First: On my google reader today, I stumbled upon The Hopsicle Experience. Beginning today, this place is selling BEER POPSICLES. It’s so ridiculous I that I can’t not try it.

Reason #2 why I’m so excited is only semi-related. This week, I finally earned my Southwest Companion Pass. For those of you who don’t live out of a suitcase like I do, that basically means I’ve flown a bajillion flights this year (100?) and reached the highest status where for the next 14 months, on every flight I fly, i can take someone (my “companion”) with me for free! on EVERY FLIGHT. I realize this is much more useful to someone who is not eternally single, as I am, but I’m thrilled nonetheless. In addition the the pass, I’ve accummulated about 10 free flights over the past few months and will be using one to fly to NYC. Score.

So, if you want to explore the USofA, let me know. Starting now, I’m looking for fun friends to explore the country with. xoxo.

So, I’m going to be homeless in a few weeks unless I act quickly. But I literally cannot force myself to look at one more apartment, let alone find the time to do so. I’ve already looked at 100 apartments and don’t want to live in any of them. I swear I’m not even being picky. I just want a place to myself, in a good safe area, with decent closet space. That’s it. No more roommates ever.

Ok, so I’m being a drama queen. Sue me. I’m frustrated. I’m sure you can relate. I hope someone can relate. Because this is obnoxious and I’ll take any sympathy I can scrounge up. Thanks.

Today, I got to go again, lucky me. I did a day cruise with 14 coworkers on 2 boats and we raced around the lake. My boat won, so Captain Jim gave us all free lessons. GAME ON.

This is all very exciting for me because I love the whole culture of sailing. In the past 3 days I’ve learned an entire new dictionary of words I’d never heard before. Best part was, I don’t have to feel like a poser anymore when I wear my beloved sperrys, because now I know how to tie 100 knots, raise the jib, tack, and generally stay alive on a sailboat.

So now I can knock learning to sail off my bucket list, and it feels great. I already can’t wait to get back out on the water, and am actually thinking about buying some sort of unlimited package so I can go out anytime I want. I wish I had the kind of life where I didn’t have to go to an office and could just live and work on a boat, but for now, this will do . Happy sails!

Don’t even try to tell me you didn’t get chills watching that.

Try to get me to buy those shoes I LOVE, but can’t afford because I’m paying off my loans. I never will. (Or, I’ll crack, buy them, feel guilty, and return them. Either way, I won’t end up with the shoes).

Sounds like I have willpower, right? Strength of mind? Like I have total control over myself and my emotions? Then why, no matter how hard I try, can I not keep myself from ordering dessert when I’m out for dinner? Or watching a rerun of a show I’ve seen a million times. Or why can I not stop myself from ordering that millionth drink when I’m out on a saturday night? I’m a walking contradiction.

So, starting tomorrow, I’m flipping things around. I’m going to give myself permission to enjoy life a little bit more. Take more chances, not worry about my budget, let the little things slide, live in excess (in moderation). BUT, as a tradeoff, I’m going to transfer that willpower to other aspects of my life. No more giant portions at every meal, no more splurging on temporary pleasure. I’m in in for the long haul. Let’s get healthy. And happier. Together. Starting tomorrow.

Austria was no big deal, the town we were in smelled SO bad I couldn’t stand to be outside and Backos and I slept pretty much the whole time we were there hahah.

On the way to prague we stopped at a concentration camp. it was so miserable. It was the kind of place that you are so happy to be at because you can literally feel the experience changing you and your views on the world while you are there, but at the same time, every second you spend in it, you have the urge to run out as fast as you can. We had to watch a movie that made me want to cry for 8 years straight and never allow myself to complain about anything ever again. It’s something I will always remember.

Prague was so pretty though! It looks like Disneyworld. All the builidngs are really old and beautiful, but they all look BRAND NEW. They are so clean. In prague we went to the absinthe bars and then to the 5 story night club there, its the biggest one in central europe and its actually the one in the movie Eurotrip (except in the movie its in another city). It was ridiculous. Each floor had its own bar and club with crazy lights and out of control dancing. We spent most of the night on the techno floor. So fun. I loved that city. the castle district is beautiful, and we even caught a random festival in the Old Town Square, great timing! And I bought myself a present for the first time- some cool pictures for my new Chicago apt. . wooo!

Now we are in Berlin and its so surreal to be nearing the end. I was super excited for this city- its so different from most of europe because its pretty much all new. We went on a tour this morning and learned all about ww2 and how basically every building in the city was bombed. Nothing here is really more than 30 years old. Last night we went to a karaoke bar again, obvi my favorite. It wase great fun. And Pedro sang me ‘A whole new world’ in spanish the whole way home haha. I love it. There are some really funny people on this trip with us. Tonight we have a pub crawl and we all have shirts that say I love Berlin with a picture of David Hasselhoff on them hahaha. So exciting.

Then we are off to Amsterdam, London and home! Im having so much fun, but im super excited to get back. I miss not paying for restrooms, having my own bed, cooking my own food, mary, etc. I cant wait to start running again, working at the doah, and to pick out my apt in Chicago! So much to look forward to when I get back. Im much more antsy and excited to get home than backos and kay because they both dont have any plans at home until they start work. But i feel like I have so much to look forward to at home toooooo. yay!

Hard to believe there is only 1 week left!

Life is lovely. Who could complain about spending the day meandering around Venice and its 150 canals? I feel so lucky. I even got to run into one of my favorite people ever outside of St. Marks Square- Neal Bhagat! So far here, Ive seen Dan Kidle, Mike Spads, Kristin & Olivia, and Neal. Its a small world after all. Didnt get to see Jenny bc she had an allergic reaction and had to stay in bed. booooooooooooo. I stayed at the campsite the whole day that day with some friends just laying by the pool, then went into Rome at night and Backos and I ended up playing our own little game of angels and demons with Chris and Jagan. We traveled to all Romes good sites and had a bottle of wine at each. Then we came back and went to the bar. I had such a blast. My favorite thing about Europe is how cheap the wine is hahah.

Anyway, tonight we are having a toga party and i cannot wait! Its our group plus another group who is on a 7 week camping trip. i could NEVER do that. But Im excited to play with them. We are going to collect leaves in a few to decorate ourselves hahah. Then we have to be up at the crack of dawn again to travel to Austria!!!!!!

Things are good overall. Bachmos, Kay and I are a good trio. Only tough thing is how much i miss my phone, my internet, my mom, and my grandmas dolma. and the fact that i feel like i am contantly dirty. I packed so horribly for this trip lol. I literally brought only tank tops. 1 tshirt, 1 pair of shorts, and 3 dresses. In the first few cities, i was freezing cold and hated what i packed. and now im so hot and hate what i packed lol. every city in Italy has been over 32 degrees. aka, close to 100. im dying. i basically wear the same thing every day, but im scared to do laundry because of the fiasco we caused when we tried to do it in switzerland hah.After spending about $15 worth of swiss francs each, kaylins laundry was still soaked and covered in suds, locked in the dryer, and backos and i had to hang our clothes all over the cabins for the next 3 days because nothing would dry. And now everything kind of smells….. Eurotrips are not hygenic. Oh well, its all in a days fun.

Anywayyyyyyyyyyy, miss you all lots!! see you so soon 12 more days!