Top 13 Moments of 2013

Dear Reader, 

2013 has been one busy and exciting year for me. This year has been full of surprises, excitement, adventures, decisions and opportunities. And I can honestly say that this year has been the best year, so it is only appropriate to tell you my top 13 moments of 2013 (relatively in chronological order)...

1. Hugo

January 29th had become a day full of burden, being the birthday of my grandfather who passed away in 2010. But however that changed very quickly and turned into an amazing day and a great start of 2013. On January 29th, 2013 Hugo made his debut into this world and into our lives. My second bundle of joy that I have the privilege to call my nephew. 

2. DECA Trip

Dimple, Nathalia, Natalie and Me in Downtown Disney looking professional

In February I had the chance to head off to competitions in Orlando for an organization named DECA. It was my first ever competition in Fashion Merchandising, which I got to experience with these girls and a freshman, David. I made so many friends on the way and got to have a peak of what the real world looked like.

3. St. Augustine

Shortly after the DECA competitions, I headed back to Orlando for another school trip, but this one a little different as we also spent a day in St. Augustine. And the minute I stepped in this city I just fell in love. It is the oldest city in Florida, which gives it its charm. Full of history and myths this city not only captivated me with its beauty but also by its stories. 

4. Art History Trip

Now it is normal to go on day trips for classes, but this day WAS NOT NORMAL ! For Art History class my teacher decided to take us to Bok Tower. The location is quite far away so our day started early and would end late. Not only was our bus late, but our bus driver kept falling asleep at the wheel, which we then had to make a pit stop and thanks to coffee he somewhat woke up. But to play it safe my teacher decided to call the company that planned to get us a new bus with another bus driver. So once we were ready to leave Bok Tower, we get into our new bus with our new SAFE bus driver. We start heading down the lane to go to our second location and we see our old bus stuck horizontally on the road. Now the picture above shows the second bus on the left and our first bus (blue) being stuck. We have no clue how the driver made a turn or why because this is the only street, everything else surrounding it are trees (WTH?) But anyways then our SECOND bus had no A/C …with 50 kids and a hot Florida day that did not go well. So after our second location stop, we waited an hour for our THIRD and final bus to take us home safely and cool !

5. Grad Bash

Grad Bash will forever be in the top best nights of my life. Grad Bash is graduating Seniors from all high schools of Florida that get together at Universal's Islands of Adventure and Universal Studio park to themselves and party the night away with food, clubs, rides and concerts. It was such an amazing experience to be with my graduating Seniors and partying it up at the clubs, while the parks were being emptied just for us. And then ride on rides all night and having a blast at the Pitbull concert. JUST PERFECT !

6. The Family in Miami 

My family had never been to the United States before and this was a huge milestone for them alone, and just an amazing opportunity for them to be here for my graduation. 

7. Prom

Prom is THE night to remember, right? Well mine will be unforgettable…

8. Graduation

The day I finally stepped in the real world. The day that my footsteps really do count. The day that marks the beginning. The day that changed everything (:

9. Shark Attack 

We did not know what was about to come

Now this may not be a "happy" moment but nonetheless. That day my brother, sister-in-law, two nephews and I decide to go to the beach. So as usual we paddle in the water and my brother was taking pictures, like the one you see above. He heads back to our belongings to put the not waterproof camera away and join us. Now my sister-in-law was holding little 4 month-old Hugo in her arms, until she asks me if I can hold him. So as I just got Hugo, my brother suddenly yells "OMG, dolphins !!" and points to two fins. As I look closely, I respond "I don't think those are dolphins" when right when I finish my sentence, the two fins head straight in our direction. Of course I back up to the beach and was freaking out inside, but having my nephew in my arm, made me keep calm and WALK not run. I even took a peak over my shoulder to see my brother and sister-in-law both dragging my other nephew back at shore. Nothing happened to us but it was one very memorable moment. 

10. 18th Birthday 

Do I even need to add to that title ? (;

11. Decision to Move

The biggest decision I have ever made myself. Taking risks and already making my life flip upside down, but that's exciting !

12. Universal Trip With Mom

Do I really have to add more ? lol

13. The Bookables 

Recently I had a Fangirl moment!!!! Due to the blog post on the Sarah Dessen Book "Lock and Key" I had given a link to the blog post on Heather's Goodreads Book Talk. But never did I think that she would not only read my blog but comment on my Instagram. It may mean nothing to you, but she is one of my favorite Booktubers that I look up to and was jumping around my house when I saw this (: It made my end of 2013 ten times better !

