Postcards.

I have never really bought postcards in the past but I really got into it this vacation because I had people to send them to like my friend Mary who is gone for Navy basic training and my friend Valeria who is interning in New York this summer. Plus I always have the fam back at home to send it to... Anyway, I like postcards because:

-They're cheap. I think the most I paid for one was 35 cents!
-They're everywhere. Pretty much no matter where you go... you can find them.
-They're artistic. I love the pictures on them.
-They're an excuse to write people and let them know that though you are far away, you are still thinking of them.

Anyway, as silly as it may be... I for sure have a new found love of postcards.

The Grand Canyon.

Today, for the first time in my life, I saw and experienced the Grand Canyon. I honestly wasn't exactly looking forward to it. I knew it was going to be incredible but I was afraid that I wasn't going to be blown away as much as I thought I should be. I got there, and it was glorious... It was so vast that my brain couldn't even comprehend its incredible depth. It varied in colors and shapes... It was incredible. But like I feared, I wasn't as blown away as I wanted to be...

Until I started looking around me. There were people from all over the world that came to see it. This thing that I found just pretty incredible... some people traveled thousands of miles to see. I started thinking about these people that surrounded me... wondering what was going through their heads. Did they believe that God had created this? Did they think that some mighty powerful water had lots of time to do its thing? What were they thinking?

I instantly became thankful that not only did I get to enjoy the creation... I got to enjoy the Creator. A piece of art isn't worth much without a talented artist behind it. The Grand Canyon would be meaningless if it weren't created by a God who spoke and brought it to life. So, no, I wasn't absolutely blown away by the Grand Canyon today, but I was reminded of the greatness of God and that was a good enough take away for me.

The Fountains of Bellagio

Last night I experienced something completely magical: the Fountains of Bellagio (at least that's what Wikipedia refers to them as.) Holy cow... I couldn't stop smiling as I watched them. As ridiculous as it sounds, that might have been my favorite experience of the trip so far.

Anyone who has been to Vegas (or watched Ocean's 11) has seen these, but I have never been so it was my first time. It was basically a choreographed water show to different songs. My favorite song that I heard was probably "Singing in the Rain"... but even the cheesey "Proud to Be an American" was cool! I've clearly seen fountains before (I mean, I'm from Kansas City: The City of Fountains) but the large scale of these fountains accompanied by the backdrop of the beautiful Bellagio Hotel and Casino was incredible... especially at night. Who needs gambling and half-dressed women? I could stand outside the Bellagio all day and be completely content.

Ode to Naps.

I love naps. I think I really learned to appreciate them when I entered college. And even more when I started a job that made me wake up at 4:30 in the morning. Even if days have been wonderful (like today) sometimes it's great just to come home and sleep a little bit. Short naps are ok, but I especially love long naps.

This is short and sweet... but if this blog is about things that I love, then I need to blog about naps... because I love them. So, in honor of this post... I'm headed to take a nap.

Ocean.

Today I walked along the ocean/beach and it was wonderful. My dad kept on saying, "Ab, you going to blog about this?" "Is this blog worthy?" "You should call it 'Ocean.'" I told him, "Dad, I can't just blog about the ocean... what would I say?" Yet, here I am. In honor of my dad, and the ocean, I give you this post: Ocean.

The Pacific Ocean is way too cold to swim in... especially in the beginning of June. So we walked along the shore enjoying the scenery and experience of it all. The breeze was absolutely wonderful. I know it's silly and way overdone, but I love having the wind blow in my hair. I love looking up to the sky and closing my eyes and just taking in the feeling of it all. That feeling, plus the sun beating on my face and the sound of the waves in the background created several moments of perfection today.

We walked along some paths that overlooked the beach from above, watched a lot of seals soaking up the sun, had lunch on the patio at a restaurant that sat on the beach, and then we actually walked on the beach... I dipped my feet in the water which means my feet have officially touched both the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans within the last three months! Anyway, it was a perfect day spending time at the ocean.

(My feet in the Atlantic (left) and my feet in the Pacfic....
Pretty similar, eh?)

Before and Afters

I just love before and afters. I love seeing a transformation without having to put in the work or the patience that is involved to finally see the end result. I guess it's the ultimate instant gratification.

Some before and afters that I enjoy:
-Beauty makeover before and afters
-Weight loss before and afters
-Designing before and afters (which is what sparked my interest into eventually writing this post)
-Ok, so I can't think of any more... but I still like before and afters!

I guess I just enjoy that the after is always a bit better, a bit more beautiful, a bit more creative. I'm not saying we always need to be striving for something bigger and better... I guess I just appreciate the eye that can see something old and transform it into something new...

Chicago O'Hare Airport

Yesterday my vacation began. Cory and I began the trip by ourselves because we had free tickets that only worked on that day... so Joel, Mom, and Dad will leave today. We flew from KC to Chicago, and Chicago to Phoenix (where we are currently residing in a La Quinta in an ... interesting part of town.) We had a 4 hour layover in the Chicago O'Hare Airport so we started making videos. They are all pretty dumb but they kept us occupied for the first 30 minutes of our time there (we thought we were going to make some big production of our day... but we didn't.)

Anyway.... I could blog about the day. But I thought I would just post some of the videos. They're kind of lame, so watch at your own risk.