Sincerely, your somewhat soulmate

I don't really believe in soulmates.  I feel that there is more than one person out there that could be our better half; there isn't that one person that we find and if we don't, then we'll never find true love.

But I do think that there are couples that may put my theory to shame.

I think of my parents when I say this.  I can't think of them being with anyone else because of the love they give one another.  I hope that one day I'll find someone that loves me the way my dad loves my mom.  And I hope that I will one day love someone the way my mom loves my dad.

But until then, my future somewhat soulmate, you'll find me waiting with some Netflix and ice cream.

Doors of Dublin

As of a few months ago, here are some new life goals of mine:
-move to Dublin, Ireland
-own a cute home with a brightly colored door

Why move there just because of a door?  Why not just live anywhere and just paint my door yellow or blue?
Authenticity, people.  And Dublin is full of it.  They're famous for their doors, and for good reason.  They're beautiful.

Behold

Realizations

I usually write blog posts while I am in my Anthropology class, and it's in this class that I have come to realize a few things.

1.  I hate my anthropology class
2.  This world is a gift; we should take care of it and explore it.
3. I really hate my anthro-oh, wait...

I've always had a sense of wanderlust. Always had the desire to go outside of my own world and experience other's.

I mean, why are there so many incredible things out there if we're not supposed to see them?

"I would gladly live out of a suitcase if it meant I could see the world."

Elbow Patches

There are many things that bring us little bursts of happiness.  A bowl of ice cream.  A hug from a loved one. That perfect shade of red lipstick.

For me, elbow patches on sweaters is one of those things that brings me happiness.  Now, before you go and start thinking that I am some shallow teenager, let me explain.

When I think of elbow patches, it reminds me of the conversations that I had with Valon and Elise when we were in Europe.  We always said how we liked how they looked and Valon bought one when we were there. So, not only are they cozy items of clothing, they bring back good memories.  

And that is what makes me happy.

While we're here; enjoy some Pinterest-worthy photos.  In front of a German castle, no less.

To see Elise's castle pics, check out her blog at 16go17.blogspot.com

Cheers!

Twinkie also looking fabulous 

Name of the Game

Just yesterday I experienced my very first college football game (as a college student, that is).  It was homecoming for us and we played Idaho State University... and won! WOOHOO! I had never been the NAU's Sky Dome before, so it was an interesting experience.

Keep in mind, I come from a long line of University of Arizona fans in my family.  There are so many people on my dad's side that have gone there; including my dad and my brother Brennan and his wife Monique that are currently attending.  I had planned on going to the U of A, but I found that NAU offered a better advertising program, so I became a lumberjack!

I love college sports, so I decided to post some pictures of my homecoming game experience and some older pictures of an U of A basketball game against Harvard this past spring up in Salt Lake City. 

Me, my friend Yashira and Jackie.  Props to the cheerful Asian dude for taking our picture. 

Overlookin' the game

Twinkie gettin' some camera action

My beautiful mother, my brother-in-law Matt, my beautiful sister Tori, my dad, and brother Wilson

Blast from the past!

Twinkie's Travel Log:Europe Edition part 3

Let's talk about ice... and clothes.

So I guess in Europe, ice is not a huge deal to them, like it is here in the States.  That was interesting.  A lot of things, my Aunt told me, aren't really kept that cold: juice, yogurt, milk....oh, the milk.  I remember the first morning after we got to Germany, I was craving a nice bowl of cereal.  Let's just say that my taste buds were in for a rude awakening that morning when I took my first bite.  I know, #firstworldprobs

This was pretty much my face

Going back to the ice problem, it had been a few days since we had the pleasure of having it in our drinks.  We were getting desperate.  One day after traveling, the heavens opened up and we were chased off the road by a rainstorm...right into a McDonald's parking lot.  I've never been so happy to have soda before.  So, what does any 21st Century girl do? Post a pic on Facebook of course!

A picture of me taking a picture of ice...

 


While in Germany, we had the incredible experience of going to the most amazing store to ever grace the earth.  I'm talking about Primark, baby. Primark.  What's up, America?  Why don't we have these stores?!?
Think of a Forever 21, but better(mainly because it's foreign).  That's what a Primark is like.  Elise and Valon would attest to the awesomeness of this store.  Even better, we were able to go in three different countries (Germany, England, and Ireland- although it's called Penny's in Ireland).  The only thing that threw me off would have to be German women trying to give me directions in the store.. Err, sorry my German skills are a little rusty.

disregard the creepy child at the bottom of the photo

Curiosity killed the ceiling fan

Since moving into our apartment, we have had our shares of mishaps; toilets that won't flush (twice), mice (two of them...so far), and annoying maintenance people (no, Sir, I do not think I can last through the night without using the bathroom).  However, I must say the most exciting thing that has happened so far has been the fan incident.  It seems like just yesterday...oh wait, it did just happen yesterday.  In the words of my favorite OCD detective, "Here's what happened."