2013 was the best year of my life, but hopefully 2014 can be just as good or maybe even better ? Who knows ? How did 2013 treat you? Like always I'll talk to you next time, in 2014 (; 

Bookishly Yours, 

Sarah Dessen Book Club; Lock and Key

Dear Reader, 

I recently decided to join this Sarah Dessen Book Club, created by Heather (www.youtube.com/bookables). And the December book pick was "Lock and Key." Lock and Key is about Ruby Cooper who after her drug and alcohol addicted mother abandons her, child services forces 17 year old Ruby to move in with her sister, Cora, who she hasn't seen in 10 years. With this sudden change and flip of lifestyle, Ruby slowly adjusts, but still keeping the key to her old home on a chain around her neck. This novel is about family most of all and letting go of the past and taking that old key to open new doors of opportunity. A great read right before the holidays, which is all about family.

This book was my first Sarah Dessen novel and I was definitely not disappointed. A realistic take on family relationships, friendship, and a little love. It even influenced me to create this "KeyChain" that was a big feature in the novel. As I found this old key I thought it would be great to transform it as a necklace, turning it from a useless old key to a symbol of opportunity taking and maybe passing it along to someone else in need in the future.

"It's a lot easier to be lost than found. It's the reason we're always searching and rarely discovered--so many locks not enough keys." -Sarah Dessen, Lock and Key 

If you want to see Heather's original video you can click here. Also if you want to see what I am currently reading, you can go to my Goodreads page here. And I'll talk to you next time (:

Bookishly Yours, 

A View From Today | December 2013 |

Dear Reader, 

At this time businessmen are heading to their windowless offices. At this time school girls and boys walk shoulders hunched down to school with their gloomy looks. At this time independent women walk bristly to their job hoping no one will see their under eye circles. All of this I can see sitting in one place; Starbucks window. And no, I am not here to observe people for hours, I am here to go see something that these people are forgetting, being too occupied with their busy lives; the Sunrise.

"We can only appreciate the miracle of a sunrise if we have waited in the darkness" -Anonymous 

Saying that Miami is beautiful is an understatement. It is incredible how a place can take ones breath away. And at the same time, sad that many people take this for granted. Now I am not a morning person but with a good alarm clock, a strong coffee and my camera charged I could not be more at peace. So wherever you are in the world, whatever you do, try and admire at least a sunrise once in a while, it'll brighten your day (literally.) I hope with this you'll have an excellent week and I'll talk to you next time.

Bookishly Yours, 

My Booket List

Dear Reader, 

It is common in one's lifetime to sit down and write what they wish to do before they die (aka Bucket List.) But being a bookworm does have its challenges in choosing which books to read. So to solve this problem I have created my Book-et List. I have written out 50 books on little pieces of paper and put them in my Booket List Jar, which I will once in a while plunge my hand in and read off a book on my list. 

50 Books to Read Before I Die

1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

2. The Holy Bible

3. The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

4. Noughts and Crosses Series by Malorie Blackman

5. Lord of the Flies by William Golding

6. Delirium Trilogy by Lauren Oliver

7. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

8. Beautiful Creatures Series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

9. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

10. The Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan

11. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

12. The Heroes of Olympus Series by Rick Riordan

13. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

14. The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

15. Dracula by Bram Stoker

16. The Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson

17. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

18. The Long Walk by Stephen King

19. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

20. The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo

21. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

22. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

23. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

24. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 

25. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

26. The Maze Runner Series by James Dashner

27. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy 

28. Legend Trilogy by Marie Lu 

29. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

30. Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth

31. Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

32. The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith 

33. The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien 

34. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

35. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert 

36. The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

37. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien

38. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley 

39. The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis

40. The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales by The Brothers Grimm

41. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery 

42. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

43. Jane Austen's Novels

44. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

45. The Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling

46. The Help by Kathryn Stockett

47. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

48. The Stand by Stephen King

49. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

50. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Some of these books I had at one point started reading but for some reason never got to finish, so I still kept them on my list. For now I have only 50 books written down but as soon as I have finished this Booket List I will then create a new one until maybe I have read ALL the books in the world?! lol ….A girl can dream (: Comment down below any books you would recommend for my next booket list jar! And I'll talk to you next time.

