tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33107021198662227162024-03-05T15:06:25.660-08:00The Wandering SolAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311554669935661718noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310702119866222716.post-23356948665997922652017-04-25T08:33:00.000-07:002017-04-25T08:33:43.339-07:00My Bucket ListThere's so many places I want to go and things I want to do.<br />
<br />
I would like to visit every country in the world, but the top places on my list right now are:<br />
<br />
1. Singapore<br />
2. Greece<br />
3. Australia<br />
4. Iceland<br />
5. Tokyo, Japan<br />
6. Egypt<br />
7. South Africa<br />
8. India<br />
9. Ireland<br />
10. Brazil<br />
<br />
There's a few things I want to do in these places such as:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Go to the Harry Potter cafe in Singapore</li>
<li>Snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef</li>
<li>See the Northern Lights in Iceland</li>
<li>Eat sushi in Tokyo</li>
<li>Visit the Pyramids in Egypt</li>
<li>Go on a safari in South Africa</li>
<li>Visit Ireland (my brother said it was his favorite place in Europe)</li>
<li>Walk through the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil</li>
</ul>
<div>
I'd like to see the <b>Seven Wonders of the World</b> as well.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So far I've seen the Roman Colosseum and Chichén Itzá.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I want to go to:</div>
<div>
The El-Deir Monastery in Petra, Jordan</div>
<div>
The Great Wall of China</div>
<div>
The Taj Mahal</div>
<div>
Christ the Redeemer in Brazil</div>
<div>
Machu Pichu</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'd also like to see the <b>Ten Natural Wonders of the World</b></div>
<div>
1. Glaciers and Icebergs in Greenland</div>
<div>
2. Great Barrier Reef in Australia</div>
<div>
3. Grand Prismatic Springs at Yellowstone</div>
<div>
4. Redwood National Park</div>
<div>
5. Galapagos Islands</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311554669935661718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310702119866222716.post-37901268374296686012017-04-25T00:18:00.002-07:002017-04-25T00:18:42.301-07:00Coachillin'This last weekend I went to Coachella.<br />
<br />
It's one of the biggest music festivals and people travel from all over the world just to go to it.<br />
<br />
It's even a popular attraction for celebrities.<br />
<br />
It has been my dream to go for several years now and what better way to end my senior year of college by going.<br />
<br />
Of course we went on the hottest and busiest weekend (there's two), but it was still a fun time and great experience.<br />
<br />
The festival actually has it's own town now. There is a Coachella, California. But the festival is in Indio.<br />
<br />
We stayed at the Hard Rock hotel in Palm Springs. This is a nice area and feels like a retirement community because it's so quiet and peaceful (away from all the craziness of the festival.)<br />
<br />
The temperature reached above 100 degrees on the last two days which made for a sweaty, hot time.<br />
<br />
There were performers such as Lady Gaga, Tove Lo, Gucci, Dillon Francis, Marshmello, just to name a few.<br />
<br />
The festival is three days long and you can also camp there.<br />
<br />
I usually like to camp but I'm glad I didn't this time because it would have been so hot sleeping in those tents!<br />
<br />
The festival grounds are huge and sometimes it would seem to take forever walking from one stage to the next.<br />
<br />
I also don't feel like I got to see everything. Plus there were TONS of people, which means lots of lines and huge crowds at each artist performing.<br />
<br />
There was a huge ferris wheel and lots of different colorful and artistic structures throughout the festival.<br />
<br />
Also, tons of delicious food to choose from.<br />
<br />
We got Spicy Pie pizza which was probably the best pizza I've ever had. It was so hot and cheese was melting off the plate.<br />
<br />
Yumm. Now I'm hungry.<br />
<br />
I think everyone should experience Coachella at least once!<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311554669935661718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310702119866222716.post-14972585711359676762017-04-25T00:07:00.003-07:002017-04-25T00:08:33.848-07:00"Dubai was Lit Ma"<span style="font-size: large;">Gold Lamborghinis.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I think that pretty much sums up Dubai.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I was most impressed with how nice their highways were, as lame as that sounds.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Every restaurant, every bathroom, every place is clean. And constantly cleaned to keep it that way.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The world's tallest building is here, the Burj Khalifa. Definitely a must-see and even better if you have time to go up to the top.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We only spent a few days in Dubai for my birthday and New Year's Eve.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We ate dinner at the bottom of the Burj Khalifa one night as the building was lit up and changing colors.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There was an extravagant wedding going on. To us it seemed like a prince or princess was getting married because the wedding was such a celebration.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Even the bride's walk was set to a certain time for the fountains to go off right behind her.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There were cameras filming from every angle and loud music playing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was the most glamorous wedding I've seen in my life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But my favorite part of the trip was almost dying in the desert. Well feeling like I was going to.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A desert safari tour through the Arabian desert.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Toyota 4runners sliding down sand dunes. Going fast up and down, being thrown around like a fair ride.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was scary yet thrilling.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">How did they know where they were going?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We finally reached the rest of the group in time to watch the sun set.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then they took us to a campsite area where we had an indian buffet dinner, watched bellydancers and got henna tattoos.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I love getting to experience new cultures and meeting people from all over the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7N9Rjg1wRkTWeJ7sD2Y8UYcKY0485O6bH0LH-JBlZZPARwbvjULc9_cmTO9RhBBErHKO-VUKRyehw9ID3k2fpT0devWnAR5H4XFU0IZDis5d4Dw5FQznH3Kp0KByolraDBSMmGOGSZkX/s1600/IMG_1943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7N9Rjg1wRkTWeJ7sD2Y8UYcKY0485O6bH0LH-JBlZZPARwbvjULc9_cmTO9RhBBErHKO-VUKRyehw9ID3k2fpT0devWnAR5H4XFU0IZDis5d4Dw5FQznH3Kp0KByolraDBSMmGOGSZkX/s640/IMG_1943.jpg" width="372" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a funny video in case you didn't understand the title of this blog:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIQCl2ih9Ws" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIQCl2ih9Ws</span></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311554669935661718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310702119866222716.post-17704493320310112132017-04-18T22:00:00.000-07:002017-04-24T22:15:20.691-07:00The Other Side of the World<span style="font-size: large;">Thailand is an amazing place.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I had never been to Asia before, so traveling here was definitely eye-opening. The country isn't as wealthy as the United States. The air and streets in Bangkok weren't clean. It didn't smell very good outside either.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I enjoyed trying to learn the language and the culture of the Thai people. It intrigues me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You have to cover up when you go into the temples, and you are supposed to take off your shoes. The temples are a popular tourist attraction, and sometimes they can get pretty crowded, especially the Grand Palace. But the palace is beautiful and a must-see!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Be careful, the natives can spot tourists easily and will try to scam you every chance you get.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Remember to bargain, bargain, bargain, when buying anything.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And if your price offer doesn't work, walk away. They'll change their mind.