Spain: Madrid

Ah, the best weekend ever has came and went. I'm so sad it is over but I had the greatest time with two of my best friends. I am so thankful for these two and all the memories we have shared over the years. We had so much fun just talking, cooking, eating, drinking and being together like the good old days in college. We made our very first Thanksgiving meal for all their Spanish friends which turned out to be a success after a good amount of stress.

haha sorry for this photo it just makes me laugh everytime!

Jaime's poor parents got two seriously panicked skype calls from us concerned about the turkey that we were pretty sure was NOT going to be cooked in time. Just picture two of us holding up the turkey from the oven and Jaime holding up her computer to show her mom so she could diagnose the problem.  Needless to say, she has awesome parents who didn't judge our lack of domestic skills.

After Erin bit off all her nail polish because she was so stressed about the bird, we served up the successfully and thoroughly cooked turkey to their friends (some of whom this was their very first Thanksgiving meal!).

We went out dancing until the wee hours of the morning, stuffed our hangovers with delicious Spanish food and had a wonderful movie night in. Thai take out, Love Actually, PJ's, YouTube videos, and great friends...it was absolutely perfect.

I miss them and Spain so much already. I am seriously considering just moving in with them. It would be magical. Like living at Disneyland everyday.

I can't wait to start planning another trip to visit them in the next year because I know these girls are not leaving Spain any time soon. I love you Erin and Jaime! Thanks for the best weekend ever!

Time Flies

This year has been an adventure. One of the greatest years of my life I am sure of that. It has been full of excitement, challenges, new friends, old friends, love, FUN, traveling, pastry and so much more and it is about to start coming to a close. I can't believe it.

Sometimes it feels like I just arrived here and others it feels like I've been here for ages! It really depends on the day (I'm sure you other expats can relate to that feeling). I have less than two months left in France and it is getting to the point where I am trying to start really planning for my life back in the states. There is so much to do and not enough time to deal with it all, especially form another country.

Photo from my very first day in Paris

I'm having a lot of mixed feelings about moving home. Some days I am so excited to be back with my friends and family and in a comfortable place but other days I wonder how I could ever leave a place like Paris? I'm sure this is a normal thought process at this point but its not always the best feeling. I have accomplished, seen and experienced so much this year but I am always thinking of all the other places I want to see and things I want to do..but lets be honest - that list goes on for DAYS! I just want to do, see and eat everything possible! :)

I've never been good with goodbyes so I know saying farewell to Paris will be heartbreaking but I also know I have amazing things and people waiting for me at home. Paris truly is a moveable feast and I know it will stay with me for the rest of my life. I will always carry this city and this experience in my heart. But for now, I will try to indulge as much as possible for the next 8 weeks! (AH!...scary)

Ferrandi pastry class!

One thing I am very excited about it my upcoming trip to MADRID next month! Two of my best friends live there and I can not wait to spend Thanksgiving weekend with them! I have also loved Spain since I studied abroad in Barcelona in 2008 so I am very excited to go back and stuff my face with patatas bravas and sangria for days.

Granada, Spain circa 2008

Wondering what my plan is for life back in the good old US of A? Let's just say I won't be escaping the cold for too long. After a month of family time in the best place in America - California - I will be moving to Denver to be with Mike and Tay again.

Anyone know anything about the Denver area? I'm clueless!!

my loves

Costa Brava

Can you pin point the greatest experience of your life thus far? I can. 


My summer abroad in Spain was not only the most amazing, fun, exciting, unbelievable experience, it also really changed my perspective on life. I had been going through the hardest year of my life, some really heartbreaking stuff during my junior year in college and I can't tell you how grateful I am for that incredible combination of Me, Katie, Tera, Estrella, cafe con leche, Bea, chocolate croissants, Dow Jones, new friends and the streets of Barcelona that brought me back to life. I really couldn't tell you who I would be today without this experience.


Instead of going into my rant about how much I want to move there forever and live that lifestyle, travel the world and never look back. I think I will just show you some pictures from that amazing summer abroad through Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and France. AKA: the best days of my life.

Ever since I got back (almost three years ago!) I have been dying to go to this Spanish restaurant in Pacific Beach called Costa Brava. 

Finally, this week Mike and I made our way over there. I adore this place. Not only is the food unbelievable and very authentic, the atmosphere is wonderful and really takes me back.

 Mike studied abroad in Spain as well and it really hit home for both of us. We have found "our spot". I highly, highly recommend it. Here is what we ordered the last time we were there:

This is as close to Espana as we can get for now. I miss Europe dearly. I miss my KP and Tdawg even more. Until we can get back across the world, I am thinking we will be regulars here.

What trips have changed your life? What has been your favorite place you have seen so far??