THE MINDFUL EXPLORER
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Places to Stay
    • South America
    • North America
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
    • Australia/Oceania
    • Asia
    • Antarctica/Arctic
    • Africa
  • Lifestyle
    • Eat & Drink >
      • Eat & Drink Blog
    • Health, Beauty, & Fashion >
      • Health, Beauty, & Fashion Blog
    • Things to Do (& Not to Do) >
      • Things to Do (& Not to Do) Blog
    • Just Some Thoughts
  • Contact

PEOPLE, NATURE, ANIMALS, MUSIC, ART, LOVE.

10 Things a Guy Will Do That Show He's Boyfriend Material

10/9/2015

0 Comments

 
Finding the right guy is never easy. I see so many girls in relationships that are unhealthy and bring them down. Many girls try to justify why they stay in bad relationships. With a culture that has become accustomed to hooking up, I know many girls who truly don’t understand what it means to be treated “right” by a guy. However, when a guy likes a girl, it is obvious. There will be no doubt in your head that this guy is going to make the best boyfriend. If he does these 10 things, I think you’ve got a keeper ;)
 
1.         He tells you how beautiful you are all the time.
 
I don’t mean you should dress up and throw on a ton of makeup every time you see your boyfriend with the hopes he will call you beautiful. A girl should feel comfortable being without makeup, hair natural, wearing a T-shirt and still feel as if her boyfriend finds her beautiful. A guy should make a girl feel sexy all the time, whether that means you are going out for the night or just relaxing at home in your pajamas.
 
2.         He never leaves a doubt in your mind that you are the girl for him.
 
If a guy doesn’t make you feel as if you are the only one for him, it is time to move on. There is no point in dating someone who leaves you questioning whether he is committed or not.
 
3.         A good boyfriend lets his girl have her space.
 
A trusting, understanding boyfriend isn’t possessive over his girl. He knows that she has a life and friends of her own. Girls don’t want to feel as if their boyfriend is constantly trying to control what she does without him. The more space a guy gives a girl, the more time the girl will want to spend with the guy.
 
4.         He takes you on dates.
 
A guy doesn’t have to spend a ton of money on a girl by taking her out to fancy dinners and buying her a ton of stuff. All a good boyfriend has to do is put a little bit of thought into a fun way to spend time with his girlfriend. Picnic in a park, relaxing at the beach and going outside of town to watch the stars in the middle of the night are all perfect “dates.” Having a girl come over at midnight once he has already gone out drinking with his friends doesn’t count as a date.
 
5.         He supports your decisions.
 
A guy who is really into you won’t make you feel bad about the decisions you make in your life. If he doesn’t agree with something, he will tell you in a nice way. However, if something is important to you, he will support you 100% of the way.
 
6.         He constantly tries to “be better.”
 
Once you are in a relationship, it doesn’t mean he will stop caring. A good boyfriend will constantly try to win you over even after he has “won you over.”
 
7.         He touches you.
 
Guys like to touch girls and girls like to be touched. Small gestures like putting his hand on your leg or wrapping his arms around you makes a big difference. You should feel as if he wants you, all you time.
 
8.         He is open and honest with you.
 
The perfect boyfriend will always be open and honest with you. You should never have to question how he is feeling. That is what makes a good relationship.
 
9.         He admires you.
 
You should always feel as if your boyfriend looks up to you and respects you. He is attracted to your mind and he cherishes you for who you are as a person.
 
10.       He considers you his best friend.
 
At the end of the day, your boyfriend should want to spend time with you over anyone else. You are his best friend. And you should feel the same way about him.

Originally published on Thought Catalog.

0 Comments

Visions vs. Reality

10/1/2015

0 Comments

 
Things are always different than you expect. When you are young you've got a vision of how things will be. Even now, I have visions of what places will be like or how a night out will turn out. The reality rarely mimics my visions. They are different than I expected, but still good. Everything happens the way it happens. But I am happy nonetheless. 
0 Comments

I Like When You...

9/18/2015

1 Comment

 
Picture
I Like When You…

I like when you wake up in the middle of the night, just to pull me in a little bit closer and tighter than we were before.

I like when you tell me how good I smell long after the day’s adventures have worn off any deodorant or perfume I may have applied in the morning.

I like when you tell me I’m the coolest girl you know.

I like when you take me out to the middle of nowhere to photograph us under the stars.

I like when you give me my space, because you know that’s what I want, but you still reassure me that you’ll be there, ready for me when I’m ready for you.

