my rain or shine

So, I've been the worst blogger ever recently, but at least I've been thinking a lot about it because I am really excited about redesigning (I know I've been saying this for forever. uhg). I've also been trying to come up with some interesting ideas for posting (so if you have any PLEASE pass them along).

Seriously one of my greatest fears is being boring, so I never want to bore anyone with my posts. When I go back to school it's weird that my life kind of simultaneously picks up and slows down at the same time. All the sudden I become a lot more busy, but I'm not necessarily busy with the most interesting stuff (yeah no more packing up and jetting off to NY for a weekend). 

Unfortunately, I'm not feeling very interesting at the moment. So let me tell you about a few things that have been swirling around in my mind recently...

I have been feeling so peaceful recently.
I think it's because I can see the mountains from my window,and this makes me very happy. 

We've also had a beautiful mixture of

rain

and 

sunshine

recently and the wonder of what the sky will give me every morning when I wake up exhilarates me. 

Studying inside when it's raining is so soothing.

Thank you rain.

And studying outside when it's sunny is so rejuvenating.

Thank you sunshine. 

Hopefully, I will be able to start getting my homework done before Sunday's so that I can actually post at my regular time, 

and hopefully my blog never bores you,

and hopefully I will finish redesigning soon.

wait. also. my friends are cute. 

peace. love. and rain or shine. 

p.s. really I would love to get some feedback on what you think I should be blogging about. anything you've ever really liked? anything you ever hated? you all know where to reach me.

my weekend away

I don't think I realized how much I needed a weekend away till I was gone. I also think I forgot how much I miss the warmth. To survive Utah winters, I usually trick myself into thinking I love the winter (but actually there is some truth to that). Anyways. I headed a little more southern this weekend on a road trip with friends to Vegas and St. George. I did some hiking, soaked in sunshine, and relaxed. I brought a backpack full of homework and then didn't think about it for a second. My brain and body had equal need for this away time and I am so grateful that I had this opportunity to go road trippin. I was really hesitant at first to accept the offer since I only knew a couple people going, and looking back I can't imagine why I questioned it for a second. Adventures and new friends are two of my absolute favorite things.

Sometimes I take selfies while I'm on hikes. Don't worry about it.

 Deserts are weird, so flat. But, still a cool view (see the Vegas strip out there?). Our "easy .8 mile hike" turned into a difficult couple hour hike since we decided to forge our own path instead of following the given one.

We took this one for one of my best friends Kari, who is serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is the reason I am friends with these boys, so I guess, in a way, the reason I was invited on this trip.

My body and soul were warmed by this visit to sunnier skies. I am feeling so blessed to have gotten to enjoy such a happy weekend.

peace. love. and road trips. 

my Barcelona sunshine

Finally some sunshine and warmth! I just had another travel weekend and this time headed off to Barcelona, Spain to take in some incredible architecture, pretend like I spoke Spanish, and soak up some vitamin D. I had never been to Spain before so there is just one more country that I can check off. Woop! 

And so, as with my Venice trip, I feel the best way to convey my adventures to you is through pictures. Vale!

The fruit there was too insane. We got stopped and got fruit several times a day because we could not get over how good it was. I could have eaten those strawberries everyday!

And here are the girls that came with me. Brooke, McCall, and Sydney. We had our first meal in Spain down by the water. I have officially decided that when I own a yacht one day I'm parking it in Barcelona. Who wants to come visit?

Here is the Barcelona Cathedral. So pretty, but we especially enjoyed this little band out front and the fact that they had rolled a piano all the way to this spot so that they could perform. 

The Sagrada Familia. If you go to Barcelona do not miss this. It was begun in the 20s and it is not expected to be done till around 2023, but even as a work it progress it is incredible. It was designed by the architect Gaudi and is a temple. Gaudi is the one of the coolest architects that I have ever encountered the works of. All of his design is inspired by nature, and life, and enriched with the most beautiful colors. 

This doesn't even begin to capture what the Sagrada Familia actually looks like inside. But, it's a start.

Here we are outside. Just couldn't get over this place. 

This is La Pedreda, another building by Gaudi. The rooftop is what was so great here. It was covered in cool chimneys and funky designes. We actually ended up running into some of the girls from the BYU Spain study abroad on the roof which was a real shocker, but so fun to get back to meeting people and playing the who do you know game.

We spent a long time on the roof top of La Pedreda because we loved the view so much. It was also the perfect time of day to just sit down for a little bit and enjoy a snack...of some fruit that we had gotten in Barcelona of course. 

 Don't worry, we haven't reached the end of Gaudi's architecture yet. We also went to a park designed by him called Park Guell. It is on the top of a steep hill so there is a great view. And come on, you know how I adore a great view. 

Gaudi infuses a mosaic of color into almost everything. This is underneath the huge "porch" that you see in the picture above. 

             Got a miniature of this lizard in Park Guell for my travel shelf at home as a reminder of all of Gaudi's art that wowed me.

On the last day we went to the Parc de la Citadel which I think was one of the favorites for all of us. We took a walk through the park, had fun taking pictures, and rented a boat that I rowed around for all of us. 

Another thing to try if you are ever in Spain, chocolate and churros. It tasted like funnel cake dipped in warm thick hot chocolate. So, yup, I'd say that one was a winner. 

And how could we go without visiting the beach. Even if we were sandy on the plane ride home?
This trip was fantastic. Of course it helped that I got to get warm for a little, and even got to see my roommate Hilary Hall from home. But, I am so grateful that I am even getting this opportunity to explore the world on my own. I'm pretty small and the world is pretty big, but I think I've done a good job so far of taking a pretty good sized bite out of it. Can't believe I'm lucky enough to say that I've seen places like this.

paz. amor. y vale!