Crazy Week.

As I sit in the library, close to midnight, studying and lack there of, I was looking for a little inspiration. Where better than blogs?! So here's some word of wisdom from my dear sister, PhoenixisHaute.

In the midst of one of the most hectic weeks of the semester, two midterms, HOMECOMING, float building, and all around craziness, I have been surprisingly calm. Besides a slight panic attack on Sunday about how in world I was going to get it all done, I have been serene and realized all the cliche things like life goes on, don't sweat the small stuff, everything will turn out just how it's meant to, have all been running through my head.
So here's to living life for the people around you, the beautiful sights that surround you and the moments that create life. Like friends and family, Harry Potter parties, ice cream sandwiches dripping down your hands, and laughter bouncing around the shoulders of the people you couldn't be more happier to be around.


Image Via: WeHeartIt

Words of wisdom from the sis:
It makes me realize however busy you are caught up in life's madness -work, school, or other "must-do's"on your plate you NEED to make time for what is most important- the people in your life who make you who you are. Friends and family and loved ones are the most incredible gift we have in this crazy life! :)

PS: Just got my dream internship! In heaven, hoping it goes well and I find a way to get there and back!!

Enjoy the last days of October(what?! unbelievable), and help me wish upon cooler weather here in AZ!
Alex

beYOUtifu

I dress weird, I'm different and I am accepting that because even though I'm unhappy being alone, I'll be even worse off not even having myself. So whether anyone likes it, or not, it's me.

I tried to be like everyone else, go out, dress like the other girls, look at all the people around me and I've decided I'm not like that and I really don't want to be.



"You know me, oh you think you do, you just don't seem to see I've been waiting all this time to be something I can't define.
You know the night life is just not for me, 'cause all you really need are a few good friends."


You can be you, or you can be what everyone else is expecting you to be.
beYOUtiful. Be you. Be beautiful. Be REAL.
Alex

WIWW

Here it goes, even though it's a little late. I couldn't miss two Wednesdays in a row. Especially when I have no excuse of a test or tons of homework, this week anyways!



V-neck: VS Pink
Shorts: Pink House Treasures
Headband: Topshop

I really need a haircut, but don't know where to go! Maybe the beauty school, just something that won't cost an arm and a leg! Anyways, I've had the most relaxed week and it has been great. Catching up on me time, watching Glee, cooking, and enjoying the beautiful weather that is gracing Arizona right now. It is October and the plans of pumpkin carving, Halloween parties, and trips to the State Fair are making me ecstatic. So glad it's finally here, and for now I'm going stop worrying about my life plan for the next three years and focus on the important things in life, like pumpkin spice candles and baking brownies!

Here's to soaking in the best month of the year,
Alex

Freedom.

Three events over, two tests completed and my week is over... at least the hard part! One more class and one more meeting and then it's freedom and San Diego for the weekend with my favorite people- my sisters and brother! Going to see Two Door Cinema Club, The Lonely Forest and Grouplove! It's going to be amazing and I can't wait!
Here's what I've worn the past week!

Top: Estate
Bottoms: Thrifted and cut
Watch: Macy's

Even if I didn't do that well on my test, which I made over 200 notecards for and studied in every waking moment that wasn't dedicated to a program or class I'll accept it because for now I did what I could. I'll take what I know now and use it to study for the next one, don't sweat the small stuff. Get a Chai Tea Latte and let life go on. It's the last day of summer, no reason to not enjoy it!
So go have the last bit of summer fun!
Alex

Ghost Town

Absolutely love this song, and the video. Driving through the night on a bus to Paris, listening to this. Mmmmm.

The dream of Paris in the morning or a New York window view.

Busy as a bee studying for my test Thursday, and getting caught up for my test next week before my trip this weekend! Open Mic Night tonight and my own event at my apartments tomorrow, eeee! Nerve racking, yet super exciting!
Have a lovely day,
Alex

Wanderlust.

