Anticipation

Well...it's been a while. I started this blog last year and abandoned it after just one post. Pretty pathetic, but at least I'm back now!

Last summer, I was living at home, working at a bookstore, and not doing much else. I half-heartedly mentioned taking a trip to Paris. But I never actually acted on it. Just continued to sit on the couch, day after day...the summer dragged on, monotonous, each day like the last.

But then! Miraculous day! I was frustrated at my mom for some reason. I don't remember why, but this feeling of frustration (mixed with the boredom that had been building all summer) prompted me to buy a ticket to Paris. One month later and I was off. I spent one week in Paris, then went to London for a week, and came back to Paris and stayed with friends. That last week was one of the best I've ever experienced. I could go into details (here's a morsel: a Parisian dreamer with a skylight and view of the Eiffel tower from his apartment) but won't. Let's focus on the future instead!

In December, I went with my mom and her friend to Guatemala. It was an absolutely incredible trip. Highlights included hiking up a volcano on my 21st birthday, salsa dancing all night with a British surfer, horseback riding through coffee plantations, seeing the amazing Mayan temples, eating pan dulce for breakfast every morning, and so much more. It is a wonderful, wonderful country and I'd love to do more extensive traveling in Latin America.

I've gone so many cool places this year and love enjoying my memories of them.

But the real reason I've returned to this blog is...

Because...

In one week exactly....

I will be in the Netherlands! I'm studying at Utrecht University for five months and couldn't be more excited. I'm planning to drink a lot of beer, eat a lot of cheese, and enjoy a few dutch tulips, if you know what I mean. I'm excited to travel around Europe, and within the Netherlands. I've been taking classes and working all summer so I'm ready to let loose! I'll keep you posted!