Bookishly Yours, 

University of Miami Football Game

Dear Reader, 

Last week I showed you a sneak peek of what a typical high school football game is like and confirm most stereotypes from American movies. However one thing they barely show on TV is University Football Games. Now to Americans this may not be out of the ordinary, but for someone who didn't know what tailgating was all about, I was pretty dayum shocked. And having the opportunity to go to the University of Miami's last home game I just could not but show such a typical American tradition.

TAILGATING; I first tailgated last year and did not understand why I had to show up outside the stadium 4/5 hours before the game even starts. But quite simply tailgating is the pre-game to any football match, where families come out with their barbecues and coolers full of food and drinks and have their mini gatherings with friends and family as well as the fraternities and students partying it up before heading inside the stadium. However due to the horrible rainy weather we have been getting I did not take photos of the tailgating in itself at the UM vs Virginia Cavaliers but here are a couple photos to show you what it would look like…

Parked car + Tent + Chairs + Food + Drinks + Music + Some Rivalry/Argument = Typical Tailgating 

GAME; After tailgating for about 2 hours and walking around to watch the little performances we finally went in to get our seats and watch this football game. Now as I said earlier, the weather in Miami has been very bipolar with its rain, and even got drizzled on and off while tailgating. However just into the first quarter it starts pouring. Being smart we had purchased poncho's earlier in the day and with no choice now than to rock them as our outfit. Thinking that the rain will subdue we stayed on the bleachers as the crowd refuged back under cover. Needless to say we were not that courageous as we stayed outside until the half time show (which the UM Band still played even under the circumstances!!). But seeing that the weather was not clearing up and that we were freezing from the cold rain and cool breeze, decided to head back home early and hope that we won't catch a cold. 

Do you think we rocked the wet poncho look ?! It was such an amazing experience to live again and will definitely miss when I will be in Europe. But just quickly, a few shout outs to my friend Ashley (aka Soaked#1) who is also a Band Geek like me and was amazing to stay with me in the cold and rain. So if you would like to go follow her on instagram (; @ashnico711 and show her some love! And to my best friend Jordan who played in the UM Band all through the rain and performed in schmexy ponchos, I am so proud of him ! And I'll talk to you next time.

Bookishly Yours, 

Shhh Don't Tell Anyone I'm Here

Dear Reader, 

Psssst...Yes, YOU! Come over here. Don't be shy, I am only taking a bath. I just wanted to talk to you quickly before you continue your busy week. But shhh we have to be quiet, we can't have anyone find us...

Bath bomb + Ice Water + Candles + Book = A Romantic Date for 1

So I know that life has its ups and downs. Whether it is from school, work, day to day troubles, it can take a toll on your body and energy. And having recently been to Lush and treated myself to some bath bombs, after a long day today I decided to try out the Sex Bath Bomb (oooo frisky), lit up some candles and of course had my little book on the side. Just to pamper myself and hide from the world for an hour.  So shhh do not tell anyone else I am here, ok? It'll be our little secret (; I hope you have a great week and comment down below what you did for your "you time."

Bookishly Yours, 

Marching Band Geek

Dear Reader, 

When you think about America, as a European the first thing that comes to mind is FOOTBALL! And boy was there so much to learn about American Football. But what better way to learn than in high school ? I started off observing from the bleachers. Until I joined the Marching Band and put MY footsteps in the field ! 

With encouragement from a close friend, I joined the Marching Hi-Tides my Junior year. I attended Band Camp (no no not like American Pie Band Camp - calm down), learned a new instrument (flute) and joined this amazing second family. Through long practice hours, sweats, tears, fundraisers, car washes, pep rallies and games, the minute we put on that uniform we knew it was all worth it. And without this second family my high school experience would not be complete.

Marching Band + Football Game + Letterman Jacket + Camera = Happiest Girl

So as a fellow band geek I had to go back and see my second family play at their most important game, HOMECOMING ! And I could not be more proud of them. So of course I could not resist than to get my camera out and show you a glimpse of what a high school football game is all about (: I hope you like this short video and I'll talk to you next time...

Bookishly Yours, 

"Once a Hi-Tide, Always a Hi-Tide"

My First Field Show (Ahhh Memories...2011)

The Date is Set ?!?!

Dear Reader, 

Last month I announced that I would be moving to London. And since then have been checking plane tickets and figuring out when will be the best time to leave. So one night I just sat down at my computer with my card in hand and finally purchased my ticket! The official date that I will be leaving is MAY 1st, 2014 !!!!! 

