"Really?"

We live in a culture that wants things to be "real."
Real people.
Real conversations.
Real experiences.
I fall into this category as well. I am in, what I like to call, the transitional generation. The generation between the sugar-coated world and the 100% honest world.
A common conversation with my peers is something like:
"How are you?"
"Good. You?"
"I'm good."
"Are you really?"
This is normal, and I don't think anything is wrong with making sure someone is okay and breaking down facades sometimes, but it can also go too far.
I am the type of person who does not share easily what is going on in my life unless I trust the person I am talking to 100%. Earning that trust is also very difficult, in most cases. People, peers especially, will ask if I am really okay quite often, and due to my habit of saying "yes" even when I am not, they continue pushing. Now, in most instances I am fine with this, depending on the person. Where I think the problem comes in is when it is someone I trust, who I will willing tell anything that is going on and they keep pushing when I say I am okay, because I genuinely am okay. I am not thinking of anyone or any instances in particular, but this does seem common in the culture. It is swinging from a sugar-coated, everything is perfect world to a world where something has to be wrong, regardless of the situation. Yes, there is usually something wrong in my life, but that does not mean I am not doing fantastic. Maybe I am a little stressed, but that does not mean that when I said I was doing great I was lying.
In a world where everyone is constantly asking, "really?" it is hard to have a positive outlook on life. It can feel like we have to come up with a reason for something to be wrong in order for anyone to believe us.
Honestly, this needs to stop. If someone says they're great, ask why, and celebrate with them! Of course, if someone says they're not okay, mourn with them and help them or find them someone who can help. This does not mean stop checking in on friends or stop asking hard question. By all means, keep doing that! But it does mean accepting their answers when they are actually having a good day, even if their world is falling apart around them. Support them in their positive outlook on life, even if it doesn't make sense. It all comes down to trust, which is a tricky subject in my life, but it is important to any type of relationship.

Khyri's Adventures in Bavaria

Previously I posted about Ebi's adventures through Bavaria, but he slept through a lot of it, or was stuck in a backpack, so he did not get to see or do everything. This is Bavaria, from a human's perspective. :)

Overnight flights are the worst. This trip started out with an overnight flight to Stockholm. With only a few movies to watch, it was pretty long. Typically I sleep pretty well on planes, but this was the exception. From Stockholm, we flew to Munich, where we were staying for a few days.

Downtown Munich

Munich is a crazy city, full of people and hustle and bustle. It honestly felt very similar to American big cities, except everyone spoke German instead of English. We lost our bag at the airport, so the first night was spent a little stressed in an attempt to get our bag back, but we also got to explore the city some.

Pigeons are the main birds found in Munich.

An arch in the middle of downtown.

While staying in Munich, we went on a tour of two castles in the area. Both were designed by Ludwig II, but one of them is famous because of the influence it had on Walt Disney designing the castle for the intro to all Disney movies. :)

Castle #1

A common duck. There were a lot of
ducks, basically everywhere we went.

A part of castle #2, but it is still lived in.

Neuschwanstein, which inspired Walt Disney

The bridge from which the picture above was taken.
(This picture is taken from the castle.)

 After Munich, we headed to Salzburg, which was amazing!

The view from our hotel window.

The main river running through Salzburg.

Dad and Caleb being silly.

Dad with a LEGO police officer.

The lock bridge. People put a lock on the bridge
and throw the key into the river to promise to
forever love each other and stay together.

Austrian geese.

A house of Hitler's that was bombed after the war.

The most beautiful waterfall ever!

Salzburg from a bell tower.

The family being very tourist-y.

The fortress overlooking the city.

A traditional German dress. It is actually
quite comfortable!

All I asked to do while on this trip was see the mountains. It was worth every second.

The mountains were beyond beautiful. I wish these pictures captured what I saw in person. 

While at a tour of a castle, we saw a falconry show, which was amazing. They had trained the birds to fly on command and because of the location, they were able to let the birds fly freely as well. 

Another adventure in Salzburg was Hangar 7. Caleb and Dad really wanted to go to see the museum of planes and cars that are on display for the Red Bull teams. 

Some of you may know that Salzburg is the home of Sound of Music, so it is hard to go much of anywhere without seeing something related to either the real Von Trapp family, or somewhere they filmed. 

Amongst random other adventures, these were the highlights of the trip! The flight back was much more tolerable and I am very glad to be back home once again....at least until my next adventure. ;)

Ebi's Adventures in Bavaria

Ebi (my little llama friend) spent 10 days visiting some amazing places in Austria and Germany, otherwise known as Bavaria. He thought this story was best told through pictures. 

Ebi, ready for adventure!

Hotel #1 Ebi liked having his own bed.

Bavarian breakfasts made Ebi quite happy!

Castle #1 styled like Versailles in France.

Ebi liked Dad's shoulder over the course of
his adventure.

The fountain at castle #1

Ebi conquered his french fries wrapped in
newspaper.

Another castle, though this one is still lived in,
so Ebi did not see inside.

Riding in weird places while waiting in
line for the bus.

The fairytale castle
Neuschwanstein

Hotel #2. This one was by far Ebi's
favourite!

Enjoying downtown Salzburg

Window shopping

The river Salzer

Ebi found a new friend named Gianna.

Ebi loved the mountains, but was too busy
sitting on the camera to be part of the
picture.

Coffee was amazing in Bavaria and super
strong, but Ebi liked being hyper all the
time.

More shoulder rides at breakfast.

Ebi visited Hangar 7 in Salzburg and liked looking
at all the airplanes.