I cannot tell you how badly I want to travel right now; go off and explore more of the world. Yes I was just up north in Prescott, and yeah I'm going to San Diego this weekend (which I am SO excited for) but I am dying for that feeling of a completely new place. I miss the different accents, finding my way around a new place, the lack of a routine that rules my days, with something new everyday. Wanderlust, so intense I'm ready to hop on the next plane going anywhere. But then again, I have this deep rooted longing for my family. Wanting to be home, on the couch, dozing of with a blanket and the muffled sound of TV and the voices of the ones I love around me. Just wanting to have someone here with me, knowing when I come home, caring when I leave and where I'm going.
Torn in a contrast of two completely different things, and right now I am contently stuck in the middle.


Take me away.

Happy Monday,
Alex

Hump Day!

Whirlwind of a day, but I did wear at least one cute thing this week.

 

Cowboy fringe shirt - Estate Sale
Shorts - F21
Sandals - gift from the grandma! (from Dillards)

A look at my apartment should be coming soon if I get it pretty and clean and take pictures of it which may or may not happen in the near future! Camp up north this weekend, San Diego the following weekend for TDCC! Eeeee :]
As my best friend says, just remember what's going to make you happy.
True that.
Alex

What I Wore Wednesday!

I didn't forget, just a little late. But better than never!
Trying to stay on top of my online homework, study guides and papers due anddd planning my upcoming event in a couple weeks. Hope you all are staying on top of all that you do, and most of all staying happy!




I got this romper at Goodwill over summer and fell in love with it's retro feel. I need to trim the shorts, but I haven't gotten around to it, and wanted to wear it... so I did! I got to enjoy lunch with my Grandpa and then had a vintage-shopping soda-drinking sister date in Downtown Phoenix! Totally fell in love with MacAlpines, the CUTEST old-fashioned soda shoppe. We felt like we were in an old-timey movie drinking phosphates and sodas on bar stools. So great!

Well, off to more Astronomy homework! Have a good week,
Alex

What I Wore Wednesdays

So I'm going to try something new, What I Wore Wednesdays where I will post at least two outfits I wore that week. Here is my first one and hopefully I can keep up with this!



First outfit:
Shirt - Thrifted and then cut
Shorts - Urban Outfitters

Second Outfit:
Shirt - Thrifted
Shorts - Thrifted (Goodwill 50% off day, woo!)
Watch - Target
Belt - Thrifted

Happy Wednesday, it's almost a four day weekend! Woo!
Alex

The stars all gleam with possibilities.

I'm feeling a little drained from the first couple weeks of meetings, events and now classes so I like to read a little inspiration. I love this website and it always has good little reminders and positive thoughts. That specific post just reminded me of why I do everything I do. Sometimes I get really envious of the people who go to class a few hours a few days a week and then go home, hang out with their roommate or boyfriend, maybe do some homework and then just have free time without ever really being on-campus or committed to anything. Then I realize why I do this all, because I am exploring new ideas and opportunities and everything that comes my way. I give it a chance and that is how I am slowly discovering myself and the things that fill me with joy. Here is to doing what I love, working with people that I love (& sometimes hate), and living through stress-inducing crazed weeks of excitement and hard work to figure out what life is about, or maybe this is exactly what it is about.


From my hike up Camelback mountain, kind of scary hiking down in the dark, but worth it for the views!

Keep on keepin' on,
Alex

So long sweet summer

Before this semester continues into another whirlwind as this past week has been, I am going to share a little bit. I am moved into my new apartment, just brought in the last of the boxes today and everything is finally getting settled, I'm so pumped! It's very cozy and just the right size for me, and I haven't yet missed living with a roommate, but I have been surrounded by a million people at all hours of the day the past week, and probably will continue to be, so a little me time will be nice at home.

Farewell to a summer of world traveling, working, training, moving, playing, living.

