Caving and the Titanic!

Easter weekend, although sad we weren't home with family--we had a great weekend! On Sunday we woke up and went to the Salvation Army's sunrise service at the park. It was gorgeous and next to a lake that was beautiful as the sun came out! Allyson and I had an Aussie yummy breakfast and then fed the ducks! Little kids at heart (: Then Church! It was really, really good! I've very much enjoyed church at the Salvation Army! I highly recommend giving it a chance.

In Australia, the Monday after Easter is considered a holiday. So what did we do?! We definitely treated it like one! Nat and her family invited us to go caving! What Utahans would we be if we declined that opportunity! So we left at seven for our road trip into the Blue Mountains. On the way to the caves guess what we finally saw?!?!?! WILD KANGAROOS!!!! And also the kangaroo crossing signs....

Cave:

After our caving expedition, we grabbed some lunch and headed to the Three Sisters. Breathe-taking! It was so beautiful, although we might have been just a litttttle cold! Living in Australia has made us a little weak. :/ Good thing we are going back to summer!

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Titanic? Don't mind if we do!

So, the world's biggest IMAX theater is here in Sydney! Our amazing roommate Natalie got us discounted tickets for the 3D show for us to go watch! Allyson and I went to Darling Harbour earlier and met her there. We first ate at the Blackbird Cafe. It was adorable, the restaurant dressed in black and yellow. We sat outside overlooking the harbour, it's beautiful!

 Titanic was next.... Yay:) It was only my second time watching this beautiful, tragic story. The screen was massive and we were super excited with our wonderful glasses. I was thinking that theaters should really video people taking pictures of themselves with their 3D glasses. Us three included. The movie was amazing, only getting me sick from the motion at the end, but overall an amazing experience!

We had some trouble getting home after the move... which got over at 11:30pm! Our bus and train were both canceled...:( We had to take a taxi, one bus, and then another taxi--finally arriving at 1:30 in the AM!!! We were clearly exhausted. 

Our next adventure is to go see The Lucky One with Ellie tomorrow:) and then hopefully finding a dive I can go on! I'm a little scared because I don't have my dive buddy (Nimesh) with me, but it will still be fun if I can find one! I also want to go watch something at the Opera House in the next week, perhaps Macbeth? We will see! We leave Sydney on the 28th, which is coming very soon! New Zealand is getting closer and closer!!!

Twenty-firsts Spent Down Unda:)

It has been a long time since I have blogged due to problems with our internet and fixing it, along with doing some fun adventures and daily activities!

I think I speak for the both of us when I say that our twenty-first birthdays were incredible! On February 24th here, we woke up early and set off for the city! Since I am a super big birthday girl, I was SO excited that this special birthday would be two days! Two birthdays! :D Everyone helped me celebrate my birthday in Australia as well as my birthday in America! ...I would LOVE to tell everyone thank you for helping make my day..s special! <3

Anyways, so we set off into the city by the train to get started! We got our first glances at the Opera House, which is amazing! It is beautiful and so unique! We had to of course capture our first time being there! 

We also took some pictures in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge! Which was amazing because it was the first step of our adventure of the day: CLIMBING THE BRIDGE! :)

*Twenty&First*

-And we are SET-

We had to find the place we had to go, which was through The Rocks. The Rocks was the first place the settlers came! It has so many nifty old buildings, super vintage! It was soooooo pretty! I loved every part of it. 

We found it:) after wandering for a little bit and giving sunscreen to a fellow traveler from England!

After an hour of training and getting ready, we headed up the bridge! The first part of it was the only adrenaline rush, the rest was easy peasy! Truthfully, it was only a staircase...many, many steps! When we got to the top, we had an INCREDIBLE view of the harbour! Looking down was breathtaking. To the right was the Opera House, the left was more of Sydney, and below was the water...with a pirate ship sailing! All you could do was look around and take it in, no words can describe it! And unfortunately, cameras are not allowed so we don't have any personal pictures besides the pictures from the company!

