SO WE WENT TO EUROPE...

...in April, for the first time. And I've been meaning to blog about it ever since, but just kept bloggin' about other nonsense. Anywho I have almost 2,000 pictures from my trip, yes 2,000. Basically I like to take photos a lot, actually I would love to be a photographer maybe if I wasn't a singer-songwriter, girl with glasses kind-of actress. Dave thinks I took way more pictures than necessary, I think you can never have too many. Especially of Europe... wow, wow and wow is all I have to say. Well that is not all I have to say, but if you've been you know what I'm sayin'. If you haven't been, get a jar, make a little label that says "EUROPE FUND" with your label maker if you have one, or just write on a sticky note with a sharpie, and then start putting all your change in there, a few dollars here a few dollars there, maybe dedicate $20 a month to your Europe fund, and even if it takes you twenty five years, you gotta go. And I do realize that it's not that easy to just pick up and go to Paris... most of us got jobs, families, school, rent to pay etc... but, somehow, someway, someday YOU MUST GO TO EUROPE. (safely of course)

We live in a beautiful world, yeah we do, yeah we do...( name that tune) There is a whole lot going on out there... So many people with lots of different ideas, buildings, mountains, oceans, flowers, food, music, animals, weather, language, style, culture and beyond. It really blows the the mind open to plop yourself in the middle of a foreign place, it's kinda scary and maybe even uncomfortable initially, but there is just so much to stuff to see, experience and learn. And when our eyes our opened to the beauty of the earth, we are never the same.

So long story long, Dave and I had saved up and booked this trip to Europe long ago for our sixth Anniversary, with plans of going to England to visit Dave's aunt and uncle, and then to Italy and France. But then I had gotten a call to from Disney asking if I would be willing to come aboard to sing for just one night and then relax for the week on a Disney Cruise ship (Simon Cowell would be so proud) that was sailing across the transatlantic. So we cancelled our original plans and decided to go float on a boat with Mickey Mouse, and with my good pal and TV guide idol finale co-host Justin Guarini who also was singing on the ship. We brought along our guitar players Matt and Kedge, and made friends with our Disney Guide. After we performed it was vacation time, It was an unusually good gig...

Boarded the ship in Portugal...

The view from the ship...

First Port... Cadiz, Spain. Cadiz was quaint, Cadiz was color... hues of blue from the sky to the turquoise sea, clean narrow streets paved with stones in shades of gray, canary yellow apartments stacked on top of flower markets and old book shops, hand painted tile boarders and windows wide open to let the sunshine in. We ate gelato, hugged a large tree, had some questionable ravioli for lunch and walked along the ocean wall... this was my first taste of Europe and it was delicious. I was in Awe...

Then there was Gibralter... what's goin' on in Gibralter? Monkeys, lots and lots of monkeys that aren't afraid to take your potato chips right out of your human hands. They jump, swing, scream, fight, play, pull hair, hug, snuggle... they live on the edge. We had to take Gondola Ride to the top of Gibralter to see them, I was terrified, was certain the chord would snap and we would fall to our death. We survived and saw a lot of monkeys, and took lots of National Geographic type photos. I found them monkeys frightening and yet fascinating from a distance. It was cold and way up high, but a site to see...

Last port... Barcelona, Spain or "Barthelona". Barcelona is a big big city with lots and lots of people. Pretty people with olive skin, light eyes and great style. We happened to be there for this holiday in which the girls give boys a book and the boys give girls a rose. I can't remember what this holiday is called... Saint something day? And then there was this church, Sagrada Familia, it is massive and has been under construction for centuries, you'd have to stare at it for days to behold all of it's ornate details, in the unique style of "Gaudi". We also roamed through this massive market that had lots of chocolate, candy, scary fish and giant toostie roll pops, I tried to take a picture with one and a lady yelled at me in Espanol, I almost cried:( Oh and we ate more gelato...

After our magical cruise ride through the transatlantic we de-boarded and said goodbye to Mickey and our friends, hopped on a plane and headed towards our final destination of our European expedition... England to stay with Dave's loveliest and kindest Aunt and Uncle. Our first day was a Sunday, we put on our church clothes and uncle David drove us down to church, only to find no one there. So instead, we went to the Winchester Cathedral, known as the resting place of Jane Austen. As we entered the large red doors, we were greeted by the sound of angels. The tiny blonde hairs all stood tall on my arms as the heavenly voices of the choir filled the chambers of the church, tears came to my eyes, I didn't want to leave...

