Meet me in Paris

Day 1 & 2: Traveling

We left LAX, had a 2 hour layover turn into a 6 hour layover in Chicago, but we've made it to Paris!

We got there mid day and Andrea was waiting for us at the Hotel. We dropped our things off, and half listened as she rattled off her agenda for us. We then walked to the metro station, bought our 3 day tickets and went on our merry way to the Notre Dame Cathedral.

We waited in a very long line that moved very quickly...so quickly that we’d made it to the front 3 time before Andrea finally made it back with our water bottles from Safeway. (Come on, it was across the street and took her like 25 minutes, of course after making it to the front of the line twice I panicked and just as all the scenes from Taken crossed through my mind, she came casually strolling up, lovely). So the inside was beautiful, the stained glass windows were sincerely breathtaking, I just love old churches and there was something about the gargoyles on the roof that just topped it all of perfectly (literally).

Then we hopped back on the metro to go to Montmartre, a hill in the North of Paris. After grabbing a quick sandwich we began our climb of A LOT of stairs that finally took us to the top of this lovely little town. The residence of this town are made up of all sorts of artists - writers, painters, musicians, ect...it has become a little hub for creativity, Van Gogh and his brother lived there for awhile. There is another beautiful church on top of the mountain. Standing on the steps out in front was a great view of Paris. We then had a run in with a man stuck in a wall, (read his story: http://www.tor.com/blogs/2009/04/my-encounter-with-qthe-man-who-could-walk-through-wallsq). We then grabbed ice cream and made our way back to the hotel for a bit.

Our night ended with a sleepy boat ride around Paris to see the Eiffel Tower all lit up. DEFINITELY worth the sleep deprivation (remember this all happened the second we landed in Paris, no post traveling nap for me yet). We got back to our beds about 12:30am and needless to say I passed out....never to be heard from again.

Day 3

I was just kidding about that never to be heard from again. Blackout curtains are both an amazing creation and my worst enemy. I slept in until 10am, which is horrifyingly unheard of for me but then we were off (slowly) to start day 2. Today we were off to Disneyland. Although in my mind I’m thinking, been there done that, but this is Andrea’s trip and she was adamant that we go. It was a fun day, a lot was the same but there was definitely a lot that was different. Their Space Mountain, sooo much better, but our Haunted House and Indiana Jones for sure takes the cake. I left earlier than the rest of them because I was in desperate need of a good run and wanted to see the Eiffel Tower up close and personal. So they stayed for the firework water show (which was apparently out of this world amazing) and I headed back to the hotel to change.

Lulu’s and new running shoes on, 

I jumped onto the metro and made my way through the crowds of awful tourists (of course I’m excluding myself from this generalization) and found a big park at the base of the Eiffel Tower. I’m not sure which one of my friends told me it wasn't as big as they thought it would be, you’re dumb, it was HUGE. I then started on my run around the park with the goal of “running until it got dark” - mind you it was already like 8:30pm well..... 6 miles later I decided that “getting dark” was a good enough time to stop because it apparently doesn't get dark until forever here! I stopped a couple time to gawk at the sunset and become one of those awful tourists by taking my phone out every other mile or so to get another picture.

Day 4

Our last day in Paris we attempted to go to the Catacombs but the line was catastrophic so we made our merry way towards the Arc de Triomphe. From the top the view was breathtaking. By far THE BEST view of the city. We made friends with a boy wearing a BYU shirt and his dad because I obviously have to make conversations with everyone possible. His parents had flown to pick him up from his mission in South Africa and they were taking the long way home stopping in Paris and then New York on their way home to Utah. Anyways, it was a fun little run in. After this we grabbed lunch, packed up and we were off to Amsterdam by train!

UPDATE YOUR LIFE MORE OFTEN

This is my post to remind myself to fill in the gaps of my life:

- the end of summer 2012
- semesters 1 & 2 of grad school
- my new job
and everything in between.

Burlap & Lace

I was lucky enough to have gone to the most special and beautiful wedding this last weekend. One of my dearest friends Laura got married!

a little background: Laura and I met in Thailand while I was there studying abroad. I met her family my first Sunday at church and they pretty much adopted me as one of their own right there on the spot. Laura became more than just a happenstance friend over those few months, I truly began to view her as family. The solidifying trip was to Bali with her family for Christmas. Laura and I shared a room and we sat up at night talking about everything from school to boys, which eventually lead into this exact topic...marriage.

So Thailand ended and we continued to talk when we could on Skype between busy school schedules and other hectic life things. I heard about Scott and met him via Skype for the first time as well. After meeting him in person I couldn't be more happy for you Laura. You both are perfect for one another and I love you so much! I feel so blessed to have been able to be there for you on your special day.

Florida Wedding

Do you have any idea how expensive plane tickets get less than two weeks before your trip? Well I found out when Travis invited me out to Florida for his cousin's wedding. But it was worth every penny.

So I ended up flying out with his sister out of Sacramento. We met for the first time on our way to the airport (we're both talkers so it went perfectly well). The flight wasn't too bad and just a handful of hours later Travis and his Dad were picking us up from the airport. 

