Portland, OR

Ok, I want to start this by saying, I love Oregon. I whine about going there and stuff, but I really do like it there. The climate is just a tick milder and the people aren't snotty. Portland is like a hybrid of Bellingham and Seattle, and while the one way streets where a pain, I loved it.
So! We left on Monday (early) for the long drive there. It was pretty uneventful. Just some good music, a Doritos taco, and some sunshine. We didn't even really have any traffic. We then arrived at Cindy's duplex where we settled down and got into the groove of being there.

Anaheim, California (Disneyland)

Disneyland

 Ahh Disneyland. Such Awesomeness. Such wonder. It is my favorite place of all time. It's so perfect. So childish. So wonderful. And now you're sitting here thinking "uhhhhh..." have no fear, I'm not crazy.
Sometimes, when you step into a place and breath in, you just feel like you're home. To most, this is there actual home. To some, it's a place they visited a lot. For me, it's Disneyland. I feel comfortable there. I feel confident there. I feel like I can't make myself look like a fool there.

 I'm sorry for the blurry and tiny pictures, I just have a lot to share. So I'll run through the pictures really quickly. The top picture is the ride "Storybook Land Canal Boats."  It's an awesome peaceful ride that is kind of a break from the hustle and bustle of FantasyLand. Underneath that is "Big Thunder Mountain Railroad." It's the second fastest rollercoaster in the park. It's really fun because it whips you around and makes noises and the line is never too tragic. Generally, there aren't fastpasses for this ride which is actually quite upsetting. Underneath that is a picture of the "Peter Pan Ride."
This ride is a ride a lot of people like. It's cool to me, but I'm not sure why it's one of those rides that people defend to the death over. Maybe that's just opinion. The pink castle is indeed Sleeping Beauty's Castle all lit up for the night. So pretty! Next to that is the "ice sculpture" of an elephant. I believe that picture was taken in the ice-cream parlor on Main Street. Right above this text is a picture of my friend Bo pulling a rope when the sign clearly states to not pull it. Priceless moment in the queuing area for the "Indiana Jones Ride."
Right next to us is a picture of Sarah and I right next to the Storybook Land ride. We were just about to go get in line for the ride.

 This is "It's a Small World." Yes, most people hate this ride. And honestly, they have a pretty good reason to. The entire ride is the same song over and over and over and over for like 15 minutes. Yeah, not my favorite.

 Above is the Matterhorn. Honestly, I don't like that ride. It's not that fast plus you have to sit awkwardly with whoever you're riding with. To the right is a shot of the Hollywood Backlot in California Adventure from the Aladdin theater.

 This is the stage of the Aladdin show. This is where memories were born. I LOVE this show. This show looked me straight in the face and said, hey, you could do this for a living. It's a great show and I think that if you're in California Adventure, you need to go see it.

 Disney Characters are a large part of the draw to Disneyland. What little kid doesn't want to meet Mickey or their favorite princess? We didn't get many pictures with the characters (I actually think this is my only picture...) but they are worth it! Although I don't think it's as worth it when you get older....

 Live entertainment is a huge part of Disneyland. Huge. These bands play ALL THE TIME. They pull the crowd into the act. They play songs that everyone can sing along to. They put on a show for all the little kids and old people. They're awesome musicians. I will admit, normally I don't stay for a whole show. But on the last day in the park and you're already exhausted by noon, this is a great way to spend 30 minutes.

 One of the best things about Disneyland is making memories that will last for forever. I will never forget my experience in Disneyland for my three trips. I was given an amazing opprotunity with band and was able to travel with my fellow students, which made the whole thing mean so much more. I've been backstage and I've preformed in Disneyland. Not everyone can say that. Disneyland means a lot to me. Will I ever work there someday? I've considered it. I'm not making any "for-sures" right now. I'm just going with it. All I know is that for the rest of my life, I'll always be planning my next trip there. I plan on going back in September with my sister. I hope that someday I can take my kids (if I have kids) there. Disneyland means a lot to me and I hope that I can spend a lot more time there in the future.

~Sherilyn

Canada (B.C.)

