Hello 2012!

Bonjour!!!! Well, it's definitely been a long time since I've done any blogging! If you dont know yet, I'm home safe and sound! It's been great to be home with friends and family. Thank you to everyone who sent love and support (and read my blog!) while I was in France. It was truly an amazing experience that I will never forget...

Here's a lil update on what I'm doing now-

I met the love of my life! His name is Mahlon. And he's 2! A lil young, I know! haha

Im starting classes this week at Diablo Valley College and Solano Community College before transfering to BYU in Provo Utah. I plan to leave at the end of summer/early fall if all goes as planned. I'm excited to be continuing my education and lookin forward to bigger and better things ahead! 

Being home with my family for the holidays was so great! Lots of food and fun! One of the highlights- going to see the lights at the Oakland Temple with my girlfriends. I missed them. 

That's all for now! Au revoir! 

Through the Streets of London

My time in France has officially come to an end. It was bitter-sweet to leave as I am going to miss my little ones and the friends I've made. However, I feel extremely blessed to have had this experience and can see how this opportunity has helped me grow and develop as a person.  


Elizabeth Gilbert said, "In the end, I've come to believe in something I call "The Physics of the Quest." A force in nature governed by laws as real as the laws of gravity. The rule of Quest Physics goes something like this: If you're brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting, which can be anything from your house to bitter, old resentments, and set out on a truth-seeking journey, either externally or internally, and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher and if you are prepared, most of all, to face and forgive some very difficult realities about yourself, then the truth will not be withheld from you."


After this 6 month adventure abroad, I fully and whole-heartedly agree with this. Leaving my comfort zone of California and all the familiarity and easiness of my life there, I found myself forced to adapt and change in my new environment and culture. I feel I followed the laws of the quest and I'm coming away from this journey as a different person. I'm a lil bit more confident, a whole lot more independent and very much so more willing to try and do new things! Overall, this has been a life-changing experience for me and I'm so glad I decided to come out on this adventure. 


Okay, on to my next topic! LONDON! I absolutely love it here. I arrived on Wednesday and it's been a blur of historic sites, scenic walks, double decker bus rides and endless chatter with my cousin. The city is so alive! It has this buzz that you can almost feel. People are out everywhere walking, jogging, biking, etc. It has the historic charm of Paris  but, I can speak the language and the culture is more similar to ours. I've had a blast with my cousin, swapping traveling stories, watching family home videos, walking the streets of London and stuffing ourselves with great food! Here are some highlights.... 

Buckingham Palace!

Abbey Road Studios!!!

Kensington Palace and Gardens

Enjoy! 

Fearless, Fun and Flirty!

Bonjour,

The clock is ticking and I only have one week left in France. Thankfully, I have been able to go out a lot and keep checking places off my Paris Bucket List. This weekend, I drove into Paris and stayed with my friend Betsy. After several failed attempts, I made it to the wildly popular Catacombs. Originally Roman-era stone quarries, the tunnels were converted into a mass burial site towards the end of the 18th century. The city's cemeteries were becoming overcrowded, so much that it was causing infection and sanitation problems. The tunnels were blessed by priests and then, the remains of more then 6 million Parisians were artfully arranged. It has become one of Paris' biggest tourist attractions. Being there alone made it that much creepier and I loved it! Here are some pictures! Sorry if some are too dark, we couldnt use flash photography so...

After my underground tour, I ate lunch in front of Notre Dame and explored the surrounding areas. More pics!

After a relaxing afternoon, I met up with Betsy and we got dolled up for our friend Elisa's farewell party. It's been a long time since I've been to a house party. Let me tell you, it was SO much fun! And unlike most of the guests, Betsy and I will remember all of it because we werent drunk! I met so many fun and interesting people from all over the world. It was so much fun to be mingling and flirty. Ive just been with Matt and Flo and the babies so much that Ive forgotten how much fun it is to flirt! I met several Italian guys (super cute btw!), another au pair from Romania, the host Elisa and her sister are Brazilian, and two other American girls here on a study abroad. Then, as we were leaving we met two Russian guys and their French friend. It was truly a multi-cultural party! It was awesome! 

Stay tuned for updates on my last and final weekend in Paris! Ive gotta make it count! <3 you all! 

Mind-blowing Awesomeness..

This last week has gone by incredibly fast and my time left in France is drawing to a close. I've been able to check some things off my Paris Bucket List. First, last Sunday I went to the Louvre. On the first Sunday of the month, most of the big museums' are free! That was an added plus and the lines weren't as bad as I anticipated! I only had about an hour before closing so I wasnt able to see everything but, I saw the Mona Lisa. I was surprised by the size of it. I was expecting something at least basic poster size and instead, just a small frame with the infamous smiling woman. To be honest, seeing it in person I was not that impressed with it and it remains a mystery to me why it has become the phenomenon that it is. Nonetheless, Ive seen it! THE Mona Lisa. The rest of my time in the museum, I wandered through Egyptian exhibits, and saw some amazing works of art. I did feel a little rushed and Im thinking about going back one more time before I leave to really soak it in.

