{Today}

I've been humming

this song 

all day

{Yesterday}

I bought a plane ticket to Barcelona.

Come June 1st, I will be on the beaches of Spain with two of my dearest friends. 

The adventures just never end. 

Nor should they ever.     

 

{Today}

finished reading The Picture of Dorian Gray 

"Life is not governed by will or intention. Life is a question of nerves, and fibres, and slowly built-up cells in which thought hides itself and passion has its dreams. You may fancy yourself safe and think yourself strong. But a chance tone of colour in a room or a morning sky, a particular perfume that you had once loved and that brings subtle memories with it, a line from a forgotten poem that you had come across again, a cadence from a piece of music that you had ceased to play--I tell you, Dorian, that it is on things like these that our lives depend"

{Bath}

My new favorite city within Britain.

 Surrounded by natural springs, rolling hills, and beautifully crafted buildings... this city is such an absolute treasure.

So many wonderful ties to Jane Austin,(Lorn, you would have loved it)

Home of Nicholas Cage (taken to show my daddy)

Daniel, deep in thought

Erika

For Rai's ipad selfie collection

     

{Stonehenge}
You like rocks? 

Because I like rocks.

Saturday was filled with adventures of all sorts. We spent this beautiful (and sun filled) day traveling to see Stonehenge and the city of Bath.
Everything about Stonehenge strikes me as strange. The ride to get there was simply magnificent. I finally got to see the rolling green hills of the English countryside. The entire drive there, I had such a desire to roam the hills with a dog by my side. Unfortunately Stonehenge is too too far to walk to....and my dog lives back in Michigan (not to mention that he would probably run away in the first few moments of being free of a leash).

Stonehenge is quite honestly in the middle of nowhere and surrounded by miles of sheep farms. They have the stones blocked off and so, much to my dismay, we were not allowed to touch the rocks.It's almost as if I couldn't quite grasp the fact that I was standing in front of Stonehenge. Touching the rocks would have helped me to solidify the fact that it was indeed right in front of me. Years from now, I'm certain, that I will look back at photos of my travels and feel so disconnected from the actual happenings of the trip. The sharpness of memories fade so quickly. I just hate it. 

two kiwis & two americans

cheesin

selfizes

dearest father, cucumber sandwiches do indeed exist. You were correct.

Photos of Bath shall come soon!

{Paris part three}
some final thoughts on my travels to Paris:
This actually was my second time being in Paris. When I was sixteen I spent some time in Germany with some dear friends and we traveled to Paris for a few days. The first time in Paris, we literally saw and did everything. Although we were only there for a few days, we had a tight schedule. With this being said, I was most excited about relaxing in Paris. I really wanted to experience Paris in a new way. "New way" meaning lots of good and new foods, lots of coffee, and a chance to casually mosey around the city at a slower pace.

On Monday, we parted ways with Blaire (as she was going to spend the rest of the week with her Boyfriend and his family.) Monday also happened to give us perfect weather. The one thing that I was looking forward to the most (upon returning to Paris) was visiting Sacre Coeur. This beautiful church is my favorite part of Paris. This magnificent church stands alone at the top of this grand hill. You can usually see it from where ever you are in Paris. Leading up to the top of the hill (where the church stands) are all types of wonderful French art vendors. With ice cream in hand, we meandered through the art markets beneath the warmth of the Parisian sun. I may or may not have bought a painting... 

Rai helped me justify my purchase by convincing me that art is an investment. So, now, I suppose I am an art investor. My painting shall hang proudly in my future Grand Rapids home.  

Rai and I also had the opportunity to go to a service in Notre Dame. The entire service was in French, and so (aside from the Lords Prayer) I had no idea what was going on.It was, never the less,a very special experience. Just to sit inside the grand church during a service was a wonderful thing.     

    

Sacre Coeur

Hotel De Ville

Notre Dame

yum yum yum, snails.