students gone global

This post is for those of you who love to travel.  

Are you studying abroad this semester?

Do you know anyone that is studying abroad in the future?

Please let them know about the cool, new alternative to Blogger and Tumblr that is specific to students, all over the world, who are studying abroad.  

Click on the logo below to learn more!!

The site will be launching soon, and we need bloggers!  It's going to be a great site, with lots of traffic, and an unlimited amount of pictures, information, and everything study abroad!

Tell your friends about it!  They will thank you later :)

currents

I've been seeing this on quite a few blogs lately, so I thought I would make one myself <3

current guilty pleasure:  I'm re-watching the Twilight movies.

current nail color: Charcoal Grey

current playlist: my own "just relax" playlist

current read: only school books :(

current drink: green tea, peach tea, espresso, and cappuccinos <3

current food: ortolano pizza: margherita pizza + zucchini, red peppers, and eggplant

current favorite show: Revenge & Gossip Girl

current wish list: for Kel to get a new car, so we don't have to share anymore with our busy schedules!

current needs:  a new iPhone, since mine mysteriously disappeared

current triumphs: waking up before noon

current bane of my existence: group projects.....

current celebrity crush: Andrew Garfield, Josh Bowman, everyone under the sun haha

current indulgence: triple chocolate ice cream

current blessing: having a best friend in milan, and my friends & family at home

current outfit: zildjian t-shirt, striped pj shorts, urban outfitters slippers <3

current excitement: the reunion i'm about to have with everyone in a month :)

current mood: hungry and sick with a cold...but happy!

current link: i'm obsessed with tumblr. check mine out HERE.

favorite photos

Day 11: Post your favorite picture ever taken of yourself.

This one's a tough one.  Not because I think I look amazing in every picture that is taken of me...but because I take SO many pictures.  Lately though? 

My favorite picture is of me and Kelcy in New Zealand.  We were driving to another town, when the traffic suddenly stopped.  Why? Because there were hundreds and hundreds of sheep crossing the road!  They were beautiful.  So we hopped out of the car and Mom captured the following image.  Now when looking back at the photo, it takes me back to that exact moment.  And that's probably why it's one of my faves.

me on the left and kel on the right :)

After looking at the "New Zealand" album, it looks like most of my favorite pictures are from that trip.  Maybe it's because it was so green and vibrant there, compared to Arizona especially haha.

Favorite picture I've ever taken (of Kel):

And my favorite picture I've ever creatively thought about:

elaborate dreaming

Day Ten: Elaborate on a dream you had this past week.

Let me just start off by saying that I have the weirdest dreams.  The range goes from unbelievably scary to spending nights with Chuck Bass or Eminem.  It's really weird.

I did have a dream a couple of nights ago that is more along the scary spectrum, but it wasn't my scariest.  I'll keep that verrrrry creepy one away from you lovely people.

So the dream was told in the point of view of Paige telling me what happened the day before.  But as she's telling me the story, I see it for myself like I'm watching a movie.  Here's her story:  She was hanging out at the house when she suddenly decided to go look out into our backyard through our back door (there's a little 8" x 8" window).  As she was approaching the door, she saw that there was a man standing on the opposite end of the door looking into our kitchen.  But she wasn't scared, exactly.  She looked at him and said, "What are you doing here? Get out!" and he said, "I'm just trying to watch you girls through this window."  She proceeded to tell him to go away and he acted like it wasn't weird at all.  

That's all I remember and I'm sorry if I scared anyone before bed time.  It scared me just typing it.  Kind of dark and creepy...but you should probably know that I have scary dreams quite often.  Especially when I was little, I wrote some of the worst one's down...and if I translated them into novels I'd be a millionaire horror writer.

maybe i should invest in one of these?

Do you all have scary dreams? Or just pleasant ones?

images via weheartit

change

Day Nine: Discuss three things you want to see change.


One: I'd like to see my room go from dirty to clean, in the snap of a finger.

one day my closet will look like this.
complete with cute blazers and classy purses.

For some reason I have  a ridiculous amount of clothes all over my floor.  It didn't seem to be a problem in the summer because my laundry basket fit all of the little shorts and tank tops, but now that I've been wearing pants and sweaters it's nearly impossible to fit a weeks worth of clothes in the trash can that is my laundry basket.

Two: I'd like to have another cheap place to go eat.

rice, black beans, pico de gallo,
extra hot, sourcream, cheese, guacamole,
lettuce = perfection <3

Yeah, I love me some Chipotle.  But when I'm brainstorming places to eat out (for around $6.50) and I can only think of one place for the life of me, it's time to branch out.  I'm still going to always love Chipotle, and I don't forsee finding another restaurant that I love as much as I do Chipotle in the future, I would like to maybe do Chipotle every other day instead of every day.

