first things first, I'll eat ya brains!

I just realized that I'd be in the process of changing my background and picture last time I posted on here and had I known this is what it looked like, I would've changed it a long time ago.

Anyway, it's been a while since I've gotten to update this from the US of A! I've been parked on my parents couch since Christmas, going in and out of food-induced comas and sleeping. There was a monstrous blizzard yesterday that resulted in about two feet of snow. I took one look outside, with the wind forcefully blowing snow everywhere and resolved to not leaving the house until it was absolutely necessary. Luckily, I've had all the American shows I've missed so dearly living in Holland to entertain me, as well as the shenanigans of the Auguste family.

I'm entering the last week of my holiday in the States, after having already been home for two weeks and it's been absolutely fantastic! Matt is taller than ever, surpassing me by at least 2 inches and he definitely has a few pounds on me. He got braces last week and looks so cute! It will surely help us keep in mind that he's only 12 instead of being deceived by size. It's been great hanging out with him, cracking jokes and doing impromptu karaoke. He's informing me of the all the music I've failed to update myself on and I'm loving every moment of spending time with him. My cousin Tati, is also staying with us over the holidays and she's very sweet and we've passed a lot of hours watching TV on the couch together. We're both obsessed with the show "My Fair Wedding," which I really hope is still around when I'm getting married because the man does great things.

I've really missed being home. I've missed my friends, family, food (my very first stop from the airport was my favorite Chinese food restaurant in my town and don't get me started on how much I disrespected myself during Christmas dinner), television (special shout-out to Netflix and DVR), the nightlife, SHOPPING (I had a really hard time buying Christmas gifts for everyone this year because I saw so many things I wanted/needed/couldn't live without), my town, my hood,  EVERYTHING.

I really wish it was possible to combine the life I love here with the one I love in Holland. I don't hope to be there much longer than another year. As I'm getting older (ew), the time is coming where I should start thinking and formulating definite plans for my future. I'm not saying I'll bother mapping my life out step by step because obviously things don't always work out as planned. But I know that I want to settle down and start a family in the States. Of course, not for another 3-5 years of course, absolutely no rush. But my parents and family are also getting older and I want to spend more time with them doing fun things and I hate missing out on so much of Matt's upbringing. Although I'd love to live in California when I move back to the States (this blizzard has reinforced my hatred for the cold), it'd still be the same country, a cheaper flight home, and less time difference so I could keep in touch more easily. I think Mic would love living out west so no trouble there. I'm sure we'll be happy anywhere so long as we can both do what we want and *sappy statement alert*- we have each other.

The wind is still whistling outside and popcorn and a movie are calling my name. For those of you Stateside and in the tri-state area, I'd love for you to meet me and everyone for dinner in Stamford, CT Saturday, January 1st as we celebrate my last weekend, before heading into NYC to let loose! Message me for details and if I remember, I'll post something about it on here!

never give up, it's such a wonderful life

Home TOMORROW. I still don't think it's really sunk in for me. I can't believe that by this time tomorrow I'll be flying into JFK and reuniting with my family and friends that I've missed so dearly. I'm really ecstatic to see everyone and hug them and share our life experiences in person.

It's strange but I'm actually a bit sad to leave Holland. I've met some wonderful people here that I really love and I will miss them very much while I'm home. I'll miss Mic as well and it will be fantastic to see them again when I'm back. 3 weeks sounds like a while but I'm sure it'll fly by and seem way too short come January 3rd.

Surprisingly I'm already packed and ready to go. I fly out at 2 PM tomorrow and I hope I'm not seated near children because I'm actually quite tired and planning to sleep on the flight. On the way back from Prague we sat in front of some pre-teens who spent the hour-long flight (seemed much longer) talking obnoxiously and slamming their trays into our seats before I turned around and got out of character. I've had good luck with my seats on flights to and from the States so let's keep our fingers crossed.

