blahh

The worst week ever. Why does junior year bring this.... anyways in all of this absolute horrible stuff I am left dreaming of new adventures and since the only thing that seems to make me happy is escaping to dream destinations. My mom while trying to perk me up (and get me to stop crying for at least 10 minutes) let me tell her all about south Africa... then we randomly ran into some of her old mentors from when she was 22 in home goods who told us how they are old and don't really need to work so they instead put their money into 3 orphanages around the world... next thing I know my prissy mother is wanting to go volunteer over in South Africa with me. When my mom gets on these I have to do it things she tends too and she called Hayley and tried to convince her to join (answer= hell no) so I hope this works out and I start my summer in South Africa.

new beginning

So I have lived in AA for over a week now just goofing off and hanging with amazing people but my first class starts in 1.5 hours... eeeeek. It has been a great week! I forgot how amazing football saturdays are.... but I had the time of my life. My room is great although I have had to kill some spiders :( It is nice to finally have my own room. Today starts a very busy life but I am making it a goal to keep my summer lessons intact and remember to live life... school is not life. This summer was a refreshing reminder of what life is really supposed to be like. ok I need to go get ready- is it weird I am kinda excited to take notes?

Bliss

I thought that was the perfect word to describe my life right now. I am just so happy with where my life is at and heading. From exactly two weeks from today I will be heading to my first class and starting the second half of college. I had another good weekend- hanging with wonderful people. Today I need to start packing because I am leaving in 3 days!!!!!!!!! I am so excited! But I made my album from the summer and realized I started the summer just fantizing about all the amazing things I was going to do... I ended it realizing it wasn't the things I did but the people I encountered and became family with that really made my summer.

great weekend :)

Ok I suck at this but I feel like it will be good during the school year. After seeing Eat, Pray, Love I need to keep a journal. That movie is AMAZING - I felt like I connected with her in so many ways it was kinda weird. On friday Corri got a house just 2 blocks from us- yay! So Hope, Corri, my mom and I went for a celebratory dinner. It was soooo good! Then we went makeup and self-tanner shopping. and then back to my house where our neighbor also came over and everyone got to enjoy some timtams! On thursday my mom noticed I need some new jeans, shoes and makeup so saturday was devoted to sommerset. I love that place way to much- but I got some needed things. I didn't get a ton of clothes- my mom was very strict on what I needed. Unfortunately, I bought all my interview clothes when I was super skinny freshman year so they no longer fit... a really cute trendy interview outfit and a pair of TOMS shoes were my favorites of the day. How amazing is it that you buy a pair of adorable comfy shoes and a kid across the world who does not even know what nordstrom is gets a pair of shoes. And are so appreciative for it. I want 10 more pairs just for the kids sake. Anyways it is sick how happy I get while in sommerset... I really need to stay away from there because I love shoes, bags and accessories way too much. No success with jeans :( But my mom ordered me some from a brand she claims are a god sent for big hipped girls. I tried this new makeup to help with my acne... it was not expensive and awesome! It's called Laura Mercier- I think it is for old people lol. Oh well. I don't think makeup for our age focuses enough on skin care and my skin is not a happy camper lately. Then my mom and I went to go see Eat, Pray, Love and to dinner. It was so amazing- def. one of my favorite movies. Of course it helps that Julia Roberts (my favorite actress of all time and who I would love to be) was the lead. I want to see it again! It was so good. On sunday my mom woke me up super early to go on this extreme walk down to the sunday market and the pond. I love the market- and I think its awesome that it is there every sunday but it was HOT and that was a long walk. After we headed to west bloomfield for some more shopping.... we didn't find anything we needed. But we did go grocery shopping at plum. Then my favorite part of the entire weekend I went over to Rachels house :) I missed her soooo much! She got home thursday but last night was my first time hanging with her. We seriously did nothing but talk for hours and hours and hours. I love reuniting with friends... we laughed about nothing and just goofed off. I love her house! It is right by pine lake and it is beautiful! Amazing night! I have been in such a good mood the last week and got to see some amazing faces that I missed so much! I set up my room- it still needs a few more things but it looks great! I love how massive it is... I have never had a large room, but I feel like I have my own little sanctuary :) Of course I want people to join me there all the time! I saw Jennifer amongst other people as well :) Her BF will be spending 6 months in aussi starting next month- naturally I am very jealous but also bummed because he won't be around the house to protect us. I love my bed! It is so big and I have always only had a twin bed... the same one from when I was two actually. They kept our house so clean... I am going to try and be clean this year. Hopefully I don't fail but I might. Oh! I had to delete facebook for rush- the freshman can't know what sorority I am in because they say it may make them feel uncomfortable or sway their decision. For some reason I am always happier with a lack of facebook- wierd. I think it is kinda like myspace and I am so ready for it to get old. Oh well- I feel so old now that I have a house and am no longer a little one in school. I am really excited for the year though because I am not going to stress about grades like I have the past years- it will not be my obsession and life. Getting a B is ok.. it really is and I can say that truthfully now. I found out a few weeks ago that I will be able to volunteer directly with pediatric occupational therapists at medrehab (part of UMHS) every friday from 9am to 1pm - I am so excited! and oddly I am also excited to get back to work- I need some money. Next semester I am only taking 1 super hard science class- such a relief. I am excited to be stress free. I think this next year is going to be great for everyone- this summer has been one of lessons- lots of them! Time to live life the happy way :)!!

