Dates

So, I just helped one of my really good friend's boyfriend to plan their anniversary date.  Now, not to toot my own horn or anything, but I always plan the perfect dates.  I come up with the cutest/funnest/most perfect dates, but yet I'm nver the one who gets to go on them.  Now I don't mean to gripe about it, but come on! How is it fair that I always come up with these ideas and other people always have the greatest times, yet I never get to on any of these dates myself?  I don't know, I guess it just kinda sucks to always be behind the drawing board, never getting to look at the product.  And I'm sure one day I will, but in the mean time it kinda stink.

Randy!

Today was one of the best days.  My bestest friend in the entire world, besides my siblings, is Randy Kwon.  He is like the older brother I never had but always wanted.  Sadly he and I, despite the amount that we talked, had never actually met in person.

Well this week I'm up in Pennsylvania staying with my friend Kate who lives about 20 minutes away from Randy.  Last night we asked him if he'd like to go out to lunch with us today, and he said he would.  So today at around noon I finally got to meet him.

We all went to Noodles and Company for lunch and then we made him go shopping with us.  I can't even begin to describe how much fun it was.

We dragged him into Ulta because Kate needed new make-up.  We were in there for who knows how long, but it was by no means a short amount of time.  We dragged him through that entire store, and made him help us pick out eye shadow colors.  That poor boy.

Then we went and played dress up in Express.  I think we probably spent over an hour in there, with Kate and I picking out all of these outfits for him to try on.  It was beyond fun.  And I must say that I enjoy playing dress up with a boy, because all of those outfits that I wish boys my age actually wore, well I got to put him in those.  I'm so lucky he's such a good sport.

And after being patient with us and letting us pick out whatever outfits we wanted to dress him up in, it was his turn.  You know, for a straight guy, he has an amazing sense of style.  I was actually really surprised at the outfits he picked out for us, they were all really cute, complete with accessories.

 

After playing dress up for a good hour and a half we went to target to get some make-up brushes.  And then we headed back home.

 

The best part of today was that Randy was so cool about it all.  We want to go spend over an hour in a make-up store, sure he's game.  He is seriously the best person ever, and I am honored to be able to call him my best friend.

Family Adventures

So it's been a little while since I last wrote and there's been a lot to write about, so here is a little catch up for you.

My sister Jessica came into town the day before I got home from France, and so we have gone on many "adventures."  In my family we like to just get in the car and drive.  We call these little excursions Adventures, because we go and explore new things and just go to have a good time as a family.

Last week we decided to go up to Harrisonburg, Va for the weekend.  On the first day that we got there we went to explore the Lauray Caverns.  Omigoodness, it was one of the coolest things I've ever seen.  It's amazing to see what nature can create, these beautiful caverns, with lakes and stalactites and stalagmites, were such a wonderful example of the beauty that cannot be created or copied and can only be found in nature.

Besides the sheer beauty of it all, it was so much fun to be there with my family.  I can honestly say that we all laughed the whole way through, from the faces and the jokes and the stories that we all told each other, it was so much fun.

We also got "caves kisses," when the water drips off the ceiling of the caverns and if it hits you it's a year of good luck.  I can say if I ever needed a year of good luck, it would be my senior year.

That night for dinner no one could think of anything they wanted except for me, so we decided to go with my suggestion, barbecue.   Now it had been a long while since any of us had had real barbecue, and for me it was the first time I'd ever had REAL southern barbecue.  Nothing can beat a meal like the one we had that night.  We stopped at this little diner, and it felt more like coming home to a meal than to a restaurant.

My favorite part of that day though was after dinner.  I had suggested that we drive up the mountain a little more and to park the car and go star gazing.  I couldn't get enough of that sight, the stars sparkling like a million diamonds above our heads.  You could hear a little babbling brook off to the side of where we were.  All in all, with the clearest night sky I've ever seen, and the sounds of the night all around us, I couldn't have dreamed up a more perfect moment.

The next day while we were in Harrisonburg we decided to go hiking. We found some fun little trails.  When I was really little we used to go hiking all the time as a family, I wish we still did because every time we do we always have so much fun.  One of the trails we took brought us up to the edge of one of the mountains, and the view from that point was absolutely breathtaking.  You could see for miles and miles.

We spent our last day in Harrisonburg exploring the little town as well as the area around the campus of JMU.  And of course we took many photos.  Sometimes I wonder what people do with their cameras if they don't go out to explore like my family does.  And I know that few families are like mine, and I can honestly say I am forever grateful for the bond my family has.  Ours goes beyond blood, because we're also friends, and I don't think anyone could ask for more than that.

