tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92015115853094992412024-03-20T02:07:32.963-07:00ALIgoriesAlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576139037890696478noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201511585309499241.post-46912269337314854202010-12-17T21:03:00.000-08:002010-12-17T22:52:26.160-08:00I'm Back, I'm Back, I'm Soo Back!<div align="center">Well, I've officially finished my first semester at <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">BYU</span></strong>! It has been a crazy, busy (and sometimes hard) few months, but I am <span style="color:#ffff00;">grateful</span> for all that I've learned, both academically and just as a person. I just finished my last final. I have literally been studying about 8 hours a day for the past 2 weeks (minus Saturdays/Sundays), and now I am <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">finally FREE!!!</span> I asked myself what the first thing I wanted to do was, and of course, <em>ALIgories</em> popped into my mind. I've missed it more than I thought was possible!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">But wow, soo much has happened since I've last posted! To sum it all up, though, BYU has been one of the <span style="color:#33ff33;">best experiences</span> of my life so far! Each day I wake up and even when life seems hard, I know <span style="color:#00cccc;">I'm in the right place for me right now</span>. It is where I'm supposed to be, and I'm <span style="color:#ff9900;">grateful</span> for the opportunity I have to work hard and learn.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Since I blogged last, I have had all sorts of <span style="color:#993399;">adventures</span>. I was able to go with my family to our favorite place in the world--the beach house! Nothing but pure <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">JOY</span> in the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffff00;">shining sun!</span> :)</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZmaXaCDeaBwnJn4fQEogZMUlPTRh6gbN9lP_x56__3kHwQlz2Y8POjfcJZuhF04uowKR6Z1aIJq8gvGCny8gQYrktx32QC_U3alSsdciAS_XLLxFXaPt5lLxOKp1EZMMTbU3r2Tr3iun/s1600/beach.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551904665884817970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZmaXaCDeaBwnJn4fQEogZMUlPTRh6gbN9lP_x56__3kHwQlz2Y8POjfcJZuhF04uowKR6Z1aIJq8gvGCny8gQYrktx32QC_U3alSsdciAS_XLLxFXaPt5lLxOKp1EZMMTbU3r2Tr3iun/s320/beach.jpg" /></a> (Luckily I was able to get caught up in school...)</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /><div align="center">I've also been trying to develop <span style="color:#33ccff;">new talents</span>, as well as keep my old ones strong... still dancing a ton but also learning to cook, manage time, and even sew my own clothes!--hahaha <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ff33;"><strong>j/k</strong></span>. But I am definitely becoming quite the artist, don't ya think?!!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4hLfaA13sxUsYG4K3QwEiiWkfcjx9w5oImYJRbRvEmeihreP77g_vsm42VybNyV4jKDtD_kt-wK1Yq5cMoLlZ3OygWbZ_6Iusp4cRYCWjdlD2VTldmPK8b2MphKUIwGECG2PI2TFEfFZ/s1600/painting.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551902690122430050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4hLfaA13sxUsYG4K3QwEiiWkfcjx9w5oImYJRbRvEmeihreP77g_vsm42VybNyV4jKDtD_kt-wK1Yq5cMoLlZ3OygWbZ_6Iusp4cRYCWjdlD2VTldmPK8b2MphKUIwGECG2PI2TFEfFZ/s320/painting.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Finally, I've gained so many <span style="color:#993399;">new friends</span>! My roomies, Courtney and Kaitlyn, are <span style="color:#ff6666;">the best</span>! I seriously feel like I've known them forever, and we get along perfectly together (I was nervous I'd get some crazy BYU weirdos or something, but there was nothing to worry about!). </div><div align="center"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqh0-D6_eKfaaBzC5GvtXBORTQCpJWrPQs4oPh3kSAefg9SAUu4s7fYztX8CqKQnQIP9DG2gSNmdZ_G2HsyqbXrxjwCSz8SoZc6sFOpZLM6OP1wzOyhsB-34xahu14NqCpZhgHOToIA2p/s1600/togas.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551901731287619618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqh0-D6_eKfaaBzC5GvtXBORTQCpJWrPQs4oPh3kSAefg9SAUu4s7fYztX8CqKQnQIP9DG2gSNmdZ_G2HsyqbXrxjwCSz8SoZc6sFOpZLM6OP1wzOyhsB-34xahu14NqCpZhgHOToIA2p/s320/togas.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 226px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551902389908415330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CA0PWaTIHWUe6T-xKgUuvb6fwqFeH5MlKzkAtwhTmYbXVV8JMZjNFvvL35ncvqpBSbyzp5BGYipLauzJrMjuKt2yDIp-ZsFkcnvdhC7ROd0TddgpzkCg3zFSrHrohjDycem50XdXSAGk/s320/halloween.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>(Halloween was a blast... never can have too many costumes!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div><br /><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeKDI5snHY2KBKrqVEYDqPaT4ZWBlKpm5mvAMygTG0uZ2VbeGhlJRS7-TDH4qHo85MLhmeOo701LUozuRFdCEvNRo_3iwqR33C4SZg0-71SyRUh_4JNZOITvcouc_3hHdQgma-Iyps1yM/s1600/yogurt.bmp"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 304px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551901121484205746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeKDI5snHY2KBKrqVEYDqPaT4ZWBlKpm5mvAMygTG0uZ2VbeGhlJRS7-TDH4qHo85MLhmeOo701LUozuRFdCEvNRo_3iwqR33C4SZg0-71SyRUh_4JNZOITvcouc_3hHdQgma-Iyps1yM/s320/yogurt.bmp" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />(Our favorite reward for <em><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">acing</span></strong></em> tests is frozen yogurt at FroZone.)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div><div align="center"><div align="center">So despite all the hard work at the<span style="color:#000099;"> <em>Creamery on Ninth</em>...<br /></span></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVhtMY-RKZe38maUlMaJ4JLlgmpIWS7v6BvMwwN_cq2Hutunp9lD4H1KPi3Hs5uBqTYwPBjY_u8F2vVvyj7MpntmjdOpwHP84IZYr9sKnLLRQLWQgmRAsU29IuExSPo0njuRNokbbxsqk/s1600/creamery.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 199px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551898811186484082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVhtMY-RKZe38maUlMaJ4JLlgmpIWS7v6BvMwwN_cq2Hutunp9lD4H1KPi3Hs5uBqTYwPBjY_u8F2vVvyj7MpntmjdOpwHP84IZYr9sKnLLRQLWQgmRAsU29IuExSPo0njuRNokbbxsqk/s320/creamery.jpg" /></a><br />and the late nights doing homework in the <span style="color:#cc33cc;">Harold B. Lee Library</span>, </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div></div><div align="center"><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Sl1fJ8YVVngoW9w1Wuz-EVzT2Cf-YLl1nNsWdmqNXcZNm4ubFOBozzGJds1kNaJpDgcVT0xha4xOq7SHRXBFRtbdJomRBIuKlR-hpTo83oWnVVN7fAy6YQxJB0doecSDKtX4XHQxrDI4/s1600/library.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 190px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551897982198990514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Sl1fJ8YVVngoW9w1Wuz-EVzT2Cf-YLl1nNsWdmqNXcZNm4ubFOBozzGJds1kNaJpDgcVT0xha4xOq7SHRXBFRtbdJomRBIuKlR-hpTo83oWnVVN7fAy6YQxJB0doecSDKtX4XHQxrDI4/s320/library.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">LIFE IS GOOD</span> and every day is a beautiful one. There is so much to love! I am so thankful for <span style="color:#33ff33;">my crazy and loving family</span>, <span style="color:#33ccff;">for my loyal and true friends (both old and new)</span>, <span style="color:#ff6666;">and for my supportive and undertanding Heavenly Father.</span> </div><div align="center"><br />It's crazy to think about how <span style="color:#993399;">so much</span> can change <span style="color:#cc33cc;">so fast</span>, and how you never know where life will take you next. Last year at this time, I had nooo idea that this is where I'd be. But that, I guess, is why life is so exciting. </div><div align="center"><br /><div align="center">May we all allow life to take us on the journey we're meant to travel and love it for what it has to offer. Although we may not know all of our own destinations just yet, it's okay; we can enjoy each moment of being alive, having each other in our company, and wondering <span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ff33;">where life will take us next.</span></div><div align="center"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576139037890696478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201511585309499241.post-78432090133516192702010-09-05T17:42:00.000-07:002010-09-14T21:26:38.686-07:00Current Biological Issue: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><em>While I was in high school, I had the privilege of getting to know someone who was very kind and special. He was one of the most genuinely altruistic people I've ever met, and he deserved to have a happy, healthy life. Although he was a very optimistic person, he carried a burden that no one should have to live with: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. The encumbering factor wasn't the fact that he had this syndrome; it was the fact that it could have been prevented. When I got the assignment to address a current biological issue for my Biology class at BYU, I knew exactly what I would choose to research and resolve. If you'd like to learn about FAS and be a part of my assignment, go ahead and read on. If not, I'll be back with ALIgories soon! </em><br /></div><div align="center"><em>Thanks, guys! :)</em></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#339999;"><strong>The World As They See It</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">National Geographic February 2005</span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#339999;"></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#339999;"></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516776043071044962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3c2r4KsWhniLtkYzm6bo39AcfpuJ6zaGKaW7w0h-uZl1xFTC1nIYEj9S9i9GQsONRf1XaJhfEWQVs5kdKuLMIJi1MX9vH_lpZjlBY_NhrRHjuLJTVdjvFDmRm2WYWRTpk-zhlZ79kGCBz/s320/FAS+1.jpg" /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff6666;">Ellen O'Donovan found out she was pregnant while she was fighting a vicious battle against her one huge impediment: alcoholism. She could barely handle her own struggles with it, let alone worry about physically passing it on to her son. By the time she found out she was pregnant (two months into her pregnancy), it was already too late. Her son, Malcolm, was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and had many impairments such as poor vision, defective kidneys and stomach, being extremely undersized, and having multiple learning disabilities at birth, due to his mother's alcoholism. Ellen is grateful to have her son in her life and hasn't taken a drink in three and a half years (as of February, 2005), however, she still has to live with all the consequences and guilt. She wants mothers and future mothers to be educated and smart when it comes drinking during pregnancies because the many effects of FAS are devasting circumstances that nobody should ever have to live with.</span><br /><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#009900;"><strong>The Problem:</strong></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="font-size:100%;">According to a study done by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Acoholism in the US, 1-3 live births out of 1,000 are born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in the U.S. On the Manitoba reserve in Canada, 100 of 1,000 live births are born with FAS. Although every country, state, and town have different percentages of this harmful quandary, it is no-doubt a problem that needs to be more -fully understood, addressed, and prevented as much as possible.</span></span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#009900;"></span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 405px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 147px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516776055013344450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLnOLODEiCD6Mo4e4vCCooO4JU9Eyg2d-vnXGpqKUiL7mrUqQdx22cVeLnp1C6aCSlUhRRUzUwdPNgFUCCX7oH7SfMMZai-qp9W6dEf67BX5Dt_4jlPBIJDH5RqKpnqB-EPOwXjbTL3lh/s320/FAS+2.jpg" /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;">My Solution:</span> </div><div align="left"><span style="color:#33ccff;">In order to prevent this awful syndrome from occurring so frequently, I believe it is absolutely essential to learn more about the severity of its effects (especially on the brain). Once we know exactly what it can do (and to what extent), informing people will be much more effective and influencial; it won't be merely opinions or theories but facts, and that's when people truly listen and take caution. It is also necessary to know about different people's views on the matter, to know exactly how educated on FAS they are. It will then be easier (and more instrumental) to cater different FAS awareness/education programs according to what each area's specific needs are.</span><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#663366;">Understanding What Exactly FAS Does to the Brain:</span></strong></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#663366;">(a supporting peer-reviewed journal)</span><br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 210px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516976369552689730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QxNG7lK9I7XpNQWC4Eu0IqujrDTtqeWmPH_TfTwHXv_Kqb4ydUWJmDD4XTypKgr7OhRBXlp2Y5RJ7TSxN7XRuPfPfvPy9caKJDIilXdOUzcEHFXU6YDif146bUTwGn58zhsITZzH9W_m/s320/FAS+7.png" /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffff00;">S.R. Ghimire, A.K. Saxena, D. Rai, and S. Dhungel from the Department of Anatomy and the Patan Academy of Health Sciences wanted to not only understand what FAS can physically do to a fetus, but also understand the histological effects of it on the cerebellum . To do this, they fed famale rats 20.0% alcohol every single day for fourteen days before they began to mate, and then every day for the rest of their pregnancies. Then, twenty-seven days after the rat pups were born, they were killed and observed. The scientists studied, weighed, and processed the rats' cerebellums and came up with a lot of applicable data. Their results are as follows:</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#ffff00;">-The rat pups' brains weighed much less/were less dense than the brains of regular, healthy rats.</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#ffff00;">-The diameter of Purkinje cells (cells found in the brain) was smaller in the FAS rats.</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#ffff00;">-The width of the molecular and granular layers was also smaller in these rats.</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#ffff00;">*What all of this means is that the consumption of alcohol does affect the brain and the rate/success of its growth. The "histological architecture of cerebellum," as the scientists put it, is significantly altered and slowed, resulting in mental handicaps. </span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#009900;"><strong>Effectively Creating Campaigns for FAS Pr</strong><strong>evention:</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">(a supporting peer-reviewed journal)</span> </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 243px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516976985467565314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNFaVFWAueIdrW8Lwv93AzS5Hp_RPwhGeLGbZsw5XE68NsfXoSrthnbQNq8Bj_l-8IXARpwgb2AKIy-gPJ-1NDGeb_bJnPjU_5hGtXFc_0dVHjfvjyIwkPpzg9w79WH7GjD6pogHPhMmL/s320/FAS+6.jpg" /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff6666;">Because every country, state, and community is different and people understand FAS on very different levels, it is important for leaders of communities/organizations and supporters of FAS prevention to understand what needs to be explained to mothers and potential mothers. E. Peadon, J. Payne, N. Henley, H. D'Antoine, A. Bartu, C. O'Leary, C. Bower, and E.J. Elliot from BMC Public Health conducted a national survey in Australia concerning "women's knowledge and attitudes regarding alcohol consumption in pregnancy." Basically what they did was interwiew women ages 18-45 regarding their opinions, understandings, and awarenesses towards alcohol consumption and the results of it on the unborn child. The results they recieved are as follows:</span><br /></div><p align="left"><span style="color:#ff6666;">-61.5% had heard about what alcohol can do to a fetus.