And the countdown Begins!

Hi, everyone!

I hope you are all having an awesome and relaxing summer so far. I know I have!  Even though the major event of my summer will be traveling in Eastern Europe, I have really enjoyed my time spent at home!  It's great to be back in the great state of New Jersey. I can't help loving it - I'm such a homebody.  I really LOVE my home.

So it's official - there are officially 23 days until I leave for Los Angeles, California.  I leave on July 4th for California.  I'll celebrate the birth of the USA on a plane, landing in California just in time to spend the rest of the holiday with Ella and her family in Santa Monica.  The day after - July 5th - the Helix Program begins and after intensive Euro training with them, I will leave for Eastern Europe on July 10th.

I cannot wait to start my European adventure, but until then, here are the top ten things I am busying myself with currently:

10. Reading.  Having the summer off with absolutely no summer homework to do, it's been absolutely lovely being able to read some great books of my own choosing!  I recently finished two amazing books that I highly recommend.  The first is called The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.  This book is about a young girl who is trying to figure out her life after being permanently scarred by growing up in the foster-care system.  It's a great, touching story that my Grandma (Nana) recommended after her book club read it.  The second book is called Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer.  This book is honestly one of the best works of fiction that I have ever read. This book is partially based on Jonathan's own travels to Eastern Europe to learn more about his Jewish heritage, which is well, basically the same as what I am doing this summer!  It is an AMAZING work and it was a NY Times best-seller. Check it out!

9. Movies. Well besides constantly re-watching The Princess Diaries and Disney Animated Classics all the time, I've also recently made time to see the new Star Trek film, and I really got a kick out of it.  Maybe its just my obsession with Spock but I thought they did a great job on the film.  I also can't wait to see Monsters University, This Is The End, Man of Steel, White House Down, and Despicable Me 2!

8. Vegetarian Eating. So when I got home from school, it was like coming home to a new world - my whole family went "veggie" when I left for school.  Let me put it this way - the only form of meat I've had since coming home was in the form of one piece of chicken at our family's memorial day BBQ.  I have NOT declared myself a full-time vegetarian, but to be honest my life lately has been one big pound of soy.  Just bring on the Tofu -  I've actually become quite the cook!

7.  NBC's "The Voice".  I can't put into words my feelings about this show.  Just watch it.  You'll be amazed by the remarkable voices we have in our country.  You wouldn't believe it, but people actually sound good singing - even without auto-tune! Did I mention I love Adam Levine? #TeamAdam #Obsessed
 

6.  Spinning class. If you told me 3 weeks ago that I would ever go to a spinning class for an hour and enjoy it, I probably would have laughed at you.  I have to thank my Dad for getting me to my first spin class, but I must say it is really fun.  I spin 2-3 times a week now and I love the motivation given by the instructor and the feeling of pride you have after competing an hour of intense biking.  The physical and mental workout  of biking is worth it as the results are obvious and it actually keeps you energized for the rest of the day. Spinning is phenomenal for any one interested in improving their personal fitness!

5.  My job.  Since I got home, every weekend I work all Saturday and Sunday at Panther Valley Country Club as the Sandwich/Salad Chef at its poolside Cabana.  It's pretty hard work (some customers are quite, QUITE, picky) but I love the people I'm working with and I personally believe that minimum wage builds character. Or... at least I hope it does.

4. Marshalls. I believe that the cure to any rough day - or really any trouble in life - can be cured by a trip to Marshalls.  What a great store.  They sell such great stuff there and its always a bargain. As I type this, I'm just thinking of what I will purchase on my next trip there... :-)  I really need to stop shopping. A girl of course needs a new wardrobe for European travel right?

3. My friends. Being home and having the opportunity to reunite with old friends from high school has been so wonderful and healthy.  I love my home friends, they are all such great people and its been a blast hearing about their years!  I believe that all of my friends are so accomplished and special in their own individual ways and its been so nice seeing them again. Love you all.

2. Sleeping. Do I need to say anymore? If you know me, you know my love for this activity.

1. My family.  My family is literally the definition of good people.  I love them all so much and they are my biggest, most loving fan club.  My parents are the most awesome, accomplished, inspiring, kindest beings in the whole world.  They are my rocks and they are even coming to visit me this summer in Lithuania! I can't wait!  My siblings, Eric and Chelsea are awesome as well.  Eric is basically the coolest high school junior around.  He is such an all around, truly remarkable kid and the best bro around.  He is going to Israel this summer and I know he will have an amazing time.  My little sister Chelsea is the queen; period. This kid is the perfect mix of sugar and spice, sass and sweetness. This girl and I - although we are 8 years apart - are attached at the hip.  She is my other half and my best friend. I'm going to miss her SO much this summer, but I know she'll have a great time at sleep away camp!! Love you all!

My family

Anyways, that's how I am occupying myself until I leave for California and Eastern Europe.  I can't wait to go, but I'm loving my stay in NJ - life is good and the countdown has begun.

PS: I hope you enjoyed my first blog post! Be sure to stay tuned for more posts to come!