Can't Believe it's Over

I can't believe it's over.Yes, I am about to blog about Harry Potter. SO what! I love Harry Potter. I always have, ever since I was an awkward 5th grader. Maybe because I could relate in some way to all three of the main characters.  I've read every book at least twice, seen all the movies, and already have seen the last one two times this past weekend. I feel like a part of me is gone. Seriously though. I love everything about it...the story, the characters, the magic and the message of friendship, love and courage. I am so sad its over...its been over a decade of books and movies...I am glad I was able to be a part of it!

GOODBYE HARRY! You'll live on in our hearts! <3

What was your favorite book and movie of the series?

B: (its hard to choose!) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire tied with Half-Blood Prince

M: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2

Paris!

Paris: the city of love and lights. It took me longer to warm up to this place, but by the end of the 2 1/2 weeks I fell in love. It is a beautiful city, full of beautiful sites and beautiful people. Not everyone is really all that nice to us Americans, but I really did meet some sweet people along the way, and I tried my best to speak some French, and let me tell you it is not easy. :)

I saw so many things...the churches of Notre Dame, Chartres, St. Denis and Sacre Coeur. I went to the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay, the Rodin Museum and so many more to enjoy the masterpieces of so many great artists.I walked below the Eiffel Tower, along the Seine and up to Montmartre. I walked the places and saw the houses where many great artists, such as Van Gogh lived. I ate delicious food...and yes I had at least one crepe a day, if not two :)

It was wonderful! I hope to go back to France one day and see Normandy and Southern France. I hear its beautiful. Ah I miss it already. I promise I'll stop talking about this trip soon. Just one more post about Madrid. ;)

Sometimes a photograph can't capture Beauty.

So I just have to complain. Just a little bit. And I might feel a little better.

One day, well, make that four days in a row, I went to the Louvre in Paris, France. It is one of the best and well-known art museums in the world. There are hundreds upon hundreds of great masterpieces. Some of my favorites were in the great hall of the grand works by artists such as David, Gericault and Delacroix. For many years I have studied and looked at these paintings on a computer or projector screen, only wishing to be able to see them in person. 

It happened. I finally did. I noticed things I had never noticed before. The works were lighter. The colors were more brilliant in person. But to my dismay, there were groups of people, who did not, or better yet, WOULD not take the precious time to stop, look, observe and admire the works. Rather they wouldn't even take a glance as they snapped a photograph of the work, not even looking to see if they captured it at the right angle. I seriously could not believe what I saw! The sad thing is they will never realize what they missed, and I will. 

It's just not the same.

Cheers!

Hello lovely people!

So sorry I suck at keeping up with this blog but seriously it's been
non stop go all the time! Anyway!

I just spent 6 days in London!! And can I tell you I loved it so much!
English is spoken and people are pretty nice. So basically we went to
an eight museums. Yeah eight and let me tell you awesome but tiring
haha. Oh and I went to two shows: phantom and les miserables.
AMAZING!!!!! I went to Stonehenge, Salisbury, Bath and Stourhead
(which is in the raining scene of pride and prejudice when mr. Darcy
proposes) that place was beautiful...I'm going back!

The best part of the trip...seeing JOHNNY DEPP. :)

Cheers darlings!

Buon giorno!

Welp I'm getting around to finally updating (thanks to cath) I LOVE
ITALY! so far I've been to Roma, Napoli, Pompeii, Firenze, Siena and
Venezia! Tomorrow I leave for Milan then off to London! :)

Seeing the art I've studied in person is beyond words! I've loved
everything but my favorites were the colosseum, the David (which is
just specstacular like serisouly almost got teary eyed hah) and then
the entombment by Caravaggio. So much more to see...I love the older
things but super excited to get to Paris to see some 19th century art:)
Okay I'll try and update soon!!! Meanwhile here's some pictures :)

Lucky

I remember one day while walking with my Dad somewhere, can't really remember where or what we were doing, but I do remember what he said. It was something that I will always remember and definitely hit me hard that day. We saw a man, I can't completely remember what infirmity or disease or handicap he had, but my Dad just said, "When you think you are having a hard time in life, just remember that man." It reminded me also of a man I saw once in Ukraine. Very skinny, hunched over and could barely walk. He carried his groceries across the street and I'm sure he had to walk for miles. Then just the other day I saw a young boy in the mall with burns all over his face and arms. I remembered what my dad said. All of these people seemed content, humble and happy with their lives. I realized how LUCKY I really am. I can walk, I can see, I can hear, I am healthy, my parents are Healthy and both here. The list could go on. I will never forget that and I hope I can see more outside myself and not worry about one bad day.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to my Mom!!! Love you. Thanks for all you do. You've made me who I am today and I couldn't be happier to have you in my life!

Home Sweet Home

Two weeks ago I was able to go home to California! Ahh I could not wait to get away from Utah for a little while. Even better, my grandparents were there and my sister with the girls! I didn't realize how much I needed this trip until I had to leave. We had so much fun, just hanging out, shopping, eating out (especially at our favorite, Sandovals!), going to the Sharks game, Easter dinner and egg hunts! 

 Addison!

 Carrigan at the game!

 Happy Easter!

 Mom and Dad with the girls!

 Carrigan made this poster for our dinner..haha cutest thing ever!

My sis!

I had the best time with her this trip. I miss her so much. My favorite thing is how much we laugh at each other. Its always non-stop. Love ya sis!

 

Welp, now its exactly ONE week until I head to Europe. I'll be in Rome first, I cannot wait! I have been doing some research of that city for our class, and wow I must say it looks AMAZING. I can't wait for all the other places I get to see.