</span></p><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff6666;">-53% had heard of FAS</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff6666;">-16.2% of the 92.7% who believed alcohol can affect a fetus didn't agree that the damage done could be permanent.</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff6666;">-Women with higher education levels seemed to be more aware of how alcohol can affect pregnancy.</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff6666;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff6666;">-There was not necessarily a correlation between knowledge/education and attitude toward the matter.</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff6666;">*Their conclusion states that there was a "disjunction between and attitudes towards alcohol consumption in pregnancy." Now that they more-fully understand the women's awarenesses and outlooks in their country (as they'd encourage other countries and communities to do), they'll be able to more-effectively create campaigns for the reduction of FAS there. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff6666;"></span><br /></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffff00;">In the meantime, what are some every-day habits you and I can maintain to help prevent FAS?</span></em><br /></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">For the mothers...</span></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#33cc00;">-Familiarize yourself with the risks of drinking during pregnancy (and always, really).</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#33cc00;">-Attend maternity classes to become familiar with the severity of FAS effects.</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#33cc00;">-Establish/join support groups for soon-to-be mothers who might be tempted to drink during pregnancies.</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#33cc00;">-Don't be afraid to ask questions; contact your doctor with any concerns you may have.</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#33cc00;">-Make an educated decision concerning your alcohol consumption before you become pregnant.</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="color:#33cc00;">-Simply abstain from alcohol.</span></span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#33cc00;">-If abstinence isn't for you, use reliable contraception until the decision to become pregnant has been made. That way, you'll be prepared to stay away from alcohol consumption when you're aware that it's necessary to do so.</span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">For the public, communities, family, and friends of expectant mothers...</span></strong><br /></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#339999;">-Implement public policies concerning alcohol consumption during pregnancy.</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#339999;">-Create/vote for harsher legislation for underage drinking in order to more-fully caution young mothers, and therefore, decrease the percentages of FAS in your community.</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#339999;">-Become actively-involved in reminding mothers of the severe effects of FAS.</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#339999;">-Encourage family and friends to abstain from alcohol, especially during pregnancy.</span><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;">As students at Brigham Young University, we've all obviously chosen to abstain from alcohol. We understand that keeping the Word of Wisdom is part of the Honor Code, and more importantly, for our own health and well-being. Hopefully, students here at this University won't have to worry about FAS personally, but it does affect those around us daily. I would strongly encourage anyone and everyone who is willing, to support the fight against FAS and become as involved as you can in the progression towards prevention.</span><br /><br /></div><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 274px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516981020873310370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8CAwppaVjqicYdUterlMks_d7x5nsfee-7okboeSaJLIutiyv3YavhDRSpZm_VjerQ5Hpd-GNMffSz0ZkN9IAX1Qo1rmWVCNjPjRCfPfAP5AMaTBgKPtEuGnW1Lw_tP3bvIxtaIaEIY_/s320/FAS+5.jpg" /> </p><p></p><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;"><strong>References:</strong></span> </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff6600;">Ghimire, SR., Saxena, AK., Rai, D., & Dhungel, S. (2009). Effect of maternal alcohol consumption on cerebellum of rat pups: a histological study. Nepal Medical College Journal, 4, 268-71. Retrieved from </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.erl.lib.byu.edu/pubmed?Db=pubmed&DbFrom=pubmed&Cmd=Link&LinkName=pubmed_pubmed&IdsFror"><span style="color:#ff6600;">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.erl.lib.byu.edu/pubmed?Db=pubmed&DbFrom=pubmed&Cmd=Link&LinkName=pubmed_pubmed&IdsFror</span></a></div><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#339999;">Peadon, E., Payne, J., Henley, N., D'Antonie, H., Bartu, A., O'Leary, C., Bower, C., & Elliott, E.J. (2010). Women's knowledge and attitudes regarding alcohol consumption in pregnancy: a national survey. BMC Public Health, 10. Retrieved from </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2936428/?tool=pubmed"><span style="color:#339999;">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2936428/?tool=pubmed</span></a></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ffcc33;">Square, D. (1997). Fetal alcohol syndrome epidemic on Manitoba reserve. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 157. Retrieved from </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.erl.lib.byu.edu/pmc/articles/PMC1227669/pdf/cmaj_157_1_59.pdf"><span style="color:#ffcc33;">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.erl.lib.byu.edu/pmc/articles/PMC1227669/pdf/cmaj_157_1_59.pdf</span></a></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#009900;">Steinmetz, G. (2005). The World as They See It. National Geographic, 181. Retrieved from </span><a href="http://www.faslink.org/national%20geographic%20-%20article%20on%20fetal%20alcohol.htm"><span style="color:#009900;">http://www.faslink.org/national%20geographic%20-%20article%20on%20fetal%20alcohol.htm</span></a></div><div align="left"></div><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;"><strong>Photos taken from:</strong></span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#339999;"><a href="http://www.faslink.org/national%20geographic%20-%20article%20on%20fetal%20alcohol.htm">http://www.faslink.org/national%20geographic%20-%20article%20on%20fetal%20alcohol.htm</a></span></p><p align="center"><a href="http://mindforums.com/38/"><span style="color:#6600cc;">http://mindforums.com/38/</span></a></p><p align="center"><a href="http://www.makli.com/fetal-alcohol-syndrome-0034272/"><span style="color:#ff6666;">http://www.makli.com/fetal-alcohol-syndrome-0034272/</span></a></p><p align="center"><a href="http://www.valcare.org.za/cgi-bin/giga.cgi?cmd=cause_dir_project&project_id=2971&cause_id=93">http://www.valcare.org.za/cgi-bin/giga.cgi?cmd=cause_dir_project&project_id=2971&cause_id=93</a></p><div align="center"></div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576139037890696478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201511585309499241.post-33491278393836110922010-08-28T19:15:00.001-07:002010-09-03T01:18:00.595-07:00It's Time to Turn the Page<div align="center"><em>So this is it</em>. I've continually put it off for as long as possible. But it's Saturday night and I don't have much more time. I don't know why I'm so scared of it... everyone grows up, everyone does this! It's not that I don't know that... I'm not quite sure what it is. All I know is that this means I am "Grown-up Ali" now, and there's no going back. This part of my life is complete and it's time to move on.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">My mom and I gathered up all my stuff last Wednesday and took it down to the new apartment (it doesn't feel right to call it mine yet). We loaded the cars slowly but surely, taking one load after another down. I tried so hard to hold it together, to be excited for this change. But each step I took got harder and harder as I realized I was really moving out and away from the most amazing family on this Earth. When I looked at my mom and realized she was in tears too, I wondered why I was even doing this...</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">"No one ever said it would be this hard."</span></em></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">Sometimes I just want to be a little kid again</span></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">"...to go back to the start."</span></em></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">I need them... I don't want to leave yet.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;">But I know it's time...</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div align="center">Goodbye room and closets and bed.</div><div align="center">Goodbye nightly family dinners.</div><div align="center">Goodbye morning walks with my sweet mama every day.</div><div align="center">Goodbye to Trey's shiny quarters and rocks and to Dax's never-ending questions.</div><div align="center">Goodbye to joking and teasing from Bray, Matt, and Coley all the time (I secretly love it).</div><div align="center">Goodbye to Dad's late-night text messages reminding me to squeeze his hand to let him know I'm home safely and in for the night.</div><div align="center">And goodbye to much, much more. </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I'll miss you while I'm gone.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">But I<span style="color:#33ff33;"> <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">WILL</span></strong></span> be back (and often!). </div><div align="center">I'm still your daughter, sister, and niece;</div><div align="center">I'm still your grandaughter, cousin, and friend.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I'm moving on to another chapter of my life.</div><div align="center">I'm not closing the book <span style="font-size:130%;"><em>but simply turing the page</em></span>.</div><div align="center">Wish me luck, and I'll see all of you soon!</div><div align="center">xo-Ali</div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576139037890696478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201511585309499241.post-23047391478065596762010-08-13T11:15:00.000-07:002010-08-13T23:00:16.576-07:00The End of My Beginning... Paris<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ff33;"><em>Goodness gracious</em></span>, it has been awhile! Now that I'm home and am (finally) through with my teeth trouble and getting <span style="color:#ff99ff;">back into the swing of things</span>, I must share with you the last bit of my adventure... Paris!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Emily and I were so lucky; we were able to go without kids, which meant we could eat out, spend our days however we wished, and yes... walk down stairs <span style="color:#6633ff;">without</span> tripping over the stroller! ;) </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The first day we were there, we got our museum fill by going to the <span style="font-family:courier new;">extensive </span>but <span style="color:#ffff33;">ever-so-magnificent</span> Louvre. Of course we couldn't get through even a fourth of what was there, but we were able to see the <em>Mona Lisa, </em>as well as<em> </em>a lot of amazing Dutch art.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyabjU5zUS0Av0H2iLfR9Ea7CgsTF9GFcm1KbAv-bR_4OKG8buOgfC-WMd2q1ALMBPrRMo42GqtUxTKR1NCKHTQqtiTehCKDDhUKbddvYTkyYM7ekAFerOSGzbDzN6MSdHtxrDLBXdjzS/s1600/Ali+Europe+081.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505132766148490306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyabjU5zUS0Av0H2iLfR9Ea7CgsTF9GFcm1KbAv-bR_4OKG8buOgfC-WMd2q1ALMBPrRMo42GqtUxTKR1NCKHTQqtiTehCKDDhUKbddvYTkyYM7ekAFerOSGzbDzN6MSdHtxrDLBXdjzS/s320/Ali+Europe+081.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOuDwlGkuFv-cSOCTiKFAP_6yF0Z6X5mfQVqlmvg_erK4Ngrs0JU9dEUDnDkFf9hOo3I-rsyRFnerJW8ih3FHSAQuCgbT2-9wGv0NwiuWHwqzR52Q7t3EbN2AGrRq_dFoVZ5dfcsTdEXx/s1600/Ali+Europe+090.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505132763144436370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOuDwlGkuFv-cSOCTiKFAP_6yF0Z6X5mfQVqlmvg_erK4Ngrs0JU9dEUDnDkFf9hOo3I-rsyRFnerJW8ih3FHSAQuCgbT2-9wGv0NwiuWHwqzR52Q7t3EbN2AGrRq_dFoVZ5dfcsTdEXx/s320/Ali+Europe+090.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLdk9PTKK-mOVLHO07FMZdQBtP2-UovDkj14lQfakczi_B4bSFNVkPGWtW4hUR6MnJPPkS0oMN_BvqaianDyHQDCJnrcEV0lIT5IvPizymPdH2fhs1mDzO-7OtWHHABLKc6-IVHJBlyUK/s1600/Ali+Europe+077.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505132754725955170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLdk9PTKK-mOVLHO07FMZdQBtP2-UovDkj14lQfakczi_B4bSFNVkPGWtW4hUR6MnJPPkS0oMN_BvqaianDyHQDCJnrcEV0lIT5IvPizymPdH2fhs1mDzO-7OtWHHABLKc6-IVHJBlyUK/s320/Ali+Europe+077.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97hyphenhypheniJJdkqXGgXLQ34SuFKYeiREZhcPKCPeOgIH-RqFmjRr5baf7aqBw7Ui5JqQ69dtzqhy9IMHi0HW_dOVGhgvkNIY4DncWPO6XbhEeEoV3BR3yu3qOwkMVfanZKVYloRS6WcpsfK2BQ/s1600/Ali+Europe+087.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505132743611436354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97hyphenhypheniJJdkqXGgXLQ34SuFKYeiREZhcPKCPeOgIH-RqFmjRr5baf7aqBw7Ui5JqQ69dtzqhy9IMHi0HW_dOVGhgvkNIY4DncWPO6XbhEeEoV3BR3yu3qOwkMVfanZKVYloRS6WcpsfK2BQ/s320/Ali+Europe+087.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center">We had lunch at the Rodin Sculpture Garden and enjoyed both the beautiful art as well as some <span style="color:#66ffff;">good fun</span> posing with the statues there! :)<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7sLLd49POLgZ843ICz6Y7x5lHcP0VilIGrdobrCIGrRRB7THK_so7iivNG2U9sM4Xxbc68Fkny66dswdhfIfDZ9Mg_IhA2fsfVSzSmJuwvsUYfTzvbdxT9tpl57J3EZonx4gqU2WV6SF/s1600/Ali+Europe+091.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505127324894786962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7sLLd49POLgZ843ICz6Y7x5lHcP0VilIGrdobrCIGrRRB7THK_so7iivNG2U9sM4Xxbc68Fkny66dswdhfIfDZ9Mg_IhA2fsfVSzSmJuwvsUYfTzvbdxT9tpl57J3EZonx4gqU2WV6SF/s320/Ali+Europe+091.JPG" /></a> Don't these statues remind you of Beyonce?!! </div><div align="center"><em>"All the single ladies, all the single ladies..."</em></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VemMqD5oZDWJwS1TEGnwFObLSbKMFjBe9qGRO2FlHa_U2esFLA30g2PQk_nUjD0mxdSHwP2vEEDjLNPqdmRNQHEG3pvMYVcg3armO-5MHJBwKl1Mld_ua9vUPfOms_OR11XWzyp7lQqR/s1600/Ali+Europe+094.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 243px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505127129440316738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VemMqD5oZDWJwS1TEGnwFObLSbKMFjBe9qGRO2FlHa_U2esFLA30g2PQk_nUjD0mxdSHwP2vEEDjLNPqdmRNQHEG3pvMYVcg3armO-5MHJBwKl1Mld_ua9vUPfOms_OR11XWzyp7lQqR/s320/Ali+Europe+094.JPG" /></a><em><span style="color:#663366;">I'm a thinker too... </span></em><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">We also saw Monet's famous <em>Waterlilies</em> at the <span style="color:#ff6600;">Orangerie</span>!<br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505125827445466962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgNSLt4ApUth-DcojhnnolycImwvF630i752UGz1NrBUGAsd50mQBZjNO0ODMn7DmTt1ynpSemewCvFjcBqltuiK0cuSjDeyf2Pag8IWrCVz_o4-s2Fd1XESR0LJMjM2HUPkjRGxNktmg/s320/Ali+Europe+105.JPG" /> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /><div align="center">We even gave a <strong><span style="color:#33ff33;">shout-out</span></strong> to good ol' Napoleon in his tomb!</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNSAHFKVPS3JGEy5I1qtpbU-eLe-jJlv74WLQ0zn0ooWx2y-laBq7INuBfuQPjYNIELetqWtH22Tn58OTYG8MhKHfmC13YAxA_a0yhcGw_PpPbZNyYp0ZSldZJDT9xbbiSwy_BuNiyuEp/s1600/Ali+Europe+096.