2010-2011 or Something Like

The end of the year is always a time to reflect right? A time to think about the things that we did right and wrong, the things we wish we would have changed. Or maybe we are thinking about how amazing the year was... all the things we succeeded in, or failed in.

I don't want to think about that. Yes, it's there and I can't ignore it. But I don't want that to be my only thought. There is so much to life that most of us are so afraid to take a chance with. We have so many options and so many choices we can make. Are we suppose to harp on what we didn't do last year or what we wish we would have done, or what we did. Or maybe we can hope we execute those endeavors this years... maybe we can make plans and New Year's Resolutions.

No, I am going to take my life in my hands. I am not going to talk about hopes and fears that are already obvious. I am going to take a chance. I am going to say what I want. I am going to wear what I want, do what I want, see what I want. It is my choice.

That is the point. It is another year to take a chance on me, on my life, on what I want to do. I hope I have the courage to take those changes. And I hope you do too.

The Strange, the Smelly, and the Beautiful

So my first couple days in France have been AMAZING. Such an interesting culture. Of course, before I begin, let me tell you that everyone in Southern France is short and no one is blonde. So here we come, all three of us tall, and I have blonde hair. We kind of stick out (lovely). The people are beautiful though. The males especially are quite intriguing. Their faces are sculpted to perfection and everyone has beautiful eyeballs!

The architecture and landscape is gorgeous. The dense city is amazing. Every building looks important, from apartments, to grocery stores, to churches, cathedrals, opera houses, and everything in between. The streets are surprisingly clean, everywhere. But like any city, they also have their quirky things. Like we sat in an American Bar: no one spoke English, the food was French, and the silverware and glasses Italian (need I say more). The city library had books painted on the building. The advertisements were ridiculous. The decorations ranged from awe shocking, stunning, to just plain strange!

All in all, so far I think France in pretty freakin' awesome. I mean it is rather peculiar. I am really not fond of the body odor either. We were standing in a grocery store (HUGE beyond huge store by the way), and I could smell people all around. My dad told me that sometimes, after he has meetings with coworkers, he has to open his windows to vent... no thank you!

The food, the espresso, and the wine.... absolutely fantastic. French cuisine, so far, is delicious and completely up to its hype. The bread as in the fresh baguettes, spectacular! And the best thing is, everything is in smaller portions, so you can enjoy and appetizer, entrée, and dessert, but not feel like a heifer! And let me just say, the cheese, like nothing I have ever had. The grocery stores have aisles of cheese! It's ridiculous actually, but so good.

I have almost a week still left here in France, so I will definitely share more soon. For now, here is some photos of my French escapades!

This picture doesn't even do it justice. It was a MINI Mini Cooper. Literally, I doubt I could have fit in it.

Beautiful.

I am in love.

The infamous Rhone River...

The male Rhone river and female Sagne river... Apparently there are stories with these two rivers that go through Lyon's center. Hint hint wink wink**

Seriously, who names a pub that? I'll tell ya who.. the FRENCH. Although, it really does make me chuckle :)
I'm sorry, but I had to take a picture of the boobs. Amazing old books in a window and then boobs smack dab in the middle!

Need I say more?

Even the most usual and boring streets look pretty in Lyon!

The chef looking adorable in his apron! And of course we had a delicious meal!

My dad's apartment. There is a huge balcony that wraps around the living room!

I dedicate this to Lindsay. Not only is Burgundy mushroom county, the play ground for the kids were all sorts of mushrooms!

I absolutely refuse to use a stand up toilet. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Then my dad also informs me that the French don't think hygiene is very important. Yea, let me attempt to pee standing up... me of all people... sounds like a disaster waiting to happen!

Dragons, Popes, and Ouzo

WELL... where to begin. Let me just say the flight to Germany was quite quick. Which really helped my sanity. When I first got on the plane, I realized I was a middle seat. Oh I almost freaked at the idea of being sandwiched between two people for 10 hours. Then there was no one in my aisle! I was stoked at life. All three seats to myself. At the very last minute some gorgeous young Italian man stumbles to my three seats and says he is the window seat. I was like OMG I am in love. This is going to be an amazing flight. WRONG. While I did get to sit in the aisle seat, the gorgeous Italian ended up being a moron, jerk, and completely full of himself. NO THANK YOU. So I read my book, took a nap, watched a movie and the end of the flight came quick and painless.