Bad part of our trek? One of the boys in our group got sick on the top... It was very gross and it was also windy, all of us downwind... Yay for us! They ended up taking him back down, good thing he made it to the top first though! BUT, because of this--we got more time at the top! :D After this we headed back down.

 It was such an amazing TWENTY&FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!!!! 

It wasn't over quite yet! We headed to Darling Harbour where we had reservations at a Angus Steakhouse. We were both craving steak, so we thought this would be perfect! Having reservations for my birthday, they gave me THE best table, overlooking the harbour. Our waitor was a hoot and constantly made us laugh! Our meal started out with an appetizer of... Kangaroo!!!  Honestly, I was a little scared, but so many people have told me how good it was, so I wanted to taste it for myself... and they were right, DELICIOUS! Sad? Maybe a little..but my taste buds were loving it! After kangaroo was our steak and yummy mashed potatoes! Along with yummy cocktails! Mine was dessert: cookies and cream! 

The ending of my birthday was spent at Elle's house for a sleepover so we could go to her uncle's bootcamp workout at 7 the next morning... Can you say exhausting?! It was definitely worth it though! And then I had another day of my birthday--my American birthday! 

Fun fact: My Aunt Taf's birthday has always been the day after mine, well since I was born! Go figure;) But not this year! My "second" birthDAY was her "first" birthDAY! We definitely got heaps of kicks and giggles from this! Too bad it isn't every year...Nah, I'll never stop celebrating my Australian birthday! :)

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Allyson's Twenty-First: SAILING on the SYDNEY HARBOUR! 

We invited our roommate, Elle, and their friend along with us! We were a little sad at the first of the day because it was rainy, so we prayed that God would hold the rain for the night, as we were going sailing at sunset! 

When we got there, the weather couldn't be better! It was perfect! Here is a picture of our sailboat <3

It was an amazing experience! Our captain was definitely fun and even let us steer! We got to sail underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge and also in front of the Opera House! It was incredible to see both from the water! You get a different view each time. On the way back, we sailed slowly, taking in the atmosphere! We took pictures, listening to music, ate some yummy grapes, and laughed! It was a really good time!

And the birthday girl showing off her age!:)

After our sailing adventure, we went to the Outback for dinner. Some might ask why, like my Daddy, but we thought it would be funny to eat at the Outback...in the outback! So, HA! :) That is our justification! After our wonderful, American-like dinner, Allyson got to blow the candle off of her dessert that we all thought was delicious! 

---That concludes the birthday girls' Twenty&First!---

My Mission Trip to Cambodia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am now moved into our new house in Sydney!! We absolutely love it. After my experience of coming back from Cambodia (thirty hours total) I sure am thankful of being back on Australian sand with Alyson! Ready to start the new adventures while we are here! Starting with climbing the Sydney Bridge for my birthday...TOMORROW!!!!

So, while I was in Cambodia I emailed my parents a little journal entry of what was going on. I had her forward them to me so I could post them on here for all of you to read.
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Day one: So the first day the team got here, we went to the Genocide Museum where it was a killing field during the Khmer Rouge. They abused and killed the officials, doctors, lawyers, and their kids the most horrific ways! It reminded me of the Holocaust Museum! It was so sad... It showed a lot about their culture today and how everyone is scared to get an education because that's why those millions were killed, even people of all ages that wore glasses were seen as "more educated" and were killed.

Then we went to a cupcake restaurant where some of the girls who have been rescued work at:) and then ate at a restaurant where they hire homeless kids and teach them how to cook and wait:)! Amazing!!! And amazing food:)! No worries there!! They definitely pick THE best restaurants!

