Change of pace? Change your place.

I have been here in Sweden for about a month now, and because I now live in a  super small town, my life was starting to feel a little...stale. Then I got an invitation from my girlfriend that lives in another city to come and visit her. I thought to myself, why not go and visit my girlfriends for the weekend and switch up the scenery a bit? So I did. It was the best time. 

The girls and I on our way to the city center for some shopping and a warm fika.

Although the comfort of your home or "usual" places like Starbucks or that same restaurant is natural for you, you may be feeling how I felt which is slightly un-amused and looking for something "more." I say, just GO for it.

Try to Avoid excuses. If you are thinking, "Well, I didn't get any personal invites to a new town..." Take the initiative! and contact an old friend, see if you can't make plans to visit. And if you can't go to them, for financial or other reasons, see if you can host them visiting you. It is a refreshing experience  when you get to show someone around your town, makes you appreciate and feel proud about where you are from.

Typical Swedish sandwiches and pastries at "Viskan," voted best cafe in Boras.
Where we had  our Fika.

I had a great weekend in Borås, Sweden. I took a train and bus to get there, and the journey was just as amusing as the destination. 

But the best part is I was so happy to come home. After a long weekend of catching up with friends, shopping, dining, dancing, and travelling, I was completely content with coming home and laying on my couch, having some pizza and watching the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, a Swedish original film.

No Guts. No Glory.

No Guts.

Waiting for my bus into the city. Very scenic ride actually.

So, many people have wondered, what is it like to live in a city where you have absolutely no idea what people are saying? I'll sum it up for you, its Hard. But, the key is to make it fun, and entertaining. I am sure many of you are trying new things that may have you feeling, well, uncomfortable. But that is what life is all about! For those of you who feel "comfortable" with your lives, tell me, what is the most exciting thing you've done lately? Probably taking you a while to think about that...that is because you aren't living your life to the fullest!


No Glory.
Try and do something different today, and see how you feel. I bet you won't regret stepping out of your comfort zone. Chances are, you will gain something positive from it. Like a new friend, piece of mind, or a new self confidence knowing that you were brave enough to try that new "thing."


                                                                      Fun and Entertaining.

"Robert's Mocca" at my new favorite cafe Robert's Coffee.

Now, back to what I was saying earlier, about the whole making it fun and entertaining thing. I live in Sweden, where everyone is speaking Swedish, and they have no idea that I haven't got a clue about the words that are coming out of their mouths. Instead of my natural reaction, which is to sit quietly and avoid eye contact so they wont speak to me, I like to catch em' off-guard. Surprise them and say "Hello!" I love seeing the expression on their faces when I randomly throw some English into the mix. So next time, you are thinking about sitting quietly, try and surprise others, but most of all surprise yourself! I guarantee your life will get more interesting by the minute.


Remember.
We only have one life to live. Take chances. Make people smile. Both will make life much more meaningful.

red white and blue to yellow and blue.

My boyfriend just stayed with me for 3 weeks in America. He has never been to the US before, which made it that much more entertaining to watch what he found "intriguing." The differences between America and Sweden are not too extreme, but they certainly do exist. I had fun showing him how we "roll" in the south. ;)

new chapter.

So I am officially free from all ties. Friday was my very last final of my Undergraduate career, and day zero on my two-weeks notice countdown at work."Jag är klar" which is Swedish for "I am finished"! But only for now.For the record, this is only a closed chapter in my book of life. And I am so excited to turn to a crisp new page. I am currently applying to schools in Sweden to pursue my Masters Degree. I am the kind of person to always have a new goal or "plan of action" if you will. And what I've found is that these goals always push me to work harder, live healthier, and constantly remain hopeful and positive about my future. Some say they are "afraid of change," but I wonder, have they have  ever felt the rush of turning the page? Try to embrace the unknown, and  I promise you, your book will never go unwritten. -Devin Rene

Hostel-horror film FACT or FICTION?

Is this real life?
So, before I left America to venture in Europe, this film, along with the 2008 Liam Neeson film Taken, was all I had running through my mind. Needless to say, I was petrified. Luckily folks, this is not real life. I stayed in 2 hostels total, and they both were pleasant experiences. 

Both were chosen at Hostelworld.com I cannot stress this site enough, because it is truly a credible source, with over 100 customer reviews per hostel! You should choose one with free wi-fi, and free breakfast, because let me tell you, thats the best way to start your day of exploring a European city! 

Free breakfast, yum! In London, I had oatmeal, eggs and toast, and of course, British breakfast tea. In Paris, I was served a fresh croissant and baguette with nutella and butter, yogurt, oj, and cafe. It was delicious.