So then began Germany. The first day we walked around Worms, Germany. Looking at all the old historical sights, including St. Peter's Dome, the oldest Jewish cemetery in all of Europe, and old Roman wall, and other random things along the way. The most exciting thing to me was that apparently Worms has this tale of dragons throughout the centuries... little colorful dragon statues were scattered throughout the center. I of course found it completely necessary to take a picture with as many as I could find. Then there was the little Pope statue with the scarf, the small model of St. Peter's Dome for blind people (right by the big one). I was fascinated. Then of course there was food, liquor, more liquor and more site seeing. That was all we saw of Germany, for now. I am in France currently. It deserves a blog all on its own. Which will soon come!

As for the poses in some of the these pictures... don't ask. I don't even know what I was doing. But one really amazing feat... I never slipped once on the icy sidewalks! Yay for me!

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Fly Me To EUURROOPA

Tomorrow I will be departing once again to Europe. STOKED at life. So excited to see my dad. I miss him more than anything. Of course a nice tour of Germany and France will also be extremely exciting. I have never been to France before!

SO, unlike last time, when I said I would keep up with blogging my trip and obviously didn't (not my fault... there was no internet where I was in the Motherland), this time I will have complete internet access. I even brought my camera hook up so I can upload pictures! WHOOO for documentation.

I am going to try to be very detailed and what not, because the truth is, when I get home, there is so much information and stories I want to tell, that I am on like overload and can't remember anything, so if I just document as I go, you guys will get to hear all the amazing and embarrassing escapades that I am sure I will get my self into.

I CAN'T FREAKIN' WAIT!!! Whoooooo. I will miss you all. But really, everyone needs a little time away, right (I know you know what song I am referencing!!)?

A Teeny Tiny Little Wish List

It's almost the end of another year. A very peculiar year might I add. A year that I have discovered a lot about, well, a lot. The end of the year also signifies the holidays. Which are my favorite time of the year. I love the decorations, the music, ice skating, snow (oh I love snow and really hope I get the chance to see it this year), and most of all, I love that the holiday makes people come together. Whether you want to or not, spending the end of the year with people you love always puts a smile to your face. Well, I hope it does.

I'm spending the end of the year in Europe! I know I know, there goes Barbie going back to Europe, AGAIN. But hey, if 95% of your family lived overseas, then you would be there a lot too.

But before I ring in 2011, before Christmas, there is this little thing called: my birthday. December 17th to be correct. It's on a Friday this year. It also happens to be the last day of finals for me (after a very tough semester). So I will be celebrating 24 years and my second to last semester in college (finally!).

People keep asking me what I want for my birthday. What I want is for everyone to come to the Firehouse Bar in San Pedro square, around 9 or after. My favorite thing is just hanging out and getting silly with people I enjoy.

But if you must grab a present on your way, which some of you are insisting, I decided to write a little itty bitty list:

Birthday Wishes:

1. Concert tickets to something fun.

2. Books, CD's, Movies and even more books.

3. A black bathrobe. Random I know, but I am done wearing the same bathrobe I have had since Jr. High!

4. The Julia Child Cookbooks.

5. Gift certificates to either of the following: William Sonoma, Barnes and Noble, Nordstroms, Target, DSW, and Urban Outfitters.

6. Something homemade. Those really tend to be the sweetest gifts.

7. Surprise me with something to do! Like a day trip or a date night with you!

8. Or just surprise me with anything at all! A pack of gum would be nice. My fav is that 5 gum, the flavor Rain (green and black). It's just so yummy but almost 2 dollars a pack! Kind of a splurge when you're a poor college student. You laugh, but when you eat a lot of it and share with EVERYONE, it gets pricey.

Last but not least, just remembering my bday and taking the time to sign a card, make a phone call, or send a text... that is just perfect (and of course come to Firehouse and share a drink with me!).

I am not a high maintenance girl. Just being there makes me happy, seriously.