Nutella On My Hands

Photos first.

Battlefield of Verdun

HUGE canon, nbd.

Memorial for the unknown soldiers.

Champagne tasting in Champagne!

I would have gladly become an alcholic for this.

Champagne since 1874!!!

Oh hey french cutie pouring the bubbly. I totally took this photo for you Lilli.

SO... there was a contemporary art exhibit... that had this huge stash of Nutella so of course I had to make love to it. obvi.

Group picture!

In Reims, France!! Oh it was gorgeous!

The stained glass.. I could have sat inside and stared at it forever...

The angels...

I am in my room on a Sunday morning skyping my dear friend Mitch who is getting over the swine flu while hearing whispers in Adrienne's room. Whispers do not make friends. Kidding, Adrienne and Pumpkin are making day plans while I'm in my room being anti-social. But most importantly, I'm here on a Sunday morning. I have missed sleeping in, rolling over to see that my alarm clock will not go off in an annoying buzz because I have nothing significantly important to wake up for. There is this apple festival that Pumpkin and I were supposed to go to but we decided that buying a baguette, shampoo, and turkey at the nearest market was far more important than binge eating on apple pie. I think there is a point in your life when you feel like you have ballooned up like the blueberry girl from Willy Wonka and you have the need for a serious detox... or is that just me?

Paris?

Here is the update:

I am in love. Who needs a man when you have a sea of beautiful men walking the streets in their leather shoes, dress suits, and suave hair? Staring into their hazel eyes when you're standing almost too close to them on the metro... well, there is no such thing as being "too close" when you're in Paris. People used to tell me that I shouldn't visit Paris because it was over-rated--thank god I didn't listen because I have never had more fun in my life. Not only is it a gorgeous city but the people are insanely nice, considerate, and... I just love the craziness of the city. I was standing at the market in front of the sandwich section trying to figure out what was in the mystery sandwiches... when I looked to my right to see a woman in her twenties reading the labels on the pasta... so of course I crept over and tried my best at the little French I did know. I told her it was a pleasure to meet her (she looked so confused and a bit scared) and then I asked her to help me in the bread (yeap. That’s what I said). She looked at me, giggled, and told me she spoke a little bit of English but I really should stop trying to speak French because I definitely said a couple derogatory words. Oops. So we stood there as she told me about the store, the sandwiches, desserts, the fact that there was flan in the store, where she worked, where I could get some cute shoes in Paris, and after our conversation next to the sandwich section, she plopped a seat next to me and we ate lunch together. I introduced her to my wonderful friends that I was with and she began to tell me about her life. Her name was Valerie, but it sounded so much cooler because she said it with a french accent. She explained the train and metro system to me and said that I made a good decision on the flan (obvi.). I think the most beautiful thing about meeting new people is the never ending exchange of smiles and polite jokes.

So yes, people are trendy, nice, and gorgeous. However, they are only polite and friendly if you make the effort to smile at them and give them the time of day... but isn't that the same with every person? You make time for what you think is important.

