How Stinkin' Cute...

How cute is my niece? Like seriously, cutest thing ever.

Oh Christmas Tree! Oh Christmas Tree...

[First Photo- London]

Originally given as a  token of gratitude for Britain's aid during World War II,

the Christmas tree in London's Trafalgar Square has been the annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947. This tree is gorgeous and I think will make a nice background to my lion photo!

[Second Photo-Paris]

- Ooh la la Galeries Lafayette! In Paris , even the Christmas trees are chic.  With its monumental, baroque dome, plus 10 stories of lights and high fashion, it's no surprise this show-stopping department store draws

more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. I NEVER made it to Geleries Lafayette last time, but knowing that THAT tree is there....I can't help but make it a priority!

I hope to see these trees on my trip!

Christmas (almost Christmas in London and 17 days!)

CNN released a story : The Top 10 Places to Spend Christmas (http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/12/10/top.christmas.places/index.html). Okay, so my trip will not be happening over Christmas, but right after Christmas, but I believe the effects will still be in place!

Anyways, number 2 on the list is our very first stop and one of my favorite cities: LONDON! Mostly it talks about the amazing shopping on Oxford Street, and the twinkly Christmas Lights - and I believe all of that will still be in place come our arrival the morning of the 28th (thought once again I must be honest - I can't afford to shop). You can even take a Christmas Carol  walking tour in which  you explore Charles Dickens haunt's and visit the settings of the story.

Lights, Cameras, TRAVEL!

Every morning I get to my classroom about 70 minutes before the day begins. Usually, I am set-up for the next day and all I do is just sit in my room and collect myself. I check out a few of my fellow bloggers, catch up on emails from the afternoon before and click around my MSN homepage or Lonely Planet emails to see what may intrigue me. Today was no different and I stumbled across this link (http://www.bing.com/travel/content/search?q=Sparkling+Holiday+Lights%3a+Leavenworth%2c+Wash.&cid=msn1116032&form=TRVCON&gt1=41000) and it brought me to a countdown of the sparkliest, most beautiful holiday lights in the world. This of course excited me as not only did the headline catch my attention but the picture as well!

That's PARIS! I'm going there!

I have always been a sucker for Christmas lights (who isn't?!) and I guess it shouldn't have shocked me that Paris made the list but it did!!! I can't wait to stroll through Paris and take in the twinkly Christmas lights. Granted, it won't be like it was when I was a kid riding around in the car with my parents oohing and ahhing over every house! But, I also never came across Champs-Elysses!!!

According to the information I read during the holidays they illuminate more than 400 trees with 1 million energy-saving lights and it alls adds up to the Champs-Elysses (which is where everyone says is the place to be in Paris when the clock strikes midnight!). The little tidbit goes on to explain that window-shopping in Paris during the holidays is a must-see for locals and visitors. Lord knows this girl will have to window shop because she won't be able to afford to do any other kind!

Anyways, another surprise that made the list is BRUSSELS!

I did not even entertain the though that Brussels would make the list! But look at the photo it's beautiful! This is a photo of the Gothic Brussels Town Hall which was built in the early 1400s. Apparently each holiday season  they light it up for all to see. Apparently each night the area in front of the Town Hall, known as the Grand Palace or town square is filled with people because there is a evening sounds-and-light show that illuminates the whole building. Umm, hello, an awesome light show that happens to take place for FREE while we're in Brussels. I am crossing my fingers that it will still be going on January 2nd when we arrive! I'm dying, dying, dying to see this!

Until I leave for Europe I'll be trolling around Kissimmee/Orlando looking for beautiful holiday lights to kind of curb my craving for these! Anyone have any awesome holiday light secrets? Care to share?

A difficult Christmas.

So this Christmas will mark the first Christmas that I will ever spend apart from my brother. Now this may seem silly, but he is literally the only person I've spent ALL of Christmas with, every year. I used to always spend Christmas with my whole family, but following my parents divorce it was Johnny and I who shuffled from house to house. It was Johnny who I truly spent the Holidays with.

Unfortunately, for my heart and for my stomach (did I mention my brother just graduated with Honors from Le Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale, AZ and is a Sous Chef for an amazing resturant?), Johnny won't be able to come home from Arizona for Christmas this year. I'm completely devestated and bummed. Things could be worse, but the fact that I dont' know when I'll see him again is definietly weighing heavy on my heart!

See, my brother and I are super close. We're 18 months apart and share a bunch of the same friends. Johnny is someone I can always turn to and who tends to be there for me. As frustrated as I get with him it all comes down to the fact that he's always been there for me, by my side, supporting me in almost whatever I do (as long as I don't talk about swimming toooo much).