And of course to any important dates in my life I could not resist than to do a countdown !! 169 days left to finish all the preparations for the move as well as do as many adventures in Florida as possible before going back to Europe. I know this is a short blog post but I had to let you all know of the news of this huge chapter that will now start May 1st (:

Bookishly Yours,

My Happy Place

Dear Reader, 

Now you are probably wondering why at every blog post I sign off with "Bookishly Yours"? Quite simply enough ever since I was able to read I could not get enough of books. Of course I started off small and easy and ventured out later on. However when I was in 9th and 10th grade I let myself lose this love of books thinking I did not have time to read. But slowly I came to realize that I no longer had that escape from the world when it got too complicated and rough. And quickly came back to the library and bookstores and found again my sanity. 

Reading books may seem nerdy or stupid to many people but to some it is an escape. A story that you can not necessarily live them for yourself but at least through reading these words day and night come off the paper and in your memory forever. You can travel the world without even leaving your city and experience situations or events just sitting at home. All in all reading is MY escape and what an escape it is sometimes. And from this passion made me want to turn it into career, therefore choosing English Literature as my major so in years to come I will turn what was a hobby into my career.

Thousands of adventures just waiting to get picked up from the shelves

Whether it is going to the park, working out, going to the beach, shopping, or maybe even a person, the list is endless. But most importantly is to have a happy place for which you can turn to in times of need. And you will see that knowing what makes you happy will greatly reduce the moments of unhappiness in your life. Comment down below what activity or person makes you happy (: And I will talk to you next time.

Bookishly Yours, 

About Time

Dear Reader, 

A friend of mine generously gave me the opportunity to go watch a private screening of the movie About Time earlier this week. So off with a couple of other friends, we met up, had some dinner and headed towards the movies. As any other screenings, they give out more tickets to make sure the room will be full so we went early to wait in line (or sit) and catch up on gossip and life. After about an hour and a half of waiting we finally went inside to take our seats. 

EMBARRASSING STORY TIME; To our surprise the theater room was pretty empty, so there was A LOT of room! We were the only 3 people sitting in the back row (oh yes we are cool!) and this guy starts to walk across the aisle in front of us. Of course like most people my age, I always put my feet on the seat in front of me. As I whispered "Please don't sit there, please don't sit there, please don't seat there" he of course sits down, RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. And as he is lowering himself he hears my whispering or at this point pleading and asks me if its ok if he sits there. Me being so embarrassed I politely say its fine (still hoping in my head he will change seats), which he then laughs and sits down. So as his friends later join him, he retells the story. So embarrassing!

My favorite quote of the movie went along these lines "Live everyday like every other ordinary person, without your powers. At the end of the day go back to that same morning and now live that day seeing every brightness or moments of laughter and look over the negative."

Anyways I am sure that you have seen the trailer to this movie many times, but if you live under a rock it is a British romantic comedy science fiction film revolving around time travel where a young man tries to change his past to have a better future. This movie was beyond what I was expecting. It had its corny and romantic moments, but also had some heavy topics which inspired me so much that I could not miss the opportunity to write a blog post about. If you had any doubts on seeing this movie I would definitely recommend you going to watch it in the theaters starting November 1st.

Bookishly Yours, 

I'm MOVING ?!?

Dear Reader, 

Now to my family and close friends this is not a surprise but to many others it is. Yes I am moving in a couple of months, across the ocean to LONDON, England. Now to fully understand why I made that decision here is a little background knowledge...

Shipping myself in a box? Why not!

As many of you know I am French but I did live in England before moving to Miami (which is where I learned English.) And as any senior in high school I applied to colleges and made my mind to go to Miami Dade Honors College. And like any other family, the house was packed of relatives for my graduation. Not having seen them in forever it was an amazing month, now full of memories. And anything that starts needs an end, my family flew back to Europe and left me a little blue for a while. I missed them so much and had to take some time apart to just think about my future and what it is that will make me happy. After many weeks of worrying, and sleepless nights I finally made the decision to look into schools in London. And with conviction that it was the perfect path for me, I turned down my acceptance to MDHC and told my mom what my plan was. 

So after all, this year will be my gap year while I prepare everything to move as well as live as many adventures in Florida before leaving, and will start school in the fall of 2014. To you this may be ages away but I am leaving in just 7 months which is crazy close, and still with so much to do. This decision also affected why I started this blog in the first place. I wanted to live as many American experiences possible before going back to Europe, but wanted a place to write my memories and never forget this chapter of my life. 