Which brings me to relationships. I know, I'm supposed to be talking about Paris but I'll get to it, I swear. If you don’t want to read it, just skip this paragraph. Anyway, I was at a pub with my dear Pumpkin and Switz when we had this heart to heart about relationships. Of course. And it dawned on me that men will pursue you and take time of out of their busy day if they want to. If they don't, they're not worth thinking about. Harsh? Oh hell no, I was being gentle. (hah that's what he said. whoops) I remember meeting this guy, let's call him george for now,...so I met George at orientation freshman year in our small groups and I remember thinking, oh my god what a cutie. But of course, I never talked to him because he made me nervous. Most guys I have a crush on make me nervous and I somehow become insanely quiet. Why do I do this? No idea. Anyway, he was nice, quiet, and very handsome. And quiet men always intimidate me for some reason. I think it's because they reminds me of my dad--he's absolutely hilarious once you get to know him but he only opens up to the few people he trusts and building up his trust takes a while. Hm. That's probably why men who are too loud and crazy are not attractive to me. They only speak to hear themselves talk but they never seem to have anything significant to say. They never have the wit or intelligence to keep an ongoing conversation after the second or third time. Ouch. Buzz kill. Anyway, George. We hung out several times and since all of my friends were friends of his, I would always run into him on the weekends. I remember it was about two weeks before school was about to end and he had multiple projects due on Thursday and he was in a competitive sport so he had to practice as well. And I thought, well, I guess this is it. Nice knowing you, I'll see you when I get back from Lux. But I got a text in the afternoon and asked to meet later that night. (Sober/afternoon texts are oh so sexy) It was actually at the library because in Oxford, that's my main hangout spot--pathetic, but I've come to accept it. So he came to hang out for a second while I was studying. His eyes were absolutely bloodshot and he was wearing the same clothes from the day before because he had been working on these projects for days straight. He smiled and said it was okay because he took a Five Hour Energy. He hadn't eaten dinner and it was 10pm. I probably would have shot a turkey if I hadn't eaten a meal for as long as he did. But I couldn't help but appreciate him because he could have easily gone home and slept instead of walking over to King. I just find it so funny because guys always say "sorry I couldn't call you babe, I was busy" but the truth is that there was something more important than you that he had to do. Whether it be another girl or a project, same difference. I think girls have this romantic idea in their head that they can change a guy they are dating. Try and find their prince charming within this less-than-mediocre guy. When in reality, you should probably stop wasting your time and find someone who you don't have to change. You should want to play mario cart with him and binge eat on gummy bears with him, you shouldn't reprimand him for being a sloth and always staying in and eating sugary foods. You should find a good balance with the guy you're with. Women in college always lower their standards because they think there isn't anything better out there. But there is. I was always so embarrassed for never having had a boyfriend in my life but then I thought about it and realized that if I tried to begin a relationship with them for the sake of being in a relationship, I would have been in one by now and it definitely wouldn't have been worth it. Guys will make time for you if they think you're important enough and if you're not then you really need to move on. Don't stand around waiting for a text message that he'll never send, go out and meet new people because in reality, the guy that you meet by chance because you went out to get your mind off of this other pompous ass guy will probably be the one that you end being in a phenomenal relationship with. Life is always about taking chances and random encounters and if you don't put yourself out there then you'll live a life without excitement... and that's just boring.

Okay. Paris. Kait, Pumpkin, and Phoenix took the entire day visiting the Arc de Triumphe, Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and shopping. It was brilliant. We found this hole-in-the-wall vintage shop with the most gorgeous belts, boots, coats, and dresses! Oh Paris! You make my life. And then when we got back to Kait's apartment exhausted and ready for a nap. But of course, we had a couple bottles of wine and champagne ready for us. So instead of napping, what did we do? Opened up all the bottles and had ourselves a party. Then headed out to a discotech in the beautiful city of Paris. I wore the skankiest, tightest, black dress with the new black shoes I had bought and I thought to myself... how nice, I won't see anyone I know and I could have myself a ball tonight. Oh the freedom. :) We never really made it to the discotech but the journey was a blast. There isn't anything/anyone to dress up for in Luxembourg so I wear my sandals everyday and I feel like sasquatch going to class. I can never wear dresses when I travel on the weekends because my backpack always makes my dress ride up and before I know it, there is a panty-preview showing for the public. I guess that's another reason why I loved Paris. I was never rushed to get ready because it was a group of girls, taking their time to look nice and get ready. Dresses, heels, and curled hair... oh I loved it.

Pumpkin just came downstairs from her room and moon walked across my floor. Hahaha I love her.

Speaking of Pumpkin, she recorded this video on her camera of sautrday night in Paris when I was passed out on the bed and she was washing my face and taking the Nutella off my hands/face. Because of course, we had a conversation over Nutella and pretzels that I vaguely remember and I was so frustrated with Pumpkin that I stuck my entire fist with my miniature pretzel in the bottle of Nutella and I ended up having Nutella on my hands and face. Being the great friend that she is...she took a good 20 minutes to take off the nutella from every crevice I managed to put on my body. She’s the best.