Johnny  & I, one of the people I've always been able to count on to be by my side!



New Traditions...

I am a very blessed girl, who is lucky enough to have an extended family and a step-family that is absolutely amazing. This year will be the fourth Christmas my Dad has been married to Susan and will mark our 4th Christmas as a family. Every year we have gotten together drank hot cocoa, eaten Christmas cookies and decorated the tree that goes inside and the family tree with homemade ornaments that goes outside. This year of course was no different, however, this year we were missing Johnny and Mandie! None the less it was a beautiful Sunday, that I enjoyed spending with my family.

Yummy Christmas Cookies!



The ornament Casey made in Kindergarten....not much has changed...



delicious hot cocoa with marshmallows!

<>

If you look you can see the Ornaments Cambre made!



Johnny's J Ornament. We always used to fight over whose ornament would be on top of the tree! Well since he will be in Arizona for Christmas, I made sure his was at the very bottom!



The Chronic Over-packer….over-thinker…over-sharer….

    So the past few days I have been marveling at the fact that we have successfully planned a 10 day trip to Europe for fewer than 1500 dollars. Granted, this does not include food, drinks, museums or transportation (other than trains) or anything else we may decide to amuse ourselves with. However, I have been very proud and excited at out less than 1500.00 trip! However, today I spent 150.00 on things I need for the trip and I still have no idea how I am going to pack. I am not a backpacker, and I have bad shoulders and we are stealing in real hotels for more than one night every time (minus Brussels), and I do not think my suitcase will be a hindrance. However, my suitcase wheels are broken! Ugh! Do I buy a new suitcase? What size should I buy? Any suggestions out there? Can someone help this chronic wander luster who is a chronic over packer with her issue?

    The funny thing is, is I still am trying to decide what to bring! What should I wear on New Year's Eve? I of course want to look cute, and I of course want to sneak a kiss from a cute cultured European boy at midnight (right Linz)…and I of course want my feet to be comfy. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO ACCOMPLISH ALL OF THIS? Moreover, how are Lindsey and Rachel planning on accomplishing all of this in a single backpack? It's mind boggling. I do know I have purchased a black trench coat, a black & gray pair of Ugg-type boots and a pair of leggings. I believe I am going to convince my mother to sew me a wool skirt of some sort. However, I feel like one of my friends may be doing this? So should I look into a dress? Any suggestions out there for the chronic worrier on how to look hott on New Year's Eve without having to worry about frostbite? Or pain? I know layering is key…but geeze almighty…how do you plan on layering constantly and then plan on fitting everything into a backpack?

    Are any of you exhausted yet from my train of thought? Because I am. You know how Kermit always says it ain't easy being green? Well It's not easy being me! Anyone out there who happens to stumble across my rant and have some suggestions, or anyone out there who knows me, loves me and is willing to help me….well I'll love you forever and always. Oh and keep in mind that I am from Florida…I feel like that may be important when discussing winter clothing.

 

 

And the travel bug begins...

I’ve always felt this restlessness inside of me that has urged me to go. In fact I’ve been told many times that the longer I stay in one place the antsier I get, you may even say I get downright depressed. I suffer from wanderlust.

        The first time I truly realized I suffered from wanderlust was my sophomore year of college. I was taking a travel writing course and was listening to all of the stories the students around me had to share; camping in the Amazon, skiing in the Swiss Alps, snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef, shopping in London and I felt like I had nothing of the sort to share. Sure I had been to the Bahamas and I had an amazing horseback riding experience in Monument Valley, I had skied in Colorado and Utah, gazed over the Grand Canyon I had been to Disney World, strolled the streets of Boston….heck my life was most peoples vacation. I grew up in Orlando a stone’s throw from some of the most famous tourist attractions in the world, and I went to college in Charleston, South Carolina arguably one of the most beautiful historical cities in America, but I felt as if I had never been anywhere. This class introduced me to wanderlust.

        Throughout the semester students would share their stories and my desire to travel grew. No longer was I satisfied with weekend trips to Tallahassee, the beach or Atlanta….I wanted to leave the country, I wanted a passport, I wanted to explore the world. Luckily it was about this time that my best friend Lindsey also was suffering for a desire to go to Europe.

        That is how my disease of wanderlust became a passion for travel.  My urge to go is now stronger than ever however I can now proudly say I’ve been to Europe I’ve traveled beyond my boundaries and I’ve discovered a passion that is costly  but rewarding.  In honor of this wanderlust itch I am constantly suffering from I am going to share with you my personal favorite travel destinations.