 

 

Ohhhhh Caaaanada! My home and native laaaaand! (Not really...) Back when the US dollar was worth more than the Canadian, we used to get everything (except fruit and meat) up in Canada. It was closer than Bellingham (as long as the border waits weren't too long) and it was cheaper. I have many memories of going shopping at the Costco and eating at the Wendy's/Tim Hortons. I don't remember what city that was, but I remember that's the one you get to when you cross at the Sumas crossing.
Of course, all of this was back when it was really easy to go back and forth. Now (as an American) you have to either have your passport or your enhanced license. Since I have neither, it's been a few years since I went to Canada. I used to go to the Tradex Dog Show in Abbotsford and do Junior Handling. The best I ever did was 4th, but considering I wasn't a competitor and that I used a dog that wasn't my own every time, I'd say that's pretty good. (Want to see me the year I showed a Great Pyrenees?  Tada! My sister is also showing in this video. Sorry for the terrible music thingy at the beginning. For some reason I thought I was darn good at making videos back then....)
I also remember going and seeing The Black Stallion Returns (I think that's what it was called) and it was in a giant dome thing and I was almost dying from fright and sickness (I'm pretty sure it was IMAX.)
The Olympics! I wasn't allowed into Canada by this point, but I definitely watched them and observed that I have in fact, been there. Part of the Olympics was actually on Baker (which is our local mountain, stateside) and honestly, that's bloody cool to me.
A cool fact about Vancouver BC that a lot of American's don't realize is that Vancouver is the Hollywood of Canada. It's really actually pretty cool to me as (as a borderite) that I live just a stone's throw from where a lot of really cool stuff is filmed. Heck, they film things on this side of the border sometimes too! I believe there are parts of Smallville that are filmed on our country roads. (Don't shun me) Parts of the Twilight series were filmed in the Stanley Park area. Most of the later movies were actually filmed in BC (compared to the first one, which was filmed in Northern Oregon and Southern Washington.)
But anyway, I think Canada is a really cool place. They have some really good musicians/actors and they're basically next door neighbors.
The only complaint I have is their driving skills. Seriously. It can't be that hard to drive well. Well that and they're over-running our Costco. Seriously, it's like impossible for us to shop at our own Costco.
And I shall end this entry with a picture of a really cool place. The Peace Arch Park is a small park where Canadians and Americans can mingle. I love it there. It's so beautiful! And it's hilarious to watch people be stupid when trying to get into Canada and/or America. It's a place where you can be in two countries at once.

This is from the Canadian side.

Hawaii

Ok, so I think that I want to go to Hawaii just because everyone else does. I love the idea of seeing a lot of really beautiful sights. I like the idea of being warm and swimming in warm water. I looove the idea of just kicking back and chilling. Hawaii is one of those places that I always dreamed of living in for a bit (even though it is uber expensive.)
I think that growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I consider tropical places as the most beautiful places on this planet. Yes, I know that I live in a beautiful place, but sometimes when you live with it, you don't see it anymore. I have one of the prettiest views from my window, but I keep my blinds shut because of the people on the path (and the random zombie-canibal-aliens that will look through my window and eat my soul...)
But anyway, I really want to go and experience Hawaii for myself. I love the idea of kicking back in a beautiful area and just enjoying being where I am. One of the things that makes Hawaii not as awesome to me personally is that I don't do boats and I'm not much of a swimmer. Going to Hawaii is kind of centered around water. Don't get me wrong, I love the water. It's so cool to wade in and take pictures of, but I feel like I wouldn't really appreciate it.
I am also aware there are a lot of different parts of Hawaii. I'm using Hawaii as a general simply because I don't have a specific place in mind. I just want to enjoy the beauty of a place like that.
And that's my bit for Hawaii.

General Update

So I've been keeping a loose list of the places I've been and the places I want to go. This is the book I use.

I will probably do a lot of entries all at once because I want to get all of the places on my lists out of the way.
Just letting you know!