Reims, France

Instead of going to Oktoberfest, we decided to go with the school to Reims, France. We went from the battlefield of Verdun to champagne tasting to a brewery at an abbey to a citadel. I was absolutely exhausted. Highlight? New friends, as always. At the last bar we went to, there was a group of three people sitting at the table next to us from Belgium. This woman named Virginie scooted on over and introduced herself and I instantly knew I was going to have a great night from there on. I mean, at the first pub there was a table to men sitting next to us that I began talking to but after about an hour the man sitting next to me was whispering French things into my ear and I got an awful feeling that if Kensie and I did let him and his friends buy us the drinks they insisted on getting us, it would not end up being a good night. At first, the girls thought it would be a good idea to make some new friends with the locals and I was all for it until the local started to get all up in my grill. The two men that sat at our table said they were 19 and 21. Booshit. The guy with the man satchel was probably telling the truth but the man sitting next to me with the aftershave that smelled like evergreen trees was most definitely in his 30's. Ugh. Kensie and I had a couple laughs while they taught me French and I played Charades. But it was at the last bar where I met my new facebook friend Virginie! She is in her early twenties, a psychologist, and lives in Belgium. She has these large, piercing blue eyes that become enormous when she gets excited. She was fabulous. We got along so well that we exchanged information and promised each other that we would meet up again if she ever came to Ohio or Los Angeles and if I ever went to Belgium again. Apparently there is supposed to be a huge festival coming up? Is it time for the party pants to come out of the closet again? Oh yea. ;)

Now I’m listening to the Postal Service thanks to Phoenix for letting me steal her music. J Our classical music class is flying to Venice on Wednesday until Sunday to explore the tranquil city. We learn about it in class and go on class trips to the places we’ve learned about. I know, it’s awesome. Why Venice? Because it’s the heart of music during the Baroque period. Not to mention our professors here are so sweet. We spent Saturday night getting one of the business professors hammered because it was his birthday. By the end of the night he was slurring his words and smoking a cigar. It was classic. Then there were other nights when I went out to dinner with my American Studies professors and had a beer or two. Oh but my music professor is the best. He made me this great cd with 20 of his favorite piano concertos and I just laughed because only in Luxembourg will your professor call you “sweetheart” and say “oh I will keel you” if you start talking when he is lecturing. Oh he’s great. Shoot, I have to start my AMS paper. Au Revior mon cheri!

J.

Nutella On My Hands

I am in my room on a Sunday morning skyping my dear friend Mitch who is getting over the swine flu while hearing whispers in Adrienne's room. Whispers do not make friends. Kidding, Adrienne and Pumpkin are making day plans while I'm in my room being anti-social. But most importantly, I'm here on a Sunday morning. I have missed sleeping in, rolling over to see that my alarm clock will not go off in an annoying buzz because I have nothing significantly important to wake up for. There is this apple festival that Pumpkin and I were supposed to go to but we decided that buying a baguette, shampoo, and turkey at the nearest market was far more important than binge eating on apple pie. I think there is a point in your life when you feel like you have ballooned up like the blueberry girl from Willy Wonka and you have the need for a serious detox... or is that just me?

Paris?

Here is the update:

I am in love. Who needs a man when you have a sea of beautiful men walking the streets in their leather shoes, dress suits, and suave hair? Staring into their hazel eyes when you're standing almost too close to them on the metro... well, there is no such thing as being "too close" when you're in Paris. People used to tell me that I shouldn't visit Paris because it was over-rated--thank god I didn't listen because I have never had more fun in my life. Not only is it a gorgeous city but the people are insanely nice, considerate, and... I just love the craziness of the city. I was standing at the market in front of the sandwich section trying to figure out what was in the mystery sandwiches... when I looked to my right to see a woman in her twenties reading the labels on the pasta... so of course I crept over and tried my best at the little French I did know. I told her it was a pleasure to meet her (she looked so confused and a bit scared) and then I asked her to help me in the bread (yeap. That’s what I said). She looked at me, giggled, and told me she spoke a little bit of English but I really should stop trying to speak French because I definitely said a couple derogatory words. Oops. So we stood there as she told me about the store, the sandwiches, desserts, the fact that there was flan in the store, where she worked, where I could get some cute shoes in Paris, and after our conversation next to the sandwich section, she plopped a seat next to me and we ate lunch together. I introduced her to my wonderful friends that I was with and she began to tell me about her life. Her name was Valerie, but it sounded so much cooler because she said it with a french accent. She explained the train and metro system to me and said that I made a good decision on the flan (obvi.). I think the most beautiful thing about meeting new people is the never ending exchange of smiles and polite jokes.

