there's a whole world out there!

Maybe my optimism is at it's worst today. Being sick is not in the least bit fun. Although, I have had a lot of sluggish/ laying-in-bed-all-day time on my hands which has lead to a lot of thinking.

Sometimes I cringe at the thought that I could be living in Paris right now. In my own cute little apartment, learning French, nannying 3 hours and having the rest of the day to myself. Yes, that was my plan until I found out I had to be 18 to get a visa.
 What a disappointing day that was.

I have never understood how people can stay stationary their entire lives. There is a whole world out there, there is so much to see, so much to experience. In my lifetime I want to experience and see as much as possible. I want to go to Thailand, Bali, Japan, Africa, South America, the UK, Greece, Spain, Australia, Fiji, the list goes on and on... I have made a promise to myself- I am going to pack up, move to another country, learn their language, and completely immerse myself in the culture for a year or more. The 4 months I spent in Sweden wasn't enough, it just left me longing for more.

what if...

What if we said a kind word to everyone we encountered?

What if we never placed a judgement on anyone, and treated everyone equally?

What if we stopped thinking what others think about us, take a second to look around....

We might find someone who needs a compliment, ask how they are doing, tell them you care, maybe something as simple as a smile could change the course of their day, week, maybe even their life. 

Every single person has their own struggles they face everyday. 

So why focus on ourselves when it doesn't do us or anyone else good?

Why not take a second, and put someone else before ourselves?

It could make all the difference in the world, when it is just a small gesture on your part. 

"Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up."  ~Jesse Jackson

it's monday.

Things that are great and deserve recognition:
- It's HOT outside. I'm a quite alright with summer sticking around a little longer in Utah, considering half the year is cold cold cold.
- Being able to talk to Kaya while she is in San Francisco for training. It is gradually easing me into talking to my sister about once a month rather than multiple times a day.
- Staying home, sleeping in, and frankly doing anything my little heart desires while everyone else is finishing up their last year of high school. I have said it before, and I will say it again, I am very pleased with my decision to graduate a year early.
- Knowing what I am going to do career wise- if you haven't heard, I am on my way to becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner!
- My hair is getting long (which I've been working on for almost a year now).
- Beautiful sunsets- note the picture above.
- Last but not least, it's Monday and I have a whole new week ahead of me! 

A tout a l'heure

In other words....see you later. 

My mom and I dropped Kaya off at the airport this morning.  

On the drive home my mom said, "what will we do with out her?" I then said, "what I am suppose to do today now that she's gone?!" It dawned on me, she has always been such a huge part of my life and has impacted me in so many ways. It already feels odd having her gone. 

She's off to have some grand adventures, and I am more than excited for her. 

change.change.change.change.

Change. Change. Change, is over us now.

I always am at a loss for words when I start blogging. 

Decisions are clouding my thoughts, and change is just around the corner. 

I have always loved change. I love moving. I love making new friends. I love going new places, seeing new things. Sometimes I even rearrange my room just to have a little bit of change in my life. 

Kaya is leaving for her 10 month adventure to Africa in less than a week. I tell myself 10 months will fly by, but at the same time I can't help but think, a lot can change in 10 months. What will I do when I need someone to talk to, someone who will make me laugh tell I cry, someone who I tell everything to, someone to tell me I am being ridiculous, someone to understand me or even read my thoughts, someone I can cry to, someone who will stand me singing horribly in the car and maybe even join in, someone to give me advise, what will I do with out my sister? my best friend? my go to girl? I know I will be fine. I know she will be having a once in a life time experience, blessing those in her presence. I sure will miss her, very much. 

For quite a while I have been trying to decide what I want to do school and career wise. I finally came to a decision that I am really excited about and feel fits me perfectly. I am going to eventually become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner! I will blog more about this once I get all the logistics figured out. 

In the meantime I am spending time with family, working here and there and soaking up the sun while it lasts.