The darth evader.

It's time to bid farewell to my faithful companion of the past four years: my 1997 silver Acura CL.

Nicknamed the Darth Evader, he has driven me through high school and my first two years of college with as much style as he could muster. He's been stained by paint from a paint fight and smudged with markers from craft projects, been smoky with multicolored chalk that stayed for months, and splattered with juice from glow sticks. He's patiently given a lift to my golden retriever, who licked everything in sight and shed half his fur onto the floor. He's stayed valiant through all my unfortunate car decorating phases, from dice or a dream catcher hanging from the rear view, to stickers of the Volcom logo or the Beatles or obscure hipster bands that performed at Kilby Court during sophomore year. He's been strong through many, many trips back and forth to Cedar City, St. George, and Las Vegas. Even through all my reckless driving - blown tires, fender benders, speeding tickets, and crazy ladies in Walmart parking lot - he's been faithful to the end. And he may have even helped save my life a couple times, when drivers have been wild or in the multiple car chases that gave him his name.

Sadly, my time with the Darth Evader has come to an end. His paint is scratched, his hood is dented, and his seats are splitting open at the seams. He's seen his share of summer nights, and autumn canyon drives, and ice covered winter streets, and blooming spring flowers. He's spent his time sitting at my favorite places overlooking the valley and wiping my tears when I cry. He's definitely heard enough of my road rage profanities and off key singing. It's time to bid him a sweet goodbye and send him off on his next great adventure.

I think everyone's first car holds a special place in their lives. I'll definitely miss this one.

That being said... I'm welcoming a new love into my life: this gorgeous white Honda Crosstour. This baby is champing at the bit for all kinds of new adventures. So here we go.

Un année.

I realized a few days ago that it has been an entire year since I was in France. A year! How did this happen! It still feels like it was just yesterday. But at the same time I am currently dying to go back. Since my whole blog seems to be dedicated around France and making those sentimental lists I'm going to combine them into one: Things I miss about France. Ahem.

Street crepes from the Latin District. The glittering Eiffel Tower. Baguette sandwiches for lunch after school. Little kids and dogs on the Metro. "Ah, les petites Américaines!" Cobblestone streets damp with rain. Five course meals. Statue impersonations. Museum marathons. Burnt toast and grapefruit juice. Seaside runs along the (nude) beach. Rollerblading parades. Mediterranean brick oven pizza. The padlock bridge. Parties at the Metro station.

Brazilian watch salesmen. Tunnels made of human bones and rings made of human hair(...). Oscar Wilde. Parisian vintage shops. Gelato. Flea markets. Street artists braving the rain. Disneyland Paris. Planning outlandish wedding receptions at Versailles. Cigarette smoke. Picnics beneath the Eiffel Tower on a Sunday afternoon. Winged Victory.

Fashion shows. "Bonjour les filles!" Crowded bedrooms. Showers that make you not want to shower. Olive oil based salad dressing. Tennis matches on television. French dinner conversation. Skyping friends at weird hours. Fridges that look like cabinets. Phantom of the Opera. Skipping out of a real opera. Gargoyles. The top of Montparnasse Tower. Gypsy children. Sitting in a train station for hours. An afternoon visit to Italy. Straining to glimpse the turquoise ocean. Frog legs.

And really, the best thing about France was that when I came back, I was different. I left as a nervous kid with a few years of French under my belt, an overpacked suitcase, and a hunger for exotic food, but I came back knowing what I am capable of: making my way in the world even when it rains or I miss the train or I can't quite understand what people are saying.

I don't agree with the idea that you have to travel to "find yourself." It's all about creating yourself and there are a million ways to do it. I'm just super glad that France was a part of mine.

If you haven't read the whole story about my adventures in France, you can do so by clicking here.

D-lowe-flow.

Shout out to Dylan Jade Lowe for her birthday! Finally she is turning the big two-oh!

I can't believe I met this girl at GHA almost three years ago and we went on to be roommates, fellow PAs, and overall such good friends! From karaoke nights, to workouts with Karen and Bob ("Perfect! Just like a yoga master."), to people watching/hating at the Grind, to double dates, to dance parties, to recording radio commercials... the adventures never end. I can't wait to see where else this crazy life takes us. Happy birthday DJ!

