6 Months.

Today marks 6 months of my living in Seattle, and by now I’m pretty sure everyone has stopped reading this. For those that stumble upon this, here’s my attempt at a 6 month recap.

It started with a road trip up the west coast. Through LA, following the Pacific Ocean to San Francisco, up to Portland and landing in what would be my new home in Seattle. It was so surreal driving up the I-5, seeing the Space Needle and all of downtown spread out before me knowing that this wasn’t just another pit stop, this was a city that would become mine. I arrived on my birthday and spent the day roaming around seeing what we could while I still had my brother and sisters by my side. I moved in the next day to the town home I was approved for only 24 hours prior, and after a whirlwind of a weekend of unpacking and exploring, my family left back for the desert. I was familiar with the feeling, having moved to Pennsylvania 4 years ago for the start of college, but it didn’t make it any easier. Everything I knew and the only people that loved me in this town driving away, it sounds a bit dramatic, but really is all at once a terrifying feeling mixed with a freedom that can only be experienced being somewhere where no one knows who you are. And so the adventure began…

Voodoo Doughnuts and Stumptown Coffee in Portland

Haight & Ashbury in San Fran

I have spent the past several months adjusting to my new life in the “real-world,” working in the corporate world with Amazon, discovering what Seattle has to offer, and trying to make new friends. I started playing ultimate Frisbee over the summer, but soon discovered it wasn’t quite my scene. I met who would rapidly become one of my best friends out here, sitting three feet away from me in her cube at work. I’m forever grateful being put in a department with someone my age, who graduated from the same school (though we never met), and has so much in common with me. I also met another recent AZ transplant from a connection with my sister, and she’d become the third leg of my Seattle tri-pod… the only thing that has kept me sane and mentally healthy over the months – especially with the onset of the grey weather. 

This view never gets old.

Summer was great, with the amazing weather you can actually do stuff outside in (vs. AZ’s 120 degrees). I took part in my fair share of beer fests, food fests, music fests… and pretty much anything that was going on outside with food, drinks, and people. It flew by, and I was loving it. In some ways, it felt like summer vacation.. just working 40+ hours a week. But the same in that if felt temporary, fleeting, and that I’d be returning home come September. Well Labor Day came and went, Seattle had the rainiest September on record, and it hit me like it had that first weekend in June that I wasn’t leaving anytime soon. I hit a rough patch, trying to figure out my life and thinking far too much about the future. All my dreams have come true, but if I didn’t have my family and those that love me the most around me, was it worth it? Was this where I saw myself staying for the rest of my life? Unlikely, but for how many years? The desire to return home was met with the realization that home wouldn’t be quite the same. College friends have either moved or moved on, Tempe didn’t have my apartment I felt so comfortable in, and after my visit in October I came to see that life was going on without me there. I came back to Seattle after my homecoming vacation with a new appreciation for my life out here in the Pacific Northwest.

Fall weather.

I’ve spent November enjoying a real fall (leaves that change colors and collect on the sidewalks like all the movies!!) and taking the days one at a time. Now I’m looking forward to what I’m gonna cook for dinner or my plans for the weekend, not where I think I need to be in a year or two. I still struggle some days. Being in front of a computer 8 hours a day is definitely a culture shock from running events and customer service every day, and I’m figuring out how to enjoy actually having time to myself. It’s a new concept and I don’t think I’ve totally become fond of it, I like to be crazy busy and constantly have plans with one of the many groups of friends I didn’t realize I’d miss so much.  I find myself still trying to adjust to this new climate, the lack of sunshine has gotten to me at some points, though the amount of rain has been surprisingly little. Getting used to taking the bus, getting yelled at by homeless people, and walking everywhere has been different than suburban Phoenix and college-town Tempe, but hey – I’m practically a real city girl! For now I’m choosing happiness, loving all the restaurants, streets, coffee shops to explore, and enjoying the ride.

 “Breathe in every word and every second because one day you'll be dying to have it all back again.”

Summer Reflection.

I feel like every Summer that passes I grow and change as a person. I guess it happens every year, but I seem to realize it more when the Summer ends and I go back to school. It's like that saying "There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered." One of my favorites! But so true, the ways you have changed are so much more prevalent when returning to a place that has for the most part stayed the same. Anyways, I was getting reflective, partly due to my 'Finding Purpose' that has us meditate each class and write in a journal everyday (awesome, I know!), and partly due to the end of Summer.

