Lifestyle
Travel + diary + thoughts
Last weekend a good friend of mine organized this theme in a local fisher town of Westfjords. Yasuo is an architect who has been working here last 3 years and his goal is to develop population in Thingeyri. It has decreased a lot past these years. But he’s from a small town in Japan. The project was to compare two villages, one in Japan and one in Iceland, and how we can build bright future.
A meeting was held for everyone which was about developing small towns which I found really interesting. Because I wanna live here in the future and start a family. If I will be there the community has to have opportunities for my future job.
What really caught my eye was one of the Japan artist’s work, Kumi. When she first arrived she saw these colorful ropes that are used at sea. With her creative mind, she saw these ropes as connections between people, like mothers and child. I found that so beautiful. Before, I saw these ropes just as a fisherman’s tool. Every time since I see and feel those connections between me, my friends and family. (That post will be up in few days on the art site.)
Japanese alphabets were cool as well. Kumi started by asking names and seeing how they are written. Then she wrote it in three types of scripts/alphabets. Afterwards you could try it yourself. I did it. My name means, model - ninja - flower in this certain japanese alphabet/script. I found it cool and intresting. How can all the letters have a meaning behind?
There were many other things shown for example, they showed Japan’s cultural music, origami and movies. I liked everything behind this event. Everyone could have joined it.
x
Monika Janina K.
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Poland is a beautiful country and it'll always have a special place in my heart. It's been a long time since I had holidays like this and spending that time in Poland was wonderful. I recommend everyone to visit. Everything is so cheap, the hotels, taxi, food which makes it even more fun. There are so many things to see and I'd say it's a perfect place to spend with your friends and family. Day 1 :I arrived at midnight and decided to take a midnight walk around Warsaw with my family. We ate kebabs and went back to our hotel. The hotel was unbelievable. We were on the highest floor and we had a great view over the city from our room. With all those lights, the view was breathtaking. Day 2 :I woke up early and got breakfast. It was really warm outside around 45° degrees. We decided to see the old town of Warsaw and the kings palace. Everything was so nice. The buildings coulorful and pretty. We went also on tour on a horsedrawn which was really fun. At the end of the day I went shopping. Day 3:I spent my time shopping the whole day. Day 4I drove to the very east of Poland it was my last day in Warsaw. I'll be posting more from Poland on the category: Photography x
Monika Janina K. This summer in Iceland hasn't been the greatest... We only got few warm days. But the weather is pretty pleasant now, I think. It's not that cloudy anymore and there have been dazzling sunsets. Pink, yellow and blue skies. But it's also getting dark which reminds me of that the summer will be over soon........ But I'm extremely happy that I bought tickets to Poland! Then I'll finally get some sun and real summer vacay. It's been 3 years since I went there and I can't wait to go. I have a family who lives there and I haven't met them so long. But I'm not only meeting them. I´m going to explore the whole country, well most of it. Keep tuned for some travelling posts (tips as well.) !!!! See you in Poland
x Monika Janina K
Me and my two other friends planned a trip in the Westfjords. First of all we wanted to go kayaking to Vigur which is an island with bunch of puffins! Well our main goal was to see one I guess... But we thought it was to expensive and decided to take the ferry but then again it was not cheaper at all. Surprise, surprise...we're in Iceland.
We had to come up with an second B-plan and we thought of going to the cliff called "Látrabjarg." Because we couldn't afford to pay the amount for the trip to the island. After all we made it happen. We went to see the cliffs.
I knew about this one natural pool on the way. I thought it would be nice to end the day in a warm pool.
A lot of things happened actually. The trip didn't go as we spected. First of all, our car didn't want to start and then we had an accident (we we're all safe). Also the weather wasn't really with us. It was mostly cloudy but it was fine.
Our first stop was in Patreksfjörður. We ate a wonderful lunch in a resturant/café called "Stúkuhúsið."
Patreksfjörður
Rauðisandur
Látrabjarg
BBQ - Icelandic style
Hellulaug
Dynjandi
When people travel to Iceand they mostly do the golden circle but honestly I think that the Westfjords are worth to go. There is much to see. So if you are going to Iceland I recommend NOT to forget the Westfjords and check them out!
