Changes Are Coming!

Bonjour mes amis,

Alright so, I promised to keep you updated, but I have been doing a pretty crumby job of it so far.

While we were in Portland (right after I upload my vlog actually), the software on my MacBook was deleted somehow. So, I had to go to the Apple store in downtown Portland to get it all fixed up, but now, everything is working fabulously. 

Since Daddy Rayl is officially working in Portland, he had to fly back out a few days after we arrived home. I think I have mentioned before about how worried I am about their impending move. Well while he was packing, everything finally hit me like Miley Cyrus on her wrecking ball. For some reason, I just started bawling, and yes, I know I'm an ugly crier. I felt horrible for my dad because he was like...."Uh, why are you crying?? It's not like this is goodbye forever, haha." But, I just couldn't help myself. So, reality has somewhat hit. 

I am actually really proud of myself in the way that I am handling all this change. When I was younger, change wasn't a big deal to me; I just adapted and went on. Now though, it's different because my parents will be away from me, and I guess that scares me a little bit. I think when I was running all the scenarios through my head, they seemed way worse than they are now that it is happening. 

Anyways, I head back to Lawrence tomorrow, and I start my second semester in college.

Before that happens though, I decided to make a list of things I want to accomplish this year.

I thought about calling this list a New Years resolution, but let's be real...those never work out. 

So, here we go!

1. I will stop stressing the small things and start looking at the overall picture.
2. I will push outside my comfort zone (whether that's flying alone or just doing something without trying to think every step through).
3. I will read more. (This one shouldn't be too difficult.)
4. I will study more. Last semester, I didn't study as much as I could/should have. 
5. I will get more involved in things I love and I am passionate about.
6. I will hug and love more, and I will cut back on talking down on people. 
7. I will travel more.
8. I will reconnect with my sense of wonder.
9. I will cope with stress in healthier ways than having panic attacks, like dancing.
10. I will be stronger.
11. I will exercise more.
12. I will eat healthier and prevent myself from diabetes.
13. I will stop relying on technology so much, and if I want to talk to someone, I will talk to their faces not through a text.
14. I will ready myself to go abroad.
15. I will be more organized.
16. I will listen to more music in all different genres. 
17. I will help someone in any way I can.
18. I will clean my car and keep it clean.
19. I will keep in touch with my friends better. Because schedules are so different, it is hard to keep up with everyone, and sometimes, your best friends fall out of touch because someone THINKS they are too busy.
20. I will work on my Français more.
21. I will make more friends.
22. I will start to love myself more and see myself as a beautiful person. Now, this one seems so simple, but it is so difficult to be completely okay with how we are.
23. I will pray more and get in touch with God again. Although I am not the most religious person out there, I want to get in better touch with God. I know Grandma isn't in pain anymore, so I will always have that to be thankful for.
24. I will start thinking of how blessed I am instead of comparing my blessings to others'. 
25. I will listen more.
26. I will call my parents at least four nights a week to say goodnight, and I will ALWAYS tell them "I love you" EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT. You never know when it will be the last time.
27. I will stop worrying about impressing other people or trying to fit in. It never helps how I feel about myself. Acceptance like that is only temporary.
28. I will stand up for those who are being brought down.
29. I will make myself available to anyone who needs someone to talk to.
30. I will, at least once, do something crazy. Something that absolutely terrifies me, and I will be okay. (I'm not talking about crazy things as in stupid crazy. I mean fun crazy.)
31. I will watch more Disney movies.
32. I will stop dogging my mom. Hurting her doesn't help her.
33. I will visit Grandma and Grandpa's grave at least once this year. It's the least I can do. 

I would love to hear what you guys are going to do this year!

Avoir mes amis.

Portland Day One Vlog

Hello Lovelies, 

Okay so first on today's list is to apologize for the major delay. I promise I had the vlog edited and ready to go onto here, but YouTube was being dumb. It has taken over two days for my video to upload. I don't understand why, but it is no excuse. 

So essentially, all we did yesterday was look at houses (that's why I didn't vlog it), and the day before that we had our meltdown at the airport. 