So yes, people are trendy, nice, and gorgeous. However, they are only polite and friendly if you make the effort to smile at them and give them the time of day... but isn't that the same with every person? You make time for what you think is important.

Which brings me to relationships. I know, I'm supposed to be talking about Paris but I'll get to it, I swear. If you don’t want to read it, just skip this paragraph. Anyway, I was at a pub with my dear Pumpkin and Switz when we had this heart to heart about relationships. Of course. And it dawned on me that men will pursue you and take time of out of their busy day if they want to. If they don't, they're not worth thinking about. Harsh? Oh hell no, I was being gentle. (hah that's what he said. whoops) I remember meeting this guy, let's call him george for now,...so I met George at orientation freshman year in our small groups and I remember thinking, oh my god what a cutie. But of course, I never talked to him because he made me nervous. Most guys I have a crush on make me nervous and I somehow become insanely quiet. Why do I do this? No idea. Anyway, he was nice, quiet, and very handsome. And quiet men always intimidate me for some reason. I think it's because they reminds me of my dad--he's absolutely hilarious once you get to know him but he only opens up to the few people he trusts and building up his trust takes a while. Hm. That's probably why men who are too loud and crazy are not attractive to me. They only speak to hear themselves talk but they never seem to have anything significant to say. They never have the wit or intelligence to keep an ongoing conversation after the second or third time. Ouch. Buzz kill. Anyway, George. We hung out several times and since all of my friends were friends of his, I would always run into him on the weekends. I remember it was about two weeks before school was about to end and he had multiple projects due on Thursday and he was in a competitive sport so he had to practice as well. And I thought, well, I guess this is it. Nice knowing you, I'll see you when I get back from Lux. But I got a text in the afternoon and asked to meet later that night. (Sober/afternoon texts are oh so sexy) It was actually at the library because in Oxford, that's my main hangout spot--pathetic, but I've come to accept it. So he came to hang out for a second while I was studying. His eyes were absolutely bloodshot and he was wearing the same clothes from the day before because he had been working on these projects for days straight. He smiled and said it was okay because he took a Five Hour Energy. He hadn't eaten dinner and it was 10pm. I probably would have shot a turkey if I hadn't eaten a meal for as long as he did. But I couldn't help but appreciate him because he could have easily gone home and slept instead of walking over to King. I just find it so funny because guys always say "sorry I couldn't call you babe, I was busy" but the truth is that there was something more important than you that he had to do. Whether it be another girl or a project, same difference. I think girls have this romantic idea in their head that they can change a guy they are dating. Try and find their prince charming within this less-than-mediocre guy. When in reality, you should probably stop wasting your time and find someone who you don't have to change. You should want to play mario cart with him and binge eat on gummy bears with him, you shouldn't reprimand him for being a sloth and always staying in and eating sugary foods. You should find a good balance with the guy you're with. Women in college always lower their standards because they think there isn't anything better out there. But there is. I was always so embarrassed for never having had a boyfriend in my life but then I thought about it and realized that if I tried to begin a relationship with them for the sake of being in a relationship, I would have been in one by now and it definitely wouldn't have been worth it. Guys will make time for you if they think you're important enough and if you're not then you really need to move on. Don't stand around waiting for a text message that he'll never send, go out and meet new people because in reality, the guy that you meet by chance because you went out to get your mind off of this other pompous ass guy will probably be the one that you end being in a phenomenal relationship with. Life is always about taking chances and random encounters and if you don't put yourself out there then you'll live a life without excitement... and that's just boring.

Okay. Paris. Kait, Pumpkin, and Phoenix took the entire day visiting the Arc de Triumphe, Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and shopping. It was brilliant. We found this hole-in-the-wall vintage shop with the most gorgeous belts, boots, coats, and dresses! Oh Paris! You make my life. And then when we got back to Kait's apartment exhausted and ready for a nap. But of course, we had a couple bottles of wine and champagne ready for us. So instead of napping, what did we do? Opened up all the bottles and had ourselves a party. Then headed out to a discotech in the beautiful city of Paris. I wore the skankiest, tightest, black dress with the new black shoes I had bought and I thought to myself... how nice, I won't see anyone I know and I could have myself a ball tonight. Oh the freedom. :) We never really made it to the discotech but the journey was a blast. There isn't anything/anyone to dress up for in Luxembourg so I wear my sandals everyday and I feel like sasquatch going to class. I can never wear dresses when I travel on the weekends because my backpack always makes my dress ride up and before I know it, there is a panty-preview showing for the public. I guess that's another reason why I loved Paris. I was never rushed to get ready because it was a group of girls, taking their time to look nice and get ready. Dresses, heels, and curled hair... oh I loved it.