Day two: ah...sad! We went to Women's Island, which was another killing field! But now hundreds of people come to the island just for church and many of them live safely on the island! Our translator Theara's father is the pastor and we held a mini worship service, in which they sang in Khmer! Then he took us on a tour of the island and then we got to play with the kiddies!!!:) it was such a fun time and kids always make you smile:)! Especially if they are smiling and laughing!!! C

Then we went to Theara's house where they house Kids Club! When we got there,we had to go down this big alley way to her house. What we saw right off the bus?! Sooooo many kids running to us! It was such the experience! They latched on and wouldn't let go! Each one of us were surrounded by at least ten kids at one time! They open the doors at 5:30 in the am till 6 at night for these neighbor kids! Her family specifically moved into the neighborhood to start this ministry! It's so the kids can learn about Jesus in a safe environment and play:)! They preformed songs for us and dances:) then Magaly, Kacey, Katy, and I prepared a devotion for them while Theara translated for us! She's amazing!! We also got to witness her brother and 'coconut boys'! They make jewelry out of coconuts!!!! Truly amazing what gifts God gives us!

Third day: started with five hours of driving to a different city! Long time in the bus with all of us, plus our luggage! We finally got to be in the city of Rapha House! Which by the way, needs MANY prayers as they are struggling with spiritual battles. Less than 1% of the country are Christians and that means Satan is working hard! When we arrived at the house, we were greeted by the welcome party:)! We all walked through the tunnels of girls, each of us given an amazing flower arrangement! So beautiful, smells delicious! Then they preformed dances and a skit of the prodigal son for us! Afterwards?! We danced...and danced...AND danced!!! They are truly Gods pockets of joy for us! They are blessing our lives and we are hoping that we are giving them hope for their future! 

Tomorrow?! One of the two weddings we have the opportunity to attend! Weddings are especially special from their girls, so we are definitely honored and joyous of this opportunity! Their weddings usually last a whole week, so I am excited to see what we experience in the morning! Starting at 7:30 so it's not suuuuuper hot and humid during the ceremony, then the reception will be later during the day:)! 

I love all of you:)! We have been über safe and healthy:)! Just keep praying:) thank you! We can definitely feel the prayers of our prayer warriors!!!:)

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Saturday:

Today started with one of the Rapha House girls getting married! This is a huge victory because it's hope for her and every girl in the house. For her to trust a man enough to marry him and to overcome everything she had to go through. When we got there we found out that we were apart of the wedding! We all held fruit platters and walked into the ceremony! It was crazy!! They feel very honored that we were in attendance, so we were treated like royalty!

The bridal party changes their outfits many times! It started at 7:30 and we didn't leave until almost one...! Which is only the wedding ceremony part! The reception is about to start! 

We just got back from the looooong reception! Guess what we ate today?! Real Khmer traditional wedding food...YUCK! A mix of mystery meat, pigs blood, etc. best part?! They cook it all by the animals outside with the flys! Safely to say,we starved today hahaha we have been eating at amazinnnnng restaurants until today!:)

But the reception was amazing! Everyone is dressed so gorgeous and LOTS of Khmer music and dAncing. The traditions here are SO weird, and they don't have a walk through the night before so it was very entertaining! Again,it's a miracle and they hardly have weddings, so it's amazing to be able to attend one, let alone two! Our second one is Wednesday! 

Tomorrow we are going to their church and then taking a tour of the House:)! And seeing the sweet girls! Then going to their salon,getting my hair done! Waaaay cheaper than in Australia!;) annnnnd maybe being dolled up by them and being able to dress in their dresses! I'm excited!!!!!! The devos with the girls!:)

Again, please please pray for Rapha House, it's a such a spiritual battle here!
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Sunday:

Church! Best part?! Over 24 kids baptized!!!!!!!!! And one of the songs that was at church was How Great Thou Art! It was amazing to hear Khmer and English together! 

We took a tour of Rapha House and saw where they do what they do:)! Saw the girls again:)! 

Lunch at this American lady's restaurant called Cafe Eden! She helps local artists:)

Then went to their salon and got pretty:)! I FINALLY got a hair cut..and guess how much?! Only like $5!!! Compare that to Australia's $80!!!!!!!!!! Boo ya! And for a great girls life:)! I also got a little chunk dyed a different color to remind me of my sisters in Cambodia! Then?! An updo that made me look like a poodle! :/ ha but fun, she did a great job:)! 

