21 resolutions.

21st birthday dinner at Rocco's Tacos!

In the words of Ferris Bueller, "life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."  I'd say Ferris was pretty right... per usual.  Because just yesterday, I turned 21 after only a few blinks of the eyes.

All around the house I see pictures covering the walls of us 3 kids in the days I don't remember: pictures of me running around in a diaper & a little blue hat, days when dressing up in a hula skirt with a coconut bra was completely acceptable, the pictures of vacations that are somewhere in my heart, the day Daniel held me wearing his "I'm the big brother" shirt & Scott next to him in the "I'm the middle child" shirt when I first came home from the hospital, pictures of me torturing our cat in a stroller (if you catch my drift), ones of the 3 of us cheesing for a photographer, & countless other forgotten, but not lost memories of my wonderful childhood.

I must say it was a pretty great childhood.  I was pretty lucky to end up where I did; in a loving home with 2 great parents & 2 older brothers, who sort of liked having me around... I guess.  I was the baby... clearly most loved, most adorable, & definitely most favorite &, the truth is, it is still true today!  2013 was pretty great for me, but I am willing to accept this 2014 business...

So, as I sit on the cusp of 2014, with an astounding amount of new-found wisdom with another, more mature year on my belt, I think it is only appropriate to make 21 resolutions in honor of my short 21 years.

2014 RESOLUTIONS:
1. Run a half marathon.
2. Learn to make a new favorite meal.
3. Make straight A's!
4. Figure out my life? (possible?!?)
5. Volunteer more around Gainesville.
6. Become the first female president. (casual)
7. Get out & meet new people!
8. Speak Italian for an entire day.
9. Run at least 3 times a week        
10. Lose 8 pounds.
11. Successfully control my portion sizes at meal times.
12. Find the cure for cancer. (winner)
13. Talk to my relatives more often.
14. Clean out my closet. (I am a hoarder... the truth comes out & the first step is admitting to my problem.  I am Rachele & I am obsessed with clothes)
15. Learn to like tomatoes. (Why must they be in everything?!?)
16. Plan a spring break adventure with friends.
17. Make my bed every day. (EVERY day)
18. Read at least 10 books for pleasure.
19. Continue writing in my blog.
20. Embrace the future.
21. LIVE IN THE MOMENT!

Ciao & have a safe & fun night!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Welcome 2014!

winter wonderland.

The view from our condo

Nothing says December like our classic family (minus Daniel, unfortunately) vacation to Snowmass in our little getaway on the mountainside.  Nestled in aspen trees & white, unadulterated snow, our mountain condo screams Christmastime.  I know what you're saying... Rachele, you're Jewish & in the words of my mom as a child, "I'm not a 'Chrisco' girl."  But in my defense, I am really Jew-"ISH."  Emphasis on the "ish" (in case if you were wondering).  Not only does Christmas run in blood on my dad's side, but it might just be my favorite holiday.  How can you resist?  It's just so happy!

And you know what makes it even happier?  1 word: Snowmass.  & I am predicting a rather white Christmas this year!   Yipee!

I have spent the last 15+ years of my life warming up to this cool place, which is now one of my homes.  Whether it's skiing down "Naked Lady" or "Sneaky's," or throwing snowballs at my dad, or sitting by the fire, snuggled up with a blanket & a new Dan Brown book, or drinking sachet after sachet of lemonade because it tastes so darn good here, or eating the fudge in Pitkin County Dry Goods, or taking selfies by the Maroon Bells, or building the annual snowman, or feeling the Christmas spirit in Aspen, or feeding that sneaky fox that roams the streets of Top of the Village, or walking into our favotite stores because it makes you feel so good, or listening to Amy Grant, or eating those amazing meals, or making cookies in the high-altitude kinda way, or dealing with every "worst part" of getting ready to endure a long day on the slopes (which in all reality are better than any best days anywhere else), Snowmass is 100% perfect every time.