To another summer that changed my life.
I went to Passport tonight, which is like an involvement fair for all of ASU, and it just got me thinking about a lot of things. Last year at this time I had just moved in, new at a campus with over 50,000 students and went to Passport by myself looking to find out where I would fit. Flash forward a year to today and I am volunteering at multiple booths, walking around with my best friends, waving hi to new ones, and roaming ASU with my heart full of happiness. Just knowing all the people that I have come to know and friends I have made, the places I have been and events I helped create and the whole experience that has been ASU and the past year is incredible. After tonight, I can't even imagine how amazing this coming year is going to be. Here's to the greatness that is this year, past and future.
So long sweet summer,
Alex

End of summer countdown

It's scary that it's almost the end of summer. How sad, but I guess I can't complain too much since I've kinda travelled around the world.. or maybe just Europe but still! I have totally been slacking on this blog, sorry for the 2 people that may actually read this.. but I was just not into it. I decided to step back and live life more disconnected and enjoy time laying by the pool, singing in the car and laughing with my sisters and so far it has been great. I don't want to feel guilty because I started this blog because I enjoy blogging, and I blog for myself so I should do it when I feel like it, not when it feels like mandatory homework.
Anywho, I still have things to check off my summer to-do list and better get to it seeing as my life turns back in to a whirlwind again in almost a week. I'm so pumped to get back into Tempe, going to class, going to meetings, playing frisbee, planning events for my apartment complex and meeting even more new people! Yay!
I've become attached to Tumblr. It's so easy and quick, and I love the tid-bits of information, quotes, and pictures. Good for busy people, and I can do it from my phone if I feel so inclined :] Here I am: Free to Wander Check it out if you'd like!
Here
Well I saw this and it is sooo true, at least from the girl's part and what I always want to say but never do. It makes me happy that guys do it too.
Well, just thought I'd catch you up on my summer. Hope you are doing slendid and enjoying the last of summer, but even more fun is just around the corner so don't worry!
Alex

Estate Sale Finds

So you think with all the free time I have,it being summer and all and only working a few days a week I'd be blogging all the time! But, unfortunately that's not the case. Sorry! Anyways, I've been keeping busy, sometimes I'm not really sure doing what, but I have been luck enough to go estate sale shopping the past couple weeks and I thought I'd share an outfit I put together from what I've found.
This is a cool pair of high-waisted vintage pants I cut into shorts!

How-to:
Get a measuring tape, scissors and a fabric marker or regular pencil works fine!


Try them on and mark what length you want them to be cut (I always give myself an extra inch in case I make a mistake or cut them uneven). Take them off then measure the inseams and make sure you marked them so they were both even and then cut the pant legs off.


There you go, a cool retro pair of pants, and the best thing is they were only $ .50, sweet! Don't mind the fact they look super uneven, it was just the way I was standing, or maybe my legs are uneven! ;]

The Elvis in concert tee is also from an estate sale, again for only $.50, yeeeahh!

I have found so many cute things for my apartment, hopefully I can get some pictures of them. If not you will probably see pictures of my apartment when it's all put together and it will mostly be decorated with thrifted things and stuff from estate sales.

Well I'm happy to be back working and enjoying the last week until my sister's home.. I can't wait! Have a happy week!
Alex

Happy 8th!?

Okay, so I may be a little late for the Fourth and a little behind in blogging. Which I really don't know how with the lack of things I've been doing. Just staying busy watching movies, estate sale shopping and cooking. It's been a nice couple of weeks off, but now I'm ready to go back to work. A couple more days and I'm back, woo! Who would have thought I'd be so eager to start work, but I'm not good at not doing much.

So here are some pictures from the Fourth, which was my first in Arizona because I've been celebrating it in Texas for the past 7 years or so... crazy! Hope you all had a fantastic Independence Day!



So here are some of my summer plans that I hope to complete by the time I move back to Tempe!
Go to the zoo
Make a DIY statement necklace
Get apartment decorations(already started, more on this later!)
Start a Tumblr
Scrapbook with my Study Abroad pictures
Go to the River
Take a trip to Cali
Make a t-shirt quilt with all my old shirts I've been saving
Blog (more frequently than I have!!)
Go estate sale/thrift store shopping
Practice my photography (use my new tripod!)

I'll add more and check them off as I go, assuming I accomplish them! So I'm halfway through with Summer, but there's no reason I can't get these things done! Trying to keep myself busy with my lack of a twin and dying to get back in my pace of work, school, clubs and all that jazz.

What're your summer plans?
Alex

PS: Just saw Horrible Bosses, and it was amazinggg!! So funny!

