so, I have now been home from europe for 2 weeks and so much has happened. With my mom's high stress levels and only 7 weeks to the wedding I knew I had to get moving quick. Apparently I wasn't allowed any time to get over jet lag. Typical of the jergensen clan(not to my enjoyment), I was up by 7:30 AM the day after I got home to get going on wedding plans. So far I have made a ton of progress. I have found my photographer after much searching and LOVE her stuff. When I was in Utah I went and met with her. She is the cutest person and I am really excited. Those of you into photography, check her stuff out...haleyannwarner.com. its kinda funny how much less expensive it is to have a photographer come down from utah instead of use a california one. This state is so overpriced, but i still love it and wouldn't mind living here...;).
speaking over living...colby and I are still searching for housing. actually, cobly is. I didn't have a chance to look at anything while in utah between seeing him for the first time in 2 months, engagement pictures (graciously and amazingly done by Sarah...THANKS! Maybe I will post a few favorites when I get them), small bridal shower with my best friends, registering (wow, interesting experience. i am sure everyone will be able top tell which things i registered for and what colby registered for. yes, he put down an x box. silly man. ) visiting with future family members, and finding my WEDDING DRESS! It was a tiring, but enjoyable experience and I ended up with the perfect dress. It has a beaded top with a low waist and a full tulle skirt with a ribbon lining on the bottom. oh, and it has the cutest buttons going down the back. I kinda feel like a disney princess in it. :) the best part is that it is much lighter and therefor cooler than most of the others i liked, which will be excellent for the 200 degreeish weather on the wedding day.
I have been spending hours online trying to get flower choices, invitations, decorations and bridemaid dresses. who knew finding 4 dresses that fit each of the girls in my colors would be so hard! wow! Today though I have been summoned outside to help with the yard. My dad takes great pride in the yardwork and I know he will have the yard perfect for the wedding. Make sure to take note of it and say something to him. :) The current big project is repainting the black fence black. ha. gotta love dad and his projects. but really, he is doing wonders with the yard. I think my break time is over (not that I had permissin for a break...).
Friday, June 27, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
america!
I honestly forgot how good showering in my own shower feels and how good american breakfast is. I got home last night after an 11 hour flight and am loving being home. Of course I miss Europe, but there are so many great things about America, like the fact that I can use the internet, whenever I want, without paying! crazy. haha. After being awake for 5 hours today I had already had an appointment with a potential wedding photograper and had a haircut, which feels amazing. another one of those "good to be home" things. A mani and pedi are coming up soon on my checklist!
Somehow I think I skipped out on the whole jet lag thing. (knock on wood) I tried to sleep on the plane over, and even took a sleeping pill, but didn't sleep very well. So I was basically up until midnight last night and slept wonderfully til 8. I have felt fine all day so hopefully the jet lag will remain away. I think this may be because I know how much I have to do with all the wedding stuff. Don't worry, we are going to try and keep things simple, but even with simplicity comes a ton of planning and work. I love my mom for getting ahead start while I was gone.
Well, once again I have to postpone posting pictures. They are all down the street down loading from Torrie's laptop. I will post them soon. I feel like I can say so much more with pictures than typing!
Somehow I think I skipped out on the whole jet lag thing. (knock on wood) I tried to sleep on the plane over, and even took a sleeping pill, but didn't sleep very well. So I was basically up until midnight last night and slept wonderfully til 8. I have felt fine all day so hopefully the jet lag will remain away. I think this may be because I know how much I have to do with all the wedding stuff. Don't worry, we are going to try and keep things simple, but even with simplicity comes a ton of planning and work. I love my mom for getting ahead start while I was gone.