Then had devotions with the girls and helped them with a craft. They also took pictures with us, unfortunately we can't have them:(! It was hearrtbreaking leaving them because we leave this city in the morning after devos and probably won't ever see them again:( but we left hope in their hearts!

Tomorrow is traveling:)!
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Monday:
We woke up early to have devos with the staff at Rapha House! They are truly remarkable and dedicate everything for these girls! Lots of praise to them! And lots of prayers, it's definitely not an easy job!

After devos, we had to say goodbye to the girls. One girl, Monkey, brought me a card that she made me! Half in Khmer (ka-m-eye) and half in English! I'll have to have Theara translate it! Heartbreaking again to leave the girls!:( then we set off for another city! 

This city is by far the worst one! Hannah was saying that we were going to experience a lot of seeing the trafficking being done, whether it be sex or selling. We met the Rapha girls here! They are older. It breaks my heart to say, but the average age at the other house was 13..... Kenzi's age...safe to say that I've had a really hard time with that part! The average in this city at the house is 15-17, so a bit older. 

As we were walking, Hannah pointed out to me a girl that was "on a date" with a perpetrator. They think because they are at dinner, taking the girl on a date,that it must be okay...definitely not! Still praying for these men!


Tuesday:
Finally a fun, touristy day! A good break from all the heartbreak...which, we still encountered, just not a lot of it. We went to Angkor Wat, which is one of the man made wonders of the world at sunrise! It was SO early, but definitely worth the beauty! We were touring this temple and also two other temples, one that was filmed in Tomb Raiders with Angelina J. 

On the way to the second temple we found monkeys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We got off the bus, bought some bananas and...you guessed it! Fed them:)! I had a bad of peanuts (thanks Mommy!) and one saw it and jumped onto me to get it! It took off before I could snatch it back! We had them climbing all over us! It was crazy, and SO much fun!!!!!! The after the second temple, we drank sugar cane mixed with oranges:)! Tasty! We watched them make it! They use a machine to squeeze out the juice! Then we rode the elephants!!!! Amazing creatures:)! I asked this family if I could take a family picture with them in front of the elephants and when I was finished, they asked Theara in Khmer if they could have a picture with me!!!!! Too funny!

After the third temple, the kids were all there to surround us! So heartbreaking. These children are trafficked to sell a certain quota and if they don't, they get abused. One little boy went up to Kacee and asked her to buy and to please help her... Another lady even offered her to buy her baby! It's just a sad place here. 

When we got back to the hotel,we did something that is on my bucket list! The fish feasting on your feet massage! There's a tank full of these specific fishies and everyone sits around it, with their feet emersed. It was awesome! The fish just go to your feet and start feasting! Wat does it feel like?! A million cat licks! That sandpapery feel! The beginning of this $1 fish massage for 30 minutes, if you can believe that, should have been filmed! I'm sure we did great marketing for the place because we were a riot and a hoot! It is shocking, ticklish, and scary all at the same time! But most of all, wonderful! Amazingly smooth feet:)! 

After this, we went to the market! They are crazy here and try to rip you off, just like any market! Hannah is a beast and found us the right prices! After dinner we went shopping again and then headed off to our $6 full body massage:)! Might I add, not a relaxing massage buy one that works out the kinks! They are crazy!!! We were put in this room with mattresses on the floor. When Katy finally said,"Doesnt anyone else think its kinda scary that we are in a room in the back of a Khmer massage store?!" No one should worry, we were safe and sound! And got served tea afterwards! I feel amazing! Haircut, fresh-feasted on feet, and my whole body massaged! :)

I just got back to the hotel to open my valentines from Grandma B! And Grandma and Bompa! Thank you guys SO muchhhhhh! I love you!!!

