't even begin to tell you how incredibly blessed I have been. Do I have a white picket fence, a fancy job, a husband, and three kids? No, but that doesn't define me. I'm happy with where my life has gone. Would I have ever guessed I would do the things I have done? Not in a million years. But its an adventure. It's exciting. I graduated from BYU which is where I wanted to go my whole childhood. I served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hungary. I worked in a children's hospital and an orphanage for special needs kids in Romania. I taught English to Kindergartners in China. I'm nannying for kids in Germany. I've gotten to be a temple worker in two LDS temples (Provo, and DC). I've been to over 50 Dave Matthews concerts. I've run 3 half marathons and I'm training to run a full. All of these things are incredible, but most of my happiness comes from my family and my faith.
Also, I stopped thinking in terms of IF I do something and started thinking in terms of WHEN I will do it... Two things that changed that way of thinking? The first was serving a mission. I remember my first week in Budapest riding the bus and looking out the window and thinking how did I end up here? How did I make such a good decision? How was I that brave to leave everything and jump in to such an adventure? It was the best decision I have ever made. I knew the whole time I was there that I was in the right place, doing the right thing, at the right time. Which is an amazing feeling. Indescribable actually. It gave me the confidence to do things out of my comfort zone.
Second thing that changed my thinking? Training for and running my first half marathon. Its an incredible feeling to know that you are capable of more than you thought you could be. To me running 13.1 miles was something that seemed impossible. IT'S NOT! I remember training for the half and running a full 14 miles at once and as soon as I hit 14 I started crying. It's emotional to push yourself and reach a goal. Once you realize that you can do more, you actually start to do more! YOU CAN DO SO MUCH MORE THAN YOU EVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE!
This picture is especially important to me. It was at a point in the race where I thought I might die and I was not going to make it, then I turned the corner and saw Lightning McQueen and It was like this huge burst of sunshine. Which might sound a little crazy, but my nephew Ethan loved Cars and I felt like it was a little push from an angel above saying, "YOU CAN DO IT! KEEP GOING!"
Life's not perfect and it hasn't all been a box of chocolates, but its beautiful, ya know? I mean do I wish I looked a little more like Heidi Klum or Beyonce? of course. Do I wish I owned all the bags and shoes in the world? absolutely. Have I had hard experiences and heartbreak? umm, yes. But I wouldn't change anything. I've done too much and learned too much. Everything has shaped me in to who I am now and I am grateful for it. I've had a great 30 years.
Some of my favorite motivational quotes...
(Brought to you by Pinterest of course)
So, go out there and turn your CANT'S in to CANS and your DREAMS in to PLANS!!!!!!
