The start of our European holiday

As I mentioned yesterday the semester has finally come to its end, and today we had to check out of our apartments (wah). It was bitter sweet, I really enjoyed living on my own. I loved having my own space to cook and entertain in. I am really going to miss having my girl friends over for sleepovers. The majority of the students in my program left Prague today to return back to the states. As you know my mom and I are having a European holiday. So from my apartment I literally walked around the corner to the hotel we are staying at for the rest of the weekend. Which let me tell you was so convenient its a pain in the you know what lug heavy suitcases from point A to point B. If you know my mother you know she is an over-packer. Even that is an understatement. I told her before coming her “PACK LIGHT! Think of light, then pack lighter than that, then think lighter than what you imagined and pack half of that.” Did she listen…? Nope. It was comical to watch her though. 

After we checked into the hotel, which is beautiful by the way. We were upgraded to a suit on the top floor with an amazing view of the river. I wanted to show her the place that have meant the most to me. To give her a real feel of Prague not just the touristy things. Although that’s what I have planned for tomorrow. Before anything we had to get coffee, we came across a shabby chic cafe, where we were able to sit and talk for about an hour. From there we visited Museum Kampa located near the Charles Bridge. Then for lunch I took her to my favorite soup place (mentioned in a previous post). It’s so funny to see her react to this new city. Back home we don’t have a great public transportation system, we drive ourselves everywhere. I’ve just become so used to taking trams and the metro, I forget she isn’t so I have to keep an eye on her cause there’s been times she’s almost gotten ran over. But it’s an adventure as we always say. From lunch I took her to Wenceslas Square (New Town Prague) where we explored. We made our way back to Old Town got more hot wine and did a little shopping at the Christmas market. Then window shopping down Prague’s Rodeo Drive. We ended the night at my favorite tea place (mentioned here). If you’re in Prague I recommended visiting it they have the best exotic loose tea from all over the world and great shisha. I have enjoyed going there and getting to know the owner Emily. Who is half Czech half French, she came over and talked with us for a bit. I really appreciated that cause it gave my mom the opportunity to talk and interact with a local. Something we may not have gotten to do had we been here on strictly vacay. Well, I’m getting sleepy so that’s pretty much all you need to know about today.

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Dear Santa,

If you happen to be reading this you already know I’m on the good list (at least I hope so). I can’t remember the last time I actually made a list, but what the heck. Here are just a few of the things on my mind that would be great gifts. Not just for me but any 20-something girl:

1. Miss Dior Perfume                                             2. The gift of coffee

3. A Nikon Lens                                                         4. Marc Jacobs Watch

5. Aria Sonic Skin Cleansing System                                  6. Tickets to Britney’s show in Vegas

7. My Dream Bag                                                          8. Tickets to Coachella!

Sincerely,

Ashley xo

Music Memory

Have you ever noticed that one song can store a dozen memories or associations of something you once lived? The other day I was out and about in Prague (which is fuh-freezing by the way) with some friends; we went to my favorite soup place-Polévkårna and we got to talking about music.  Music is certainly something I cannot live without. Being here in Prague has created a greater bond between me and music. There’s something about the quietness in the city, people here aren’t extroverted like in the states. You don’t get smiles from others on the tram, people are just in their own bubbles minding their own. Anyways we got to reminiscing about our first memories of music and what songs were the ones that stuck out and where we were, how old we were, who we were with. Looking back at my childhood I associate jams to spending time with my dad. He had this huge boom box we called the “Ghetto Blaster” and we would take it to the pool, the river, the beach you name it. The two songs I can first remember were Bob Marley’s Buffalo Solider and TLC’s Waterfalls. TLC recently preformed this year on the AMA’s which marked 20 years since their first AMA debut. When I was younger we would have these dance parties in the living room, just jamming out to music videos on the big screen. We also had a wooden coffee table I remember making my stage. It’s funny how something so simple was so fun and able to bring us together. I must have been no older then three. It had been a while since I remembered those times, it felt like it was yesterday. It was nice. What is the first song you remember?