We also decided to spend a day at the beach as a family.  Down by the boardwalk they have those four person bikes that you can rent.  They always looked like such great fun, and a nice leisurely way to go down along the beach.  Well I was wrong.  People don't bike slowly on those things by choice, it's because they don't go any faster than a slow walk, I swear.  However after our hard work, we all went to get ice cream, and on a day as hot as that one was, that ice cream was well earned.

 After grabbing our ice cream, Tanner had been asking for quite some time to go putt-putt golfing, so we went to one of the courses there by the beach.  We decided to try the Jungle Golf because we have passed it an innumerable amount of times but have never gone.  Well, I can honestly say that I suck at putt-putt golf.  As you can see I was very clearly third place, and I only lost to the five year old... haha.  But it was a lot of fun, I can honestly say I have never had that much fun at golfing before.

My mom has been making this dress for Jessica and she finally go it finished while she was here.  It is a Pride and Prejudice style of a dress and was it beautiful.  We decided to go up to the Westover Plantaion on Turkey Island to take photos of Jessica in the dress.  I mean, she's already one of the prettiest people I know, but my sister looked stunning.  And I just couldn't help but share, I mean, have you ever seen prettier eyes?  And her hair, I wont even get started on how perfect her hair is.

 Horses.  My family loves horses.  Especially my sister.  Since these last few weeks have been our "Jessie Time,"  we decided we needed to go take her horse back riding while she was here.  Well we have some friends who own a farm and so went for a day and rented a couple of their horses to ride.  I was so amazing.  I think that people who have never had the chance to ride a horse need to.  There is no feeling that can compare to the feeling that you have when you ride a horse.  And ever the smell is amazing.  Now you may be thinking, "who likes the smell of horse?"  Well the answer to that would be me.  The smell of horse, and nature and wind and even sweat, all together they're more than the individual smells.  To me it smells like freedom and no perfume or any other scent can compare to the smell of freedom.


And that brings us up to yesterday.  Shopping, lunch out, it was a total girl's day.  Even though we literally shopped until we dropped it was so much fun.  I can never say it enough, I love getting to spend time with my family.  The best part of yesterday though was getting to have a little photo shoot at sunset.  We went down to Norfolk and took photos on the docks.  Sitting there watching the sunset with my family was perfect.  And then getting to go home and all snuggle up with blankets and watch a movie together? Perfect.

That's the one word I think I would have to describe families as.  Perfect.  No matter what's going on, or even if we're mad at each other, family always comes through, and that is perfectiton.

Disney

So I was listening to music on Youtube yesterday, and as I'm sure just like everyone else, I started with one song and ended up hopping to a completely different genre than where I started.  Well I ended up coming across this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHr_jqGTu_Y

It's the "Circle of Life" sung by a bunch of the old Disney stars including Raven Symone and Hilary Duff.  It just made me think how sad it is that Disney Channel went form that to "TTYLXOX" by Bella Thorne and "Swag it Out."  Need I say more?

Am I the only who misses the old Disney Channel TV shows?  Lizzie McGuire, Phil of the Future, That's So Raven, Kim Possible, and Even Stevens.  And then Nickelodean, with Rugrats, Drake and Josh, Hey Arnold, Rocket Power, Danny Phantom, even Zoey 101.  It's just kinda sad that all those shows that were worth watching have been replaced by things like Adventure Time, Shake It Up, Jessie, and Dog With a Blog.

What I wish we could do is start a new channel with all the old shows, the GOOD ones, TV shows that were worth watching.  Even if I'm not the one watching it, doesn't it concern anyone else that our future children will be watching garbage as television continues to digress?

Just food for thought.

There's No Place Like Home

Well it has almost been an entire month since the last time I was in my house for over 12 hours, and I can honestly say I have not ever been so grateful to be home.  I love it so much.

Today has quite honestly been the longest day of my life.  I got up at 4:45 Paris, France time, and it is now 8:20 Virginia time.  Well, I;m not sure if you are aware of the ti;e difference, but it is almost 2:30 my body's time, and I am so tired.

Now it hasn't been the best day, in fact I spent a good 14 hours traveling, sitting on an airplane, switching terminals, checking and rechecking luggage, all of it, it has just been going on and on and on.  I think the worst part of all of it though was when I finally got back to Virginia.