One thing I forgot to mention in the video was that Delta actually lost our luggage and sent it on our original flight to Portland, so when we arrived in Redmond, we had nothing and had to drive over 3 hours to Portland airport to stop our luggage from being flown to Redmond.....

They really need to organize their airlines better. 

Oregon is very beautiful (as well as Washington, since we are looking for housing in both areas). They remind me of Colorado since there are mountains everywhere. 

I saw Mt. Saint Helen which was the coolest part of the trip so far.

We only saw four houses so far, and only two of those were decent. 

It's so stressful. We also need to sell our house in Salina ASAP. 

On the plus side, I decided to take the plunge and buy the American Apparel disco pants. 

I cringe a little when I think of the cost... *crying*

Although they are extremely pricey, the quality cannot be beat. I have been researching them for over three months now, so I felt that I had enough research invested into it. 

They won't arrive until I am home, so I will update you more then. 

But here's the video I promised <3

Also if you know me then you know I love music and remixes. I just found a remix of Miley Cyrus' Wrecking Ball, and I love it. I leave the video too ;)

The Travel Struggle

Bonjour mes amis,

We finally arrived in Kansas City last night at around 6:30pm and checked into our hotel.

Because we had an early flight, we went to bed around 10pm. 

I did not sleep very well.

5am rolled around, and I was drained and zombie like.

Upon arriving at the airport at 5:40am, we learned that our flight to Denver had been cancelled along with our flight from Denver to Portland because a storm dropped a lot of snow on the northern regions. 

We were upset, but at the same time, we were like,  "Okay, so our flight was cancelled. We will just transfer flights, and everything will be fine."

WRONG.

Our plane provider was SouthWest and apparently, they were completely booked for the Portland flight until Tuesday at 4:30pm. There was no way we could wait that long.

So, we decided to change airlines. We jumped a bus and went to the Delta exit. 

The lady at the Delta counter ran into a ton of issues and complications, so we gave up. 

My dad decided to drive back to Salina because we weren't going to get a plane, and SouthWest's phones were tied up. So, it would have been an hour or more wait. 

Delta's phone services were no better; it was a three hour wait. 

It was absolute madness and looking on line seemed to be a losing battle as well.

But long behold, I went onto Delta's website and searched for flights tomorrow, January 5th, and I found about 6. All were sold out but one. I took that as a sign, and we booked the flight. The price wasn't too bad either. This is the second time Delta has bailed our family out of a cancellation from SouthWest. Needless to say, SouthWest will be the last place we fly through again. 

Tomorrow, we will be flying out of Kansas City to Portland at 6am. Let's hope this time we actually get to Portland. 

Also, I will try to vlog or take pictures tomorrow and while we are in Portland.

Avoir mes chers, 

XO

It's a New Year!

Bonjour mes amis!,

So, it is officially January 2, 2014, but to be honest, it still doesn't feel like I have completed a whole semester at college yet. Heck, it doesn't even feel like I have graduated high school. Crazy, I know.

So for the new year, we celebrated with my second family, and both of my baby boys stayed up to watch the ball drop, watch live performances, and until their parents decided to leave at around 1:30 am. 

(On my right is Easton and on the left is Hunter)

(This is my second mommy and the mother of those beautiful babies you are always seeing on here)

(Both my moms)

This sums up our night ;) 

I had such a blast.

Now for the scary news...tomorrow, my parents and I will be driving up to Kansas City to spend the night. At 6:50 am the next morning, we will be flying on a plane to Portland, OR. We will be there for a week. 

For those of you who know me, you know that planes+Amber=no bueno. Added to the fact that my dog has to stay home without us? Ugh.

Luckily, I bought a new suitcase, and I have plenty of dramamine to help me get through the flight. 

It's starting to hit me that my parents will be moving to a city that is a 3.5 hour flight away.

I have never been more terrified or thrilled in my life. I am so excited for them because I know it what my dad really wants, but at the same time, it's scary for me to grow up so quickly. It feels like just yesterday I was panicking over moving to college. Now, I'm freaking out over having to fly home.

I will keep everyone updated on our adventures to Portland ;)

Wish me luck!

Avoir,

XO