One of my favorite parts of wintertime... especially here in Aspen, is getting to wear those adorable winter clothes!  It doesn't get much better than beautiful boots, crazy, warm socks, llama sweaters, & fun pants!  I don't know about you (no... I am not going to say "but I'm feeling 22"), but I love the feeling of loving what you're wearing.  When you feel confident in your outfit, you can feel confident in your day!

Florida doesn't provide that appropriate weather for winter attire.  I mean I think we all saw that ugly, ugly, ugly picture that was floating around on Facebook... & if you didn't, I have provided it here for you so you can gasp in it's ugliness.      

 
Yep... it's exactly what it looks like.  While the rest of the country is enjoying a change of season, Florida is melting, people are going to the beach, & winter clothes are out of the question!  The comment, "We hate you FL" I think is actually jealousy in the eyes of those subject to cold, but in my view (the right one), we hate Florida because there is absolutely no chance of cold in that radar.  Therefore, Colorado it is!

Anyway, what made this trip more interesting is when you randomly run into friends on the slope.  I mean 743645634 miles away in a tiny, slightly deserted resort, I run into a Kappa sister!  I love serendipity... what a "happy surprise!"

Anyway... there are still several days left of our wonderful vacation here & it's time to go out & enjoy last night's snowfall!  Powder... here I come!  Every snowboarder's dream! :)  

Ciao-
 

my kinda cardio.

Thelma & Louise

Some people say shopping is easy, but I'll tell you up front, shopping is tough stuff.  I mean, we have all heard about those brutal Black Friday stories... some are practically on a whole new level of horror, but those shoppers we speak of are professionals. My mom & I are just 2 rather experienced, but not quite professional (yet) shoppers on a mission.  Partners in crime if you will.

But shopping isn't just a mindless game... it's war; it's exercise.  I'll have you know, just on our short outing to the Palm Beach Gardens Mall, my mom & I took 7,952 steps, burned 1,780 calories, & walked just over 3 miles. Ladies & gentlemen, the truth is out... shopping ain't easy.  Actually, shopping might just be the ticket to a healthy lifestyle.  Not only are you buying things to look good & feel good, but you look good doing it.  & it is easy to track it all with your handy (well, actually, wristy) Fitbit!  Shout out to AC (Aunt Cindy) for always picking out the perfect holiday presents!

Anyway, you got the legs when walking from shop to shop, you got the arms when carrying the merchandise like barbells, & you got the core from the crunches you do while taking your shoes on & off in the dressing rooms.  & sometimes (like on a Black Friday kind of important shopping day), you have to throw a few punches, kick a little, & huff & puff past the slow pokes to make moves in the nice shops.  Shopping is total body, kickboxing, & an ab workout all in one.  So don't feel guilty when you make that side trip to "Chick Fil A..." you deserve it!

I'm not kidding around either... you should have seen the sweat I broke while trying on sweaters today.  It took a lot out of me I'll have you know!  Especially when trying on winter sweaters... & in this Florida heat.  I mean the people up north have it easy because at least when they try on sweaters the weather is "fitting."

Not only do you get all this accidental exercise, but you are working the mind too.  All those numbers & sales & difficult style decisions... I mean those decisions aren't going to make themselves.  With all these sales we are really saving SO much money... it's a steal.   

So I guess what I'm trying to tell you is that shopping is not only important for your closet & your physical, outward appearance, but it is also crucial for your physique & mind.  Retail therapy is real people, but what you didn't know was that it's therapeutic to the body as well.

Who needs treadmills when you've got the runway down the Nordstrom's dressing room?  Or who needs weights when your lifting J-Crew, Anthropologie, & Gap all in one hand?  No one... this is a 2 in 1.  Shopping & exercise all in 1 package.  So ladies (I know I'm speaking to the heart here!)... GO SHOPPING because "shopping is our cardio."

& last, but not least... What does the Fox say?     