x
Monika Janina K I've been trying to do my best in everything. In shcool, in my volleyball team and our play at shcool. And I have to say that it wasn't easy. I had to be very organized and keep up. I did many things that I'm really proud of. I got good grades in school, me and my volleyball team are champs (2018), I took a part in the Lion king play (from school) and I won a trophy for being titled "the most promising player" in my team. So I can say that I succeeded and achieved my goals. I couldn't be more happier. // Ég hef reynt að gera mitt besta í öllu. Það er rosalega líkt mér, mig langar alltaf gera vel sama hvað það er. Í þá skólanum, blakinu og skólaleikritinu sem dæmi. Þá skiptir það miklu máli að vera skipulaggður og vinna jafnt. Ég gerði margt sem er liðið af árinu sem ég er virkilega stolt af . Ég er með góðar einkunnir í skólanum, ég og liðið mitt urðum bikarameistarar, ég tók þátt í leikriti skólans sem var konungur ljónanna og var tilnefnd efnilegasti leikmaðurinn í blakliðinu. Þannig ég get sagt að ég hafi staðið mig þokkalega og náð markmiðunum mínum. Ég gæti ekki verið glaðari - One of the best thing that I've done is to participate in the school play. We put a lot of effort to it. I had to learn dances, singing songs and last but not least to act. I'm so happy to get to know all these awesome people! We were such a great team <3 - I can't describe how happy I was there. I love my team more than anything and I hope that we'll do as good or even better next season. I can't wait... - Me and my trophy for being most promising volleyballplayer in our team. I'm so glad that I've come so far and I'm looking forward to do better and better everyday. I think that it is important for people to set themselves a goal. It doesn't have to be big. Goals usually start small. I recommend to remind yourself what your goal is and to work hard for it, then it's more likely that you'll succeed. But sometimes it doesn't work the first time, at that point don't give up! My goal now is to finish my driving lessons, get driving licence before my birthday and be happy. I hope that you'll set your some goals which matters to you, it helps you to get what you want and to be successful in life. x
Monika Janin K
Í fyrra átti pabbi stór afmæli og varð 50 ára! Í tilefni þess langaði mig svo mikið að kaupa miða á AC/DC tónleika þar sem bæði ég og pabbi höldum mikið upp á þá. Það hefur verið langþráður draumur pabba, ekki síst hjá mér. En það sem var frekar súrt var að þeir höfðu ekki verið upp á sviði frá 2016. Ég ætla nú bara rétt að vona það að við séum ekki of sein. En ég gat þar af leiðandi ekki gefið honum þessa gjöf sem mig langaði svo agalega að gefa.
Seinna meir frétti ég það að Foreigner ætluðu til landsins í vor og fannst mér þá góð hugmynd að kaupa miða á þá tónleika fyrir bæði pabba og mömmu. Ég vissi að hann þekkti flest öll lögin þeirra eins og Juke Box Hero og Urgent. Ég vissi það einnig að mamma þekkti vinsælasta lagið þeirra (I wanna know what love is) sem flestir ættu að kannast við.
// My dad turned 50 last year and I really wanted to buy him a ticket on AC/DC concert as a gift. Sadly they haven't been playing since 2016 and I couldn't stick with my plan because of that. While I had no plan B, I didn't give him anything. I never really found the perfect gift. AC/DC is my father's favourite band and it's been his dream for long time to go on a concert with them.
// Then I saw on the internet this year that Foreigner were about to come to Iceland. I knew that my father listened to some of their songs and I decided that it would be a good idea to buy tickets for both of my parents on their show. My mom knows their greatest hit which everyone have heard before (I wanna know what love is). And I thought to myself, why not?....Then I bought the tickets.
Til að gera upp afmælisgjöfina hans ákvað ég að fjárfesta þessa miða þótt að þeir myndu aldrei uppfylla AC/DC drauminn. Ég var líka með svo mikið samviskubit því ég gaf honum ekkert í afmælisgjöf þar sem plan B var ekki til staðar. En mér fannst það góð hugmynd að fara á þessa tónleika og ætlaði ég að gera pínu það pínu óvænt um páskana. Því þá er ég einmitt í fríi í öllu saman og get sagt honum frá þessu í rólegheitunum.
// I wanted to make a surprise to make it even special for my dad. But my sister kind of ruined it. But it doesn't matter really now.
Mamma fékk að vita þetta fyrr. Um páskana hálf-eyðilagði systir mín surprise-ið þar sem hún hélt að ég hefði verið búin að segja foreldrunum mínum, en svo var ekki. Það var svo sem í lagi.
Nokkuð seinna kom upp sú frétt að Guns'n Roses væru líka að koma til landsins og þá hugsaði ég bara "Common." Pabbi er mikill rokkkarl og væri örugglega frekar til í að fara á Guns'n Roses. Ég var farin að efast um það að Foreigner yrði ekkert þess virði vegna hina tónleikanna.
Þann 18. maí keyrðum við suður eldsnemma morguns og skelltum okkur á tónleikana.
Tónleikarnir voru magnaðir og mamma og pabbi voru í skýjunum eftir þá. Ég var frekar ánægð að hafa ekki hætt við. Ég sé alls ekki eftir því að fara á þá. Þeir voru hreint út æðislegir! Og pabbi var alveg sammála mér ekki síður móðir mín.