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We had a drink at the top of the building where one of the Hangover movies was filmed. It was at the Lebua at State Tower Hotel.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You could see the whole city from here.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Another popular spot for tourists and especially backpackers is Khao San Road. It's crazy. You'll just have to see it for yourself.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We then went to the city of Pattaya. It was about a two hour drive from Bangkok.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We stayed near the beach. However, this wasn't one of my favorite beaches.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Nong Nooch Botanical Gardens are in Pattaya, and this is what we really wanted to see. The gardens stretched so far I don't think we even came close to seeing all of it. But they were gorgeous.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We continued our journey on to The Sanctuary of Truth. It looks somewhat out of place, this giant, beautifully carved, wooden structure sticking out of the trees right next to the ocean.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Sanctuary of Truth may have been my favorite thing about Thailand. I was just awe-struck by it all.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We stayed a week in Phuket at a beach resort. It was so relaxing and nice to getaway from the city-life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We were there during the rainy season so there were a few showers off and on, but nothing too unbearable.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The street food is the cheapest and best tasting, but I'm not sure how sanitary. We both had food poisoning for a few days, which is never fun, but kind of expected when you go to a new country.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We also rented a motorcycle bike for the week. This made getting around so much cheaper.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Full Moon Parties are supposed to be amazing here, but we weren't there for the full moon, just the half moon.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Half Moon Party was a ton of fun so I can only imagine the Full Moon Parties. There was music, dancing, drinks, body paint, and even fire performers and a fire limbo! I would definitely recommend going to either a Full or Half Moon Party if you get the chance.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">All this talk of Thailand makes me want to go back already.</span><br />
<br />
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The Sanctuary of Truth</div>
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Street food</div>
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Me at the Half Moon Party</div>
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An elephant</div>
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A cool spot in the Nong Nooch Gardens</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311554669935661718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310702119866222716.post-56244204120630399022017-04-18T20:50:00.001-07:002017-04-18T21:04:09.299-07:00Does the Governor Even Come Here?<span style="font-size: large;">The Governor's Ball in New York.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I got two jobs that summer after being an intern at Hangout Music Fest.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The first was working for The Governor's Ball at Randall's Island Park, New York.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We were busy working most of the time and the one chance we did get to go watch some of the artists, it started pouring down rain.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Why is it always trying to rain on my parade?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We did eat some giant slices of pizza and let me tell you, it was tasty.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then we went to Bethel Woods, New York to work Mysteryland.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So this is where they actually had Woodstock in 1969. I swear I saw hippie ghosts.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Mysteryland was my favorite between the two. There weren't as many people. It was hidden away from the city (unlike in New York City.)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The only downside was that even though it was warm and sunny during the day, it was freezing at night. And we were camping. In tents. In 30 degree temperatures.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Needless to say we survived.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Next time I'll be sure to pack warmer clothes.</span><br />
<br />
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The Governor's Ball June 2016</div>
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Mysteryland June 2016</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311554669935661718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310702119866222716.post-67915802643681505932017-04-18T19:11:00.000-07:002017-04-18T19:48:43.744-07:00Blood, Sweat, and Tears<span style="font-size: large;">One of fifteen.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That's how many interns there were.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't realize at first how big of a deal it was.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">To be honest I kind of just googled "music festival internships" and one for The Hangout Music Fest in Gulf Shores Alabama popped up.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I had never even heard of Hangout before, but I applied anyways.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I was ready to learn though, and I was going into it with an open mind.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We basically put the whole festival together (besides all the massive stages and stuff.)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We decorated the artist trailers, built lounge chairs, created crafts, came up with ideas, cleaned, decorated the VIP areas and so much more.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Being out in the sun all day long for two weeks. A few cuts and bruises along the way, a lot of sweat, and some tears.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was neat to see all of our hard work come to life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was hands-down my favorite internship. And my love for festivals grew even more.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311554669935661718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310702119866222716.post-54254709290688752612017-04-18T16:49:00.000-07:002017-04-18T19:48:32.191-07:00We Seem to be Having Bad Luck<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: lora, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1.875rem;">
<i style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">"What happened at Whitelake this weekend may have been more than an uncontrolled outpouring of hip young people, struggling as they did to survive. First, the 20-mile traffic jams and 5-mile hikes; then, the intense heat and sudden rain; the thirst and hunger from the shortage of water and food, just for the opportunity to spend a few days in the country getting stoned on their drugs, and grooving on the music. What happened at Whitelake was that hundreds of thousands of kids invaded a rural resort area totally unprepared to accommodate them."</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: lora, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1.875rem;">
<i style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">- John Laurence, CSB News</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: lora, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1.875rem;">