This is a T-Shirt... I think the Fox would say: "I'm honored to serve this country's malls & provide healthy living."

Shop-ping-ping-ping-ping-ping-ping!
Shop-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-ping!
Shop-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-ping!
... I had to.

Clearly a steal.

You heard it here first, but definitely not last! Ciao-

thanksgivukkah.

Happy Thanksgiving Break everyone!  But more importantly, Happy Thanksgivukkah!

Thanksgiving formally began(ish) way back when the Puritans were running the New World & when the most important part of the year was the harvest.  In honor of the goods of the year, the Pilgrims prepared a feast.

This is real.

Now, as an elementary schooler you probably remember that you would always have a Thanksgiving pageant, where you would get assigned a part in a play as a pilgrim or a Indian... you know, wearing that traditional bonnet & long skirt garb.  You probably also had to sing a few songs & finish off the event with a giant feast with an awesome, inedible turkey at the center.  & of course, it wouldn't be the Thanksgiving Day play without the beautiful friendship that was formed between the Indians and the Pilgrims & saying all you are thankful for.
  

But did that actually happen?  Did the Indians & the Pilgrims actually sit down to a civilized meal in Plymouth in about 1621 because of the awesome harvest?  Were the Indians really happy that their land was being invaded & that they were catching diseases from Europe?

I mean... I guess they still had that RIDICULOUSLY GREAT harvest to be thankful for, so it was worth it, & honestly... I am just glad we do celebrate it because I have a lot to be thankful for & it is nice to dedicate a day for how lucky we all truly are.

1.  I am thankful for my brothers, who are always there for me.  We may have had our disagreements growing up, but as kids go, we were pretty awesome.  I loved growing up with you guys even though I don't remember it all since my memory is a failure, but I know there were some amazing times in there.  Like the time we built the fort in Daniel's room, while Jerry was painting the walls to look like blue jeans, or all the times we played "monster under the blanket," or the times I volunteered to be Scott's personal slave so he would like me.  I mean... life would have been pretty boring without you 2 around.  Thank you for being my siblings & loving me as your "baby blister."  (Yes... I did say blister.  Don't ask... but if you want to ask, ask Daniel).


2. I am thankful for my mom, who is MY BEST FRIEND & the greatest mom that has ever existed.  She always goes above & beyond in all circumstances to make me & the rest of my family happy.  She is the role model that I strive to emulate & she is the goofiest in the most perfect of ways.  I love you & am truly thankful for you every day because you treat me like royalty even when I don't deserve it or for no reason at all.  The truth is, you are the queen & we should be treating you like royalty.  <3

3. I am thankful for my DAD, who is probably one of the most selfless humans I have ever met.  All he cares about is the happiness of his family.  Growing up my dad would bring me a glass of water EVERY night before I went to bed (the truth is... he still does it when I am home from school) & when I was younger, he would read me a bedtime story... usually "Bread & Jam for Francis" or "Where's Mickey's Red Ball."  My dad was the "monster under the blanket" as well as the "monster in the water," but he is no monster at all.  Thank you for your wonderful spirit & dedication to us.  I always say... if you had asked my dad as a child, "what do you want to be when you grow up" he would have responded with: "a father."  You are probably the best father out there. 