Three: I'd love to trade half of my "relaxed and casual" closet into a "classy and sophisticated" one.

i think lauren conrad blends west coast
with feminine and classy perfectly :)
(pic stolen from hellolovey.blogspot.com)

Especially if I get into the business school in Milan next Fall, I need to be dressing a bit more fashionable.  I can't get away with flip flops and ripped shorts there.  It's the fashion capital of the world.  And the style is a liiiittle bit different than the west coast.

Well, Kelcy's falling asleep, and I told her that she couldn't go to bed until she reads my blog.  So time to go :) Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

never stop traveling

Day Eight:  A photo of somewhere you've been to.


I have been amazingly lucky to have the opportunity to travel.  My dad used to judge Arabian horses and that's where it all started.  The pictures of our family's earlier trips are lost somewhere on my old computer and in photo albums at home, but it's kind of a blessing in disguise since they happened during my awkward years (haha!).

Paris, France (2000)

Australia and Tasmania (2003)

England and Scotland (2004)

Rome, Italy (my favorite: 2005)

Manitoulin Island, Ontario (every summer for 7 years)

I miss boating all day, everyday.

Spain (2007)

Looking over Toledo, Spain

Playground at the Parc de Madrid

We crashed Christmas Tea at The Ritz Carlton

New York City (2008)

Mexico (2008)

Our gorgeous jet ski instructor!

Las Vegas (2009)

Hawaii (2009)

New Zealand (2009)

Traffic detour for the sheep <33

South Africa (2010)

Sorry about all of the images!! This was more of a post for me to relive the amazing memories I had in all of these amazing places.  It's easy to think that the city you're living in is the only one that's bustling with people, emotions, and everything.  When in reality, it's happening everywhere.  Some people are sleeping, having dinner, waking up and making breakfast, at school, or walking down the street.  The world is huge, but it's so small at the same time.  And people everywhere are just like you.

your song

Day Seven: Post the favorite cover of your favorite song.

I have a lot of favorite songs.  And I have a lot of favorite cover songs.  This is one that I discovered most recently, though.  I found it on one of the blogs I follow a few days ago (I just wish I could remember whose blog).   It is my favorite song by Sir Elton John sung by a girl named Ellie Goulding from England.  After falling in love with her voice and her version of the song, I am definitely going to be listening to more of her music.

Enjoy <3

wittle kittens

Day Six: Describe the earliest thing you can remember.

It's hard to tell if I remember pictures or actual events from my childhood.  I can think of two moments that don't have pictures to go along with them, though.  So I know that it has to do with my memories.  

The first is probably because of the trauma.  When Kelcy and I were 5, 6, or 7 (one of those "let's run through the house and be destructive and scare each other" years), we were playing Cops & Robbers.  I got to be the robber, and when Kelcy the Cop caught me, she put me in toy handcuffs.  She thought it'd be a good idea to punish me by swinging me around and we were laughing and having a grand, old time....until she let go of me and I landed flat on my chin on the kitchen floor.  I was bleeding and crying, and in all the hysteria my mom had to help Kelcy get me out of the handcuffs before we called over the family doctor from next door.  Oh, and I have a nice, lovely scar on my chin because I was too scared to get stitches, so that's a reminder.

Also, lately a lot of the blogs I follow have been featuring pictures of the cutest kittens I have ever seen.  It reminds me of the time when I was five years old and I went to the AZ Humane Society with mom and Kelcy while my dad was out of town to buy kittens (since my Dad wouldn't allow it while he was in town).  I wanted this crying Siamese kitty, but it didn't get along with the kitten Kelcy wanted.  So I got Shadow.  A kitten that used to not eat so we were told he would probably die.  So we fed him anything he would agree to and now he's huge.  But I love him.  I just wish he didn't shed white hairs when I like wearing black pants and jackets.

thank you again

Day 5:  Compose a thank you letter to someone who has changed your life.

I'm going to go the easy route on this one.  The letter is here.  It was the first blog post I had ever made, and I thought it was a great introduction of me into the blog world.

So I ask you to read it.  Nothing has changed.  I still believe every word.

So here's the link again:  i'd like to say thank you

And an added thank you to Olivia.  For becoming one of my best friends.  I can't wait to get internships in LA this summer, spend the summer with your family, have you as an additional roommate next year, and achieve all of our plans of success in beautiful, opportunistic Los Angeles.  If I had a champagne glass in my hand, I'd say, "Cheers to the next couple of years.  A summer in LA, another year in Arizona, and a lifetime of friendship in Los Angeles."

paradise can be anywhere

Day Four: Write about what you imagine paradise to be like.

cruise to mexico 2008 <33

I don't know if paradise is necessarily any one place.  I believe that it is a state or feeling of complete and utter happiness.  No worries.  No regret.  No doubt.  No jealousy.  Just love.  And not even a romantic type of love...although of course that would be nice.  Just a love from friends, family, and strangers.  Paradise would be 24 hours a day of those feelings we have maybe a few seconds a week.  Those seconds when we smile, but don't know why.  We look out the window, and we see nothing but beauty.  We drive with the windows down, and we realize that we really do live in a paradise.