I like when you question why I have clothes on when we are going to sleep because sleeping naked is the most natural way.

I like when you tell me how beautiful I am, not only when I am done-up, ready for a night out, but also when I am sweaty, with wild hair and without makeup.

I like when you tell me to drink water when I’m out partying because you know how many times I’ve complained about a hangover in the morning.

I like when you touch me, everywhere, and tell me you could touch me forever.

I like when you come up with any reason you can to get me to come over as often as possible.

I like when you plan a day of adventures for us even though you’ve probably already worked over 60 hours this week and barely slept in between.

I like when you write me songs and play them for me on your guitar.

I like when you come over and we “watch” Point Break in my room, over and over again.

I like when you send me flowers and chocolate covered strawberries.

I like when you shower with me after a day of activities in the sun, sand and salty air has made us feel dirty.

I like when you kiss me, lovingly and with lust.

I like when you tell me I’m your best friend and you love me, because I feel the same way about you.


1 Comment

A Path

8/26/2015

0 Comments

 
I feel like I am on a path. The right path. It's easy to think about the future and worry. But right now everything is right and I'm sure that's how it will always be.
0 Comments

Zurich

8/11/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Zurich, Switzerland
August 5, 2015

I came downstairs for a glass of wine. Tyler has food poisoning and Brittany is tired. My hostel is located in the Red Light District. I booked it last minute, last night. I didn't even know Zurich had a Red Light District. I came downstairs, halfway looking for Sam, the Kiwi that checked me in, halfway looking for some alone time. I didn't exactly get either. 
When I noticed that no one down here at the New Zealander bar really interested me, I took my glass of wine & sat on the couch to catch up with people on my phone. When I noticed a group of guys looking to sit next to me, I decided to take my wine to a small two-person table outside for more alone time. I figured there would be interesting people watching outside as well. I was right. Sam described this part of town as "seedy." He couldn't have chosen a better word. But he also described it as safe. I agreed. The area was seedy, but I still felt comfortable, sitting alone, outside, barefoot, with my glass of wine.
An Egyptian man came outside & asked if he could sit with me. He couldn't smoke inside. He was an artist & he showed me his abstract paintings on his phone. I was truly impressed. We sat there together at the small table, occasionally talking, but most of the while observing the world around us. The people walking by were more than interesting. Many looked crazy. But I would also see bikers passing by or a few friends going to a bar, & I felt comfortable. After a little while, the Egyptian man got up to go to bed. Overall, I liked him. He just made friendly conversation with me, rather than "hitting on me."
I sat alone maybe 15 more minutes, still observing, when another man approached & asked if he could sit with me- in Swiss German. I understood by his gestures. He looked really insane. He asked me something, again in Swiss German. I assumed he wanted to know my name so I introduced myself. He was very jittery. He had tattoos covering his arms & a T-shirt that showed a man shooting a gun with different colors splattered around. He realized I only spoke English so he continued the conversation in English. He asked if I was married. I told him I had a boyfriend. He said "I'm sighing because I saw you sitting here & I thought you were a beautiful girl." I said "Thank you" and he replied "all American girls say that- thank you." He asked if I knew where we were. I said "yes." He asked me where & I replied "the Red Light District." He was strange but I didn't feel nervous. He started talking to me about the area. He proceeded to talk about prostitutes. He was really vulgar. He asked if I had ever been to Mardi Gras. I said "No, but I've been to New Orleans." He described Mardi Gras as "beautiful" & called it a crazy party. He was passionate when he talked about Mardi Gras & all it had to offer including drugs, alcohol, gang bangs & beautiful women. But he said times were changing because of the internet. He seemed to believe people felt less free to participate in such activities because photos or videos may end up online. He seemed really upset. He told me he refused to send naked photos to the prostitutes that sent him photos & asked him for some in return. 
Three police officers walked by. He immediately became alert & turned to look at them as they passed us. He pointed & whispered "police" to me. I said "yea, what are they doing?" He replied "probably looking for someone causing trouble."
He proceeded to tell me he was married. Apparently him & his wife got separated that night. He told me he loved her & at one point he would have followed her anywhere. He told me she worked in a hospital & made more money than him. I guess that caused problems in their relationship. He went into detail about their plans to move to New Zealand for her work & how they used to live in Germany. He asked if I liked drugs. I told him "sometimes" & asked him the same question. He agreed, "sometimes, with the right people." 
After awhile of him talking, basically non-stop, the bartender came out & told us the shop was closed. He seemed to want to go somewhere else but I told him I was going to bed. He didn't give me any problems. I told him "good luck finding your wife" & he picked up his briefcase & my water bottle, which he had been sipping on during our conversation, & he moved along. 
I went inside the bar/hostel lobby to finish my wine & write. A new guy was checking in & he started up a conversation with me. I spoke with him a few minutes, but I had had my ear chewed off enough for one night. I went to bed.
I woke up in the morning & went downstairs to get a drink for dehydrated Tyler. I was happy to see a familiar face working the coffee bar. Sam handed me a lemonade & a free croissant for Ty. I went upstairs, packed up my bag & came back downstairs to check out & wait for my sisters to finish getting their stuff together. I was happy to sit in the lobby, drink a coffee & talk to Sam. We had a train to catch to Basel in just a few hours, but my morning would turn out to be just as interesting as the night before. 

