This Summer

This summer, i learned alot about myself. I took a journey across the world to Australia, all by myself on a study abroad trip. Prior to this, i took a trip with my brother to London.

Both of these trips, allowed me to establish a sense of appreciation for home. When you leave out of the country, it makes you realize how much you appreciate where you come from. it allows you to establish your roots. in addition, visiting other countries allows oneself to gain knowledge of the world, that changes you for the better. You see hw different people are, and how truly amazing different cultures are.

In addition, venturing to other countries allows you to establish those ideals that are present in other countries, and it allows you to bring it back to your home. Visitng another country is like visiting another world. A world that you never knew existed. Things are different. The lifestyle and the way of life is completely different.

Visitng Australia, i was able to see that life can be lived in a relaxed manner, rather than the hustle and bustle of southern California. Being there, i realzied the concept of 'no worries", it was such a beatiful country that was completely breathetaking. Being there I was sure to appreciate every moment, and to take in the beauty of it all, and remebering it, because i may never see it again.

Being in London, it was very surreal. I couldn't believe i was actually there. The buildings were so immaculate that i felt i was in Universal Studios. Being there definetley made me appreciate my home real quick; especially the food! :)

Being able to tour on my own; just me and my brother was quite the expreience. It taught us and well me a great sense of responsiblity; being able to plan our own days.

Traveling in the underground was an AMAZING expereince that I will NEVER forget. BEing in there was like being with the people. You could feel the energy of all of the people surrounding you. It was like New York times 3. The way people walked through the Underground was like ants in a colony. It was truly Amazing!

When we first arrived there, it was like being in a scene of Harry Potter. It was also amazing how informed the city was of the latest news. I miss getting off the underground and being offered a complimentary newspaper. Maybe I would be more informed of the world if I was handed a free newspaper every morning.

I was able to see some amazing shows, and trip through the cobblestones of London town with my highest heels. I learned that my brother and I can make each other laugh by losing our room key; and having the other freak out as the other one knocks on the door. I cried when I finally got to talk to my grandma. I learned when my brother misses home he watches grumpier old men! i learned mayonnaise taste completely different in London than LA. i learned how much i appreciated my home! And i remember how happy I was to finally get to hug my mom & dad when I got home!

In Australia, I met some amazing friends; who understood me in just a short amount of time. i learned that my expereiences led me for this moment. I met a goal I had always wanted to achieve. (as a young girl, I dreamed of going to Australia). i got to hold a koala and pet a kangaroo. I learned how to play kings corners. I learned that I have value & i deserve to be treated better than I have in the past. i learned that it was important that i empbrace who i am; and not try to be someone that I AM NOT! I took a journey that made me realize who I was again. I went on adventures that people would doubt that I would do. I proved people wrong, and sought great adventures. I took risks, and came back a better person. i laughed, i cried and most of all i learned.

When i came home, I was able to witness the birth of my baby cousin. I saw how magnifiient life is. And saw a new life come into this world. She was the birth of something new!

And concluded the rebirth of me!

I am not perfect, and i am learning everyday! I have been blessed! And while others ma have not been able to see the change in me. i see the change in myself. And I hope that what i learned and experienced this summer can live through me the rest of my life. I hope that i do not let the things i learned and the things i have altered fade away! i pray that i can wake up each day, and somehow make the world a better, brighter place! and while i may fail at times, i hope that doesn't overshadow the goodness and light I hope to bring to the world!

Tomorrow, i start a new year of school. It's my senior year in college, and I can't believe it. i hope that tomorrow, as i start a new school year, that I make it my best yet, and that i apply what i have learned this year, this summer. i hope i get involved and i focus on my passions; and put myself to work to make a change!

Kayli Marie

i realized i haven't posted pics of my new baby cousin, Kayli Marie. Bron July 18. My precious lil buggy

my hero!

My brothers my hero....and he doesn't even know it!

promise

I remember every promise you made, and everyone that was broken.

not her!

I will never be her for you,...
and i am slowly but, surely coming to terms with that!

Some more of my Birthday

the friends

the mom
the grandpa
the legend (aka Uncle Joe)
oh and thats me in front of san manuel, my mom took me to play Bingo!

