Roadtrip of 2010

After many a sleepless night of pondering what to do about Alaska, I've decided it's time to drive there. Thankfully I have two amazing friends who support the idea and are willing to split costs with me. Thus the planning stages begin!
The tentative itinerary:
Day 1:
Home Sweet Home to Portland (13 hrs)
Day 2:
Portland
Day 3:
Portland to Seattle (3 hrs)
Day 4:
Seattle to Prince George, Canada (11 hrs)
Day 5:
Prince George to Fort St John (5 1/2 hrs)
Day 6:
Fort St John to Watson Lake (10 1/2 hrs)
Day 7:
Watson Lake to Whitehorse (5 hrs)
With a pitstop at the Liard River Hotsprings Provincial Park. (2nd largest hotspring in Canada)
Day 8:
Whitehorse to Tok, Alaska (8 hrs)
Day 9:
Tok to Girdwood (8 1/2 hrs)
Day 10 or 11:
Girdwood to Denali (6 1/2 hrs)

My start date is set for May 10th and my friends and I are hoping to find a cabin this year and live off campus. So I'd like to get to Denali by the 8th or 9th and get settled in. So we'll see but I'm getting excited!

A Julie and Julia Night

After living in Paris for four months and falling in love with basically everything about it, friends kept telling me that I needed to watch Julie and Julia. So tonight as I stood in the wind and rain and scanned through the options on the redbox machine, I added it to my cart and paid the dollar rental fee. When I got home, I put the dvd in, cuddled up on the couch with a blanket and turned off the lights. As it began with Julia Child in Paris, I couldn’t help but whimper at the site of the charming streets that I miss so much. I giggled to myself over the things Julia would say as she adapted to her new lifestyle and attempted to learn French. It brought back so many memories of myself trying to communicate with my elementary vocabulary to the Parisiens. Sometimes I just felt like I was making an ass out of myself but didn’t know how to do it any other way. Do we call those growing pains? I’m not quite sure.
One memory that comes to mind was a night that Jason and I walked to the nearest Grec Restaurant. While I was paying, Jason went to the restroom to wash his hands and the man at the register began speaking to me. I nervously attempted to converse, stammering as I talked. He was asking me what I was doing in Paris and where I came from. When I told him les etats-unis he began asking me more questions about home. He wanted to know if it was as diverse as Paris, at least that’s what I thought he was asking. So I enthusiastically was telling him yes and that we have all kinds of nationalities in the United States similar to Paris. He didn’t seem to believe me and as the conversation continued I was praying for Jason to get out of the bathroom and save me. When he finally appeared, he had a big grin on his face. He later admitted that after he had washed his hands, he heard the man and I talking so he took his time giving me the opportunity to practice my French. I asked him if I was answering the questions correctly and he said that I did fine. I hated those moments because I was so scared of making a fool of myself but looking back on it, that’s how I learned. Sounds cliché, I know. But the whole reason I’m writing this entry is completely cliché. After finishing the movie I was inspired by the story of Julia Child, Julie Powell, and the scenes of Paris to sit down and write!
Lately I’ve been contemplating what my goals and aspirations in life are. I realize that I need to finish school at some point but I’m not feeling very rushed at the moment. As May nears, I prepare for my third summer working in Alaska and I wonder what’s next? Do I come home early and go back to school at UVU? Or… do I follow my dream of finding a job in Paris and moving back? Obviously, the latter is winning. So if life goes as planned, which it never does…eight months from now I’m going to be back in Paris, sitting at a corner café enjoying an expensive cappuccino and writing about life. I just want to go back and write.
My biggest regret is not writing enough while I lived there. I justified it by a lifestyle on the go. Traveling every weekend I could, added to the twelve hours of French class a week, which didn’t even include the hours of studying. Plus all the while working on my online course of British Literature. The thing is, life never slows down. We’re always busy being consumed with school, work, family, etc. etc. I’m nearly 25 and I’m still trying to master the art of prioritizing my time. In my numerology report, it all too accurately described me by saying, “You are about freedom, independence and the right to follow where your heart and gut-instincts lead you in life. You are an inquisitive soul with many questions that can only be answered through travel, exploration and experiencing a variety of life situations”… “One of your challenges is learning how to not waste time.”
This is one challenge that I battle on a daily basis but if I can organize and prioritize what’s important to me, less time will be wasted, right? Now where’s my to-do list...

Oh. p.s.
I finally got my grades from Paris. I received a 'B' in my French class. Go me.