Well, once again I have to postpone posting pictures. They are all down the street down loading from Torrie's laptop. I will post them soon. I feel like I can say so much more with pictures than typing!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
London and Les Miserables
First day (back) in London and I love it. Honestly, I wasn't overly excited to come to London because I have already been, but I love it. There is a good possiblity that it is because there is English all around. Amazing! But, I am excited to not feel like i have to go do EVERYTHING, simply because I have done it already. When we got here from Paris, we had 1.5 hours to do wahtever before we met as a group. of course most people wanted to take naps. I wasn't tired, so decided to wander out on my own. I love all these girls I am with, but haven't had alone time, so that was really nice to have. I took the tube to Green Park, which happened to be right on the edge of buckingham palace. I sat there for a bit and caught up in journal writing and strolled by the palace. I had my iPod on for a bit then spent some time just pondering life.
Tonight was fun as well and part of why I love London, too. I went with a few girls to look for cheap musical tickets and found discounted ones for Les Miserables for tonight. We had third row seats and it was spectacular. I saw it several years ago when Hemet High did it, but for those of you who know me well, you know I don't remember details of things like that. I completely forgot the story line. The plot was great, but the actual production of it was breath taking. My favorite scene was probably the last baracade part, which was done in slow motion. Everyone's timing was seamlessly perfect. I really want to try and go see Phantom of the Opera as well, since I have never seen it. My top choice was Mary Poppins, but it is no longer playing here. bummer. Well, it's really late, so I'm gonna head to bed! Goodnight!
PS, any "must do" suggestions for London would be greatly appreciated, especially if they are slightly outside the "normal" london tourist stuff. :)
Tonight was fun as well and part of why I love London, too. I went with a few girls to look for cheap musical tickets and found discounted ones for Les Miserables for tonight. We had third row seats and it was spectacular. I saw it several years ago when Hemet High did it, but for those of you who know me well, you know I don't remember details of things like that. I completely forgot the story line. The plot was great, but the actual production of it was breath taking. My favorite scene was probably the last baracade part, which was done in slow motion. Everyone's timing was seamlessly perfect. I really want to try and go see Phantom of the Opera as well, since I have never seen it. My top choice was Mary Poppins, but it is no longer playing here. bummer. Well, it's really late, so I'm gonna head to bed! Goodnight!
PS, any "must do" suggestions for London would be greatly appreciated, especially if they are slightly outside the "normal" london tourist stuff. :)
Monday, June 9, 2008
wrapping up...plus one other crazy adventure
once again, just a few minutes online. I can't believe how fast these past 6 weeks have gone and how long they have been at the same time! I have loved europe but am ready to be headed home soon. It is crazy to think of all the places I have been and all of the amazing experiences i have had. I have learned so much about so many things.
Well, today is my last day in Paris and we head to London tomorrow. We were supposed to go to the Musee d'Orsay this morning where I was going to give my presentation on Courbet's "Burial at Ornans," but we got there and it was closed! Because we are leaving tomorrow, we wont be able to go. I am kinda sad that I dont get to see the painting I studied for! sad! Oh well--at least I get free points for it. :) We filled the day up with other fun things. Oh, I made another purchase...my favorite from Europe! I got a pair of green and white floral print flats. I will have to post pictures when I can load some. Love them! Yeah, I am obsessed with shoes, but then again aren't most girls? back to today...We will end the evening, and our adventures in Paris, with a 4 hour tour tonight. It is mostly bike riding, but ends with a boat ride down the Siene River. Of course I will take lots of pictures. I wish i was able to post some pictures, but I have no way to load them at the internet cafe. Hopefully we get internet in London on Torrie's laptop.
