I'm Reading...

The Help

                                                             What are you reading?

Song of the day.....

Here is a song of the day for you to enjoy, while i continue to catch up on all of your blog entries that i missed while i was gallivanting abroad!

Back story on this song is:
My friend Nick made a mix CD for me and my lady friends after our last girls trip (he's real good like that). So this song was on it.. i jammed out to it for a few months without knowing who sang it or what it was called (no names of songs...)  but then... we got a new computer and transferred over my music- but for some reason i couldn't find this song.  Then!  On the plane ride home from Amsterdam before watching 6 hours of Sons of Anarchy... (uh huh)....i was watching Hall Pass (i'm a sucker for a dumb romantic comedy).. anywho- in the closing credits of Hall Pass.... this song played..
we are reunited and it feels so good.  Now i know who sings it (after googling- song played at the closing credits of Hall Pass) - what did we do before the google machine? i am happy to  share it with you, hope you like!

Band: Empire of the sun
Song:  Walking on a dream

i'm home!!

I am back in the Chi-town- so happy to be home and i am even more happy that today is Sunday and i have the day off!!  Phew... that jet laggin' stuff is forreal.

So i had hoped to post a ton of photos on here while i was gone- but the internet connection at our hotels were all a bit iffy.  

So i just posted some photos to my facebook page...check it out!

Here is the coolest one that andrew took on one of his fancy iphone apps. 

that's me on top of the e!!!  i almost ripped my pants crawling up there, but it was totes worth it. 

We had such a wonderful trip and i can't believe it's already over.  Every day we were telling ourselves... Live in the moment..... enjoy every moment... and we did- but the days were so full and still went by so fast!  We had 2 cameras, and 2 iphones.. so we got SO MANY SHOTS.. i think Andrew is going to use his Mobile ME account to make a photo library of ALL of our photos.  

Keep ya'll posted with that website address. 

I am off to Costco, the Jewels and Stanley's market to get some veggies/ food in my fridge and in my life.  

Now... on to summer time in Chicago. 

thanks for followin' my European Vacation...  it was well worth the 4+ years we have been plannin on going.

xoxo 

Turns out....

Things aren't as cheap as i thought in ole Europe.. just looked at our bank account.  OUCH!  I think i forgot to take into mind the exchange rate... Oh... jessica.....  use that noggin' of yours!

Welp it's our last day in Amsterdam, off to do what the amsterdam(ians) do best....  WE must finish it before we get on that plane...

It's been such a great trip and i am very happy we finally got to do it!  (4+ years in the making...)
Andrew and a I are a real good travel team, only a few dumb little quarrels, and we are still loving each others company! (duh!!)  xoxo

More pics. to come.... slow connection again.... i can't wait to have soup when i get home....

Notes on Paris, Brussels, Bruges

Paris:

1.)  None of the dogs are on leaches- just walking around, so well trained (chai would not fit in)

2.) There are no vegetables - i could have killed for some brocolli (still could)

3.)  The crepes were amazing- but a little intense for breakfast after being hung over...

4.)  Rue= Street, who knew?  i have been calling Chai Rue for years... she's named after a street

5.)  it does not get dark in Europe till about 10:15pm... seriously  andrew and i would take a nap- wake up at 9:15 and it would still be light out!!  So crazy;.. no wonder that city never sleeps

more to come- and pictures!  I tried to do it now but we are getting a very weak connection in Bruges...

on to Belgium:

Brussells:

1.)  Hung out with some fun brothers that were traveling for a month- got a few beers with them and basically heading back to the train.

2.) the bar we went to had a dog sitting on the bar stool... if i could upload-  that picture would be here.

3.) Beers were so cheap - 7.00 bucks for 4 good local belgium beer.

4.)  Didn't get to really SEE this city- just stuck close to the train station so we can get an early train to Bruges..