Tomorrow?!?! Wedding!!!!!!!!!
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Wednesday:
This morning was the second wedding! We all dressed up in the dresses we bought from the market, looking Khmer-tastic! This wedding was different than the first one. The first one, the groom had a huge family and money. This wedding was a small,intimate church wedding! The bride and groom looked soooooo happy and actually smiled! In the culture here, no one smiles! During the Khmer Rouge people were killed for smiling and that ended only thirty years ago, so they are trying to over come it. But this bride couldn't hold it in! She was so beautiful and she loved having us there,especially the Rapha House staff! Get this! Everyone was whistling and the bride was blushing when they kissed....on the cheek!!! We laughed so hard! They don't kiss on the lips,so the cheek is a big thing I guess? I'm not exactly sure what the brides story was, but I got the underlined answer of her parents didn't sell her. So, again--a huge victory for her to be getting married!!!

Sad thing?! I got sick during the wedding and had to go straight back to the hotel while everyone enjoyed the reception. But after napping and drugs,I felt semi better... Or I could have been mind over matter because I really wanted to go on a boat tour of this huuuuge lake and the village that live on boats. Wow. Can I just say that the smell was awful! This water is their drinking water (hopefully boiled first!), their bathing water, and...yep you guessed it, their sewage!!! Awful! Living on a house boat is actually the cheapest way to live because you don't have to pay for land. Another sad thing?! They have child trafficking all over! Little kids selling shoulder massages, this little boy jumped on our boat! They had this little girl with a snake around her neck trying to get you to hold it for a picture. They also had this lady being paid to have strangers hold her baby...very disheartening! 

I finally gave in... To which one?!?! Fighting the crocs for the fish of course!!! They had a farm of crocodiles under this boat store that we stopped at. You pay for a fish on this pole and pretend to feed the crocs and then if they bite the fish, you fight them for it! At the least, it was VERY entertaining for everyone to watch me...scream! Ha it's kinda scary and then one finally bit it... I pulled back hard, Theara helping me and finally.... Snap! The fish, headless, came flying towards me and LANDS ON MY HEAD!!!!!!! It was so so so gross! I had fish guts in my hair, making it crunchy! Everyone got a kick out of that! After I did this for a while, I handed my pole off to Luke (one of the guys on our trip, from Oregon) and he even screamed! It was fun, which I'm really really glad that I didn't have to stay at the hotel!

When we got back, we ordered pizza and had a debriefing, listening to Stephanie about how Rapha started! Remarkable story!!! Basically started with a vision from a Khmer pastor, passed to Stephs father, and then to her! She came over to Cambodia and actually bought a 12 year old girl for $300 because that is what they said she was worth. It broke her heart, but she was going to fight tooth and nail for this little girl, which long story short, she did! That was before they truly understood the system of trafficking, learning that if you buy girls out of it, their perpetrators can just buy another girl with that money. which is why they are rescued, not bought!

I didn't feel very well after dinner, so I stayed back while everyone went shopping at the market! Tomorrow we start our five hour ride back to the main city! 
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After we traveled back, we ate at Friends again. Amazing place:)! Hannah's favorite, and I'd say that it is truly delicious! With an amazing mission of helping out the community. 
The morning that the team left Cambodia we went to a Christian book store! You had to go across their crazy highways to get to it though! Luke went first, playing frogger, while we all carefully went after! 
When we got to the airport, we had our goodbyes! No one wanted to leave to go back to the 'real' life. I think that if we had the choice, we would have stayed much longer! My flight wasn't until late that night, so I was saying goodbye to my Vernal family..and the new additions of Luke and Hannah! Really, I just wanted to climb onto the plane with them and head back to the US! 
I went with Theara back to the salon that her sister lives in, where we had lunch! And then we went to her house so she could work. I napped for a little and then went outside to play with the kids:) We ended up playing a range of games and then I sat through their English class with them where they were learning some of the abc's and the words: table, television, and turtle. It was so cute to watch them learn English!
We ate dinner and then headed to the airport for my departure... :( I didn't want to travel back to Australia, really I just wanted to either stay in Cambodia or go home so I could be with the team and then cuddle up in my parent's arms and cry! Anyways, I got on my plane and headed to Korea!!! I had a twelve hour layover there, got a hotel room for about seven hours and slept! Ahhhh much needed! Then got something to eat and then headed off to Australia! 
I got back to Brisbane, slept the whole day, and then packed! Monday I flew to Sydney and met Allyson at our new cute house! It's way way cute! And the lady we share it with is way nice! Funny story? We had to go buy groceries from this store a few blocks away, so we ran to the store and then... we had TOO many bags so we might have... 'borrowed' the cart! Imagine watching two athletic-dressed girls pushing a cart filled with groceries... quite the picture! Well, we are going to return the cart asap:)! 
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TOMORROW...MY AUSTRALIAN BIRTHDAY! Wooooooohooooo for TWENTY FIRST! :) I am sad not to be sharing it at home with my family and friends... BUT we are going to go down town, climb the Sydney Bridge and then have an amazing dinner! They BETTER sing happy birthday to me!!! :] 
Anyways, thanks for reading this post and if anyone has ANY question about my trip to Cambodia, please please please ask! I would -LOVE- to answer any and every question! My friend Luke made videos about our trip and you can watch them on his website: http://vimeo.com/lukemcfadden
Enjoy!:) And let God work through your heart as you read and watch the videos! <3

