Let the adventures begin

Picture this: Kirby and I sprinting (yes, I mean sprinting) through the Chicago airport with 50 lb backpacks, weaving and huffing and puffing until we reach the gate with no plane.....International travel can be luxurious...or hilariously eventful when looking back of course. In the moment, I'm frantic and freaking but of course now can laugh about it.

Our flight originally was supposed to leave Ktown at 12:30. Kirb calls me at 9:45 to say our flight's been cancelled and they put us on a 4:05 flight which was cutting it close for the 5:55 flight in Chicago. We go through security only to find out it's been delayed again to 4:50...really cutting it close. We leave at 5:10 eastern time and arrive at 5:50 central time...our plane leaving in 5 minutes. Sprinting through the airport and we miss the flight. THANK GOD! They put us on a flight to London!

So now we're in London waiting on the connection to Paris! The girl sitting next to me on the flight was amazing!!! She was from Iran but lives between Paris and Phoenix because she's working on her PHD in Management and her husband is in his residency in internal medicine in Phoenix! No big deal! She was super nice and smart and I was able to ask her tons of questions! She basically planned out an itinerary for us and told us the places to go and when, and the little places that not many know about but that are amazing! I can't believe we're not event there and already meeting people like this! Then on the shuttle we met a man who was from Seattle travel with 10 of his neighbors to Istanbul! I couldn't get comfy on the flight so I only slept a little and am pretty tired but that's what coffee's for right! Will hopefully keep you updated! Can't wait for the fashion, wine, sights, coffee....wait....I really just can't wait for EVERYTHING in Paris! Good day!

love
e

Rosetta Stone

Hi loves!

So of course it's been a while and a million things have happened since then. Let's see epic bachelorette party at the lakehouse, Formal, Finals, Bridal Luncheon at the Farmers', Rehearsal Dinner at the Skyboxes at Neyland.... me and jess getting tipsy off 1.5 glasses of wine and giggling like school girls and then me giving my speech which I made up in the tanning bed that morning that 1: people were raving about and 2: made Blake cry :) success, andddddddddddddd the absolutely and undeniably most perfect wedding evaaaaaaaaaaaaa. Exactly one week and a day ago, we officially named Mr. and Mrs. Blake Lewis at St. John's Lutheran Church and a ballin reception at Holsten Hills Country Club, motown band and all. Needless to say my already crazy life has been even more eventful as of lately!!! The newlyweds will be returning tonight from Mexico!

All that being said, I'm currently at work trying to learn Italian on Rosetta Stone b/c.......I'm leaving for Europe in 2.5 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My bff Kirby and I will be traveling to Paris for 3 days, then to Rome to meet our program directors and other students, spending 3 days there, then to Florence where we will be taking Fashion Design and Illustration for 5 weeks!!!!! We'll take excursions to Cinque Terra, Venice, and Verona. Then, my mom, sis, and aunt will meet us at the end of our program where will again return to Venice. Kirb and I will then venture to Milan together just b/c it's definitely necessary. Thennnn, my bff from hs Lauren's dad lives 1 hr outside of London, so I'll be going there for a week with her!!!! I CANNOT WAIT and am slightly freaking out that it's on Wednesday! Of course feeling unprepared but soooo excited!!! So hopefully for the next 7 weeks I'll keep up with ezisa kairos a little better!

Ironically enough, i began this blog really holding true to ezisa kairos's real meaning: live in the moment. This year I've tended to drift from this logic either dwelling in the past or just constantly thinking about the future (and who can blame me when I'm going to Europe!) but all that being said, I think it's time for me to really focus on this. The time is now. I WILL BE IN ITALY. No more worries, anticipations, fears. It's here. My 1st and main goal for this trip is to LIVE IN THE MOMENT! EZISA KAIROS!! So I hope you will join me in this fabulous adventure and I embark on my own "eat, pray, love" story and hopefully also inspire you to do the same. live in the moment. appreciate all that god has to give you. never take for granted, acknowledge, and be thankful for all that you have.

love
e