Hey, you know those things you've always wanted to do? You should go do them.

I always thought a lifetime dream of mine was way too unattainable. It would never be the right time. I would never have enough money, I won't ever have the time... blah blah blah. But you know what I realized? It will never be the right time. I will never have enough money and I will always find a reason why I couldn't live my dream. So you know what? I decided to change that.
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My entire life, I've been in love with traveling. My mom always instilled in us that the value of memories always outweigh the value of material possessions. I could brag to you and tell you all the neat places I've been to in my short 20 years and I am very blessed to say that. But there's always been a voice in the back of my head nagging me that I want more. I want to see the world. I want to see MORE of the world.
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My best friend and I had always talked about going backpacking through Europe together. It was always something we discussed in future tense, never really saying when we would do it. I don't lie when I say that it was a clear sign from the heavens when I was scrolling through Facebook and an ad  from the same company that sent my school group to France & London in 2011. Turns out, they  also send college students around the world... Do you see where I am going with this?

All those times when I would close my eyes and dream of walking the River Seine again, or the times where I dream of riding a gondola through Venice, or baking in the sun on the French Rivera. All those dreams could be REALITY.

I could do it. I could live my dream. So you know what? I decided to make it happen.

After a bit of research, I found that it would actually be possible to us to go and we wouldn't be 'backpacking'. We'd be traveling the world in 4 star hotels.  Of course it would require a strict savings plan (which we already have in place) and wouldn't be possible to go till a year and a half from now (in order to save up enough to go.) But it was possible and I decided that it will happen.

So you've heard it here first. My best friend and I will be going for 35 days to over 7 countries traveling the world. When else in my life will I be able to drop everything for 35 days to travel to Italy, France, Greece, Ireland, Spain and many more with my best friend? The answer is never. Soon, I will have a 'real' job or even a husband and a family and I will never be given an opportunity like this again. (Not too soon, don't worry).

I won't let this slip through my hands and I couldn't be more excited about it.

I've turned my dream into a plan.

My Favorite Places in the World, Part One

One of the things I love the most about my mom is she always taught us the value of travel. 

She always believed that making memories and traveling the world is worth more than presents and gifts. I love that because it's true. The only thing that will truly make us immortal is our memories. 

Things are just things, but memories last forever.

Cliche, I know, but it's so true. 

Anyways, because of that, I grew up traveling. Even now, as a young adult, I love it. 

As I'm sure you can imagine, I've come across several places I love.

I thought it'd be fun to share a few with you. 

I'll start with my all time favorite place on this planet.

I'm sure you can guess...

Paris, France

I visited this city two years ago, and left my heart there. 

I'm dying for the day I get to go back. 

There is something so enchanting about this city.

 it's the lights, 

 it's the architecture,  

Oh, it's the food, the sweets, 

did I mention the crepes?

It's that feeling of love intertwined within you,  

It's Paris. 

The second I walked down the streets of Paris which were filled with bustling traffic, tiny boutiques and sidewalk cafes,  my heart was irrevocably gone.

I dream of the day when I can get lost in the streets endlessly enjoying the city again.
I daydream about riding my bike across the bridges, wearing a perfectly flowy dress with my bike basket filled with baguettes and pastries, with not a care in the world.

Oh, Paris. 

I never thought I could be in love with a city, 

but it's true.

Madly, deeply, truly. 

In fact, the highlight of my life, thus far, was standing at the top of La Tour Eiffel 

Oh no, I'm not kidding. 

While Paris might not be for everyone, (which I will never fully understand), it's certainly for me.

 That's why it's my favorite place on this planet.

You know, living in Paris would be my ultimate dream come true.

Did I mention how badly I want to go back?

{all photos were taken by my lovely older brother (pictured above to the left) during our school trip 2 years ago}

Currently Reading

Due to my complete fail in taking outfit pictures this week, I am going to share with you everything I am currently reading!

This is what is what's actively sitting on my night stand:

 I'm one of those people who can read more than one thing at a time.

I know that this drives a lot of people nuts. My friends always comment 

"How can you remember everything you've read in each book?"

I don't really know, but I do.

And if I do forget, I can quickly refresh a few pages and pick right back up where I left off.

That's just me, I guess. 

First things first is my bible:

I have had this particular one since I was about 13. It's an old friend, and even though it's geared towards younger teens, I just can't seem to part with it. 

It's sentimental to me.

The pages are falling apart and I think I've highlighted just about everything

and to be honest, that's just the way I like it.

Right now I am reading Romans 12.

I guess I read it a while ago and apparently I thought it was awesome then, too. I also seemed to like practicing drawing stars in the margins. ;)

This is the verse I currently am stuck on. I am re-reading it over and over to let it really sink in.

I'm really trying hard to just read one sentence of it at a time and really dig deeper into what each one means.

If you haven't read it, I really recommend that you do.

My next book is my "for fun" book.

I'm still reading 'The Paris Wife' by Paula Mclain.

I like it so far even though I am only on chapter 3.

It's set in Paris in the 1920's

i.e. the time period I would time travel to if I could.

So I looove that!

Plus, how could you not love a book about Hemmingway!?!?!

Oh, and I adore the opening quotes!

My next read is for school:

I am taking an Intro to philosophy course and was having a bit of trouble with the readings.

I found this book at a yard sale for $1, and picked it up out of curiosity.

It's helped a lot!

Mainly because there are hilarious illustrations that kinda set the scene better.

"WHAT THE HECK do you mean that a table isn't a table just because I can't understand Tableness! WHAT IS TABLENESS"

Oh, philosophy. I love you, but sometimes I just don't need to know "Why".

and Finally, the book that I am always referring to:

 (Well, this and the bible, but they're kinda the same)

God's Promises' for Your Every Need

I love this book! I am constantly looking up things and finding new verses to memorize.

Basically it's a giant collection of bible verses that are arranged by certain topics. 

For example, the one I am reading now

"What To Do When I'm feeling Worried:

again with the highlighting!

Right now, I am struggling with anxiety so this is what I am studying.

I am one of those people who have to be constantly reminded of God's word. I have verses everywhere! I like to write down the ones I find in this book and tape them on my mirror for a constant reminder.  There are other topics like "What to do when I'm angry" or "What God says about Jealousy" etc. 

and phew, that's it! If your interested in buying any of these, just look on amazon.

(Sorry, I'm too lazy to link them)

They have the best prices around!

What are you currently reading?

A map of Paris + Advice

Anyone who knows me also knows my three favorite things:

1. Butterflies

2.Teal Blue

and

3. All things French

I adore France.

The culture, the food, the people, the language (Je parle français!)
and most certainly, Paris.
{the highlight of my life (so far) was going to the top of  La Tour Eiffel}
See below:

So, it should come as no surprise that while shopping this weekend with my mom

I just so happened to stumble upon this:

and I instantly fell in love.

I mean, come on.

a map of paris

more importantly 

a map of the monuments in paris.

gahhh!!

Love.

okay....

really really love.

I adored the colors.

I really liked the vintage feel of the paper.

and it's Paris!

Then I saw the price:

$2.50

SOLD

signed. sealed. delivered.

it was mine.

I ran up to the cashier and whipped out those George Washingtons 

so fast I think I scared the poor girl.

When I finished, I sat in the car and just swooned over the little beauty I just purchased.

Then I started thinking.

"What the heck am I going to do with this?!?!"

"I will find something" I demanded.

and even though I knew I could come up with something...
I still haven't.

So this is where the advice part come in

What would you do with this?

I don't really have wall space to frame it

and I don't want to destroy it.

So what would you do?

Leave me a comment telling me below!

By the way, I found the map at Aaron Brothers