--Adventures--

 Hi to all my followers who thought I disappeared from face of the planet.
Well don't worry I didn't fall from the face of the planet... only from the face of America.
Last year I decided I would dig up my hiking boots (not really I bought new ones), pack my things and travel to Europe.
I always was the girl that whined about wanting to travel, wanted to see the world, see Europe, but never actually did it, because it scared the living poop out of me thinking about actually traveling to some unknown place where I know nothing, or no one, let alone the language.
But when I decided I wanted my major to be graphic design, and Utah State had a study abroad to Switzerland for it, I knew it was my chance to jump on one of my life long dreams.
I signed up, not knowing if I would know any of the students going, what to expect, how to prepare, but it excited me, I was actually fulfilling a dream, which I can tell you now, is a wonderful feeling.

Lucky for me as started talking to people around campus, I figured out I knew a few people going, Kait being one of them, who I knew all through out high school, so it made me that much more confident in my decision to go. I was stoked, Switzerland was my #1 place in the world to travel. The first reason because my family is from there and I wanted to see the country that my family and blood once ran through, and also because I felt the Swiss Alps had been calling my name all throughout my life... at least I think. I also knew that while I was in Europe I couldn't not see other countries... I mean who knows when I would be there again (let me tell you real soon because now I can't stay away). So luckily my best friend was going on a different study abroad to Europe and wanted to travel with me after. We were a little sketched out at first traveling.. just two girls. So we were desperate to find some guys to travel with. To our extreme luck, to of our guy friends decided they wanted to go, so we planned to meet up at the end of June, and backpack through a bunch of countries.

To be honest we really didn't plan that much for the backpacking part. I mean how could you besides read books about a place that you've never been and don't know what they are talking about. Basically the only planning we did was figure out what countries we were going to hit, and bought a Eurail train pass, that would get us from country to country. And that was it. Nothing else.... I will blogging about that part later because let me tell you it was a true adventure.

But yeah so after the little planning and me fully paying for my study abroad, the next thing I knew I was packing the night before (talk about procrastination) all my stuff into my 40L backpack that I would be surviving from for the next month and half. And let me tell you... 40L does not fit much, I basically shifted through the same 10 pieces of clothing the whole time I was there.
When packing for Europe, especially when you are backpacking... pack light!!!!! I cannot stress that enough, when I was with the others their backpacks were so much lighter than mine and I raged with jealousy at every second. It wasn't all my fault my bag was heavy because they didn't have to pack hiking gear and winter clothes, because they weren't snow shoeing the alps, but still I hated life sometimes on those hot days where we hadn't found our hostel yet we're roaming the streets with my back breaking.

Anyways sorry for the rampage... I finished packing.. got to bed late... didn't sleep because I was so stoked, and next thing I knew I was in the car with my dad traveling to the airport on my way to the biggest adventure of my life. The biggest adventure that will forever have a place in my heart, and brings me to tears thinking about it. Little did I know the huge life changing experiences I would be having as I arrived.

I am going to try to blog ever day a play by play about each day while I was there. If you have questions don't be afraid to ask.
One major reason why I am blogging about my adventure is because one, I want to remember it, and my blog is like my journal. And second because I want to give people the motivation and confidence to do it themselves. I am telling you guys now, you have to backpack and adventure, it changes your life and you for the good.
SO don't be afraid to ask questions, and I hope I can pump you up to fulfill your own life long dreams!

Awhile back Paul and I went to Montana to visit his brother and I made a little video of our adventure. I absolutely loved it, I think it shows Paul and I's personalities so well, and even our weird goofy side. I am better at telling stories through videos, so enjoy if you'd like to watch, the video is at the bottom of the post!

For those of you who don't know me, I am going to school to be a Graphic Designer. I am just taking art classes at the moment trying to get into the art program and then the Graphic Design Program.
I almost had to transfer schools because my current school almost made it take me 6 years to graduate...for a Bachelors. I went through a week of hell, praying, fasting, demanding, and persistence until I figured it all out. I am still not in the program yet, but I got things figured out, and I don't care how long it takes. I KNOW will get it.

