Reporting from Berlin- May 3, 2014

Written on May 3, 2014
This week has been so hectic with my move and all my broken/stolen electronics. So I write this post from my trusty iPad- so glad I had the foresight to buy a keyboard for this handy little thing. I just landed in Germany and I have already met interesting people. A VC from Singapore who invests in biotech startups just happened to help me with my suitcase off my flight. Who would of thought? And now I boarded the train with a nice Mexican family from Guadalajara who offered me their place to stay if Im ever in town. My dear readers, this is exactly why I love traveling - because everything is possible and you never know who you will meet. That indescribable feeling you get when you know your life could change at any moment. I love this feeling.

So, I sit here on the train in Berlin with my suitcases next to me and the sun on my legs -with each kilometer traveled, I feel the weight of recent stress falling away. Kilometer by kilometer, I feel more free. Don't get me wrong, I love traveling with my friends, and I am excited to see Marta and the rest of the group from Copenhagen. But for the next 30 minutes or so, I will enjoy my solo bliss on this train. This is my favorite part- right before the journey really starts- because in this moment its just a girl, her iPad and her thoughts. Yes, this is my life :)

A Beautiful Life

Packing, packing, packing my life away. When one thing ends, another begins. Done with my move, my next big adventure awaits me :)

The best part about traveling is not knowing where you are going and when you are coming back. Into the unknown I go. So my dear friends, its not goodbye, its until we meet again :)

-Ran

A Kindred Spirit

Today is the big move day and I am up all night packing like a champ. This is my THIRD apartment in the eight short months since I have moved to Copenhagen - crazy right?!!

Anyways during one of my packing breaks - I browsed some travel blogs and stumbled across one that really resonated with me(http://www.baconismagic.ca/chile/walked-away-from-love/). Even though we are different people and have never met each other, this girl was able to put into words the emotions I felt when I moved from away Chicago - and I quote:

"This trip has been a huge sacrifice for me. I have gained so much but in exchange I had to walk away from love.

The irony of me breaking up with my boyfriend to travel is that he was the only one who never questioned why I had to go. He understood and I never needed to explain.

But because human emotions are complicated he was both proud of me for going and resented me for leaving. In return I loved him for encouraging me to go and resenting him for not insisting that I stay."

Wow just wow. Even though my previous relationship did not end because I wanted to travel-there were so many bigger and overarching reasons- the emotions I felt when I was leaving were the same as she wrote. I have found a kindred spirit. We are not so alone afterall :)

This post is for all the beautiful people in my traveling life. Its not "Goodbye", but rather "Until we meet again." Thank you for understanding me, for supporting me, for not trying to change me. Thank you for loving me for the imperfect, passionate and curious soul that I am.

-Ran- 

Kicking A$$ and Taking No Prisoners

Since I have moved to Copenhagen, life has been full of surprises both good and bad. Each day I spend here, I learn more about myself. Distanced from all the things that made me feel safe in USA, I have been forced to learn to become self-reliant here. Its been wonderful here, but its also been so hard here, so incredibly hard. The challenges just keep piling up, one after another- everything goes wrong at once. How can one small person like me handle it all. But I have no choice, do I? I either find a way to solve my problems and persevere, or I give up and this whole journey was for naught.

In USA, the old me would have let my emotions get the best of me, and become reclusive- left tasks undone. But here in Denmark, I know- when it comes down to it -I am the only one responsible for myself. If I don't take care of myself, no one will. Of course I still get sad sometimes, and my insomnia comes back with a vengeance, but unlike before where I would be overwhelmed by my sadness, now I have learned to put it aside(after a bit) and continue to get things done. 

I try my best to keep my priorities in line and invest in myself. Some people may call this cold or say I don't care, but that's exactly opposite the case. Its because I care too much about the people in my life, that I don't want them to have to take care of me. I try to live my life in a way that makes me happy, so others can share in my joy and not have to deal with catching the failing  me. Of course this is still a learning process. But after all these years, I have come to the conclusion that the only one that can make me truly happy is myself and being self-sufficient and independent is not being selfish, but rather the most real way of showing I care about the people in my life. 

Of course I am not perfect, but I like who I am now far more than the me a year ago, or two years ago. Maybe I am a bit more jaded and scarred but I have learned that life goes on. I fight for what I want, and I fight for what makes me happy. As tough as things get, I know I can find a way to make it through, as I always do. I may be one small person - but I am one damn tough person ;)  So now, its back to kicking a$$ and taking no prisoners! Stolen phone, broken computer, downgraded apartment, new challenges and new adventures - I'm not afraid, lets do this!

--Ran- The Warrior Nomad--

Friday at HIVE!

Since I have been traveling so much, its been quite some time since I have gone out in Copenhagen. So this friday night out with the girls was a treat! I can't believe I have never been to HIVE(http://www.hivecph.dk) before, but all I can say was that it was AWESOME!!! Huge place, beautiful people, killer music and free bar- what more could girl ask for?

Hope you guys are having an kickass weekend - pArTy-on! -Ranimal Ma

Pretty in Pink :)

Work hard, play hard

We clean up nice !

It's going down!

Day Trip to Beautiful Monaco !!!

So we finally finished our volunteer duties in Nice so my friend Julia and I decided to take a quick day trip to beautiful Monaco ! All I can say is - wow!
I'm not sure what I was expecting but Monaco blew me away ! The cars, the people, the clothes -everything is glam all the way- man I could really get used to this.

Feeling blue in Monaco !

Monte Carlo Casino - l@@k at the cars!

Soaking up some rays :)

The coast was surreal.

Beauty is everywhere in Monaco.

Training some seagulls  :P

Getting my shop on.

Buddha bar!

AWEsome music and what a gorgeous place!

What a view !

Neighborhood in Lights

World of Health IT in Nice, France

So I just back from a week long trip to Nice, France where I was working as a volunteer at the World of Health IT conference. I almost didn't go on this trip due to my current apartment crisis, but you know what - I am so proud of myself for going, because this trip is just want I needed!

Nice is GORGEOUS! I mean what can I say? It was f*cking amazing- the warm sun, shopping and all the macaroons we could eat. And while I had to do some mundane volunteer tasks like passing out delegate bags :p, I had free hotel, food and access to all the exhibits and talks at the conference. I met great people, exchanged ideas and now may have opened the doors to new business opportunities. AWEsome!

My friend Julia and I finished off our week in the French Riveria with a spontaneous day-trip to Monaco. Wow! That was pure heaven!! Monaco is definietly one of my favorite places that I have ever been to! It was such a contrast to Denmark- see next post for pictures from our perfect day in Monaco :)

So moral of the story is: Keep your word and carry through. What is meant to happen will - keep smiling and keep traveling - XOXO - Ran

Beautiful.

So I totally bought this place.

Seafood by the Seaside - can't really beat this :)

Quaint old neighborhood in Nice, France

Can I move here?

Double trouble - its conference time!

Paparazzi! 

Pink fur on the tram - "pourquoi pas?"

So Business.

World of Health IT Conference Volunteers!

"Danes" in Nice!

Earning my keep - Working hard!

Officially done with work! Now its party time!! <3