<span style="font-size: large;">That's an anchor talking about Woodstock in 1969 but it sounds almost exactly like what happened at Tomorrowworld.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: lora, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1.875rem;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The last time they had the festival was 2015.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: lora, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1.875rem;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was my first time going to Chattahoochie Hills, Georgia.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: lora, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1.875rem;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Everything seemed to be going well at first. The first day was scorchingly hot. Even more so because we had to carry all of our stuff for miles. Tents, ice chests, food, cases of water bottles, chairs, everything.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: lora, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1.875rem;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Then the weather hit.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: lora, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1.875rem;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It poured rain for 3 days straight.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: lora, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1.875rem;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Our campsite was flooded. There was mud everywhere. And I mean everywhere.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: lora, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1.875rem;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We tried to keep the inside of our tent clean as best as we could, but the ground was so wet the inside of our tent started flooding!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: lora, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1.875rem;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Apparently worse things were going on for those who decided not to camp at the festival. There were no taxis or ubers, no food or water, no service and on the last day they didn't even let people who weren't camping into the festival at all!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: lora, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1.875rem;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Even though we were soaking wet pretty much the whole time, had mud in every crevice of our bodies, I still had a fun time. And I would go back.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: lora, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1.875rem;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Luckily I had brought ponchos so we stayed dry most of the time. It was kind of fun slipping and sliding around in the mud like a kid again. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: lora, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1.875rem;">
<span style="font-size: large;">All you really need is good music and good company anyways, right?</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: lora, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1.875rem;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully the festival will be back soon, just, safety first. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311554669935661718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310702119866222716.post-39413113615279198522017-04-18T15:42:00.004-07:002017-04-25T00:19:32.389-07:00My Parents Think it's Woodstock<span style="font-size: large;">EDC Las Vegas almost killed me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But it was fun.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">An hour 18 hour drive from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Las Vegas, Nevada.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We left around midnight.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I slept for most of the time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then it was daylight.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was my turn to drive.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The car started making funny noises.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The steering wheel was shaking.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I pulled over.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It wouldn't start.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Where even are we.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I tried to start it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The guys got out and looked under the hood.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">They didn't know much about cars, of course.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I had AAA insurance, so I called a tow truck to take us to the nearest town.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I can't even remember the name of the town.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was so small.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There was literally one restaurant. One auto shop. One hotel.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Where the heck are we.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Our other group of friends were in another car, they were already in Vegas.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">They were are only option.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">They drove several hours to come get us.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We all piled into this tiny two door car and drove several hours back.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We made it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's fine. Everything is fine.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We were going to EDC Las Vegas.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A 3 day long music festival from sunset to sunrise.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">By the end of it I was crying.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe it was exhaustion.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe the mile-long line of cars we waited in for hours.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe it was doomed from the start.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Don't get me wrong, EDC was a blast.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Let's just hope next time everything goes a little smoother.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdLe5jF2TluBvPo6wK0leSdw3P_s2TCD_1wVZzw9UonYRxk8F2PpTg5q8Sc24TDoYmF0UbHbw0cJkA2rJ7Me9FmpqUA0-1VPIQ_onyVjrGBInDhVqMJX0q39Y6NiCjFZ6OQ9GGm4Ccfzt/s1600/IMG_0411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdLe5jF2TluBvPo6wK0leSdw3P_s2TCD_1wVZzw9UonYRxk8F2PpTg5q8Sc24TDoYmF0UbHbw0cJkA2rJ7Me9FmpqUA0-1VPIQ_onyVjrGBInDhVqMJX0q39Y6NiCjFZ6OQ9GGm4Ccfzt/s400/IMG_0411.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were Mario and Peach :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Shout out to this guy photobombing our pic.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311554669935661718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310702119866222716.post-9387244626213137862017-04-18T09:45:00.002-07:002017-04-18T16:19:16.400-07:00The Real "Lolla" Land<span style="font-size: large;">"One that is extraordinarily impressive."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Lollapalooza was my "first" festival.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I had been to EDC in Mexico but I didn't really understand what I was going to (or getting into).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My love for festivals has grown since then. Now they are one of my two happiest places. The beach being first.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I was living in a model apartment in Chicago. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank God it was during the summer and not their subzero winters. Imagine freezing cold temperatures, mountains of snow, all being blown by the wind into your face, no matter which way you're going.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I wish I could have afforded to go to Lollapalooza all 3 days (it was only 3 days at the time). But festival tickets are pretty pricey. Most are at least $200 for general admission, and can go up to like $400-$500. VIP tickets are even more than that, some going up to $2,000. However, at times, VIP tickets can be worth the extra money to have access to clean bathrooms, separate hangout areas, and not having to wait in extremely long lines. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I bought a one day ticket for Friday from someone who was selling on Facebook.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">*A word of advice.... be EXTREMELY careful when buying tickets from any other website or person besides the actual festival website itself. I have been scammed twice. If you can, meet them at the festival office to have their employees make sure the ticket or wristband is legit.*</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I chose to go on Friday because this day had the most artists that I wanted to see.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But then I got lucky.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I was riding the train back to my apartment on Sunday morning and found it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I found a one day Sunday pass to Lollapalooza.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There was no one else around. I felt sorry for the person who lost it, but there was no way I would be able to the owner.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I was so excited. I got to go back to one of the funnest places on Earth.