Every time one of my sisters comes back from college all of us go to pick them up and are waiting right there so as soon as they pass through they gate we can all run and hug each other.  I was so looking forward to this kind of greeting, with Ari running towards me yelling "Kelli!" before giving me a GIANT hug.  Well I sure did get my hopes up because when I walked out of that gate there wasn't anyone there.

I thought, oh it's okay, they're probably waiting at the wrong one, right?  I mean, they couldn't have just forgotten to come get me, could they?  Well they could, and they did.  I ended up waiting at the airport for about another twenty minutes after finally getting a hold of my dad.  I mean, no one would even answer their phones.  I'm not sure what happened, but that truly sucked.  And it didn't make me mad, it just really hurt, the thought that here I've been gone for a month and they just forgot to come pick me up.

Well it's all good now, I'm home, I'm fed, and I'm lying in my bed.  To the best ending that I could have thought of to the longest day of my life, this is me going off to sleep in my bed.  Night!  And America, it's good to be back.

And Then There Were None

Today marks my very last full day here in France.  It's crazy to think how fast time has gone by, it feels like just the other day that I was waiting in the Airport back in Norfolk to head out here.  I have to admit that I do miss my home and family considerabley, but even still, it's sad to be going.

I left Belle Isle on Thursday, even though I was starting to get bored with doing the same things everyday there, I still was sad to see it go.  That morning I had the chance to go up and take pictures of one of my favorite sights, some cliffs above the girl's favorite beach.  I don't think I would have been able to leave had I not gotten those pictures. 

The day was absolutely perfect.  Nothing could describe the beauty of it, not words, not pictures, nothing.  I wish that I could have just captured that perfetness and put it away. I'm thinking a little box to keep all those perfect moments in, and then I could open it on "rainy days," just as a little reminder of the good times when times don't seem so good.

I spent my last day in Nantes packing and making sure that I had everything I needed.  I wish I could have just gone and seen a little more, maybe another Church, or a castle, or even just more architecture.

All in all this trip has been amazing and I don't think it would ever be possible to forget any of it.  And to make the perfect ending for the perfect vacation I had my last dinner at a little crêperie.  And what did I have, a crêpe of course!  But what made it even better was that I got one with ratatouille.  I don't think I can describe how absolutely thrilled I was to see that on the menu.  It was even more perfect because earlier today I had been thinking about how I wished I'd had the chance to try it while I was in France.

Now it's bed time because I have a looong day ahead of me tomorrow.  Goodnight, for the lqst time, from Paris!!

Chargers

So sometimes I just want to repeatedly kick myself in the tush.  Yesterday I was out in Le Palais and I was taking some pictures so that I would remember the cute little town.  Well, with my luck, what happens?  My camera battery died of course.

Well hey, no biggy, I could just go back to the house and charge it right?  No.  I would have left the charger for my camera bck in Nantes too.  I swear I left everything in my other suit case.  Luckily, Robin was coming in today, and he was able to bring my camera and kindle chargers with him.  I can't even descrbe how much better my trip got when he handed me those.

Well, now that you know what a dunce I am, I'm going to tell you how awkard I am.

Last night Jade and Manon convinced me to go out "for drinks" with them.  I figured, okay, I'll ust go tonight and then next time they ask me I can be like "no thanks," and they won't try to push it.  I think my bain was only half zorking, because I failed to realize that it was a Friday night...

Well we went down to this little café, and all got our Grenadine and were sitting there trying to get each other to say things in our respective languages without accents.  MUCH harder than it sounds.

Well, I was wearing one of those earings that wrap up around your ear, and it was of a snake.  Well there were these three guys sitting at the table next to us, probably about 25.  Well anyway, they decided they were going to start talking to me.  Life has not prepared me for such things.

Like I understand that in college and beyond people do that, they flirt with strangers and things come from that, cool.  Well, I'm not quite there yet, maybe I'm not ready for college yet.

Well of course we're in France so they start speaking to me in French.  It took my a little while to turn my brain on and explain I didn't speak French.  They then switched to English and were trying to buy me a drink.

Never have I ever had random guys hit on me, let alone really old French ones.  I was so awkward.  I literally had no idea what to do, and Jade and Manon just laughe at me.  Why do these kinds of things happen to me?

Setting Up a Tent

Last night I had this great idea, why not sleep outside?