& 4. I am thankful for the role models I have in my mom & her 2 sisters.  They may fight & get in arguments over stupid things.  They may cry. They may get defensive & stressed out, but I know they are always there for one another.  These 3 women have some of the best memories together: the trips from Hong Kong to the states during the hot, Florida summers, the vacations in Chicago, AFRICA, watching the nieces & nephews grow up, throwing parties on the forbidden white carpet (even though Phyllis caught you), crying out for your younger sister in the night because the darkness is scary, sharing clothes (unwillingly), taking Phyllis to the Academy Awards & us watching it (& you) on TV, going to each others' weddings, the Goldsmith on a Quiet Street that NEVER existed, Tybee Island, laughing at each other, taking silly pictures, being confidants, being role models, learning stuff from one another, being "so glad we married Fred," flying from California all the time, & just being the perfect set of 3 Musketeers.  You always hear about how sisters lose touch as adults & rarely see one another, but not these sisters.  Almost without fail these 3 talk at least once a week & share a special bond.  I know this may sound cheesy, but it's the truth.  Life is hard & sadly, people tend to respect their family & close friends less than strangers.  You just get comfortable & forget to take a second to show how important they are to you.  I am so proud to have these 3 in my life because I hope to be half as amazing at keeping in touch with my brothers as they are with one another.  They are 3 incredible, independent women, who have all taught me amazing things.  I wouldn't be who I am today without the "fun Aunt," who called my "Butterfly Princess Heart Flower" until I was 3636454, the "silly Aunt," who always has something comical to say & the "perfect Mom," who taught me the importance of sibling bonding.  I may be partial to the latter, but without the other 2, you just don't have the Goldsmiths.  The LOVE is there... just don't forget.  & especially don't forget to "live in the moment" because you only get 1 family.

Maybe we can all learn a little something from the Puritans & the Indians circa 1621... even if that friendship wasn't real.
  

Ciao & Happy Holidays!

chapter 2: in a nutshell.

Right now I am in the second chapter of my life: college.

It is kind of a confusing chapter where, at least for me, you feel very unsure about the next step... aka chapter 3.  You're kind of "bopping around, not really sure which way's up" & getting smart, but really just going to classes & hoping for that positive letter grade at the end of the semester.  Chapter 2 mainly focuses on your future.  You don't want it to, & you suppress & deny it every day, but sadly, it's the ugly truth.  It's a long, hard road, but in between those readings & lectures there is always room for a good-ole-fashioned study break... 

THE LIFE OF THE AVERAGE CHAPTER 2:
-You wake up tired & uncertain what the day will bring
-You probably drink a cup of coffee (or 2)
-You check your grade on E-Learning... most likely frown because it wasn't quite high enough
-You listen to music on your walk to class
-You make it to class right on time & sit in your usual seat, probably middle-back
-You half-listen/half look at facebook/buzzfeed, while the professor instills knowledge into your already beyond capacity brain
-You take some notes, but mostly doodle
-You walk out confused & hungry
-You check your grade again to see if it changed
-You eat lunch & cram for the rest of the day with flashcards, StudyEdge, & packets, LOTS OF PACKETS
-You go to the library
-You stalk ISIS & read up on your teachers
-You stay at Club West until the neon lights burn your eyes & you start making friends with the janitor & the Starbucks staff
-You send some emails
-You laugh when you see 2 guys on a scooter on your walk home & it probably makes your day
-You eat dinner & stare at your textbook for a couple more hours hoping osmosis is real
-You look at the clock & don't know how you missed the last 12 hours that seemed to fly by
-You shower & fall asleep feeling like you forgot something
-You wash, rinse, & repeat 
-SOMETIMES you see friends & sometimes you see Midtown (but on occasion, lets be real)

THE NUTSHELL:
In life, parents always tell you, "It doesn't matter how you do as long as you try your hardest."  I can tell you with 99.67% certainty that I have been trying my hardest for almost 21 years & yes, sometimes it succeeds & sometimes it doesn't (but hey, that's life & it doesn't mean you are stupid!). 

What they forget to tell you is this: "sometimes even your hardest doesn't quite get you that 4.0 that your future seems to looks at."  But the thing is... your chapter 3 doesn't know you.  That piece of paper you hand your chapter 3, often called a resume, is just a list of things you've done & your grades.  But what your future doesn't know is your personality, what makes you so... you.  The truth is, your chapter 3 is missing out because you are pretty awesome & they don't even know that.
    
My very loving mother gave me some wise advise today, she said, "In two years, that bad grade you got on that one quiz in that silly international studies class your junior year is not going to matter."  & you know what?  She is 100% right.  It may seem like THE END OF THE WORLD today, but I promise you it won't change who you are or what you will truly become.  It is just a small hiccup in your amazing life. 

