Naked Soul Kitchen

A broken (travel) doll Well, well, well... I am in New York City, waiting to get on the bus to Boston. Had to wait a bit for the next bus, after all, it is Thanksgiving. So I went to find myself some food before getting on the bus and got so excited when I saw a Vietnamese joint right down the street with a huge picture of a bowl of soup with the word Pho next to it. I almost passed out from excitement. I was shot down immediately when I pushed the door open and was told by the many people eating inside that they are in fact closed. Closed! My dreams of having Pho as my first meal in America were shattered and then drowned in the laughter of the party going on inside. I recovered :) and found a Chinese place next door where I got soup which was nowhere near as good as I pictured te pho that I was imagining having just minutes ago. It did the job though. Now I'm ready for the bus ride, full belly and happy spirits. I will see my parents soon and get to see everyone at home. Aw...

Lorenzo & I It was the night before my return day to America. I've traveled far and I've traveled long. Seven months, six countries, hundreds of people met and countless memories made. I've journeyed around the world, living, learning, even falling in love! One never knows what to expect from journeys but that has been the beauty of it all for me. My last night of the seven month odyssey is spent with my good friend Lorenzo at the Phantom of the Opera. It is beautiful, tragic, romantic, and sad all at the same time. Phantom of the Opera I know I have said it before, but I have been so unbelievably lucky to be where I have been and to meet the incredible people I have met! This isn't the end though. This is only the end of this chapter, but it is the beginning of a new chapter which will be called... Well, that I cannot reveal just yet ;)

An early morning run and yoga in the park is sure to start your day off right! I was practicing my warrior stance while little kiddies were starting to rush to school through the park. The sun was slowly illuminating the treetops, casting a beautiful shade of soft orange over the whole park. This Monday was started by perusing down Portobello Road and window shopping in the antique an vintage shops covering plenty of ground in that neighborhood. I missed the weekend market this time so I figured I would still go there and pay tribute to that lovely area. After a nice, casual walk I hopped back on the tube and got myself to the British Museum. There, the marvelous high dome glass ceiling creates a very royal atmosphere. The walls are all white and the natural light is bursting through all the crevices. I was taken back in time as far as Mesopotamia as well as the existance of different Gods and deities from all around the world. Ema & Becky <3 Camden Town Market ...

Chance. Such a fascinating concept. A chance meeting, taking chances, a chance to do something or be somewhere. How much of those so called "chances" are predetermined and how much are we actually personally responsible for. Fate. Does is exist? Can we change what we're meant to do or where we are meant to be? Life is full of choices and every one of those choices leads us down a road that could have not been taken if a certain action was not done. Do we control the outcome or is it all just a never ending wheel spinning us around in circles? Rainy day musings Taking chances is what leads us down a certain path in life. If we don't take them, we end up somewhere else and if we do, well, we arrive at yet another destination. However, no matter how it happens and who or what really is responsible for all of that, taking chances is the only way to really know where that fork in the road will lead us. If my mother hadn't taken a chance and filled out the lott...

Natural History Museum London is a beautiful city. It's vibrant with people from every corner of the world, just living, working, maybe escaping something. This city has its own rhythm, a steady of beat of buses, cars and people passing by in a hurry. The history of this city mixed in with the new age, makes it a great place for dreamers like myself and it is also perfectly fine for those who are more conservative. This city is lovely and energetic but follows a steady pace of life. It's nice but I don't think I would like to live here. The weather is too unforgiving and people need to breath some life into their daily routines. You're going up the escalator at the tube station and everyone looks absolutely miserable. Even if I smile at someone, instead of smiling back, they react with shock and what almost seems to be fear. Ravenscourt Area Every city has its own energy and although London and I are vibing quite well, it's definitely a short term thing...

A few years can change everything so drastically. To think that last time I was in London, my cousin was living here, just blissfully married and enjoying the city life. Now, three years later, she is still living in London, still happily married but now she's a mother! She has a little beautiful baby girl Becky. It's so strange to see her with a baby. It doesn't seem real. So much can change over a relatively short amount of time. I am so happy for them and wish all the best with the new family! I also got to see my good friend Lorenzo who I met in Venezia when I was there in 2009. He's living in London now and is a very talented and successful photographer. Staying at his place for a bit and watching him become the most successful photographer in London (and soon the world hopefully!!) Yesterday was such a beautiful autumn day here in London. Lorenzo and I took the tube to the center of London and then walked around to different touristy spots. Although I...

...as I was walking off towards the airplane, in the windy rain of my home country, in the city I grew up in, my heart was breaking all over again. I was strong before leaving, saying goodbye, but now, as I was walking up the stairs of the plane, I was letting all of those hidden worries come out into the daylight. I was sad. I was truly sad and no matter how much I look forward to the future, I am bound to live in the past a bit. After all, this was my home, this is where my family is, where my blood runs. I know, I will be ok. I will go to London and then back to Boston and I will be just fine. But there will be a certain sadness with me and a small part of my heart left behind with my sweet old grandparents, with my beautiful cousins, aunts, uncles, and dear friends. I was so lucky to see everyone. But I have chosen this road and I will travel it with my head held high and all those people dear to me, locked in a little space just for them in my heart. Sadly, I also had to say ...

The last couple days here in Kaunas I am spending at my grandparents' place. Just hanging out, making food, eating food and going through some old photographs and books from our old apartment. I found a couple childhood books and one of my favorites too; Hugas ir Josefina! :) Also read some poetry from the many poetry books that we had, that my mom had, to be exact. Even the house cat started liking me and let me pick her, which trust me, is a big deal with this cat! She is a little ray of light in the daily life of my grandparents. Mikė keeps them on their toes which brings some life to their not so exciting everyday routine. Tomorrow I will be in London. Time here in Lithuania has gone by pretty quickly. At least it seems that way now. Now that the time to leave has come. Although I didn't have too many expectations for my visit, I got so much out of it. I got to spend time with my grandparents and I got to see my cousins and aunt who I haven't ...

Today I made two types of curry for my grandparents so they could get a little taste of Asia and so they could get a glance at what I've been enjoying for the past six months. I made green curry with fresh basil and massaman curry with peanuts and some rice for both. Although my grandmother isn't really keen on spicy food, I had to make it a bit hot. She still enjoyed it though which was a relief and a compliment since she is an amazing cook. My grandfather on the other hand enjoys spicy food so he loved it right away. He was actually my sous chef today and helped me with cutting and other essentials. Good team work ;) I brought back a HUGE chicken from my aunt which I used for the curry. Of course, there was still loads of meat left. That chicken was massive!! We also opened a bottle of wine and had a nice little celebration topped off with delicious coffee and šakotis, a traditional Lithuanian pastry. (My favorite!!) :D It was a lovely day spent with peopl...

It's getting dark outside. The blue sky is being replaced with gray shades of navy blue and streaks of white clouds. The sun had just set so the sky still has that orange hue with some leftover bright spots. It's warm in the car but you can feel the cold seeping in through the windows. As we pass little villages, people are all bundled up in their warm winter coats, hats and scarfs. Many are flocking towards the cemeteries to lay some flowers and light a candle on their loved ones' graves. Today is a day to remember those who are no longer with us and reminisce about them while they were among the living. To remember and smile about the good times past and silently say a prayer for their peaceful afterlife. This morning us four ladies woke up and got ready to go and see our family members who aren't with us anymore and visit their resting places. It was a cold Thursday morning and we sleepily hudled into the car for the hour and a half ride. Armed with gira, the de...