Well originally I just wanted to sleep out under the stars, but when I asked Jade and Manon if they would like to camp out too they said "in a tent?"  They were pretty set on this tent thing, so we got to setting it up.

Now, I have been camping an inumerous amount of times in my life, and I know how to set up a tent.  Easy peasy, right?  Well I swear this tent was from another planet.  It was truly the hardest thing to set up, ever.  And I'm no idiot, it shouldn't have been that hard.

Now I give myself a bit of credit because, firstly, the instructions were in French, and as much as I learned in my French classes, "Instructions for a Tent" failed to be in the curriculum.  Secondly, I was the one who finally figured out how to set it up.

I have decided something about setting up a tent with girls however, it is much like going to summer school.  Why? I'll tell you:

1.  You are surrounded by people that have no idea what they are doing.
2.  It's pretty much a living He**
3.  It's probably the worst way of going about getting done what needs to be done.
4.  Probably one of the worst ways to spend your time.

Now, I'm not sexist.  And if I was it wouldn't be against girls, because I am one, that'd just be dumb.  However, girls just shouldn't be allowed to set up tents.  If, however, they have a father like mine, a Mr. Campsalot, then sure, they might actually know what they're doing.  Girly girls? Nope, shouldn't be done.

It all worked out though, and thankfully we got the tent up just in time before it started raining.  But I honestly think it was one of the most complicated parts of my trip to France.

Belle Isle en Mer

Sorry guys, I really wanted to keep this thing udated, but I`ve been on an island without internet for about a week now. It's this pretty little place off the coast of France, and boy is it beautiful.

I'll just give you a couple of updates before I'm out of internet privillages for now.

1. I HATE roosters.  I used to think that they only cocked when the sun furst came up.  I was sadly mistaken.  No, they don't shut up until it goes back down at night.

2. I love old people, but there comes a time when they've been alone o long and have gone a little crazy.

3.  The beach is the only thing to do here, and I've never been that big of  a fan of the beach.  Sucks to be me.

4. So i hate wearing shoes.  I think my feet might be clastrophobic.  However, I have discovered I hate people telling me "shoes are nessicary" more than I do actually wearing them.

5.  As sad as it is, the internet is a must have in my life.  I mean a couple of days, that I can handle, but more than a week? Nope, I need my Facebook, Pinterest, and Youtube time.

Wel I should probably wrap this up, and I'll try for a bit more internet time while I'm still here to update you on whts been going on, and to share some of the beauty that's around me, but bye for now from Belle Ile en Mer.

Cathedrals, Castles and Cornets

You know that you have been around French people too long when the voice in your head has been permanently changed into speaking broken English with a French accent, and when you start having dreams in French that you don't understand.

Today was another "chill" day.  Jade and I went tanning and packed for the beach tomorrow, but besides that, pretty much all we did was lay on the couch all day.  I can now say that I am very much caught up on Pinterest and Facebook.

However, we did take a break after lunch to go into town with Mr. Toth.   We went and saw the Nantes Castle as well as the Cathedral.  The Cathedral was absolutely stunning.  In fact the side almost reminded me of a Mormon Temple, but then I don't think that even the hundreds of years old castles and cathedrals can compare to the House of God.

However when we got to the cathedral there was this huge crowd standing out front, and it turns out there was a wedding that was supposed to start soon, and all of the guests were waiting outside for the doors to open.  When they did open, the three of us slipped inside just so we could see the interior.  I'm glad we did because it was breath taking.  As we were slipping out and walking towards the castle the bride pulled up in the cutest little green car.  (That's another thing I love about France, all the cars and TINY.)  Well, you know me, I LOVE weddings, so I simply HAD to take a picture of the bride as she got out of her car.

After going around the Castle we decided to put in a little bit of shopping time.  Now I thought that France was supposed to be the Fashion Capital of the world, especially Paris, but as I walk around and just look at all the people I can't help but think how strange their fashion is.  And all the stores are filled with bizarre clothing and shoes.  However, while we were out today I did find this one jacket/shirt/sweater thing.  I'm honestly not sure what to call it, but it was literally the softest piece of clothing I have ever touched in my life.  So even though it was probably not worth the price, I just had to get it, and so I now have a jacket/shirt/sweater thing that's softer than chinchilla fur.