The second day Uncle David and Auntie Yolandie took us to to see the ancient historical phenomenon known as "Stonehenge". I have to admit, at first I wondered why it was such a big deal, but after learning more, it does cause one to wonder... rather remarkable and mysterious. We took a lazy drive through the English country side while listening to the Eagles. There were these wild ponies that ran along side the road with long flowing manes, straw roofed cottages that look like the kind of place that Snow White would live in. And then there were the swans... and all the swans belong to the queen of course.

The third day Uncle David dropped us off at the train station where we jumped on a train to London. London is to date, my favorite place that I've ever been. It is magical... like riding through the stars over Big Ben on the Peter Pan ride at Disneyland, but it's real. It's like strolling through a life size Christmas village that you set up in your window. And just like a tourist I flipped over the red telephone booths, and double decker buses and the buckingham palace. The people are so hip in their topshop clothes and sophisticated with their vintage boots and english accents, oh how I wish that I had an English accent. I bought some fancy perfume at Liberty, ate pizza at Harrods, toured the Westminster Abbey and roamed through museums and took a ride on the London Eye... even I, with my serious fear of heights. Dave was proud and we got some amazing shots of the city from above... We spent two days, it wasn't enough. I need a whole Summer...

We spent a few more days with David and Yolandie doing crossword puzzles over breakfast while listening to BBC radio, and ate the tastiest lunch at the Stanwell House near the isle of wight and found little souvenirs to take home to family and friends. Then it was time to pack up and go back to America...

We didn't make it to Italy, however we had a 45 minute lay-over in the Paris airport where I bought some chocolate. Would love to see Germany and Switzerland, We'll have to start saving our change in a jar for the next trip... someday.

And no matter where you go, it's always good to come back home.

(this might be the longest blog post in the history of Brookie Babble... probably should have been broken up into two or three posts... or four)

SET YOUR DVR'S...

Sorry for all the blog posts dedicated to "Change of Plans" but I just got a text from my sister in law that the promos are now running on FOX, I have yet to see it, but apparently it ran several times during the commercial breaks for GLEE tonight... kinda neato. I guess we're getting closer, Yikees!

Don't forget to set your DVR's, January 8th on FOX, 8/7 central! Here is the link to the extended trailer...

PS- Oh and a big birthday shout out to my amazing pal, David Archuleta... he's got a voice as pure as Gold, and a heart to match... truly one of the best human beings on the planet, hands down.

BLANKET...

I'll be the first to admit that there is not much more that I need, "I've got gadgets and gizmos a plenty, I've got whoz-its and whats-its galore... you want thing-a-mabobs? i've got twenty" and yet sometimes I still find myself wanting more. One more pair of skinny jeans, Another pair of shoes, the miracle eye cream, the latest and greatest apple product, classy luggage, another throw pillow and it goes on and on... we are living in a material world, and... I sometimes fear I am becoming a material girl... and that's not the kind of girl I want to be, never fulfilled, always wanting. I've acquired a taste for nice things, but that is all they are... things. But if I am honest with myself, I have all the material possessions that I could ever need, or want...

Dave and I came to this realization as we were discussing what we were going to get each other for Christmas. We talked about our goals for the future, which includes living within our means, saving, and giving what we can... achieving these goals requires sacrifice, discipline and a re-evaluation of needs and wants. So, we both agreed to keep it simple, nothing extravagant... but thoughtful. The days leading up to Christmas soon became the stressful search for the perfect presents, as I wandered from store to store, buying just one more gift for this person, but then that means that you then should buy one more for so and so. Of course on Christmas Eve I found myself in the last hour standing in line paying for a light as a feather laptop for my better half. My stomach dropped as I swiped my credit card. So much for keeping things minimal and not going overboard...

Christmas morning came and we all went around the room opening our gifts, feeling guilty by the mound of gifts that we had surrounding us. We began opening gifts, Dave unwrapped the first few, practical, a t-shirt from the legendary diving girl motel, then he ripped off the paper and realized what the next one was, he was stunned. He deserved it, I wanted him to have it. But we both knew... it was too much. I went on to open my presents, a watch to replace one I sadly lost on my radio tour, a pair of running shoes, a robe. And then I unwrapped a blanket, the softest, blue warm and cozy blanket. I sat on the floor snuggled up in my favorite gift, watching the Wonder Years re-runs with Dave and the fam. It is the little things...

of course I will still want, but Less is more, stuff is stuff. Dave took back the computer... and kept the diving girl motel t-shirt.

