Reminiscing on my Summer in Europe

In August, I was so spoiled. My daddy took me on a trip to Europe for two weeks. Our traveling companions were my Uncle Mitch (my dads younger brother) and my best friend/cousin Rachael. Both Rachael and I graduated from High School this past year, so our fathers took us on a cultural learning graduation present!
We spent 5 days in Paris, and 9 days traveling all through Italy. In Italy we went to Rome, Pompeii, Florence, Venice, Cinque Terre, Pisa, and Lucca. It was one of the best experiences of my life, besides skydiving and swimming with dolphins.
Every time I look at the pictures, I think " TAKE ME BACK!" Although I decided that I personally would rather live in America than Europe, mostly because people in Europe generally smell bad, are crazy drivers, have the weirdest bathrooms, and speak another language, I absolutely love visiting!
I think this post is mostly for me to look back on the amazing memories I had. With every picture I'll put a little caption and story, that way you readers wont be COMPLETELY lost.

 My daddy and me in the Louvre.

 Rachael and me at the gold gates at Versailles.

 After 40,000 steps, 20 miles, and a super long day, we were on our way to the hotel and at the last minute decide to take a train to the Eiffel Tower to see it at night! I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. It was right then I realized why Paris was such a magical place!

 Me, daddy, and Rach in the gardens at Versailles.

 Cinque Terre, Italy! So beautiful!

 Hall of Mirrors in Versailles. Have no idea why we are on the floor though...

 It twinkles, for five minutes, every hour, on the hour. So magical.

 The horribly long line.

 The wonderful palace. Best friends since birth. Traveling the World.

 Venice, Italy. So beautiful, but it is surprisingly a lot smaller than I thought.

 After a long sunday in Paris, having gone to church, touring Versailles, and going up the Eiffel Tower... we finally had dinner. It was so delicious. We decided we needed dessert... well of course because we are in Paris. My dad order a chocolate cake, little did we know it was a Molten Lava Cake....MY ULTIMATE FAVORITE DESSERT EVER!!!! It was one of the best surprises of a life time. I literally yelled ahhhh oh my gosh is that what I think it is??? and the waiter looked at me like I was a freak, but I didnt care because it was the perfect dessert for a perfect day!

 Being silly, taking pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower!

 At the top!! We could see EVERYTHING!! Only downside... super windy and cold...burrr! Me and Rach at the bottom!

 My dad and Uncle being goofs in front of the military museum...they loved it!

 Funny story about Cinque Terre. Rachael and I decided to play marco pollo when we were swimming. It was probably really dumb. So Rachael's eyes are closed and she is waving her arms around and starts swimming after this HUGE, old Italian man in a speedo. She yells I gotcha and just before she slaps him, I yell Rachael NO! I unfortunately wasn't so lucky. It was my turn to close my eyes, and I am being super careful, but I hear Rachaels voice right next to me, and I was positive it was her... boy was I wrong. I accidentally slap this large, old, Italian women in a little bikini right on her boobs. I was terrified. Rachael was hiding behind her so she didn't see me go in for the slap to tell me to stop. Well hey arent these the memories you have to tell your children?

 A wonderful pot roast dinner and fondue in the left bank in Paris.

My daddy and me at the top of the Eiffel Tower! 

On our way to the Eiffel Tower at night, we had to cross the carnival on the gradens at the Louvre. We saw all these little kids in the hamster balls, and Rachael and I looked at each other and knew we had to try it! My ball started leaking and I thought I was going to sink...but I didnt. 

This video basically describes the relationship between me and Rachael! We love each other, but we are so close, just like sisters. We complete each others sentences, embarrass each other, torture each other, fight over the dumbest things, laugh together, cry together, and make each other the best we can be! 

Rachael and I have a blast traveling the world. I miss her terribly right now while we are separated at college. We have to try to explain all our boy problems over the phone! Can you believe it, it is wonderful technology! But there is something about being together and chatting late at night in our room until 3 AM, diagnosing our action and what move to take! Oh we are too much! 

Anyways, back to school. The present, Hawaiian College life. 

Until next time, 

Stay Sweet,

Abby

Pumpkin Carving!

Today, being a Monday is family home evening! Landin and Janie wanted to do pumpkin carving because it's close to Halloween and fall, but there were only two pumpkins left in all of the north shore! So they got those pumpkins. But I had the wonderful idea of making Halloween sugar cookies and frosting so everyone could decorate them!! It turned out wonderful! We split up into two teams so we could carve the pumpkins, and them afterwards everyone decorated the ghost, scary cat, and pumpkin shaped cookies!! They were so good and everyone that came had a blast!! Ps. Nicia and I went swinging again at the park by the Temple. It's the best way to get my mind of things or to just ponder on the situation at hand! Everyone should have a park with swings to think!
Stay Sweet,
Abby

Carnivals, Paddle Boarding, Burgers, and a Tsunami?

This week, and weekend was a crazy one! I was taking my midterms, doing presentations, and trying to have a life all at the same time! You know what they say, you can sleep, make good grades, or have fun in college but you can only pick two!
Good news, I aced my Book of Mormon exam, other news.... Econ is hard.
Thursday was Nicia's birthday so we went to Thai Food in Haleiwa! It was so good.

Friday was busy as well. After classes I went to the beach with Peter, Nicia, and Kaitlyn! I wasnt in the surfing mood, so Kaitlyn and I took naps on the beach!

Just a little side note... this guys long board was almost as tall as me!!!!! 