Hope

I'm back! Ah, it feels great! Actually cooking my own meals, eating Mexican food, DRIVING (on the right side of the road!) and being with my family in the warm... okay maybe scorching, weather. I've been running in the mornings because my internal clock now has my waking up at 6:30am, but I love mornings so I'm okay with it. This morning I used my EA Active for the Wii that I bought myself for my birthday. It was actually a really good work out, and kind of kicked my butt. I'm excited to use it more and keep track of my progress. So my last weekend in Scotland went well. The last night we went out and found a pub that was open late and they just so happened to turn on the Glastonbury festival and Mumford & Sons was playing. Just the cherry on top of a wonderful night. After 12 hours in the air and a few movies later I made it back to Phoenix, and have been soaking in the joys of being home the past few days. Being away has definitely taught me an appreciation for not just America, but Arizona and Phoenix. I have always loved where I am from, and coming back after the trip I especially appreciate the sunshine, open spaces, and amazing people Phoenix manages to encompass. Ah, all I can say is it is fantastic to be home, and it feels almost surreal that I have more than a month of being here until school starts again! I'm hesitant to start work again, but a few days a week will keep me satisfied I suppose.
I can't believe it is over, but every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end as they say. So here's to another chapter, after my mind has been opened even further to more cultures and the people around me. I have learned more about myself; how I am when I don't get enough sleep, when I have too much caffeine, when I'm angry, and when I cannot stop laughing and how the people that stick by me through all of that I can really consider friends. So thanks to the girls that I hope to continue to watch movies all night and make up accents with - my trip would not have been the same with out you.
Here is the letter our professors wrote us and read to us the last night of the trip and pretty much sums up my fantastic time abroad.

Each year I pick a theme for the group that I think captures some essence of this group. This year I've picked the word 'hope'. Primarily because a number of you had conversations with me during the year, hoping that you'd find the money to make the trip; hoping that someone would help out; hoping that you'd have the time; and hoping that it would fit into your schedule.
So, Drs. Tracy, Brouwer and Edson put together some thoughts for you--
What we hope you've learned by coming on this trip--
that money is better spent on adventures and experiences like this versus consuming things you think you need to own.
we hope that you've learned to trust in yourself
that anything worth doing well is worth doing badly in the beginning for example:
remember going the wrong way on the tube?
learning to ride the bus, where to buy the tickets for the bus; how to buy the tickets, and just what was it that the bus driver said?
learning to walk places because you can (OK, so its not 110 outside)
we hope you've learned that: a good Guinness is always pulled twice;
that there is a bell curve to drinking--one glass of wine or beer maybe better than a whole bottle or two of wine
we hoped that you've learned (back to walking) that walking is a form of transportation and isn't that bad.
how to live without your car, your cell phone, your text messages, and that you can choose to be disconnected;
we hope you've learned being outside of America--that you get to see how America and Americans are seen by others and how that may differ from how we see ourselves;
we hope that you've learned that you needn't go the bathroom immediately, you can wait, especially when we are at the theatre;
We hope you've learned that practical shoes work best on cobblestone streets;
how to travel how to get places, what to do when you arrive in a city or place you don't know
That beauty sometimes comes without lots of make-up and alterations;
that maps are a good thing
that you need not have a computer lab, or a traditional classroom to learn
that extraordinary learning can take place between and outside of the classroom;
we hope that you learned some history about:

Ireland
England
Great Britain
and Scotland
so that you understand just a wee amount about the people who live in these places.

We hope that you've learned that families come in weird and wonderful configurations and that this family (although about to split up) has provided you with wonderful new friends; challenging people and situations that you've learned from; and in general a sense of just how wonderful and different people are!

And finally, we hope that you've learned that professors not only care about course work, but that we also care about you as whole people and we hope that you've learned that memories--in the end--are all that we are left with. So we, Sarah, Dan, and Belle--thank you for being part of our memories. And we hope that others here will be a part of your memories in the coming years.

Dr. Edson, Dr. Brouwer, Dr. Tracy


Went Downtown and had some iced coffee and took photobooth pictures with the awesome big sis this morning, I'll share some of that later!
Have a happy Fourth of July weekend!
Alex

Just abroad.