Of course we had to stop for a refreshment.  Ever time we go out we have to get something, and today it was ice cream.  There is this one ice cream franchise across Paris called Amorino.  Omigracious.  It is literally the best ice cream I've ever had in my life, and that includes Iceburg.  Now if you know anything about my love for ice cream, you'll know that I sweat by Iceburg, and I sing it's praises all the time.  My favorite part of Amonino is the when you get a cone (cornet) they scope it to look like a flower.  Literally the coolest way to eat your ice cream.  However, I probably shouldn't have gotten any, because that will make today's desserts number to three.  Sorbet after lunch, ice cream while shopping, and dessert sushi rolls (nutella and strawberries, can you say yum?!) after dinner...  Gosh, I'm thinking a diet is going to be in order once I get back from France.

And now this is me signing off, saying "Bonne nuit!" from Nantes, France!

Lazy Days

Today has been a lazy day.  I don't think people always understand the power behind a lazy day.  A day in which you have a whole world of possibilities but choose to take the time to relax, those can sometimes be the best.  To take the time to reflect on your life, plan for the future, to think, to explore the expanses of your mind, to dream, to consider, that's the best way to spend a lazy day.

I've just been sitting here writing a few post cards and writing in my journal, listening to country music.  Jade is out at some appointment so I've had just a few hours to do nothing and it's been great.  And this is what I've been thinking about, relationships.

Now I know that I'm always the one to complain about being single, because honestly, it sucks.  But at the same time I've decided it's pretty great.  It's funny, while I sit here and listen to all of these songs about relationships, and love and being alone, it really hits home some of my own feelings.  At times I feel just like Hunter Hayes when he sings "seems everybody's got somebody but me," but then at other times it's so great to just be free.  When you don't have someone, you can do and be whoever you want to be.  You don't have to worry about how they might feel about something you do, or if they'll like how you look.  Who cares?  Life is short, so live it out loud.  Bob Marley once said "some people feel the rain, others just get wet."  I want to feel the rain, and if for now I feel it by myself, then that's great.

I have decided I'm okay.  I like who I am, and until I enter the next chapter of my life, I'm going to live in this one, and I'm not going to keep rereading past chapters, because then I'll never get to the next.

Just my thoughts on where I am right now, and I'm glad I got to take just this bit of lazy time to think.  I needed it.

We're Here!

Sorry it's been a couple of days, but let me catch you up.

On Monday night we went for a night boat trip on the Sienne. It was absolutely beautiful, I don't think I've ever seen anything so beautiful.  Also after that boat ride I have decided that I do indeed like Paris, I just like it much better at night, on a boat, where you can't smell the smoke or see dirty streets.



I think my favorite part of that night was that there were these live performers right there along the water.  This little quartet was playing, one on the piano, one on the violin, one on the bass, and one on the accordion.  After our boat ride Mr. and Mrs. Toth danced to their music.  I'm pretty sure it was one of the cutest things ever.

A little bit down the pier from where the quartet was playing there was another piano, just sitting there for anyone to play.  Jade and I went over and we played it for a little while.  I sat down and played one of the only songs I know.  I've been thinking, what would you do if you knew that I had played and sang our song beneath the Eiffel Tour in Paris, France?

 Yesterday was our last "day" in Paris, it was really only our last few hours, and then we were off to Mont Saint Michel.  The night before I had decided that I desperately wanted to buy my sister a painting from the artist market.  Luckily the Toths were kind enough to oblique and they drove us back to Sacre Cœur so I could get one.  The painting I got is beautiful, and hopefully my sister will think so too so it will have been worth it.

After going to the artist market we headed out for this beautiful castle on the sea.  Well sometimes it's an island on the sea, and sometimes it's just a little hill surrounded by farmland.  It was absolutely gorgeous, and it was full of little nooks and crannies.  Going to places like that make me wish that I lived at a different time in a different place.

I got my dad and brother these awesome little daggers at on of the gift shops, words cannot describe how excited I am to give the, their gifts, it's gonna be amazing.

For dinner we stopped to get these famous omelettes from Mere Poulard, a restaurant special to le Mont Saint Michel.  I was super excited, famous food?  How can you go wrong?  Well I got my omelette and it turns out it's like a soufflé.  I'm pretty sure it was the strangest texture to an omelette ever, but surprisingly quite delicious.  Just goes to show, you can't judge a book by its cover, or an omelette by the fact its been souffléd.