Trip to the east coast and back

I'm back from my visit to Baltimore. I was scheduled to leave Feb.9th but due to the insane snowstorms on the east coast all flights were canceled. I rescheduled for Thursday the 11th and thankfully the weather cooperated in time for my arrival at 11:00 pm. It was great to see Jason again. One of the first things he said was, "It's weird because now we're going to have to be quiet when we bad talk people since now they can understand us." C'est vrai. It was refreshing to be around him, I had almost forgotten how much fun we have together.
Since Jason doesn't have his drivers license I had the privilege to drive everywhere while there which was an interesting experience. Not only because it was in a city I've never been but also because the already narrow streets were even more narrow due to the snow build up on the sides. Jason was able to experience the "Bree doesn't like getting lost, especially whilst driving" temper. Not really fun for anyone. (Sorry Jase.) But we both survived and I was attempting to learn the confusing freeway system there before I left. I wasn't there for very long but was able to do a lot with my time while there.




We went to DC for an evening and Jason's uncle gave me a driving tour of the city and even took me into Arlington, Virginia to see the cemetery and view of the city from the hill. Very cool. Later in the week Jason and I took the train into DC and spent the day. We had a tour of the Capitol, visited the Library of Congress, Ford Theater, walked as close as we could to the White House and Washington Monument then walked around the Smithsonian Museum. I loved seeing DC in the daylight and have decided that I can see myself living there someday. Definitely a fun city with a lot going on.



Jason and I also took the megabus to NYC and spent a day. Unfortunately it snowed pretty much the entire time we were there but it was still such a cool experience. It was crazy to walk around Time Square and see all the tall buildings! We decided to take a tour of the NBC Studios and while we were viewing the SNL stage, Will Forte was practicing a skit. (Love him!) Afterwords we attended a new play on broadway featuring Christopher Walken "A Behanding in Spokane". It was only the second night after opening and I was totally star struck when the curtains opened and I saw Mr. Walken himself on the stage. The man is mad talented.

After the show Jason and I stood outside by the stage door and watched all the celebrities walk by. Christopher Walken, Sam Rockwell, Timothy Hutton, Carey Mulligan, and last but not least John Krasinski with his fiance Emily Blunt... None of them really struck me as the friendly type. I was disappointed but not surprised.. I mean, if being recognized by people in the streets everywhere you go is your biggest problem in life... boo-freakin-hoo. After the celebs climbed into their big black escalades and drove off, Jason and I walked to Charley O's and grabbed some dinner then caught the bus back to Baltimore.
The city of Baltimore itself was not what I had envisioned. I guess I was imagining a more public transportation friendly city with less scary neighborhoods. Then again, I'm from Utah... But it was definitely a fun trip and I look forward to going back. I don't think I could ever live in Baltimore but I think I'd enjoy DC or even NYC. In the end, it didn't matter where I went or what I did as long as I was with Jason. Because really we can have fun anywhere. Even if it's just eating lunch at Panera's. :-)
I was scheduled to fly home on the 20th but to my surprise when I showed up at the airport Delta told me that my ticket was invalid. After making several phone calls and trying to speak with a native English speaker, I had missed my flight. So I went back to Jason's and tried to sort out the mess. After an hour long phone call I was re-booked for the 22nd, which gave me two more days in Baltimore. Quite perfect really since I had lost two days due to the previous snowstorms. Karma was giving back.
It was a great adventure and I'm already looking forward to going back. (Hopefully next time will be less snow and more sun.)

Tick-tock. Time doesn't stop.

I can't believe that it's already January 21st!!! Where did all the time go? When I think about flying home next week, I experience all kinds of mixed emotions. First is sadness. I've truly grown to love Paris and have become so accustomed to the lifestyle here. I love the convenience of taking the metro or walking everywhere. I love all the boulangeries. It's perfect to walk down the street, buy a fresh baguette and munch on it as you wander around. Oh, how I'll miss these boulangeries... I love the French buildings and how EVERYTHING in Paris is tiny. I love walking around on a beautiful day and feeling impressed by everything I see. Sometimes I forget where I am. Then I see the incandescent glow of the sun as it sets across the city and have a moment of beautiful silence. Yes, the city can be dirty and sometimes smell really bad but it's still so beautiful and charming. I really think I could spend the rest of my life here.
Then I begin to think about going home and seeing my friends, family, grandparents, two beautiful nephews- who have grown so much since I've been gone! - and I get excited! Between my Alaska and Paris adventures, I only had a week at home. So it feels like it has been ages since I've spent time with everyone. Being away has made me appreciate the little comforts of life. I'm looking forward to understanding what people are saying wherever I go, eating Mexican food, drinking horchata and being back to the American dollar. :-)
This experience has been amazing and has changed my life forever. These last four months have been a journey. I've met some amazing people along the way and can't imagine my life without them. I've learned so much about myself and have truly grown from being forced out of my comfort zone. I've had it pointed out to me that I'm a very impatient person by someone besides my mom. (Thanks Jason! haha) But I also feel that I've learned to embrace and love myself in a whole new way. I don't feel ready for this experience to end but are we ever really ready to let a good thing go? I guess it's all about closing one chapter and opening another. With only nine days left in this chapter, I'm doing everything I can to make sure it has the best ending possible.

