The best advice I ever got: "Travel Often"

I have a new found love for traveling. I think it began in April when I went to Cabo, Mexico with some friends for Spring Break. I had the time of my life. I literally never wanted to leave. The sun, the sand, the food, the people. I loved it all. (My pictures show it all...)

Since then I have taken every opportunity I can to travel. Which is why when my best friend from high school asked me to come to Madrid to visit her (she's studying abroad) I immediately said yes. I literally didn't even think about it. Why not? What on earth would hold me back from a week in Europe with my best friend? One day later I was booking my flight and making plans. I was a bit hesitant to ask my mom, for fear that she would reject the idea right away. However, when I casually mentioned the convo me and Jess had, she immediately said "You HAVE to go!" Oh my...I love my mom. She has always told me to travel often. Perhaps this is due to the fact that at age 18 she was in Europe for 3 weeks...and her stories are amazing. I'm so excited to make my own memories in Europe.

Madrid for Thanksgiving. How WONDERFUL! I'm staying for 7 days. Over the weekend we're going to fly to Paris. PARIS. You have no idea how long I've wanted to go there.

Oh my! I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself. Europe with my BFF...is there anything more exciting? (Here's a pic of me and Jess this summer before she left for Madrid)

On top of that, I'm planning my 21st birthday (Oct. 19th) with my Pi Phi sisters. Vegas, here we come! Me and Molly took a little trip there during the summer to see Tosh.0 and had a BLAST. To be honest, I don't think we stopped smiling during that entire vacation. I can't wait to go back in a few weeks! (I can't remember which hotel this picture is in front of...but it was GORGEOUS!)

Planning these trips is so much fun! It gives me something to look forward to in the midst of my crazy busy life.

I'm so glad I discovered my love for traveling....I want to see EVERYTHING!

Turning 20

So...here's the thing...my bday is in a couple days. Instead of being totally siked, I'm kind of dreading the whole thing. When I was growing up, I would sit and just imagine what I would look like when I was in my 20's. Here I am, days away from that birthday. 20. To the general population, this number seems low, young, and exciting. But, it's tough to persuade someone who cried on their 18th birthday. Yup, that was me. The girl who cried when she turned into a "legal adult" I just always wanted to be 17 forever. I was old enough to have my own opinions yet young enough to be able to make mistakes and get away with it, for the most part at least. (There's this saying- old enough to know better but young enough not to care- I always associated that with the age of 17...and it was the greatest phrase to live by ever)

Twenty just seems so old. In the next ten years, I will get married and find a career. It just seems like my life flew by. I want to hold onto my youth so badly but I also know I have to grow up.

I guess the reason I'm dreading it all is that I'm a little scared. I'm scared of the choices I will have to make, of the responsibilities I will have. I hope I do it all right.

I'm excited to see what happens in the next ten years, but I know they are probably the most important years of my life. I mean, during this time I will make the most important decisions of my life.

On a happier note...

Pi Phi is amazing. I LOVE living in the house. It's been such an amazing experience being surrounded by all my sisters all the time. I am defiantly living in next year! I have had some of the most random/funny conversations with those girls!

My best friends are amazingggg! Brie and Molly have been so good through everything! It's amazing to have friends that are there for me through thick and thin. Even better, I laugh so hard every time they are around. And, even when days go by when we don't really hang out, it's like we never missed a beat. Damn. I dunno what I would do without those girls. I really love them for all they have done for me. They have helped me through the good, the bad, and the ugly. I can't wait to see what we go through in years to come. And being bonded through sisterhood makes our connection even stronger. I just know these girls will be in my life for a long time and I feel soooo lucky for that!

I got my little sister in the house! Her name is Abby && she is so adorable!

So, as you can see, life is going good! I recently got my ski pass also! Canyons here I come! Yayyy! I can't wait for ski season!

School is going good. I am struggling in math (whats new) but other then that I am doing very well! Next semester I really have to buckle down, I'm taking 18 credits. Since I'm double majoring in accounting and marketing I need to take on a lot of school to graduate in time. So, that is going to be my main focus. School. Then again, after school the real world starts. You know, the whole job and bills and real life. ugh

This whole talk about growing up is depressing. I just wanna stay 17 forever. Then again, I guess the adventures, the mistakes, and the lessons are worth it in the end. I get to live my life with the people I love most. I get to live. learn. love. Isn't that what life is all about anyways?