Now I'm NOT saying: "Congratulations!  All this work you do in college is stupid, so you should just quit while you're ahead & maybe possibly turn into Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg & make millions & millions by being a fantastic genius of an inventor."  Rather, I am just trying to tell you that you are more than your GPA; you are a unique individual with a personality & a bright future.  You are special in your own way.

Sometimes you have a rough day, like I did today, but you just have to remember that not only do you have people out there who love you, but that you can love yourself too.  Most of all, don't forget that your parents will ALWAYS love you & most definitely unconditionally.

The thing is... chapter 2 is more than just figuring yourself out & what you want to do with your chapter 3, it is about just experiencing life & becoming a well-rounded you.  If you read between the lines in chapter 2, you will see that the margins tell you to go out & enjoy the little things:  Make the effort to see friends when you have a spare minute or 2, go out to dinner because you can, talk to people who you have never met before, take a second & listen to Century Tower when the bells go off, get Mochi, fill out that F Book you get during orientation, eat Krishna, fall asleep in Plaza of the Americas, play Humas vs. Zombies, listen to that silly priest in Turlington because it's interesting, stop & stare at those weird blue trees, volunteer, meet someone at the French Fries, apply for EVERYTHING (but don't get too upset when you don't get it), & sit back & truly listen when someone talks to you without any distractions (i.e. no phone).

But really, take a second & breathe.  This is your life.  This is your present.  Your future can wait while you live your life.  You only get a chapter 2 once... Make it count.

homecoming.

JUST 2 OLD HIPPIES

Homecoming... aka the week of festivities where us sorority gals get to dress our best for an entire week straight.  Homecoming is truly a tradition of welcoming back the alumni from years past, but of course, Greek Life has transformed that tradition into one GIANT social.  It's just another reason to put on your hippie outfit, throw up those peace signs, & wear non-prescription glasses for no purpose whatsoever... it just makes life more interesting.  

This year was probably my favorite experience with homecoming because I actually had the opportunity to participate in the events!  You know you do it right when you get all dressed up, you dance like a crazy person with a group of your favorite sorority sisters, you get home super late, sleep 5 minutes, & turn around & do it again... (homecoming week in a nutshell).

Growing up I always had a fascination with dressing up... you know, stealing your mom's costume jewelry for a fancy tea party or finding your great-great-great grandmothers mothball smelling dresses in the back closet to drape over you when playing house.  Then of course there is Halloween... who didn't go all out for that gem of a holiday?  It was a holiday invented for us kids to let our inner freak fly outside the comfort of our own homes. Wait... am I talking about kids here or college students?  Maybe they're one in the same?  The content may have aged, but the idea most definitely has not.

I know I'm not the only girl out there who would play dress up like 47483754 times a day as a little kid & I know I'm not the only girl out there who STILL does this, often.  So... I will bring up this burning question that everyone else has been thinking too (I know you are, don't deny it)... Why is dressing up so fun? 

The answer is... I HAVE NO IDEA.  It is just fun.  Even you guys like to do it too.  Socials prove it all... sometimes they are the ones who even get most into the nightly themes.  & the truth is, it is funny because there is so much hype about Halloween each year, but when you're in a sorority, almost every week is Halloween, but it just never seems to get old.

WOODSTOCK

TAMPA DINNER CRUISE

So after a whole week of non-stop "dress up," I wrapped up the weekend most perfectly with a Gator Game... even though we lost & we aren't doing so hot this year, it is ALWAYS "great to be a Florida Gator."  Especially when I get a wonderful visit from the lovely Alberta!  This time I chose to dress as myself... one of my favorite costumes to dress up in.  It's always nice to know that during the day, after a long week, you can always go back to being a regular, old gator.  Welcome home alumni!    

Ciao & Go Gata!

pumpkin patch.