Our first few days were spent in Sarasota. The weather was beautiful and made for a few great beach days, some wandering around town, and of course gellato. We also went to the most wonderful and authentic Italian restaurant one of the nights. Oh, and I can't forget our encounter with this wonderfully fascinating lady in the gym who told us her life story about how she used to deal drugs and she was living the absolute high life and making so much money she could buy $100 pairs of pants on a whim if she wanted, then her jail time and now her wonderful life as a yoga instructor. She said she is currently writing a book about her life so I'll have to keep an eye out for that, possibly?

We then drove to a little island called Captiva where the wedding festivities began. I met more family, stuffed gift bags and helped with pretty much whatever I was asked to do. Trav and I got in a couple morning workouts on the beach and I went for one pretty good run. We got in a good game of beach volleyball where I got bit a million and a half times by something. And my pride and joy of the trip was my crafting of the Tropical "F" Bomb.

Wedding day finally came and of course the storm came with it. Unfortunately we had to move the wedding inside but it was still amazing and Kendrick looked beautiful. Congrats Kendrick and Rue!

So, I got a dog. Well I actually got a puppy who will one day grow into a dog, but I am going to embrace and relish this puppy time as long as I can.

Meet Cooper.

He is half German Shepard and Half Australian Shepard.

His birthday is March 11, 2012.

He is the love of my life.

This was the stick he thought was an appropriate size to try to bring into the house...twice.

Up to date he has:

- freaked out while giving him a bath

- puked up an ENTIRE pair of my underwear (I was rather impressed)

- destroyed a mop

- been deemed the cutest puppy in the entire world

- survived my attempt at being vet skills

- learned sit

- learned fetch

- went from being the worst car dog to surviving the drive to Pleasanton and back

and continues to be the best thing that every happened to me. I think it is safe to say that Cooper will probably become a main topic for the rest of my blogging life. Because come on, just look at those pictures again, isn't he just the best?

Team Austin

Austin Perry Brashears

      

"The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears or the sea." 

written the week I got back from your memorial:

There is something healing about the ocean. Maybe it is the salt water that cleanses or that you simply can't tell the difference between the salt and tears but it has always helped to take care of my difficult struggles.

We said goodbye to you last week. It is something I'm still having an impossible time coming to terms with but your memorial went as perfectly as possible. It takes an amazing and special person to bring people together like you have.

I flew home on Tuesday. Over that week I spent my allotted time with Sarah (I seriously don't know how I survive in Chico without her) and the family, then the rest of my time was spent with Austin activities.


Thursday was Austin's skate night, we all dressed silly and laughed together, reuniting with old friends and remembering all the times we had each spent with him.

Friday was the paddle out. This was particularly special for me because the last time I saw Austin was in the water, I had gone down to the beach while him and Jeff were surfing to wave goodbye before I went back up to Chico. It seemed perfect that this would be the same place I said my final goodbye to him. The conditions were awful, but we made it out there and it was one of the most beautiful things I've ever been a part of. So many people came out to be there with you Austin, it was amazing and the sunset was beautiful.

Saturday was the memorial. I was asked to sing with Sage and we put together a second song with a group of Austin's friends that he would have been so proud of. I'm so grateful that my little sister recorded this. It was by far one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, but it was exactly how I needed to say goodbye to my friend.

I was glad to be home, I would give anything for the reason of going home to be different but none of us can change what has happened. Austin, we all must live in your memory now. We must do things for the story and as you have taught us, to live each day to full potential and get as much out of this life as we possibly can. I miss you, our life talks and cinnamon rolls. Things just won't every be the same without you, please watch out for all of us and help us to live on in your legacy. I love you. Until we meet again. <3

http://doitforaustin.blogspot.com/

This is a blog where we will all record our Austin inspired adventures, I will be writing a post as soon as I get back from Florida. Thanks for giving me the drive to buy those (last minute, annoyingly expensive) tickets and not look back.

you're video: thanks Goose!

 http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4133384851760

you're website: 

http://www.austinbrashears.com/AustinBrashears.com/Welcome.html

you're memorial:
http://www.austinbrashears.com/AustinBrashears.com/Memorial.html

Graduation time

Graduation came and went so quickly. I want to say it FINALLY came, but it feels like only yesterday I was driving up to see Chico for the first time. These four years have been truly remarkable. I've learned just as much outside the classroom as in it and have met some of the most amazing people.

- And this is how my family celebrates - 

The last four years are scattered with track practices, class, 2 am phone calls, Habitat for Humanity, the WREC, the dorms to klondike court to 1st ave to 6th ave, roommates & friends who have become more like family, dances, church events and everything in between. I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams. This graduation weekend was amazing as well. I had my family and closest friends (minus a few in Huntington, I wish you could have been here!) but I loved every minute of it.

And apparently I've loved these past four years so much that I'm sticking around in town for Grad School! Kinesiology department here I come!

*oh and I finally convinced Travis to date me. the end.