Now I'm going to get on my soup box for a minute here.  On the bus from Mt St Michel back to the parking lot there was this family with this little boy, no more than three years old, probably closer to two.  Well it was late and I'm sure it had been a long day for the poor little boy so he was a little fussy.  However all of the other passengers were getting upset by his fussing.  What makes you think that you have the right to get mad at a two year old that way?  Were you a perfect child that never fussed? I highly doubt that, so don't get all uptight, it's okay.  It just makes me angry when people act like that.  Just grow up.

We then drove to our hotel a little ways away.  It was so precious, this little old fashioned building on the corner of town.  Our room was little but very nice.  My favorite part? Now don't laugh, but it was the bathroom.  It just had one of those perfect tubs, and so of course I had to take a bath.  It was probably one of the most relaxing things I have done in years.

I ended up just passing out on my bed last night, I was so tired, and I'm glad I did because today was another long day.

We went to Saint Melo, a Pirate Village.  It was so cool, lots of cute little shops and these tall beautiful buildings.  We got to take a tour or a merchants home, I think the staircase in the front alone was worth the walk that it took to get there.  A "déjeuner" of what looked like crêpes but cooked until it was crispy; and then we were on our way to Nantes.

And that's where we stand now, well sit.  And after much journeying we have finally arrived back "home."  We're here.

Le Livre de Mormon

Paris has been amazing!  I can't believe today is my last day and I'll be on my way towards Nantes tomorrow.  However, I'm so excited to see Mont Saint Michelle tomorrow.  

Here are some things I have decided about France:

1.  It smells, like bad.  Everyone smokes, and there is no air, all you breathe is cigarette smoke.  Most disgusting things ever.  It's even worse than New York.

2.  If people eat as much as we have been eating these last few days, I really don't understand how they're all so skinny. I feel like I'm going to die of liver failure.

3.  If you ever want to make money by playing on the side of the street, don't do it in Paris, everyone else is already here.  However, if you don't want to stick out like a sore thumb, Paris is the place to be.

Yesterday was amazing.  We went and saw Notre Dame, and the Sacre Coeur.  Both of which, for those who don't know, are churches, big, gorgeous churches.  I was simply amazed by the beauty of the churches, and I think that if I actually went to church that looked like they do, it would take a few hundred Sundays for me to stop paying attention to all the detail and to pay attention to the service.

I also got to go see one of those little markets with all the painters.  It was such a cool thing to experience.  I have heard of little markets like that, but it's crazy how talented the people all were.  These tiny little canvases with these amazing works of art, it's amazing.

Today was a lot of fun.  We finally went to go shopping beyond hitting little souvenir shops along the way to wherever we were going.  However, even better than the shopping was what happened right before we got to the mall.

We were about two blocks away from the mall, and I was thinking that it would be really cool to see missionaries in Paris, when low-and-behold there they were.  Two elders walked by, and it took me by surprise.  I honestly thought it was the coolest thing ever.  I literally ran after them so I could say hi.  luckily they both spoke English, and I'm pretty sure at least one was from Utah.  But so I got to talk to them for a little bit and they gave me a french copy of the Book of Mormon.

I gave it to Jade and her family, and I hope that they will read it, and who knows what will happen.  :)  Perhaps she and her family will read it and it might touch them in a way that they can't deny, how cool would that be, halfway around the world and I still had the opportunity to do missionary work.

We Are Here!

Yesterday I left for what would begin the biggest adventure of my life thus far.  I got up at seven yesterday to finish packing for my trip.  At one we got in the car and we all headed over to the airport.  I said my goodbyes, and then I was on my way.





I made it up to Newark, New York and then I was stuck there for hours.  I sat down to a meal of clam chowder in a bread bowl, and read my book.  After waiting in that airport for three hours it was finally time to go.  I got on the plane, and then I was headed out, across the sea, halfway around the world.

At this moment I am sitting in the Pacific Hotel in Paris, France. I can't believe I'm really here, I've been waiting for this trip for over a year now, and now I'm here.  It's absolutely beautiful, the City of Love really is all it's cracked up to be.

When the Toths picked me up from the airport, first we went back to our hotel and dropped off our luggage and then we went out to start seeing Paris.

The Paris Opera House, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tour, and the Champs Elysées.  It was such an amazing view and I just wish I hadn't been so tired so I could have appreciated the tour around Paris more.  But today was just the beginning of what's going to be an amazing three weeks.

I Can't Wait!

Today was my last day as a Junior in high school, and I can honestly say that I will NOT miss Junior Year.  It really did suck.  I mean it's not like I didn't have friends or have any fun, it was just that this year was by far the most stressful year in school I have had thus far.

