Oh The Places You'LL GO

Photos from home and away

It's officially June 1st which means that I'm 28 days away from my 30th birthday. World travel and my Wisconsin upbringing are two things that have shaped me into the person I am today. As I get ready to say goodbye to my 20s, I thought it might be a good time to reminisce before embarking on a new decade. Let's take a walk down Memory Ln. .... shall we? 

Performing "Heartbreaker" choreographed by Kyle Brauer for Melee's Spring Recital at Lawrence University (that's me on the far right!). I began dancing at age 2, so I don't remember my life without dance. Living in Australia has been the biggest break from dance I've ever taken, so I'm going to change that this month. Melee was (is? does it still exist? I'm pretty sure it doesn't) a dance troupe at Lawrence managed and choreographed by students. We put on some pretty spectacular shows during my time there. RIP Melee!

FRANCE. I fell in love with someone living in France, but in the end we went our separate ways. However, my love for FRANCE has never changed. Since my first visit to Paris, I've visited Marseille (pictured) too many times to count, worked at two American Village sites (Tour de Buis x 3 and Vieux Boucau) and found myself in champagne country at another camp called Excellencia. I made it part of my spring break plans (Montpellier) and enjoyed Toulouse many times with my sister from another mister Tabasco. I am currently studying French and plan on visiting often when we move back to Spain, or rather to Cataluña. (when that happens is TBD)

My pets! (Apollo, pictured) I've had a fish named Picasso, a canary named Sunny, two HUGE cats named Apollo and Athens, and my childhood best buddy, Nicky the parakeet. Animals have always been a huge part of my life. I originally wanted to be a vet, but ended up studying Spanish and Education instead. I volunteered at a zoo and the Humane Society growing up and I'm currently working on my wildlife carer license in Australia. I'm looking forward to having a cockatiel and possibly an ugly dog in the future (like three legged, or with one eye or something). Then again, I do have a horse waiting for my in Colorado!

Madrid. Madrid was filled with highs and lows. Madrid is where I found true love ... on the rugby pitch ... and had horrible bosses at Spanish schools. Madrid is where I jumped over a bonfire, holding David's hand, dismissing the bad and inviting the good. Madrid is where I met amazing people and where I failed in many relationships. Madrid is where I first went to therapy for my anxiety disorder. Madrid is where I lived for 5 years. Madrid is where I felt safe. Madrid is where I really learned Spanish. Madrid was my home. 

Visiting Morocco was the first time that I visited a completely different culture than my own. Morocco inspired me to study Arabic, which brought me to Egypt, which I was forced to leave because of the revolution so I ended up in Spain, where I met David who wanted to go to Australia, which is where I am now. Sitting on the sand, watching the sunrise over the Sahara, with nothing but sand in sight, had the power to start a chain reaction which has led me to where I am now. Traveling the world is incredible, and I am very fortunate to have made this my lifestyle. Since my first trip to Morocco I've been back with my parents and as my honeymoon. 

Wisconsin in the fall time. While Wisconsin is freezing cold for most of the year, there are moments when the weather is just right. Crisp fall days with azure skies. The spooky feel of Halloween just around the corner. I took this picture on the Lawrence University campus on one of those perfect autumn days. The smell of bonfires and the sound of crunching leaves underfoot are forever imprinted on my memory. Wisconsin will always be home for me.


If you had to choose a handful of images to describe your life, what would they be? Leave a comment below.