Gender wars, I guess.

I have the hardest time writing when I'm happy. So there's my excuse for only posting pictures for like... a while. I'm struggling so much that I actually just googled "topics to write about" and I found this website that has topics with questions and so I'm going to pick one and answer the questions and you're going to like it. So here we go.

And the topic is: Gender Wars.

1. The real meaning of gender equality.
First of all, what's the fake meaning of gender equality? Like, the whole time I thought I knew what gender equality was but it turned out to all be a hoax? Pretty sure the real meaning is just men and women being equal. I can't answer this question/statement.

2. Are men really better drivers than women?
Yes. Yes they are. I will admit openly to being a terrible driver as well as point fingers at 75% of women for being terrible drivers. Half the time I don't even know the difference between reverse and neutral when I'm trying to drive. Or how to open the little door over the thing you put gas in. I'm not saying either of those things happened but I guess I'm not saying they didn't.

3. Can men and women be "just friends?"
Yes and no. Women can be just friends with men but men can't be just friends with women. Like for real, girls, don't pretend like your male BFF doesn't live to see you in short-shorts and a tank top. It's a proven fact so probably just get over it and move on with your life.

4. Why do men love gadgets so much?
I don't understand this question either. What constitutes a "gadget?" All I can picture is Kim Possible and her little ghetto cell phone and stuff. I don't really think men are obsessed with gadgets. My dad loves his iPhone but probably not more than I love mine so I don't see what this has to do with men.

5. Why do women love shopping so much?
Personally I don't like shopping that much. But I'm guessing many women love it because A: they get new stuff, B: retail therapy is a real thing, and C: when they're mad at their boyfriend, fiancé, husband, etc. they can go spend his money and feel better until they still have to solve their real life problems.

6. Why men never ask for directions.
I guess not knowing where you're going is a sign of weakness these days. Men just want to claim the "best driver" award and the "never lost" award. Best way to solve this problem is, if you're going somewhere the girl wants to go (the mall) she gets to ask for directions. But if you're going to the gadget store... I say just let him drive (perfectly) in circles.

7. Why women never think they're thin enough.
Society tells them they're not. Seen a magazine lately?

8. The difference between male and female body language.
If you are a guy and you went to a restaurant that had female belly dancers would you tip them more? If you are a girl and you went to a restaurant that had male belly dancers would you tip them more?

9. Why is it so difficult to buy gifts for men?
Literally the only gift I ever buy for my dad is a tie. Do you know how many ties he has? One time I bought him Star Trek on DVD and then kept it for myself. But obviously we've just now learned that men love gadgets so I don't know why we all have such a hard time! Just hit up those gadget stores.

10. The age of the metrosexual man.
What about it? Well-dressed men. I don't see the problem.

So yeah I'm pretty sure this was way more fun to write than it ever will be to read. But oh well, this is my blog so deal with it. Plus we all know the only reason you're probably reading this is to distract yourself from studying for finals so I'm guessing it's a success either way. As always, may the odds be ever in your favor!

All gold everything.

The latest adventures:

Spring break in St. George, Bear Lake, and good old Draper. Macklemore, best friends, and soccer soccer soccer.

The end of winter means the beginning of the hiking season. And that means driving for half a day to get to Zion, locking the keys in the car, waiting an hour on park rangers, and finally going on a little hike.

Car unlocking magic!

My friends are kind of obsessed with 2 Chainz. And Trinidad James. And giving me nightmares with the latter's hideous face.

So we dyed Easter eggs in honor of bad rappers.

Oh you know, 2 Chainz B different

And then Marissa and I peaced out to, you guessed it: Color Fest! Where we sucked at taking pictures but you know it's all about the memories.

Of course I can't do anything these days without soccer being involved. Réal Salt Lake is where it's at.

So yeah. Happy Easter!

Why running is better than almost anything.

I ran track in high school... or so I say. In reality, I just ran my sophomore and junior years, the 100 and 200 meter races, and quit halfway through the season both years. So yeah, I ran, more or less, and it was fun, more or less. Recently, though, I have found a new love and appreciation for distance running which is something I definitely have never liked before. Basically I want everyone to love running as much as I do, so here's a list of ten of my favorite things about running.