WHITE CHRISTMAS...

and I don't mean the kind that is covered in snow, it was about seventy two sunny and glorious degrees here in Arizona... I'm talking about the kind of Christmas spent with my fam at the "White House" where we eat eggs benedict and listen to the beach boys and carpenters christmas over and over, eat gluten free cookies, learn to dance the two step with grandpa, take naps, eat some more and even drive each other just a little bit crazy. It was a truly happy day, I wore my traditional mickey and minnie christmas baseball t-shirt, and I don't think there is anything I love more then being surrounded by these people...

Cardinals take the win, we eat some pumpkin pie, watch a few re-runs of old Wonder Years Christmas specials and then it's over... just like that. Kinda always makes me a little bit sad, but not to worry it will be here again before we know it! I sure hope your Christmas was jolly and joyful! Hugs...

BOO'S BABY BOY...

By the way, I don't think that I told ya that I am going to be an aunt! It's true, hooray!! My little sister, Katie... aka The boo is gonna have a baby, As far as those hi-tech ultra-sounds can tell, it's looking quite obvious that she is going to have a boy. He will be the first grand baby of the fam, which means my mom and dad are going to be grandparents, super exciting stuff. The hard part is just waiting for him to get here, he will arrive in April and so we are trying are bestest to be patient. We are busy preparing for this lil' guy... I am looking forward to having a kiddo or two or more of my own... someday, but in the meantime I get to live vicariously through the Boo. We've been talking about names, planning a shower, picking out colors for the nursery, shopping at baby Gap and making our own handmade ties... the most ridiculously cute ties, so cute that I can barely stand it... you know, just in case the baby becomes an executive of an important and prestigious company in the first three months of it's life... or just needs to look snappy for church. It is fun, I can't wait, I am so happy for my sister who is just the prettiest hippest pregnant gal... oh and for her husband who is a pretty nice dude.

Oh and it's CHRISTMAS EVE!!! AHH!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!

SEVENTEEN...

My parents just did a massive clean out of the garage and in the corner sits a "Brooke Pile", Immediately this large piece of poster board caught my eye... it's the self-portrait that I drew my senior year of high school in Art class, it was a mandatory project and it took me nearly a whole semester to complete it. Attached to it was a blue ribbon, I had submitted it to the Arizona state fair art show, I placed 4th. It was drawn in pastels and prisma colored pencils, pastels were my favorite medium, though they were messy, I used to leave art class covered in smudges of color, multiple shades of peaches and beige, and charcoal fingerprints on my forehead from where I would rest my left hand.

I was 17, exactly ten years ago... a lot has changed, of course I've changed, and yet I think I am still very much the same.

PS- Sorry friends, I believe I bit off a bit more than I could chew with the December blog challenge, especially amidst the craziness of the holidays, songwriting almost daily and traveling to here there and everywhere, I know my track record isn't perfect as I missed a post once or twice, nonetheless I am determined to make it to the finish line. Can you believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve?! still not done with my Christmas shopping, par for my course...

SIXTEEN...

...years ago today, my baby brother Quinn Michael White was born. I can' t believe it, how does this happen, it just can't be so... but it is so. He hangs out with girls, will be getting his drivers license, he's funny and has developed a real quick wit, He is growing up, and yet it seems like he was just born and I was just 11 and a half... and realizing this makes me feel... uummm, well, never thought I would utter the words but... makes me feel kinda old. They say a picture is worth a thousand words so I dug through a bin of dusty old photos I discovered in my parents laundry room, determined to find a photo that captured that unforgettable day that my mom and dad had brought this fascinating little creature home from the hospital, and bingo... I stumbled across this gem, go ahead, just take a look at my super cheezy and yet pretty dang awesome scrapbook page I made when I was maybe 12, I remember I went through this phase that I had to put those dumb dots and squigglies on all of my letters, I guess I thought it was the cutest. And those captions... "tons of love"... funny. But there was tons of love, we were in love, and there I was beaming with joy, a nerdy girl with glasses in my homemade applique and puff paint Christmas sweater and green leggings , the proud big sister to Tyler, Katie and teeny tiny surprise, "Quinny". That is what we called him. We couldn't get enough of him. We all fought over who got to hold him, we had to take turns, we snuggled him, smushed him and dressed him up in outfits and played (gently) with him like he was a toy. I can remember my mom had gone to the hospital three times thinking she had gone into labor, only to come home empty handed with no baby, false alarm! Talk about disappointment... we just couldn't wait to meet him any longer, I can recall praying, "please bless Quinn to be born right now". Finally, just three days before Christmas, he was finally made his debut... to this day, he was the best Christmas present we ever got. Quinn was a miracle, he changed our life, for good:)