5.) Sons of Anarchy on the train... whilst viewing the lovely country side


Bruges:

1.) The hotel we are in is beautiful and i has the best shower ever (paris- not so much)

2.) it's pretty cold and rainy.... guess what  i have worn ALL 6 of my shoes that i brought!!!!  and it's day four-  and both coats i brought.. i packed real good, thanks again for letting me talk that out.

3.)  Everyone speaks english and really enjoys it- they start learning in elementary school and are very happy to talk in english (not like Paris)

4.)  You can still smoke in bars here

5.)  we walked 300 some stairs to get to the top of the Bell Tower it was an amazing view.

6.)  Went on the best beer tour it was an awesome brewery with one of the most entertaining guides.

7.)  Hilarious late night "clubs"  we went in- ordered a beer and sat outside it was like we were in Paris again.. love the outside seating everywhere - till 4am.


we are here now- so more to come on this-  off to Amsterdam tomorrow, after doing the canal tour in the morning.   but for now off to dinner in the rain.

Voila!
xoxo

PARIS!

I'm here... and oh man are we jet lagged.  Barely slept on the plane cause there were so many good things to watch!  Andrew brought season 1 of Sons of Anarchy so we started that.. i'm hooked.
But the plane ride was great and did NOT seem like 8 hours at all.
Getting to our hotel was THE WORST. I suggest taking a taxi, or the RER (train).   anywho our driver was a total ASS (excuse my french)... basically had our wrong address and tried to make us take a taxi instead of him driving... ...  but he drove us..  i said Sorry like 130 times.  and he TRIED to make us feel really bad.. didn't work.. Don't care sir, take me where i need to go. :)  i'll show that guy, that i'll never see again!

Any way we made it safe and sound... my impressions so far....
1. SUPER CUTE city

2. love the Cafe's

3. lots of stereo-types

4. people do not move out of your way when walking down the side walk

5. I'll say.... "Bonjour! do you know where so and so is..... i try a little french but then just go back to english and get a little flustered. I asked some girls for directions and after the gave it to me i said.... BONJOUR! instead of Merci'- and i was like... "dang! i meant merci'" in my best texas twang..

6. kids speakin' french is adorable (esp asian baby girls)

7. we have gotten lost every time we try to find our hotel. (not cute)

8.  There are SO MANY PEOPLE HERE

9.  Paris can be done on a budget - lunch for 2 of us (2 sandwiches and 2 Beers - $12.40- not bad!)

10.  andrew and i are both delrious, and are just trying not to fall asleep.  MUST STAY AWAKE.

We did a lot today tho!  Got on the Metro - and ventured on up north (i think).  Went to the The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris

We walked up about 400 steps to get to the top of this beautiful cathedral- my legs are like jello....
(i did not take this photo)
but i did take a bunch of pictures but i'm too cracked out to upload them right now.  i'll do a whole other post about this- it was awesome- you could see a view of the entire city... the eiffel tower!!

Then we saw Moulin Ruge-  and Notre Dame.  We just got to get into our hotel room and there is free Wi-Fi! so here i am writing a post, and chatting with Hayley on instant message (hieeee)!
.... as Hayley says.... it is the 2000's after all. (that I'm in Paris and we are chatting at what seems like i am at my desk at work).

ok, bon voyage- off to drink some wine and eat dinner! and wake andrew up from his nap.. DANG HE FELL ASLEEP!!  we gotta get on Europe time.
Adios!  (i gotta learn, goodbye in french)

JUNE

Horray for JUNE!

1.)  It's my Birthday month

2.)  Today is my last day of work before my European Vacation

3.)  It's finally SUMMER!!

4.)  The local neighborhood pool will be open when i get back

5.)  It's grilling season

6.)  Summer's almost over.

Just Kidding! Summer has just begun! And  i have one and half hours till I leave work for a whole WEEK!

7.)  going to PARIS.... TOMORROW!!!

clock.... is.... slowly.........slowly.....ticking...........

Happy June to you!