In our living room there is a random switch that we haven't discovered the meaning to yet.  It was after midnight that Kayleen and I were in the living room when we got this great epiphany; maybe the switch is for  the ceiling fan, but it won't turn the fan on because the pull switch has the fan off.
 Brilliant, right?  It gets worse.

Being the independent, strong women that we are, we decide to solve this problem and be straight off to bed (go to bed early that is; it was only 12:45).  I stood up on the table and reached up to pull the switch.  Just as I pulled it, the globe that covers the light bulb came crashing to the ground...that is, after it hit the edge of the table.  Oh yes, down it went and into a million pieces.

So there we were, 1 in the morning, vacuuming up the broken pieces that were once our dignity.
I can now understand why the apartment above was vacuuming at 2 in the morning last week...

but that still doesn't excuse them from playing loud music.

Brace yourself...winter is coming

Flagstaff welcomed in the first snow of the year today.  Ahhh...great.
I knew it was coming. I had planned a cute, cozy outfit just for today.  But, nothing could prepare me for the wet chill swirling around when my friend, Kayleen and I stepped out of our apartment this morning.  We made a quick dash to the bus stop only to be left behind. Jerk.  so we had the option to either freeze while we wait for the next bus, or to take her car near campus and I'd take a bus up to North Campus.  Either way, we would be late.

We made another mad dash back to our apartment parking lot and took her car to the Institute parking lot...I was late. Five minutes.  It could have been worse though...

Thank goodness I only had two classes today.  As soon as I got out, I made my down to the Institute where I was welcomed by Hot chocolate and cookies.  I guess today wan't all bad.

Twinkie's Travel log: Europe Edition part 2

So I figured that I would spend a Sunday afternoon catching up on my Europe adventure... at this point, I may finish telling you about my trip by the time January rolls around. We'll see.  I was going to write this blog post during one of my classes, but alas, the creative juices would not flow.  So instead, I sat in the little auditorium, forcing myself to stay awake. I'm sure everyone knows how that is... If you don't, this is what it feels like

Anyway, shall we continue?

The morning after we got into Germany was one filled with excitement and sweat.  It. Was .HOT!  Now, just because I am from Arizona, does not mean I am  desert rat.

We spent the early morning in the village of Ramstein, and then traveled to the city of Trier Germany (Germany's oldest town).  After that, it was off to Luxembourg City! oh and then after that, we drove over to Belgium to visit the Battle of the Bulge Memorial in Bastogne.  My Uncle almost took us to Amsterdam, but hey three different countries in one day is enough right?

In the village square of Ramstein 

In front of The Black Gate 

The Trier Cathedral 

Arizona Bar in Luxembourg City. Random! 

No big deal, just outside of the Duke's palace in Luxembourg City 

A Belgian Fry stop, super delicious! 

The Battle of the Bulge memorial 

And last but not least, us on a tank with model hair!

The apartment blues

Captain's log: Day 27

-9 PM: Doing homework, listening to ipod.  Hear a distant sound above my head.  Music.  Loud music.
-10 PM: Finished homework, now watching an episode of Merlin. Noise above me continues.
-11 PM: Just came out of the shower.  Music still playing
-12 AM:Sitting on couch with roommates while they do homework. Faint sound of Dub-step trickles down through the floorboards and fills our apartment.
-1 AM: Laying in bed whilst being lulled to sleep by Jay Z or 'Lil Wayne.
-2 AM: Quietly plot murder while stuffing my ears with cotton.

Ah yes, these are the joys of owning an apartment.  I wish I could say that we went out a lot and did super duper fun things.  Moving to a place where there are not a lot of Mormons is hard and we are still adjusting to things around here.  It's become the running joke in our apartment that we are each others only friends.

Needless to say, we quote good ol' Sherlock Holmes quite often

  

We interruppt this program...

Ah, here we are at the early hints of fall.  Kids back at school, screaming vengeance as their parents push them outside towards the bus stop; parents mumbling prayers of gratitude when they lock the front door.  The once exciting adventure that was going back to school has started to fade and is being replaced by children crying themselves to sleep at the thought of returning to that prison of textbooks and chalkboards.

