"I need to schedule a wake up call, for 7:30am" "So like in an hour?"

Well today marked my first real goodbye. I had to say goodbye to Karen who i will not see again, in person that is, before i leave. We got to spend a great week together though and that is where this blog will start.

My last blog was from the Denver airport, and that night i was reunited with Tone, and it was epic. San Diego is very nice but it was even more amazing to see Tone, even though i arrived so late that we ended up pretty much going to bed after catching up. Monday morning Karen joined us and we had a great lunch at Urbane Cafe, which i would highly recommend. Unfortunately Tone had to study for his Law School finals, but Karen and i utilized this free time for some shopping! New swimsuit was purchased after hours of walking around the outdoor mall :) Finally finished the day with some Joe's Crab Shack and Golden Spoon frozen yogurt before staying our final night in San Diego. The next day we left and headed on what was a perfect day.

Driving north from San Diego Karen and i set off for Malibu. We made our way up the coast and stopped for food in Malibu at Cafe Marmalade, where we had to to die for veggies sandwiches and black bean soup, i still dream of that meal :), we went to the beach, drove up through the hills and made some shopping stops, and ended the day by stopping at the grocery for some hummus and veggies, and turned in at Karen's in Santa Barbara.

The next day we woke up again bright and early to get some sight seeing done in Santa Barbara, we spent the day shopping on state street and ended up both purchasing a dress for vegas, both of which were amazing, and i'll add pictures later :) We ate some dinner and went to the movies, seeing Something Borrowed, before heading back to Karen's to shower and pack for Vegas, which is where the true craziness begins.

Starting the morning off bright and early with some Starbucks, the journey to Las Vegas began, and oh what a journey it was. We made the drive in 5 and half hours, and lugged all the crap into the hotel room, we were shortly after joined by Kirsten, Kayla, Kraft, and Lindsay and we all headed to the pool! It was so much fun! My friend Jess from college also came, she now lives in Vegas. We went out to Pure, which is the club at Cesar's palace where we had a VIP table and private service! It was seriously so amazing, and a great way to kick off our trip. The next day the pool at the Tropicana was calling our name, considering we had a private cabana, and after spending the entire day in the sun we made our way back to the Mirage where we ate at BLT Burger our Vegas tradition, before showering and heading out on the town, Haze at Aria is where we found ourselves on Friday night, and finally turned in as we watched the sunrise. The next day was full of slot machines, and other Vegas fun, before we found ourselves all over throughout the Mirage including a penthouse suite :) where we raided the mini fridge before heading to blackjack, ending the weekend on a "WINNING!" note! Finally getting back to the room well after the sun had risen i called down to the front desk to set our wake up call, seeing as we had to be at the airport at 8:45. I quote, Me: "Hi, i need to set up a wake up call for 7:30." Front desk lady, "So like in an hour?" hahaha, after short cat nap we packed up the room and i had to say goodbye to one of my best friends, seeing as i had to catch a flight to Maui, and Karen was driving back to California. This trip was the best yet, i couldn't have asked for more crazy and amazing times, and it is so sad to think that these trips that i have been looking forward to are starting to end.
It is bittersweet because i am very excited about my move, but i really wish time wasn't flying so fast! This last week has been one of the best of my life, and i couldn't ask to have spent it with better people. I am so sad to end such a great week, and say goodbye to Karen even though we have talked mucho since i landed in Hawaii.
Which brings me back to my present situation, i am sitting on my massive balcony in Maui, listening to the ocean waves, looking over the pool and off into the ocean, and can't believe i am so lucky. I get to spend the next seven days with my amazing family, thinking about how amazing my last week was with my friends....

I can't believe that i get to live this life, and this is exactly why i am going to the Peace Corps, i want to be able to help others, because i am truly blessed.
Until next time, creep on my facebook because i have been uploading some amazing photos of my journey :)