But all of that aside, I am so excited for what's to come.  I have EFY in 21 days, France in 25, and my sister is coming home in a little over a month.

EFY is the one thing I look forward to every single year.  It's my spiritual boost and I honestly don't think I would be able to make it through the school year without it.  I havemadesome of my very best friends there.  It's because of EFY that I met the first boy I ever fell in love with.  I have made friendships that will last a life time, and I cannot wait for my very last opportnity to go and mke new friends.  On top of having the chance to make new friends I get to see old ones.  I'm so far beyond lucky to get to room with one of my all time favorite people Kate again this year.

France.  Need I say more? It's been this dream of mine to go and see Europe for almost as long as I can remember and now I'm getting the chance to.  What more could a teenager ask for than a trip completely funded by her parents to France? I am so far beyond excited for France.  Especially because I get to go ad stay for three weeks with my french friend Jade.

Lastly, my best friend in the entire world, my older sister Jessica, is coming home for most of August.  She is literally my soul sister and I'm so greatful that we are actual related as well.  She is the funniest, prettiest, most perfect person I know and I've missed her so much since she left for college.

All in all I just can't wait :)

Love

So it's been a while since the last time that I wrote on here, but I never have been very good at keeping up with it all, but I've just been thinking recently, and so here I am, writing it out.

So my seventeenth birthday is next Thursday, so nine more wake-ups, and thinking about that made me think about how time has gone by.  I can still remember the week before my sixteenth birthday as if it were yesterday, and I truly can't believe it's already been a year.

A year ago from next Thursday was the first time I ever told a boy that I really liked him.  I can still remember how scared I was about it all, I was terrified that when I told him he would be weirded out and that he would never talk to me.  I can still recall how my heart started pounding at a thousand miles per hour and I couldn't think straight through my fear.  But then I told him, and the like two seconds of silence after that were the longest two seconds of my life.  It felt like my entire existence depended on what the words would be after that silence, and I just couldn't stand to think of what would happen if they weren't words telling me he felt the same.

I know that I'm still young and that I have a lot of life left to live, but I feel like that will be a memory that wont fade in time.  Robert Penn Warren once wrote that there are certain memories that, rather than fading with time, only grow stronger, and the older you get the clearer it becomes.  I feel like that will be one of those memories, that and my very first kiss three days later.

I know that reliving the paste is a waste because it keeps you from living the present and the future.  I guess that's why I'm glad that I've moved on, I will always cherish those memories, and those feelings, because they're just the beginning of a life full feelings and moments.  Those first feelings of love that you have for someone outside of your family and friends are important.  They're a different kind of love, ones that I can't imagine this world existing without.

I guess what I'm trying to say is love life, live the moments it gives you to the fullest, and when those moments are over, don't let them fade, remember then, remember the smiles and laughs shared, the tears shed, the pain and the hurt, the joy and peace, learn from mistakes, make more, but keep living.  Life is good.  Remember what you have, be grateful for it, let go when holding on isn't what's right anymore, and move one because what's meant to be in your life will be.  Be happy.

Change...

I hate change.  I have never liked it.  And it's not only big change I don't like.  It's the little stuff too.

In school when I'm taking notes and I have my nice little flow and order to my notes, and then the teacher decides to start jumping around topics and such, I HATE that!  I can't handle the fact that my notes will no longer be perfect.

When I have been following a certain routine everyday for what feels like forever, but then something happens that make it all change. Like my 9:30 bed time.  I go to bed, every night at 9:30.  But then those nights that I have loads of homework and have to stay up later, I can't handle that.  Sleepovers are hard enough, at least then I don't actually have to function.

But despite the little changes in life that I really don't like, I hate big change even more.  Today my Young Woman's Leader was released at church, and they called a new presidency.  My leader, Sister Thorpe, was literally my Best Friend.  I could tell her everything, and anything, and I did.  She probably knew more things about my life and the way I felt about everything than even my sisters.  She was always there for me, and I could depend on her to always be there.

I don't understand why she had to leave, I honestly think it was a HUGE mistake.  She reached out to all the girls.  She got things.  She understood what we were all going through in life and tried to be there for all of us.  She put so much work into everything she did, and she had to do a lot of things alone.  She was too great of a person the be replaced.

I'm going to miss her the way someone misses their loved ones when they pass away.  I know that she's still around, and I can always call her when I need her, but the fact that she won't always be there in person is what gets me.  I hate change.