These kids look too happy...

That's better

As for myself, I have just barely started school.  This college freshman stepped onto the campus of Northern Arizona University just last Wednesday.  Excitement(as well as cigarette smoke) is fresh in the air.  The door to opportunities is wide open in my opinion.  Let's just hope it stays that way.  I wanted to take a step back from my Europe travels and make a list of what I have learned thus far on my new milestone in life.

Things I have learned as a week old Freshman

• If you want to look like an upperclassmen, don't have your schedule out while going to class. (luckily, I screenshot my classes on my iPod so I looked on it from there. Genius!)
• If you want to look really cool, listen to music while walking on campus.  People won't talk to you, and you don't have to talk to people! Win for any introverts out there.
• If people do talk to you its either because they know you, they are genuinely friendly people, or in my case they'll be creepers that ask you for your number (happened my first day. woohoo).
• If you do get lost; good luck. I guess you could ask someone for directions, but that means having to talk to people.
• If you are sitting on the bus and someone is holding a box making clinking noises, its most likely alcohol, not drums(okay that's more of an inside joke)
• Don't make eye contact with anyone on the bus, it's just awkward. "look down! look down! don't look them in the eye!" Sorry, just had to throw out that Les Mis reference. 

I'll make sure to post more of my college observations later and I'll try to get a picture up with me and Twinkie on campus :)


GO JACKS!!

Twinkie's Travel Log: Europe Edition Part 1

It has always been a dream of mine to go to Europe; top of the bucket list, actually.  Well, that's exactly what I got to do this summer.  Crazy, right? Now, this wasn't a trip with my high school(although, it did kind of inspire it).  My parents had been talking about going to Europe for a while now and after my high school went on a Europe trip to France, Spain, and Italy, it really go the ball rolling.  We wanted to go to Europe, but on our own time.  My dad got in contact with one of his younger brothers who lives in Germany( Air Force) to see if it was okay if we went out to visit him and his family.  After that, everything was set in stone.  I was going to Europe!

We left our wee little town of Snowflake on the 17th of June at about 4:45 in the morning. It was totally worth it.  In our travelling group was me, my darling parents, my best friend Valon, My cousin Elise, and my Aunt Linda.  We flew out of Sky Harbor Airport into Chicago.  From there, it was straight to Dublin.... oh yeah, then the puddle hoppers to London then to Strasbourg, France.

My Uncle Paul picked us up in Strasbourg and we spend the late afternoon there.  Beautiful city. I loved it; even if I was dog tired.  A nine hour time difference will do that to you.


And so our journey begins! In the O'Hare Airport.

The Strasbourg Cathedral. Amazing!






over looking the river. so picturesque.  

After spending time in Strasbourg, We eventually made our way towards Ramstein, Germany where my Aunt and uncle live off base.  The sun was sinking below the Black Forest, jet lag was sinking in, and the backseat of that mini van was looking extremely comfortable.  Needless to say, I fell asleep on the drive.  Come to think of it, the three of us girls did a lot of napping in that car.

 

 

Introductions

Well, here I am, starting a blog... I'd like to say that I'm very tech savvy, but that would be a boldfaced lie.  Yes, I am somewhat connected to the outside world.  There's Facebook and Pinterest, and hey! I joined Intsagram about a week ago. yeah, still trying to figure that one out...

Anyway, it never really occurred to me to start a blog until this summer.  Granted, before then, I had absolutely no idea what it would be on. I just barely graduated high school and I still have a couple weeks before I go off to college.  I wish I could say that this blog was my idea, but it was actually my mother's idea. Good on ya, mum!

My Freshman year, my cousin lived with my family her last year of high school.  This is where it all begins...

Okay, it's really not that dramatic.  She gave me her old Twinkie case.  You know, Twinkie the Kid, made to protect the spongy goodness that everyone seems to love.  The thing is, I don't really like Twinkies... like at all.  What the heck am I supposed to do with this thing? It didn't take me long to realize that he makes a great bobby pin holder, so that's what he became. 

Moving on to my sophomore year, my mom came up with the idea to take Twinkie places and take pictures of him in front of things.  I would then send those pictures to my cousin.  To show my appreciation for said gift, I guess?  But my mom, being the genius that she is, said that I should start a blog about our adventures together. Hmm...not a bad idea mom, not a bad idea.

So here it is! Twinkie, welcome to the internet.