How quickly time flies and things add up...

I cannot believe how quickly time flies!  I have just over a month left in Latvia.  It's amazing that a year and a half ago I only had a peripherally idea where Latvia was!  Now I've lived here for almost 18 months and I've traveled to a lot of European countries.  My friends here are sad to see me go, which makes me feel good that they like me.  They are always telling me that they wished we had been able to spend more time together...I guess I'll make sure to do that at the next posts!
Then I was looking at my blog and it tracks how far I've run.  Since I started using dailymile.com I have ran 232 miles!  Isn't that CRAZY?!?!  I had no idea I'd run that far already.  And it makes me realize that since I started running three years ago that I am more than likely close to have ran a 1000 miles.  That is just crazy when you think about it.
But I'm looking forward to going home and visiting with family and friends.  I also look forward to my next adventure... ;)

First snow of Fall 2010 Latvia

Yesterday morning, when I looked out my bedroom window, the sky was pretty clear although the sun hadn't risen yet, so I thought "yeah, a great sunny day".  As I was getting ready for the gym, I was meeting a friend there at 9 am, the sun finally came up and reaffirmed what I thought.  I headed to the gym and I thought "hmmm, it's not too cold". 
I got on the treadmill and started running, waiting for my friend.  By the time she got to the gym, it had turned dark (the treadmills are on the bottom floor by huge windows).  She was to the left of me, so as we talked (making my run harder), I could see out the window.  About half-way into the run, I stopped in the middle of what I was saying and exclaimed "Is that snow?!?!"  "No, it's hail, I think," she replied.  But sure enough it was SNOW!  It snowed the rest of the time that I was in the gym, the whole time I was grocery shopping.  Just as I was getting home, the sun poked it's head out so I thought "at least it won't stick!" :)
Then it rained and sleeted the afternoon...talk about crazy "fall" weather in Latvia!

Copenhagen

For the three-day weekend, I went to Copenhagen, Denmark. 

It was great!  I got to go to the temple.

See a lot of history...castles and other stuff...

And ate some Danish pastry...there is a reason that they've tried to export this stuff...it's incredible!  Rivals the French pastries that I've had.

 SOOO yummy!   : ^ )

 

Enjoying some hot chocolate after visiting the temple.

 The changing of the castle guards.  It was really interesting.  They start at the military barracks by Rosenborg castle then march down the street to Amalie Palace, about 2 kilometers away.  It was funny because here are these guards marching down the street with a walking police escort, but cars are still allowed to drive down the street!

 Walking down the street in Frederikborg where I saw a castle.

 On the train, it was a great way to get around, cheap and fast, and the main train station was right by my hotel.

 Peeking out of the castle guard box.  Good thing the guard was walking the perimeter! ;)

 A most famous sculpture...

 Denmark's most famous son: Hans Christian Andersen.

 Me half-way up on the round tower.  A great view of the city from the top.

Next trip: Stockholm, Sweden.   : ^ )

What Fall looks like...

I got a request to show what Fall in Latvia looks like...so here you go!

October 1!

Boo!  Yeah!  It's the month of Halloween!  I LOVE Halloween...I think it's my favorite holiday!  I love dressing up, decorating the house, making fun-shaped sugar cookies, trying new "Fall" recipes, the color of the leaves...I enjoy it so much that I decorate for the whole month!  Which I'll do tonight!  And I wear black and orange (iconic Halloween colors) for the whole month as well and my spider earrings! :P

I know I'm silly, but I just love a theme! ;)