its really not goodbye. Summer in the melbs will be remembered forever.

Saying Goodbye is hard. I needed people like this in my life.... but I also still need everyone from home. 6 hours. already crying like a baby... here goes.

Goodbye Mate.

I suck at this. But, this trip has been beyond amazing and I cannot believe it is ending.... and I am coming home. Learned a lot. Loveeeeeeeeeeeee my life. From now on I am just living... 2 months without drama has been great. It was really good to live with people from all over... learned how to adapt to different people. Because I know exactly who reads this I can say that it has been a rough summer from the home point... some bad things, some good but I am excited to see everyone. I think the rest of the summer will be good... lots of talking.... and maybe testing my new amazing drinks :) But regardless friendships have been tested and hopefully will stand the test of time. But, I am sitting here in my new amazing heels!!!!!!!!!!.... they don't match my dress effff so now I have to change and get ready for my last legal amazing nightttttt in heaven on earth otherwise known as Melbourne!! Time to go use our american charm for some spirits! HAVE A GO AT LIFE.... advice from an Aussi. No worries.

Cheers! loveeee you and see you after another 36 hour death trap...

The start of an amazing trip.

Ok so I am going to keep this short because we just bought champaigne and are about to start drinking mamosas! So on saturday we got a tour of melbourne. The word amazing just doesn't do it. We walked for 6 hours straight! I have such an amazing roommate Jessica- I love her! We were both awing at all the shopping. At night we went got all dressed up and went out to dinner at an Italian restaurant. We drank an entire bottle of 24 proof wine between three girls... all alchol here is double the proof. Since I haven't drank in ages it was so much fun. An amazing night! On the way home we got lost and met these guys that were wasted- too funny then ended up in a park with all these wild little animals- scary. Aussis are so nice. A man saw we were lost and came up to us without us asking. Later that night the boys came over for a bit. it gets really dark here by 5:30. The next day we got up and headed to phillip island. On the way there we stopped at a farm there we saw KANGAROOS - they were amazing! We also cracked whips and I got to feed a wombat- it almost pulled me in it was so strong. We got to phillip island where we stayed in cabins - roughing it for me. They were freezing! It was so cold there. That night we went to see the penguin march. No pictures aloud but the ocean was amazing about a thousand penguins come in and march from the ocean to these little burrows and you get to watch them- too cute! We went home got to know eachother and chilled. The next day was huge for me and I really couldnt be prouder of myself. So first I climbed over this wall thing, next I went on a zipline- at first I was scared but it was so much fun! Next was REALLY BIG FOR ME. They had a huge human sling shot. You got pulled about a hundred feet up by the others than you had to pull the rope and you just swung down. I DID IT! Yes, that is right- I DID IT! After that we took a 8 mile bike ride through australian hills- saw wild kangaroos. We then went to see kaolas- too cute. At night we hung out some more and healed our sore butts. We had some orientation. Oh funny story with the bike I was riding with this kid sam and we approached a road - I didnt know wich way to look cuz they drive on the wrong way and it is confusing so sam screams just dont look- so I didnt.. turns out there was a car and I almost got hit. Next, I was riding down a hill and there was a tree branch and as you can guess I ran directly into it. Later that night we went to the beack for sunset. At 6 4 we got up and me, sam, jess and rob got up and went to the ocean for sunrise. Then we drove home.. grocery and now we are drinking mamosas instead of doing our shit ton of homework for classes tomorrow. LOVEEEE YOUUUUUUU