I know Graphic Design is for me. It is what I want to do, and nothing else.
I have never been so sure of something. 
I am 100% and completely and overwhelmingly excited to be a graphic designer.
I sit up at night scrolling through the illustration section of Pinterest.
I jump back and forth between bloggers who have the most inspiring and beautiful designs I could lay my eyes on. I find myself doing tutorials at any moment I have free time on my computer, so I can learn something new on Illustrator or Photoshop. I see something and instantly want to create it, and will do anything to learn how to make it. I love it. It inspires me, it pushes me.
Who knows how long it will take me to graduate from the program.
But I don't care.
I will work a lifetime to to do what I love.
I will just cherish every little step. Every moment I learn a new tool, or dream up a new design.
I will become the designer I aspire to be.


After stalking some of my favorite bloggers I decided to make a little desktop quote shown below.
My creative juices were flowing, and I have miniscule knowledge, so here is my miniscule design.
Happy Late Night Wednesday!



                                                                          Desktop Image Here

If you didn't read my last post, I mentioned that I snagged myself a boyfriend on the Moab trip,
which was a total shocker to me and him.
Before the Moab trip we had about 15 other ideas for spring break from a Cruise, Mexico or just St. George. India, had a friend from high school just return from his mission and came to Utah State, and we had hung out with him once or twice, he was a way good looking guy, but was more on the quiet side so I thought he wasn't interested at all in me.

Three months down the road we all hung out again and the topic of Spring Break came up, we tossed around our ideas, but I didn't think we'd end up going to the same place. So the day before Spring Break, Kaytee and I agreed on Moab and Paul messaged me on Twitter to text him about the trip because his plans fell through. Next thing I knew Paul and I were driving alone back to Draper, to meet up with Kaytee to head to Moab. I thought it was going to be soooo awkward. I had maybe hung with Paul three, all of which we maybe spoke 5 sentences to each other. But the drive was nice, we jammed out to Metro Station and had a little music flash back. Kaytee was still busy by the time we got to Draper, so Paul and I had like a mini, non first, waiting date, that wasn't a date. Confused? Yeah you should be haha

We went to dinner and then I took him to Scheels.. he had never been before.
The conversation was easy, we laughed, had a good time, but I still thought nothing of it. I mean of course I was excited he was coming.... I mean just look at him.
When we got to Moab him and I slept next to each other... Kitty wanting something to happen between us, nothing did obviously. But the next day when we went jeeping me and Paul got squashed in the back basically me sitting on top of him for like 6 straight hours, we got comfortable with each other, and fast.

I realized I liked being close to him, I felt comfortable and safe, I enjoyed his company. So later that night we kissed, and things began to kinda start. We weren't by each other at every moment which was nice, but since we were camping we spent every waking moment with each other. I really got to know him, and him me. I even felt comfortable with him in any situation, especially my looks.
I hadn't showered for week, hadn't brushed my hair, and it was one huge dread. Yet he was still attracted to me? Like could this be the man of my dreams?

So anyways we got back, me having NO IDEA what would happen. I was so questionable if he was someone I would date, and if things would even work out.
That Sunday we drove home together, and we talked about the church and life. He had such a love for what he had to say, and I knew that he was someone I could see myself dating.
That whole week we spent every moment together, and that next Sunday, he said he didn't want to date anyone else, so the beginning of a beautiful relationship started.

Paul treats me like gold. From cooking me dinner, surprising me with breakfast, accepting my love of random photo shoots and all that in-between. We communicate so easily, and are equally extremely weird. The thing I love most though, is the love the he has for the gospel and the amazing faith he has. He is continually an example to me every day.
Currently... our relationship is kinda on hold, with him being gone doing summer sales, and I on my way to Europe for two months, we won't be together for four months.
We didn't fully break up but we thought it would be good for us to date other people this summer and to finish what we set out to do. It's sad but needed, and I really think it will help me grow as a person. I am grateful for him in my life, and if things are meant to be... at the end of Summer we will be back together.