My Little Sister Ariel

I got my Little Sister through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program a few weeks ago. Her name is Ariel, and she's been a lot of fun! I still have concerns with the program; am I doing it right, will I mess up the kid, how much money do I spend, how often do I do activities, what's appropriate? But hopefully those kinks will work themselves out as we go.

Our first play-date was playing in Liberty Park. We played on the playground, fed the ducks, rode the tiny ferris wheel and swings, and watched the fish in the pond. We did lunch at Noodles and Co. and got some ice cream at Baskin Robbins. I think she had a lot of fun and it was a good first activity to just get to know each other.

Our second play-date was supposed to be swimming, but it was slightly too cold that day to swim. So instead, we went to the Gateway Mall and played at Discovery Gateway, Clark Planetarium, and in all the different shops. I felt like she kept expecting me to spend money on her (she really wanted a bag of gems and a Build a Bear), but I'm learning to be stern and not to give her things just because she wants them.

We're going to Raging Waters with my family on saturday, and she's really excited about it. I'm just hoping we don't get rained out!

Upcoming Travel Plans

I keep promising Katie that I'll write, and I'm just now getting around to it.

I'm planning my next big trip! Nicole Nelsen and I will be going to Bruges, Paris/Versailles, Florence, Cinque Terre, and end with a day in Rome. That's three new pins I get to put in my map!! And I'm super stoked about it. Cinque Terre is freakin' gorgeous in pictures, (see left) so I can't wait to see it in person. Unfortunately, I'm making my mom jealous because I'm going to Europe and she's not. But I keep telling her it's her own fault for not saving the money and taking the time to come with me. I'm pretty sure my mom, dad, and I will eventually plan a trip for Scotland and Ireland, because that's where they are dying to go.

New York City will be calling my name in August. I'm going to meet up with my old roommate Sarah, and I'm excited to see her again! What's with all my friends moving away? I still keep thinking that it would be awesome to move elsewhere for a year or two. But I think I'd have issues being separated from my family. Anyway, NYC should be fun, and hopefully won't drain me of all the money I'll need for Europe.