So I'm done with all my classes! I'm no longer studying abroad, I'm just abroad... and it feels good. It's rainy and 40 degrees and I'm dreaming of 115 degree weather, as sad as that may sound. But I'm gonna enjoy my last few days here, quiz night tonight at a pub with my professors, shopping on Princess St tomorrow, a day trip to Loch Ness Saturday and pizza party and packing on Sunday. Kind of unbelievable, but I also feel like I haven't seen an American dollar and eaten good food in far too long. Anyways, I'm going to take all the pictures my memory card can hold and eat crumpets and potato scones until I burst. That's the plan.

My week in pictures:









In no particular order, consider it a matching game; Edinburgh Castle, the beautiful sunset at like 10:30pm, posing with a man in a kilt, the view of the city, Princess St from above, Black & White mocha while listening to some awesome live music, and Steak & Ale pie.

Just ordered EA Active for my Wii, can't wait to play it and get back in shape and run and swim and bike and tan when I get home! And bake and scrapbook and go to the zoo, and, well.. I'm gonna make another list with my summer plans so I won't say it all now.
This post is for my sister Sam, (1) because she leaves for Ecuador for four weeks today, and (2) because she always complains that my blog posts are too long and wordy... so here you go!
Happy Thursday, it's practically the weekend!
Alex

Welcome to Scotland

So I've been in Scotland for almost five days now(weird to actually say that) and I've only left campus (Edinburgh University, where I'm staying) once, twice if you count hiking the mountain in my backyard. But it's kinda sad, but at the same time everyone's getting sick, it's cold outside, and you can tell everyone's just tired of walking around and sightseeing. Burnt out on traveling, so it's been a lazy past few days, but I'm loving it. I'm tired of going out in the rain and spending $100 every time I step out the door. I've watched Soul Surfer and Source Code the past two days, I love catching up on good movies I've wanted to see and staying warm inside!

Anyways, my last day and night in Dublin were fantastic. We went to the Guinness Brewery and I learned how to pour the perfect pint and got to taste it for the first time, I had to hold out until I was at the brewery. It was so funny to drink with our professors, and we got VIP privileges because of one of the guy's in our group had connections, it was great. We went to the top of the brewery to the Gravity bar where we received a free pint and amazing views of Dublin. From there we went to dinner and I got corn beef and cabbage, I'd been dying to get the traditional Irish meal and so glad I made it happen before I left. After that we all got ready and met up with a bunch of people from my program (and my friend Heather, again!) and all went out. It was nice to not be so secluded and all go out together. We went to the huge club and had a blast dancing and meeting people from around the world! Hopefully that can happen here in Edinburgh once everyone gets over their sickness and past the laziness that's taken a hold of many of us.




But here is the largest hill in Scotland as they call it, Arthur's Seat. And also, it's my view from my window. I can see this laying in bed and sitting at my desk here in my new home. It is breath taking, I could get used to it, but not the constant rain.



Pretty amazing, and oh.. did I mention I hiked it?! Yeah, with a group from Study Abroad program we hiked to the very top and saw probably the most amazing view of Edinburgh you can get. The hike was refreshing, and the weather was beautiful. It worked out perfect, because that was the only day of sunshine... it has rained every other day.





I'm ecstatic I finally finished my grueling study guide, which is what else I've been doing between staring out my window and watching movies, now I'm on to writing a paper. Ooh, goody! Hope everyone is having a splendid Saturday,
Alex

Ride of Your Life

So I spent a fantastic week in Dublin and then had a great (rainy) day exploring the countryside today. The expansive, rolling hills were breathtaking and the landscape was just all around beautiful. The only bummer was is rained ALL day, seriously without stopping. We had to trek around in the damp weather, but the views made it worth it. There was a lot of fog, but when it cleared it was even more amazing. We saw sheep and century old headstones, it was everything I pictured. I could have spent so much more time just wandering around outside had I not been freezing and there not been torrential rain. Anyways, rain and fog got onto my lens and everything I had was wet which made it difficult to clean so my pictures didn't turn out the best which I'm very disappointed about, but I got a few good ones.