Scrapes and bruises on our favorite day so far...:]

Wow... My favorite day in Australia so far! When Daddy Gary told me that I was going to see a rain forest, I didn't really think anything more about it besides that I was excited. Something I found out? They are my FAVORITE! God was definitely showing off when he created waterfalls and rain forests! Our friend Josh picked us up at 6:00 in the AM! We drove to Springbrook National Forest and started our hike! ...THE most beautiful sight! Huge trees, a 300 foot waterfall, wildlife, moss everywhere, and vines!

One of the best parts of the hike?! Pretending I was Tarzan.. which, by the way, is heaps harder than I thought it would be! Member climbing the rope in PE in school?! Imagine something similar! Allyson and I were laughing so hard! And then she climbed down and let me go! I swung out and screamed...oops! :/

My new hero: Tarzan! He's a stud! hahaha

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NOW... Everyone ready to laugh?! You might just snicker, giggle, or completely laugh out loud! It's okay, I will understand! My dad wasn't very pleased with me...he did teach me better, but...

Okay, so we took a detour on our way to the amazing waterfall to a waterhole! We were thinking about swimming in it, but decided against it. It was a little chilly and we didn't want to change yet. Mistake. Josh told us to pose for a picture and he'd get on the other side.. it was really beautiful! And then he told us to go to the other side and he'd take some from that angle. Allyson decided I could go first, so thoughtful! It was a little scary, so I asked for her to help... Below is what happened next. 

I would love for everyone to notice Ally's reaction in this picture please...!

 What are true best friends for, right?!

The end: All soaking wet, scraped up, and bruised! Best part? We aren't even half way done with our hike! Which means? After this point, the rest had to be done in wet clothes. And we hadn't even made it to the waterfall! 

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Three.Hundred.Foot.High.Waterfall!

Breathtaking, completely breathtaking! 

If you look closely to the next two pictures, we are BEHIND the waterfall! <3

Just viewing the beauty that we were witnessing! <3 

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Wildlife?

This would be the scary poisonous snake that was in the middle of the path!!!

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Natural Bridge. Gorgeous!

Ah everything about the rain forest was magical! This was no exception, beautiful right?!

I guess at night there are lighting bugs that lite up the whole cave! If only...:]

Hm... Lesson of this post: Listen to your dad when he teaches you to go upstream to cross a river, not by the mouth of the ledge! If not, prepare for his laughter, which isn't bad either! ;]

Date Night with the Bestie! [:

DATE NIGHT!

I have been craving date nights... And so, Ally and I went on a romantic date! First? It started on the river! We were under the stars, trying to find the Southern Cross... Definitely harder than I thought it would be! I wanted to ask someone, but no one looked very interested in helping me! But it was so clear and you could see all the stars, no moon though. We then turned the corner of the river and the lights from the city lite up the sky. It was soooo beautiful! This is the part where Ally and I both agreed that it is crazy that we are actually living here in Brisbane, Australia! After a short trip, we reached our destination: the Ferris Wheel!