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Lollapalooza is still one of my favorite festivals and I have already been back again.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chicago just has such a cool vibe. It's still considered the midwest so the people are friendly. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you don't believe me, go check it out for yourself. You won't be disappointed. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311554669935661718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310702119866222716.post-66922132240053719922017-04-10T22:07:00.004-07:002017-04-10T22:08:32.013-07:00They don't actually "celebrate" Cinco de Mayo in Mexico<span style="font-size: large;">Cinco de Mayo isn't a federal holiday in Mexico so banks, offices and stores remain open. However, many people take the day off.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The celebration of Cinco de Mayo primarily occurs in the state of Puebla, where the unlikely victory against the French army occurred at the Battle of Puebla.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Cinco de Mayo has been Americanized.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In the United States, Cinco de Mayo is sometimes mistaken for Mexico's Independence Day which actually occurs on September 16th.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It has been turned into a celebration of the Mexican-American culture in the U.S.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Americans celebrate by going to local Mexican restaurants, eating Mexican food, drinking tequila and margaritas, and listening to mariachi bands.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Cinco de Mayo parties or "fiestas" are also held to celebrate the 5th of May.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When I was living in Mexico I was supposed to be in Mexico City on Cinco de Mayo, but I ended up flying back to Oklahoma to visit my family and see my mom for Mother's Day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Some friends were having a Cinco de Mayo fiesta that night and I wanted to go see everyone that I hadn't seen in months.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We had a mustachin' good time....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-2yncFHrjiQ3hyphenhyphenIS5n7s29U19c3-Xb8zDp-Vml1tWwoO3sxKfYWmb4e0Xiw59-AHqsZdLY1fpjgYQnFYiCL9U_3K4nO70qhLDsMk-an7aWbRKU-xkevUlrK4uwnR4LNtAUP7wW1gh10p/s1600/IMG_2972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-2yncFHrjiQ3hyphenhyphenIS5n7s29U19c3-Xb8zDp-Vml1tWwoO3sxKfYWmb4e0Xiw59-AHqsZdLY1fpjgYQnFYiCL9U_3K4nO70qhLDsMk-an7aWbRKU-xkevUlrK4uwnR4LNtAUP7wW1gh10p/s400/IMG_2972.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkvUnSO7jOW3YecxfrOEhZ-ainactvosImnP9CKDE784zY3dbCLSD_vMzkmY0OXrlUIVbTieJdMbUETv1giEsoZkuw0VzdQpaGbJmShc23RCyHj_B-fZ-01B3qQeT5qlF4a7tYkwtXpgZ/s1600/IMG_3341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkvUnSO7jOW3YecxfrOEhZ-ainactvosImnP9CKDE784zY3dbCLSD_vMzkmY0OXrlUIVbTieJdMbUETv1giEsoZkuw0VzdQpaGbJmShc23RCyHj_B-fZ-01B3qQeT5qlF4a7tYkwtXpgZ/s320/IMG_3341.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Turn that mustache upside down :)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311554669935661718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310702119866222716.post-16304709349824086532017-04-10T21:27:00.003-07:002017-04-10T21:27:58.983-07:00The Mystery Still Remains<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Its origins are still a mystery.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon are located in the ancient Mesoamerican city of Teotihuacan, Mexico. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was one of the first great cities of the Western Hemisphere.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Built by hand, both pyramids were completed around 200-250 A.D.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The city of Teotihuacan is said to have supported a population of at least a hundred thousand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Avenue of the Dead</b> is a massive central road that runs through the city of Teotihuacan, connecting the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Moon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Avenue of the Dead was once thought to be lined with tombs beneath it, but the low buildings that flank it are said to be palace residences.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The remains of animals and bodies were found buried inside of the temples. All of their heads had been lobbed off, and thought to be used as offerings of sacrifice to gods or sanctification for successive layers of the pyramid as it was built. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It's still unclear why the city of Teotihuacan collapsed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are many theories, but recent evidence showing the burnings were limited to the dwellings of the ruling class has lead to the theory that</span><span style="font-size: large;"> the poorer classes carried out an internal uprising. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvJMuyMiQxwai4madPkSNuDwUaxB8suHOBq62c7YIOtSYTJzA-zfeply3c9UfX1cTebnhfqZY9ngMNBC6rIXSIzcnM5-LioG0qYKvoyRFwubaOiQrABoVxIwWPylE63tCpRzH_DkvRrrf/s1600/600px-SSA41434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvJMuyMiQxwai4madPkSNuDwUaxB8suHOBq62c7YIOtSYTJzA-zfeply3c9UfX1cTebnhfqZY9ngMNBC6rIXSIzcnM5-LioG0qYKvoyRFwubaOiQrABoVxIwWPylE63tCpRzH_DkvRrrf/s400/600px-SSA41434.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">View of the Avenue of the Dead and the Pyramid of the Sun, from the Pyramid of the Moon</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1Mmto6LDAz_AF07RhTW0IgLkLmmghbY6onCZXdDsZXu610JrUT7CQGRccnAor6y6syPsgqng5SpL14jrZd6CLQN3TIUczdH4gDjrOECTgmoQlbeOiPqMcDizplJ3MQf1NGYmctdHuPAL/s1600/1475964_10152145315909690_1621000713_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1Mmto6LDAz_AF07RhTW0IgLkLmmghbY6onCZXdDsZXu610JrUT7CQGRccnAor6y6syPsgqng5SpL14jrZd6CLQN3TIUczdH4gDjrOECTgmoQlbeOiPqMcDizplJ3MQf1NGYmctdHuPAL/s400/1475964_10152145315909690_1621000713_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Me at the Temple of the Sun</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311554669935661718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310702119866222716.post-33437494523092867252017-03-27T23:56:00.001-07:002017-03-27T23:56:41.820-07:00Started Out as a Dream, Ended like a War Zone<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Maybe it was all the drunken college kids. Or maybe it was
being only 30 miles away from Mexico.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve been to South Padre Island before, but things never got
this bad in the past.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a 14-hour road trip, we finally made it to our condo
in South Padre Island, Texas.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My friends were tired from the long drive but I convinced
them that we were on vacation and needed to go out and dance!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Padre has become a top destination for spring breakers,
especially after they banned alcohol in other places like Panama City Beach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has also become a huge source of revenue for not only the
city, but also businesses like <a href="https://padremaniac.com/rock-star-beach/" target="_blank">Rockstar</a>, Redbull, and many others. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next few days were spent on the beach, listening to
music, meeting new people, and getting a little sunburnt on our shoulders
because we forgot to reapply. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On St. Patrick’s Day
we went horseback riding on the beach. This was hands down one of the coolest
things I’ve ever done.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1mdzzucPeUX7gg3lyGgpXZ1V7_NQcj5apSPQh7SO7Nk2ZqCQrVUhhFdg0G7JxJyOPpDi6EbxZo1k70dOFo6iA-GTxPJvYarXaqftP2kM_TfQgDhc9tbUkU7EWRPT_Y-8ugCzcXjR7E7L/s1600/sunny+horse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1mdzzucPeUX7gg3lyGgpXZ1V7_NQcj5apSPQh7SO7Nk2ZqCQrVUhhFdg0G7JxJyOPpDi6EbxZo1k70dOFo6iA-GTxPJvYarXaqftP2kM_TfQgDhc9tbUkU7EWRPT_Y-8ugCzcXjR7E7L/s400/sunny+horse.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our last three nights in Padre were spent attending a music
festival.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://umesouthpadre.com/" target="_blank">Ultimate Music Experience</a>, or UME was the name of the
festival. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Music festivals are my second happiest place to be. The
first is on a beach, and I was doing both. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At music festivals everyone is dancing, having a good time
and being so friendly. Music festivals are a great way to escape from “real