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505125162900258466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNSAHFKVPS3JGEy5I1qtpbU-eLe-jJlv74WLQ0zn0ooWx2y-laBq7INuBfuQPjYNIELetqWtH22Tn58OTYG8MhKHfmC13YAxA_a0yhcGw_PpPbZNyYp0ZSldZJDT9xbbiSwy_BuNiyuEp/s320/Ali+Europe+096.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center">Later that night, we had dinner outdoors at a <span style="color:#ff99ff;">picturesque</span> place recommended by our <span style="color:#ffff00;">hero-vacation-guide</span>, Rick Steves. I even got to try lamb for the first time!</div><br /><div align="center">Afterwards, we went to one of the most <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;">a</span><span style="color:#3333ff;">m</span><span style="color:#993399;">a</span><span style="color:#33ff33;">z</span><span style="color:#00cccc;">i</span><span style="color:#ffff33;">n</span><span style="color:#ffcc00;">g</span></strong></span> places I've ever been: The Eiffel Tower. The <span style="color:#33ff33;">brilliant lights</span>, <span style="color:#33ccff;">enlivening music</span>,<span style="color:#993399;"> silly street dancers</span>, <span style="color:#ffff00;">breath-taking views</span>, and just the <span style="color:#990000;">energy</span> of it all almost brought me to tears... it was incredible.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewLn4lI7aNF1igCZf2KNsQ5FmbygUobPyvbSVqC48IWZaKkbgr4LJElez9MF8HZMReJc8qFZFZTV5zw2R9UCOz6P3Y01cu5Rs1hCqEUlpF3ppE3N4B_r75BmL2wBxQXVB8ERYk3qEvvU2/s1600/Ali+Europe+113.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504976058214207538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewLn4lI7aNF1igCZf2KNsQ5FmbygUobPyvbSVqC48IWZaKkbgr4LJElez9MF8HZMReJc8qFZFZTV5zw2R9UCOz6P3Y01cu5Rs1hCqEUlpF3ppE3N4B_r75BmL2wBxQXVB8ERYk3qEvvU2/s320/Ali+Europe+113.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUxqJZW3Tw7yya5YvHgdsgoIG_R1TbFtZw642uVz7-3lRCupPqQEnuzooqCI9eHHb2BMbSyIcdbda_u25hwstSHwNGTxQS3OfB6Xg0vX3iMgAbX9YIxv7b_Nmu5b-7QrhgO4svCElmiRJ/s1600/Ali+Europe+136.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504976043661768514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUxqJZW3Tw7yya5YvHgdsgoIG_R1TbFtZw642uVz7-3lRCupPqQEnuzooqCI9eHHb2BMbSyIcdbda_u25hwstSHwNGTxQS3OfB6Xg0vX3iMgAbX9YIxv7b_Nmu5b-7QrhgO4svCElmiRJ/s320/Ali+Europe+136.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlB5PFETZskUR0WxRX9t9Qv2JCTnk4JPo-ES-MLfXQJRJb39DA1hm_DRsPk3wL9cATyMk-QDBXRXVGUBWuWTQUOd_8Qq5lj5BHhpiJmKzBUHaFAOVb53tvp0T_CG18czbKenTXxWfpP68n/s1600/Ali+Europe+141.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504976032743311106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlB5PFETZskUR0WxRX9t9Qv2JCTnk4JPo-ES-MLfXQJRJb39DA1hm_DRsPk3wL9cATyMk-QDBXRXVGUBWuWTQUOd_8Qq5lj5BHhpiJmKzBUHaFAOVb53tvp0T_CG18czbKenTXxWfpP68n/s320/Ali+Europe+141.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNpAh0dKs19VOW_emZxpnTUREJY3LxWPvoBxRpEH3aReW8YdCe6z_BmtDDfeEG8K0WhTv70CyOnmBCHvqNQ3Gs7hWhuGOa7GW-TW8yk-oOCK3sshnCxnPIyjE5PQpTOOzZ8oFTkISWzxv/s1600/Ali+Europe+121.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504976024115109074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNpAh0dKs19VOW_emZxpnTUREJY3LxWPvoBxRpEH3aReW8YdCe6z_BmtDDfeEG8K0WhTv70CyOnmBCHvqNQ3Gs7hWhuGOa7GW-TW8yk-oOCK3sshnCxnPIyjE5PQpTOOzZ8oFTkISWzxv/s320/Ali+Europe+121.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center">The next day, we woke up early and went to Notre Dame, which I absolutely loved! The mosaics, stained glass, and crazy architecture completely <span style="color:#009900;">stole my heart!</span></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504974451029086482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5-HK8zHZ7OGMn-Gmp9IMCMWfg0kK3UJUvkknrseI8aHmP0VFgFPrGXpss1_CC0_TnNL4jhznqOZMbV4pvy0nkF9fR8hgtnxJoaBbdx_CYKR2m1w9MFTmiC05k_VXA1rTL0f-KARh37WX/s320/Ali+Europe+155.JPG" /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7MdUtLydicTm6Q52NqcsKAduM2Gn9O9_WcnSqXFBaWHGE3I2UVN7le_2F6wS8VnRKFGnUS4OCuxDsdUjHOoiUttydCI1dlxS_jmbuCV8ir5yUR01Rggk6Agd836GJzGvAn-KkjvxNQFX/s1600/Ali+Europe+150.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504974441149006050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7MdUtLydicTm6Q52NqcsKAduM2Gn9O9_WcnSqXFBaWHGE3I2UVN7le_2F6wS8VnRKFGnUS4OCuxDsdUjHOoiUttydCI1dlxS_jmbuCV8ir5yUR01Rggk6Agd836GJzGvAn-KkjvxNQFX/s320/Ali+Europe+150.JPG" /></a> <div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycK8ZOCveEsk9yi90I5KqONw6-gP560vf9QbN1rEH25f34WS4vEsJqFt6QsmWf0RgPYokLNYcys_qvzj08DcOq5Mh1PslJdij62BXywMsRMfDwxS6M-ME6jYLG8vdKYJ6s-B3wiaR3pJS/s1600/Ali+Europe+143.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504974431860809202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycK8ZOCveEsk9yi90I5KqONw6-gP560vf9QbN1rEH25f34WS4vEsJqFt6QsmWf0RgPYokLNYcys_qvzj08DcOq5Mh1PslJdij62BXywMsRMfDwxS6M-ME6jYLG8vdKYJ6s-B3wiaR3pJS/s320/Ali+Europe+143.JPG" /></a></div><div></div><div>From there, we were planning on seeing a Ballet, but we got a little<span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color:#6600cc;">side-tracked</span></span> with the fabulous shopping. We walked into Minelli and were soo <span style="color:#00cccc;">infatuated</span> with all of the gorgeous shoes! It is not often you score a day of shopping in Paris, so we decided... what the heck?! We spent the rest of the afternoon getting lost on the Champs-elysees and other shopping boulevards. You like?!? :) </div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGTQ72AYEEB3HRsyxqi8qa7DI8jfO3cJwzRT6-NHyThOo52PNoXg5oB2piTkPu6TuQXHCv8562_K4M3czSW0nrhHFROmVZXGTsWFHLkk0mwI4JkYxrSRjmyDbSy_x8vuPiuQnpiFr0Pin/s1600/Ali+Europe+179.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504971145078890978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGTQ72AYEEB3HRsyxqi8qa7DI8jfO3cJwzRT6-NHyThOo52PNoXg5oB2piTkPu6TuQXHCv8562_K4M3czSW0nrhHFROmVZXGTsWFHLkk0mwI4JkYxrSRjmyDbSy_x8vuPiuQnpiFr0Pin/s320/Ali+Europe+179.JPG" /></a></div><div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">My favorite museum came next... the Orsay! Oh my goodness, all of this Impressionist stuff was so magical and <span style="color:#ffff00;"><em>really spoke to me</em></span>. I HAVE to see more and go back again someday.<br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I had to laugh when I saw this painting because the whole time I was there, dentistry took over my life, and yet once again, here was this <span style="color:#ffccff;">reoccurring motif </span>haunting me in the Orsay!<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMPtwU8C3TPnFepRi6eJB4TMZ1cr3osPKP9Zbbr0i7Tbi_fX3Tr7DOjmYFV76ax9LxrKz15_CHGcEAuRQXtOvWQYFeo92TaAjzkE7veoAcIFGr_c_qVtC0Mg2mOGpFCd3ciiNiCejwQrt/s1600/Ali+Europe+172.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504968409206292178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMPtwU8C3TPnFepRi6eJB4TMZ1cr3osPKP9Zbbr0i7Tbi_fX3Tr7DOjmYFV76ax9LxrKz15_CHGcEAuRQXtOvWQYFeo92TaAjzkE7veoAcIFGr_c_qVtC0Mg2mOGpFCd3ciiNiCejwQrt/s320/Ali+Europe+172.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><div align="center">Later on, Em and I had dinner at another fabulous restaurant on the streets of Paris! We had so much fun dining out and wearing our adorable new shoes! ;) Then, to end our lovely little excursion, we got some <span style="color:#000066;">perfectly-sculped</span> French gelato.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QNj4OaX6HMuutE-Sdwosp4Pc3CgsuztiEmUNzRSwKGAaLUbDmF9XCqV33Ax6nqNg4QhrQpolX5xgx8f87MSMU_0HnQOiExebbl-9MURCdPBle9XK3pIQGSuZxXSIOENwFpXaJUFUkyko/s1600/Ali+Europe+175.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504966864925316370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QNj4OaX6HMuutE-Sdwosp4Pc3CgsuztiEmUNzRSwKGAaLUbDmF9XCqV33Ax6nqNg4QhrQpolX5xgx8f87MSMU_0HnQOiExebbl-9MURCdPBle9XK3pIQGSuZxXSIOENwFpXaJUFUkyko/s320/Ali+Europe+175.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ffff;"> </span><em><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#99ffff;">Bon appetit!</span><br /></span></em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkGxIwlFizMPYxwt00-JUT2WT1JJM-TZjXpzxfL5NOo3lgP8uOdjUjf7gZbxjglnUrnT2KZ_CADiP6zJGmwwXpP3V6o7HZ7zbIv5rWs7-RoD0A5-lfWK_NvAQHs8BsjvF3UUa7Gq1oFFu/s1600/Ali+Europe+178.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504966371633006210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkGxIwlFizMPYxwt00-JUT2WT1JJM-TZjXpzxfL5NOo3lgP8uOdjUjf7gZbxjglnUrnT2KZ_CADiP6zJGmwwXpP3V6o7HZ7zbIv5rWs7-RoD0A5-lfWK_NvAQHs8BsjvF3UUa7Gq1oFFu/s320/Ali+Europe+178.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAOrTyz9BZd7QUNUAG22eBQDQNH_2FJpgPazFs0p3A3hHIrzX7iD3Et3seefkVL1rwkQgAxuFEWu-TYHSFb7HF4nI9k4VAcHU59oOQYgp6suA2o86DrbpTQy4kHG9U_uGUOo3icwKt3cE/s1600/Ali+Europe+176.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504966363120257778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAOrTyz9BZd7QUNUAG22eBQDQNH_2FJpgPazFs0p3A3hHIrzX7iD3Et3seefkVL1rwkQgAxuFEWu-TYHSFb7HF4nI9k4VAcHU59oOQYgp6suA2o86DrbpTQy4kHG9U_uGUOo3icwKt3cE/s320/Ali+Europe+176.JPG" /></a> </div><div><br /><div align="center">It <span style="color:#000066;">b-r-o-k-e </span>my heart to leave Paris! It was definitely a HUGE highlight of those six weeks, so a <span style="color:#ffff33;">grateful thanks</span> to cute Emily for introducing the city to me!</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_dKso-Oq7BVJd7pEitdjZzsHPShdzPeskCg1Qxq2GGBvz_125uUXxNRaALvBeWDOnddYgsvi4Skd_QpX6NozFCpJtOZk400mMdEbiiwyOEkoT0iNwm5kirpml9N7ePb3rt-2twgnnrUf/s1600/Ali+Europe+180.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504965296712680770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_dKso-Oq7BVJd7pEitdjZzsHPShdzPeskCg1Qxq2GGBvz_125uUXxNRaALvBeWDOnddYgsvi4Skd_QpX6NozFCpJtOZk400mMdEbiiwyOEkoT0iNwm5kirpml9N7ePb3rt-2twgnnrUf/s320/Ali+Europe+180.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center">After a few days of unwinding, it was time to pack my bags and head home. It was so sad that all of my adventures, learning experiences, and time spent with family were coming to an end. It had truly been the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ff33;"><strong>TIME OF MY LIFE</strong></span>, and I was totally despondent about leaving. The one thing that this journey has taught me though is that this is only the beginning for me. I can't wait to see what the future holds as I head off to <span style="color:#3333ff;">BYU</span> in just a few short days! It is so weird (and a little nerve-racking) to be growing up and beginning a whole new adventure now, but ya' know what?! Bring it on because I'm ready for it! I'm going to work hard, live it up, and make the most out of every moment of this exciting </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">TIME OF MY LIFE</span></strong>.</span> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576139037890696478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201511585309499241.post-12364921256325203262010-07-23T14:02:00.000-07:002010-07-25T05:09:12.802-07:00I'm coming home?!?!!<div align="center">Hello! I am so far behind on bloggin' and still need to do the rest of our trip to Holland before I post about Paris (...which, by the way, was <span style="color:#ffff00;">A-MAZING</span>!). So here is a quick run-down of what we did in this <span style="color:#00cccc;">fabulous</span> country before we left:</div><br /><div align="center">One thing I had really been looking forward to was the Anne Frank Museum. <span style="color:#6600cc;">Holy cowzers</span>! It was honestly one of the coolest things I've ever done! Taking the tour of her actual house put the whole book into reality. I suddenly understood how truly <span style="font-size:78%;">tiny</span> and <span style="font-size:78%;">confined</span> the secret annex was, and how miserable and scary it must've been. It was really interesting and cool to go into all of the rooms, to see her <em>actual</em> diary, and learn more history about it all. Em and I took turns going in, while the other one of us played with the kids at the park.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-bl2ltX5NwNrdnIWw387QfcR-HWO9d1bHPmKuoGOGNv-ddoSpOCHkEpd6Gs5gGkhhS0VOz-Z1l99oYMxSYWGNc4c92ek6OmMc68zb-GMBnbia4PRCg_jfuEB6zBA5CZ3dfJjlSzcZUIu/s1600/DSC00799.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497802001420544354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-bl2ltX5NwNrdnIWw387QfcR-HWO9d1bHPmKuoGOGNv-ddoSpOCHkEpd6Gs5gGkhhS0VOz-Z1l99oYMxSYWGNc4c92ek6OmMc68zb-GMBnbia4PRCg_jfuEB6zBA5CZ3dfJjlSzcZUIu/s320/DSC00799.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GynKyvKiRtqCPVyBgIZQSo0m5lAtJZYku15A3PNdTGWyXxYHD-Gqwco4lKJQPdkQfaq49IKsP30eU4i3kzMqd9gTS_OblJ1OpXEhX4r0Gx1LXQf2Kpw1fEDpQxKr9PKmxBNAoELEFxTf/s1600/DSC00807.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497801995675760242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GynKyvKiRtqCPVyBgIZQSo0m5lAtJZYku15A3PNdTGWyXxYHD-Gqwco4lKJQPdkQfaq49IKsP30eU4i3kzMqd9gTS_OblJ1OpXEhX4r0Gx1LXQf2Kpw1fEDpQxKr9PKmxBNAoELEFxTf/s320/DSC00807.JPG" /></a><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497801988702382546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHPq5p8qa1vBoW3ibqI8z_00FFNTy_P9Y8wOy32UFbwYGskWLM5E7F0NQjijpi8UZbXvLofK3DRSFZKOlfmjhSi5oAoZUDAC-Ob7JE20EFHfhnwzCV-tYOgk6KSbVqJdkONzQzP_dQESu/s320/DSC00802.JPG" /><br /><div><div align="center">After the the Anne Frank Museum and the park, we headed over to the beach... <strong>THIS</strong> is why I love Holland! It is everything you could<span style="color:#ff99ff;"> ever possibly want</span> all in one country... <span style="font-size:180%;">big</span> city, <span style="font-size:78%;">small </span>farms, history, art, food, <span style="color:#33cc00;">and even my favorite thing in the world... the beach</span>! We had so much fun building sand castles, playing in the waves, and just soaking up the sweet summer rays!</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jL6H8SF7kQbGJhPHjIxKJoZ5P7wxlbvIKkuqRL0LtVMgVnW7JbIvcXbU_-3BtGqni-bh8jZZFLTWzhuJ3TAUCU-ZWgy3diQqRlTNWJXJo-njdjfWi0_b-DUYeIyOurrOH3ENBYEGDDqd/s1600/DSC00827.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497799938265928834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jL6H8SF7kQbGJhPHjIxKJoZ5P7wxlbvIKkuqRL0LtVMgVnW7JbIvcXbU_-3BtGqni-bh8jZZFLTWzhuJ3TAUCU-ZWgy3diQqRlTNWJXJo-njdjfWi0_b-DUYeIyOurrOH3ENBYEGDDqd/s320/DSC00827.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXgcW63Li5_kaoKtezI79_t-Ue2OLO7y5spg-7q97OAB8wX87nzstgV8NUlQTHqrjSN14azEOq4HpNh7KHe7uYroe2NSpYw_NVHZ7GYt1VFW43yBaTpm3Zc0fAqoCAXpKiw9BpK7lT5mJ/s1600/DSC00823.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 315px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497799363625094930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXgcW63Li5_kaoKtezI79_t-Ue2OLO7y5spg-7q97OAB8wX87nzstgV8NUlQTHqrjSN14azEOq4HpNh7KHe7uYroe2NSpYw_NVHZ7GYt1VFW43yBaTpm3Zc0fAqoCAXpKiw9BpK7lT5mJ/s320/DSC00823.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center">Afterwards, we went across the street to a delicious restaurant and enjoyed the view while eating salad and real Italain pizza! <em>Mmm...</em></div><div align="center"><em></em> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkk8QrTUDehiBZXmzNbYUoZ1lSY8yrMU9LH3dt2jKHSSvW6-lcAPXFhAVbxBiIZoll6PlZO_O4wNkv4RLhUFO1M7BPfjzXX04I5Qjq7pjGoefHlaLs97N6QOQDVioQNgCtgzm4UdnYPelc/s1600/DSC00831.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497555782229008818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkk8QrTUDehiBZXmzNbYUoZ1lSY8yrMU9LH3dt2jKHSSvW6-lcAPXFhAVbxBiIZoll6PlZO_O4wNkv4RLhUFO1M7BPfjzXX04I5Qjq7pjGoefHlaLs97N6QOQDVioQNgCtgzm4UdnYPelc/s320/DSC00831.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><div><div>The last morning we woke up and went to the Ten Boom Museum. <em>The Hiding Place</em> is seriously one of my very favorite books ever, and it was <span style="color:#ffff00;">SO INCREDIBLE</span> to actually go into this house and be there where it all happened. I even got to crawl through and go into the 2' by 10' hiding place they hid the Jews in.</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcT9QkRrq9xh013go4_Oig1fUaHlCDyN8wiJ4grJ7E2on_TOgSUbAbiozGaYrJ3nXxgaWxfP4XxYruWukexeMBmwAxqjC6lUcG1hA7fssnO3ELAeGWxr_yzNe3Rpj4r0RoHY5xowXkCbJ/s1600/DSC00849.