Awesome picture on my road trip, thanks Instagram!

I was looking over my Summer checklist, and I actually accomplished nearly the whole thing! But even without measuring the checks off my list, I had such a great summer. I was so bummed out going into Summer, not having an internship set-up, or living in another state, I thought it was going to be terribly boring and unproductive and I'd just be a lazy bum the whole summer. Well, that is partly true, but not entirely. I didn't have an impressive internship, but I had a job, well two, where I got to work with some of my best friends. I didn't get to live out of state, but I got to travel to 12 states on a cross-country road trip. I didn't work out everyday, but I did work on an organic farm in Spain. I mean looking back, some of these things are more impressive than what I had pictured a successful Summer as.

Though a 9-5 internship with an impressive company would not have been a bad thing, having a relaxing Summer working outside with my best friends, going out and exploring new bars being 21, not getting enough sleep but getting entirely too much sun, and not only traveling across the US, but into Europe for the second Summer in a row made up for one of the best Summers ever. It may have not been resume-worthy, but it was definitely a memorable one as one of my last legitimate Summer vacations ever.

Here's to Summer 2012, not having anything to add to my resume but having way too much fun to mind to terribly.

12 States, 2 Countries, 6 days.

Today is the day! I am headed out to LA to enjoy the weekend on the beach before I head cross-country for an epic road trip adventure! I am soooo excited!

My friend Heather has been living out in LA for the Summer bought a car out there, and now needs to drive it back to upstate NY where she's from. I was lucky enough to get the invite to come along for the ride. The plan is to go from LA, back to Phoenix, to Boulder to Mt. Rushmore/South Dakota, to Minneapolis, to Chicago, through Ann Arbor, up to Canada, to Niagara Falls, to Buffalo then ending up in the Finger Lakes Region of upstate NY. Yeah- quite the venture! It's nice because between myself and Heather, we have planned our trip according to places we have to stay. Shacking up with friends, family and old co-workers. We're staying with a friend I worked in Texas with at a summer camp in Boulder is sure he'll show us a good time. We are making a pit stop in SD and getting a cheap motel so we don't have to make the 18 hour drive straight through to Minnesota. Heather has friends in Minneapolis and Chicago we're staying with. Umm, Mall of America in MN and Lollapalooza weekend in Chicago- I'm sure it won't be hard to have fun in either of those places! (I am probably most excited about Chi-town... I've always wanted to visit- and yes I just called it Chi-town like I'm Jay-Z.)

Image via Weheartit.com

From there we're passing through Ann Arbor where I will hopefully get lunch with my roommate and check out Ann Arbor for an hour or so, I've heard it's just amazing there! We'll drive straight up through Canada, eh? Get another stamp on the passport (I think? Do they do that when you drive through? We'll see!). Going to see Niagara Falls from the Canadian side, at night, which is supposed to be the best side and time to see it. So pumped! There's supposed to be a really cool night life in Canada, by Niagara Falls, so her cousins who live right there are gonna take us out before we spend the night at one of Heather's many relatives in Buffalo, NY.
We will wake up in the morning Saturday and head to the Finger Lakes for Heather's family reunion, where I am going to be a reunion-crasher and adopt myself into their family for some wine-tasting, the "Death March" hike, and some swimming and tubing in the lake. Sounds like the definition of a perfect summer weekend, right?! (Okay, except for maybe the "Death March" but she says it's not that bad!)

Well I'm off to LA in a few hours for some jet skiing, Universal Studios, vintage shopping and beach bonfires! I will try and keep you updated on my travels as I am passing through, but follow my Twitter or Instagram for updates if I don't get the chance to periodically update here!

Enjoy the last few weeks of Summer, loves!
Here's to making the most of my final weeks of Summer!
xoxo
Alex

Summer Read.

So I planned on reading a lot this summer, and getting a bunch of good books... but that didn't quite happen. So sad. I did, however, read a hilarious book I think you all need to read!

Image via Weheartit.com

Bossypants is Tina Fey's first book about her life and career, and is absolutely hilarious. It gives a really cool insight to her life, seeing her as a real person and not just a celebrity. You also get to hear about behind the scenes moments at SNL and 30 Rock and about the people who work on the shows with her. I loved her take on life, and the silly things that stress us out and the importance of a career vs. family.

You'll have to check it out and let me know if you love it as much as I did! What was your summer read, or reads if you were more ambitious than I was in the reading department?!