Oh wow what a whirlwind the last few days. My mom left me at the airport- I had almost exactly 100 pounds of luggage. Then I was off to Denver. Denver airport= huge, insane, crazy. After a little confusion I found my gate and had about 45 minutes before my flight. While waiting a met a girl my age also going to aussi- we were both kinda afraid to navigate LAX so we stuck together. The plane to LA was a baby so we flew low which I was thrilled about because we flew over the rockys and saw the most beautiful purple and pink sunset ever. LAX from above is all bright lights and screams Hollywood. We had to take two buses to get to our next gate. On one of the busses there was an asian man with a little cooler that said all over do not xray stem cells and had a little tiny computer thing monitoring it. The kid next to me asked what was in it- it was bone marrow to save someone’s life. They came all the way to the states to pick it up and needed it to make the trip back to asia. While waiting in LAX at the Melbourne gate I met a girl Sarah. She had just graduated but had the best love story ever so here goes. She has kinda an unusual last name and joined a facebook group of people with the same last name. One being a person named Steven from Melbourne Aussi. They became penpals.. nothing personal until on his birthday he had sensed she wasn’t so happy. Turns out she had just broke up with her boyfriend. They then starting skyping and getting really close. In January he came to visit her in Nashville for a month. They loved eachother so now she was going to Melbourne to visit him… If all goes well in the 1.5 months that she is here she is going to move to aussi to be with him. The plane is HUGE and takes about an hour to load. She was in the back so had to load before me. While waiting in the proper spot I met this aussi boy who was on his way home from studing in the states for 6 months. He was really cool he joined sigep while here and had a complete college experience so he gave me some tips and told me it is very different in aussi. He was only sitting about two rows behind me so he was good to chat with. But, I don’t have an aussi number yet so we ahd no numbers to exchange so we could meet up in Melbourne. The flight was longer than long. And we were so cramped it was crazy. I felt we had less room than on northwest for 17 hours. I couldn’t stay awake any longer by the time I got on the flight so I slept through the American night…not good. I got to aussi waited for sarah and we went hrough customs and to baggage claim the I met the guy picking me up and he drove me to my hotel. It was not the nicest and my jetlag was insane. To try and wake up I took a walk… there were two beautiful parks right next to my hotel. And Every aussi is just so nice it is crazy. I only managed to stay awake until 5 30…. Then I woke up at 4am now I am so tired. Changing time to the other side of the world is tough. I didn’t know jetlag could exist that is this bad. But I showered blow driend my hair checked out and got a taxi to my apartment. My taxi driver was from india but his sister is a doctor at uofm (what are the chances) and his brother in law is an enginerer. He wants to mve to Michigan with them but couldn’t get a visa so I guess he said if you pay sometimes you can find a women to marry and get a usa visa. I LOVE MY APARTMENT. It is so cute with the perfect view out the balcony. Now I am here alone waiting for my roommates. I love my roommates Jessica is awesome and we are both scared of camping etc. ☺ We are about to go into the city for lunch and also for some shopping! More updates soon!

G'DAY MATE! yes that was the start to the e-mail I just got from Chay and Antoinette- our orientation leaders. They wanted to relieve us of any travel quarries that we might have and remind us to bring our jumpers because it is chilly. Wow- it has been a super busy week. Tomorrow- AUSTRALIAAAA. I can't even describe my excitement. I have way to much luggage, but o well. I just need to pack my backpack and I am complete :) Today I am going to say lots of goodbyes and have a delic dinner with my mom and then head to the airport in the morn. It is a 26 hour travel time... a little insane. The time difference (14 hours) is rough but I am sure I will be fine. My plan- well I leave LAX at 9:30 pm for a 16 hour flight. I am going to watch 4 movies bringing me to 8 hours- take my pill and sleep the next 8 hours (australian night). Arrive in australia well rested and ready for an amazing trip. Everyone have an amazing summer- I will try to keep this updated with all sorts of stories and pictures. I feel very blessed to be able to go on this trip. I can bbm and e-mail for free! Aticki@umich.edu- it will come straight to my phone. Also skype and ichat of course..but it may be hard to coordinate the time difference. LOVEEEEE