Pumpkin just came downstairs from her room and moon walked across my floor. Hahaha I love her.

Speaking of Pumpkin, she recorded this video on her camera of sautrday night in Paris when I was passed out on the bed and she was washing my face and taking the Nutella off my hands/face. Because of course, we had a conversation over Nutella and pretzels that I vaguely remember and I was so frustrated with Pumpkin that I stuck my entire fist with my miniature pretzel in the bottle of Nutella and I ended up having Nutella on my hands and face. Being the great friend that she is...she took a good 20 minutes to take off the nutella from every crevice I managed to put on my body. She’s the best.

Reims, France

Instead of going to Oktoberfest, we decided to go with the school to Reims, France. We went from the battlefield of Verdun to champagne tasting to a brewery at an abbey to a citadel. I was absolutely exhausted. Highlight? New friends, as always. At the last bar we went to, there was a group of three people sitting at the table next to us from Belgium. This woman named Virganee scooted on over and introduced herself and I instantly knew I was going to have a great night from there on. I mean, at the first pub there was a table to men sitting next to us that I began talking to but after about an hour the man sitting next to me was whispering French things into my ear and I got an awful feeling that if Kensie and I did let him and his friends buy us the drinks they insisted on getting us, it would not end up being a good night. At first, the girls thought it would be a good idea to make some new friends with the locals and I was all for it until the local started to get all up in my grill. The two men that sat at our table said they were 19 and 21. Booshit. The guy with the man satchel was probably telling the truth but the man sitting next to me with the aftershave that smelled like evergreen trees was most definitely in his 30's. Ugh. Kensie and I had a couple laughs while they taught me French and I played Charades. But it was at the last bar where I met my new facebook friend Virganee! She is in her early twenties, a psychologist, and lives in Belgium. She has these large, piercing blue eyes that become enormous when she gets excited. She was fabulous. We got along so well that we exchanged information and promised each other that we would meet up again if she ever came to Ohio or Los Angeles and if I ever went to Belgium again. Apparently there is supposed to be a huge festival coming up? Is it time for the party pants to come out of the closet again? Oh yea. ;)

Now I’m listening to the Postal Service thanks to Phoenix for letting me steal her music. J Our classical music class is flying to Venice on Wednesday until Sunday to explore the tranquil city. We learn about it in class and go on class trips to the places we’ve learned about. I know, it’s awesome. Why Venice? Because it’s the heart of music during the Baroque period. Not to mention our professors here are so sweet. We spent Saturday night getting one of the business professors hammered because it was his birthday. By the end of the night he was slurring his words and smoking a cigar. It was classic. Then there were other nights when I went out to dinner with my American Studies professors and had a beer or two. Oh but my music professor is the best. He made me this great cd with 20 of his favorite piano concertos and I just laughed because only in Luxembourg will your professor call you “sweetheart” and say “oh I will keel you” if you start talking when he is lecturing. Oh he’s great. Shoot, I have to start my AMS paper. Au Revior mon cheri!

Paris, France!

I should be studying for a french quiz and finishing my photocollage for my art class but... my mom sent me the cutest e-mail and asked me to put up photos so she could look at them with my dad so of course I had to put down my notecards for a second and post these... I'll write about my many adventures at a later time. :)

SO after traveling from train to train and city to city after 10 hours of confusion and frustration, we finally get to Kait's apt... and she opens the blinds... and we see this. I just about cried. How beautiful is that??? It sparkles every hour and we arrived exactly at 11pm. Thank you so much Kait, you made my experience in Paris absolutely amazing. :)

The Eiffel Tower at night from our room!

Waking up to this view... gorgeous.

Picture in front of the ET with my pumpkin!