Florida is NOT well known for it's change of season, snow, or cold weather, but sometimes it's okay to pretend right?

That is NOT a rhetorical question... it is ALWAYS okay to pretend because fall is one of the prettiest times of the year & just because we are in Florida doesn't mean we have to suffer, right?  I mean with the ocean of red & yellow leaves, the contrast in color between the blue sky & the gourds & pumpkins, & the beautiful pre-winter clothes, it just doesn't get much better.

There is nothing better than feeling & looking pretty with a slight chill in the air... smells like fall to me & tastes like smiles.

Today was a pumpkin patch kind of day.  The Gainesville weather took a break from the muggy heat & gave us a little fall shiver.  Behind the bars & clubs, there are some beautiful natural parts of Gainesville... Paynes Prairie, The Devil's Millhopper, the farmland in old Alachua, the corn fields that turn into mazes during October,  Ichetucknee Springs, & the pumpkin patches that dot the city in orange when fall rolls around.  Sometimes you get so involved with campus that you forget how beautiful the surrounding area is.   

Dressing all cutesy, us roommates went out on a bit of an adventure... ending up at an awkward pumpkin patch on the side of the road & rolling up in our fancy outfits to a random farm for young kids with bouncy houses & "spooky trails..." Houston, we have a problem.  We were getting pretty desperate at this point in our travels... the classic graduation "railroad picture" even became an option since we couldn't find an adequate pumpkin patch & we all looked so nice in our shades of orange & blue.  But we eventually prevailed & found Trinity Church where we set up camp, the tripods, the light reflectors, the models... JOKING!  But we did set up camp for a long time.  We may or may not have overstayed our welcome.

But I bought a tiny pumpkin to make up for it... Squilliam. 

Just call us super models... yeah, we know how to work it.

Anyway, overall it was a very successful day & weekend.  Initiated 67 new sisters into Kappa Kappa Gamma & relished our beautiful ritual & celebrated Kappa's 143rd birthday today with some amazing alumnae from chapters all over the country.  There was even an alumna from our founding school, Monmouth College, which is very cool.

The extent of sisterhood once again extends outside what you know.  Thousands of other amazing women share the ritual you live & are considered your sisters.  Makes the world, once again, a whole lot smaller when you have sisters all over the country singing the same songs, wearing their keys, & loving their sisters.  "We will always remember our dear Kappa days."

But I would like to take a special aside for my sister & roommate, Rebecca, on her recent engagement to her boyfriend of 5 years!  So incredibly happy for her & her fiance!

It has been really cool getting to know you better over this fall semester.  You are a great friend & I am lucky to call you my sister; therefore, our friendship is not just for four years, it is for life!  So... you are stuck with me & Colbie.

(And your owl knit cap is so age appropriate.)

  Ciao Bella!

circa 1977.

Circa 1977: UF Homecoming Parade

Over 30 years ago, 2 people met for the first time at the Country Village pool in the muggy heat (as we all know) of a Gainesville summer.  My mom, exhibit A, looked stunning in a lime green bathing suit en route to law school & my dad, exhibit B, was a handsome nerd planning on attending medical school in the near future.  Even if the "spark" wasn't immediate, they instantly liked each other & (I'm going to get real cliche here & tell you...) the rest is history.

My parents were just kids at the time... to be exact they were about my age (scary I know... I always forget that my parents had a life before me.  I guess it just wasn't a good life yet) attending UF, just like me.  Well anyway, they met, went on a few dates... blah blah blah, a few years went by... blah blah blah & then they got married in 1980; had a few kids, moved to Florida, lived their lives, became world travelers, discovered the cure for cancer, & fell in love with Colorado.  You know, the usual.

