Ahhhhhh... I love ice. While I was in Europe, I developed a greater appreciation for ice. Cold Drinks, Air Conditioning...
I also LOVE DIET DR. PEPPER! Yes, I know it is caffeinated and yes it is carbonated, but oh so tasty! And whereas I am trying to not eat sweets, sometimes it just hits the spot! Ahhhhh!
As y'all know (who read this blog with some frequency) I've been rather pensive these last few months, trying to figure out a lot of things, learning from a lot of things and making a lot of mistakes. So what conclusions have I reached?
In short, very few. I used to scoff at the saying 'the older I get the more I realize the less I know', or something like that- I think this is becoming my new mantra. When I was younger, I knew EVERYTHING, had all the answers, I was very smart. And now... life has schooled me. And not always in the most pleasant way. But, I do know, no matter what it is important to try to maintain a positive attitude and enjoy the happiness in life. Forgive others when they have hurt your feelings, spend time with those who love you, take time to dream...
What is it that prevents us from reaching our full potential? When I first started this blog, I talked about my desire to lose weight, and my efforts to do it. And here I am, months later in essentially the same situation- why?
I got home from Europe a week ago, lost 4.5 lbs. (A result of a ton of walking), worked out all week, but ate whatever I wanted. As a result, I am dreading seeing my trainer tomorrow as he gives me the I am disappointed in you look. What is stopping me? I feel like sometimes I am two people- the conscious me and the unconscious me. The conscious me is aware, goes to the Gym, sets goals, takes care of herself... the unconscious me is autopilot and before I know it, I've eaten a half gallon of ice cream in one day (which happened to me last week). The unconscious me doesn't give a rat's patootie about changing and becoming better. And when it comes to eating, the unconscious me often rules the day. I guess this could also be comparable to the natural man.
Becoming aware.
At Notre Dame with Amy (who lives in Paris!)
At the Eiffel Tower!
At the gates of Versailles
My heat rash (not fun, it was VERY hot that day and that combined with jet lag... hoo boy!)
At the Queen's Hamlet at Versailles
At St. Chapelle
I was perplexed by the Parisian Cafe's and how all the seats would be turned out so the diners could view the passing public...
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At the opera house with my good friend Nate who lives in Germany!
With Brandi at the Hofbrauhaus a world famous beer hall! 
Brandi & I after Church 
Nate & I in the gardens at Nymphenburg Palace
At Lake Alpsee near Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle (Unfortunatley covered with scaffolding for a remodel)
Dancing at the Mirabell Gardens where they filmed scenes from the 
At the Sound of Music Gazebo (Unfortunaltey we couldn't go inside, too many people hurt themselves trying to reinact "16 going on 17". 
Memorial at Dachau concentration camp
And leaving apparently caused a hoe-down!
Eating my 1st Danish meal!
With the Little Mermaid
The original Christus Statue in Copenhagen
On top of the Rundetarn overlooking the city
In Tivoli Gardens
Eating a Danish!
At Kronberg Castle
A Lion at Friedricksberg Castle
After spending a day of travel, we spent the evening at Disneyland Paris
The Fireworks
So Happy!
At the Louvre
At the Paris Opera House
Eating dinner at a street cafe!
Glory be and the saints be praised, I found a Dr. Pepper!
Sassy at the Moulin Rouge!
With Amy & Charron at the Arc de Triomphe
Charron & I after riding the Tower of Terror at Disneyland Paris!
Brandi & I at the Rockin' Rollercoaster!
About to go on Small World!