Today is the day. The semester is over. The graduates have graduated. Finals have been taken. My room in East Quad is now empty and my room at my parent's house is so full of boxes that I probably won't be able to sleep there tonight. I've had to say good bye to so many wonderful people for the summer or forever, and it's been breaking my heart. There are just so many endings. But all sorts of beginnings, as well.  Alaina, her friend Jessie, and I will be ta...

Now for the big stuff. What I learned from my first backpacking experience in Europe: -Life is a rollercoaster. Sometimes you're waiting in line, sometimes you're at the top of the hill, sometimes you're rushing downward at 100 miles per hour. Take it all in. the best part isn't always the rush. -There is no right answer. Sometimes you just have to make the decision you can live with. -Travel brings out the best and worst in people. Embrace one, forget the ot...

Leaving today for my first European adventure!!!! So excited! At the same time, it sort of feels like I'm waiting in line for a roller coaster--I'm nervous, excited and still can't believe what I'm about to do. I've never even been on a plane before! We bought these plane tickets about a week after Becky mentioned that she wanted to go to Europe. She found a deal that ended in two days, so we bought the tickets about 24 hours later. Definitely the craziest thing ...