Alex

Do Something Phoenix

I love going to new places, and finding quirky places, good restaurants and hidden thrift store gems. So my good friend from LA was here last weekend and I had so much fun really exploring Phoenix more and going places. I get so caught up in my daily routine, work-home-work-meetings, I never go anywhere new I feel like! I drive so much, to the other side of town and back, for work when I'm not living in Tempe in the summer so I hate driving when I don't have to. But this special occasion with my friend, originally one of my besties from Penn State, but is spending the summer in LA so she took a trip out here!

We drove around, went out in Tempe and explored her favorites of AZ- Goodwill, Mill Ave, Einstein's, and more. One of my favorites, which I hope you try (or have already tried) is MacAlpines!

I may have blogged about it before, but you have to go check it out! It's always a special treat when I go here because I don't go very often. They have 99 flavors- for sodas, egg cremes, phosphates, italian sodas, floats, shakes, malts and more! I love getting the phosphates or egg cremes, because the refills are FREE (woo!) and you can get a new flavor each refill. Bad news is I usually get full after like one and a half, but it's fun to always get a new flavor! I have tried Tiger's Blood, Passionfruit, Pistachio, and White Chocolate Macadamia! My friend got a Red Velvet Shake, and it was amazing!!! 

I have so many more flavors I want to try there, like Cinnamon, Dill Pickle (yeah, so cool!) and Wedding Cake! I have yet to try there food, but I have heard it is delicious! There is also a cool vintage shop inside too, so you can look around at all the awesome finds in there too! Next time you're in Phoenix, check this place out- 7th St and North of McDowell!

What is your favorite place to take friends that come into town?


Alex

July Fireworks

So I told you I'd share pictures of my Fourth of July, which was really actually the 3rd of July because I had to work on the 4th! I went to the Miranda Lambert & Darius Rucker Independence Day Music Festival at Salt River Fields. I met up with three other girls from work and we grilled and ate and drank at my friends gorgeous house (more like a mansion, it was sooo huge!). From there our responsible, under 21, friend drove us to the show. We had so much fun running around, taking pictures and talking to people. I'm glad we had grass seats because I don't think we could have sat still in regular seats! I managed to take over 100 pictures in less than a few hours, and they all just make me laugh. So here are some snapshots of some of the pictures I took and the fun that was had!

Driving there!

Loving our lawn seats!

These girls adopted us and were suddenly our best friends!

Love her! 

I kissed Tim McGraw! (Shh.. it was his look-a-like with Kenny Chesney!)

The more the merrier!

Amurica loves country!

The nicest guy took some awesome pictures for us with the fireworks!

 I had an amazing time with these girls, and Miranda was sooo good!  Sang along all night, and secretly hoped Blake Shelton would come out and sing with her... but it didn't happen! Glad I got to celebrate the country's freedom being young, wild & free.. cheesy, but oh well! :]

Hope your July's are going great, cannot believe it is more than half way over- how terrible! I am secretly excited to get back in the swing of things with school and my other jobs, though too!

Alex

PS: Here's the view I had on the actual holiday- working in Tempe Beach Park has it's perks.

The best view in the city, on the dock in the lake!

The lovely ladies I get to work with! Ah, I don't know what I'd do without them.. I'm so lucky!

Yummy, walnut banana bread!

Even when it's unbearably hot outside, there's not much better than a warm treat and some cold milk or iced coffee. So when the group of bananas turned far too brown to eat continued to sit on the counter, I took it as a signal I needed to bake some Banana bread!
Here's the recipe I used, taken right out of my grandma's recipe box!


1/2 cube of butter
1/2 cube or 1 T of margarine
1 C sugar
2 eggs well beaten
4 T buttermilk (I just used regular milk!)
3-4 verrryyyy ripe bananas
2 C flour
1/2 t salt
1 t baking powder
1 t soda
1 t vanilla
1/4 C nuts (I added more, the more nuts the merrier!)



Cream butters and sugar, add eggs and mix thoroughly. Add alternately bananas and dry ingredients . Finally add vanilla and nuts! I put this into two separate loaf pans and made two, or you could make one large one- it's up to you! I brought one to work so I couldn't eat the whole thing myself- because I definitely would have! I sprinkled some nuts on top, and would suggest a little cinnamon for something a little extra.

Let me know if you try this! And sit back and indulge in some delicious banana bread!
Happy Monday!
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

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

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