Just a few days away...

Well, it is official... I will be graduating Saturday! I completed my thesis last week and presented on Monday. I think I am more excited that I made an A on my thesis than I am about graduating. The whole dressing up underneath a black robe to walk across stage in front of too many people is not really my thing. Alana, do not worry, I promise to smile.

I officially went back to work today and naturally it was frustrating. I had to remove a fiberglass shower unit from a house with five cats. Everyone knows I am allergic to cats. So, not only was I sneezing from the cats but, my entire body was itching from the fiberglass dust I created. I took a ridiculously cold shower and the itching finally stopped. Next on the work list is yet another set of concrete countertops. This set will be pretty unique with rounded edges, abstract coloring and a couple of inlays. Every time I start another countertop, my level of frustration always takes a peak right before the pour. Once cured, I get to work out that anger with the polisher and the finished product makes it all worth while. The entire process is very labor intensive but it is that look of utter satisfaction on the client's face that keeps me coming back for more.

Duff and I have officially moved in to our new house. He is loving the roommates way too much if you ask me. If you all thought he was spoiled before.... He has recently learned to jump on the couch which is awesome! However, the nice pillows Missy bought for the couch had to go because Duff thought the tassels were chew toys. Duff is really enjoying so much space to roam and always having someone at home. I am pretty sure the dang dog will be the most rotten dog in about two weeks so let me apologize in advance.

It is that time for me to decide what I am going to do next year after grad school. Any suggestions? No Dad, I am not coming to work for you. Next suggestion.

Alana has been staying with me this week since work has been crazy. She is going to kill me for the next few sentences. First, Alana lets Duff sleep with her. Second, she begs me to sleep with her every night. Are we still 5 years old? I have loved having Alana in town and that is the only time I am going to admit that.

Well, Saturday is the big day. Cross your fingers that I don't trip!

Keep it loose, keep it tight.

Europe.... Where are you??

Can I go back to Europe yet?

This past month of being back in the States has been a whirl wind. Let me give you the play by play:

Land in the states, take a beach hiatus.
Get back to Auburn, take a sleep hiatus.
Start my thesis, take a social hiatus.
After 77 pages, get back to living life.

This past Wednesday, I turned in 77, yes you read that right, 77 pages for my thesis. The page requirement was 50-55 so... I think I might have nailed that one. Hopefully, I won't get my draft back Monday with tons of red on it. I will present and defend either this coming Friday or the next Monday. Everyone, cross your fingers for me.

Benjamin, Victoria, and I are moving in to our new house next weekend. I started packing today and realized that I throw away more than I pack. I guess being a pack rat isn't genetic (thankfully). I have more canvases, drawing pads, paints and brushes more than anything else. Of course, I didn't throw any of those away. Okay, so maybe I am a pack rat.

I will hopefully graduate August 4th pending my thesis advisor gives me at least a C. Unfortunately, Dad and Alana are making me walk across stage. Cross your fingers about that too!

So, have I done anything fun in between Europe and now? Well, duh.

The boys had matching bandanas for the Fourth of July.

Flint had his first birthday. He hated the hat but I got one good picture!

Madison and I went to the District swim meet in Valley. Not only does Madison have to have her big sister as a coach but also as photographer.

So what's next? Another play by play...

Finish my thesis and say goodbye to The Baby House.
Graduate and hopefully take a hiatus from the world.
Start graduate school and get back to work.

Of course, I will make it fun along the way. Dave is coming out with a new album... Get excited.

Blog World Hiatus

Hello to all my avid blogger followers! I am very sorry that I have decided to take a week and a half hiatus from blog land. I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to solely rely on my phone as my connection to the world allowing my computer and iPad a much needed rest from Europe. So, what have I been doing for the past 10 days? I spent two relaxing days at the beach. I went home to see my family. And finally, after much anticipation, I made it back home to Auburn! Duff and I have spent the past week trying to get back in to our normal routines of sleep, eating, and spending time with friends. Duff is having a much easier transition than I am since he is not required to write a Thesis paper in order to graduate!

As Duff is enjoying laying in his bed and playing with all his toys, I am slaving away in the Thesis lab at my desk. I finally picked a Thesis topic that I am very happy with: The Use of Shipping Containers as Student Housing: A Proposal to Auburn University. I have always wanted to write my Thesis on some use of shipping containers in housing; I just struggled with the exact area of housing. After a lot of thought and realizing I wanted to study something that could serve a purpose to Auburn, I came up with this idea. We all know how much I love this place, so this topic has really put a spark under my rear to get moving and get this Thesis paper done. I have been spending about 10 hours at my desk for the past week skipping out on work yesterday to help some friends move and play at Sara's house. But I am back at it today and have a full week of work ahead, besides July 4th of course. I am hoping to be well on my way to being done in about two and a half weeks so, everyone please say a prayer and cross your fingers for me!

I will try to keep you all updated on what I am doing but I can't make any promises until this paper is completed, turned in and my presentation is over with. Like I said, cross your fingers for me!

Keep it loose, keep it tight.

I'm Back!

Made it to Atlanta with no problems! I have now gone through security 5 times today and am waiting on my flight to Pensacola to meet Meg at the beach! Just wanted to let you all know I am on American soil safe and sound! See you guys soon!