My lentil soup

Fall Break Part III -From Roma to Firenze We Go

I recently got busy with school (yes I do have class and homework for all you wondering) so I haven’t had a chance to finish sharing the rest of my fall break adventures. After Rome the girls and I took a train to Florence where we stayed for two nights. Florence is a lot more laid back and relaxed in comparison to Rome. It’s a lot smaller of a city and the people there are in even less of rush. But we didn’t complain we were very much looking forward to relaxing. Rome was a nonstop trip, with no down time. There’s just so much to see and do. Here are some photos from our last afternoon in Rome before we left for Florence.

Throwing in my last coin into the Trevi before leaving Rome

I Survived Oktoberfest!

This past weekend I made my way to Munich, Germany for the world famous Oktoberfest! It was so much more than what I had expected. We woke around 5:30 AM to make sure we would get to the grounds early enough to get into a tent. It was an animal house; thousands of people made their way to the grounds in the early hours of the morning. We waited for about an hour for the tent to open but once it did it was a free for all. It was literally as if I was in one of those Black Friday commercials where all the crazy shoppers are waiting outside the doors to get in first for a sale. Then once the doors open bust in like a stampede of animals. At one point the crowd had swept me up and I wasn’t even using my two feet, I was being carried in. It didn’t take long for tent to fill up with excited souls to party and mingle. Once we were all at our tables dozens of beer-maidens came down the rows holding liters of beer. They smacked them down on the table and the festivities began! It was at Oktoberfest I had my very first beer. As great of a memory it will always be, I can certainly say that if I ever have another beer again it would be too soon.

OktoberFest!

The time has come for Oktoberfest! The girls and I are off wish us luck! ❤

Farmers Market

Today our Czech class’ assignment was to visit the local farmers market and test our Czech, we also had to explore and try some new food. It was so nice to find organic fruits and veggies my classmates and I were ecstatic! Molly especially – as you can see she filled up her backpack with lots of greens! Trying to eat healthy here in Prague is a definite struggle. Most of their meals consist of meat and potatoes as you can see below.

Flower Power

Today’s outfit consisted of my new high-waisted skirt that I got here in Prague. I have a pear shape so I love anything high-waisted. Some boots with knee-high socks, and my watch. When I shop I try to get pieces that I can mix and match so having a neutral colored watch is great cause it goes with anything!

Yesterday I introduced my new friend Alanna, she’s in my Czech class. This is how we spent our break from class; dancing and wearing flowers in our hair. However it wasn’t until after our grass playtime that I remembered I’m allergic to it – go figure.

I leave you with this quote: “Even if happiness forgets you a little bit, never completely forget about it.” Have a great day!

#SundayFunday

Hope you all are enjoying your Sunday! Me and my roommates took a trip to IKEA. I have never used so much public transportation in my life. Where I’m from we hop in our cars and take off to where ever we wish to go. Here, we had to take the tram to the metro and then a bus. I know understand why people here travel lite. Cause we had to carry all out shit that we bought at IKEA all that way back.

    

                

Oh, and this would be my roommates camera… Her sunscreen leaked in her bag. Thank goodness we had rice… It worked!

How are you spending your Sunday?

See Ya New York – Europe Here I Come!

I had such an amazing weekend in New York! I met so many interesting people from all walks of life.
So many different types of people all existing in an electric city that they aren’t even fazed by one another.

While in New York I got to see one of my childhood friends perform on Broadway. He was Fearro in Wicked! Wicked is defiantly one of my favorite musicals, next to Spring Awakening. It was a real treat to see him perform on Broadway!

On Saturday my honey and his best friend (who lives in Manhatten) just explored the city and shot some really cool footage. We visited; Central Park, So Ho, Brooklyn, China Town, Little Italy. I made it a point to avoid all the touristy things and see how a real New Yorker lives. I gotta say it was very fast paced, go-go-go, something I think we lack back home in SoCal. Anyway stay tuned for some videos they’ll be coming soon! Here are the rest of my pictures from my New York Trip.

Beagles with the boys to start our day.

A shot of what we shot.

It was in Columbus Circle where I discovered Smack FU! It was the most modest/entertaining toy/game I have ever played. I literally played in the park for about an hour. Just having a ball playing with some disks and feathers. I will admit I wasn’t very good at it. Every time I would swing I would miss, but eventually a crowd came along and a whole group of us strangers were playing this game. It was something magical.

       

As much as I wish I could stay in NYC its time for me to head to my final destination – Prague.

Wish me luck!