// The concert was amazing and unforgettable. I was really glad that I did this, I don't regret anything! The best of all is though that my parents loved it. I had such a great time and I won't forget this day. The guitarist threw guitar picks and I caught 3 of them! The singer also gave me high-five and afterwards I met Herbert Guðmundsson a known artist here.
Ég var alveg fremst og greip gítaraneglur sem gítaraleikararnir köstuðu yfir salinn, einnig high-five-aði ég söngvarann. Eftir tónleikana hitti ég Herbert Guðmundsson sem við töluðum um á leiðinni suður sem var frekar fyndið. En ok. Nóg með montið. Mér fannst þetta vera "helvíti" vel heppnuð ferð.
Útlitið mitt var afar einfalt. Ég var í þæginlegum under armour buxum og svart-hvít-röndóttri langermabol. Yfir hann var ég í gömlum nike jakka og með svarta mittistösku frá 66. Förðunin mín var ekki ólík fatastílnum. Það var bara létt meik, maskari og augabrúnir.
// My outfit was simple and basic as always... I wore comfy leggings from under armour and a striped black and white t-shirt. Over top of it all I had a light old nike jacket and a black bum bag from 66°north. My make up was the same, simple and easy.
// Herbert Guðmundsson is a known artist in Iceland. His popular hit: Can't walk away. Check it out ;)
x
Monika Janina K
Hæ hó og gleðileg jól! Ég vona að allir hafa notið hátíðarinnar með fjölskyldu og vinum. Ég gerði það allaveganna svo sannarlega. Þessi hátíð er mín uppáhalds því þetta er tíminn sem ég kemst í frí frá skóla og hef það kósý hjá fjölskyldunni minni eins og flestir gera. Hitti vini mína og ættingja, fara út með bróður mínum, fá kakó eftir á, dansa í kringum jólatréð, hitta jólasveininn! o.s.frv. Ég hef reyndar ekki verið svo mikið hrifin af snjó en ég held að það sé nú eitthvað að skána núna. En það eina sem mér finnst erfitt yfir jólin eru að gefa pakka. Ekki það að það sé erfitt að gefa þá heldur að velja hvað á að vera í þeim og hverjum ég ætla að gefa. Á jólunum vil ég helst gefa bara öllum og ef ég geri það ekki fæ ég frekar stórt samviskubit haha. En það er aftur á móti gaman að pakka þeim og skreyta að utan. Ég fékk nokkra hluti af óskalistanum mínum í ár. Gjafirnar voru mjög flottar þótt þær hafi ekki verið á óskalistanum. Ég var mjög ánægð með þessi jól og vil þakka fyrir mig.
FÖT: Ég var í frekar flottum en einföldum blúndukjól frá Vila. Hann er dökkblár. Mér fannst hann alveg passa við þessa hátíð og líka þar sem bróðir minn var í "gamaldags" gráum jakkafötum og mamma í svörtum kjól. Með kjólnum var ég í fallegum uppháum sokkum og svörtum skóm. Ég tók reyndar ekki margar myndir af mér. En hér er ein.
(The only photo of me is being silly heh...)
Merry Christmas! I hope that you had a good time with your family and friends. Well, I did surely. Christmas is one of my favorite holidays. Because then I get a vacation from school and can have a good time with my family and freinds like most people do. You go out in the cold, play in the snow and go back inside and drink some hot chocolate. That's the best thing ever. I also love christmas because of giving presents. I like to pack them in and decorate it lovely. But the stressful thing is to buy the present inside and who you want to give it to. I always want to give everyone and if I don't I'd feel remorsed haha.
I did get few of the things on my wishlist and I'm happy for every present that I got. CLOTHES: I wore a dark blue dress from Vila which I loveeee! It's plain and simple but it has these nice little details. The ends have laces that makes it look fun. But with the dress I wore high sewed socks and black shoes. I didn't take many photos of me. I kind of forgot, because I wanted to enjoy with my family and didn't want to have my phone near me. So that I'd enjoy every second.