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 315px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497549644943254306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcT9QkRrq9xh013go4_Oig1fUaHlCDyN8wiJ4grJ7E2on_TOgSUbAbiozGaYrJ3nXxgaWxfP4XxYruWukexeMBmwAxqjC6lUcG1hA7fssnO3ELAeGWxr_yzNe3Rpj4r0RoHY5xowXkCbJ/s320/DSC00849.JPG" /></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 313px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 248px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497550770279899394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKWfhUQe6iwYcQwVG6bFa0cMZa3tRQ6Rlf0Za-hRc6wuJVeLhtV0fbHBvoeHD1VSR_verThuQpMnIivdsWgh0M3FtCYAE4DS1k0jia6PdFvpm7Ua94O2SEEQILnMMAACsDuUa45ju77s1/s320/DSC00855.JPG" /> </div><div>Before heading out of Holland, we stopped by this <span style="color:#3366ff;">random</span>, <span style="color:#ff9900;">amazing</span> museum that is in the middle of the woods! You can totally just ride a bike into the forest and go see some Picasso... no big deal or anything! ;) <div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEkbZ8q0M0DVYbMWmXcN_sn5sCYwZ0AdKpyGwZMkUtJvxJW89RxiA2S5xAKyKcy3LF83AZ2rMF0mAZyAx69FsIq7IptGqyuLwnEqugVYVj6V62ee_Ix_v4VPz9KBUURkGvO8OLkpblljk/s1600/DSC00871.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497217659871881266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEkbZ8q0M0DVYbMWmXcN_sn5sCYwZ0AdKpyGwZMkUtJvxJW89RxiA2S5xAKyKcy3LF83AZ2rMF0mAZyAx69FsIq7IptGqyuLwnEqugVYVj6V62ee_Ix_v4VPz9KBUURkGvO8OLkpblljk/s320/DSC00871.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center">Holland was so <span style="color:#ff99ff;">awesome</span>. I am so happy I had the chance to go with Emily and the cute kids, and it has been an experience that I'll <span style="color:#ffff00;">never ever</span> forget! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I am coming home in just a few days! It is soo crazy that the time is already here! After my tooth troubles ended, the time <em><span style="color:#00cccc;">flew</span></em> by, and I can't believe I. am. coming. home. I am so excited to see everyone... I've missed you soo much! But I am also so sad to say goodbye to Emily, Claire, Jackson, and all of the other friends I've made here in Europe. I am really going to miss them. <span style="color:#3333ff;">I just want to say thanks</span> to Em and the kids for making my time here so wonderful, for making me feel at home, and for helping me learn and grow so much. I love you guys so much! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">To everyone else, I'll see you SOON, and I can't wait! </div><div align="center"> Here it goes... <span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ff33;"><em>I'm on my way</em></span>! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576139037890696478noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201511585309499241.post-66758490298810150672010-07-18T12:52:00.000-07:002010-07-19T11:39:19.051-07:00Holland: Part One<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;"><strong>Hey iedereen, we hebben het veilig naar Nederland en ik hou hier! :)</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">That's Dutch for: Hey everyone! We made it safely to Holland and I love it here! :)</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Here we are in this little town right outside Amsterdam. We are staying on a cute little cow farm! I've never really been the super outdoor-sy type, but I can't get enough of it!!!</span> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">This is right outside our place:</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97p5PdKGuoojnOLazQ5Uwt1irUy-qH0x-rgpaFi3AtICWBZylk1eluW9XYC__NrONP763rZH886bBdxFEvPqmddEVT50N0dtcMAiwn0Wmkij5rmeY4MKbCo0GjkNg3Lu1hwmgADbpKJZ1/s1600/DSC00718.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495388512987531170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97p5PdKGuoojnOLazQ5Uwt1irUy-qH0x-rgpaFi3AtICWBZylk1eluW9XYC__NrONP763rZH886bBdxFEvPqmddEVT50N0dtcMAiwn0Wmkij5rmeY4MKbCo0GjkNg3Lu1hwmgADbpKJZ1/s320/DSC00718.JPG" /></a><br />The main bedroom/living area:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUStdlQ3ntvhGUcmEk5-gX0RGeBy59iMBkV_lZFi9eEc8lRouzag6AOSI0TXkEGVcEo1lYLAmtRBD8gTAHw7lB1_1je2efP2977DZ-G-YwpARwvMGFwVX_HZ6FlyFQZxzM_EI7RvUHv4n/s1600/DSC00724.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495388508769310466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUStdlQ3ntvhGUcmEk5-gX0RGeBy59iMBkV_lZFi9eEc8lRouzag6AOSI0TXkEGVcEo1lYLAmtRBD8gTAHw7lB1_1je2efP2977DZ-G-YwpARwvMGFwVX_HZ6FlyFQZxzM_EI7RvUHv4n/s320/DSC00724.JPG" /></a><br />The colorful kitchen space with random, mismatched dishes:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh6TKn7pegQOvnDjcge1N7I1spqW4j2nYbURMRNEWSTNa2oAeUkd9jdO0Ew1UTbSiuMKwyY8NAB8hdHC5UQWqMdEk0JrWo8NNYE3Lms0EYRr4qxcJmPAZdOYmkytgS0sEJuuKz_G88R8M/s1600/DSC00720.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495388499698657650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh6TKn7pegQOvnDjcge1N7I1spqW4j2nYbURMRNEWSTNa2oAeUkd9jdO0Ew1UTbSiuMKwyY8NAB8hdHC5UQWqMdEk0JrWo8NNYE3Lms0EYRr4qxcJmPAZdOYmkytgS0sEJuuKz_G88R8M/s320/DSC00720.JPG" /></a><br />And the cheery entrance to the humble abode:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BDecpw-ZxXaCVHdsgZulP__6pQyGpaSZ8W-cbjtIupvEjgzPOp4uZoqqndg8pTB3sE4XIevPKY_QRgKPAIJ1oWbr17KCYtYEDJmWvDDTdt8uYZ6_GxX9ZNgmCPzQ872X4AbR9Mhmg12i/s1600/DSC00716.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495388489403390514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BDecpw-ZxXaCVHdsgZulP__6pQyGpaSZ8W-cbjtIupvEjgzPOp4uZoqqndg8pTB3sE4XIevPKY_QRgKPAIJ1oWbr17KCYtYEDJmWvDDTdt8uYZ6_GxX9ZNgmCPzQ872X4AbR9Mhmg12i/s320/DSC00716.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center">Really though, I think I've found my <span style="color:#33cc00;">cup of tea</span>! Everyone here is willing to help you with just about anything you'd imagine! I mean <span style="color:#3333ff;">ANYTHING</span>! Once we got to our bed-and-breakfast (which is attached to a Dutch/Bohemian/surfer/river guiding couple's house), Em and I found this friendly little note they left for us in the <em>Amsterdam City Guide</em> book:<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxQZ_XuSqFLF_9FwJhyphenhyphenf8TZlRf14ZgHM1xnHSLJ8rjGk4mTejWEyqOZk0TWyan6Xi97gKM8bsoCL93E-talfwaY17yqbfYyKnSiUzDL-zyHO21UuiUfxKqXe93Lg3BPZ110Nnfb_s_mpi/s1600/DSC00754.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495386173731424930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxQZ_XuSqFLF_9FwJhyphenhyphenf8TZlRf14ZgHM1xnHSLJ8rjGk4mTejWEyqOZk0TWyan6Xi97gKM8bsoCL93E-talfwaY17yqbfYyKnSiUzDL-zyHO21UuiUfxKqXe93Lg3BPZ110Nnfb_s_mpi/s320/DSC00754.JPG" /></a> I am lovin' the easy-going, matter-of-fact vibe here! I could totally get used to this (hahaha)!<br /><br /><div align="center">On our way in, we stopped at Burgers' Zoo to take a break from driving for a bit. We had a lot of fun, and we were all super excited for more fun to come! Well... at least most of us... ;)</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmd4vBPDLweMay2eM5Uw3ZnSgqBWOkCUAkHvzGxOOpqjmaaU-qQrwYNkrwGnGy68xF8CjSFlTnNE2c5qiAWS-EfjNF6BImPElaTp4Y9r6lxIu9ngxBVAjjkRR0vfrJgZGcopV2f5rQhMoc/s1600/DSC00702.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495382733847171058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmd4vBPDLweMay2eM5Uw3ZnSgqBWOkCUAkHvzGxOOpqjmaaU-qQrwYNkrwGnGy68xF8CjSFlTnNE2c5qiAWS-EfjNF6BImPElaTp4Y9r6lxIu9ngxBVAjjkRR0vfrJgZGcopV2f5rQhMoc/s320/DSC00702.JPG" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaQAMUdEOjwY95I67_o6ivvGg2S_zL-d-zv70u6c3aOCC7sOPNIAVjLz1paLIgitT-xI6S-O7CHwsoRffZA_vcZkjuFAtb4Y6iLg4ozlwWxGzZ7G685X6RlH8GxCSk_o_-CcRsDs_TwZc/s1600/DSC00704.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495382726052157394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaQAMUdEOjwY95I67_o6ivvGg2S_zL-d-zv70u6c3aOCC7sOPNIAVjLz1paLIgitT-xI6S-O7CHwsoRffZA_vcZkjuFAtb4Y6iLg4ozlwWxGzZ7G685X6RlH8GxCSk_o_-CcRsDs_TwZc/s320/DSC00704.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center">It was good to <em><span style="color:#00cccc;">finally </span></em>get there after a long day of driving though. After we unpacked and I got my massage from Maurits (haha <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">totally kidding</span>... don't worry, Dad!), we made a delicious dinner with Dutch butter, cheese, and of course, chocolate. I know, terrible, right?! It's ok, it was totally worth it...</div><br /><div align="center">Yesterday morning, we took the kids to the Nemo science museum in Amsterdam and had a <span style="color:#ff99ff;">BALL</span>! There were so many fun things to do there, in fact, I learned a lot myself! :)</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5v9MtuyBVmxP78Hpq0ZgYIyZiy_TPBXhwDhAv_-6iOKpBSEtoah8AvXwaZZyICq-DvRnO5EPcyewZLvjHCWwIU0AM79iAVpcZH3CTzWeaVBaebgmdkkNkldXe5hmeX_COj1R05dOmC3ey/s1600/DSC00735.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495380419352847698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5v9MtuyBVmxP78Hpq0ZgYIyZiy_TPBXhwDhAv_-6iOKpBSEtoah8AvXwaZZyICq-DvRnO5EPcyewZLvjHCWwIU0AM79iAVpcZH3CTzWeaVBaebgmdkkNkldXe5hmeX_COj1R05dOmC3ey/s320/DSC00735.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMALywxKR6IjMSX8s_wYxF8RtwZb2gbjvLQ2Bb7EhK-0H8MGge72iCcbS_MkD2bzCzGFukUdopnYLHoRrLqjBk5-JNWdVGhQV5Y83wNIXgKkDTaJfnSBycDZCe-Utuk8us6B60k8I9n8Up/s1600/DSC00733.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495380415740263826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMALywxKR6IjMSX8s_wYxF8RtwZb2gbjvLQ2Bb7EhK-0H8MGge72iCcbS_MkD2bzCzGFukUdopnYLHoRrLqjBk5-JNWdVGhQV5Y83wNIXgKkDTaJfnSBycDZCe-Utuk8us6B60k8I9n8Up/s320/DSC00733.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZqGjjO2CvFCak2ciUJhG3ZjQIjGfG6nU9jvDMXF4ZdGbpto7RoA9Ji5xdmJdQjhJl-nB5ADLwmt5pky7A4fIgij7l59TjfJPfOyViegi75TwFfqelQCt1FQ11FraXBt-nIB8lJcmc2iH/s1600/DSC00742.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495380407740222802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZqGjjO2CvFCak2ciUJhG3ZjQIjGfG6nU9jvDMXF4ZdGbpto7RoA9Ji5xdmJdQjhJl-nB5ADLwmt5pky7A4fIgij7l59TjfJPfOyViegi75TwFfqelQCt1FQ11FraXBt-nIB8lJcmc2iH/s320/DSC00742.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div align="center">After the museum, we went into Haarlem, which is home of Corrie Ten Boom from the book, <em>The Hiding Place</em> (one of my all-time fav's!). We are taking a tour of her house/watch shop on Tuesday morning... <span style="color:#33ff33;">I am so excited</span>! But Haarlem is just so cute and quaint--definately my favorite city we've been to! There was a fun farmers' market going on, and everyone just rides their little bikes around! Words can't describe the unique <strong><em><span style="color:#ffff33;">CHARM</span></em></strong> of Haarlem! </div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthiSwRQKuCdnZ7JHBLhv1lISjBEEkHCyrJhZoCoxGK64weMU9jT7HXH29hv35Or3v96fPjKL01raTtFB7CkDoO9EUPGA3Dm9eH3mWNpybPLlDXAkiSoY6YxTt922GFMx95j2Zi9r0Sold/s1600/DSC00749.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495376396917494258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthiSwRQKuCdnZ7JHBLhv1lISjBEEkHCyrJhZoCoxGK64weMU9jT7HXH29hv35Or3v96fPjKL01raTtFB7CkDoO9EUPGA3Dm9eH3mWNpybPLlDXAkiSoY6YxTt922GFMx95j2Zi9r0Sold/s320/DSC00749.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojghrPwj5hsmJ454Cl4JLNoqQFzl7erTbhVw-19x3YDXAb3ismkYJZ0EeS3qmPatUMV0kVk_pGW4S61Eo-N_y_tZ8TQh1U0bApoABhT1p5GH6GGVXF3y4787vOEGgEUnIJoy0sSjukKaE/s1600/DSC00748.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495376393034762498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojghrPwj5hsmJ454Cl4JLNoqQFzl7erTbhVw-19x3YDXAb3ismkYJZ0EeS3qmPatUMV0kVk_pGW4S61Eo-N_y_tZ8TQh1U0bApoABhT1p5GH6GGVXF3y4787vOEGgEUnIJoy0sSjukKaE/s320/DSC00748.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div align="center">This morning, we woke up early and cruised on over to Amsterdam. There, Emily and I took turns going into museums. First was the Rijksmuseum, which is where painters including Vermeer and Rembrandt are! I was in <span style="color:#663366;">complete awe</span> and loved being able to see these renowned artists' works.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqeXx07wDnU6POVrcw0In3QY0nVy-gh6Ko1cikMz5w_Q-bJLchImd7qvWdpOtODTpetNYZ8O2TsoSVbWhm2rDPnTrwNNBBvw_SQ1mucTkEE9uPlw-4BFB3pAYJxMhljLcDhVI-9A5ivA_/s1600/DSC00761.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495374499958082546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqeXx07wDnU6POVrcw0In3QY0nVy-gh6Ko1cikMz5w_Q-bJLchImd7qvWdpOtODTpetNYZ8O2TsoSVbWhm2rDPnTrwNNBBvw_SQ1mucTkEE9uPlw-4BFB3pAYJxMhljLcDhVI-9A5ivA_/s320/DSC00761.JPG" /></a><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495374487956161186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIEJJQHogyal1Tc_7vF3SbITWSw-UZUmh7UkfsdOpOZzGDTkKnQPC-yVtoDXvo60BjgEoj_IjNqE3-1Q522TXWZAZUcxTK96ehgzNIFSN_OyyXLHR5mMwFeMdXVyPkHGFtsTFFtgU_mFh/s320/DSC00758.JPG" /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPXJh3H0WhZTgj-7V371g0gqRdQYeSPbyVxv2KVdcr8zeLewzx-1j7bjCRV017tU_pZEvCo0Kq3IH-MKJC7QSAJ5NfBJXDqBNzEGobwuok-odqYVZlOa3Zw2SLxIyQUAVL4c1BKzRf4mL/s1600/DSC00757.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495374486713433970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPXJh3H0WhZTgj-7V371g0gqRdQYeSPbyVxv2KVdcr8zeLewzx-1j7bjCRV017tU_pZEvCo0Kq3IH-MKJC7QSAJ5NfBJXDqBNzEGobwuok-odqYVZlOa3Zw2SLxIyQUAVL4c1BKzRf4mL/s320/DSC00757.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center">Claire, Jackson, and I had a great time doing some "still life painting for kids" outside the museum while Emily went in. Claire loved being an artist and making her very own masterpiece! <span style="color:#3366ff;">How cute is she??!</span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOh8SGKJe6H6IuMKCtUhYxLHn5J-6LN5eXOBrIPnGPm__vJcfAN_GP8-GvmpR2fUid-73sO-hMt1_p7EP9T4nry-4NkK3IezDjraQA8sz1Fbp2LAbAysXjQqTFyqOSYqxZ-lA7_pqnfep/s1600/DSC00770.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495372861477087522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOh8SGKJe6H6IuMKCtUhYxLHn5J-6LN5eXOBrIPnGPm__vJcfAN_GP8-GvmpR2fUid-73sO-hMt1_p7EP9T4nry-4NkK3IezDjraQA8sz1Fbp2LAbAysXjQqTFyqOSYqxZ-lA7_pqnfep/s320/DSC00770.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><div align="center">Afterwards, we walked down the street to the Van Gogh Museum. I had no idea this guy was <span style="color:#66ff99;">such a stud</span>! I mean, I roughly knew a little background info, but seeing this man's work was prodigious beyond the imagination! I fell in love with everything about him!<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz842l3qgnen_duuVQhB6lliHRiP4oSZdrZdXA96Bvoq1LlM5U6CNRgi4tQxk-hSHiUkD2ld5BtS-fFzB9rbfcz9eRg9hE5jX8I2VpwjL3yP6SFyB19jqRRtYwQL80iFCS9HXQimZGYpHc/s1600/DSC00763.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495371702724195170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz842l3qgnen_duuVQhB6lliHRiP4oSZdrZdXA96Bvoq1LlM5U6CNRgi4tQxk-hSHiUkD2ld5BtS-fFzB9rbfcz9eRg9hE5jX8I2VpwjL3yP6SFyB19jqRRtYwQL80iFCS9HXQimZGYpHc/s320/DSC00763.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75svzTSeAS_GPwH9PLMwZCVwEylypzWNpJDGmVBeZ4yUC4euQeJ0MTuA2wBSB3iFmEOC1fokYuYqNChSe0P8qrj0mPv4R4PjyyF9EgghgQSnbwqn1r-H06afQeH85EquY8bP9hfiXOyGV/s1600/DSC00762.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495371695154491586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75svzTSeAS_GPwH9PLMwZCVwEylypzWNpJDGmVBeZ4yUC4euQeJ0MTuA2wBSB3iFmEOC1fokYuYqNChSe0P8qrj0mPv4R4PjyyF9EgghgQSnbwqn1r-H06afQeH85EquY8bP9hfiXOyGV/s320/DSC00762.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicU-xalxJPHBIRGZBK3TWgQ16qZCwxyaXQoNSBxSW-S95y1eg_Fv2zfbL56CKzUDo5B17wHpA6bhXrhd3OK2a9acNjVizoyh3aRmL2bHQZxcjNgstk6eRi7wZwx1QIc9weLsVyIwxLCmNm/s1600/DSC00766.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495371685030735186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicU-xalxJPHBIRGZBK3TWgQ16qZCwxyaXQoNSBxSW-S95y1eg_Fv2zfbL56CKzUDo5B17wHpA6bhXrhd3OK2a9acNjVizoyh3aRmL2bHQZxcjNgstk6eRi7wZwx1QIc9weLsVyIwxLCmNm/s320/DSC00766.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center">After getting a little museum-ed out, Emily took the kids back to the cow farm, and I decided to stick around in Amsterdam for a bit longer. I had quite the adventure here! I ate the most amazing macaroon (a tribute to my mom and g-ma and our NY trip earlier this summer), watched a super cool Dutchman play the flute while doing extreme yoga poses, and just enjoyed the busy but picturesque city of Amsterdam!