Po. hahah So glad we all have such cute nicknames ;)

Kait!!! Only the most beautiful girl I know...

In front of the Eiffel Tower!!

Hey there, thetas at the Eiffel Tower!

Group pic in front of Arc de Triumphe

Climbing up the stairs of Arc de Triumphe.

Group pic with the Eiffel Tower in the background. standard.

At the Louvre!

Oh hey there Venus

In front of the Louvre!

Shopping in Paris!

Our bff Leslie.

If only people knew what we were looking at...

Walking to the discotech... the view of the Eiffel Tower from the bridge!!!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!!

The reflection of the lights on the river... perfect. I want to live here.

Notre Dame!!! So sweet

You know, just hanging out.

I have so many awkward single pictures... this is one of many.

The rose <3

Adios!

J.

Bruges, Belgium

I have not shown you a photo of my family in Lux yet so I thought this photo was necessary before all the other pictures from Belgium!

Kens, Phoenix, Jeanny, I!

Cherry Beer!

When we finally arrived at the Celtic Pub!

My lover and I skipping down the streets of Bruges

Adrienne's Birthday!!!

In the town square--Bruges, Belgium!!! I LOVE my housemates!

Our canal ride through Bruges!

Looking out at the bell tower in Bruges!

My first Belgium waffle!

The beautiful girls that we went with!

The gorgeous homes along the river :)

Haha The Baby and Papa Guinness

Our hostel room!

The guys of the wonderful group we went with!

Apparently Bruges, Belgium is the most romantic city in the world? And I'm single? nbd. nbd. One big thing I have noticed is that European couples are all about PDA. The couples remind me of my freshman year of college when I was coming home from Miami and I had not seen my parents in 3 months... the second the plane landed in LAX, I already had my backpack on, ready to go. I ran from my gate, pushing every child, senior citizen, and rolling backpack out of my way to slide down the escalator to find my parents waiting for me at the bottom with flowers and my best friend hiding behind a pillar to surprise me. I was SO happy that I started to cry. I feel like European couples act that way every time they see each other, whether it be for a coffee break or a sweet reunion. Make out sesh in the middle of the street? Traffic can wait but your hormones can't. Obviously.

So our group of 11 safetly found our way to the city of love. Lake of Love? Oh yea, they have one. Swans and all. I wish the photos could give the city justice, but there is so much more. The smell of Belgium waffles while you're on a boat flowing through the city. The flashing lights with the rave music at the European bar. The European men who slick back their dark, thick, black hair and lean their arms ever-so-gently on the railing while skimming the crowd of girls who are drunkenly swaying with the music at the club. The bells that chime every hour from the bell tower in the middle of the city square. The taste of a crispy waffle--a bit crispy on the outside but warm and doughy on the inside. The mist that grazes your face when you wake up in the morning and open the windows. Awkwardly trying to fit a party of 11 at a small, quiet, sit-down restaurant. And of course, the feeling of coming back into your room after a phenomenal night and smiling yourself to sleep.

Yes. I am homesick. But does that mean I will skimp out tonight at Das Boot to celebrate my friend's birthday? Oh no no no. I am putting on my party pants tonight, baby.

J.

I think there is grease spewing from every pore of my body. I have eaten fries with almost every meal and I am pretty sure that most of my meals are fried or made with 10 cups of butter. Yum.

Anyway, I am back from Bruges. I was starving and cranky so Kensie, Adrienne, and I went to (big surprise...) a kabob restaurant. I had a midget-sized bite of my fried chicken sandwich, came back to my new home and chugged water. Then I went on Blackboard to check my e-mails and facebook to untag all tagged photos of me from this weekend (my God I hope my group has pity on me and doesn't tag me). To sum everything up, I basically cried like a newborn baby when I started to read the messages from my friends and family. Even before I knew I was homesick, my friends and family knew wrote me insanely long letters/messages to comfort me because they knew it was coming. I know, I know I should be having fun and not being such a downer but I am so used to calling/ seeing/ texting/ talking them so often that when I can't update them on the best hot chocolate I have ever had in my life, it doesn't feel the same. I hate that Luxembourg is 9 hours ahead of California and that every time I go to sleep, everyone is just waking up. I purposefully stay online later than I should to talk to my best friends but it still doesn't seem like enough. I miss all the hugs, uncontrollable laughter, and eating until I need to be rolled off my bed and into my car to get more frozen yogurt. My parents, who are the funniest, cutest, and undoubtedly the most wonderful people on this Earth call me on skype just to say hello and hear my voice everyday. Ugh. I miss them.

