O H I O yall!

Though I am originally from Slidell, La., Ohio is where my family is. Being a military a military brat has sent me all over, but for some unknown reason they decided to settle in Dayton, Ohio.... for now...

So, early Tuesday morning me and my little cousin got in the car for a nice long 12 hour to the good ol' 937.. Oh and was it stressful! The last time I drove up it was stressful because I wasnt sure how to get home, but the way down was the easiest drive ever! BUT! the whole way up I drove in a constant rainy mist. It wasnt really rain but not yet a drizzle. IT WAS A W F U L !! Every car in America was on the road for the Holidays and though I only got stuck in traffic in Nashville, I went a constant 70 the whole way to Ohio -__-

The most stressful part was the drive from Nashville to Louisville... I seriously contemplated turning around and renting a hotel... it was a little too much.

My favorite part though was stopping in Bowling Green, Ky (Home of Fruit of the Looms and the National Corvette Museum) to my great friend Hanna! I love getting to see her!! Even if it was just a couple of minutes...

What I Love the most is being home. No matter how stressful the drive was...

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!!

Throw Back Thursday: Pisa!

Sorry guys, you're going to have to bare with me... being a college student can be rough sometimes and I am trying to do a TBT post every week... even if I end up posting it at 3:00 am Friday morning....

This week, we will be throwing back to the wonderful, small, noting but a leaning tower of a town called Pisa! And yes I will re iterate... S M A L L and NOTHING BUT A LEANING TOWER of a town.....

An Original Picture by yours truly.

Hopefully you didn't blink too fast! What you see in this picture, is what you get!! No lie... 

  The leaning tower of Pisa is in this little Walled in town... like most of italian villages... and there is absolutely nothing there! There are tons of shopping vendors... like most villages and then the tower. I have gone multiple times and yes I would love to go back, but at most it will take you a hour to explore all that it offers! 

 I have done everything from scavenger hunts to just site seeing! No, I did not climb the tower... for 80 euros I did not find it worth it. Plus, it was shut down 3 out of the 4 times I have gone. I would not be surprised if it was still shut down... Italians take FOREVER on construction! 

The church behind this Duomo was very interesting, but once you've seen it and heard it's history... going three more times makes it loose its wow factor... 

 For a quick/brief historical description of Pisa, I stole a paragraph written by freelance writer, Michael Figueiredo's blog, http://struxtravel.com ! Go check it out!!

"The Italian city of Pisa is known the world over for its famous “Leaning Tower.” In fact, it’s probably one of the most recognizable structures anywhere.  What many people don’t realize is that it’s actually only part of a larger complex that includes three other beautiful and interesting sights. Set in the park-like Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles), the Torre Pendente is the freestanding bell tower for the city’s cathedral, known as the Duomo. Construction on the spectacular white and gray marble Duomo was begun in 1064, over a century before the tower was even started. Unfortunately, due to poor foundations, the infamous tower began leaning to the side within five years of construction. Engineers tried to compensate for the tilt by building the upper levels with one side taller than the other. Because of this, the tower is actually slightly curved. On the opposite side of the Duomois the Baptistery, the largest in all of Italy, with architectural elements of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Finally, adjacent to these buildings is the Camposanto, a cemetery where the nobility of Pisa were buried centuries ago. Interestingly, the earth used in the Camposanto was brought over from the Holy Land by the shipload during the Crusades. The entire Campo dei Miracoli (also known as Piazza del Duomo) is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its beauty and historical value." - Micheal Figueiredo 

College.. Yada Yada...Stress... Blah Blah...

