Thursday, April 5, 2012

J'adore Paris

Bonjour everybody who cares to read this blog!

So things have been pretty hellish this week, but with it being the week before our two week Spring Break, you kind of expect it. I had 4 tests on three different days, had registration problems for the first time at ISU (like who creates a new pre-req and then require you to turn in forms that you did it but you can't because you are thousands of miles away and ughhh...), bought last minute train tickets and a friend's early birthday celebration, I haven't had much to time just breathe. But it is all worth it because I leave for Barcelona tomorrow to see one of my sorority sisters and then off to Cologne, Germany for a week. Oh and a day trip down to Tours, France in two weeks. Relaxation will finally be granted! Woohoo :)

But anyway, the point of this post: to tell you about my amazing weekend trip to Paris!!! From Friday night to Sunday night, we got to finally lose our Paris virginities and explore the city that a girl like me has been dreaming of wanting to visit ever since I first watched "Anastasia" (I can sing every word of "Paris Holds the Key to Your Heart."). So here is a peek at what I did in the city of love and lights.


So after an hour and a half train ride, a 45 minute metro ride, being harassed by some old woman and having to run across the highway, we finally made it to our hotel.

First stop, La Tour Eiffel (Eiffel Tower). I am proud to say I squealed for joy when it first came into sight.

So, so pretty.

And it sparkles!!!

Emily, Samantha and I can't contain our happiness.

∑∑∑ love in Paris.

Day 2 began by getting off at the metro at Place du Concorde.

Such a cool view. Too bad it was foggy on Saturday.

After walking all the way down the Champs Élysées, we made it to L'Arc du Triomphe...

...and then climb all the way up to the top!

Me and the Eiffel Tower.

Me, Emily and Sam.

Definitely had a girly moment wanting to take a picture on the stairs of the Swarovski boutique.
"Ohhh, Champs Élysées..."

Next stop, Notre Dame where we cut a long line waiting to get inside. Nobody noticed ;)

View from the entrance. A service was going on inside while we were there.

A love lock bridge. Not to self: must add lock to it when I am in Paris again with my mom and little brother.

Eeep!

The Latin Quartier: where I had the tastiest drink at one of the bars.

Sunday, Day 3. Such a nice day.

Moi.

This picture of the line getting into the Louvre just doesn't do it justice.

The Louvre: Where we spent about 3 hours of our day.

Had to post my picture of the "Mona Lisa." So tiny.

Who would have thought that we would accidentally find the house that Voltaire died in.


Jardin du Luxembourg.

So many people on such a wonderful spring day!

And that is how we did Paris. Cannot wait to go again at the end of the semester when my mom and brochik come out! It'll be great to do everything else that the four of us couldn't fit into three days. But one thing is certain:

J'adore Paris <3

Monday, March 26, 2012

What I Miss About Home

So a lot of people lately have been asking me what I miss about home. And it is around the time (60 days in!) that I am actually starting to miss certain things from home. But don't get me wrong, just because I miss some things doesn't mean I want to come home any time soon. That can wait for now.

But after two months of being in Angers, here is a list of what I miss:

1. My sisters, my favorite crazy boys and my first second family aka my Sigmas, the men of FarmHouse and Hewett 11. Seriously miss my sisters like crazy and the fact that I am missing so much with them (March Madness, Formal, etc) drives me nuts! And I can't believe I am saying this, but yes, yes I do miss the craziness that is FarmHouse (almost started singing your guys song on accident one night...haha...got the weirdest looks). Those boys are never a dull moment. And I miss my science nerds :(

2. The Fab Five. Done deal.

3. Watching 80s movies/Disney Channel movies/pretty much everything and anything with Brittany. Seriously, the minute I am home we are going for that Starbucks.

4. Starbucks. Iced White Chocolate Mocha please!

5. Mexican food. Our taco night that I had with my friends didn't cut it. It suckssss that Mexican food doesn't exist out here.

6. ISU quad. I bet it is pretty right now....

7. Portillo's, Olive Garden, DP Dough, Buffalo Wild Wings and Steak 'n' Shake. That's really the only fast food/sit down restaurant places that I crave.

8. Singing in the car...or driving in general.

9. Dr. Pepper. Doesn't exist in France. Had one in Dublin. Wasn't enough.

10. Having a closet with more options for clothes! Haha. Yes, a true girly want here.

11. Cuddling.

12. Dancing in 1122. I have done Jade's dance move with the hand/arm way to many times. Haha.

13. Weekends at ISU, well, sometimes. ;)

14. Anything and everything pop culture. If you truly know me, you know why this is a big issue for me.

15. Watching my favorite tv shows (Glee and One Tree Hill basically) on time and not the day after.

And of course....

16. Theo <3 June 29th! June 29th! JUNE 29TH!!!!!!

Oh and of course family, but that is pretty much a given.

And that makes up what I miss. It pretty much rotates in my mind and heart what I miss but it hasn't really faltered from that. Which is good I guess? Oh well :)

Coming Up:
PARIS <3
Spring Break!
And then like a month and a half before I come home. Yikes :0

Bisous!!!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Stumblin' Through Dublin

So this past weekend, after what felt like the best week ever with good grades, gorgeous warm weather and shopping, was spent in Dublin! Yep. You heard right. I spend St. Patrick's Day and weekend with the Irish. Jealous?

My weekend was spent pub hoping, swimming in a sea of green, going to the Guinness Storehouse, eating lunch in the park, spending all of Monday climbing rocks and the coast and yup hills in Dun Laoghaire and having so much fun!!!

My long weekend was seriously made better by spending it with Emily, Beth, Lukas and Sasha. Couldn't have asked for better people to be a little Irish with. Haha.

I decided instead of boring you with unnecessary details about what I did where, I would just give you all a bunch of pictures of my time in Ireland. A picture speaks a thousand words right??

WARNING: Many pints of Guinness was consumed on this trip.




































Annnnnnnd there you have it. What have I learned from this trip? Guinness and Baileys is good. I am no longer a fan of green. And I want to go back!

À bientôt!