life” for a few hours, and just dance the night away.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I felt so free. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But things quickly turned sour.<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We heard news of a drunk driver running over four people and
killing them. Someone else was stabbed. There were shootings all throughout the
city.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were driving up and down the streets in a golf cart and
it looked like a war zone. There were cops everywhere with their lights on. It
was nighttime and the officers were walking around searching for something with
their flashlights. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I also survived a near death experience with the biggest
shark I’ve ever seen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Who knew there were sharks in the Gulf of Mexico?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzkwP-d0kvzFd480gjnnoYWLt9BYbzORqRqSWumLNlpOHXRzFNAHw9a1SypCgSe3t3GCQAwQdQhiQLGZbi1DKUhsZ9HwFI9cfLljXqbxgzE9crADfTz-0jLu9Egdi3AignXU-WNbOy3Fe/s1600/sunny+jaws.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzkwP-d0kvzFd480gjnnoYWLt9BYbzORqRqSWumLNlpOHXRzFNAHw9a1SypCgSe3t3GCQAwQdQhiQLGZbi1DKUhsZ9HwFI9cfLljXqbxgzE9crADfTz-0jLu9Egdi3AignXU-WNbOy3Fe/s1600/sunny+jaws.png" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311554669935661718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310702119866222716.post-35359241849263927132017-03-21T08:44:00.003-07:002017-04-18T15:44:47.226-07:00A love letter<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery";"><span style="font-size: large;">My dearest blog,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery";"><span style="font-size: large;">I know it has only been
a short time since we met, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery";"><span style="font-size: large;">but I want you to know
that I'm starting to like you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery";"><span style="font-size: large;">At times it can be hard for me to
find the words to say to you-<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery";"><span style="font-size: large;">to tell you how I really
feel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery";"><span style="font-size: large;">I get self-conscience
about whether you'll find my stories interesting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery";"><span style="font-size: large;">But I enjoy telling you about the different places I've traveled to around the world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery";"><span style="font-size: large;">I get to relive each
experience and adventure when I write to you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery";"><span style="font-size: large;">I know things between us
started a little rough, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery";"><span style="font-size: large;">but I feel like our
relationship is growing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery";"><span style="font-size: large;">You are important to me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery";"><span style="font-size: large;">You have taught me that
it's not always easy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery";"><span style="font-size: large;">I need you in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery";"><span style="font-size: large;">I need you to help me
get through school and to graduate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery";"><span style="font-size: large;">I need us to stick
together until the end.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery";"><span style="font-size: large;">You could even help me
get a job.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery";"><span style="font-size: large;">I wish I could spend
more time with you.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery"; font-size: large;">You can be so demanding sometimes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery"; font-size: large;">I've learned that
even though it may not always be easy between us,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery";"><span style="font-size: large;">we just have to keep
trying.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery";"><span style="font-size: large;">We've had our ups and
downs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery";"><span style="font-size: large;">But you'll always hold a
special place in my heart.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery";"><span style="font-size: large;">Until next time...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery"; font-size: large;">Sincerely,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery"; font-size: large;">Yours truly</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311554669935661718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310702119866222716.post-7193094394365668932017-03-08T23:05:00.001-08:002017-03-08T23:06:08.014-08:00Where Do You Get Your Travel Inspo?<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Approximately </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>o</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>ne-fifth</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of leisure travelers worldwide turn to social media platforms for inspiration within different categories of their travel planning including hotels, vacation activities, attractions, and restaurants.” <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveolenski/2014/02/07/the-impact-of-social-media-in-the-travel-marketing-industry/#514339132ad3">(“The Impact of Social Media in the Travel Marketing Industry”, 2014)</a> </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLc2KBz-bKwnHIxeggFAbAzWpKuM_DOwPEFNw4dES29E2XlGGBXBNSl6Q80ZDkAbp87X6wvQizxPdo_nGLm2IwNPQbxGMjku46G2L7uM1kLmDKSmbAXsKr2dCNUJQUD13iAL1gewRi1JQ/s1600/miller_world_physical_wall_mural_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLc2KBz-bKwnHIxeggFAbAzWpKuM_DOwPEFNw4dES29E2XlGGBXBNSl6Q80ZDkAbp87X6wvQizxPdo_nGLm2IwNPQbxGMjku46G2L7uM1kLmDKSmbAXsKr2dCNUJQUD13iAL1gewRi1JQ/s400/miller_world_physical_wall_mural_lg.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blogging and the media has turned places around the globe from unknown to known, as well as provided jobs and opportunities to many people. Millions of people are on social media outlets, and the Internet is a plethora of information that you can get in a matter of seconds. Blogging and the media has changed where people vacation</span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; white-space: pre-wrap;">, what hotels they stay at, and many other factors that go along with traveling. </span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-35e71af6-b1ca-54fc-b724-f75ba4110fd8" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">The need for travel agents has decreased drastically since this new source for travel information has taken over. “Blogs...are becoming the places to go to research your next trip, not the high street travel agent.” <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2006/aug/26/travelwebsites">(Guardian, 2006)</a> However, social media hasn't had a complete negative affect on businesses, it is also a way for businesses in the travel and hospitality industries to advertise and attract new customers. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: "cambria"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Just a decade ago, before we turned to social media for travel-planning inspiration, we relied on print guidebooks to tap into new destinations around the world” <a href="http://travel.usnews.com/features/3-ways-social-media-has-changed-the-way-we-travel/">(“3 Ways Social Media, 2015) </a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Blogging has been around for years, however, not until recently has it been turned into a source of income for several bloggers. There are upsides and downsides to being a travel blogger, as with everything. A few positives to being a travel blogger would include – <b>getting paid</b> to travel, of course, and/or you get to <b>see the world</b> by going on an expense-paid trip. Yet, there are in fact downsides, for example, you always have to be connected (to the internet), it can be lonely if you are traveling solo and you don’t actually get a vacation anymore because you are always traveling for work. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sources:</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2006/aug/26/travelwebsites" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "cambria"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2006/aug/26/travelwebsites</span></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1a1011f3-b1df-a902-d7d6-7a8be85352e0" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveolenski/2014/02/07/the-impact-of-social-media-in-the-travel-marketing-industry/#2f34506c2ad3" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "cambria"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveolenski/2014/02/07/the-impact-of-social-media-in-the-travel-marketing-industry/#2f34506c2ad3</span></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="http://travel.usnews.com/features/3-ways-social-media-has-changed-the-way-we-travel/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "cambria"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://travel.usnews.com/features/3-ways-social-media-has-changed-the-way-we-travel/</span></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="http://www.sarepa.com/2016/06/28/how-travel-and-tourism-has-changed-in-the-past-five-years/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "cambria"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.sarepa.com/2016/06/28/how-travel-and-tourism-has-changed-in-the-past-five-years/</span></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /><a href="http://www.dangerous-business.com/2016/03/blogging-changed-way-travel/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.dangerous-business.com/2016/03/blogging-changed-way-travel/</span></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311554669935661718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310702119866222716.post-23461783763006272672017-03-06T21:03:00.002-08:002017-03-27T23:58:00.888-07:00The True Meaning of a Fiesta<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mexican weddings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you’ve never been to a Mexican wedding you haven’t REALLY
been to a wedding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was the most fun I'd ever had at a wedding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-LTpQ4EQoLtXn9M-lKCzXiTy9tSc5VZnt-xUGGLnESvxjt6jhHeDbzWAJ23aUChdZkH5R5Udg2taMqzvKMzcdRZe_jwT-mm5y8hlaIGUOzZg8Hi1I8EveSZKj62ZlQh4lKB1sL3gG88z/s1600/IMG_2126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-LTpQ4EQoLtXn9M-lKCzXiTy9tSc5VZnt-xUGGLnESvxjt6jhHeDbzWAJ23aUChdZkH5R5Udg2taMqzvKMzcdRZe_jwT-mm5y8hlaIGUOzZg8Hi1I8EveSZKj62ZlQh4lKB1sL3gG88z/s400/IMG_2126.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Imagine walking up onto the beach, looking out into the
ocean. The sun is beginning to set, there are palm trees all around.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was gorgeous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">And of course after the ceremony is the reception.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Three-course meal. Fresh, mouth-watering lobster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Then everyone moved to the dance floor. They were handing me all sorts of things. Glow sticks, beads, colorful foam hats in the shape of animals, food, everything. I think this was the equivalent to balloon animals in the U.S. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We danced all night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From <b>sunset</b> to <b>sunrise</b>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In Acapulco, Mexico. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Life was great and I was living it. </span></div>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76C-5kAHXJImOs5m0hVeNnIgGOgTgmUsRAYpJqWbvxTf873Y3io7Zn1Av6dxQDm-u37sVB1y2LiGA9q43d5QnApE5OjApUPwMN_9KzaBfwEH-EAynpPqPM68edejzu_a6gyp8oA6BMJfq/s1600/IMG_2088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76C-5kAHXJImOs5m0hVeNnIgGOgTgmUsRAYpJqWbvxTf873Y3io7Zn1Av6dxQDm-u37sVB1y2LiGA9q43d5QnApE5OjApUPwMN_9KzaBfwEH-EAynpPqPM68edejzu_a6gyp8oA6BMJfq/s640/IMG_2088.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311554669935661718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310702119866222716.post-13486915396507140592017-02-23T08:46:00.003-08:002017-03-06T09:47:37.868-08:00Damsel in Distress<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cabin fever </b>is a real thing.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After enduring one of the worst winters New York has ever had, it was time to go back home for the holidays. And hopefully warmer weather.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">In February I received a call. It was my agency in New York with my next modeling assignment. I was going to be living in Mexico City for the next three months. Oh no. I need to brush up on my Spanish. Or maybe I'll just say "no hablo español."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The nerves were real.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I wasn't getting much reassurance from my family. Most of them were telling me to be careful and how worried they were about me going to Mexico City.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The first two weeks were rough. I didn't leave my apartment unless someone from my new agency came to get me. <b>The wifi didn't work</b>. This meant no contact with anyone back home. The shows on t.v. were all in Spanish. The one time I did leave the apartment by myself, a car full of men whistled and yelled things at me that I couldn't understand.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I stuck out like a sore thumb. I don't know what gave me away more, the pale white skin or the blonde hair.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">However, my hand motioning and facial expression skills did improve.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This made my first photo shoot interesting to say the least. The photographer would push and pull me around, putting me in different spots, making motions of what poses he wanted me to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then <b>I met a guy</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">He was tall, dark, and a little hairy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">His name was King Kong and he was my hero. I was just a damsel in distress living in Mexico City.</span><br />
<br /></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311554669935661718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310702119866222716.post-81788564027765589032017-02-20T22:30:00.000-08:002017-02-23T08:18:30.125-08:00The Most Wonderful Time of the Year<span style="font-size: large;">It's the epitome of all Christmases.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Christmas in New York City.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> Here are a few things you must do</b>:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rockefeller Center</b> - The biggest Christmas tree I've ever seen. Last year it was almost 95 feet tall! There is also an ice skating rink - fun for all ages.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall</b> - The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular is a show full of elite dancers and Christmas spirit. A classic and a must-see.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Serendipity 3</b> - Someone walked in here and threw up Christmas all over the walls, in a good way of course. They have mouth watering sundaes as big as your head (see image below). And frozen hot chocolate. You'll definitely need two spoons.</span></li>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311554669935661718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310702119866222716.post-15052743097298814262017-02-09T08:42:00.002-08:002017-02-14T08:03:33.898-08:00Thanksgiving in New York<span style="font-size: large;">Thanksgivings were spent at my Grandma Alice's cozy, little, red brick house in Oklahoma. She lived in a small town where we would go to Walmart or Sonic "for fun". The town was probably booming back in the old days and still has that old-timey, antique-looking feel to it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTpt-V1RbDNChwhtL2nNJfVLmbUTYKh878qusvG1cWktNceZZ1VB71oPP_1pBP7jC8qe8ODaM7qbPKg5PMB3ROIA10PMo3BIIBfc7xu9v9jxhQQ5VwczDguipeSNCAKFfIpsG6SyR94gH/s1600/th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTpt-V1RbDNChwhtL2nNJfVLmbUTYKh878qusvG1cWktNceZZ1VB71oPP_1pBP7jC8qe8ODaM7qbPKg5PMB3ROIA10PMo3BIIBfc7xu9v9jxhQQ5VwczDguipeSNCAKFfIpsG6SyR94gH/s320/th.jpg" width="253" /></a>The whole family (parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins) would snuggle up into her house on Thanksgiving. Every year we would wake up and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Everyone would bring different food dishes and we would eat for days. Literally. For days.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But this time was different.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There would be no going to Grandma Alice's house for Thanksgiving. I wasn't able to come home from New York so my parents decided to come to me. However, one tradition still remained.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">On Thanksgiving morning we woke up and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. But this time we didn't watch it on T.V. At 5 am it was time to rise and shine. My mom, dad, roommate and I began the trek to Midtown in Manhattan.