x
Monika Janina K I can't believe that December is here! The time runs so fast. I decided to puzzle all the things together that I want for Christmas and make a Christmas wish-list. These are the things that I want: scarf, Under Armour top, Stussy top, Mizuno sport-shoes, Dr. Martens boots, Maria Badesco rose spray, eyeliner, the 2017 Moomin mug, popsocket, 66° north mittens and a sweat belt. You can read about the products below. 1. Scarf I want a new and a soft scarf for the winter. It is comfortable and also styles up your outfit. You can buy it in all kind of shops, H&M for example. 2. Under Armour coldgear long sleeve top I have one of those tops but in white. I'd love to get a black one as well. I always use it while competing in volleyball. It's good because it keeps you always warm. You can get it from sport and online stores (asos.com). 3. Stussy cozy bra Stussy tops and Calvin Klein tops are the best. I really want this Stussy top. I'm always about to buy it but I somehow never do. I stopped using regular bras ever since I started using Calvins. I only use them and bralettes. It's always good to have new one extra, so it's a perfect gift. 4. Mizuno shoes I really REALLY need new shoes for volleyball. I've been playing in my old shoes with holes for too long now and really need new ones! These light pinkish shoes are new ones in Mizuno volleyball shoe line, called "Wave lightning z3." Their supposed to have good quality. I hope that I'll get them soon. You can get them from sportsmate.com. 5. Dr. Martens boots I had Timberland boots last year over the winter and I feel like I need an update. I fell in love in a first sight when I saw the Dr. Martens boots. I think my Timberlands could be replaced with these ones. 6. Maria Badesco rose and herbal spray This product is one of my favorite from Maria Badesco. I just finished my bottle and would be glad to get a new one. 7. Liquid eyeliner I need a new good eyeliner. Doesn't really matter from what brand. It just matters that it's good. I don't know much about good eyeliners because I don't really use them. But I'm looking forward to. 8. The 2017 winter/spring Moomin mug I'm a big fan of Moomin mugs and I am collecting them. I have the 2016 winter mug and I'd really liked to get the 2017 mug. 9. Mittens from 66° North (Icelandic brand) These mittens are cool because on the tip of the finger there's a thing that you can use your phone with. Everyone knows the struggle when you have your mittens on and maybe need to send a quick text on your phone. You always have take the mittens off and than write. That's why I want these ones from 66. You can get those from 66north.com. 10. Popsocket Everyone are using this new thing for the phone. I want to try it out. You can probably get it in every store. 11. Sweat belt I have seen this all over the internet and all kind of people that I follow are recommending it. It's supposed to make you burn more fat while on practice. I'd be glad to try it out. That's it. This is my 2017 Christmas wishlist. I hope that you like it, until next time..
x Monika Janina This winter has been really surprising. I've always remember that there would be already snow in early October, because of my birthday which is in the beginning of the month. There was always snow on my birthday. Believe it or not, the first snow that has fallen this winter was now in November! But I was pretty glad that it came later than usual. I was not ready to say goodbye to the sun. The snow is always pretty though... Stay tuned for more posts.
x Monika I've just learned that it's so important to relax. My schedule is packed. I'm always doing something. I practice in the morning before school academic practices, after I go to school, study at home and practice volleyball again. I'm pretty much organized, I have to and I'm tensed all the time. That's why I need to relax and I have found my ways of relaxing that I want to share with you. If you are having the same issue, then please follow along. I'm glad to assist you if I can. The things that makes me feel at ease are: 1. Taking a long shower/bath. The warm water warms up your muscles and body, it makes your whole body parts all placid . Enjoy yourself while showering , you could even sing if you wanted to. After taking shower, you feel so fresh and good. It'll help your sleep if you take a shower in the evening. 2. Writing down your thoughts. Writing down your thoughts clears your mind and makes space for new thoughts. I always feel so calm by doing it. Take a moment from everything you are doing and write down your thoughts, I usually end up writing in hour or two, not on purpose. It's also good to write the small things over the day that made you happy and grateful. 3. Breathing yoga. There are plenty breathing yoga that you can do and you can find short videos on youtube for example. I really recommend to go out and breathe in some fresh air. I'm usually all the time inside but it always feels good to go out, even for a short walk. 4. Be healthy. This sounds little bit boring but it is really good to eat healthy and you'll feel it straight away when you just bite an apple. Eating clean is not enough though. Go out and do something active, take a walk or do/join practices. I feel somehow relaxed in a different and a weird way when I practice volleyball. I'm only focusing on my skills and my team, forgetting or not thinking about anything else. I eat clean but I also treat myself sometimes with chocolate. I can't describe how much I love my chocolate, but I just have to cut it and eat it less each time. 5. Listen to Music. I don't know about you but I listen to all kinds of music all the way from rock to indie and I do have a special calm playlist on my spotify account. You can check it out HERE. It helps me to relax a lot. These are all of my things that I do to relax and take a break from everything else. It's mentally and physically important. I all the time forget to relax but now I do really remind myself everyday to do it. It's good for your health and you will feel better after doing it. Hopefully some of those tips can help you and please send me a mail or comment below if you know or want to share any other good ways of relaxing that you do. I would be happy to hear them and I would definitely try them out. x
Monika Janina K |