I am sorry I am on a sap-trip right now but I feel like my heart is breaking into a thousand pieces... over and over and over again. This is enormously different in comparison to moving to Ohio. I could immediately call my friends and family any time of the day and it wouldn't matter because it would only be a three hour difference. I would constantly get surprise packages from my friends with letters and gifts and I would feel whole again. But here? There is no solution. I was talking to a couple friends on the train back from Bruges and we were discussing our family and parents. When they asked me what my parents were like I said "they're nice" and dazed off in to space ...oh, but there is so much more. I thought that if I told them all the funny little things they have done and how great they are then I would start to cry because I miss them so much. And that would be awkward. Especially when it's three guys. super awk.

Now on to the personalized dedications... because I know you guys are probably the only ones who read my blog <3>

Patti- You're the best sister that anyone could ever ask for. I used to think you were brutal because I was such a dreamer but your honesty has helped me see things in a new light--things are attainable, never impossible if I take the right steps and do the hard work to accomplish them. You are always here to talk and make jokes, even when you're always thousands of miles away. I know we don't talk about our feelings because you're not "gushy" but I LOVE YOU!!! oh and I got you the sweetest lace bookmark ever. :) I'll mail it to you asap.

Steph--I love you so much. It makes me so sad when I read your messages and realize that I cannot call you and leave 7 minute voice messages about Jim's horchatas. 21 choices? Beach trips? Going to depressing Holocaust museums together? Hahha I miss it already. I can tell you everything and trust that I will never be judged. I am confident that I never have to try and be someone else because I already have people like you who have accepted me exactly as I am. Moist toes and all. :) I cannot wait to see you during Christmas break and eat cake with black dye so we look like zombies and then binge eat some more with greg while he gives us financial advice. HA! I cannot wait to see you again! Please don't cry!!!!!!!!!! It'll be like the time when I first left to Miami and we had a cry fest at the airport when I was leaving and people thought we were lesbian lovers (they wish) and my parents got really awkward because we were making it seem like I was leaving forever to South Africa. :) I love you dawgy dawg :)

Lilli- Uhm. Your awkward hugs are the best!!!!!!!!!!!! Hahahah I laughed out loud when you left because I thought "I can tell her anything about everything but when it comes to hugs, ... no." I MISS YOU AND I LOVE YOU!!! You are hilarious. People meet you and think you are quiet and meek but GIRRRRRRRRRRRL I know how you really are and I love it. I wish I could visit you every day and have some more fun and rowdy nights at USC ;)You are so thoughtful and I love that over the years we have only gotten closer. :) I hate that I can't text you every second of the day. Do you know how depressing it is that I get out my phone on the train to text you but realize that I cant send 9-page long text messages? Real depressing. I bought you a little surprise in Bruges and I want to mail it to you but I feel like it's going to be a thousand dollars to ship it slash it's REALLY heavy. I hate that we can't mail each other packages all the time, it's no fun. I am creeping you on facebook right now...expected. i love you! :) hehe

Now on to my trip to Bruges, Belgium!!!

Absolutely beautiful.

Just kidding. My sister is on skype so I am going to creep and call her. I'll update this asap.

J.

Settling In

Finally getting settled in Bettembourg, Luxembourg. I am still a little jet lagged but trying so desperately to hide it. So many things have happened in the past couple days I don't think I have enough time to write them all before I go to bed (first day of class tomorrow and I have to catch an early train). 1) french guy puked in front of me and it splashed all over my jeans 2) tripped over myself and almost fell off a castle 3) water has been replaced with beer and wine... i don't know how I feel about that 4) planning our weekend trip (Kensie, Adrienne and I)... trier, Paris, or cologne? depends

Too tired. Here are some photos. I want a burrito and no more damn sausages and fries.

In front of Lux City

An alley in Lux City

The Grund

The view from the tower of a castle in Northern Luxembourg

Thetas in Luxembourg

I despise sausage and fries

J.