1. Calves. Running gives you great calves, and let's be real, people with solid calf muscles are hot. One time, in high school, I voted for a boy for student body president just because he had nice calves. I wish I was joking.
2. Stress relief. I've said this before, but honestly there is nothing better to do when you're stressed than slip on those Nikes and hit the pavement. When you're mad you can run even farther than you ever thought you could. Especially if you picture that the person you're mad at is waiting at the end of your run so you can beat them up. Not that I've ever imagined that...
3. Endorphins. The feeling you get after you finish a long, hard run. You feel so good.
4. Scenery. If someone finds something prettier than a jog along the beach or a trail run up a canyon in the autumn, I'll be amazed. Any beautiful view is improved when you have running shoes on!
5. Music. Everyone loves music and if you're anything like me, you're constantly looking for excuses to listen to music. "Oh, I'm going outside to get the mail, I can totally listen to at least half of 'I Knew You Were Trouble' on the way there." I mean, at least until it gets to the screaming goat, right? Anyway, you can listen to a ton of songs while running. And then try to throw in a little dance move and end up falling off the treadmill/sidewalk/hill. Not that I've done that either...
6. Therapy. I remember a time last summer when I was really overwhelmed by life, so I went for a run and ended up running up this massive hill. The whole time I kept telling myself, "I can do difficult things." And guess what, I did!
7. Energy. Surprisingly, waking up early to go for a jog gives me so much energy for the rest of the day. Like, what on earth, I feel better when I get up and get active than when I stay in bed till ten eating Nutella? Weird.
8. Conditioning. Running is more of a mind game than anything. The human body is an amazing thing and could probably run for an indefinite amount of time, especially if there were zombies chasing you or something (just saying). The only thing holding you back is your own brain! The more you challenge it, the more you show your mind: that's what's up.
9. Clothes. Workout clothes are the coolest ever. Admit it boys, you love girls in yoga pants.
10. Appetite. Notice the title of this post is "Why running is better than almost anything." Which obviously means the only thing it's not better than is food. When you run, you can eat even more and it just counts as "fueling your run." Win, win!

Shanwow.

This thing went around on Instagram, like, a month ago, where if you got tagged you had to post a picture of yourself along with five facts that your followers might not know about you. So I thought I would expand this to my blog and let you guys learn a little more about me! I'll even include five bonus facts just for you. You should feel so special.

Pic of yours truly!

1. I lived in South Carolina for 5 years. I always tell people I'm from there but really I just lived there in elementary school and one year of middle school. It was a great time and I miss it!
2. My favorite movie is Star Trek (the new one). You probably already knew that because I'm literally obsessed with it. I can't even tell you how pumped I am for the new one coming out in May!
3. I speak French! Kind of! You know this from all my whining about my French classes.
4. If I could afford to eat sushi for every meal I probably would. I love sushi. But I'm also a little picky about what sushi. Like tempura sushi is a no-go.
5. I don't grow hair in my armpits. (Laser hair removal is heaven!) TMI? Maybe. But for real, if you have the chance to get it, do it.
6. I'm obsessed with zombies. It started with The Walking Dead and has since progressed to Zombieland, Warm Bodies, Left 4 Dead, zombie 5Ks, zombie themed haunted houses, and this game called Zombies, Run! that simulates zombies chasing you when you go running. I think I might have a problem. Don't underestimate me when the apocalypse actually happens though cause I know everything.
7. Things that I do to de-stress include: running, painting, writing in this blog, running, playing guitar, going for a drive, and more running. Nothing helps you work out frustration more than running.
8. The first song I ever learned to play on guitar was "Teardrops on my Guitar" by the lyrical genius herself, Taylor Swift. The second was "Hey There Delilah." Ninth grade me had some real quality music taste (not).
9. I have a reputation for being able to eat a lot. And when I say a lot, I mean like a "whole pizza by myself, plus an appetizer and dessert" lot. Super attractive I know.
10. Probably the best day of my life thus far was the day I got to swim with dolphins. It will remain this way until the day I get to play with and/or ride an elephant.

Shout out to Insta for giving me yet another blogging idea for when my life is boring! Lates.