    Writing a blog really excited me at first... and yes it still does, but this past week has definitely kept me discouraged... Almost everyday I've come up with really good ideas, but just never  sat day and wrote them. Its pretty safe to say, procrastination is my best skill. I finally decided, that I just need to go away from the campus and the thoughts of studying and write down a blog plan and start my new post! I ran away to this cute little coffee shop! CARPE DIEM!!  and Yes, though I'm seizing the day by actually starting stuff, the coffee place is actually called Carpe Diem. Its this cute little coffee place in Mobile on Old Shell road. Right across from Spring Hill College! I've been told its where all the future doctors hang out, so girls I would head over here and make it your new favorite place! (; Though I haven't met any guys yet, its still a calm/fun atmosphere to studying in. There are tons of tables and all together its just a chill atmosphere. While you're here, buy one of their delicious drinks! My favorite are the Caramel Macchiatos and the Jumpy Monkey Mocha! Both sugary,but soooo good! Also while you're here, browse their tiny gift shop for some coffee accessories or coffee beans! 

MoTown: Carpe Diem!

Acceptance.

Growing up a military brat has taught me a lot of things when it comes to acceptance. Just because of your skin color, language, or customs does not mean I will not accept you.

Diversity has been something so ingrained in my life that anything different would just be bizarre. Things being the same is so foreign to me, that I look for stuff new and unaccustomed. My only constant  my whole life has been God and my family. Friends come and go. Even the greatest person in your life will fade away and become a stranger.

I've learned through my nineteen years of life that you have to make friends and talk to people no matter the situation. I've had black best friends, Hispanic, and white. When people say they don't  like said races, I get really confused. Yeah maybe their ways of doing things maybe different, but the way my family might act is probably way different then the white family down the road.

Living in Italy really opened me up to different cultures and people. I went to an American school that was pretty much international and I played sports with locals. Everyone is different. My family, is a Christian family who didn't curse or drink, but the family next door that did we got along fine with. Just because you're different, doesn't mean you can't be someones friend.

Being a military brat has talk me diversity is perfect. Why would you want a whole base full of families just like yours? When you move around a lot, you make friends with whoever, whenever. If you worry about color or type, it will be time to move again and then what? What would you get out of not accepting different people? Nothing.

I have been blessed to be raised to accept everyone and everything.

Nomadic Love.

Today I realized something I've known all along. I am not made to be in one place my whole life.

My whole life all I have wanted is to travel the world and see new places! I don't care how I get to these destinations, but I am going to get there! My mind has been mad, I can't change it for anything. And in all honesty, I don't care what I have to do to achieve this.. Yes, marrying a European or Military man would be preferred(; BUT! I am willing to take anything to see this fabulous, adventurous, oh so mysterious world God has created!

I realized tonight that no one will be able to take this itch away. This sounds silly, but I was interested in this guy.. (Oh no, I know....) and he was interested in me too.. He's a great guy and all, a Christian, cute, and athletic.. Perfect huh? But he decided he wanted to be a school teacher and coach basketball.........

Now that is fine and all, but being a teacher 90% of the time means you're stationary.... NOT NOMADIC.
This would be okay and all if he thrived to travel... which he doesn't...
I knew right away this was not going to work for us! He might be great, but I need an adventurous nomadic man to live my life out with! I need someone who is okay with catching trains at 3:00 am just so we can end up in southern Italy by 10:00 am the next day. I need someone who is kind and sweet, but knows how to push through a crowd to get to a destination. I need someone cultured, and well aware of of the world around them... not just their small itty bitty hometown. I need a nomad who isn't afraid of just seeing what could happen.

Now, I know what you're thinking... "Traveling isn't for everyone." You're correct! But me being with a stationary guy would mean me not doing what I dream of. And whats the point of marrying someone if they can't make you happy and H E L P you fulfill your dreams? I want a backpacking buddy, not a cuddle buddy. 

I need a nomadic love. 

MoTown: Art Walk On Dauphin Street

  

Well, tonight was definitely fun! I love going down town!

Tonight me and the roommate went to downtown Mobile to the Art Walk they have! Its every second Friday of each month! And the great thing about it, its free!! As a college student, the word F R E E is ALWAYS a selling point... and we had to go for one of our classes...  We had fun though!

Most walls have some mural on them!

