Oh, Canada.

I am going to start this post by saying that calling me “Dani California” never has and never will be clever/funny/witty/amusing, or any other form of entertainment. The song came out when I was a sophomore in high school. I’m sorry Red Hot Chili Peppers, but I wasn’t a fan of the song then, and after the countless occasions of being named after it, I am DEFINITELY not a fan now.

 

With that being said, a group of us went to California this weekend after our outing to Sedona, Flagstaff, and the Grand Canyon. My car consisted of Joe, Travis and Kyle (and myself, obviously). We took my parents van, removed the middle seats, and turned the back of the vehicle into a giant lounge. Talk about travelling in style.

[Left] Kyle puts hand in front of camera lens. Joe slaps Kyles hand. Dani yells at Kyle. Kyle recoils and makes face. [FLASH]

My sister and her husband had driven out earlier in the day with friends Tessa and Buck and each couple had gotten their own rooms. Fortunately but unfortunately, Buck and Tessa’s reservation was messed up, so they ended up with the hotel suite, complete with 3 bedrooms, living room, dining room, full kitchen, and several flat screen tv’s. Oh, and a balcony right over the Mission Beach Boardwalk. 6 of us crashed there. Britta and Tim preferred their uh…privacy.

The next morning we ate lunch on the boardwalk and then enjoyed the beach.  After that we walked around Catalina Island, had lunch by the car, ate ice cream, and then said goodbye to the two couples. I am just going to let the pictures (and video) speak for themselves. Click to make any of them bigger.

 Ok I lied. I love captions. This is Travis with his seaweed. He loves plants. And loves animals more. The video is of him flying a kite. He didn't know you could just stand still. He did this for a good 10 minutes.

 My beautiful big sister.

 Kyle and Tim. They are insane.

Future firefighters.

 Big, because I love it.

 My favorite married couple. Again, tastethemarriedlife.com 

Me and Travis had a handstand contest. He almost killed me on the way down.

These next pictures Kyle stole my camera. Definitely caught all of us at our best moments. I would highly recommend enlarging any of them.

At night the remaining 4 of us drove up to Newport Beach where we met up with Kyle’s cousin, Matt. We had dinner at the Yardhouse and then drove to Anaheim and walked around Downtown Disney. My favorite part was the kids. Especially this one.

The rest of Travis’s stay we kept busy with bikerides, ice cream, birthday parties, hiking, ice cream, picnics, brownies, bowling, ice cream, movies, and ice cream. He keeps me healthy.

 Picnic! Mike is the besttt.

 Flat tire on the highway. Good thing I had 3 men with me. Minor setback.

 Arizona. So beautiful...and prickly.

He left last night. Huge bummer. I miss him a lot. A true and genuine friend. The best.

So until next time, Travis. Hopefully that won’t be too long.

[Click to enlarge. American Gothic if I have ever seen one. And it was totally unintentional. Win.]

Sights for Sore Eyes

And the adventure continues! The past few weeks have been so incredibly hectic, but man oh man has it been fun.

Wednesday one of my roommates and best friends from Australia flew in from Canada for a weeklong visit to the beautiful state of Arizona. Being the wonderful hostess that I am, his days so far have been packed with sight seeing, hiking, good food, and great company.

Day 1 I showed him around Glendale, we took a hike with my dog Mike, and went to eat at the restaurant I serve at.

Early Thursday we set out for Sedona along with my best friend Zach, his girlfriend Marissa, and my boyfriend Kyle.  Half way there we saw signs and took a little detour to Montezuma’s Well and Castle (who the heck thought to live in the side of a cliff?!).

Once we were back on track we headed to one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the country. Unfortunately, none of us were prepared for snow or cold weather, but we had an absolute blast. The hike entailed wading through freezing waters, crossing rapids by balancing on logs, and trudging through snow. But the views ended up being some of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen (which is saying a lot.) We walked out of that park with sopping shoes and pink noses, but smiles from ear to ear.

This baby is not having any fun. 

But we were.

Soaked freezing feet!

After dinner at Chilis in Flagstaff, we stuffed everyone in a hotel room for the night (with the help of some sleeping pads) and woke up early for the Grand Canyon.

Does anyone else ever get that feeling when you go to the Grand Canyon..the feeling of, “Wow! This is so beautiful! …Now what?” It is incredible and something that everyone should see at some point in their lives, but if I could recommend something to future tourists, set aside enough time to hike. We didn’t, but still had a great time walking along the rim.

Road Trip Faces

Me: Kyle take a picture with me! [Kyle walks away]

(Travis got hit in the back with a snowball. Score.)

After driving back home we celebrated my little brothers 16^th birthday. He is so big…

This weeks’ shout-out goes to my wonderful Canadian friend (who knew) for coming across the continent to come visit me, and my little brother, who is becoming such a superb young man. I am so proud of you buddy. <3

Off to California tomorrow. Yeahhboyyy.

Cabs are here!

Oh hey East Coast. Wassuppp!