I can't wait to be home just so I can take time to blog all about my adventures...there have been many. The latest one happened three nights ago. Rachelle and I wanted to see Paris at night, mainly the eiffel tower and the Paris Opera house, but Paris doesnt get dark til 10- 10:30, so we took naps earlier with plans to go out at night. We were concerned about getting back in time, so checked the train and metro times. (we have to take the metro to the RER (residential train) then take a short tram from there to the hotel...quite a journey). The metro closes at 1 am and the train closes at 12:30. Well, after seeing the opera house and walking the champs elysee we ran to the metro a t11:50 and took it to the eiffel tower, which is conveniently at the RER stop. we stopped to see the tower for literally 3 minutes and ran to the RER. With our luck, the gates were bolted shut. it was only 12:17...but of course we forgot that it all shuts down at 12:30 meaning trains leave before that. we hd already come up with a plan b, just in case, so ran a few blocks to another metro so we could switch lines to the metro that goes closest to our hotel. Because we were laughing at ourselves and trying to rest from sprinting, we missed the stop to change trains. we had to get out and backtrack at the next stop. we made it out to the end of the metro around 12:45, grabbed a "lame-excuse-for-a-map" and headed on foot toward the river, because we knew it would lead to the hotel. Luckily streets were well lit and we never felt in danger, except for one small section where Rachelle told me to put my hood on so we didnt look like american girls...not that hoods changed that...haha. Anyway, we ended up at the tram stop and saw it ran til 2, thank goodness, we thought. the moniter listed two trains. the first didnt stop...the second stopped, but the lights went out and the driver sprinted away, trying to avoid us. ugh! 2 am, and back on our way on foot. I think the best part was when Rachelle put her iPod on random (while waiting for the tram that didnt take us) and it came to The Ataris, "In this Diary..." It has become our theme song. lyrics:and the only thing that matters is just following your heart and eventually we'll finally get it right. i will have to post the rest of the lyric later; so fitting. . . .Long story shorter, we ran into a nice group of people. It looked like a mom and dad with their 4 year old and another man. we showed them our map and asked for directions. after looking at it for 10 minutes, their other friend came out and tried to help as well. in the end, one man said we should just go with the third guy, because he has gps. I realize how sketchy this sounds, but really we had such a good feeling about it. yes, our number one rule on study abroad is to not get in the car with strangers, but it was past 2 in the morning and who knows if we would ever make it home. we felt even better about it when he moved his carseat over and apologized for the crumbs. I got in the front and tried to speak french...somewhat successfully, but he said he wanted to practice english. really, i think he was trying to make us comfortable. he was the nicest man. with the gps we went straight to the hotel, arriving at 2:28. it was a crazy adventure. to make it better, yesterday rachelle and I were waiting for the tram and realized it would be 15 minutes (because not many come on sunday) so decided to walk because we now knew the way, and it was basically a straight line to the train and took about 9 minutes. oh goodness. I am just glad we are safe and got some good laughs about it, and a good nap the next day. :)
Well, today is my last day in Paris and we head to London tomorrow. We were supposed to go to the Musee d'Orsay this morning where I was going to give my presentation on Courbet's "Burial at Ornans," but we got there and it was closed! Because we are leaving tomorrow, we wont be able to go. I am kinda sad that I dont get to see the painting I studied for! sad! Oh well--at least I get free points for it. :) We filled the day up with other fun things. Oh, I made another purchase...my favorite from Europe! I got a pair of green and white floral print flats. I will have to post pictures when I can load some. Love them! Yeah, I am obsessed with shoes, but then again aren't most girls? back to today...We will end the evening, and our adventures in Paris, with a 4 hour tour tonight. It is mostly bike riding, but ends with a boat ride down the Siene River. Of course I will take lots of pictures. I wish i was able to post some pictures, but I have no way to load them at the internet cafe. Hopefully we get internet in London on Torrie's laptop.