Late Christmas Gift to Jason

Dear Jason,

Knowing the computer savvy gemini that I am, I'm sure you'll appreciate the time and effort it took to make this video. (Especially on cites sloooooowww internet.) I'm sorry that I couldn't afford to send you anything but I figured something like this was more meaningful anyway. I hope that you enjoy it!
Love you and miss you always.

bisous,
Bree

Amsterdam

Well we made it to Amsterdam around 9:30 p.m. We walked to our hostel from the station which proved to be a bit of a task. Kalyn was convinced it was going to be really easy to find but after we made a big circle I realized that wasn't the case. By 11:00 we finally found our way to the hostel, checked-in and went to our room. As soon as the I opened the door I could tell it wasn't the the most upscale place. It smelled awful, someone's dirty laundry had been dirty waayyy too long. The room was equipped with 4 bunkbeds and was quite small so there wasn't much space. One guy had already gone to bed so we tried to be quiet as we settled in. I was so tired from all the walking that I just wanted to go to sleep. Thus the first night in Amsterdam wasn't too exciting.

Sunday:
Checked out of the hostel and roamed around the city. Went to the Van Gogh Museum which was really cool. Headed to Leidseplein Street to meet Bow, our coushsurfer host for the night. Enjoyed a bite to eat together then took the tram to get to his place while he biked there. (Everyone in Asterdam bikes everywhere. It's genius really.) After being confused by which stop to get off at, we finally made it to Bow's. Then we watched Hang Over and went to bed.
Monday: Attempted to go to the beach alas, Bow's van wouldn't start. So Kalyn and I headed to city central where our second host, Sander lives. We had planned to go to the FOAM Photography Museum but it took so long to get to Sander's that we ended up missing the opportunity. So we hung out with Sander for a bit, grabbed a quick dinner then headed to a DJ Party that Bow invited us to. If you confirmed yourself for the party on Facebook then you got in free, so we all enjoyed a free dance party!
Tuesday: Last full day in Amsterdam.


Kalyn and I walked to the Anne Frank Huis and the line wrapped around the corner. We were both freezing and hungry so we decided to get some soup in hopes the line would die down some. Unfortunately, after our dinner it was still around the corner so we had to wait for over an hour before getting in but it was an incredible experience. I read her journal this last summer while working in Alaska and completely fell in love with her. So it was very surreal to be where she lived, see the bedroom she decorated with magazine clippings and actually see the journal she kept and her handwriting. It's such a blessing that she kept that journal. There was a video clip of Otto, her father, saying that he learned so much about Anne when he read her journal because she didn't show her deeper feelings. It was a great experience to be in the walls of the annex and read about everything and see Anne's quotes on the walls. She will live on forever.
I bought a poster of her with the quote, " One day this terrible war will be over. The time will come when we'll be people again and not just Jews!...We can never be just Dutch, or just English, or whatever, we will always be Jews as well. But then, we'll want to be." Anne Frank, April 9, 1944


Tuesday evening it began snowing quite a bit, so Kalyn and I enjoyed a walk down the quiet streets watching the snow. It was so beautiful. I thought Amsterdam was quite magical, with the canals, Christmas lights, snow, it seemed like something out of a fairytale.

Auf Wiedersehen Berlin. Zeg aan hallo amsterdam!

My pack is ready to go, full of dirty clothes begging for a laundromat.
In an hour, Kalyn and I will be heading to the station to catch our train to Amsterdam, which will be a seven hour adventure. Perfect to do some reading, possibly watch a movie and catch up on some sleep. We should arrive around 9:00 p.m. and we're hoping the walk to the hostel won't be too far. Don't really have anything planned for tonight but have been invited to a Christmas Party, so we might end up going to that.
Tomorrow we'll check out of the hostel and experience CouchSurfing for the first time!
Before you freak out about it, research it.
It's safe, free and the best way to experience a new city.
I'm excited!!!