Holiday, Eh?

Dia dhuit! (That's hello in Gaelic.) I'm currently sitting in my house spending my last precious moments with my laptop and my phone for 10 days! Why is this parting necessary? Because I am departing for a cruise around the Mexican Riviera tomorrow!!! I'm beyond excited. I just cannot to wait to be in the sun everyday (my favorite type of weather). Among the many sites that we will be visiting, I am privileged to be visiting New Orleans, Cozumel, Mayan Ruins, and not to mention going on an excursion involving seven zip lines through the rain forest and water tubing through a cave. Amazing? I'm sure it will be.

So, the past two weeks have been spectacular. Canada was amazing. I loved it so much that I now plan to move there. It is full of the friendliest, nicest people you would ever meet. When I was coming back through security in the Victoria airport, I went to take out my liquids bag and the security officer just said, "Well, why don't we just leave them in and see what happens." Crazy, I know! Every person I met was so amiable especially compared to the rudeness of so many people here in the United States. The actual camp was so terrifically exhausting. I learned so much from the teacher there, Rose. Rose was...interesting. As most Irish Dance teachers are, she was an angry, brutal woman. She would full-out yell at any dancer in front of the class if they were not doing precisely what they ask. On the other hand, when she complimented you, it was such a great feeling of accomplishment. This form of teaching surprisingly encouraged me to work even harder at my dancing. I grew so much as a dancer. Among drills, we also learned Sean nos (a very ancient form of Irish Dancing), Gaelic (the Irish language), ballet and Pilates exercises, and show steps similar to those of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance from a very nice (attractive) teacher named Owen. Everything was held at Vancouver Island University. We slept in the dorms, which were very nice, danced in the gym, and ate in the cafeteria. The food was delicious and I discovered a new favorite dessert -- nanaimo bars. They are the best things I have ever tasted. As soon as I get home from the cruise I will attempt to make then and hopefully post the recipe! All in all, I came home from Canada with very sore legs, a funny accent (aboot instead of about), and wonderful recipes. I can't wait to return next year!

Morgan, Jeff, and me outside the airport in Victoria

Us and our Canadian friend, Olivia, that we met at camp

NANAIMO BARS!!!

When I got home, I saw the local theater group, Center Stage's, production of Titanic the Musical. I have many friends in the show and it was great seeing everyone! The show was spectacularly done as well, although I did almost cry at the end. For those of you who don't know, this musical is not the movie story with Rose and Jack, but instead an entirely different plot based off of real passengers that survived and perished on the actual Titanic. It was a great show and I would recommend it if it were not ending tomorrow night.

Also, I was pleasantly surprised by the two foster puppies roaming around my house when I arrived from the airport. My family fosters puppies that are too young to be adopted for the local Human Society and every once in a while we are the hosts to any number of furry little goofballs. These two were so adorable. We had to give them back today but they were Chihuahua-Shepherd mixes. I know, kinda weird to think about. But they were about as small as a water bottle and the sweetest, funniest creatures ever. It was so hard to give them back this time. I hope they find a good home soon!

Brother and Sister foster puppies

This week was full of new clothes also. I bought two new, amazingly cute, bathing suits from Victoria's Secret. One is a hot peach triangle bikini, and the other is a wrap-around teal and gold one with a big shell in the middle. In the second, I feel like a mermaid...haha. Then, my mother took my sister and me shopping for dresses to wear at dinner on the cruise. I love dresses, and found a lot of fashionable one courtesy of Forever 21. I can't wait to wear them!!

After I get back from the cruise, I will only have one week left of freedom before school starts :(. But on the upside, my two best friends, Leah and Alie, will be home very soon and I can't wait to see them!!! I miss them so much. Only a couple weeks left until they're home!

Well, that's all I have for now and I really should be getting to sleep so I can wake up at seven a.m. for my flight to New Orleans! Write to everyone soon!

Make the most of the rest of summer!

Your thriving and excited friend,

Lexie