On Wednesday, I drove out to Versailles and saw the majestic Chateau de Versailles. This is now one of my hands-down, favorite places Ive been. The chateau itself is incredibly beautiful and the intricate details on the walls, doors and ceilings were breath-taking! I took so many pictures that my battery died! Then, I walked out to the gardens... I cant even begin to describe how vast these gardens were. I had a map but still got lost. It felt as big as Disneyland! I walked along the main pathways, and over to Marie Antoinette's Domain. I didnt have enough energy to walk through her gardens and hamlet but, I went through her house! I would like to try and go again, if I can fit it in! Enjoy the pics! 

The Chateau

For more pictures, check out my facebook! 

Love you all! 

Decisions will be the death of me!

Hello all,

Boy oh boy do I hate making big decisions! It is just so hard! I wish the answers were just handed to me! I lost so much sleep and am pretty sure I have a few bald spots from pulling me hair out trying to make up my mind. After changing my mind several times, I've decided to end my adventure in France earlier than I had planned. It was a combination of things that led up to this and what it came down to was that I feel going home and pursuing my education is the best plan for me right now. I have had an incredible time here in France but, I just feel I am ready to move on to something new. I sat down with Matt and Florence a few nights ago to tell them of my decision. I was incredibly nervous. I made notes, rehearsed in my room and prayed my guts out for the strength to make it through. They were very understanding and not at all like I had expected. They said they respected my decision and that they felt things were on an upswing between everyone, so it was a surprise to them. I am very happy that they handled it so well and now am searching like crazy to help them find another au pair quickly.

So now, I have 4 weeks left in France and a few more things I need to check off my "Paris Bucket List". I want to go to the infamous Chateau in Versailles. As well as the catacombs and the flea markets in Paris, and of course, more time with my friends. I hope I find time to squeeze all of these things in. Oh, and I am going to go visit my cousin in London before I come back to California. I cant wait to see her and explore London! I am already making a list of things I want to see and do while Im there. My flight from London makes a stop in Salt Lake City and I have a 15 hour layover, which means I get to spend some time with my brother and sister-in-law. I am so psyched about this because Ive missed my family and havent seen my brother since December! The first thing I want to do in Provo is have a Jdawg's hot dog (its a famous spot in Provo!).

It has been a dream of mine to see Paris and not only did I get to visit the City of Lights, I got to LIVE here for 6 months! Life is great! I am feeling very optimistic and excited about the new possibilities that lie ahead of me. I have already been looking into different programs at different schools. The top choice right now is a Business Associates with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship at the LDS Business College in Salt Lake City, Utah. This will be useful for me because I am thinking about starting up a wedding consultant business with my friend Heather. I think it has real possibilities for success and Im excited about getting started. After my associate's, Im thinking I want to continue and get a Bachelor's in Human Resources. I am  really excited about going back to school, which if you know me well, academics have not been my top priority for me. So, this is great that Im feeling ready to take on the challenge. I am also psyched to possibly living closer to my brother and sister-in-law!
Well, thats the latest! I will be sure to make a few more posts before I leave France and keep you all up to date! Love you all!

Heres some more random fun pictures!

Crepes with Betsy and Elisa

"The village" of Bercy, I think?

A beautiful old church near my friend's home in St. Nom 

A window display I really liked near Musee d'Orsay

The view of le tour near Sacre Coeur 

Running around...

Bonjour toute du monde!

The month of August has just been incredible! I was with the family in Corse and thoroughly enjoyed it there. I have decided that I am going there on my honeymoon! (Sorry future husband, you dont get a say in that!) It really is an incredibly beautiful place and I was sad to leave. I went back home earlier than the everyone else, because they had plans to visit family in the south of France. I flew home and had two weeks to myself! I loved being able to cook what I wanted, (I made enchiladas, lounged all day in my PJs if I wanted, and... NO yucky CONSTRUCTION MEN! YAY! I met up with my friend Betsy, who I adore and we went all over Paris together! I had so much fun and was able to check some more things off my "Paris Bucket List". We picnicked at the Eiffel Tower, went to Hotel des Invalides, did some serious "thinking" alongside the famous "Thinker" Statue at Musee Rodin, realized I love Monet at Musee d'Orsay, sipped hot chocolate at Angelina's, and a long list of other fun places. We also had some fun girls nights filled with Gilmore Girl marathons and yummy snacks. Here are some pictures from the last several weeks.

Enjoy! Bisous!

The "Love Wall" in Montmatre

Betsy and I 

Ice Cream!

Hotel des Invalides

Yummmmy enchiladas! 

No Work and All Play

Hey everyone,

Right now, I am enjoying a beautiful vacation with the family on a island called Corse, off the coast of France. We arrived last Sunday and it's been a hazy, blurry week full of sunshine, lounging by the pool, beach trips, boat rides and lots of yummy food. The one downside is that I've been sharing a room with the boys and I haven't been sleeping well. I have seen a glimpse into my future as a mom-waking up at all hours of the night to give the baby water, or groping around in the darkness trying to find a lost pacifier for Antton. Other than that, I've been having a great time! Here are some pics... Enjoy!