My 21st Birthday

Me & my adoring mother, we spent the afternoon together for my 21st after she picked me up from the airport
Yay, cheescake factory!
Of course, my first drink on my Birthday was a Martini!
the nice waitress at the restaurant rmembered it was my birthday when she carded me! so very sweet!

and our dessert, woop woop

A Day at the Aquarium

Today we made a trip down to the AQUARIUM!
it was a fun trip and the kids really enjoyed it!
Here i am with my Auntie and the little ones. we made a quick trip down to Salt Lake!
haha just kidding it was just a nice painting!

Bubble Bowl!

Woo Hoooo Riley!

Super Model Hailey

Living Planet Aquarium

Australia

hey everyone!

as most of you should know, I am safe and sound over here in Australia!
Let me start off by saying it is amazing over here!

well with the lack of good internet at the Hostel I am staying at...I am posting stuff as often as I can when i am in class or when i visit an internet cafe that offers FREE internet!

well the short of the Long, if that makes any sense, is I am having a Fantastic time over here, it is so chill over here and the group of kids I am staying with are all really cool.

SO FAR

we have visited the local light house at the beach where we are staying

and just this weekend we saw and took pitures with kangaroos and koalas....which was AWESOME!

well I love you all, take care

p.s.

feel free to email me @ ericacbu@yahoo.com
or check out my pics at http://s649.photobucket.com/albums/uu211/australearn/

London

Hey Guys!

I'm in London and it is FANTASTIC!

it is so much different here than the US...the buildings are so beautfiul and mad of brick...i feel like I am at Universal Studios or something it feels so unreal here....the subway (tube system) is so great...its so much fun and fast pace!

we went Buckingham Palace today and we saw The Lion King today and it was amazing!

scars

my beauty has been erased
my face now a disgrace

a face so pale with lack of color
infested with pimples that came from nowhere

its all just a phase
but for me it's a scarred face

something i will have to live the rest of my life with
i just want it to go away

its taught me that beauty is more than skin deep

something i have always known but never realized

i've never been the most beautiful thing,
and when i finally got to a stage where i felt beauty both inside and out

it was taken from me in less than a year

i guess i wasn't humbled by it
but, i always thought I was

I always tried to be the best to people
i guess who i felt deserved it

but, the truth of the matter is
everyone does

and I am learning that

I can't go back and i can only go forward

I am who I am for now,
but, I will change myself for the better
I will come back with a vengeance

and I'll be better on the inside
which will reflect on the outside

I will accept who i am for the day
and grasp who I am
and make a change

this is NOT me
and I will not let it define me

if you are too ignorant to judge me by the scars on my face
than i guess i don't need your selfish insensitivity
and i pray for you that you can look away from materialistic
unrealities

Tell them

Tell them that they're pretty
Tell them that they're worth it

Tell the how beautiful their smile is
Tell them how you couldn't live without them

Tell them that they are special
Tell them that they are beauty

Tell them how much they make you lagh
Tell them how no one compares to them

Tell them unselfishly
Tell them and don't be afraid
don't be embarssed or ashamed

Tell them,
because today may be their last day
because no one has ever told them how beautiful they are
because they have not felt beautiful in quite some time

Tell them,
because every girl should be told how pretty she is

GoOd moRniNg

Good Morning Everyone!

Here's a fun thing I found this morning...and I thought I would post it...When I saw this, it reminded me of a conversatin I was having with my Best Friend! it is important to remember this! So that one can get through their daily life, and know that they are not the one's that are in charge ")

My Bundt CaKe

Yummy

I just made my very first "bundt" cake today!
I bought a new bundt cake pan @ walmart this weekend, got it for a cheap price. Due to the "after Valentines day" 50% off Clearance racks....don't you love em'?

enjoy! :)

WEbkiin Fun

Happy "LovErs" day everybody!

Well If any of you are like my this is "single's awareness day! so blah!

Anyways I played on Webkins with the cutest little girl in my world!
heres a scene from our little fun! :)

<3>

Scrapbook Fun

Just a Little Scrapbook Fun
Here's some cards I made for some Friends! :)

Cupcake Diiaries

Hi EvErYoNe!
WelComE tO my WorLd...
cOmE viiSit tHe CuPcaKe DiiAries
fOr
*iNspIraTiOn*
*LoVe*
&
*a LiL CoMplAinT*

WiiTh LoVe,
tRuLy YouRs

~*BeLLe*~