I wrote a book while I was in Europe. It’s the story of the trip, it’s really great haha. You’ll read it someday. In the beginning of the book, on the very first page, I decided that it would be appropriate to write something… a dedication. And I chose my father.

“To my father… for making dreams into realities… because there aren’t enough words of grattitude, I dedicate this to you.”

Without him, I would have never been able to do everything I did, see everything I saw, and live everything I lived in my month in Europe. How many people in the world are lucky enough to be able to spend an entire month in Europe with their best friend? The things you learn there, the things you experience… last a lifetime. I am forever in debt for this opportunity and I will never forget it.

I went to Europe, hoping to find more clarity; hoping to find an answer to whether I would like to live there and study there. But here I am, one week after I returned home, and clarity is nowhere to be found. Everything is a blur to me.

Oz and I went through so much in a month of it being just us two in Europe. And I miss him… For those of you who don’t know, the trip was supposed to end by me saying goodbye to Oz in Manchester airport and flying back home. But it didn’t end this way. Oz surprised me and bought the seat next to mine and flew back to Puerto Rico with me for 5 days. The best surprise he could have ever given me, so unexpected, so thoughtful, so meaningful. Seriously, goodness gracious. He left on Sunday morning to go sailing with his dad.

And so, I find myself back home without my best friend, whom I have seen everyday for the past 5 weeks, whom I have eaten breakfast, lunch, and dinner with, whom I have shared tears and laughter with, and I find it so strange. Through the entire month our friendship was tried and tested by different obstacles, and in the end we ended up closer and better friends than we could have ever hoped or imagined. At least, that’s how I feel. I don’t know about oz, he’s probably forgotten about Europe all together, that boy forgets everything, I swear.

I told oz, “If we’re going to keep on being friends, we’re going to have to be rich with quickness.” And it’s true, because seriously now, this is the world’s most expensive friendship. We have to fly halfway across the world in order to spend time, and Lord knows that it isn’t cheap. However… these obstacles make me value our friendship that much more, they make me realize how special “the easy vibe” is. It makes me incapable of ever taking this friendship for granted.

The mixture of all these things made Europe into what it was. Much more than an architectural enrichment opportunity, much more than a cultural exposure trip… it was the perfect European adventure. Every city different than the last; every morning, a different adventure for us. We saw everything, went to so many places, but all these things wouldn’t have meant as much if it weren’t for our friendship. Going up to the Eiffel Tower is an amazing thing… but going up to the Eiffel Tower with your best friend for the very first time… that is priceless [well not literally, because you still have to pay a million dollars to go up]. I could have gone by myself, just like he could have gone by himself, and the same monuments would have been there, the same buildings would still be there, the same galleries would still be open… All equally as impressive to a person who is alone, than to a person who is accompanied. You go there not expecting the things that you face, Europe takes control of everything and it has a funny way of surprising you. Europe will give you the time of your life. It just does that. But one’s first time in Europe is never forgotten and is always special. It’s who you’re with that fully makes the experience. And I’m glad that my first time in Europe won’t be forgotten not only for everything that I saw… but furthermore, because of who I went with and what we made Europe out to be.

ps. The pictures are incredible aren’t they?!

I’m off, my pretties! I’m flying to England this afternoon and I am VERY excited about this trip. I’ve been wanting to do this for a very very long time, and I’m really blessed to be able to finally do so…. and… and… okay, see, I had this whole blog written out in my mind this afternoon but right now I can’t thing straight, man. I just can’t. I’m sleepy and stuff lol. I was completely inspired today when I saw America’s Next Top Model and saw the Puerto Rican girl….

….Jaslene,take home the contract with Elite Model Management, the 100 thousand dollar contract with Cover Girl and the cover and spread in Seventeen Magazine.

I was like “Hey. I might not have won a kick ass competition, and I may not be famous, and I may not have the cover a magazine, but I’m going to Europe, that’s pretty cool.” So I went on this whole mentail trip and started thinking of some really neat things to say, I swear, they were all cool sounding and serious, but I just can’t remember any of it. How horrible is that? I am a horrible person. I am. Only a horrible person would forget his own gratuity speech, sweet Lord.

It’s supposed to be somewhere deep within my heart still or something, I don’t know. lol. I’m grateful man, I’m grateful. I’m going to Europe for a month with one of my best friends who I am lucky to have in the first place. I’m going to be in EUROPE seeing all of the things that I’ve been taught in my history of architecture classes. It’s gonna be fun. It is going to be fun. lol.