*Top Eight Favorite Travel Destinations

• London, England

• “When you tire of London, you tire of life.”  This is definitely the truth when it comes to London.  A city full of things to do whether its history you seek or the theater you love there is something to do in London. Amazing pubs and great people keep you coming back for more. Camden Town in London also allows for your inner punk to come out and play. Also the British Museum with the Elgin Marbles and the West Minister Abbey are amazing historical sites that will leave you in awe. Even if you tire of the city bustle London has many parks that were originally palace hunting grounds for you to escape to and relax. There is no better city than London.

• Edinburgh, Scotland

• Probably one of the most beautiful cities in the world Edinburgh is a site to behold. With the ancient castle overlooking the modern city and beautiful park there is no skyline that is more peculiar or entrancing. Also located in Edinburgh is one of the best bars in the world – Whistle Binkies, an “American Rock & Roll Bar” with a definite Scottish flair whether you want to jam out front with the live music of the night or hide in the caves in the back there is something to be enjoyed.  Edinburgh is also not a far trip from a visit with Nessie, why not take a boat out on the lake and hope for a chance encounter? Also as an English Literature lover, its no surprise that the Literary Capital of the world would be one of my favorite cities.  Why not peruse where JK Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter Book, or study the medical center where Robert Louis Stevenson studied. Also a trip to Edinburgh is not complete without a  few hours spent in the park people watching, little kids, boxing matches, kites and soccer are a surefire way to pass the time

• Charleston, South Carolina

• Historic Sites, amazing food, gorgeous weather and a plethora of bars – Charleston is one city no one wants to miss.  Charleston not only boasts the USS Yorktown and Ft. Sumter but it is also home to the Citadel and the College of Charleston. CofC founded in 1770 is the oldest Municipal  College in the country and owns some of the most famous buildings in US History. A perfect day in Charleston starts with Brunch at Poogan’s Porch and is followed by a stroll down Market and King to peruse the shops, a quick lunch at the college friendly Kickin Chicken and a tour of the College of Charleston and other historical homes. A night in Charleston would also not be complete without a trip to 82 Queens followed by drinks at Henry’s, Big Johns and Mad River.
  

• Breckenridge, Colorado

• Situated about 2 hours outside of Denver, Breckenridge is the perfect place to escape to in the winter or summer.  In the summer Breckenridge is a beautiful spot to hunker down. The quaint town has hundreds of little locally owned shop and is divided into by a beautiful river.  Breckenridge is not only an amazing place to ski and snowboard but it is a great place for biking in the summer and is a short drive from White Water Rafting, Snowmobiling and Four Wheeling hot spots. So whether you want to go somewhere beautiful to relax and shop or you want to go on an X-Gamessque Adventure Breckenridge has something to offer.
  

• Paris, France

• Strangely enough the best things about Paris are not in Paris. While the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the many museums are amazing sites to behold the magic and beauty of Paris is located at Versailles. It is in Versailles that the magic of Paris is really felt. The over the top splendor of the palace and the beauty of the gardens shows how lavish and selfishness that  the reign of Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette was. Paris is beautiful and no trip to Paris is complete without visiting all the obvious tourist traps and eating crème brule drinking wine and eating the fine breads and cheese. Paris is a wonderful city and a beautiful site to behold. The only downfall to Paris is the difficulty of its subway system and the coldness of its citizens.
  

• St. John’s Island – US Virgin Islands   

• Beautiful beaches …..check…….water sports….check…..lots of fun check…. Home of 2 of the worlds best beaches St. John’s Island is a wonderful place to escape and relax. Not only are the beaches wonderful in St. John’s but they have wonderful snorkeling spots. St. John’s also boasts a world famous bar/restaurant “Woody’s” that is favorite of country music star’s Kenny Chesney. St. John’s is the place where if you can ride a rollercoaster you can survive a taxi ride. Be weary of the over prices restaurants and stick to places like Woody’s which are filled with fun, food and drinks!
  

• Boston, MA

• Boston one of America’s greatest cities is also one of America’s greatest vacations. Whether it’s the beautiful gardens, historic tombstones or the shopping, Boston is an amazing place to behold. In Boston tombstone rubbing or hosting your own version of a Boston Tea Party is a great way to past the time for kids and adults a like, and an afternoon stroll through the Quincy Market for lunch is by far one of the best ways to spend a few hours. Boston a beautiful city with a historical past is one place in America you don’t want to miss!
  

• Asheville, North Carolina

• Asheville is a beautiful town nestled into the Appalachian Mountains. The beautiful scenery and unique landscape make Asheville quite a wonder. In a town where hippies, young professionals, and artist come together you have an amazing downtown with high culture (great art, music and museums) as well as neat opportunities. In Asheville a trip downtown, and a trip to the Biltmore is a must. Asheville is an amazing vacation spot.