Bonjour, mamma.

Between weekend trips to Pasadena for some UCLA football, an awesome trip to Yosemite national park, and heading up north for some baseball games and red salmon curry in San Francisco, these two Vegas kids sure do get around.   Next month it's a cruise to Mexico with my entire family.  Michael is sharing a room with my dad.  He really, really does love me.  Ready to kick off this holiday season with salt water in my hair and super sore feet.  #nevergonnastop

Before I left for France, my sister and I said goodbye to one another for a painful 2 1/2 years as she went to volunteer for the Peace Corps in Uganda.  During her service, Chelsea built a turkey house for St. Francis' School of Blind, helped launch a solar micro-franchise for teachers in her community, and directed Peace Camp for victims of the LRA.  She has traveled to 27 countries and counting.   She comes homes for the holidays tomorrow and I couldn't be more excited, proud, or anxious.  It will be a holiday season filled with fine fare, laughter, and tons of great sister conversation.  I am so thankful that she is coming home safely.  <>< P.S. sissy, if you're reading this--you are such a freaking rockstar. 

My first trip alone: I could go on forever about how much I adore traveling alone. No one is there but everyone else is. Strangers, I mean. As I traveled all over the East coast to visit my sister, I made more meaningful, lifelong friends in just 10 days than I have my entire life. I want to forever remember the memories from this trip, never lose the feelings and senses that overcame me and inspired me and most of all, make a new dream become a reality: moving to Philadelphia, PA. The city of brotherly love reeled me in and never bothered to unhook me. One of my sister’s classmates said that “Philly is a city you love, and it loves you right back.” This is the truest form of how I feel about Philadelphia. Right now I am looking into the MA programs at UPenn and Drexle and also looking at housing (which is quite affordable). After I come back from France, I will have to make my decision on where to attend graduate school - something I know will be easier when I come back.. as I alread...