I’m going to look like crap when I get out of the plane I’m sure, so I’m not really looking forward to that. Oh, you know you can’t bring toothpaste on board the plane? Ok seriously, what’s up with that, cuz I know we had the whole 911 issue back in ‘79 or whenever it happened, I can’t remember anymore, but shit, it’s an 800 hour flight and people need their toothpaste you know? Are we PROVIDED with American Airlines brand toothpaste? That would seem like the logical solution no? If you don’t let me bring my own tube of toothpaste, then please provide me with one of your own, because seriously. Morning breath, people. Morning breath. And, yeah, it’s called hygiene.

You know what I’m not looking forward to? I’m not looking forward to facing the horrible Hostel stories I’ve been fed. I’m hoping the Good Lord will watch over me and oz and simply upgrade us to some Hostel that doesn’t require us to share a bathroom with the rest of the floor or something like that. Oh and I hope no cockroaches follow me to Europe. Can everyone just please say this prayer with me… “Sweet Jesus, I ask that you please not let Regner and Oz stay at a cockroach [and here you may start naming other VERMIN and/or PESTS that may torment my existance] infested hostel when they arrive in Europe. I also pray that they may have their own bathroom, as it is dangerous and disgusting to share a bathroom with 30 people. Amen.”

Catch ya’ when I cross the freaking Atlantic Ocean.

xo Regner

I’m not exactly sure when the fact that I’m going to England on Monday is going to sink in, but there are four days left until my plane leaves and it feels like I’m leaving next month or something lol. But no. No, Regner, you leave in four days. And sometimes when I realize this, I feel butterflies in my stomach.

Not so many butterflies, that I feel like throwing up, though. I speculate that by now, I have 3 butterflies living within me. I also speculate that one of two things will happen come Monday. Either mooooooooore butterflies will move in to my tummy, or the three that live within me currently will go CRAZY and flutter like there’s no tomorrow. But one’s things for sure, Monday will be a BIG day and the excitement will be alot lol. I’m meeting some friends that live in England, so that’s exciting. I’m also meeting oz’s family lol. And that’s a bit scary cuz you know… it’s another country, another culture, another lifestyle and I’m like… Puerto Rican, not British. lol.

I’ve begun preparing the list of items I can’t leave without, and I almost forget to write down the word UMBRELLA. Which, taking my luck into consideration, should be the FIRST thing written down. But don’t worry, I’ve written it down now. I’m not stupid. lol. ~is sure that he will forget to bring the umbrella anyway, and will have to buy yet another 16 thousand dollar umbrella somewhere else~

I haven’t seen oz since September, which isn’t toooooooooo long ago, but still, a considerable time. 9 months it’s been, and alot changes in 9 months and we might even hate each other when the time comes. No, I joke. I’m such a joker sometimes. lol. You can ask my professors.

Did you know that my History of Architecture professor actually asked me to “Please continue coming to my class and making your interventions…” because I’m just that entertaining. He knows that without me, class is a tad less fun. However, this is irrelevant in our current story.

Anyway my semi-charmed kind of life has officially gone into full effect. This summer is supposed to be the most amazing summer of my life so I’m planning on enjoying it whole-heartedly. It’s the summer of dreams, or so it seems, because everything is going right and summers like these… will probably never happen again lol. New dream car, a trip to Europe for a month all expenses paid for by my FATHER [hearts], passing all my classes at school, no need to take summer classes, coming back home after an incredible month to be with my family and friends, sharing what I learned in Europe, Gwen Stefani’s concert with my sisters in July, shortly followed by a week at the Hyatt Hotel with my family…. Yeah, things like that don’t happen often. lol.

This means that summer will FLY.

ANYWAY…. now I leave you with the latest conversation between oz and I. Cuz I want to. lol.

mr says:
u know you arrive on the TUESDAY???

[reggles] says:
i LEAVE on monday

[reggles] says:
i arrive on the 5th. i told you this. over and over and over again.

mr says:
ive been planning on it being monday. i was misled

[reggles] says:
by yourself. you have only yourself to blame.

[reggles] says:
we’ve waited 9 months, a day doesn’t really matter much. plus, that was your fault cuz you didn’t check the calender.

[reggles] says:
WOW, I’m seriously never wrong.

[reggles] says:
Or at fault.

I shall be GOing to America tomorrow morning as the first leg of my adventure to Puerto Rico. First I’ll be in Detroit for a family wedding. Then heading down to Georgia with my family again. It is from there that I head to Puerto Rico to shake hands with my dude Regner, on September 4th! It’s going to be awesome.