Busy weekend- I will write later but this video has been one of the many highlights of my weekend


http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1935635

choas

The last two days have been crazy to say the least. I should not have left all this preparation stuff until the very last minute. It is quite stressful getting ready to go away for this long. Packing... I currently only have one suitcase, but a second is ordered. Hopefully, it arrives in time. This weekend will be packed full. Luckily, my mom is considering taking monday off to help me pack. She is afraid I am going to forget some vital things. Per usual I will be packing last minute.
A weird thing to make me happy, but if anyone knows me well they know I am kinda in love with real world/ road rules challenge and it ended last wednesday..the last wednesday I will be in the states. Just in time! Landon and Carley won.. I am in love with Landon. He is engaged. Home wrecker anyone? I also connected with a good friend of my dads on facebook yesterday. She had a great picturing of him at work and said she has a whole box of his work things that she is going to send me :) This just made my day... no week. The wether has held up.. hopefully it continues to this weekend. I don't mind that I am heading into the winter, but I would like one last sunny weekend. Although, I am sure australia is still pretty sunny even in the winter. In a week I will be across the world heading to Phillip island to watch the penguins and hang at the top of the trees with some koalas. Phillip Island is the only place where you can still see the penguin march everyday at sunset. Phillip Island also has built bridge type things (at least thats what I am imagining) at the top of the trees allowing us to walk along side the koalas to get a closer look at an awesome animal. I am sure I will also see kangaroos. It is a common delicacy in aussi. I don't know if I will be eating any kangaroo meat or vegimite for that matter. Hopefully, I will be sending postcards and posting pictures by the mass. Australia is pretty much the only thing I thing about now. The flight is going to be filled with anticipation. Hopefully, I can sleep and am not watching the clock every two seconds. That would be a long 26 hours. I can bbm for free and also e-mail so e-mail me at aticki@umich.edu. It will come straight to my phone like a text and I will be able to write back.

Amazing day in ann arbor yesterday. I missed it way more than I knew. I was sad to say bye to everyone, but loved spending time with them. Ann arbor is def. the place for me. Alina and I spent most of the night together and had deep convos etc.. no one understands me quite like her. We went to olive garden.. yumm and then we went to my ann arbor favorite rods. I ordered my typical- vanilla with snickers. pineapple and banana but the pineapple was expired and when he went to remake mine.. the ice cream machine broke :( That is ok because that little dude is awesome. It was nice seeing everyone stress free! although they are not. Everyones rooms are so cute! I can't wait until I move in and we all live grown up lives together. For the day- call the airlines, bank, exchange money, get suitcases, get glasses...... and WAY more AUSTRALIA IS SO CLOSE

The Reason

So I find myself 20 years old and very misunderstood. Many people get the wrong impression of me or really don't know me at all. The issue is that I myself does not know me. I have a few true friends, but its hard to really find a true friend. A true friend is someone that is someone that cares and is sticking through it all (even when you are a huge bitch for a six month period). The last year has been a bit hard because I went far off the Allie trail that I was never exactly on. My true friends have really helped me through it. Much of my like came trickling down this year, but some friendships stayed strong and thank god for that. Anyways, I would be nowhere without those people. One of the biggest steps thus far was deciding to go after the career that I really love and not become a doctor- what I have been raised to do. I realized I am not failing, because I can do it. I don't want to do it. This decision took nearly a year to finalize. Now, I am about to set off across the world with my true love; traveling. I love to travel. There is nothing better than experiencing life through other cultures. I am studying abroad in Australia beginning in one very short, very packed week. I am so excited, but nervous too- mainly for the plain ride. I am not a patient person so 26 hours of traveling and I may be stir crazy. This will be farthest I have traveled, but by the end of 2012 I hope to go on birth right (mom loves the idea and her approval is the only one that counts) and to bali, moscow and south africa. I am hoping to write something I learned and something I like every day in here- hopefully I keep this up during australia. I have so much to do including figure out what flight I am on... Today, I am not going to do any of that instead I am going to Ann arbor!