Gorgeous right?! We had a blast, after I had a mini freak out! Everyone should know that I HATE crickets!!! (With all caps!) Well, just as we hop in, so does a little dumb cricket... thinking that it can just steal a free ride? Yep..and it did, because I moved completely to the other side and lifted my legs so it had all the room it needed! Dumb.

On our way home we encountered something kinda scary. After our walk down the sidewalk and Allyson revealing her secret to me.. "I'm a Ninja" so no one could attack us, we looked up to notice something was crawling across the power line. I swear it's a rat. A very huge, ugly looking thing! So, if anyone would care to explain what these are so we might not believe that they are rats for the rest of our life...or confirm it, I would be greatly appreciative!

Count Downs:

• Nineteen days until I go on my mission trip to Cambodia to help out the girls from Rapha House! I cant wait to see some of my Vernal family! :] I won't want to let them go home!! 
• Nineteen days until Allyson moves to Sydney!
• Nineteen days until Scott goes to Chicago! 

-Craziness!!!!-

Plan for today? Going to a really REALLY cool looking cemetery! Photos will be uploaded later!

Squat jumps, fish and chips, and "Mermaid!!"

Squat Jumps=dangerous!!! We have been doing Nike workouts and squat jumps was part of the particular one that we had chosen. So... I got down into squat position and then jumped as high as I could to get the full effect! Something I hadn't thought about? The ceiling fans.... Yes, OUCH! I had always wondered how it would feel to stick your finger into a fan while it was on...well, I got my answer: it doesn't feel all too well! In fact, it hurts really really bad! I now have a bruise on my finger to prove it! ha:)

FISH and CHIPS! My first experience... ever! We went to this super fresh restaurant in which they serve the catch of the day! My fish-- grilled Snapper fish! I also tried Calamarie and fresh shrimp, along with heaps of yummy chips!:) I was excited that I enjoyed it!

Oh man, so Ally and I decided that we are going to start a quote wall of the funny things that we have said! One from yesterday? "I feel like a Mermaid!" Yes, that would definitely come out of my mouth right?! We were being taught what to do with the high waves which entails either jumping or diving through them! Ally and I got pretty good at telling which was which! Most everyone should know how much I do NOT like salt water in my mouth! Well, I had to get over this pretty quickly. Anyways, back to the story: I dove under the wave perfectly and came out with that idea in my head! I really did feel like a mermaid and before I could censor anything coming out of my mouth... I shouted about how I felt like a mermaid! Everyone around me of course died laughing! It was super fun! Ally and I couldn't quit laughing, we had a good beach day!! Expect for the waves that took us crashing with them! Rolling around the bottom, getting sand in every possible area (mouth, nose, ears?) and not being able to breathe.. not super ideal! But all part of the experience!

Two of the best parts? 1) Rode in a truck...Finally! and 2) Didn't have to take public transportation! We are really getting good at trying to figure it out, getting lost, and then getting unlost! :] almost pros!

We also came up with a majorly good, well-thought out plan for what we should do! So... keep tuned for a while!

Much love! <3

Skinny jeans and ice cream

A few nights ago Kassidi and I decided we needed some ice cream. We wanted to get out and do something and walking around by the park and eating ice cream sounded really really good. (When does ice cream ever not sound really really good? ha) It was a little chilly-ish outside (and by chilly-ish maybe 60 degrees ha) but we were looking for an excuse to wear jeans. We haven't worn jeans in almost three weeks! I had gotten two new pairs of skinny jeans for Christmas and hadn't gotten to wear them yet. So I put on my orange pair and looked at Kassidi and said "You HAVE to wear the blue ones!" She took a little convincing but once she got them on she looooooved them. Best friends + matching skinny jeans + ice cream = an awesome night. And yes we did take a picture just for your blogging enjoyment.  :)

P.S. For anyone who has never tried to set up the camera on a timer setting to take a photo of your butt, not as easy as it sounds! Just fyi haha ;)