So far I havn’t packed much, so I must get on it! Might see some of you soon then… can’t wait x

Tomorrow, at last, I will be treking to (near) Malaga, Spain to stay with Jess in her villa for ten days! I’m quite excited :) First I have to make it to Liverpool airport tomorrow morning by public transport. Yeh, hmm. I hope I make it ok because then this time tomorrow I will be so happy in sunny Spain, probably still in the sea! Woo. See you soon x

This video created by Matt Harding on his spontanous trip around the world has generated over a million views on YouTube and almost 6000 comments. In the meantime StrideGum have taken it on as a marketing campaign, sending him off for 6 months again, all expenses paid.

Where the hell is Matt?

This video was one Matt pointed out as his favourite reponse to his own.

Just thought I’d catch up on my life events, only quickly. I don’t keep a diary and in a year or something I’d like to look back on what I wrote about/was going on, because I have a bad memory. So yesterday I finally finished all my exams. My last one was an AEA (Advanced extension award (for clever people)) in Geography, because I thought it’d help with my Oxford application. But since I was rejected, and really do not want to go to an elitest institution anymore, I never pulled out of this 3 hour extension. It ran from 1.45-4.45pm. However I think it went quite well, considering I didn’t have a clue what it was and stuff. It was on the Asian tsunami (2004) and then I wrote for an hour about how global demand for freshwater is expected to exceed supply. Yeah. That was fun! I’m glad I went on that Water-Aid march, threw in a few facts I picked up from that :)

So yeah, anyhow. They’re all over. And so is school, forever! I have 14 months of complete freedom to look forward to now - involving loads of travelling and a business project here and there to keep me afloat. I’m really excited about what this year will be like! Going to Spain, to catch Jess, on the 15th July for ten days. Detroit and Georgia (USA) late August and then, of course, a trip of destiny to Puerto Rico.. just to see this kid called Reggles. Also hoping to trip up into Japan, Norway and a eurotrip at some point :)

Yo. It’s going be to cool.

No, I’m not going to be making it a habit to put animal names on my titles. It’s not my fault, but I apologize. Or as SOME people say… “apologise”. I honestly don’t know what the correct term is, but in the US it’s “apologize”, though both may be allowed.

Dictionary.com, people.

It says both are correct. Rationalise and Rationalize are also correct. I DO hope all you wonderful English-speaking folk will be able to look past these small cultural differences. I mean no disrespect to your language. lol.

Moving on! Yes, my colorful sneakers. I don’t know, man. They seem to steal the spotlight all the time. I thought it was really flattering when people complimented me (or gave me evil snares, and yes, I HAVE gotten evil snares), but now I’m beginning to envy them.

When I went to New York, a lot of people would talk to me because of my shoes and stuff. I found it really neat lol. I was walking down the street in wonderful NY, and I hear this woman say “Honey, look at his shoes.” Since I obviously knew she was talking about me, I turned around and alas there was this young woman and her boyfriend/husband looking at my shoes. So, she sees me and goes “I like your shoes!”

“Thanks!”

It hasn’t gotten any better. Last Sunday, one of my friends introduced me to her boyfriend. He speaks English only, and since I know English I decided to be nice and talk to him so he could feel a bit more comfortable in this Spanish-speaking island.

-”It’s nice to meet you, Sam!”

-”You too. Nice shoes! They’re like 0.0″

O.o

And that’s when I realized I was being used by my sneakers. All this time, I thought I had chosen THEM, but in reality it was my sneakers who had chosen me. They had chosen me since the beginning of time as a mere tool to take them places. They use me to meet people and to get compliments. It’s all about them. People don’t really care about what I’M like, they just like my shoes. Life is so superficial like that.

SOOO… I’ve decided to donate them to someone who doesn’t walk alot. That way those stupid evil Pumas won’t be able to go on with their master plan of conquering people’s attention. They will die old and new-looking inside someone’s closet. With a little bit of luck, I will be able to find someone who works at a farm. That way, the Pumas will have to work around animal feces all the time. They would stink. And no one would care about them. THEN, they’d be sorry about using me.

And since I feel like a mad man, talking about inanimate objects as something with a mission and a plan, I will say goodnight to everyone. Sleep deprivation can do strange things to a person. Also, it’s the fact that my brain hasn’t had rest since January. Which really sucks. So yeah, in conclusion, my shoes are not evil, they do not have a plan to conquer people, they do not use me, and I am not giving them away. They are just attention-worthy. It’s probably because very few people on this island walk around with multi-colored shoes. lol… suckers all of them. They know not what they are missing out on.

Updated 6.25.06: Here are the shoes/sneakers/trainers. Since I am from Puerto Rico and am educated under the United States’ variation of English, I will call them as I wish.

…. and this one was taken in New York, the same day the girl on the street complimented me.