</div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495369844990227906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zWSgWWEf_ufBWPpYWLtOaiXxogexpWe8WdQ2zo2l1MWvNDudButdV3VkGKShqXlZ010RXHzZn19NZ56u_qga9uLgmY9xM-FrBRQO85w5JYEnYJWwJKjlGb5YJhvoWYvr_-n8k2JJ9Z6y/s320/DSC00775.JPG" /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcUw9k4XbcaR3o3SKpoGVB2R8w_nlNQ8a0OhgY6AuKSa3hw12nZn3fTQOrrkn3RrbB5kcxk28eTeVVxYa6HgXb6XV-qw9lizCvDxvhdsIvH2WjcShsYjpAb5DvPPq952CA9U1QVM74CFI/s1600/DSC00774.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495369592332863090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcUw9k4XbcaR3o3SKpoGVB2R8w_nlNQ8a0OhgY6AuKSa3hw12nZn3fTQOrrkn3RrbB5kcxk28eTeVVxYa6HgXb6XV-qw9lizCvDxvhdsIvH2WjcShsYjpAb5DvPPq952CA9U1QVM74CFI/s320/DSC00774.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUpvqDm6iinvFBGqsZ90VbavVdxtH8XupyoJLCSVenHdgwaTvBws7tUpS7tmFO8eBpUMyBbsVbGugVVoAEZyDI92_RynswPqe-8k4JAHbfmod2jmlFZrIA05h3TbMD_oThkxYejSEcUj9/s1600/DSC00768.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495369584767642674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUpvqDm6iinvFBGqsZ90VbavVdxtH8XupyoJLCSVenHdgwaTvBws7tUpS7tmFO8eBpUMyBbsVbGugVVoAEZyDI92_RynswPqe-8k4JAHbfmod2jmlFZrIA05h3TbMD_oThkxYejSEcUj9/s320/DSC00768.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBV92HDhHL1IlTdtmnwmJ3NEfoXP-UO-zTfBQXzOGu8KphyphenhyphenvRWkroz8FZ3reQrb48aixGU5AcJSMGp1NmGAvU8o6UKs1DGKT1u5pb1v2jsiuVV4FKQj2JtDL0i1jZ76z9BXgjpf4cydx9M/s1600/DSC00773.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495369574742856930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBV92HDhHL1IlTdtmnwmJ3NEfoXP-UO-zTfBQXzOGu8KphyphenhyphenvRWkroz8FZ3reQrb48aixGU5AcJSMGp1NmGAvU8o6UKs1DGKT1u5pb1v2jsiuVV4FKQj2JtDL0i1jZ76z9BXgjpf4cydx9M/s320/DSC00773.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center">When it was finally time to go home, I was a bit nervous because it takes so many steps! I had to hop on a street tram back to the central station, get on a ferry to get across the broad canal, and then get on a bus back to the cow farm! <span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff9900;">But...</span> I rocked Berlin, got a root canal, and jumped off the Alps, so I knew I could <span style="color:#33ff33;">easily</span> get home! </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Well, I was too cheap to buy a tram ticket, so I took a <span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><strong>lonnng </strong></span>walk (and shopped along the way) back to the central station. Once I was there, I hopped on a ferry and lucked out because it was the right one! I didn't know if it was or not, but it was leaving, and I didn't want to wait for another one! Lucky for me, it took me back to the busses and I saw my bus... #110. At least I was pretty sure that was the one...</div><br /><div align="center">But it was starting to drive away!!! So I ran off some of the butter, cheese, and chocolate, and tried to stop the bus from leaving without me (Why is it that bus-chasing seems to be a <span style="color:#3333ff;">reoccurring event</span> for me?)! The nice Dutch driver saw me and stopped not too far down the road. I was relieved to have caught it and sat down to enjoy the easy, <span style="color:#663366;">no-big-deal</span> rest of the ride back home. </div><br /><div align="center">Well... about twenty minutes later, I wasn't recognizing much. I couldn't tell if we were approaching our town or not because all of Holland looks like this:</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2VOokk6fn0nOwGwkbjppupztnAb1BGB3X5PzblyqjLDwJTub-lzwmWJU4hD6szUBmQZdwnzcShhpshzZNavDuC4nd5mCrdMmc6v1DCL4Shu3K2OuueaSXEzGGhYO2ngBmw75pX475kO6/s1600/DSC00785.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495364095655272930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2VOokk6fn0nOwGwkbjppupztnAb1BGB3X5PzblyqjLDwJTub-lzwmWJU4hD6szUBmQZdwnzcShhpshzZNavDuC4nd5mCrdMmc6v1DCL4Shu3K2OuueaSXEzGGhYO2ngBmw75pX475kO6/s320/DSC00785.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center">I kept asking the driver if he was going to drive past our part of town, but he kept telling me that he couldn't understand what town I was talking about (I later found out that I was saying it completely wrong). But things were <span style="color:#ffcc00;">NOT</span> looking familiar at all. <span style="color:#ff99ff;">Half </span>of me was laughing at the situation because it was just soo typical of me to be lost, and <span style="color:#33cc00;">half</span> of me was really actually worried that the busses would like shut down or something before I made it home...</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rYd-YeS2kTkEQKhwVOQn0dDUDDUL8EJG-DDwGy0Z0HDcSoOehg7Gq0JLMBFQUfIqKv1iVUeqHUmtY2Dw-0BDy15x59T4Tj9L-bz4RYayiIM6LH1zZTe1qqLTZtrL3gwfigPWBc-lBmJo/s1600/DSC00786.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 231px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495362469291230482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rYd-YeS2kTkEQKhwVOQn0dDUDDUL8EJG-DDwGy0Z0HDcSoOehg7Gq0JLMBFQUfIqKv1iVUeqHUmtY2Dw-0BDy15x59T4Tj9L-bz4RYayiIM6LH1zZTe1qqLTZtrL3gwfigPWBc-lBmJo/s320/DSC00786.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center">After some more time of contemplating what to do, I finally decided I had probably just gotten on the wrong bus, so I told the driver to let me off at the next stop. By this time, the sweet old man and I were buddies, and he was happy to take me <span style="color:#ffcc00;">wherever</span> I needed to get. Then, all of the sudden, I started seeing the things that Emily had told me to look for! The old Dutch church!? Check! The Texaco station!? Check! And finally... the "Cheese and Clogs" shop!? <span style="color:#33cc00;">CHECK!!!</span> The bus driver and I were both soo relieved and happy, we shouted for joy together (literally)! It was a moment. I gave him a <span style="font-size:180%;">big</span> high-five and a "Thank you so much, you're amazing!" and hopped off the bus to get back to our cow farm house. </div><br /><div align="center">I know it seems like finding my way home shouldn't be that hard, but with my bad luck (and sense of direction), it was a big accomplishment for me! But even then, it's more than that. It's the fact that I can be here in beautiful Holland, <span style="font-size:180%;color:#3333ff;">"feel the love and joy here,"</span> and share it with my adorable cousins and awesome aunt. And whether <span style="color:#33cc00;"><span style="font-size:180%;">"I find myself making every possible mistake,"</span> </span>or simply breeze on by with the help of the fantastic Dutch people, it doesn't really matter because I'm <span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff99ff;">NEW</span> to this, and it's all part of the experience! </div><div align="center">I love it.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576139037890696478noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201511585309499241.post-455670913985385022010-07-12T14:09:00.000-07:002010-07-13T06:59:05.702-07:00Enjoying the Ride<div align="center">Wow! We just got back from Berlin yesterday afternoon, and I am so glad we were still able to go after everything with my tooth dilemma. It was a <span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><strong>long ride</strong></span> there but so worth it to see all of the amazing art, learn about different histories and cultures, and just have fun together! We didn't have much time there, but we rocked that city! With <span style="color:#33ff33;">serious planning</span> and <span style="color:#00cccc;">lots of energy</span>, we were able to see just about everything our hearts desired! ;) </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The first thing we visited once we got there was Potsdamer Platz, the "Times Square" of old Berlin. We sat down and had a lovely dinner here in the Sony Center... <span style="color:#3333ff;">so cool</span>!<br /></div><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXouAdjh9PscfR2MGO7MeDPtPg6l29_YRG5DrTliIc-GvKHKgltZ7Kcw_BCluQf2sle8MnL9qqQ45oWr6XMu9oQ3pUIEIiD4_1gcFFcHxZfLPkygAsiQrvflpQcSIImwuvRe-gjh0H3OZ2/s1600/ALI+potsdamer_platz_sony_center.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 344px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493300691663278658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXouAdjh9PscfR2MGO7MeDPtPg6l29_YRG5DrTliIc-GvKHKgltZ7Kcw_BCluQf2sle8MnL9qqQ45oWr6XMu9oQ3pUIEIiD4_1gcFFcHxZfLPkygAsiQrvflpQcSIImwuvRe-gjh0H3OZ2/s320/ALI+potsdamer_platz_sony_center.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNvV9v2jlLPKIqTYjJiWIKyw-R3yIcTj7C4VnWPG1NuzBCVPUz4iSs3G7ih1wZjKBuEQqaYb_iRZLT_yiubu_50xr7xt4IQzJTMTZfIkVPtWtvaAzTBaE4hWd_YFxcHroTfWiiH6kgHMj/s1600/DSC00643.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 319px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 255px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493300678496983122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNvV9v2jlLPKIqTYjJiWIKyw-R3yIcTj7C4VnWPG1NuzBCVPUz4iSs3G7ih1wZjKBuEQqaYb_iRZLT_yiubu_50xr7xt4IQzJTMTZfIkVPtWtvaAzTBaE4hWd_YFxcHroTfWiiH6kgHMj/s320/DSC00643.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70fxK-_kN40utbMCtk0SG2onLdOiNhehhzXtyJFoDDVPW-Vad-ns-vvA4WCw6rS7NtMVrnLUqH_PrLrB5WYY8IgFP-eIv1hoC47eg6SB0UgKx50XrqT4EpFj681EUmmhOu-lh8EgwAQNp/s1600/DSC00649.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 369px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493300067371530242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70fxK-_kN40utbMCtk0SG2onLdOiNhehhzXtyJFoDDVPW-Vad-ns-vvA4WCw6rS7NtMVrnLUqH_PrLrB5WYY8IgFP-eIv1hoC47eg6SB0UgKx50XrqT4EpFj681EUmmhOu-lh8EgwAQNp/s320/DSC00649.JPG" /></a> </div><div align="center"><br />Early the next morning, we went to the Egyptian Museum and saw the famous Bust of Queen Nefertiti! Seeing something that's over 3,000 years old was so <span style="color:#00cccc;"><em>surreal</em></span>!<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493306203859584082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-f1d5BgNuBLLC3Deijs56BjAvCiym6-yfIeEvUDLjFhVooq5Hgm2P9K4ziLK0oigaTdkuhgdUOwA_MG7ieVjFe0nxPfB_qf1POTf8TiuzhHFvyHY-1JtbS2aN2hB9ggJ33G5JMGyquuZv/s320/ALI+bust.jpg" /><br /><br /><div align="center">We also did the Pergamon and <span style="color:#ffccff;">loved</span> it! The audio guide was key for me because I didn't know very much history on the subject matter...</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUgwukNEjPhPXoJq6KHYgt5O7VU0kOEdI2FZjFkQGdGV5yXJcSAfpqM-oG6KcoXWVhICk5T0aylmXQG2Tw_ZsCdYP2CT0TQHaqgrWRQrcRIXtpPCVrLbUeTtIXe9Y0BGZnvzvd3TxGECL/s1600/ALI+pergamon-museum_12.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493297747425306338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUgwukNEjPhPXoJq6KHYgt5O7VU0kOEdI2FZjFkQGdGV5yXJcSAfpqM-oG6KcoXWVhICk5T0aylmXQG2Tw_ZsCdYP2CT0TQHaqgrWRQrcRIXtpPCVrLbUeTtIXe9Y0BGZnvzvd3TxGECL/s320/ALI+pergamon-museum_12.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Claire and I went to a <span style="color:#ffff00;">fancy organ concert</span> in the Dom (Berlin's Cathedral)... it was so beautiful! </div><div align="center"><br /> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0qH5dqSHFvkZdcXuyETT8k0sIk5WdN0Cpy2ZO0dyM8BtN7r6-Po1Zv40W6LfEf3jABhYFKLRC-Gd4vKMfN9SIMeaIL8a-aGEOKMUcrRXUNduYURtjoJpDz-YwfF8lCr5uyyW0fgiL5xX/s1600/ALI+dom.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493297743307031618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0qH5dqSHFvkZdcXuyETT8k0sIk5WdN0Cpy2ZO0dyM8BtN7r6-Po1Zv40W6LfEf3jABhYFKLRC-Gd4vKMfN9SIMeaIL8a-aGEOKMUcrRXUNduYURtjoJpDz-YwfF8lCr5uyyW0fgiL5xX/s320/ALI+dom.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">We also went to the upper dome of the Reichstag, which is Germany's old Parliament building.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1U5kBiUwC1-UPoQZNWhMsknsYfm1jHgGfUsdbMK7MIWOYuVDYD96vLnMgeQdr9OWgo04O7j3N1x-iJ1-KrU_jQ0FuuTUiEjH4VFT8zeGLZ3_0A33NS-HnOrn7N27SiYLCYuSuiJwv1ny/s1600/DSC00624.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493297733258407202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1U5kBiUwC1-UPoQZNWhMsknsYfm1jHgGfUsdbMK7MIWOYuVDYD96vLnMgeQdr9OWgo04O7j3N1x-iJ1-KrU_jQ0FuuTUiEjH4VFT8zeGLZ3_0A33NS-HnOrn7N27SiYLCYuSuiJwv1ny/s320/DSC00624.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0kIGjHPZLSz-5S0xs8vh042bo0v7zE9QOWhSvIFvN55MvAWe6gj8kYuF32EBxB7BdliTpFBMUdBHG2cJf11lYEzZ9gt5lkjv2nJ3XmyXwc32l8-NX1MgJjEefEpWJmiB96rZDOkfBvZi/s1600/DSC00640.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493297731425183522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0kIGjHPZLSz-5S0xs8vh042bo0v7zE9QOWhSvIFvN55MvAWe6gj8kYuF32EBxB7BdliTpFBMUdBHG2cJf11lYEzZ9gt5lkjv2nJ3XmyXwc32l8-NX1MgJjEefEpWJmiB96rZDOkfBvZi/s320/DSC00640.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMEBJsEmak7tNK1HOtWGax9QZ-ZwJCuBEsrFiu1k8sS4r6-fIgt4P0AKfyIQPdhF2a3ALtSrSleCTeDoS9uYhicClj3RRAYdshonFicKm4uw4aWdagguANHYu4AzerU1dZTWFVlFaGbSe/s1600/DSC00641.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493297723965368914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMEBJsEmak7tNK1HOtWGax9QZ-ZwJCuBEsrFiu1k8sS4r6-fIgt4P0AKfyIQPdhF2a3ALtSrSleCTeDoS9uYhicClj3RRAYdshonFicKm4uw4aWdagguANHYu4AzerU1dZTWFVlFaGbSe/s320/DSC00641.JPG" /></a> </div><div><br /><div align="center">We took turns going to the Jewish Museum, which was interesting and good to experience</div><div align="center"> but quite sad...<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjReihtqrBlo441UrQaL1g4LxMC3mJgn3OOuc-MlcL81a-5-J_ZsSN2KzdCZUT3J7ufDEe5BwiEFoWeP69DenFh50CxfI2MLX2pgyw_UeIEv73Kihyphenhyphen7zoCvJTpUSG_El6So4besn-bqTFf_/s1600/DSC00652.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493295286159460994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjReihtqrBlo441UrQaL1g4LxMC3mJgn3OOuc-MlcL81a-5-J_ZsSN2KzdCZUT3J7ufDEe5BwiEFoWeP69DenFh50CxfI2MLX2pgyw_UeIEv73Kihyphenhyphen7zoCvJTpUSG_El6So4besn-bqTFf_/s320/DSC00652.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 243px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493295269892705874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWO9wNMFQX5E2R2CxnalKSq_otvoRhDkDp2_JkbRqINGp8Rybj3ktjpC0uFCmgbnCL5JNTwIFGqa8cTd3qTpn0dALeXUxc56UQGGiYyRrrxJv3JuQGE61yvSsAIRBf4FS62mfIsdmnaRl/s320/DSC00658.JPG" /><br />Although this was air-conditioned and clean, it is a model of what a claustrophobic cell in a concentration camp might've felt like:</div><br /><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 325px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 223px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493295280748251442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ct8NfiRsF4YQWKcHXI_-6ySkrfKjOFc1R4dun5k0C_3VJ3ABu2fZfv4UcTwlMVHvFX4BLrhBnuLLsSo2g3MPolN6cs2wZhvEQYLcw1-6QKbVe91kG8pCspvWoFI7fORq0ulmR2d126-9/s320/DSC00659.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><div align="center">I fell in <span style="color:#ff99ff;"><strong>LOVE</strong></span> with art when we went to the Gamaldegalerie. It was so interesting and inspiring to see these works from artists like Raphael, Rubens, and Caravaggio. I loved making my own interpretations of the paintings and then comparing what I thought with others' interpretations.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493292826676682322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lpksf17smor5fzXJRBV65ErpNLws7WCnfmGd0yONpbQYpFMnhF2obeXvnNFvbTgd-LUuUoLC_mv_iAPfFvnxPNHHZ-1JZgIkv6xXvGf7KE210XAu3UAc_XbkxbgKcP0q9O4avI57B0S0/s320/DSC00666.JPG" /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CmDdoGd8G6k1V2X5-OH3esR6gHiok00MnHsrNjuu0_WB6PGW-jak3K7TezdOGL9hBZi7OYxXDKbCLdDhrFDLvKnIxE7tQZOJvGgBuwNn6tjuJqbpXmacSnz0wAml_ipoIxs6R-8aHT3g/s1600/DSC00674.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493292821577108866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CmDdoGd8G6k1V2X5-OH3esR6gHiok00MnHsrNjuu0_WB6PGW-jak3K7TezdOGL9hBZi7OYxXDKbCLdDhrFDLvKnIxE7tQZOJvGgBuwNn6tjuJqbpXmacSnz0wAml_ipoIxs6R-8aHT3g/s320/DSC00674.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center">We also had a chance to see the Holocaust memorial to the murdered Jews </div><div align="center">(about 3,000 pillars here). </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqvQZImQLUw9anB4FWz6_RzjtgJCo0a3GGgkjGEqu0aPR4nUUvdrupICyEV_JeRserjFi8IX1O9fN5gRhIZxdAYaiT_hXA2gPgwUBLOPdhGsNFUxcCSA2yIPiUlfNG3Fi7UssczR-__RX/s1600/ALI+memorial.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493291657852912898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqvQZImQLUw9anB4FWz6_RzjtgJCo0a3GGgkjGEqu0aPR4nUUvdrupICyEV_JeRserjFi8IX1O9fN5gRhIZxdAYaiT_hXA2gPgwUBLOPdhGsNFUxcCSA2yIPiUlfNG3Fi7UssczR-__RX/s320/ALI+memorial.