After the beach I had dinner. I ran into Drew and Heidi and we went to Foodland to get inner tubes to be fruit loops for the Halloween Carnival! Nicia picked me up and we all got ready together to go to the carnival. I was Harry Potter and Nicia was a tourist. 

At the Carnival, Nicia, Conner and I and did the Bungee Run!! So fun, even though Nicia won the first two runs, I totally owned on the last one:) Poor Conner though... didnt win any! 

 

The carnival was a blast! After it ended, my friends and I went to pounders. I was too tired to get in the water but I had a good time stargazing by myself:)

I was missing my boys this week, so Caity and Alyssa sent me pictures of my pseudo-nephews.

On Saturday me, Franco, Emma, Nicia, Peter, and Henry
all went paddle boarding!
 It was so fun and surprisingly a lot easier than I had expected.  We all had a blast. After Paddle Boarding we went to lunch at a burger place in Haleiwa which was to die for, then we ran a couple errands and headed back home. Little Did we know a Tsunami was on it's way. Peter and I waited in line to get gas for a hour and a half. We all got our stuff together and went to the top of temple hill. At around midnight, the tsunami warning was cancelled and luckily we were all safe! Sunday was crazy because we had stayed up so late, so my roommate Justine and I went to my uncles ward instead of ours!
What can I say it was a crazy weekend. But hey it is the college life!
Stay Sweet,
Abby

The Perfect Day

I have never had a day so Perfect. Not even just Saturday, but this whole, to quote Rihanna, "freakin weekend." It all started with friday. Surfing at Turtle Bay for the first time. Oh My Gosh. Let me tell you! Castles is NOTHING like Turtle Bay...I thought I was going to DIE! Butttttttt Landin and I saw a SEAL! The funniest part was when Landin goes... hey abby look at that huge seal...(take a closer look) Landin its a seal!! Paddle away!!! Then I went to the volley ball game with Kassi and then the basketball game with Laurel and Jo. After that I met up with Conner and Sumner and we danced our little hearts out at the Halloween Dance.
Day 2: Saturday.
Wake up at 7 am, and Baby we are going... dun dun dun!!!! SKYDIVING!!!!!! Best day of my life thus far. The plane just kept going higher and higher... and at 14,000 feet I jumped out of the plane. You could see the whole island and Maui! One of the most beautiful things of my entire life. After skydiving I went straight to Emmas babyshower! So adorable everyone celebrating baby Eva and wonderful food!!! The mini pumpkin pies and curry chicken salad sandwiches were delish. Right after the babyshower I went on the PCC hike. So much fun, and tons of river crossing. When we got to the falls, there was a rope swing and an noce rock to jump off of! The one complaint I had about the falls, were the billions of Mosquitoes. We all got eaten alive. Literally the bites were the size of quarters. Coming down from the hike we walked over to pounders. The waves were SO BIG! Good day for pounders! After pounders we all went to dinner, and then Laurel, Jo, Nelson and I went long boarding. And to end the night, I watched New Girl with my cousins.
Day 3: Sunday
It was stake conference so instead of church at 8 AM, we got to sleep in until 9!!! So wonderful! Hanging with my cousins on sunday is one of the highlights of my week! later that night there was a fireside with Vocal Point. It was so good! They all have amazing voices!
Literally living the dream. It's the Hawaii Way or the Highway!
Stay Sweet,
Abby
PS Here are the pics!

Sunday Dress Up!

Sunday. I love sundays because you get to dress up and mix and match for Church!! I was a little on the wild side today, so I went with mixing and matching prints...polka dots and stripes!!! 

Striped Shirt: Nordstrom, Polka Dot Chambray: Old Navy, Skirt: J. Crew, Wedge Sandals: MIKA Bag: Louis Vuitton, Watch: American Eagle, Pearls: Hawaii, Glasses: Ray Ban

Thursday Lunch!!

Today I had a tourist moment, even though I live here in Hawaii! We haddddd to go, and boy I am so glad I did!! Nicia and I went out to lunch at Giovanni's Shrimp Truck in Kahuku!!! Oh my gosh, it was sooooooo goooooodd! Best garlic Shrimp Ever!!!

Back To Blogging

So I tried blogging years ago but I just couldn't get into it! Soooo here we go again, Round Two! School in Hawaii is crazy!!
 I Started Long Boarding a few days ago and I have already fallen in love! I apologize for making fun of all the kids shredding in the parking lots outside of the Hales. It is sooo fun!

  The beach is so TEMPTING!! Hukilau/Temple beach is the usual butttttttt....

 Every once in a while we will get pounded at pounders! The waves are HUGE!

 Me, Chels, and Laurel at the beach... putting off homework!

 It's Official... im a college student, and I even have an ID to prove it! I couldnt stand living in a room with ALL white walls....so of course I bought wall pops!! They add sooo much more to my room now!

 The view on the way to class!! Double Rainbow all the way across the sky...

 Yeah this guy is little! My friend Sumner really wanted a pet gecko so my roommate Justine and I literally spent an hour throwing our shoes at him so he would move and we could catch him... we finalyl gave up at midnight.

 Is it pathetic that I made my mom FaceTime me so I could talk to my dog?!?!?

 Chelsea, Me and Laurel heading to Hukilau to NOT do homework... it was a good tanning day...:)

Well homework is calling me... even though I live in Paradise, unfortunately I still have work to do.
Stay Sweet,
Abby Jane