As for last night, I met a guy in a band that had just finished playing and they were putting their set away. My friends and I were bummed we missed the live music, but the guy gave me his bands card and told me to look them up. Turns out there kind of a big deal, at least here in Ireland... and I actually really enjoy their music, what I've heard of it so far. So here's one of my favs, hope you like it.



I only have two more days in Dublin; Trinity College and the Guinness Brewery - awesome, leaving - so sad! It was amazing seeing my favorite red head and one of my best friends from Penn State (who happens to be interning here and Dublin and we have four days here together)last night and I'm looking forward to a couple more with her!
Hope everyone is enjoying summertime and is looking forward to a fantastic week ahead!
Alex

P.S. It's Gorgeous

So I made my way to Dublin and I've been here for a few days now. I am staying at UCD, University College Dublin. It is one of the oldest universities in the city, beside Trinity College, which I am going to see on Monday! I am staying in apartments on the gorgeous campus just a short bus ride away from the city. I'm so glad to be on a college campus and out of the hustle and bustle like where I was living in London. For one I am living with my favorite girls from the trip and for two, maids come and clean our kitchen and bathroom and bring us clean towels! Bonus! That sounds kind of bad, but from the dirtiness I was living in in London thanks to a not-so-tidy of a roommate and I so happy to be here. Everything is so green, and have a mentioned the rain?! It is kind of ridiculous! Everyday, and if not ALL day it is bound to happen when you are going somewhere. I am so glad I brought my rain boots!
This is Temple Bar, the hot spot for pubs and clubs(It's filled with tourists though)

The greenery that surrounds the city


My flatmates and I have spent the last couple of days exploring the city, shopping, and making our way from pub to pub at night. A no-show pub crawl turned into getting advice from the Trinity College security guard about where to go, and ended up wandering downtown for a place with young people, a rarity here!
What I wore:

Bow Headband: Dublin (1 Euro!)
Shirt: Texas|Thrift Store
Necklace: Dolly & Boy Jewelry created by this lovely lady, my big sister!
Skirt: London|H&M
Tights: Dublin|New Look
Boots: AZ|Ross

It is so hard, though, to not want to buy everything, I have been to Paris and London, and I've got to say Dublin takes the cake for best shopping.. totally unexpected. But, everything here, well in Europe in general, is pretty much the same price as in America, but in Euros (or Pounds) so it seems like a decent price, and that's what I think of it as, until I get home and write out my budget from the day and I slowly have to come to the realization that it is more (almost TWICE as more in pounds!) BUMMER. But we found a really cute store called Penny's that has tons of cute stuff for cheap prices! Hallelujah! Trying to not blow all my money on shopping, but on the other hand that's what I came to do.. kind of :] I've only bought a few things since being here, but I love what I've gotten so far.



Life is Beautiful shirt, I don't know why, but I just had to get it. So cute, and I mean, come on, Life IS beautiful!
Fringe Vest I also, despite the price (which wasn't bad in euros)had to get. I've been dying for a vest like this, and it'll be perfect for the warm Arizona weather I'm dreaming of. I can't really wear any of my new clothes here because they're all summery, but I'll be stylin' back home!

I am staying in with my friends today, watching P.S. I Love You, because apparently it is a must while being in Ireland (I've never seen it!), and sipping on some hot chocolate. Oh, and maybe squeeze in some homework.. not so fun.
I am dying for good, spicy, salsa with some chips that are not fries and a huge MEXICAN dinner. Oh man... what I wouldn't do for that. Home I am missing your warm weather, Goodwill shopping, delicious food and the people I love the most. But for now I am loving being in me home country ;] and spending time with great friends, seriously these girls are great, I haven't laughed this hard in forever. Bon Soir!
Alex