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">We even took a minute or two (literally) at the Wall at Checkpoint Charlie!<br /><br /></div></div><div align="center"><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuzJ0V1ko9LyypCg-nq3j_BBVf_I3ibrkULryN4HbDc9uKYvFlYCJgEqRXRcO8moAfejI9INe_aWaWU4hlezA8ER4aQEoEweFGgvmmUvsrWaaIxDbYT5qelF0MAxVhXDUIOShi3qU1N_S/s1600/DSC00678.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493290093504258530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuzJ0V1ko9LyypCg-nq3j_BBVf_I3ibrkULryN4HbDc9uKYvFlYCJgEqRXRcO8moAfejI9INe_aWaWU4hlezA8ER4aQEoEweFGgvmmUvsrWaaIxDbYT5qelF0MAxVhXDUIOShi3qU1N_S/s320/DSC00678.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center">We did <span style="color:#33ccff;">ALL</span> of that in about two and a half days... isn't that awesome?!! I was totally proud of us for being able to get it all in! While driving to and from Berlin, we stopped at this <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffff33;">disco-fabulous</span> German hotel because the drive was so long with all the construction and World Cup traffic. It was so sweet... <em><strong><span style="color:#663366;">disco balls</span></strong></em> EVERYWHERE, <span style="color:#ff6600;">orange walls</span> with <span style="color:#33ff33;">lime</span> <span style="color:#33ff33;">green chairs</span>, and animal print furniture = a good time in Germany! Claire and I had a blast in our room painting nails and doing other girl stuff. :)</div><br /><div align="center"><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493287782085346418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnMSE6wJTsdXfIBU1rm_auEIrmEgTXhDSTdy0Kt_kvNdL4OTidSqsdjhyphenhyphen34w6p4Ln_qRM2vG3NCZ_hNNF1OnEIyQX6ly171kepm322MdsWFpCdNBgos5eJan5h7E97D1lWAM1wyfb1M4V/s320/DSC00593.JPG" /></div><br /><p align="center">For the next two weeks, our calendar is<span style="font-family:courier new;"><strong> jam-packed </strong></span>full of our travel plans. <span style="color:#33cc00;">Our next destination: Holland</span>! It will be roughly four and a half hours to drive there, but the drive will be beautiful, and the kids are excited! Everyone is very excited to what the country has to offer! </p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;"><em>As for me...</em></span><br /></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanvQyitim7foig13VMCfvo3nXlMxtHmCfyKaazew2hMW9m_Z5yO7u0ixHpjwNsw-6oCo6tB-Lg6fWkz_iHJaEcW52WKThKdKb1U03wswK3GOCmMhwH8pxE4GiXkTV9OxbD8NQVu9zgfer/s1600/DSC00578.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 321px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493284641229457234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanvQyitim7foig13VMCfvo3nXlMxtHmCfyKaazew2hMW9m_Z5yO7u0ixHpjwNsw-6oCo6tB-Lg6fWkz_iHJaEcW52WKThKdKb1U03wswK3GOCmMhwH8pxE4GiXkTV9OxbD8NQVu9zgfer/s320/DSC00578.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;">I'm just taking it all in, learning from my experiences here in Europe, and </span><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffff00;"><strong>enjoying the ride</strong></span>.<br /></span></div></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">P.S. It's my amazing dad's birthday today! I feel so blessed to have a dad who takes such good care of us all and is the best example in the whole world. I hope you have a good one, Daddy! I love and miss you so much!<br /></span><div align="center"></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div></div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576139037890696478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201511585309499241.post-53131856782891015632010-07-03T03:35:00.000-07:002010-07-03T04:51:46.296-07:00Learning to Lean<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_4jcuCAzLk6TW7vU7I6rtumu2Et3QwKFn20XTyQaUPK6QJcan9un4EYyEJ2rwI6831TK-ua4yGhs3OmjtaZX_K5B9jl-QxqKdjylgpGYgfLjLOWTzwZ2TOBgTlPLoddY5fqo2k7itSio/s1600/Ali-dentist.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 251px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489627873782674242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_4jcuCAzLk6TW7vU7I6rtumu2Et3QwKFn20XTyQaUPK6QJcan9un4EYyEJ2rwI6831TK-ua4yGhs3OmjtaZX_K5B9jl-QxqKdjylgpGYgfLjLOWTzwZ2TOBgTlPLoddY5fqo2k7itSio/s320/Ali-dentist.jpg" /></a> Hey guys, sorry it's been a while since the last update! As most of you family and friends know, I've been having a bit of <span style="color:#33ff33;">traumatic tooth troubles</span>. For those of you who I don't talk to daily, I've had lots of tooth pain ever since I got here but kept ignoring it. Well, it finally got to the point that I couldn't stand it anymore and the painkillers weren't really helping, so we had no choice but to go to a dentist here in Germany. Ah! It turns out that yes, I needed a root canal and it had to be done <em>immediately</em>.<br /><br />Anyone who knows me knows that I'm <strong><span style="color:#ff6666;">petrified</span></strong> of the dentist and can't go without <em>serious</em> doses of anesthetics beforehand even in my own country, <span style="color:#00cccc;">let alone here in Germany.</span> Regardless, this had to be done. Trying to have faith, I decided that if I could go paragliding, surely I could handle a root canal! After Grandma Penny helped me realize this, I kept telling myself that people get this procedure done every day and are just fine, but still, <span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">my irrational fears kept returning.</span> </span><br /><br />Emily was so sweet and thoughtul though; she found someone who could give me a blessing before going in. It was such an amazing experience to be able to obtain such comfort through that. One thing that was said that really stood out to me was that even though those I'm closest to aren't here, I can still <span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ff33;">lean on them</span> and they can still bring me comfort through all of their prayers and faith. I felt so much strength and knew I would be able to do it!<br /><br />Once I got there, everything just sort of fell into place. My iPod, which was broken, started working <em>just in time</em> (and it worked just for the hour I was in the dentist chair--crazy!) Cute Em gave me a shoulder rub and got me relaxed, and the <span style="color:#ffcc00;">yellow walls</span> made me feel a little sunnier (Clearly, I was trying to look for the good in the situation! haha)! After a few attempts (as usual) of numbing me up, I was finally ready to go and it all went just fine! <span style="color:#00cccc;">I was so relieved.</span><br /><br />Over the course of the last few days, I've developed a little infection, but I'm sure it's no biggie! I'm talking <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">ultra-strong</span></strong> antibiotics and <em>lots</em> of pain meds, so I'm happy as can be!!!! ;) I'm sure it'll get better from here on out and things are just gonna be okay!<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;">I</span><span style="color:#ff6666;"> f</span><span style="color:#ff6666;">eel so blessed</span> to not only have family here with me who has been so kind and understanding, but also to have such amazing family and friends in other parts of the world who've given me the strength I've needed. Thank you soo much, everybody, for your prayers, fasts, and faith. I love you and know that through Heavenly Father and those I love, I'll be able to get through this one! Above all, thanks for teaching me that sometimes it's okay to<span style="color:#33ff33;"> <span style="font-size:180%;">lean on others</span></span>, that that is what family and friends are for. Hopefully, I'll be able to return the favor someday. xoAlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576139037890696478noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201511585309499241.post-8013782730486016382010-06-26T13:55:00.000-07:002010-06-29T01:44:14.819-07:00Paragliding Over the Swiss Alps<div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#ffffff;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#6600cc;">"</span><span style="color:#6600cc;">Something has changed within me.</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#6600cc;">Something is not the same.</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#6600cc;">I'm through with playing by the rules</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#6600cc;">Of someone else's game.</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#6600cc;">Too late for second-guessing.</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#6600cc;">Too late to go back to sleep.<br />It's time to trust my instincts,</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#6600cc;">Close my eyes: and leap!"</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 380px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 236px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487195955062323458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1-p7p_fAMfti6w6HI1Q_gG2_Aj8VhiUwZdF1Zkp_vA78xH0Q7NsJWvsp0ZBmR7_y7s-p2Zdpc8loQIYGiEgBTghrq5SlfJ2cbiRnIGyKcieBmze2LuQNCl-RjOClkxCmvUargvBA1G10/s320/Ali+001.JPG" /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:100%;color:#ffffff;">All my life, I've been</span><strong> totally complacent</strong> <span style="font-size:100%;color:#ffffff;">with following the rules, with accepting that I'm just an average girl who<em> happens</em> to be very passionate about lots of things. I would never do anything crazy, I would always be on my very best behavior, and let's be honest... </span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">I am a straight up rule-follower.</span> </strong></span></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;">The last day we were in the Switzerland, Natalie (Em's sister who has been with us) decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and sign up to go paragliding.</span> <em><span style="color:#00cccc;">6,000 feet above the ground</span></em><span style="color:#ffffff;">. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Of course, the moment I heard she was going, I was a little jealous for two reasons:</span> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong>1)</strong> That she is the type of person who can just spontaneously decide to do something like this.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong>2)</strong> That she can afford it!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;">She then proceeded to invite me to go along with her, but like always, my decision was already made. There is no way. I, me, play-by-the-rules Ali Monsen could</span> <em><span style="color:#ff6666;">never</span></em> <span style="color:#ffffff;">do something like that.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000000;"><div align="center"><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;color:#ffffff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Then I got thinking, and something totally dawned on me! I had this </span><span style="color:#6600cc;">crazy epiphany</span> <span style="color:#ffffff;">that maybe these "rules" I've been following aren't even rules. Maybe they are merely my own benighted ideas. Maybe they are limitations that I have made for my own self... think about it! No one can limit me unless I let them, no circumstance can be too much for me unless I let it be, right?!</span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;color:#ffffff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;color:#ffffff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Well those days are over</span><span style="color:#ffffff;">!! That is</span> <span style="color:#33ff33;">NOT</span> <span style="color:#ffffff;">who I want to be! I am only gonna be 18 and in the Swiss Alps once, and I wasn't about to pass this one up. I was soofreakingscared. I told Nat and Emily that I really truly knew I was going to die. I had written up letters to my family and closest friends in case I didn't make it...</span></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#00cccc;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#00cccc;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#00cccc;">But I was going to do this.</span> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><div align="center"><em><strong><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></strong></em></div><div align="center"><em><strong><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></strong></em></div><div align="center"><em><strong><span style="font-size:100%;color:#6600cc;">"I'm through accepting limits</span></strong></em></div><div align="center"><em><strong><span style="font-size:100%;color:#6600cc;">'Cause someone says they're so.</span></strong></em></div><div align="center"><em><strong><span style="font-size:100%;color:#6600cc;">Some things I cannot change</span></strong></em></div><div align="center"><em><strong><span style="font-size:100%;color:#6600cc;">But till I try, I'll never know!"</span></strong></em></div></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;color:#ffffff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;color:#ffffff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;color:#ffffff;">We got up to the top of the mountain </span></div><div align="center"><div align="center"><em><strong><span style="font-size:100%;color:#ffffff;"></span></strong></em></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;color:#ffffff;">and met our pilots/flying partners. My guy was named Ulli, he grew up in the Alps and had been flying for 25 years. I told him that if I died, my dad would hunt him down. He said, "Don't worry, Ali. You will be just fine. Just don't stop running when we take off. Run as fast as you can down the mountain, and do not hinder. GO FOR IT!"</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;color:#ffffff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;color:#ffffff;">I trusted Ulli; I had no choice but to trust him because it was too late to go back now!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;color:#ffffff;">We started to run. We ran faster and faster. My heart was a ticking bomb about to burst. Tears of complete fright streamed down, across my face, and into Ulli's.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;color:#ffffff;"></span></div><div align="center"><strong><em></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em>And then it happened.</em></strong></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffffff;"></span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">We majestically lifted off the ground and into the air! My tears of horror and fear suddenly turned into tears of</span> <em><span style="color:#33ff33;">overwhelming</span></em> <span style="color:#ffffff;">emotion rushing through my body. I was literally speechless. It was the first time in my life that I truly couldn't speak no matter how hard I tried. I was in awe at the beauty and at my own courage. It was almost a spiritual, ambrosial experience,</span> <span style="color:#cc33cc;">unlike anything I've ever done</span><span style="color:#ffffff;">. Ulli was a little worried because I wasn't responding to his questions, but after a little while, words came back to me and I had</span> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">FUN</span><span style="color:#ffffff;">!!! </span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;color:#ffffff;"></span></div><div align="center"></span><span style="color:#ffffff;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 282px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 316px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487195939647834146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_llulotmL2eQCNI9iQJPPPWGW1GkDimAqJzAuL5I3Pj0IVEv1h2n1tCzFAA1w_Xab4sR7FBCqR0b6zylt2F4flcYtinfqP1htIAOHT_bENFcKM7dhCF5Jq9ccwwKWDbtwDxxD_Su5Rhe7/s320/Ali+015.JPG" /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeExVCRUBm4MxTJUhoZwrEpTK6zerkrChoeQdOXV-5NPhQYoNuw3gm88QhAa7waD3Hqdf80QXr_2lqQpGW4L5FURSkCz9wccpEjx6-YnMQUTT7Uzb5vsif0aYeaMSoE4yZbfBsp9PaT68/s1600/Ali+016.