Day 42 - Last Day in Paris

Today, Kendall and I decided to sleep in as late as we wanted which ended up being until lunch time. We got ready and headed to a little mexican dive I found on the internet. We were both in need of a comfort of home and this place hit the spot with a fantastic quesadilla and salsa. We had a little trouble finding it but batting my eyelashes at a nice frenchman in a local shop did the trick to finding it! This dive was called Beans and Rice; I do love a good dive where ever I go.

Kendall and I then did some shopping in the Les Halles area where I found two really cute pairs of orange shorts for football season in the fall. We headed back to the hotel to check in for our flight home and take a nap before dinner. We wanted a good French meal before we headed out tomorrow morning and we got just that. We went to a little hole in the wall called Les Papilles and had a four course meal with Anoop and Drew. I can't thank Anoop enough for finding this place and making our last meal the best we have had in Europe thus far. Here was the menu:

Wine:

Pea soup:

Pork Tenderloin (the best I have ever had, sorry Dad!):

Brie and Apple Marmalade:

A fruit version of Creme Brulee:

It was a more than perfect last supper, haha!

What was my overall opinion of Paris? I am so glad you asked. I LOVED IT! I had told Meghan that I was a little nervous about Paris because it was such a big town and I would probably be getting pretty homesick by then. I was completely wrong. Paris made me want to stay longer! There were several things I did not get to do while we were here; there is no way to see all of Paris in 6 days. So, I will be very ready to start planning to come back. The culture, buildings, art, food and shopping is simply unmatched. It is so easy to get around in Paris because the metro system has stops everywhere and so many different lines which made our stay much more enjoyable! However, next time I am in Paris, I am pretty sure it will be towards the end of July...

We wake up early tomorrow to take the Chunnel back to London and fly out of Heathrow. I will be traveling for a total of 20 hours tomorrow which I am not looking forward to... It is a bittersweet feeling; I am sad to be leaving but so excited about coming home for the activities I have planned for the rest of the summer and to see my family. Like I said in the last post, they will have to come with me on the next adventure. So what are the final stats of Europe? 42 days, 12 stops, 8 countries, 6 languages, 2000 pictures, and 1 trip I will never forget. 

At the beginning of this trip I asked myself a very important question: How's your thirst for adventure, Captain? At the end of the trip my answer is still the same: I have never been more thirsty. The bucket list keeps growing and I plan to keep knocking them off one by one.

Day 41 - Basilica and Picnic

Well, as the trip nears the end, we decided to take an easy day. We met up at 11am to head to a basilica that has some great areas to do some shopping around it. This place was beautiful on the exterior but I would have no clue what it looked like on the inside because females had to cover their legs. We all know I will be in shorts whenever possible. So here was my favorite view of the morning:

While all the boys went to look inside, Kendall and I decided to people watch from the front steps. People watching is so much more entertaining in foreign countries. As if Asians did not stick out enough already... just add lime green jackets...

This guy kind of sucked at playing but he sure was happy to be out there giving it his all:

After touring the basilica, we took some time to walk around the local shops. A lot of us got art work to take home for family and friends before heading back to the hotel. Since it was the last time to grab a kebab (I will have to give a full explanation of the European kebab later) a group of us went to this shop around the corner from our hotel for the farewell kebab! It was superb! We then headed to do some shopping around our hotel. I went in to a few stores before calling it a day and heading to do some laundry. I was out of undies and it was putting me in a tight spot! 

Our last activity as a group will probably be my favorite. We all grabbed some food and Anoop got us all bottles of wine to have a picnic on the lawns of the Eiffel Tower. We took some time to just reflect on the trip, tell stories and have a few good last laughs before we all head home. We miraculously had no casualties, no arrests, and all made it out alive in one piece. I would call that a successful trip considering 15 college kids were let loose in Europe. It was most certainly a perfect ending to a perfect trip. 

Tomorrow is our last day in Paris. I will be very sad to see it go because I have loved every minute here. Paris is one of those places that will continue to stay on my bucket list for years to come. Next time though, I will have to bring my family. I think this trip has sparked a flame in all of us to do some traveling in the years to come.Well, at least I hope it did!

Day 40 - Museum, Museum, and climbing the Eiffel Tower

We got to sleep in this morning which was great considering we stayed out late at the Eiffel Tower. We met Anoop at noon and headed to a small market to grab lunch. We then headed to the Invalides Museum which is a war museum. We stopped by a cathedral on the way and I love everything about them. I have not worn out of cathedrals like I have with museums. This is the Eglise du Dome Church:

This is where Napoleon's tomb lies. For being such a puny little fellow, he sure is in a big casket:

Next was the Invalides Museum. This museum wasn't really my thing but I did enjoy seeing this beautiful building:

The top row of windows on this building are very unique:

The last museum of the day was the Rodin Museum. Again, not my kind of museum but the gardens around the building were beautiful and full of the most colorful roses I have ever seen.

The last stop of the day was my favorite. We climbed the Eiffel Tower! So, do you know how many steps there are to the second tier?

Yes, you saw that correctly. Once you make it to the second level, you have to take a lift to the top. That ride is a little creepy. Here is a view from the top:

And of course, a panoramic view:

It was an awesome day to climb to the top. I am glad we did it today rather than yesterday!

After a long climb, we decided to head to the Moose which is an American bar to catch the first half of the matches. We happen to get our hands on some buffalo wings and fries too! I think 12 wings will hold me over until I can get some American food in a few days!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. I have been blessed with so many father figures in my life and the world's greatest dad! I miss you all and will see you in about a week!