LyliAnn

Today my mama and I did our very first baby photo shoot.  It was so much fun! Little Baby LyliAnn was just so precious! Trying to juggle the baby and all her clothes and different backdrops and props, although challenging, was a lot of fun.  My mom took most of the photos, but I wanted to post just a few.  I'm really loving the new flooring and the back drop that we got for photos.  I'm really looking forward to getting to use them in the future, I foresee a lot more shoots happening in the future so much fun! ;)

Copyright to Miquelle Buss Photography©

Copyright to Arlette Buss Photography©

copyright to Miquelle Buss Photography©

"Seeing Someone Else"

I think those are the worst words I've heard in a good long time.  That boy that I stayed up all night thinking about not long ago? The one I've liked for over two and a half years now? The guy that was my first kiss? The guy I almost thought I loved? Yeah, told me today that he was "seeing someone else." Words can't describe the nothingness I feel inside right now, I can't cry, but I'm not happy.  Even though it'd been a while since we talked I guess I always figured we would work through that, that we'd last.  But all good things have to come to an end right? Even perfect things, bcause life isn't perfect, and it doesn't like perfect to exist within it.

Longest Day Ever

It's seriously been the longest day EVER!!! I was helping out with auditions at my arts school all day, and I'm pooped.  I was so excited to go home and go to bed when I remembered I'm having a sleepover tonight... Why am I so spacey sometimes? :P haha but anyway, I'm tired, my eyes hurt (from not wearing glasses all day), I just bit my tongue, and now I have the hiccups.  Yeah, longest. Day. Ever.

Sailor Moon

Last night I hd a sleepover at my friends house, and we went to her Youth Night activity.  One of the girls was Japanese, and we ended up talking about Japan and all of these things that we missed and had this long reminiscing moment.  Then when my friend and I got back too her house, we spent like 3 hours watching old Sailor Moon episodes. I miss that show so much, and I just miss everything about Japan.  Guess it just got me in the mood for the way things used to be, perfect and simple.

Me

I feel like I must be quite annoying to other people.  I talk ALL the time, and not only do I talk, but I talk LOUDLY.  I have an opinion on EVERYTHING and I like to let people know what they are.  I either take FOREVER to text back, or I text someone way to much.  In almost every text I begin and end with "haha," ever if there wasn't anything funny.  My texts and letters have more smiley faces than any one word (including the).  I'm forever on Pinterest, and if I like something, I pin it.  I like a LOT of things on Pinterest.  Yeah, altogether, sounds like someone who would get on my nerves.

Randy Moment

I was talking to Randy today and he said he didn't want to be the guy, so I asked him if that made me the pants in our relationship.  He had never heard of that saying and so when I explained that normally the guy is the pants he asked what the girl was.  Well I wasn't sure, so we decided that if the man is the pants, the girl is the hat :) Randy is the hat in our relationship :)

RED!

I have always wanted red hair, ever since I was a very little girl.  It has seriously been one of my biggest dreams for my entire life.  Well I finally gave in and went and got my hair dyed on Friday :) Check it out, I'm a redhead <3 Brilliant Brunette to Radiant Redhead ;)  It reminds me of red velvet cake, yummm... :)

Harry Potter Marathon

So thislast weekend my family decided to have a Harry Potter Marathon, and we were gonna watch all eight movies on Saturday.  Well that didn't end up working out real well.  We finally finished watching number eight last night. I had never seen the last four, and I'd actually only seen the first half of the fourth, and I actually really enjoyed them, now all I need to do is read the books.

Stupid Sleepless Nights

So right now I'm lying in bed trying to fall asleep which is not working for me. Well whenever this happens its either because my brain is racing, or if that's not the cause then its the outcome. I have just spent the last two hours thinking about a guy I haven't talked to in over two months, I used to really like him, like REALLY like this guy. Well life does funny things sometimes, sometimes it brings about disasters or change, sometimes it takes people away, and sometimes it'll even shove people back where they no longer belong. Well that's the ce with thi boy, he doesn't belong on my mind or in heart anymore, if so he wouldn't have just stopped talking to me.  And is say that it wasn't just his fault, but that's be a lie.  I tried to keep in touch, calling, letters. Even hanging out, but he was the one to make it fall through, every single time.  So why, if I was like 99.99 percent that I was over him, have I spent so long tonight wishing to see him or even just tAlk to him? I hate when I can't sleep, nothing good ever comes from sleepless nights.