Obviously paradise would be a world without hunger, wars, hate, and fear.
But I think everyone has the chance to experience a slice paradise, even if it is just for a few seconds.

desert island

Day 3: List the five songs you would bring with you on a desert island and why.


Okay now this is tough.  For one, I don't have a favorite band or artist like a lot of people do.  And two, I really do like a variety of music...it sounds like a lame answer when you're getting to know someone, but it's true.  I like almost everything I hear, and I like a huge range of music.  But here's what I'm feeling at the moment :

1. "We Speak No Americano" by Yolanda Be Cool.  I can't help but smile when this song comes on.  And if I'm on this deserted island by myself, the least I can do is perform my little cha cha move and pretend Kelcy's alternating front-to-back motions with me.  
2. "Karma Police" by Radiohead.  If I'm all alone in the dark, scared for my life, starving, and unable to sleep, putting this song on will sooth me into a beautiful, dreamy slumber.
3. "Wildcat" by Ratatat.  It has zero lyrics except the sound of a wildcat rawr-ing.  It would be the perfect song to scare off animal predators.  It would also be fun to prance around the jungle and pretend I'm a cat.  There's definitely no internet on this island, so I'll have to find some way to stay entertained.
4. "Kids" by MGMT.  Yeah, it's overplayed.  But I have some really good memories from this song.  It came out during my freshman year of college...and that was the most fun time, with the least worries, that I've ever had.  Plus it's just one of those feel good songs that makes you want to dance.
5. "Con Te Partiro" by Andrea Bocelli.  I love Italian.  I love Italy.  I've loved Andrea Bocelli's voice and music since I first heard his CD in my Dad's car when I was little.  He's unbelievably inspirational.  I also wish I could sing opera.  And where is a better place to practice my opera skills than on a deserted island?  Oh...and it will remind me of Step Brothers...which is probably the first movie I saw in theatres that I truly laughed out loud to.

Can I bring a piano to the island too?
It will give me time to improve :)

I can't wait until the iphone comes to Verizon!

So there's my list.  Obviously I'd love to have some Justin Bieber mixed in there to dance to.  Some Taylor Swift to sing to/ reminisce to/ maybe even cry to (since I'd be solo and alone for as long as it takes to get rescued).  Some solo piano music to relax to.  And even some hard core rap to jam out to.  I'd finally have the time to memorize the quick and witty lyrics of all the rap stars.

 It reminds me of the time on that one plane ride when I wrote out every lyric (even if I made it up to match the sound) to Bye Bye Miss American Pie.

inspiration

Day 2: Post something that inspires you.

What inspires me most is words of wisdom: quotes, pep talks, listening to the words of successful people.  Some of my favorite quotes you will find below.  They are the quotes I look at when I'm feeling sad, disappointed, excited, driven, happy, or mad.  Quotes can help you think about your own life, and a good quote can change your emotion.

"Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today."

"Things happen too fast, so be kind to everyone. 

Treat friends and family as if you will never get to hear their voices again.

Live everyday as if it's your last.

You never know when your last breath will be."

"Sometimes you have to forget how you feel;

and remember what you deserve."

Audrey Hepburn's right <3

"In one moment your entire life can change course.

The moment you decide where you're going

because you refuse to go back to where you've been."

"Life isn't about finding yourself. 

Life is about creating yourself."

"If he's dumb enough to walk away,

be smart enough to let him go."

"Everything will turn out alright in the end.

If it's not good, then it's not the end."

guilty pleasures

My friend Kristen did this "blog assignment" over summer and I'll be doing it over the next few months too :)

Day 1: Guilty Pleasures

Gossip Girl...for many reasons.
1) The beautiful boys.
2) The classy girls I wish I could be (Serena in particular)
3) It means hanging out with my amigas every Monday night.

Pretty Little Liars

It's not in season right now...in fact they just had a crazy cliffhanger which is one of the main reasons I can't wait for January.
It's a high school, less upper-class, version of Gossip Girl.  And it makes me wish I went to an ordinary high school all the more.

Twilight

I remember reading the first book and absolutely melting.  The books are obviously going to be better than the movies, but I'm definitely not saying no to watching Kellan Lutz, Taylor Lautner, Robert Pattinson, and that new vampire (Riley) on a big screen.

Facebook...

Who isn't addicted?  I mean we think it's weird when someone doesn't have a facebook.  But, it's definitely my ultimate guilty pleasure.  When I wake up, multiple times throughout the day, on my phone, before I go to bed--I have to check my facebook.

What are some of your guilty pleasures?? Maybe I'll want to make them mine as well :)