Paris, France

Paris

My love for Paris and French culture really started when I took French class. I had never really gotten a chance to look into their food and cities and way of life and here I was, getting a Americanized glimpse of their lives.
When my love for Phantom of the Opera really started taking off, as did my love for Hunchback of Notre Dame, and with that my love of Paris also over-powered my life.
When I first really began to study Notre Dame, I first felt the full magnitude of its beauty. I have a book just on the cathedral and it's history. I'm not Catholic, but I feel a deep connection with this church. There's something about it's structure and the lighting inside and what it represents. It's so old and mysterious to me. That's why I know I'm going to cry the first time I actually see it. It's been a dream of mine to go to this place for quite some time.
Another reason I adore Paris so much is the language. I love the French language a lot (which is why I struggled in ASL.) And the food! I could seriously only eat croissants for the rest of my life and be totally happy.
Another thing that makes Paris special to me is the history behind it. For some reason, I really love French History. A lot. Marie Antoinette is one of the most fascinating historical figures (in my opinion.) There's so much mystery behind her. Did she really do those things because she was petty, or was there some reason behind her actions.
I believe a book I read on her once also helped further my desire to go to France. I love historical fiction a lot (which I only recently discovered about myself.) This book (Queen's Confession) grabbed me and pulled me deeper in to the French way of life and French history in general.
So that's why I want to go to Paris, as of right now. In like a week I could have completely different reasons for going. OH! And I reeeally want to see the opera houses in Paris! :D
So that's Paris, soon I hope to discuss a place I've actually been.
~Sherilyn

India

When I was a little girl, I didn't understand what volunteering was. In middle school, I did the Bellingham Plunge (which is a mission trip for the Bellingham area) and began to really understand what helping people was like. At the time, if you had asked me where I would have wanted to go over-seas to help people, I probably would have said Africa, "because isn't that where everybody goes?" In early high school I became fascinated with anime and with that came a love of East Asian culture. I became obsessed with the idea of going to China to help poor little orphan girls and even tried teaching myself some Chinese (to which I failed miserably...) Then I saw Slumdog Millionaire, which opened my eyes to a whole new culture I'd never really looked into before. 

India

 

 

 

  A place I've recently fallen in love with. I love the culture, I love their religion and their culture and how bright their society is. Recently I saw the documentary, Born into Brothels, and my attention was really brought to how many children are in need of care there. I've always felt a pull towards children and helping children and I think that because I love this culture it would make helping the children all that more important to me. 

Within the last few weeks I've been seriously considering the Peace Corp.  I have pros and cons for that decision, and the main thing that is a big downer is the long time commitment and the fact that I need to really get a degree before I do that is also not my favorite thing. 

A bonus to going with another organization is that I can have more choice in where I'm going, what I'm doing, and for how long I'm doing it.

It's always been one of my dreams to help out kids at risk, no matter where I previously had wanted to go.

There a quite a few different organizations I've considered going with.

There is Cross Cultural Solutions New Delhi which is really organized and structured. It is quite a bit more money but it's in a secure safe location and there are plenty of western commodities. I feel like it's more of a touristy thing and less of a volunteering job. But it's still totally an option. It's something I can do for a short amount of time and get a taste of.

Then there's Shake Hands India, Summer Program. It's a program I see more of for college students. It's cheaper than Cross Cultural but there's more things that would need to be covered by the individual. The thing that really attracts me to this program is that it's a lot more hands on and there's a week of just being a tourist basically.

I obviously can't do that this summer, but next summer it's a possibility. 

I've just really gotten excited about going somewhere new and exciting and helping people. I really want this to be a part of my future and I want this experience to be one I look back on and say wow, that was really a fun part of my life!

So that's what India means to me, (although I'm sure I've forgotten important things,) and I'm hoping to write about other places soon. :)

~Sherilyn

Adventure is out there!

Hello! My name is Sherilyn! I'm not super new to this blogging world, I've been blogging on a personal blog for quite some time now, but I am new to the idea of a travel blog. The catch to this blog is, I don't travel. Like at all. That's why I'm calling it My Adventure Book. Ever seen Up? Well, click on that link and you'll see what I'm talking about. So this blog is my version of that scrapbook like thing.

TaDa!

In this blog I plan on sharing my ideas of what adventures I want to go on, and if I go on any adventures, I'll be sharing them here. If you are a regular reader of my other blog, this is more of a supplement than anything so I wouldn't get too excited about reading new entries all the time.
I'm just excited that I can share my thoughts and feelings on a more direct level as my other blog is a bit more scatter-brained.
Now, I already have a list of places I want to go and places I want to go again, but I probably won't be just randomly posting a list. I will probably be posting an entry about each location.
So, I know this is a short entry, but I have a lot of things to do and it's already pretty late (in other words, I'M TIRED.)
So farewell and I hope you continue reading. :)