It's Been Real, London

I can't believe I'm packing up to leave London, but that does mean I am packing up to go to Ireland! These three weeks have been a whirlwind, seeming like I've lived here forever and at the same time feeling like I just had my first British meal yesterday. I have met some great friends and seen some amazing places, Big Ben.. and Paris?! Oh yeah, I took my day trip to Paris and it was fantastic! The bus ride overnight there and back were not the best ride ever, but it was definitely memorable. We spent the day in the warm French sun walking all over, eating a baguette with Nutella along the cobble-stoned street, shopping in cute vintage stores and laying out nest to the BEAUTIFUL Eiffel Tower. I probably took like a 100 pictures of it, but they don't even do it justice. It is so much larger and lovelier in person, absolutely breathtaking! After dinner and a crepe for dessert we headed back to the bus station for another ride home. We had to get off the bus in the middle of the night to get on the ferry across the English Channel (we took the Chunnel there) which was like a mini cruise and was super awesome, even at 2am. It was exhausting, but absolutely worth it, so glad I got to go and see the Lourve, visit Notre Dame, eat French fries and France and snap pictures of the amazing Eiffel Tower. It was so much fun speaking the minimal French I know; Oui! Bonjour! And my favorite, Merci! Hahaha.





Then I spent my last weekend in London studying for my test this morning, laaame, and going out to Leicester Square, a street full of nightclubs for my friend's birthday. When deciding where to go, the manager of this cool club grabbed my friend's arm and said come with me, you're getting in free. So instead of waiting in line and paying the cover fee he walked us right in, we felt like VIP. It was a night filled with dancing, laughs and cute British boys! What's better than that!? Yesterday I spent the day in Canterbury and seeing Leeds Castle which was one of my favorite sights so far. It was so nice to walk around in nature, definitely refreshing after three weeks in the city. I took soo many pictures because everything looked so.. picturesque I couldn't help myself! I will be updating my Flickr with all of them soon!


Well I'm off to bed then off to Dublin, goodnight London.
Have a happy new week wherever in the world you are.
Alex

Weekend Travels

So this past weekend me and a friend took the train to explore more of Europe. The plan was to stop in Belgium and spend the night in Brussels, then leave in the early afternoon for Amsterdam and stay there until Sunday. Well.. the train ride was great! Comfortable, and I had the window seat I could see the countryside of England and France! So cool! I had been dying to go to a country where there is a language barrier and you have to be completely immersed in a whole different culture, well I got what I asked for in Brussels! We got there, and NOTHING is in English! Everyone either spoke French or German or some other crazy language and so asking for directions was not an option. So we set out looking for a hostel to spend the night in. Next thing you know, my friend and I are the only girls around, being catcalled by foreign men and in the ghetto of Brussels. It was pretty scary, and no one we asked could point us in the direction of a hostel. So, we decided that we'd seen enough of Brussels (besides, we'd already eaten a Belgian waffle right when we got there... SOO GOOD!!) and we took the train to Amsterdam. We arrived there late Thursday night, luckily found a hostel with two beds for us, and started our weekend in Amsterdam. It was rainy and cold the days we were there, and I didn't being my big coat so I was freezing. It was really eye-opening seeing a completely different culture like that, with the Red Light District and "Coffee Shops" everywhere, but totally not my thing. I am definitely glad I got to see it, but two days of it was enough to suffice for a very long time. I did get to sleep in a hostel, cross that off my bucket list! And met some cool new friends there and while we were out and about. It was so neat to be surrounded by people from ALL over the world (also kind of frustrating when no one is speaking English and you just want good, normal food and warm weather) but an amazing adventure nonetheless! I'm absolutely LOVING exploring bits and pieces of this huge world we live in!





We visited Abbey Road Monday, and it was so cool! Got the perfect shot, too! Thank you Russian boys for standing in the middle of the road to get a good picture for us!




Yesterday was my BIRTHDAY! I can officially say I'm in my twenties now, that is sooo weird to me, but totally exciting! Can't wait to start a whole new chapter in life! Went to a delicious Mexican dinner and shared some birthday dessert with my fabulous new friends here :]





I visited the Olympic Village of London 2012 today, which is still a work in process, but still cool to see! AND, I am leaving for PARIS tomorrow night! Can't wait! As you read earlier I was debating whether or not to travel outside of England, I apparantly made it to Amsterdam and now found a cheap bus ticket to Paris so I can see all the amazing sights! I'm missing America, family, home and the FOOD, but loving all the people I'm meeting and adventures I'm having abroad!
Hope you are enjoying summer!
Alex