An American in Paris

It's 92 degrees in SD today, and I'm sipping on cold guava juice and spraying myself with water to keep cool. (My roommates and I are refusing to turn on the AC to try and save money...TORTURE!).

What's funny is, a few short days ago I was in Ireland and the temperature was a cold 50-something degrees. My body is really confused right now.

Anyway, no time to complain, cause I've got to show some pictures of Paris! Here we go:

In Montmartre. BEAUTIFUL.

Later that night, Colleen and I performed. KIDDING. ha.

Place mat at Amelie's Cafe.

The Lourve.

Solene, the girl we stayed with using CouchSurfing. GREAT experience with her!

Hall of Mirrors at the Chateau de Versailles (owned by Louis XIV, the Sun King)

Simply Gorgeous.

Notre Dame. I went to the service, which was in French, but I said all the Catholic parts I knew in English. tee-hee.

The Life: Sitting at a French Cafe in the afternoon.

One of my favorite spots in Paris: St. Germaine. This is how I imagined the city, in real life form.

Arc De Triomphe

Do I need a caption? This thing was HUGE and we climbed to the first level by stairs. In 90-degree heat. Some Canadian lady behind us was complaining, "I should have quit smoking years ago!" Yep.

This is the view from the apartment we stayed at in Versailles. Charming, isn't it?

I have something like 100 more pictures, but it would take too long to post. Also, I may or may not have french-kissed a french guy there (Colleen's idea!) and there may or may not be photographic evidence...but that picture is not going up here! hehe. I mean...what picture?!

Anyway, I will post my other pics of London and Ireland later this week. Until then, enjoy Paris. I did.

What's the Crack?

hahaha. If you are confused by the title, just know that it is an Irish way to say 'How's it going?"

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

I have so many f@!*in' pictures to post, I think I will do it in parts. And not yet, because I feel like I've had my head slammed against the wall. Stupid jet lag.

Tune in soon.

Au Revoir!!!

Dude, I have major butterflies in my stomach!

I leave TOMORROW for my trip to Paris, London and Ireland (Galway)!!!!!!!!

That is so ballin.'

Talk to you gangstas in a couple weeks...

XOXO, Ash

The Story of Zach Morris

Yesterday, I closed a chapter on a stressful summer job, and all the while I was still sad that I was saying goodbye to some kiddies. This shows that working with kids is, indeed, for me.

Stressful, challenging, overwhelming, exhausting at times...but always rewarding.

My favorite kid of the whole summer was my little friend Zach. Well, he was older (fourth grade) than my usual favorites (kindergarten). All the girls called him Zach Efron because of his haircut, not to mention his natural charm (those girls better watch out!). However, I called him Zach Morris, explaining the superiority of Morris over Efron.

With an adorable hug he always said, "Ashley you're my favorite," and snuck into my group each week (they were supposed to be in different groups every week). The funniest moments were when he tried to wrestle me to the ground (apparently all the boys were on a mission to do this). That's when I employed my dad (a past wrestler) to show me some simple wrestling moves. Those boys didn't stand a chance. ha.

While all of this sounds very simple, it's funny how those simple moments made my day when I thought I couldn't take the stress any longer.

Two days ago, I talked to Zach's mom when she was picking him up, and told her how I called him Zach Morris. She replied, " Well, actually, my husband and I were a big fan of Saved By the Bell and he was named after Zach Morris."

haha! I was calling him the right name all along.

She then offered me a babysitting job, to which I said, "Hmmm...not sure if I have much time for babysitting, but I'd love to come to some of his basketball games."

Still, it was hard to say goodbye to Zach yesterday, my last day at camp...and I'm realizing how this is the hardest part of working with children. You always have to let go and say goodbye, hoping that they will grow up the right way, still keeping that innocent charm I love so much about them.

But to be a part of their life for a brilliantly-fleeting moment, that's something really special, too. I'll hold onto that.

Robert Pattinson and I are lovers...

Create your own FACEinHOLE

Didn't you know that?!?

Taking on Evil Robots, and Evil Jobs

Last night, I had a dream about giant evil robots (with smoke coming out of their heads) trying to take over the world, and it was my duty to stop them.

Weird. What the hell does a dream like that mean?

I've been oh-so-worn-out recently, but I'm holding on for dear life. It excites me to know that I am going to Europe in a week-and-a-half. That keeps me hanging on. This summer job has nearly killed me (I still can't stand my director's disorganization!), but it's almost done...almost.

I will miss some of the kids (you were right, Anthony, new kids bring new charm)...but that is ALL I will miss, really.

One more week of it. One more. I can do this!

Heart Attack on the Dance Floor

I just about had a heart-attack last night when I went dancing, and met the DJ of my dreams...

He played:

• SMOKEY ROBINSON!!! I freaked out!!! ("Tears of a Clown")
  
• Marvin Gaye (ohhhhhhh yeahhhhhh)
• Michael Jackson (Five songs in a row, to be exact)
  
• Tons of early 90's grooves

I was HYPERVENTILATING after dancing like crazy, and had to leave around midnight (Cinderella, much?) because I was already exhausted at that point.

I went up to the DJ and said, "You just played Smokey and Marvin, and I officially love you."

Here are some pictures:
Smiling that Smokey is playing (notice my friend Beth makin' out in the background...caught ya)

Dancing Fools!

FIRE!!!!

Dancing in heels can be quite painful, FYI. I am on the left, I've gotten tan...woo hoo!