It is amazing how time flies by.  33 years later & my parents are still best friends.  I know because I can see it in their banter.  They make fun of each other... the proof of a great relationship is being able to laugh at yourself.  My mom asks stupid questions (i.e. "Where are the SWISS Family Robinson from?" or "I wonder what state the Colonel who started KFC (everyone & their mom, except mine apparently, knows what that stands for!!) is from?") & my dad says sub-par jokes & puns about EVERYTHING, but in the end it's all about compatibility.  And sure, it wasn't always easy, but that's just life & the way it is, & it's more important to look back at those hard moments & know they just made you stronger & a little bit closer.

I always make the analogy, but I think it works here as well: when watching a soccer game & you look back at the goalie's performance, you always remember that shot he or she missed, & you ignore the amazing saves that were made.  Why when we look back do we always remember the bad stuff?  It doesn't make any sense because behind every bad(ish) thing that happens there are 4748657634 good things screaming for attention:

Like the time Daniel made an actual funny joke about "fins to the left, fins to the right" when there was scuba equipment in the trunk, or the time Scott just "didn't know when he was almost done," or when Suki was a surprise for Hanukkah, or when we had a family flan fight in the kitchen just because, or when we went to almost every European country in a span of 10 years, or when just spending 1 night in an RV in an Alaskan parking lot was "the best vacation ever," or when we went to 47486 soccer games across the state, or when we celebrated Christmas in the snow, or when we had snowball fights in the Steamboat hot tubs, or when we saw dad's face in the skydiving video, or when I signed all my cards with 008 INC. because I am a super spy who loves the number 8, or when you sent the Thanksgiving menu & included graphically where the goat cheese came from, or when mom started painting again, or that time in Africa when everyone knew who "DEBBIE" was, or when we bought our Snowmass condo & turned it into our haven, or when we were all together again this summer for the first time in years, or when you won the lottery (just kidding... I was just seeing if you were paying attention), or when you just lived this amazing life with the best set of 5 people there is.

When you think about all that life above, you know that you created something special: a family.  Just 2 kids who met sometime in 1977 grew up & formed this incredible family with incredible aspirations & futures.  If it weren't for that lime green bathing suit or my dad's guts, this post would not be happening right now... which means I wouldn't be happening right now & neither would Daniel nor Scott.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is this: thank you for meeting, getting a cheese plate at the Mad Monk's Inn, marrying, staying together, loving each other every day & us kids, looking at each other as if not a single day has gone by since 1977, being involved in our lives, taking us with you when you became world travelers, making room for all 3 of us in your busy & professional lives, giving us EVERYTHING we ever wanted, giving up single life & work for our futures, being the best parents that ever existed, & sending me to UF, where hopefully I can wash, rinse, & repeat.

Here's to the best couple & their UF alumni status (even though my mom is wearing garnet... oops!) & all the things/years in between!  

Parents weekend: 2011

LOVE,
Rachele (008 INC.)

birthday bex.

This is a story of a Floridian meeting a Bristolian & how they became family.

I am going to start off this post with a big HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY to my socially awesome, happy & smiley, traveling obsessed, & friendliest friend, Bex!  I hope you have a great birthday with lots of family, friends, fun, & favorites!  Wish I could be there to celebrate it with you!  You deserve the best day ever!

Well... I will start the story now.  In 2009 my "real" family & I went on a cruise to Scandinavia (I know... casual), anyway, if you have ever been on a Royal Caribbean Cruise before than you'd know that there is a section on the ship for a club of teenagers called "fuel," where I found myself a lot.  I didn't know many people, & for 2 whole weeks I was forced to be social & meet new people.  Going on a European cruise truly helps you meet people from all over the world: Canada, South America, & mostly... you guessed it, Europe!  I really enjoyed getting to know everyone & I liked them all a lot, but you know how it ends... "blah blah blah, I hope to see you again someday/let's get together another time" (embrace), & you walk off thinking, I will NEVER see those people again!  Usually you're right, but sometimes you're not......

