prague

so I went to prague next, wonderful city with lots to do!

 to classic of a hayley picture not to share, first night in prague

 main church in prague

 a glorious stained glass window

 did someone say "kankles"?

 prague from the tower:)

 the famous Charles Bridge

 me and the whole bridge

 amazing? I think yes

 brian and I at the classical concert

the norwegian bishop we met:) 

just read me

So in stretches of time where I have things that bug me I tend to dwell on them, I take them everywhere! To the grocery store, into the shower, to my brothers football practice, often interrupting my book because I am so focused on what bugs me. 

Today was one of those days. I swore coming back from Europe to try and correct this. To learn to not stress but take it in wrestle it down and move on. Little did I know then exactly how hard this would be. 

So at the end of day one, I am currently no farther than where I began and still at a loss on how it is to deal with my mind and my incapability to put up  the"walls" to block and sort through my day. 

 Its frustrating, I recently heard a quote, I can't remember by whom it was said, but it goes as follows" The only real control in this life is self control." Since, I tend to be a little of a control freak you can imagine how this tiny little statement opened my eyes to a whole new world. It's always been said that the 

"world is yours" or 

"you are in control of your own life" or my favorite 

"you can control your reaction"

I being the very proud and sometimes controlling person I am, gave this no real thought until today, when I tried so desperately to fight what I have allowed my self to do for years, let my thoughts run my day, my stress determine my attitude and my body to show a visible annoyance at something that isn't affecting anyone else but my self. 

I know most people claim to have voices in their heads and different people running different people running different parts. 

Well, up here in my head its just one big control freak, knowing it is  a time for change and not knowing how to do it. 

So to the control freak in my head, 

It is you and only you exercising self control to say no, to put up the wall and to move on. For we together can not always control everything but we can control ourself and thats the best we got, so tomorrow do you think you could help me out a bit?? awesome thanks!

hayley 

Salzburg :)

I have developed a great love of this particular city! It might be because I really bonded with people I have come to know really well, it may be because it was a turning point in my trip for me. It may be because riding a bike along a river in scenic austria is beyond words wonderful. Whatever the cause I am forever grateful for my experience in Salzburg.

my first day on the bike:)

the bes biking buddies anyone could ask for:) Devon and Brian

my future home! Don't I just fit right in?

old town Salzburg in the background

 a view of the path we biked on, north of the city

Brian being oh so very daring

I chose to sit down:)

Cement mini golf course, I guess thats the way they do it here:)

Sunday, before Mass:)

Sound of Music site:) Yes please sing your favorite song as you see this!

I can't hit the same note, but I can sure do the same pose! AHHHHHHH!!!

aren't the garden wonderful!?

second day on the bike, riding south. 

this marvelous green field we found of the path.

yes this sign says exclamation point! 

one last view of my city. 

It was such a blessing to visit this city, and meet the people I met and become better friends with the ones I already knew. Sometimes the best thing you can do is to just get out be yourself and let time go right on past you. 

Venice and Padova

Ciao! So we drove from Florence to Padova. We stopped in a small town called Ravenna, and saw a small church with gorgeous mosaics.

in the church in Ravenna was a vineyard:)

Saw another beautiful church in Padova and a wonderful little city and that is all I saw of Padova. The next day was our day trip to Venice!!!! I was completely excited! I looked online and saw we would have wonderful weather and could hardly sit the whole bus ride there! 

 Here is the view from the Ferry on the way there which was the coldest part of the day

A pretty building on the way into the dock, and one of the many bridges

 Someones Boat door:) 

 The bridge of Sighs. yes thats probably spelled wrong, but I would imagine that is the sort of sigh-ing that was going on on this bridge. 

my gondola ride!!!!

yes I know not paying attention but hey thats the way it goes. 

hung out with some cool people. 

along the coast of the city. I bought my watercolor just down the road. 

children in venice use chalk too!!!

my second favorite picture of this trip. It captures the city quite well, the colors the bridge the water and the ivy growing up the building. 

Patriotic pasta:)

 another great alley in Venice

an old boat house.

All in all a wonderful day full of walking adventure and great views. 

 

Florence!!!

Okay people we are in Florence! This city is built of markets, merchants, and art. Its rich in its own type of culture. It's much smaller than Rome, and allows you to feel like you belong a bit better. Its completely walk-able. I wish I had time for a couple day trips while I was here. Alas, I did not. So I shopped until I dropped, ate, and walked through my fair share of art.  

 This is the main church in Firenze, it is all colored marble. 

 Another wonderful church, the monument is built on the backs of turtles anyone know why??

  Just too funny not to share:)

 Main bell tower in the main plaza, to the right of this building is the Uffizi 

 a classic Italian car sticker

 a WALL of cookies

 A WALL of pasta, this should have a warning sign attached to it, "waistlines beware!"

 On the famous bridge in Florence where they have been in the gold market for CENTURIES..... name the bridge....??

 This picture right here simply captures this city. In its Tuscany colors, laundry out the window, built on the Arno river, gardens in their windows. Oh how I love this picture. 

 I completely  love this pea soup river. 

  Okay Hopeless Romantics like myself, this is just for you. These pad locks have been attached by lovers from around the world. They come from  all types of life and all types of love. They lock their locks upon the chains and throw the key into the river just on the other side of the wall, signifying that their love is forever. I know completely precious and amazing!!!!

 The Michelangelo Piazza, a view that worth so much than this picture can really show. A view of a city that will forever hold a place in my heart. 

 Need I say more?

 The painted dome of the Duomo. 

 A view of this Tuscan city during the day. Look at those hills don't they just call your name?

 The group:) Alyssa, Chris, myself, Brian, and Jessica.

 One of my absolute favorite pictures of this whole trip. 

A true European Water Closet. No separation between anything no slanted floor for proper drainage, yes that is a wooden chair.... in a water room. I should also mention that toilet is at least a foot and a half high. 

I saw Michelangelo's  David. I honestly could sit there all day and just ooo and ahh. It really made me think of God, and the talents he has blessed me with. My talents are nothing as wonderful as Michelangelo's but I am constantly amazed that my talents allow my life to run as it does. I am thankful to  my Heavenly Father for planning them so well as to cross all my t's and dot all my i's. I hope that I can one day develop my talents enough to a point where I can use them for the sole purpose of blessing other peoples lives. Since we weren't allowed to take pictures I decided not to sub one in with the hopes that you feel the urge to look it up yourself and spend some time thinking about your own talents. 

On to the next city, you ready??