hello there.

I'm backkkkk from an amazing, incredible, wonderful, super fun trip to 

Paris and London!

I will definitely update my blog with stories and photos from the trip, but I 

have so much to do in the next two weeks, school wise.

The updates may come slowly, but stay tuned because I will get back into the swing of things soon!

As for now, follow me on bloglovin!

xo

tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow.

I cannot believe it's finally here...tomorrow I am flying to Paris to visit Grant!

{For those of you who don't know, Grant is my boyfriend of over a year. I spent last semester studying abroad in London, and two weeks after I came home, he was off for a semester abroad in France}

{Saying goodbye in September, before I left for London}

I have been waiting for this trip since the end of December! I feel incredibly blessed to be able to go back to Europe, and I am so thankful! I am ecstatic to also go back to London for a few days, and show Grant my city! {If you read this, you'll learn that I quickly learn how much I love London!}

I will not be blogging for the next week and a half, but I cannot wait to share photos and stories when I get back! 

{I was seriously so blessed that my parents and sister could
come visit me last semester!}

{Some of the wonderful friends I made from all over the United States!}

{The cutest little taxi I ever did see! I apologize for the poor quality—it was taken with a phone}

{Waving goodbye to Ben in December. I cannot wait to see him again!}

xo

c a l i f o r n i a

This weekend, I drove.

I drove 2.5 hours home from school...

1 hour from home to a winery for a tasting event with my dad, 

and 1 hour back home...

1 hour to Sacramento to meet with my lovely London friends, 

then another hour home...

1 hour almost to Sacramento again, for dinner at a new restaurant 

with my parents, and back home...

and then 2.5 hours back up to school!

{Lunch with Jess and Megan—our first time hanging out in America!}

I had a wonderful weekend at home with my family and friends, and I obviously spent too much time in the car between Friday and Sunday. 

But oh.my.goodness. California is absolutely stunning this time of year!

The drive to the winery was beautiful—we drove East through the foothills, which I do almost every summer when we go camping, and the hills are always dry and brown. However, I have never been up there during March. The hills were green as could be, and went on for miles & miles. It was so beautiful! 

{I almost felt like I was in Wales again!}

Driving back to school was gorgeous as well. It was a clear day, so driving through the bay was perfect!

I feel so blessed to be able to live in such a beautiful place. 

I love how I can drive only one hour or less, and see completely different, but equally stunning landscapes in such a short distance.

I love California, and am thankful to call it my home. 

#5: a good morning.

I am thankful for mornings like this:

Sleeping in, just a little bit.

Pink tulips.

A sit-down breakfast, rather than the oh-so-common rushed bowl of cereal, 

or even worse—having to grab a nutrition bar and run out the door.

And skyping my favorite boy, while he is all the way on the other side of the world.

{By the way, I leave for Paris in 7 days!!!!

 I absolutely cannot wait to visit Grant!}

words.

Hawk Nelson's song "Words" is one of my new favorites! The lyrics have stuck with my since the first time I heard it, and it has been serving as that classic, but oh-so-important reminder for me to "always think before you speak."

My favorite line of the song is: "I don't wanna say a word, 

unless it points the world back you to.

Perfect, right?

Always remember how powerful your words are, my friends! 

A simple word can make or break a person's whole day.

They've made me feel like a prisoner // They've made me feel set free // They've made me feel like a criminal // Made me feel like a king // They've lifted my heart // To places I'd never been // And they've dragged me down // Back to where I began // Words can build you up // Words can break you down // Start a fire in your heart or put it out // Let my words be life // Let my words be truth // I don't wanna say a word // Unless it points the world back to you // You can heal the heartache // Speak over the fear // God, Your voice is the only thing // We need to hear // Let the words I say // Be the sound of your grace // I wanna speak Your love // Not just another noise // Oh, I wanna be Your light // I wanna be your voice // Words can build us up // Words can break us down // Start a fire in our heart // Or put it out // I don't wanna say a word // Unless it points the world back to You

#4.

Today, I am thankful for:

Pink tulips on the coffee table—there's nothing better than fresh flowers to brighten up a room!

A dwindling countdown until spring break—I absolutely cannot wait to visit Grant in Paris and go back to my favorite city, London of course!

Self-discipline—nothing feels better than going for a run.

A new book from a good friend—more on this later!

Online shopping—or should I not be thankful for this? It's sooo tempting, but nothing is more fun than "just looking" at spring clothes! I adore this, this, this, 

and I am secretly loving these.

Old photos—I always love reminiscing and looking through photographs from high school and the beginning of college.

New, yummy finds from Trader Joe's—seriously, that store never lets me down!

Hope your week is off to a wonderful start! xo

#3.

Meet Alexis.

{New Year's Eve, 2011}

Today, I am thankful for Skype conversations, catching up, 

and this girl.

Alexis is one of my very best friends.

But we never  rarely talk.

I know, right? It's weird.

We met in 8th grade, were best friends from 8th grade throughout high school, and now she goes to school in Southern California, and I am going to school in Northern California.

{Circa 8th grade. Please note the awkwardness and weird lime green shirts.} 

She's amazing—this girl does so much, and is a sweet, hilarious friend to so many people. In other words, she's super involved at her school.

I also am busy, and so we rarely get to talk. 

Okay let's be honest...we could both use some major improvement in the 

keeping-in-touch department.

But seriously. It does not even matter that we don't talk often, because when we do, it's as if nothing has changed. 

I truly believe that a big reason that I am the person I am today, is because of Alexis' influences on me. {Two quick examples: she convinced timid little 8th grade me to try-out for cheerleading for our freshman year of high school. I ended up cheering all 4 years, and my high-school years are some of my favorite memories in the world. They would seriously not have been the same without her. 

Also, she encouraged me to study abroad, 

which was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.}

Alexis is an incredible example of a Godly woman, as she lives out her faith every day and holds me accountable, while she encourages me to do the same.

We finally were able to catch up via Skype yesterday, 

and I could not have been happier. 

{Sophomore year winter formal—so many hilarious stories behind this formal}

{Twin day, sophomore year of high school. Denim skirts, and Uggs...enough said.}

{Football game, sophomore year}

{I convinced Alexis to audition for dance...}

{...and she encouraged me to try out for cheer!}

{Senior year prom}

{Sophomore year of college—Giants game in SF!}

{Ugly sweater Christmas party, 2011}

Love you LexiL0042 {throwback!} I am so, so ecstatic for this summer! 

infinite x's and o's.