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPdbddHf4D46a_9IA1X7XuIYGhrCRia_JMvvp1uTkhSwNmU58p1faaRwESElUVbDp6HwjZkDusDnXocAaiHPf896RJ8tnI784Rxqq4DertpcVv8Re35Oa1dIPO8L53E6Bekb7oHFNS-Bc/s1600/thanksgiving-day-parade-balloons-069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPdbddHf4D46a_9IA1X7XuIYGhrCRia_JMvvp1uTkhSwNmU58p1faaRwESElUVbDp6HwjZkDusDnXocAaiHPf896RJ8tnI784Rxqq4DertpcVv8Re35Oa1dIPO8L53E6Bekb7oHFNS-Bc/s400/thanksgiving-day-parade-balloons-069.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was definitely below freezing that morning. I'm talking can't feel your face, can't feel your toes, kind of cold.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Oh and the heater just happened to stop working in our apartment. Just tell yourself it's not cold and you'll be warm right? Wrong.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">For me the cold is painful. Literally painful because I have a circulation disorder called Raynaud's. Basically when I'm cold (or nervous) I lose circulation to my fingers and toes and they turn unnaturally white, blue, or purple. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But if you're in New York and have the opportunity to go watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade you must. You have to go at least once to say you've been.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The balloons and floats are massive in real life. It probably takes at least a hundred people to "walk" the balloons through the parade. Imagine how much of a struggle that would be on a windy day!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So we found a spot on the sidewalk in front of a little doughnut and coffee shop.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*tip*</b> If it's below freezing outside find a place to watch in front of a coffee shop or restaurant where you can go inside and warm up if you need to.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Also bring lawn chairs so you don't have to stand the whole time. I wish we would have known this before. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311554669935661718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310702119866222716.post-66169817910223607892017-02-02T08:19:00.000-08:002017-02-07T21:13:53.206-08:00The Model Apocalypse<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvFLORRoZa-Ui7lHG-z2vGLnB9aftLkoof-eFq9bS-TMloYBodRTgM7tkZldCPnMv100aLD_oqeExb458XJec-RIlF1Dna01CgX87K6movfTSALVqDtC0q5FbM2_uBrbPaz0Q-kUHznVd/s1600/IMG_2027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvFLORRoZa-Ui7lHG-z2vGLnB9aftLkoof-eFq9bS-TMloYBodRTgM7tkZldCPnMv100aLD_oqeExb458XJec-RIlF1Dna01CgX87K6movfTSALVqDtC0q5FbM2_uBrbPaz0Q-kUHznVd/s400/IMG_2027.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">New York Fashion Week. Some love it. Some hate it. Some don't even know what it is. However, only a few know what actually goes on behind the scenes. Because all you see are the glamorous runways, crazy fashion statements and stone-faced models.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">How to spot a model in New York City:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Skinny. "No make-up". Dressed in all black and towering over everyone.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In the weeks leading up to fashion week you will see hundreds of these women all over the city. Jumping into taxis. Running to catch the metro. Some of them will be wearing heels. Some of them will be smart enough not to.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There are two fashion weeks in New York a year, one in February and one in September.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My first fashion week was in September of 2013. I moved to New York at the beginning of August because this is when all the castings begin.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you've never been to New York in the summer, lemme tell ya it is scorching hot. I'm talking about sweat dripping down your back hot. And trees are scarce. Which means no shade. Just metal skyscrapers. Probably just increasing the heat from the sun like a frying pan.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdnDYkWJ7ck6F-r1YeiK2F4YKCoK-JOwXlYD5f1hlMUMna1N-SKAnN-xX9LhvcR_I_FWBk8bqHFRNdRl25RVuqln9XPDsEYII2KTo25FnDAFkkNbcDQuTgEDeTrmK3_WfWeWJ-ly_P483/s1600/IMG_1957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdnDYkWJ7ck6F-r1YeiK2F4YKCoK-JOwXlYD5f1hlMUMna1N-SKAnN-xX9LhvcR_I_FWBk8bqHFRNdRl25RVuqln9XPDsEYII2KTo25FnDAFkkNbcDQuTgEDeTrmK3_WfWeWJ-ly_P483/s400/IMG_1957.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Castings or "cattle calls" are visual interviews where the casting director can see what each model really looks like. And for these castings models are asked to dress as simple as possible, most of the time in a black outfit that shows off your legs, body, etc. Models are also expected to wear high heels to show how they strut their stuff on a runway.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This was always the most nerve-racking part for me. I was terrified that the casting director(s) wouldn't like me, wouldn't think I was skinny enough or pretty enough, wouldn't like my walk.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You definitely get caught up in the madness of it all. Seeing hundreds of other models at each casting call, everyone wanting the job. It's hard not to fall into the trap of criticizing or comparing yourself to others.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There's always going to be someone prettier than you. Skinnier than you. Taller than you. The only thing you can prevent from happening is someone working harder than you.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblR8kTiIA4Y5Qe6Ew0Jxb-JCJFNj5pRKgYRe64viAkV3rXDEDeEY0mjXKRun7bJyQGm3r_2tlGH8aLTLDT9D2MG2pjyVVo1Nat0YO5JekrHwkCpNC41CFUxctuQZpJJZzoyri8Fa0S5Wh/s1600/IMG_2100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblR8kTiIA4Y5Qe6Ew0Jxb-JCJFNj5pRKgYRe64viAkV3rXDEDeEY0mjXKRun7bJyQGm3r_2tlGH8aLTLDT9D2MG2pjyVVo1Nat0YO5JekrHwkCpNC41CFUxctuQZpJJZzoyri8Fa0S5Wh/s400/IMG_2100.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever wanted something so bad? With everything in you? It's difficult to explain the feeling if you've never felt this way. You just become overwhelmed with emotion. But whenever you don't get this thing, whatever you were wanting, it crushes you. And then you want to know why. Why didn't I get it? Am I not good enough?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is how I felt when I didn't book every single casting that I went to with hundreds of other models. I wanted to be the best. I wanted to be working. I wanted those jobs.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I was hurt. My heart hurt.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But I don't believe your value is measured by how many jobs you do, it is measured by how well you do them. So I picked myself up and kept trying. And I'm so glad I did because I booked several shows that fashion week season.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311554669935661718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310702119866222716.post-13436248743474463672017-01-26T08:43:00.000-08:002017-02-20T22:31:33.149-08:00An Eye-opening Experience<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">At 19 I was still young and <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">vulnerable.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">This was also the first time I would be living away from home. Exciting <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">yet terrifying. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">My roommate introduced me to her friends <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">wh<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">i<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ch at first I was <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">grateful for, but later felt some backlash. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Promoters.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Pretty much all clubs have them. A club promoter (usually a guy) - a <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">female</span> club promoter would be surprising <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">yet empo<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">wering</span></span>, so if you're out there - you go girl! Anyways, a club promoter is a guy who brings a group of "attractive" girls to the club. The club pays the promoter and also gives him a table, bottles of alcohol, and table service.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">On some nights we would<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> go to<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> fancy</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">restaurants for a</span></span></span> free dinner before <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">adve<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">nturing out</span></span> to the club. And who doesn't love free food, amirite? And I'm not talking about some skimpy green leaves because we were models. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">And "models don't eat".</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">My favorite place for dinner was an Italian restaurant. I was<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> awe-struck</span>. <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The music was blaring, the <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">floor was shaking, <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">and the</span></span></span> people were dancing on tables! <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">E</span>veryone had drinks in their hands<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">. Wa<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">it<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">, <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">is this a restaurant o<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">r a club?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The waiters</span> brought out salads, pizzas, pastas, cake, fruit, <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">r</span>ed wine,
