Throwback Thursday {Budapest}

I was looking through my Europe pictures, as I do frequently, reminiscing of the perfection I experienced this summer. Every bone in my body aches to go back to Europe and my desire to travel all around the world has only been kickstarted. I look through my pictures, read my travel journal, and watch my Europe video (and Mack's!) at least three times a week. (I watch the video even more) When I think back to Europe, I remember each day, so so specifically. It was the greatest experience of my life that I am so grateful to have had. So since today's Thursday, it only seemed appropriate to do a little Europe throwback.
Let's throwback to exactly 7 months ago, the day we arrived in my favorite city in the whole wide world... Budapest. (Hey Riley, what country's capital is Budapest? ;))

What I remember about June 16...

• We drove and drove through Slovakia and I sat next to Maya. Slovakia is such a beautiful green country!
• We stopped in the side of the road to have this strange cheese, made from sheep's milk. It had an interesting flavor, but I liked it!
• We saw a castle that I believe belonged to a Romanian prince 
• We ate lunch at a little ski resort in Slovakia and had the richest, most delicious macaroni and cheese.
• It rained that day, but while we were on the bus. The weather was sort of overcast when we arrived in Budapest, but it was actually SO warm.
• We got dropped off at this park/city center in Budapest. It was super neat.
• WE WERE STARVING
• Our walking tour seemed to last an eternity because we were so hungry.
• I was quite impressed with how clean the city was and not jam packed with tourists.
• On our way to dinner, there was a group of women and girls singing outside an apartment building. A lady had just had a baby and was standing on her balcony with the baby as the ladies sang to her. It's some Hungarian tradition that I thought was neat.
• We finally got to go to dinner and it was great!
• Afterwards, there was a little park we 'played' at. The slide was the coolest part.
• We went back to the hotel, a trusty Ibis. I roomed with Maddison
• We got to go out and explore the city.
• We split into two groups- I went with a group to find the Gellért Baths and Spa on the Buda side. The baths of Budapest are of great renown so we wanted to see what they were like!
• Once we found the Baths, we learned all information about them and made a plan to go the next day!
• With some time left, we decided to hike Gellert Hill. Man was I regretting my decision of wearing sandals by the time we got to the top.
• We got to the top and at that moment, I fell in love with Budapest. The view from the top of the hill is something embedded in my brain forever.  A group of other tourists heard us speaking English and we began to talk to them. Two were from Boulder, CO! They were so kind and took our picture. 
• We realized we were running out of time and went down the hill as fast as possible. But as soon as we were crossing the bridge, we slowed down and took in the beauty that surrounded us. 
• Communication with the rest of the group got sort of jumbled so we ended up sitting in the subway station for a while. But Peter and Brenden kept us entertained with their singing.
• We finally were reunited with our group and we went back to the hotel to hang out and end the day.
• Brenden, Peter, Matt, Jimmy, and Carly came in me and Maddison's room. There, the night ended with Brenden, Matt, and Peter singing some song from The Hobbit and dancing with swim caps on their heads to Bohemain Rhapsody. 

Ugh take me back.

slovakia, green slovakia

the castle

sheep cheese- smoky, different, but overall, delish!

practically a painting

ugh the architecture <3

LOVE. ps- jack told maddison they were going to get married while I was taking this picture

surreal

sunsets slay me

dang attractive at the baths

we made it to the top of gellért hill!

be still my soul

crying because of how beautiful it is

me: not so hot // the background: amazing

my favorite place in the world

love these people.

vertigo inducing escalators at the subway station

my hawt roomie

yeah, high schoolers are weird I guess. but we're also a ton of fun.

 My heart is forever in Budapest.

xo
Hannah

#budapestisthebest

PS: if you want to see more of the best places on Earth, do enjoy these videos!

A Summer Reflection

Tomorrow is the dreaded first day of school. As I reflect on the summer, I realize that it was truly the best summer ever, and as it comes to an end, I feel at peace.  I completely made use of every day, and am without one regret or "I wish I would have done this!".  I feel physically, spiritually, and emotionally nourished.

In preparation for cross country, but also for some mental clarity, I would try to go on a run every day. Did this happen? No way Jose, but my initiative for a healthier lifestyle truly payed off. When I didn't run, I would work out in some way shape or form. I ate cleaner, I slept better, and took charge of my health. That sort of improvement goes further than physical success.

I had me time, and in that time, I learned so much more about myself. I journaled like a mad woman this summer and I cannot express my love for writing enough. I am so happy I did journal, I know that one day, I will look back at my journals and their sacred meaning. Every morning and every night, it was nice to just stop, and reflect on the world around me, and how I was feeling. In those journals are the most honest Hannah you will ever find.

I made so many more relationships this summer as well, and have a whole new picture on friendship and what comes with it. From Europe to Girls Camp, so many new and wonderful bonds were created and I am so grateful. And with those friendships, I am reminded how lucky I am to have such a close group of friends. I saw a tweet just the other day of a girl saying she was jealous of the girls who have had a solid group of friends all through high school. It put into perspective how rare and precious it is that I am still best friends with the people I was best friends with as a freshman.  Love them all.

I feel like this summer was really big for me spiritually, and that my relationship with Heavenly Father was perhaps most strengthened. There are no words to describe my joy for this.

Overall, this summer was more than I could have asked for. Here's some of my favorite memories...

oh that first day of freedom

the most precious girls

taylor swift!

a sisterhood always together <3

berlin

gelato<3 ...and the day we payed over $20 for water

i left my heart in budapest

crazy nights in krakow (with more gelato)

night hikes in hungary

pulling an all nighter is worth it when you have good conversation

classical music concert <3

europe europe europe

girls camp with my soul sister, bestest friend ever

D&C gang foreva

snipe hunting!

wonderful family time in kauai

such beauty

just the wettest spot on earth, nbd

morning runs that ended with breakfast and my fave show

x -factor live!

outdoor movie fun

quality cousin time

nighttime adventures

love her to pieces

oh how i love us

the coolest people you will ever meet

Thanks for such wonderful wonderful memories, summer 2013. I will never ever forget you.

xo
Hannah

August 11

Today is perhaps the most popular day for birthdays. I know four people with today as their birthday, and two of them will be getting a special shout out on the bloggity blog.

We'll go oldest to youngest, so first off is Jess!!!

HAPPY 17th BIRTHDAY JESSICA! I'm so happy that we are friends and love every minute I'm with you. Your birthday party was the bomb, and I've been working very hard on editing some video to make an awesome montage of our adventures. Agape. <3

we are so beautiful

again, gorgeous

hope you got to spend your day relaxin'

And my second birthday shout out goes to the newest teenager in our house, my baby sister Olivia!
I feel infinitely grateful to have a sister, and will never forget the day she was born. Olivia, you bring so much laughter, spunk, joy, and happiness to our family. Love you lots and lots!

she's the pretty one;)

xo
Hannah