Pizza Pie Cafe!

Today I am missing mom. I wish she could be here with me and hold me while I want to cry. It's been a really hard week without her.

This could possibly be my future home next summer. Stay tuned to find out! :)

I have a dream to have a room full of books when I get older. I have always loved reading. There is something about holding a book in your hand and flipping through the pages that is magical. I don’t know if it was creased pages, the smell of the pages, or the weight in my hands that made me first fall in love with books. I started reading when I was young because my parents said that if I was reading then I didn’t have to go to bed so early. The entertainment was free and gave me insightful knowledge into the world. As I have gotten older time to read has been scarce. With school and work my free time for books has been slim to none. I must admit how excited I am though for winter break. I am hoping that I can curl up on my bed with book in hand and cover bent back. I have been so lucky, in the past month I have bought 7 books for the low price of 10 dollars. It feels so good to add to my collection of books. I hope to be able to soon read the books I am collecting and to add them to my future library.

Amedee and Jodi

A few weekends ago my family got together in Vegas to celebrate my Dad marrying his love Jodi. It was so great to see family, and wonderful to meet Jodi’s daughters. I can’t believe that my Dad is married again. It makes me so happy that Jodi makes him so happy. In this life, finding the people that love you unconditionally is so critical. I am happy that they have found that kind of love.

This trip also reminded me how amazing my family is. I literally love my family to pieces! They are some of the most amazing people. I am so grateful that I have them in my life. My siblings are some of my best friends, and I can’t wait to get to know Jodi’s daughters and to make them apart of my life.

My Dad is my rock. He gives me so much strength and courage to conquer the world.

I can’t help but believe that Mom is so proud of all of us and the bond that we have. I am grateful for her presence in the little things that she brings to my life. I am so grateful that I got to wear her scarf to school today and that I can think of her daily.

I don’t think I could ask for anything more from my family. So, this goes out to you guys. Thanks for being the foundation of who I am and for continually supporting me throughout my life!

I'm Back!

Wow, I can't believe it is officially that time of year again! It's fall, which means that school, work, and crazy late nights are back on. Currently I am missing Mexico like crazy but it does feel good to be back to familiar territory. This semester is going to be the busiest I have ever had. Although I am excited for all that is ahead of me, I must admit I am not excited about the 7-10 page research paper that was already assigned to me after only two days of school. Thankfully, I have great roommate. I am rooming with Alicia again who is always full of surprises, and crazy Sara. She is always off doing something and I love it! She is such a fun social butterfly. I am so grateful for both of these wonderful ladies in my life. We are bound to have some great times this year. Plus, the trophy is back! If you don't know what the trophy is, check out pictures from facebook last year.
Pranks have officially begun. I found this guy in my shower yesterday. He scared the crap out of me. I thought my neighbor Jay was in my shower when I first got in. Let's just say he has showered with me the last two days, and I plan on being very good friends with him this year!
This year I moved into the boathouse. We live in the basement, but some of the coolest guys ever live upstairs. We like to spend our spare time watching chick flicks and quoting Hitch with them.

The house finally feels like home and I am loving it. Our walls are actually painted too! It makes a huge difference in the apartment. Instead of plain white walls we have a pretty light blue all over the apartment. It makes for a much more homey feel.

I am also bleslsed to have my own bathroom again this year. Although it can be a small squeeze from time to time, I love it. I even get a cute tiled counter top.
My room is called the Harry Potter room since it appears out of no where. Here is the entrance to my room. Who would have known that a stellar room behind this piece of wall. It's so much fun to have a giant sliding door.
I bought this lovely lady for only 20 dollars from the DI! It's lavender and goes perfect with my blue walls. It's plenty big and will be joining me in many future apartments to come.
I also got two new pairs of TOMS. The red ones came to me from my dear friend Audrey who got them in China for me over the summer. My fabulous sister bought me the other pair. I was having a really bad day and she said here is my credit card number, buy some TOMS to make yourself feel better. Isn't she just the best?
Like I said, I still can't believe that it's fall. I am officially praying and hoping that I can make it through this semester with my busy schedule. Keep checking back to find out about all of the adventures that we have this year. See you soon!

So Long Sweet Mexico!