In front of the White ferry Hostel in London

As far as the sleeping arrangement, most of the rooms are 12-bunk camp-like setups. But it is cool because pretty much all the people in our room are college age and excited travelers just like us. the sheets were clean, and comfy. Just be sure to bring a sleeping mask and earplugs/ipod for focused sleeping time because it will be a revolving door of lights turning on and roommates coming in and out.

Is it creepy at all? Well, you have to be the type of person that is comfortable in new environments, and somewhat friendly because you will have absolutely NO privacy. But still, there is that element of 'holy crap, I'm sharing a room with complete strangers.' which is, yes, uncomfortable. You need to be sure to keep all your belongings in a locker or put a lock on your backpack. Also, just talk friendly to your neighbors right from the start, so you aren't feeling awkward. 

Total Paris hostel I shared with my bf on our trip to Paris.

All in all, don't trust strangers, or give out your personal information and you will be just fine. Just do your research, pick a hostel location that is city central (or at least near a metro) and be comfortable with the journey. 

How does it feel to be back in the USA?

So, I made it back in one piece. Traveling is a love/hate relationship, but at the end of the day I know anyone would say they wouldn't trade the experience for anything. Since I've been back, I keep getting the same million dollar question: How does it feel to be back in the USA? Well, I have a few words to describe my feelings.

Secure: I am back in my hometown of Lake Mary, FL. and I actually know where I am going at all times of travel, and also see people I grew up with pretty much around every corner.
Focused: Now that I have got a taste of travel, I see how much my money is actually worth. So now that I am back, I am more focused than ever to work hard, and make lots of money so I can continue to see the world.
Healthy: Europe had an amazing influence on my lifestyle. Pre-Europe Devin was eating out 4 times a week at fast food joints. (my fav was chicken Mcnuggets 10 pc. w/small fry and coke.) Post-Europe Devin, now, believe it or not has a new passion for healthy food and cooking! My biggest influence was Spain. I went to publix recently and bought some green olives, whole wheat rotini pasta, and made mediteranean pasta salad for my weekly lunches at work!

I baked homemade white pizza! With olive oil, garlic, oregano, mozzarella, and  Ricotta cheese.

Loved: Absence makes the heart grow fonder is only true to those who truly love one another. I think while I was gone for half a year, I realized who my true friends are, the ones that will always stick by my side no matter what stage of my life. Mostly happy to be back to have family time. I took it for granted, but I try to use my free time and weekends to hang out with my awesome mom, dad, and sisters. 

Madrid, Spain

Spain became sort of a love-hate relationship for me....
This was my VERY FIRST time traveling alone. And because of the language barrier and the fact that I had only a small concept of where I was going, it was absolutely terrifying up until I arrived at my friends place in Madrid.

EVERYTHING STOLEN.
I was done studying in Sweden, and now needed to buy a flight home, and the cheapest one was actually a flight from Madrid to Miami, so without much thought, I booked it. Little did I know that bringing all 6-months worth of my luggage to Spain would be the dumbest decision I could have made.
I had to take a flight to Barcelona, Spain, then a 7-hour bus ride to Madrid, Spain, where a mutual friend of mine was letting me crash at her flat for 3 days. Sounds easy enough, right? Wrong. I had a suitcase on wheels that weighed about 180 lbs, a 40 lbs duffel bag that I lugged around on my shoulder, my computer case that had all my electronics in it, and my boho style shoulder bag with my passport, cash, and credit cards (which I kept in front of me on my person at ALL times). Needless to say, I was completely sore for about 2 days. So when I was in the Puerta Del Sol, waiting for my bus departure to Madrid, I wanted to contact my friend Vicky from a payphone to tell her when to expect me and meet me when I arrive. So I turned to tourist information desk, which the employee did NOT speak English! I was completely amazed at how useless he was. And as I was trying my best to translate, Perdon senor, donde esta el telefono....? I had my hand reached out behind me holding onto the handle of my luggage. Once I finally was pointed into a direction and wheeled my luggage to the nearest payphone, I then panicked. my ENTIRE laptop case was gone. These Spaniards are seriously ninjas. I did not even feel anything, and within seconds my laptop, blackberry, flipcam, and webcam were all taken from me. So instead of reporting anything because my bus was leaving within the next 20 minutes by this time, and also there was not a single security guard on duty, I just sat on the bus and cried until I fell asleep on the 7 hour bus ride to Madrid.


FRIENDLY TRAVEL TIP: Do not travel with a bag you physically cannot lift and carry, invest in a carry on with wheels so you dont break your back finding your destination, and most importantly, always keep ALL your belongings not only on you, but in FRONT of you, so your eyes are on it the entire time.

Dinner with my host Vicky, who took us to a local tapas joint where we enjoyed a generous amount of  Chirizo (spanish sausage) and Sangrias.