 When I think Art Walk, I imagine sidewalk chalk art, people who draw pictures of you, paintings.. usual artiest stuff. Though they had some of those things, I wasn't expecting what we saw. I am not saying it wasn't fun! But! It was more like jewelry, pottery, and some painters!

We also got to go into the local boutiques, which is always my favorite! Shopping is always fun... even if you're a broke college student like me... 

This was a perfect activity to do! It was completely free! Which is always the best thing when you're a college student! I seriously love down town Mobile at night! Its so lively and pretty! I suggest anyone to go down on Dauphin Street if they get the chance! Its right around the corner from the Civic Center and just driving past the Historic Homes is fun! I am so I glad I chose this city to attend school at! It definitely over looked when people should be loving it and exploring it!

Throw Back Thursday: Italian Boys

 Before I moved to Italy I was told the Italian boys were going to be gorgeous , dazzling, enchanting... they were wrong. The boys were far from dazzling! They were smelly, touchy, and rude! Now granted, I was in middle school and interacted with middle school Italian boys. None the less, I was NOT interested in them. They were some what obnoxious and wayyyy too smelly for me! Other nationalities though, yes! They were all very gorgeous, but I just never could over the smelly ol' Italian boys.

Creeper shot from a bowling ally

Italian Boys in Florence, Italy

Now, I am a 19 year old in college and would LOVE to date an Italian boy! I find them gorgeous, dazzling, enchanting! Everything I had heard about them BEFORE Italy, I think of them now. I wish I could date an Italian now! Why? I am not really sure. Is it because I know I can't have them? Because they are something foreign and new? From the picture above, you could maybe see why I was not too fond of the foreign guys.. So why am I so attracted to them now??

I can not wait to go back to Italy and finally meet Italian guys and see what all the fuss is now that I am older!

This will be me one day♥

My Love for Traveling knows no limits.

Here are just a few quick travel blogs that I have fell in love with!

• http://cherylhoward.com/ -This blog is a place for the adventurous, free spirited souls out there looking to experience it to the fullest. Ultimately, Cheryl hopes to inspire you to travel more or even move abroad
• http://www.aroundtheworldin80jobs.com/ -Turner blogs about him traveling around the world doing odds and ends kind of jobs.
• http://blonde-gypsy.com/ - This blog is one my absolute favorites! I can really relate to her and I envy all the places she has been!
• http://www.backpacking-travel-blog.com/ -backpacking tips!
• http://www.backpacksandbunkbeds.co.uk/ -Has great tips on staying at Hostels!
• http://herpackinglist.com/ - HANDS DOWN MY FAVORITE SITE! Has so much information/tips/ideas -- everything! I cant get enough of this site!!

First Day Jitters

Well today was the first day of my Bridge Program! I'm not going to lie, I was pretty nervous.

Okay Picture this: You live some wheres for four years with your family, then one day you just leave it all behind for a new exotic, foreign like, hot place for a month. Everything is new. You are all by yourself.

Welp, thats whats going on with me right now.

I left Dayton, Ohio to attend the University of South Alabama! Its hot, Humid, and everything new. Yes, this is what I wanted and yes, I knew what I was getting into, but truth be told, I miss my family already.

Growing up as an Air Force Brat trained me for this day. All I know is starting over. You think I would be use to it... but one thing that I always had that I don't have now is my Family. They are the one constant (other then God) that I have always had. They are my rock and my comfort. I am seriously going to miss them the most!

Okay, lets talk about Day one. Day one has been a little weird. I moved in.... in the pouring rain... I went into my dorm room thinking I had no roommate... Now I do. Her name is Hannah. She is also a military (Army) brat! Its good that we both come a similar background. She is from Virginia so she knows how it feels to be away from her family..
Now our dorms.. They are pretty Big, but they are DISGUSTING! We cleaned but they are still so gross... I don't know what we are going to do... I wish my mom was here to help me!!

Well, that is it for tonight! I will keep you guys updated!