0 Comments

Certain Cities

8/6/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Certain cities change you. For whatever reason, you visit a city & it has a strange effect on you. You feel connected to it, at home, but still foreign at the same time.
The perfect combination of people, weather, nightlife, timing, & your very own mindset will grab you & make you desperate to return to that city.
I've met people that have yet to return home, they have fallen so deeply in love with this new place. Maybe that love will fade. Maybe that person will change. Maybe the city will change. But right here, right now, they are where they belong. 
0 Comments

Exploitation

8/5/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
We had just finished dinner at an Italian place. The night had already been fun, thanks to Riccardo, the owner of the restaurant we dined at. Riccardo was a character- loud & entertaining, but also kind & genuine. He had taken a liking to us & we were thrilled to have met him. He brought us free cocktails & even gave us his number in case we needed anything. We planned on hanging out with him whenever he had a day off. 
Riccardo told us some people come to Amsterdam looking for fun. He said they will find it, but if fun is all they are looking for, they will get lost right away. He says once you have fun you wake up with an immediate feeling of "what else?" Fun is good, but there needs to be something more. I think he is right.
After dinner we stopped at a coffee shop. We initially went in only to buy a lighter for a previously bought joint, but we decided to buy another joint as well. There was a small tank with two turtles in it. We were watching the two of them, swimming frantically, not going anywhere. Britt kept commenting on how bad she felt for them. We all felt bad. Then, right at that moment, on the speaker, I heard "watch us exploit them for our amusement." It was South Park, playing on the TV. There were only two other guys in the cafe & they were watching & laughing.
We decided to stay & watch. The episode was about the exploitation of people. The people either had bizarre deformities or they were addicted to drugs or had family issues. The people would go on talk shows (South Park focused on The Maury Show) & they would be exploited for the general publics' amusement. 
Then some people started pretending they had deformities so they could make money & be on TV. The South Park boys signed Butters up for The Maury Show by saying that Butters had balls growing from his chin. 
It was funny because all the people with deformities formed a union. They had meetings & protests and they started turning against each other. They were just as bad as the people exploiting them. People are people.
We didn't finish the episode. We started our walk back to the hostel. I was high & I started to think about the city of Amsterdam. We passed a few "windows" with women looking out for their next customer. We passed some smoke shops & some sex stores. While the city is beautiful & charming, it is also exploited. 
The following morning I met someone who told me all about the city of Amsterdam. He told me that many people come to Amsterdam thinking it is "the Las Vegas of Europe." Tourists come because they hear that sex & weed are "legal" and they assume they can do whatever they want. Maybe Amsterdam exploits itself in a sense for tourism, or maybe it is the tourists who end up exploiting the city. People will do anything for money or power. I guess people are to blame. Like Riccardo said, "life is about having fun, but there's got to be something else."
0 Comments

Thoughts On A Train

8/4/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
I am traveling from St. Gallen to Zurich. Here I am, caught in this moment. I am traveling through Switzerland glancing up through my window at the passing green fields, grazing cows, & scattered industrial towns. In a few hours I'll be checked into my Zurich hostel, maybe sitting at a cafe with my sisters, maybe thinking about going out, maybe meeting someone who will change my life. That is the amazing thing about traveling. You are constantly throwing yourself out there, opening yourself up to the world & opening up the world to you. There are still so many people you won't meet & so many things you won't see, but the right people & experiences will seem to make their way into your life at the right time. 
0 Comments

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Archives

    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.