This Wednesday I took a trip across the country for my first visit to my friends on the other side of the country. One broken Mac computer and lost cell phone later, I am officially getting ready to head home. What an adventure.

My first night was spent exploring the streets of New York City. I have to admit, I have never been much of a city person, but this was just a whole different ballgame. I was partially deaf from lack of ear-poppage during the plane flight, but the noises and sights of the city were truly another world. I enjoyed a slice of pizza in Times Square, spotted the Naked Cowboy, and then headed across the border to Connecticut, where my best friend Bre Collins lives.

Thursday and Friday I got to see the “day in the life” of Bre on the East Side, and Friday night we went out for sushi. Saturday was definitely the most fun. A teammate of Bre’s turned 21, and had a huge party in New York. We took the train into the city, stopped by the birthday girls apartment (SO New York) and then caught a taxi to the club. No need worry about the 21+ rule when you are a girl in NYC (Holla!) Mel, my favorite Jersey girl and number one dance partner in Australia, met up with us at Quo and we all danced the night away (wohoo! Dance party!) The best surprise of the night was when my friend Christoffer from Norway stopped by to say hello.

I left the club with Mel and we began the journey back to her place in Jersey. I think this is where I experienced the TRUE New York experience. It was 4 in the morning when the club closed, so us along with an entire crowd of others leaving swarmed the streets in search of a cab. Unfortunately, 4am seems to be the time where no cab drivers want to take on new customers, so we spent 30 minutes in the middle of the street battling the freezing wind. I have the wind burn on my face as a nice little memory. I have never been so cold, but it’s stories like that that makes trips so memorable.

After a nice little nap Mel gave me a taste of Jersey, showed me her University, and we went to lunch. 

It was an incredible trip. 

A special thanks to the people who made it so memorable. <3

Neitzsche was right...about some things

 "We should consider everyday lost in which we don't dance."

- Neitzsche

The other day I took a trip to the high school my sister teaches at. They were playing music at lunch so I taught them some of the the dances I learned abroad. It quickly turned into an epidemic. By the end of the day hundreds of kids had learned it. New flash mob idea?! (Me and Britta are on the far right)

I love to dance.

And I’m not talking slow, synchronized flowy moves. Or that sorry excuse for dancing that people call “grinding.”

I’m talking flailing limbs, shaking booties, and jumping around until it hurts to breathe.

I have been down the road of “trained dancing.” Hard and rewarding. And incredibly beautiful. But that’s not what I’m talking about...right now.

If you know me, you know I love dance parties. If you know me well, you have been a part of one.

(In fact, looking at my facebook, a good number of the messages that include “I miss you” also involve some message about a much needed dance party.)

Thursday-Saturday I still find myself wishing I were back in Sydney where we could go out to the clubs dancing. (Darn 21+ law..) You know what the best part was? We danced any way we wanted. And no one cared.

When did that change? When did the freeing sensation of movement to music turn into a boring (and slightly nauseating) rubbing up on a member of the opposite sex? I mean honestly, who is that fun for?

I challenge my readers (all 3 of you) to help me in the quest to bring back what dancing should be about. Freedom. Release. And joy.

I think this is a pretty good representation of how I dance party. My roommate Jack and I made this in our dorm room last year instead of studying for a midterm. And guess what? We both aced it. J

I Follow Rivers

The past couple of days I have been extremely busy, which means that I have been checking my facebook more than usual instead of doing homework (naturally). Is it just me or has “music” been the main topic of status updates lately?

I have a very different way of listening to music. I almost never listen anything that I already know.  I’m sure everyone has heard of Pandora, Last.fm, and most recently 8tracks; I guess websites like them sort of started my obsession. I realized how silly it was that I listened to the same bands every day when there was SO much out there.

Every couple of days I search for about an hour, looking at new/old/forgotten artists and songs and make a mix cd. My family and friends (that want them) get a copy and then I repeat the process a few days later.

This may sound absolutely painstaking to some, but I love my music. I have recommendations for anyone in almost any genre (minus country and screamo), and I am completely open to any suggestions from other people.

If there is one thing I can’t stand it is close-mindedness. And it literally makes me sad when I look at someone’s iPod and only see hits from the radio.

What’s the point?

I am currently taking a class on Music Theory and will soon begin guitar lessons with my dad. I have to say, it really makes me appreciate it all so much more. Kudos to anyone who plays an instrument. I feel like a first grader learning to read.

Here are some of my most recent favorites. If you don’t like them, don't hate. Just show me something better. :)

My dad actually found this one and thought I would like it. Go Papa Bear!

Love this cover to Crowded House's Fall at Your Feet. Can I marry this man's voice please?

Introducing my favorite brother/ sister duo. Angus & Julia Stone. And they are Australian to boot! Score.

Remember this one? Is it weird that this song is as old as I am?

These next two I just really like. I recently showed my brother Crystal Fighters song Swallow. He loves the "Sick dubstep"...?