eUROfAB

everything eUROPE, anything fABULOUS . It's not just a cute tagline to a new and short-lived blog—it's an expectation! This holiday is entirely Europe…and without a doubt, we expect it will include plenty that is fabulous! Call me romantic, call me idealist…I prefer to consider it realistically hopeful. I've never met anyone who didn't enjoy their trip to Europe and this is one time in my life where I intend to fully follow in suit!

Of course, this fabulous trip would be entirely IMPOSSIBLE without the fact that I am not only going to Europe for the first time and absolutely excited about it, but in nearly every other way, conditions are perfect! To name a few…

#1 I'm going with two fabulous friends…and I mean F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!

My favs on April Mae…spunky when you least expect it, longest running roommate, well-read, well-traveled, and a true glutton for fun! (not to mention her impossibly gorgeous hair)

My favs on K-Baby…people magnet, soulful and caring, carefree, entertaining story teller, great sense of style, and having fun is a way of life for her! (not to mention adorable dimples and a smile that turns heads)

#2 I get to go to Europe for 4 weeks! I realize this is practically no time compared to the study abroad students I envy all year long, or those profs on sabbatical, or the free-spirit types that can quit their job, sell all their possessions and just roam the earth for inordinate amounts of time. BUT since I fall into none of those categories, four weeks feels like a small miracle to me! After many years of dreaming of a chance to go to Europe, I doubted that it would ever happen, let alone for more than a couple weeks without quitting my job or marrying someone in the military! But alas, miracles do happen and my boss actually let me go! (however I will say that the negotiations and prep at work have been grueling—but still totally worth it!)

#3 It never occurred to me until recently that going to Europe during this particular season of my life is absolutely ideal, and in many ways much worth the wait! Had I high-tailed it overseas for the traditional post-college Euro backpacking tour 7 years ago, I would miss out on several things that I've sense gained, such as….

A) A true appreciation for wearing cute clothes while traveling and not just khaki shorts and boring wife-beater tanks! I'm no fashion queen, but I've learned to appreciate a good travel skirt—both for its versatility and its flattery. (Yes, I am that vain.)

B) A truly independent and adventurous spirit, with a love for culture and a quirky appreciation for feeling like a stranger in a foreign land.

C) A love for good coffee (abundant in Italy) and a growing taste for good wine (need I say more when I'm in France & Italy?)

D) A true thankfulness for the chance to have such an epic adventure during the best "single and thriving" years of my life! I've come to believe that some things are meant to be done with none other than your most fabulous and single girlfriends! —I believe this to be one of them. Thank God for AprilMae& K-Baby!!! And if my future husband is out there somewhere, I'm totally down for going to Europe again someday for a honeymoon! –but why take any chances waiting ;)

And so I've lost myself in lists and bullet points of reflections and expectations…but a little pre-reflection before the trip has been good for my soul and I'm even more convinced than when I started writing this little post that this will be a great adventure!

A friend of mine recently reminded me of a bible verse that speaks of the way that God goes beyond our expectations. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…" (Ephesians 3:20) I love that part of His character and it shapes even how I look forward to my eUROfAB holiday!

ETD: Saturday. July 18. 10:40 …. ONE WEEK TO GO!