Please comment down below which country/city would you like to move to, as mine is London, but yours can be completely different and I am curious to know. 

Bookishly Yours, 

Orlando Day 3

Dear Reader, 

After two filled days, tiredness was starting to kick in. But we did not let that get to us, as we still had a lot to do today. As we packed our bags (or a suitcase for me) we said our good byes to the best beds and checked out of the hotel. And with growling stomachs, decided to go to Golden Corral. 

With stomachs about to explode we then headed to Universal Studios. Walking around the park and looking at the decor we did not move very fast with our pregnant food bellies and decided to start with easy and smooth rides. So off we went to E.T. And after helping E.T back to his planet we went in the direction of Springfield. The world of the Simpsons was so realistic and detailed oriented I really felt like I was in the cartoon. And of course we had to do the Krustyland Ride.

Being our tourists selves and taking the cliche surf photo.

After The Simpsons we headed off to Men in Black and well I do not remember what really happened, all I remember is Agent Jay pointing a little red laser at me...Ooops. After that we headed off to the new Transformers Ride, which to my dismay was a let down for me but it was still good. 

We then walked around a little in the streets of Old Hollywood before heading to the Mummy Ride. We put our bag and belongings in the lockers and headed inside. My mother all the time while making the line thought this ride was a 3D ride and by the time we made it to the end she could not back off and was basically forced on this indoor roller coaster....Ooopsie again (but she loved it.)

All I have to say is "Bananaaaaaaa"

After being shocked and scared of the mummies we took it slow and went to the Shrek 4D Ride. Which was also a let down for me but still quite enjoyable. And of course, being fatties as we are, we headed to get lunch at La Boulangerie (two frenchies just could not resist.) We then went to the Despicable Me Ride which I could not miss, as I am obsessed with minions (if you could not tell from the photo) !! 

For the rest of the day we just went back on rides that we wanted to do again and of course did the inevitable souvenir shopping in Universal Studios as well as Islands of Adventure. Even though I wish I could live in the parks, we did have to get back to reality and hit the road back to Miami. It was such an amazing fun packed weekend in which we made so many memories. Be sure to watch the short video below to make these words come to life, and comment below which ride you wish to go on or which one is your favorite.

Ps. If you are wondering why I did not speak about Rip Ride Rockit, you are CRAZY to think I would go on it. 

Bookishly Yours, 

Orlando Day 2

Dear Reader, 

After a very short night we woke up very early and headed off to get breakfast at the glamorous McDonalds (do not judge) and fueled up for the day ahead. We ventured into the park of Universal's Islands of Adventure park and risked our lives for adrenaline rush on the roller coasters and got soaking wet on the water rides. 

Upon first entering the park, The Hulk ride is the only thing you can see and hear, and me being so scared of heights it was not in my agenda to ride it. I looked over my shoulder and to my relief my mothers face was also saying the same thing. So we started off easy with the Spider Man ride, as my mom (clearly excited) ran inside I nearly lost her. We then ventured into Toon Lagoon to look at other people getting wet. However as a start to water rides we first rode on Jurassic Park, which to my horror has such a long drop, it surprises me every time. And with that splash we got pretty wet, so as wet as can be, we went back to Toon Lagoon and got completely drenched on Ripsaw Falls and Popeyes (my personal favorite.)

After the water rides, and looking like two wet dogs we headed over to my favorite part of the park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The rides are just phenomenal and Hogsmeade Village is a dream come true. As fans as we are, we decided to also have lunch at The Three Broomsticks and obviously drink some Butterbeer. 

With full stomachs we walked around and got to watch Poseidon's Fury Show and did the little rides in Dr.Seuss Land. To which after we left to go back to our hotel room to shower and rest a little before we headed back out.  Overall the day at Islands of Adventure was incredible. We barely had any lines (20 minutes maximum) which let us ride the rides as much as we wanted and visit the park at our pace without rushing.

We ended the night back in Downtown Disney where we got to listen to awesome musicians and had the opportunity to watch so many performances. To which we ended the night walking through the beautifully decorated twinkling trees and headed back to the hotel.

Pictures would not do this day any justice, so here is a video to which I hope you enjoy as I much as I did, filming it and living it. 

Bookishly Yours,