2012

I just wanted to take a moment to reminisce about the best year of my life. 

In January, I moved in with someone who would not only become my best friend and ultimate inspiration, but would teach me more than I ever thought possible about optimism, joy, and love. We watched movies and listened to music and stayed up late having pillow talk, and it was the first month of the happiest semester of my life. 

By spring, I had celebrated my 19th birthday, seen the Avett Brothers live, made some great new friends, became closer with old friends, saw the posse, and managed to squeeze in some time for school and work too. I was hired at Red Mango, I was working at the music library on campus, and just generally having a great time at UNL. 

Once summer rolled around, I moved into my own little studio apartment and spent my days at work and my nights with the posse. I spent hot days at the fair and at Czech Days in Wilber, Nebraska with Rachel. I took adventures. My summer was full of live music - I saw one of the best concerts of my life (Mumford and Sons) and heard a great musical legend, too (B.B. King). I traveled with the family, spending one last summer at my childhood cabin in Minnesota, and applied for my visa to study abroad in Chicago. I hugged my friends and family, and I tried to come to terms with the fact that I was leaving. 

Southeast Graduation - Wanufi and Becca

Mumford and Sons - Pinewood Bowl

Mumford and Sons - Pinewood Bowl

Alli and I appeared on our friend Beau's morning radio show

Olivia and I taking year-end pictures

More graduation pictures

Red Mango

Chicago - Summer 2012

Moving into the apartment!

Minnesota - Summer 2012

Minnesota Zoo - Summer 2012

And then September 2nd came and I found myself on a plane on the way to Milan, Italy, where I spent three and a half months on the biggest adventure I'd ever taken. I traveled far and wide, seeing Scotland and France and Switzerland, getting pick-pocketed in Spain, and swimming in the Mediterranean in the early fall. I met some of the sweetest girls I could've hoped to live with, and we had fun studying, traveling, and partying together. I realized that the vision of the world and my future that I had when I arrived was inaccurate and incomplete, so I changed it. I ate the best food of my life, including an exquisite pizza in Rome that changed my entire definition of pizza. I got to travel with my biggest ally and my greatest friend, my Mom. Mom, just so you know: you gave me the greatest gift I ever could have asked for by allowing and funding my trip to Italy. I learned the most about myself while I was there, and if I hadn't gone I don't know that I ever would have figured out what I wanted. Thank you for being endlessly supportive of me, and for never giving up on me, even when I was confused, hot-mess. You are the best mom in the world and I love you so much!

The Duomo

Best girls in all of Italy - Morgan, Anne, Marissa, Nicole, Celynna, Rachael, Kristin, and Elyssa

Cinque Terre

Lake Como

Lake Como

Fabbrica's Pizza - Milano, Italy

Lugano, Switzerland

Lugano, Switzerland

Scotland

Scotland

Barcelona

Barcelona

Barcelona

Rachael's Birthday

Thanksgiving

Paris

Paris

Paris

Kristin's Birthday

End of the Year Party

End of the Year Party

Rome

Rome

Finally, I returned home to the loving arms of the best friends a girl could ask for, and my year came full circle as I rang in the New Year with the people I love most in the world. 2012 has been one of the most fulfilling and enriching years of my life, and I can only hope that 2013 will be equally joyful. 

December 6th, 2012 - Paris, France!

Paris from above - Sacre Coeur

Last Friday (November 30th), I was lucky enough to get to take a trip to Paris with my roommates, and I think it was probably the greatest trip I've taken while I've been in Europe. Even though I've been there before, seeing it with a group of girlfriends is such a different experience than traveling with just my mom, and I was so grateful for the opportunity!

Our days were jam-packed, our bellies were constantly full, and we fell asleep each night around 10 pm, but it was a successful trip, and I had such a great time! Some of the highlights: 

Day One: Pere-Lachaise cemetery. Wandering around Notre Dame. Being able to ask the cashier at Starbucks a real question in real French. Seeing the glass pyramid at the Louvre all lit up at night. Crepes and kebabs for lunch and dinner. A cozy hotel room with a real working shower. Snuggling with friends. Falling asleep happy.

Here's Elyssa happily modeling in our hotel room.

Rachael and me on the balcony of our hotel. 

Pere-LaChaise cemetery

Victor Hugo's grave at Pere-LaChaise

Notre Dame

One of the many museums we passed on our walk around the city!

Kristin and me at Starbucks! 

A beautiful sunset in Paris

Friends on the Pont Neuf! - Celynna, Elyssa, me and Rachael

I found America!

Just two lovers on the Love Lock Bridge

The Louvre at night!

Nicole, Celynna, Rachael, me Elyssa, Anne, and Kristin

A couple of selfies at the hotel. 

Day Two: Boat ride down the Seine. Berry-Nutella crepes for lunch. Looking out over the Sacre-Coeur on the first chilly morning in December and seeing the whole city. Watching the sunset from the top of the Eiffel Tower. Feeling certain that I made the right choice to change my major. Watching the Eiffel Tower light up and twinkle. More crepes. Giddily eating my first (albeit overpriced, though totally worth it) veggie burrito bowl from Chipotle in three and a half months. Falling asleep happy. 

Musée D'Orsay - the view from the Seine

Elyssa and me on the Seine

The Eiffel Tower 

The Eiffel Tower at night

A happy girl and her Veggie Burrito Bowl.

Day Three: Visiting the Arc de Triomphe. Eating chocolate chip-cream pastries for breakfast. Shopping on the Champs D'Elysées. Successfully navigating the RER train system in order to get back to the airport on time. Suffering through my first airport patdown (luckily the woman was nice - note to self: wearing your money belt through the security gate in the Charles De Gaulle airport will get you a lot of extra attention from the security guards). Coming home to messages from friends and family. Eating a giant bowl of pasta. Falling asleep happy. 

It's crazy to think now that I'm home from Paris, I have less than two weeks left. In fact, as of today I have 8 days until Mom arrives and another 13 before I come home! This weekend is full of birthday celebrations for my good friend Kristin, shopping at the Christmas markets, and studying all day every day. Should be a fun time! 

Have a great week!