Before I Die...

I am going to see the world. I have considered putting school on hold indefinitely and working and living all over the world. With tuition increases next year, my dream might come true. For one reason or another, these places are on the top of my list.

Indonesia

Africa

Vatican City

New Zealand
(It may or may not be a life goal to see where they filmed The Lord of the Rings)

Jerusalem

Amsterdam - my dad went there yesterday and loved it.

Viva Las Vegas

I can officially say that I have traveled farther south than Provo Utah. In fact, I made it all the through St. George and onto Las Vegas. Thank goodness for Spring Break. A couple of weeks ago I was asking around seeing who was doing what for spring break and who was sticking around, because I, being the world traveler I am, had no plans. Luckily my friend Brady was in the same dilemma and thus we decided we would take a lovely trip down to Vegas. We recruited our friend Hillary to go with us, booked 4 nights at the Palms Hotel and Casino and we were off!
Pretty sweet setup, huh? Oh yeah, while we were there, Playboy had a huge party going on. True story.

Cheese Steaks and Dreams

One of the great things about growing up on the east coast is the proximity to America's historical gems: Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington DC. Some of my best memories are the mini trips my family would go on to these cities. I have a deep love and appreciation for history and I love surrounding myself with places that are so deeply saturated with it. I gained a great sense of pride for this nation and our roots in how we became a nation by visiting these great historical locations. Therefore, it was always a treat to go and play and learn. Here are some pictures of some of the good times.


This picture was when my grandparents came from Wyoming for my high school graduation. It was great to have them. We went to Philly and DC. One of the best places we visited was the Arlington National Cemetery. While we were there we saw the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. There was so much reverence there it might as well have been a sacrament meeting. I loved it.

My grandparents were champs for walking everywhere!

This is a picture overlooking DC with the Washington Memorial in the background. This is the grave site for the man who laid out the city. Don't remember his name, but what a location to be buried!

Here are my favorite things about DC:
1. Cherry Blossoms in the Spring time. The festival is actually at the end of this month.

2. I'm pretty sure I recall having great Chinese food in the Chinatown down there.

3. Arlington National Cemetery. It's such a beautiful place and there definitely is an air of reverence there even with all the people that go walk through it all day every day.

4. The Lincoln Memorial. Something about standing where Dr. King stood and gave his inspiring "I Have A Dream" speech is actually quite humbling.

5. Vietnam War Memorial.

6. Having my dad tell me everything he know about US History. He's the one that instilled that love for history in my heart.

Here are a few of my "Favorite Things" in Philly

1. CheeseSteak. It's a must. Preferably at a hole in the wall type place. I recommend the stand one block away from Independence Hall. It hits the spot.

2. Reading Terminal Market. There is so much going on and I never know where to start. If you can make it for breakfast, DO IT! Look for the Amish people because they make the best breakfast in the city, hands down.

3. Now, venturing away from food... Everything history. Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Old City Philadelphia, Museums, anything and everything. It's worth the time.

4. UPenn - I love the school.

Call Me A Nerd, But...

I love to read anything and everything. Being a college student there is not really much of a choice of reading material other than Tonal Harmony textbooks and the score to Beethoven's 9th Symphony, which nothing short of a masterpiece and that I will be singing on April 25th with Craig Jessop conducting. But I digress. Last summer I made a list of books that I really wanted to read. I perused the New York Times Bestseller's list under fiction, non-fiction, and childrens chapter books (there are gems in there I tell you), and headed over to the Logan Library and hooked myself up with a library card. One of the best things I did all summer. Since then, I've read a ton, but here are some of the favorites:

Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson
(I actually ended up buying a copy. It was worth it.)

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
(the sequel, World Without End, is on my 2009 reading list)


Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
(I bought a copy of this one also. It was also worth it.)


And don't judge me...


Twilight ; New Moon ; Eclipse ; Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer

Now, I'll be the first to admit I was one of those Twilight Bashers and wondered what in the world was so fantastic about this Twilight business. For me, having never read it, it deserved the same attention as those trashy drug store novels with the shirtless men and scantily clad women on the covers. I was very wrong and have changed my ways. I read the first novel last summer and thought that it was all I needed to read because I had heard that it was all downhill from there. I was satisfied, but didn't feel the need to obsess hoping sexy dead vampires would come to bite me. Then I saw the movie with my brother and his girlfriend. And then I needed more. I borrowed New Moon from my cousin over Christmas break and my brother bought me Eclipse and Breaking Dawn for Christmas (he wrapped them in Hannukkah wrapping, bless his heart). Therefore, I read the last three books of the series over Christmas break. Tiffanee and I had a lovely time talking about our favorite parts as she was just a little ahead of me.

As for 2009's Book-List, since I'm starting a bit earlier this year, it is a much more extensive list and I am sure it will be added to frequently seeing as how the NY Times Bestsellers list changes often. On this years list we have such gems as:

The Chronicle's of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
I've seen the play, bawled my eyes out. True Story.

And others like The Lord of the Ring's series by J.R.R Tolkien and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Right now I'm reading People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. So far so good!

So if you have any good recommendations, do not hesitate to send them my way.