I can't wait to be home just so I can take time to blog all about my adventures...there have been many. The latest one happened three nights ago. Rachelle and I wanted to see Paris at night, mainly the eiffel tower and the Paris Opera house, but Paris doesnt get dark til 10- 10:30, so we took naps earlier with plans to go out at night. We were concerned about getting back in time, so checked the train and metro times. (we have to take the metro to the RER (residential train) then take a short tram from there to the hotel...quite a journey). The metro closes at 1 am and the train closes at 12:30. Well, after seeing the opera house and walking the champs elysee we ran to the metro a t11:50 and took it to the eiffel tower, which is conveniently at the RER stop. we stopped to see the tower for literally 3 minutes and ran to the RER. With our luck, the gates were bolted shut. it was only 12:17...but of course we forgot that it all shuts down at 12:30 meaning trains leave before that. we hd already come up with a plan b, just in case, so ran a few blocks to another metro so we could switch lines to the metro that goes closest to our hotel. Because we were laughing at ourselves and trying to rest from sprinting, we missed the stop to change trains. we had to get out and backtrack at the next stop. we made it out to the end of the metro around 12:45, grabbed a "lame-excuse-for-a-map" and headed on foot toward the river, because we knew it would lead to the hotel. Luckily streets were well lit and we never felt in danger, except for one small section where Rachelle told me to put my hood on so we didnt look like american girls...not that hoods changed that...haha. Anyway, we ended up at the tram stop and saw it ran til 2, thank goodness, we thought. the moniter listed two trains. the first didnt stop...the second stopped, but the lights went out and the driver sprinted away, trying to avoid us. ugh! 2 am, and back on our way on foot. I think the best part was when Rachelle put her iPod on random (while waiting for the tram that didnt take us) and it came to The Ataris, "In this Diary..." It has become our theme song. lyrics:and the only thing that matters is just following your heart and eventually we'll finally get it right. i will have to post the rest of the lyric later; so fitting. . . .Long story shorter, we ran into a nice group of people. It looked like a mom and dad with their 4 year old and another man. we showed them our map and asked for directions. after looking at it for 10 minutes, their other friend came out and tried to help as well. in the end, one man said we should just go with the third guy, because he has gps. I realize how sketchy this sounds, but really we had such a good feeling about it. yes, our number one rule on study abroad is to not get in the car with strangers, but it was past 2 in the morning and who knows if we would ever make it home. we felt even better about it when he moved his carseat over and apologized for the crumbs. I got in the front and tried to speak french...somewhat successfully, but he said he wanted to practice english. really, i think he was trying to make us comfortable. he was the nicest man. with the gps we went straight to the hotel, arriving at 2:28. it was a crazy adventure. to make it better, yesterday rachelle and I were waiting for the tram and realized it would be 15 minutes (because not many come on sunday) so decided to walk because we now knew the way, and it was basically a straight line to the train and took about 9 minutes. oh goodness. I am just glad we are safe and got some good laughs about it, and a good nap the next day. :)
Friday, June 6, 2008
so, i got cut off last time so didnt finishing writing or posting pictures about spain. I have now been in paris for 4 days and have decided it is my favorite city! We spent a few hours at versailles today and I loved it. The gardens are incredible. Maybe I can talk Colby into finding a house like that someday. ;) just kidding. Well, I am at an internet cafe now that closes in 5 minutes. Maybe I will be able to update this soon, otherwise I will do it in 9 days, when I am HOME! it is crazy to think that the end is so soon. Mixed emotions about that for sure. Sorry to leave you all hanging on my adventures. Just know I am loving it, the view from the Eiffel Tower is spectacular, camera batteries usually die at the worst time and french food is fabulous! Au revoir!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Only One more day in SPAIN...
We were only in Barcellona for a day because the BYU travel agent booked our flight to Madrid a day early. I loved Barcellona because of all the Gaudi architecture! We got to see more than the group because we got seperated, yes...AGAIN. After the group went to see the Cathedral Sacred Family, we were told to get on the metro and get out at the Diagonal stop. I was with 9 others and we did that. At the top of the exit we realized we took a different exit out to the street than the others, and no one noticed that a third of the group was missing. oh goodness. No one loves us. Actually, we decided everyone thought we snuck away. We all wanted to see the rest of the Gaudi stuff, so found it on our own. Natalie even taught us all about it from her souvenir book and we tooks notes, just to impress MJ. Gaudi's apartments were crazy. One of them looked like it belonged in fantasy land at Disneyland. We weren't sure if the rest of the group was gonna go to the Gaudi museum, so we decided to go check it out. The museum was closed, but it was in the Gaudi Park, which was absolutely amazing, and probably one of my favorite parts of the whole trip! A really rich guy hired Gaudi to make a park for the community. For those ANTM viewers (america's next top model, for those not up on the slang), we saw the walkway where they filmed the final show a few seasons ago where the girls were dressed as scary brides. Of course we took lots of pictures! 
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)