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 337px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 297px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487195935591777250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeExVCRUBm4MxTJUhoZwrEpTK6zerkrChoeQdOXV-5NPhQYoNuw3gm88QhAa7waD3Hqdf80QXr_2lqQpGW4L5FURSkCz9wccpEjx6-YnMQUTT7Uzb5vsif0aYeaMSoE4yZbfBsp9PaT68/s320/Ali+016.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfgSwQIjWaemy4Pu2BpSo1r2eaQog4eZ9bgjuBpgSNmRSAKjRZJHP6rIBNLsI6k65HoG6yrdO5f3w9mRdchTQGQPWF4HXS5PjoFGwEkmiF05gt7hjvEp_H2jQrZv4b7JbSLWL_TJwtZzg/s1600/Ali+008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 359px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 346px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487195927521568338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfgSwQIjWaemy4Pu2BpSo1r2eaQog4eZ9bgjuBpgSNmRSAKjRZJHP6rIBNLsI6k65HoG6yrdO5f3w9mRdchTQGQPWF4HXS5PjoFGwEkmiF05gt7hjvEp_H2jQrZv4b7JbSLWL_TJwtZzg/s320/Ali+008.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQba_NF7RdS4bTBlk4zlp1wxW_VD0sS0A9LnH_UK7DvtxWabnZbSHoaE02OZYiA9ZaY9_02hK9hswEi7SGRCDMC6PA43dtivlzjq-l5a4yNA9Uf851BeJ8XZi-8S0r0YkNNy9jSfOYyhcY/s1600/Ali+011.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; 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MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 423px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 369px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487191081446339938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtEGCBSWTbtztovnPlY0gUA4ozitIJM_eavlSeQiwxV95Ck5pjFsqV_f2AkdRpv6yWGlIi2ktmcPwxBTZyxVnF8DqRawWFugs4XUT8uiPKLan28N2RPgyERMAuFB_wEdkxjr_K0o1xJVT/s320/Ali+008.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 385px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 305px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487191078782105314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZFYhlA7oFg3RR1QRkUXJsc2QNvJ7XMXkJIviEKfoId0GscBlbxG0k6daoReA3qKrbMX6ZMwyoBUIScpoj9yZRAW0AtSaHJ86XdHCEe310FDtAT875MzpEWgNaUQrjD8HCOD5mBerfgMu/s320/Ali+007.JPG" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOu7G7NFJC7dOt_69nNon-X8VOD7Oz4TnvuZdbNSfTtMoan9gV790lCsp-aaLgVgfvl66e4Lhdy6ckHk0_Md1P0ANO-eAMC1v7UkcrwlpyV6DCXk6XB7YN5kX1VWgJCUMiVrheLLME3_mB/s1600/Ali+003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 457px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 319px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487191069627281954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOu7G7NFJC7dOt_69nNon-X8VOD7Oz4TnvuZdbNSfTtMoan9gV790lCsp-aaLgVgfvl66e4Lhdy6ckHk0_Md1P0ANO-eAMC1v7UkcrwlpyV6DCXk6XB7YN5kX1VWgJCUMiVrheLLME3_mB/s320/Ali+003.JPG" /></a> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;">The ride lasted about 20 minutes and I have to say...</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;">I am so glad I didn't pass this one up. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Never again will I accept limits or take the time/chances I have for granted.</span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ff33;">No matter what age or stage we are in at this point in our lives, may we remember to never limit ourselves, to live life to the fullest, and to</span> <em><span style="font-size:180%;">defy gravity.</span></em><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 443px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487195946398515602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYrugRiB2tLauMReLsdSmE7b4eY-ZZemw72iBIbtltBHyNUubkn9gUDFOGffuTqkIlAnS3-ucOeS-_PfwNjF9LDcCcne6eaHB6zgmmhvSf4-ronRyUGlqfP8AeLtNGpphf5ch_eKaTHIm/s320/314.JPG" /></div></div></div></div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576139037890696478noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201511585309499241.post-14487949325739831202010-06-22T12:43:00.000-07:002010-06-23T15:06:42.777-07:00Mountains of Faith<div align="center">Well, we made it! We are here in Switzerland and are absolutely <span style="font-family:courier new;color:#33ff33;">loving</span> the Swiss Alps. It is so weird to think that just five days ago, I was back home in Sandy, Utah! It is a different world here. I feel so <span style="color:#ff6666;">foreign </span>and <span style="color:#ff6600;">outlandish</span> as everywhere I turn, a new language is being spoken. It has been really neat and interesting for me to meet so many people from lands I didn't even know existed. Although everyone has such different stories and backgrounds, everyone here seems to be happy and content about where they're at in life right now. There is something about this <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"><em>mystic</em></span> place that it <strong>magically inspiring</strong>.<span style="color:#000099;"> <span style="font-size:180%;">It makes me believe</span></span> that there <em><span style="color:#00cccc;">IS</span></em> some good in our confusing and shaken-up world. There <strong><span style="color:#00cccc;">IS</span></strong> a little bit of peace, and there <strong><span style="color:#00cccc;">CAN</span></strong> be joy found all around us. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Upon arrival, we were surrounded by <span style="font-size:180%;">gargantuan</span> waterfalls. Everywhere we look, there is a new one to see; there are <span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;">broad ones</span>, <span style="font-family:arial;"><em>narrow ones</em></span>, <span style="font-size:180%;">enormous ones</span>, and <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">trickling ones</span>. Even from sitting out on our little balcony in the apartment, I can count five within my view. Yesterday, Emily's sister Natalie and I took Emma Claire up to one of the biggest within walking distance. We hiked up a long, pathway, went through a "mysterious, solve-a-mystery tunnel" (quote by Claire), and up the slick stairway to the most <span style="color:#33ff33;">beautiful waterfall</span> of all! We were right underneath it and were getting soaked! Claire loved the <span style="color:#993399;">adventure</span>, and we had a blast too! </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Today was <em><strong><span style="color:#ff6666;">absolutely incredible</span></strong></em>. We took a hike that pretty much took all day. We had to take two cable cars to get there, and we were almost to the very tip top of the Alps! Claire was complaining that her ears kept popping, but once we got there, everything was ok. This hike was unlike any I'd ever been on. First of all, with how many people are here in the Alps, you'd think there'd be lots of other hikers all around you, but that was certainly not the case. I guess there are just soo many different things to do, see, and experience here, so no one is ever on the same trail. These mountains are <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">HUGE!!!</span></strong> At one point, I literally had to pinch myself to make sure I was actually experiencing what I thought I was. We turned around a corner and this whole <span style="color:#006600;"><strong>GREEN</strong></span> valley opened up! <span style="color:#000099;">Everything</span> was so open and green and beautiful! Random cows and sheep are just hangin' out wherever they feel so inclined to! The wildflowers were gorgeous, and there are fun little stops around every corner for kids to stop and take a break. There were things like old churches to explore and learn about, playgrounds, and restaurants overlooking the unbelievable view. Claire, Nat, and I especially enjoyed a little, secluded zip-line, all set up and ready-to-go for us.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">It has been so wonderful in <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><em>Switzerland</em></span> so far. It is a new beauty I've yet to experience, even in Utah's famous Rocky Mountains. Although I'm<span style="color:#6600cc;"> a bit homesick</span> and <span style="color:#33cc00;">miss all of you</span> family and friends, there is so much more I know I need to explore and experience. Every once in a while, I catch myself having some fear or even doubting my own capabilities, but with all of the support, prayers, and the fascination of this new world around me, I know I could</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><em><strong><span style="color:#000066;">NEVER STOP BELIEVING!</span></strong></em> </span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYxbthk4Z3IxTPt2IHlT4VPgUphqAsHgo8XTAeHKV0Tgn14JY6lWhpHnDVbN5-v9Eg_ZQRyC0SgZBYZKXiD__hXZghjYSkLwLNoU5LAXaPqy1E56hyilm2bReI6hN5cjBw11aIp2Hakml/s1600/Ali's+temporary+file93.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 327px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 227px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485730368205472178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYxbthk4Z3IxTPt2IHlT4VPgUphqAsHgo8XTAeHKV0Tgn14JY6lWhpHnDVbN5-v9Eg_ZQRyC0SgZBYZKXiD__hXZghjYSkLwLNoU5LAXaPqy1E56hyilm2bReI6hN5cjBw11aIp2Hakml/s320/Ali's+temporary+file93.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidw5Rj-SF4_DYMd2xhap9uRVuo9O8zu697fMsTos6Yv-vDwTvF0ZTZn2sbrfXUSfZFwqf2h-FjR2c9XPUgpeVWm7cbFbinXqSkr48HK9TiuTjlGjlRRPHgaDG3ub0VKu2R99zne-2WLbRq/s1600/Ali's+temporary+file94.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; 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MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 371px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485694985009705362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxR02CmoNepSGIAWDg_k-vMSMqtxNp0BrtX6Th0XHJynxqCPk6gT3Z6h2R_pzfe4OodY9eWR8-rbG1crbhvrPdmAFmqnvD7P_17pdYfqgO3PMuHchkwecJLieVdNM675n450iXkMfAks6y/s320/Ali's+temporary+file28.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-ayfdoyXpw-gJdoH-PZ3du6TgAgJKKJWcg5mTvVTjbVwCPBouzL0WfRZyQWVjbnJ0Ff0b2tj2-5NWO8BNqQcHRuEpwY5AXZtP7p5g_2ExpGh5DNmNmnUPqfGANWm2M75Z5MkIsUgEz7s/s1600/Ali's+temporary+file24.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485692745658936834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-ayfdoyXpw-gJdoH-PZ3du6TgAgJKKJWcg5mTvVTjbVwCPBouzL0WfRZyQWVjbnJ0Ff0b2tj2-5NWO8BNqQcHRuEpwY5AXZtP7p5g_2ExpGh5DNmNmnUPqfGANWm2M75Z5MkIsUgEz7s/s320/Ali's+temporary+file24.JPG" /></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 243px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485692746926876098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibu7cTiA0EipG58evMcgL28BkKLYtucSfTzr96fbPcIllhVhaQYUVkb1pq3EL4ZN4IA7aB2apHIM1ayZJNvVwpE_ft9dRkzFu4W7slFdIv0Ot5oyHAwQir4g9WE1TwpcQxL01-j8LlSmq0/s320/Ali's+temporary+file27.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQWvpmZXuU7nEXcoarKrvClDv8-NtyvSC-PDdj_CAF1byIQDxljJ20ZfPEz0r9iTQk2ZO3922ZNSzPyl5eIYdcPprOij9YfWqbRZ20LAQmV5ZNhuoZCnEaN9iP3WMwbQhxkyKkrdcitJC/s1600/Ali's+temporary+file22.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 284px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 232px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485692736543230466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQWvpmZXuU7nEXcoarKrvClDv8-NtyvSC-PDdj_CAF1byIQDxljJ20ZfPEz0r9iTQk2ZO3922ZNSzPyl5eIYdcPprOij9YfWqbRZ20LAQmV5ZNhuoZCnEaN9iP3WMwbQhxkyKkrdcitJC/s320/Ali's+temporary+file22.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIzjM2dajghkW-3M8ESVjMXVBVlivZ3BZsjnYQ0km3Ql2lZqW__zw5vRy9h_hhEHe6VxVcIj_Jd-XFW0JwT6tfDPG2I2i1l_UrvjBax8qSMpC1gZZlixlVnQcMeUb-Hv89UMSF1pvg0xC/s1600/Ali's+temporary+file14.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 294px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 215px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485692725232554114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIzjM2dajghkW-3M8ESVjMXVBVlivZ3BZsjnYQ0km3Ql2lZqW__zw5vRy9h_hhEHe6VxVcIj_Jd-XFW0JwT6tfDPG2I2i1l_UrvjBax8qSMpC1gZZlixlVnQcMeUb-Hv89UMSF1pvg0xC/s320/Ali's+temporary+file14.JPG" /></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 297px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485692717832794130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwRh91aZlpLKwqyl-c-s2dbMNjcAMz7zCGYv7UqZsvkFTpYog85AxU8kgWVcnToSymOPH4cdWCU3qJRK-0Xw8tv-hOT4KyvmJe8-Q_uRvWH9stsbUfxhtIIkuwO1Gp4GphJwhM4VG6DV2/s320/Ali's+temporary+file9.JPG" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485690378499901426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczxDw7zR-CqQqeMzO1ndKP0No8-AYGRymvP-FO-LbWVygR7NxNRAplOaejTpAycQ0yCwokO8uFY4QMX0nHNeKaRrbyHLsF7wC7H0iH3OMp23zuHlWfmcOZklVfEOb4azIabcWhj9ScRUe/s320/Ali's+temporary+file15.JPG" /> </div><div align="center">P.S. Uploading those pics took FOREVER, and I just ate an ENTIRE German chocolate bar during this blogging session (Whoopsies! Good thing we'll be hikin' tomorrow!), so I hope ya'll like these pics! ;o</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576139037890696478noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201511585309499241.post-66534355647507433632010-06-18T10:55:00.000-07:002010-06-18T12:11:30.022-07:00Here at last!<div>I am finally here in Germany, and it is soo worth the long, lonely flights. Everything is so green and alive here in a different way than it is in Utah. It is a whole new world. My eyes are already being opened to the beauty of experiencing new things I'm not accustomed to, and it is only the first day!<br /><br />As my sweet daddy took me to the airport yesterday for my flight to Chicago, I was undeniably emotional! I tried to hide my tears with my sunglasses, but there's no foolin' daddy-o. He simply said to me, "You know, Ali, you're gonna have to take off those glasses in a few seconds anyways..."! All I could do was nod in agreement. I still don't know why I was crying... I was so excited and ready for this! Deep down inside though, I was nervous and wasn't sure if I was ready to do this, to go out into the real world (literally). I knew that from the moment he left, everything was up to me. I was adult-Ali now. I had made this choice, and now I would follow through with it.<br /><br />Sure enough, I was able to calm my ridiculous self down, and I got on the flight to Chicago just fine. I daydreamed of running into a special someone there but of course knew it would never happen! Once in Chi-Town, I occupied myself with a book recommended by my fabulous motha', some tunes from my iPod, and a nasty burrito from an overpriced Mexican joint. After calling every member of my family one last time, it was time to board. But this time... I was ready!<br /><br />The chica I sat next to on the plane seemed super nice! She smiled, said hello, and sat down next to me. I introduced myself to her and asked how she was doing. She smiled, laughed, and that was all. I didn't understand why on Earth the girl didn't respond!!!? How rude she was being! It wasn't until the flight attendant asked what she'd like for dinner and the girl answered in German, that I realized I am a complete idiot! lol<br /><br />Other than that though, the flight went smoothly (except for the turbulance in the middle of the night). I tried to sleep but ended up just walking around to stretch out the legs and back. I swear, sometimes I feel like a ninety year-old granny. After they fed us a frozen breakfast roll (it still had the frost on it) in the morning, we landed in Germany! Hooray!!! I, so adultlike, got off the plane, strolled over to customs/baggage claim, and all went well! I even had time to exchange $10 for Euros and call Em before she got there!<br /><br />Emily was so wonderful and made me feel at home from the moment I set foot in her beautiful home! It has been an awesome first day spent with the kids. Claire and I have already gone bug-catching, painted nails, and gone to the park. She even gave my "cinnamon skin" (as she calls it) an eyeshadow makeover! ;) We leave for Switzerland this Sunday. No more sad or scared Ali here. Just excited-and-eager-to-see-the-world-Ali, so bring on the day, baby! Bring it on! </div><br /><p> </p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 207px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 193px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484192538203969586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifybicZgrpkMAWpq4SNmAK94UjSLsRDmmSfZ5NRY5PPB6sKYCVarXh8y0ME_TCo2u2gy0RsnhDy7tkOVg9owJx_kSfa3b5DBQb2EFIYofLEZ9RwojzrDktWsa9OWvokJLcYz_6kXNrDis-/s320/Ali's+temporary+folder11.JPG" /></p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576139037890696478noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201511585309499241.post-19534341875327009542010-05-30T19:46:00.000-07:002010-06-03T03:45:48.571-07:00Awakening<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Isn't it <em>interesting</em> how every once in awhile, we have an experience that takes us by surprise?