white wine, <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">even coffee <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">to s<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">tay awake at the club <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">since we<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> were going to be there till</span> 2 am. <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">3 am. Mayb<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">e even 4 am.</span></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But the <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">be<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">st part of the<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> whole experie<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">nce were the f<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ried ore<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">os. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Definitely not a <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">part of <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">my</span> model diet.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311554669935661718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310702119866222716.post-30682700604976736172017-01-24T08:45:00.000-08:002017-01-25T16:11:12.174-08:00The Big Move to the Big Apple<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">One of my biggest dreams when I was little was to be a famous super model. This is still my dream of course, just a little more realistic now. Less famous. More successful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When I was 19 years old I signed with a modeling agency in New York.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Wow. I had never even been to New York! I was excited to say the least.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was time...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I packed up as much of my stuff as I could into two suitcases, not really knowing what I would need, and my mom and I began our journey from Tulsa, Oklahoma to New York, New York.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Filled with nerves, butterflies and a little (lot of) stress we stepped out of the airport into the streets of New York City.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">*first thoughts*</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Stinky. Dirty. Hot.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ahh the wonderful New York taxis. You can't miss the bright (ugly) yellow things.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We took a taxi to my new "home" on the upper west side of Manhattan near the George Washington Bridge. I was going to be sharing an apartment with two other models, a boy and a girl.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We called up to the 3rd floor, a girl answered and said she would be down to help us.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Oh no. You have got to be kidding me. There was no elevator?!?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The three of us had to carry all of our suitcases and bags up three flights of tiny, creaky, wooden stairs. It was a workout to say the least.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Apartments in New York are like closets in Oklahoma. Or anywhere else really.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After finally getting all moved in it was time to explore. I downloaded a map on my phone (gotta love technology), and my mom and I set out on our adventure.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ahh the subways. Another wonderful part of the city. There's trash EVERYWHERE, rats, and the smell of b.o. and urine fills the air. Just don't breathe.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We took the train to Times Square where hundreds of people filled the brightly lit streets. Times Square is a combination of giant ads, huge stores, several restaurants and tourists galore.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Talk about a huge culture shock. But I was here. Just a girl from Oklahoma now living in the Big Apple.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BV9Pp4P-Y20QNLYTLNzrMO6JCweeeTf193sx1vv2ehCKSRKloLfPkqGbzpao7vqs8HsxlIWT7L8KSpNTUrSpA0hG_Y233u5lHZdif8wGt-PO8-VtmR5kHPJZbV57d31MQxdZSYShhnS5/s1600/new+york+city.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BV9Pp4P-Y20QNLYTLNzrMO6JCweeeTf193sx1vv2ehCKSRKloLfPkqGbzpao7vqs8HsxlIWT7L8KSpNTUrSpA0hG_Y233u5lHZdif8wGt-PO8-VtmR5kHPJZbV57d31MQxdZSYShhnS5/s640/new+york+city.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02311554669935661718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310702119866222716.post-90435661663190112612017-01-17T08:46:00.003-08:002017-01-26T08:04:50.362-08:00What's a Wandering Sol?<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The word "sol" means sun in Spanish. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I've always been kind of lost, never really knowing what I wanted to do with my life but at the same time wanting to do it all. Hence the wandering part. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So let's go back t<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">he beginning...</span>.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">After graduating high school, I went to a community college for a year and then signed with a modeling agency in New York. Random. Yes, but I have been modeling since I was 12 years old and it is one of my passions.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I'll expand on all of this later but here's a short summary to start:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I lived in New York for about a year, returned home for the holidays and signed with a modeling agency in Mexico City.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">You think I would be fluent in Spanish by now since I have been taking Spanish classes since 6th grade.... *sigh*</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "serif" , "serif";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "serif" , "serif";">I lived in Mexico City for about 4
months, made some life-long friends, ate too many tacos and then returned to
New York.</span></span><style>
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--I l</style><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "serif" , "serif";">While I was back in New York I got
to be apart of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week for my third season.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "serif" , "serif";"><br />
Oh by the way this whole time I was still taking classes online and working
towards my Associate's degree. Physical beauty doesn't last forever. And
college is just what you're supposed to do, right?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "serif" , "serif";"><br />
After I pretty much spent all of my money in New York, I figured it was time to
head back home to Oklahoma. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "serif" , "serif";"><br />
That summer I graduated with my Associate's degree. So now what? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "serif" , "serif";"><br />
Two weeks before the fall semester started I decided to go to the University of
Central Oklahoma. ROLL CHO'S.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "serif" , "serif";"><br />
So that's how we end up here. On this blog. Telling you all about my life</span></span>
</div>
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