With only two and a half weeks left in Mexico I am posting one of my final blogs about this amazing country. Since I left the states I will admit that there have been a few things that I have missed. Although I am excited to return home to normal life, I think I am going to miss Mexico more then I know.

What I missed in the US

1. Tall people- I never thought I was tall until I got to Mexico. Mexicans are a short people and I must say it’s not fun being taller then most of the men around you.

2. My Car- Although I love taking the combi’s everywhere. I thoroughly miss being able to go places whenever I wanted without thinking of how long it would take to walk there or how much it would cost to get there and back.

3. Understanding Church- Church is still wonderful here in Mexico, but of course I don’t speak Spanish, so it has been a real challenge to get anything out of church when I can’t understand it.

4. Water Fountains- I will never take water fountains for granted again. It’s so convenient to be able to drink whatever water you want whenever you want to and not have to always pay for it everywhere.

5. Family and Friends- I have missed my family more then I thought I would. I am so grateful that I have a brother so close to me and so many wonderful friends. It's been so fun to skype everyone, but I can't wait to talk in person again.

What I Wont Miss in Mexico

1. Constant whistles and stares- Although it can be flattering, I can’t wait to be able to walk down the streets and not have half the street staring at me and the other half following and whistling at me. Ok, it’s not that bad but sometimes they can get carried away.

2. Floods- I arrived in Mexico just in time for the rainy season. Lets just say that when it rains my street turns into a river. Walking around town in a river of sewage water is no fun.

3. Throwing up on buses- I have always been susceptible to motion sickness. Mexico is no exception. Luckily, the only times I have thrown up in Mexico have been on buses while traveling.

What I am Going to Miss in Mexico

1. Juice in a bag- Juice in a bag is seriously amazing. Fresh squeezed juice is incredible. Why do we not have this for super cheap in the US?

2. Multicolored houses- Mexico is an array of multi colors. It is so awesome and so much fun to walk the streets. One wall will be yellow with a blue and orange house on either side. It really is quite wonderful.

3. Mexican Hospitality- Mexicans are seriously some of the nicest people ever. I really am going to miss all of their kind spirits.

4. Multiple kids of popcorn- Movies have been a popular thing for me here in Mexico. At the movie theaters, not only do they have popcorn, but they have light, chili powder, caramel, and regular popcorn. It is amazing.

5. Cheap movies- Not only are the movie theaters cheap, but buying movies off the street is so cheap. Buying a brand new movie in perfect quality for a little over a dollar has taken over my life.

6. Food- The food here is amazing! I seriously still can’t believe my taste buds when I eat tacos, tortas, and gringas. Seriously….it’s ridiculous! One of the best parts of Mexico!

7. Fruit- Fruit gets its own category. Buying three mangos for a dollar really is quite amazing. Lets not mention the tunas, kiwis, bananas, and pomegranates.

8. Practicing Spanish- Although my Spanish has not gotten as good as I hoped it would, it has gotten better. I will admit that I have been scared to practice it, but I love when I do. It’s so much fun to speak another language.

9. Markets- I love going to the market. I love tight enclosed shops covered in nothing but stuff. I love the old Mexican women with their long braids and hand made sandals selling fruit on the sides of the rode. I love the constant loud music blasting from every corner, and the constant bustle of people.

10. Time to read- I have always loved to read. Here in Mexico I have had plenty of time to read. I will have read six or seven books this summer by the time I get home. I love getting lost in a book.

11. The adventure of traveling- Traveling around Mexico has been so much fun. I have seen so many amazing places and met so many great people. I have a dream to travel the world and traveling around Mexico these past few months has solidified my love for traveling and seeing new places.

12. Cheap Transportation- Transportation is so cheap here. Combi’s are my favorite. For only fifty cents you can get thrashed around Tehuacan in van until you yell “A la parada por favor.”

13. Dancing- Teo has taught me cumbia and I am in love with it. It is officially on my list to go dancing when I go home. Any takers?

14. Music- Although some of the music I know I wont miss, I love the style of music here. Its so unique.

Although I am sure I missed a million and half things that I am going to miss once I post this, I am ready to come home. Mexico has been a great experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I finally feel ready to go home and to start going back to school and working. Only time can tell where I will end up in life so keep reading to find out.