Our only picture together from the cruise... rough, but reality 2009

6 months goes by & thoughts about the cruise have waned, leaving me a normal kid once again until one day I got a facebook message from my friend Bex from the cruise explaining her huge plans to visit the United States over the summer & wondering if she could stay a few nights here along the way.  I asked my mom & surprisingly she complied, but as the dates began to get closer & closer, she became more worried that Bex could be a mass serial killer planning a heist along the East Coast.  The truth is... she never actually thought Bex would make the journey over here.  But once again... Bex proved us wrong & she flew into Orlando with a new doo, a bright red pack, knee highs with converses, more color than anyone around, flailing her arms, & with no serial killing on the mind!  She was here & she was awesome!

I have to admit... I was a little worried myself since I had never hung out with her unless there were 475464 other people there too.  I couldn't help, but wonder... would we get along?
        

2010: Bristolian attacks Florida with enthusiasm

Well... the answer is, yes we did & so did she & my parents, & she & my friends, & she & my pets, & she & EVERYONE!  You can't not like this girl.  & that is how she became my Bristolian sister & my mom became her "American mum."  We kayaked, mini-golfed & had batting practice, wind surfed, ate Hershey bars & Butterfingers, swam, tanned, & everything that is apparently "American" & needed to be crossed off the bucket list.  Most importantly... Bex taught us a few things.  The chicken is the most dangerous animal in Europe.  OKAY!  Stop picturing giant, evil, human devouring chickens with huge claws & menacing snarls... we were talking about salmonella, duhhh.  & no... that is NOT what I pictured when I heard this bizarre remark!  Well...     

Did I mention a week later she met us again in New York for a short time?  Well she did.  You can't help but admire someone with the guts & personality to fly half way across the world to meet up & backpack with people you just barely know.  More than admiration... wonder.
 

Me, American Mum, Bristolian Sister taking on the Big Apple

So the summer passed & Bex & I stayed in touch reasonably well planning our next summer's adventures.  It was my turn to check out her digs & since I know "knew" someone in England, I could travel alone.  Again... you don't think that plans would solidify, but they did & I traveled to Bristol in 2011 to visit Bex & her home.

2011: Bath

We went EVERYWHERE! It was awesome to travel around England with Bex & her mum, meet her friends, & learn the hip lingo.  We went to Bath, where I coined the rather (I thought) impressive phrase "Bex, Bath, & Beyond," we saw Stonehenge & thought about alien intervention, saw the city where my family is supposedly from, & went to see the double feature of Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Part 2.  Yep.  It was a good time.  Again... most importantly, Bex doesn't lie. Chickens really are dangerous!!  Who would have guessed? 1-0 Bex.

That vacation ended with Bex & I closer than ever.  We made a deal we would plan on seeing each other every year at least once for as long as we could keep it up.  In a way, we are pen-pals because we keep in contact: sometimes through letters, mostly through facebook, & annually in person.  It is hard to stay in contact with people sometimes, but that is what is so amazing about having a friend like Bex... she makes the world seem small.

And that's when she decided to study abroad in Mississippi (pronounced Missipee) & became a Southerner.  Did they play quidditch in the South?  Well... Bex did.  Bex did it all & became a true Southern Miss Golden Eagle.  "To the Top!"  She just never slows down!

And luckily... since she was so close, it was easy to plan a vacation over Christmas Break to Colorado.  & Bex came too!  Wouldn't want to have it any other way.  It's funny... because my brother Scott also met us out there & he had never actually met Bex before, but said, "It feels like I already have."  That's just the way Bex is.  You just feel like you know her even when you don't. 

2012: Snowmass, Colorado

After just barely making it in 2012, Bex made a trip down to Gainesville in 2013 on her way down to the Quidditch World Cup in Orlando.  We even wore matching shirts & toured our way around campus taking pictures as Gators.

2013

So far... 5 years... 5 visits... 0 murders... 10990394754 memories.

As I told you up front: this is a story about how Bex became family & I'd like to make one last shout out to her for being one amazing person!  Thanks for being such a great friend/sister all these years & Happy Birthday!

Love,
Rachele