</div><div align="center">Most of the time for me, it is something that seems like it's <span style="color:#6633ff;">"no big deal"</span> to anyone else.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">No one really stops to think, or even notice, that a <span style="font-family:courier new;">simple</span> every-day happening </div><div align="center">could <strong><span style="color:#33ccff;">change your entire outlook on life</span></strong>.</div><div align="center"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><em>For me,</em> it was some car keys.</span></div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center">About two weeks ago, I haphhazardly locked my keys in my car again. Yes, again. </div><div align="center">You'd think it wouldn't be a big deal, right? Just go grab your spiffy little set of spares.</div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#330000;"><strong>Wrong-o.</strong></span> </div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center">I locked my <span style="color:#6633ff;">spare set</span> in there too.</div><div align="center">From prior experience, I knew calling a locksmith would be <span style="font-size:180%;">wayyy</span> out of my price range, so I was determined to try every last alternative before doing so.</div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I started with the<em><span style="color:#33cc00;"> good ol' fashioned</span></em> hanger trick...</div><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477295887129011298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWygWxuS_fQS9WjPuJoFOEnQPNBP87jQxDi8QKDIdCP5jP5NU5NI2L0ArYpPofK0S3nlUd87cvQUNrn9buT4Bt9UeV2qF3U4cgoDuNMO6qUqErbPCHdPFjnx78Ic8QmTR_gfnfdi8PaLzV/s320/June+2010+%26+Ali+Graduation+001.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477296504183795010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclT6yBQeuX9GJ3Y_EeamPoNs_XUFzDPIQTAk623sMVGHj5iV2XUZ6C8LWB0s5WSfaFKY94O6uu7vOIK3sYjc6l1eyNKN1mfr2pj0ukDVP7V-qwAQC1390qb2LMK3eBorYMeDYCUPlkZat/s320/June+2010+%26+Ali+Graduation+003.JPG" /> <p align="center">...didn't work so well.<br /><br /><br /></p><p align="center">I then shamefully attempted <span style="color:#33cc00;"><em>the tennis ball trick</em></span> (Haven't heard of it? Look at: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNaSTipOYy8">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNaSTipOYy8</a> ).</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477297536307877922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghofiWoDFC3bF5anvWGvNffBR7MV8utR9gAJDjSCy3T2fpMycUpSc9sbtGq4-K8aKaMrz614r0LtQs7OpXDR3wJDcR8V1awd6jo9Eh7Sja8xB1k_DdjfDa5OmNXxwKy4QP6hG0hvcVoudu/s320/June+2010+%26+Ali+Graduation+005.JPG" /><br /><br /><div align="center">After two hours of unsuccessfully trying to break into my own car, I was<span style="color:#ff6600;"> <strong>flustered</strong></span> and <strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">ready to give up</span></strong>. I needed to take a breather, calm down a bit, so I went inside and hopped onto my facebook page. I decided to see if anyone had any other ideas for me (since my padre was out of town and couldn't help even if I DARED tell him).<span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color:#cc33cc;">To my surprise</span></span>, so many people responded and offered to help me! But there was one person who was <strong>particularly prominent</strong>. This is a person who I haven't <span style="font-size:130%;"><em>seen</em></span>, <span style="font-size:130%;"><em>heard from</em></span>, or even really <em><span style="font-size:130%;">though about</span></em> in over a year. He lived in my old neighborhood and even when we lived there, we didn't really talk. He is extremely busy with school, work, and his lovely new wife, and yet his exact words to me were:</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"><em>"What is your address? I'll be there in a sec."</em></span></div><br /><div align="center">I was <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff6666;">astounded</span>, <span style="color:#ff99ff;">grateful</span></span>, and <span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ff33;">touched</span> that someone who didn't even know me, a <em>silly</em> high school girl who stupidly locked both sets of keys into her car, would be willing to put his busy life on hold and come to <strong>my rescue</strong>. Not knowing what to think, I gave him my address and he was there within twenty minutes. </div><br /><div align="center">Now this guy is GOOD. If anyone can get into a car, it is him. He tried, <span style="font-size:130%;">and he tried</span>, <span style="font-size:180%;">and he tried</span>. The poor fella tried for another two <span style="font-family:courier new;">extensive</span> hours, and after we both realized it wasn't gonna happen, he went on his way. </div><div align="center">After all of his time and effort, he didn't expect anything in return,</div><div align="center">he didn't even want any dinner. </div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">All he wanted was to<span style="color:#ff0000;"> </span><span style="color:#330000;">show a little love</span>, <span style="color:#6633ff;"><em>to give a little bit</em></span>.</span></div><br /><div align="center">I called my mom, who was at Relief Society, to profess my capitulation. I was content because I knew we had given it our all. But of course, the other women heard about my predicament and they too, were determined to help. </div><br /><div align="center">All of the sudden, random cars started pulling up to my driveway. <strong>More and more</strong> came piling into the circle. Wanna make a stab at who these <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">Heaven-sent</span> gems might be?!</div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477298080094371730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrOfw4Ii4DEHUfnVTMhWOhO0O9GiuzWBZU4lZK0LsSGCqjiwfO8j0LGiKz4UZlDxCJwsPdV6IaruIR62JYarLFCx8qz3u2ShoKcMdlRKZgRiCSRzM_o0KTIz9uCDFzHnhS9oEJQdq2Pkp/s320/June+2010+%26+Ali+Graduation+007.JPG" /><br /><br /><div align="center">They were all the <span style="color:#33cc00;">husbands</span> of the Relief Society women </div><div align="center">(What better way to welcome me in, right?!). </div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Almost more embarrassed than I had ever been (j/k embarrassing moments <em>really</em> are my <em>forte</em>), I didn't know how to react. Here were all of these people who, yet again, didn't really know me. <strong>But you know what?</strong> </div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">They didn't care. They heard that someone needed help and wanted to <span style="color:#00cccc;">give a little bit</span>.</span></div><br /><div align="center">While everyone was <span style="color:#cc33cc;">prodding</span> and <span style="color:#cc33cc;">prying</span> at my door, my <em><span style="color:#ff6666;">sweet</span></em> bishop showed up. He too, is so busy with life! Besides raising his family and taking care of ward business every single night, he has two jobs! But here he was, ready to help me with something that was MY mistake in the first place. Being the <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>generous and giving</strong></span> man he is, he called Triple A for us. He sat and hung out for awhile, played some ball with the twins, and made sure everything was okay till they got to our house. Eventually, they got there and....</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc33;"><strong>Presto! The problem is solved!</strong></span></div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477298644535780178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrtjR_KEXO4s7U9QN1VYGsXtrTkKIJgOzyA-MdHqvxE_RZke7b0HGS5SSI_f7u4yVCQmEyC_zKeVc6owWOxwSP6DKZfUeAp_In6WkSgYRyLpovGamgOeFS5d0mMDtasIUeHqYNO37itIq/s320/June+2010+%26+Ali+Graduation+008.JPG" /><br /><br /><div align="center"><em>But here's the true question:</em> <span style="font-size:180%;">Was the locked door <span style="color:#33cc00;">really the problem</span>? </span></div><br /><br /><div align="center">Lately I have been so focused on all of the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330099;">silly/temporal</span> things in life. My energy and attention have been <span style="color:#33ccff;">absorbed into insignificant things</span> like placing well at dance competitions, getting my daily work-out(s) in, or preventing that A- grade at all costs.</div><br /><div align="center">So let's be honest...</div><div align="center">The real problem was me.</div><br /><div align="center">While it <em><span style="font-size:180%;">is</span></em> important to constantly be doing our best in all aspects of our lives, it is <em><span style="font-size:180%;">more</span></em> important to recognize what truly matters. Heavenly Father doesn't care whether or not I get first place at my comp, if I gain a pound or two, or even if I get an A- on my report card.<strong> </strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#9999ff;">He loves us all no matter what</span></strong>. He cares that we're doing our best in life and are on the right path spiritiually. <span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Ultimately, He cares that we serve His children, <span style="color:#ff6666;">that we give just a little back</span> to Him, in comparison to what He's blessed us with. </em></span></div><br /><div align="center">I am now back on track and can hopefully focus more on what <em><span style="color:#33ccff;">really matters</span></em> in life.</div><div align="center">May we all remember to just <span style="font-size:180%;color:#330000;">"give a little bit"</span> each day because that is what will truly make us <strong>happy</strong>. It just took some keys and a whole lot of wonderful people to help me remember that! ;)</div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576139037890696478noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201511585309499241.post-4719439339784511952010-05-16T19:40:00.000-07:002010-05-16T21:26:27.473-07:00The Allegories of Life<div align="center"> </div><div align="center">As of lately, I've been realizing that one chapter of my life is coming to an end. It's <em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">bizarre</span></em> to think about how fast my high school <strong>days have gone by</strong>. </div><div align="center"><br /><strong><em></em></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong><em>A week ago</em></strong> I was starting high school, <span style="color:#000000;">nervous and new</span>, yet <span style="color:#000000;">ready to begin</span> what I had been looking forward to for, what seemed like, <span style="font-size:180%;color:#009900;">so long.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 192px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 274px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472078684427733682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TJiqODEm6b2WUcL7xQUr8NjfHBGrsn942cUFbp0ozdWYroTcqsYnSc_3BrTFAGoN6I6WvlNHf3X4lukaeI_9bQ_ccgU1UnYE0E7-_R-kxyurEczWx4999KFrK_qsWWsPYRg_IWitmBfr/s320/002.JPG" /> </p><p align="center"><strong><em>A few days ago</em></strong> my best friend left; <span style="color:#000000;">devastated</span> and needing him back, I thought that<br /><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="font-size:180%;">the time would never come.</span> </span><br /></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;"></span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472080614339997810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhza4YnP8LElo9215av7dS78YSiKhDmleod20T41xV8w4kmHq5xPS49_r4Al3Mhl5szF9_JIRUWQ4EGDmz_fOgXw47vilnGXZJZ3Di4uOdIo_qVOeuIekE84OzB_BvdH0OE8sSLr8Z_pT7P/s320/GetAttachment%5B8%5D.jpeg" /><br /><div align="center"><strong><em></em></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong><em>And</em></strong> <strong><em>just yesterday</em></strong> senior year began; frivolously assuming the year would be </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#009900;">long-lasting,</span> I looked forward to a great time.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 297px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472081534589913442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQLb14I71guQGvKcnQ6MjEu4l-f5k20W-P9nMD6aXeWUVG7N20itIXVkuI6bK_Q8wdg1s6QDhn_8-AMaBceJRamcfcVL7M_H8FC5K_GtJo0gn-t4MbSlzTO1A9MaX3GmmV7wMj5_InMVt/s320/new+house+060.JPG" /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">But what I didn't realize then was...</span> </div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;">TIME. FLIES. BY.</span> </span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">I have made so many wonderful, true friends! </div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472082726990880754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Fys3EGlMat7NQm8d5UpQGeSspweEpbWfAqxydn3AVE2p11nvW26K3oZLhEElhk6QVZqQsl1Ff-1dSRxbHo5kBgSBoRWANbnqlABRuP6x5lJx-ahAgwcYVj6l25CJMD9mFhqkg7dBZguf/s320/new+house+029.JPG" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472083446188846450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ib4qgcUxEhZGir416Igh2_Gw61KEh1W3XDGUbK4YInNcxIK4PRk9ylanUB1TF8Qt4yaRSCtvH4o_GDpb-yBoHU0nfu8B3GSezVjI3xk6_txbdWHdioQkwSBH-P-HfEwlxvNY3EczL9dY/s320/new+house+032.JPG" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472087681190067026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YfLgEKYDExXoeAXjXhu0sp3YT0_6YV9J53YRCve9UxW8GhTYv94zvfMcUb2_U6hr8eqTAVhRVjlC-bpYEjvL3oFXm_BqdKmXpIOaWTpuC0wfAJg1H87HF-k5erfafn0Pc1whWNqOoU_1/s320/Dance+002.jpg" /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I have memories that will never be forgotten. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472088227616848914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dVZMY1hI8CapiK4r_cm5cQpvlfYZIZEuim9m1tFTDTcwlCrEzJKj-d915AOcd572LHDDKGGzF8w6_lNNRz65_-op0APf88edoERBTnOO8p2ffT6umR4Uf39LBE9ApazkE5IA9SH_S7cq/s320/084.JPG" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472086152778176226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WFBrBRc0i0Fwy0ByStZuQV95rd5fVvpQSE-DuEkbvPb82pnDuqRPnW-SHpQEcQ-pR6t89ef040lpa4kN2BdmD1BSJYW9rmKhlQiwFnfpmbaZQchr2Hs-BNMf_2ivIaBlfPmRk5CZc3Kj/s320/July+2009+038.JPG" /><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 209px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 261px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472084181989301698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbA1T9w8leRX516iaMRmKerZf_zCSksxWvRT0s-liTmc5OVAP1kg0uS7GyovaN_fTc0QkWDwqrd_yd63Kw7AzYZ9JITVFiiW__lcXvWXmX-V8HfaCy-4xDh3OCwf8-LQKmMZTdUGE0nMw/s320/new+house+067.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><div align="center">And I am grateful, each and every day, for life's experiences (both the good and the bad) that have made me who I am today. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 328px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472089503097957698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhug0tKfFY6p8ITSQRi-cPXCMQLLA-ybDSL9oB3RXDN1UV42ghZyxc_pV1StEvK2bCA6eSgyjPC66a_ZQtnsCETX8oxWcv5tg2jglfhfNbecD7wu9zoovvPzd1LAfPeDO5zEp9wpOdVbKhV/s320/P1020906.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">All of these <span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">little lessons</span> and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">experiences</span> that I've so-gratefully taken in are the inspiration for <span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#993399;">ALIgories</span>. Take from them what you will and above all, live life to the fullest because "<em>days go by</em>" and once they do, our true friends, old memories, and the allegories of life are all we're left with. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div></div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576139037890696478noreply@blogger.com8