Happy Birthday to ME!

I am officially 24 years old today. I feel big and bad. Not really, but I do think I like the age 24. In fact, if I could choose to be any age for the rest of my life it would be a choice between the years of 24 & 27. I figure at 24, I might be taken more seriously than someone who is in their early twenties...you know...I mean I have been out of high school 6 years now and graduated from college for two. Wow. I am getting old. ha. Ok. I am rambling...all this to say...I am pretty jazzed about being 24 and I am embracing my mid-twenties.

I had a pretty good birthday today. Two of my Indian friends got married today as well...so most of my day revolved around the wedding that turned out to be not that exciting and really really HOT. My roommate introduced me to "birthday week". My actually birthday wasn't that eventful BUT we have been doing lots of things all week long to celebrate. In fact, I haven't even had my cake yet...I will save it for tomorrow to enjoy the celebration even longer. Here are some pictures....

I got a Bollywood movie from Lindsey for my birthday and the book "A Thousand Splendid Suns"!! This book is by the same author as "Kite Runner" and will make a great travel book! They were the perfect gifts.

I went to breakfast with Bobby and Elaine and Lindsey at the "American Diner". It's a cute 50's diner that serves decent breakfast.

We crammed 12 people into a vehicle to make it to the wedding. ha. There is no such thing as personal space in India.

My Indian friends who got married...Romi and Reema.

Me and my sweet friends who worked so hard to make my birthday special.

Fun Factoid for many of you:

My sister Shannon and I share the same birthday! I was born on her third birthday. So Happy 27th Birthday Shanny!! I love you!!

Happy Birthday to ME, Happy birthday to Shanny, Happy Birthday to both of us, Happy Birthday to US!!!

Back in India

I am back in India! I had no lost luggage, passports, or any other drama that happened which must be a direct result of your prayers!! Thanks.

It is a little strange to be back in India and to know that I will be leaving quickly. In just 19 short days, I will be leaving India for the last scheduled time. Tear. I am not sure yet how I feel about it all. The next 19 days will be spent packing, shopping for my families last minute requests, moving out of my apartment, saying goodbye, eating lots of Indian food, and spending time with friends here. There are a lot of emotions and not sure what to do with them all. I would appreciate your prayers if you think of me!

I posted below several pictures from Bali! Blogging was quite the task this time! I am hoping to upload all my pictures to my picasa website. So if you want see more you can click there soon! We had an amazing time in Bali!! There were a few tense moments with having 6 highly independent females together trying to submit to the same plan, BUT we had a great time and were able to encourage one another! My top favorite things about our trip was...

1. the perfect and cool weather which made for PERFECT laying by the beach weather
2. having dinner with 6 attractive surfers who love Jesus the first night
3. the Villa

I didn't say much about each day below, but I think the pictures speak enough words...

Bali-Licious Beach Babes

At Chilli's in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

looking up at the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur

The Petronas

Skyline in Kula Lumpur

The Bangkok, Thailand airport.

Exploring Bali

We tore ourselves away from the beach to explore the country side of Bali and experience a little of the culture.

This is a Barong- (the most commonly worshipped Balinese Hindu god) and us standing next to it. We went to see a cultural dance with this barong as the main character.


These pretty ladies were also part of the cultural dance. We thought they would make us look pretty- so we took a shot next to them too.

This is us in front of a Balinese temple. You can see the Barong again on each side of us.

The beautiful rice field we found!

The Mount Batur Volcano. It was beautiful!

The volano without us blocking it!

Where's waldo...i mean alicia? I am hidden there. This is a traditional open market. I am really going to miss Asian markets!

Dreamland Beach

One day, we took a road trip an hour south to Dreamland Beach. This beach was breathtaking and BEAUTIFUL. This is the beach that those who stay in the Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons go to... so we felt we were a little out of our league, BUT we COMPLETELY enjoyed ourselves. This beach was pretty dreamy. Every person I saw there looked perfect physically. It was almost kind of creepy. Every women was itty bitty and every male was built and gorgeous. It was kind of like the movie Stepford's Wives because of all the physical perfection. We were tempted to rename the beach "Stepford Beach". ha. I could've stayed there for a whole year and not got tired of the beauty that surrounded me (the beach that is- not the gorgeous men).

Because Bali is in Asia- there are a few Asian perks or annoyances- depends on how you look at it! Indonesian men and women will come find you on the beach and offer to you what they are selling. This can be a variety from bags, tattoos, sunglasses, manicures and pedicures, ugly wooden statues, and last but not least foot massages! So here we are on the beach getting foot massages. Glorious. Between all of us, we purchased sunglasses, manicures and pedicures, massages, and bags! Gotta love Asia.

Villa Baliana

Villa Baliana,

Let me count the ways I love thee. You, Villa Baliana, will always hold a special place in my heart with your beautiful garden, bright flowers (of every color), peaceful environment, and alluring accommodations ( cook, maid, and close location to the beach). Bali would not have been the same without you. For you were our own personal tourist attraction. There wasn't a day that passed where I didn't long to be in your presence and soaking up all that you had to offer me. You were perfect for relaxation, recreation, and spending time with friends! Villa Baliana, you were love at first site and I hope that one day we will be united again!!

Your summer fling,
The Bali-licious Beach Babes