Well that's pretty much all I have to say for now because soon I'll be able to chat with most of you in person! Can't wait to see everyone and tear up Stamford and NYC and wherever else this holiday season takes me.. it truly is the most wonderful time of the year!!

if this is what we've got, then what we've got is gold

HOMEWARD BOUND DECEMBER 13TH UNTIL JANUARY 3RD!!! SHA. NAN. I. GANS.

I cannot wait to see all of my friends and family that I've missed so dearly. Also can't wait to enjoy my favorite Chinese food (shout out to Panda Garden on High Ridge!), live it up in the city and really enjoy Stamford and the holidays. I've missed it all so very much, ahhhh!! Can't friggin wait! I've been feeling a little down on myself and I think this visit will really help lift my spirits and keep me going.

It's not known to snow in Holland but apparently that's changed.. It snowed earlier this week and has been snowing for the past few hours. It's actually quite pretty and it's been really cute to see Margo react to it.. She's both terrified and intrigued. She's so big and I love her so much, even though she really knows how to make me angry in the morning by purring loudly in my ear, crawling under my hand in attempts to make me pet her and walking over my face if I don't. Krazy Kitty!

I was able to speak to two old friends today that have moved to Hollywood to follow their dreams and figure out who they are. It made my day to hear from them and I love knowing that I'm not the only one taking a huge chance. It definitely makes me reminisce about my college days. I made a fool of myself on so many occasions and Derek will never let me forget it haha! Feels good to laugh about it now and let those memories warm my heart.

I'm looking forward to this weekend even though I think we'll take it very easy. We have to catch up on Dexter and Deadwood which are our current obsessions. We're hoping to make it to the gym and we've reignited our passion for Wii so I'm sure we'll fit that in as well.

I've also gotten into the show Glee, and WOW, those kids are so talented! People like them should have record deals instead of these crap "artists" we have out nowadays. Here's a clip. Ending is in Espanol, lo siento**

didn't wanna be anyone's ghost

**Disclaimer: I wrote this post on November 19th and never published it**

Not only have I been neglecting my blog, but yesterday I discovered that it was my first time visiting the gym in the entire month of November! For someone who'd been abusing their class selection, pool and sauna on a daily basis, this is absurd! But these past few weeks were absolute bliss and I'm completely okay with the weight I've surely gained.

Damaly left yesterday after arriving on November 4th. Days have never flown by as fast. We kicked off her arrival with a weekend in Amsterdam with Lizzy and some of other friends, exploring and getting social. It was a great to have some girl time and have my two worlds meet. We took a day to rest before traveling to BERLIN, GERMANY! This has ranked among our top 10 list of places to visit so we were ecstatic to go and Berlin did not disappoint!

Not only were we blown away by the nightlife, but the Berlin is so rich in history and culture. It's amazing to be walking the streets where so many important figures walked and infamous events happened. Standing over Hitler's bunker (now a parking lot) and thinking about this little man that shaped so much of what we read about in our history books was really moving. Seeing parts of the Berlin Wall that divided people and their families.. it really blows your mind. Truth really is stranger than fiction.

Next stop, PRAGUE! What a beautiful and romantic city! I'm horrible with posting pictures on time but we took some great shots and it was the best feeling ever to be with two of the people I love the most in this entire universe. Bonus, we all got along really well and by the end of the weekend we were all addicted to Absinthe. What a wonderful way to get the party started. You pour a shot of Absinthe into a glass, heat up a spoonful of brown sugar with a lighter, stir it into the glass, light the drink on fire (great visual effect since Absinthe is green), put the fire out with a coaster and quickly take the shot.. FanFrigginTastic!! B52 shots are even better.. Absinthe mixed with Bailey's.. YUM.

We relaxed for a few days when we got back before ending the trip with a relatively fun dinner the night before she left. I was very sad to see her go.

But luckily I'll be home very soon to see her and all of you very soon.. LOVE YOU!!!