I've moved!!

Sorry it's been so long since my last post. I am sorry to inform you that I've created a new and wonderful blog. You can go here to get to it: http://cestlaviebillet-doux.blogspot.com

Enjoy!!
<3
Aubrei R. Albin
XOXO

Happy 4th of July!!!

Hope every is having a great day thus far! I plan on hanging with my beau and my Fam Bam. Looking forward to good food, great conversation, sun and some fireworks. :) I'll be blogging tomorrow to let you in on what I've been up to for the past few months. Let freedom ring! Be safe and enjoy! XO

Bloglovin!!

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God made Cabernet Sauvignon, whereas the Devil made Pinot Noir

I found myself recently at one of my favorite wine bars in Seattle. The dim lighting and candles places on each table, set this relaxing and tranquil mood. It was a little after 10 p.m. and I had just sat down. The background noise consist of the people that filled that room, the mix of artist like The XX, Band of Horses and Bon Iver playing on Pandora and the clinging of wine glasses as each party commerced in a harmonious Thursday night. I ordered a Cabernet Sauvignon, as usual, I don't even know why I bother looking at the menu sometimes. Once my wine was placed in front of me, I took in the atmosphere and let the smell enter my nostrils. It was nice to be able to enjoy this time for myself. I'd been coming here for 5 years and every visit was better. Like fine wine ages with time, so does The Black Bottle. Not to mention the staff. They seem to be getting cuter and nicer. :) And it's nice to be able to share one of my many  secret hideaways with you. Hope you're all having a wonderful Friday. XO



"Close friends contribute to our personal growth. They also contribute to our personal pleasure, making the music sound sweeter, the wine taste richer, and the laughter ring louder because they are there." ~ Judith Viorst

A kiss to build a dream on....

I can see it's been awhile since I have updated my blog. For a few months I've had to deal with a break up, a move, and trying to start a new business, while trying to accomplish writing a novel. Not only have distractions and writers block gotten in my way, but my passion for something I once loved diminished before my eyes. I began to lack in empathy and the arts of creativity. My perspective adequately equipped me with bitterness and   distaste for picking up a pen or pencil. I suppose over the past few weeks, I've grown out of that dark phase that lurked above me like a murky cloud or the smog that covers the once radiant LA skies. I think what helped was the few trips I have had recently. Being on an airplane or a city bus; watching the people come and go. It has brought inspiration and newfound attitude into play. The me I once was months and months ago, is slowly finding it's way back. I feel like maybe I had lost my way, lost myself in my relationship and with the person I had spent 9 months of my life with. When I think of all the time that I wasted and all the time that has gone by, I become sad. But only for a minute. Then the me, that girl every one I know loves so much, the one that is open minded and optimistic... comes back and realize that this was a growing experience. Many more where that came from. But also, no need to dwell on what has already come and gone. Like the quote I love so much and live by (and is also tattooed on me), "A mind that is stretched by new experience can never go back to its old dimensions." ~Oliver Wendell Holmes. Therefore, I have nothing to be sad about at all. Only to be grateful there is more on the horizons. <3

Hope everyone is having a great Monday full of sunshine and love. XOXOXO <3




         "I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so you cab appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."

                     ~Marilyn Monroe
   
 A kiss to Build a Dream on ~Louis Armstrong <3

Want me to throw a lasso around the moon....

It's that time of the year again, and you know what that means! Sitting once again single on your couch, with tissues all around you, stuffing chocolate in your face and watching the classic Notebook, wishing you had someone to cling to. For some it's the opposite. And why shouldn't it be! As girls in grade school, we spend our days daydreaming of Valentine's Day after the Christmas and New Year's Eve Holidays pass. We wish the boy we had our eye on would get us a card or write us a letter that confesses his undying love. And we wait patiently at our desk to see if he sent us flowers. Television advertisements and romantic movies glorify this so called "holiday" to plant a seed in our fragile young minds from the very beginning. But why shouldn't it be like When Harry met Sally, or It Happened One Night? Why shouldn't it be like a 1940's black and white movie where we are swept off our feet and ride off into the sunset? Even Disney movies hype it up that we get to live happily ever after. In pretty much every movie! So there is no way of getting around it, we were doomed from the start. Let's face it, this day does not make single people feel any better about "love". How about instead of putting so much thought about being in love with another individual or actually being in a relationship, we focus on just LOVE  in general. For instance, I love my new laptop. I love the guy at the Starbucks for making such an amazing latte. I love the person who held the door open for me today. I love that even though it is somewhat raining out, the beauty of the sound and smell of the rain makes up for it being so shitty out. I especially love, the people I have in my life and the things that make me…well, ME. So wipe away that grim look on your face and go do something for you. Or maybe for someone else who wouldn't expect it. Don't do it out of expecting something in return, do it because making someone happy (including yourself), is more gratifying then waiting for something to happen. Even if it is just holding the door open or giving a smile, that small gesture will go along way. 

Happy BELATED Valentine's Day!!

Love, Aubrei

XOXO

Love cannot be loved without "le singing"...

And February is not the month of love without CUPID! Awe... February. My favorite month of the year (besides October), with so many things going on. We get to enjoy a few holidays:

• Groundhogs Day
• Lincoln's Birthday
• Valentines Day
• Presidents Day
• And MY BIRTHDAY!

I also have many friends and family with birthdays during this months so I'm jammed packed with lots of productive things to do. But then again, February wouldn't be a great month without LOVE. Put on your rose colored glasses because you have a pass to fall deeply in love, helplessly and unconditionally!! Weather it's with your boyfriend/ girlfriend, husband/ wife, someone you don't know or just met, Or even yourself. Let the love in and enjoy the passion in the air.

Happy 1st of February!!!!

Luvs & Hugs!

Aubrei R. Albin




Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives.
~C.S. Lewis

When your smiling.. the whole world smiles with you.....

I received the most insightful advice last night from a very dear person to my heart. I was upset about something that I was going through; crying and venting about my problems to this individual as if they were a priest and I was in the confession booth. At the end, I said in embarrassment, "I'm sorry you had to hear about my sad and pathetic life." He smiled and said to me with his kind eyes "Aubrei, you have such an amazing life, full of adventure and people who love you very much. I know you are feeling like your world is being crushed but it will get better. They say that your 20's is the most depressing time in your life because you're still trying to figure out who you are and what its all about. Right now you feel hopeless but  tomorrow is a new day. Think of it this way....'' he paused and then looked deep into my eyes, ''Your 30s, 40s, 50s  and 60s are suppose to be the best times of your life because by then you have matured and learned to be around people who are like-minded. You'll eventually get married and have kids who will have kids of there own. And these emotions you are feeling will all be behind you. So smile, because you're a quarter through your life. You have so much more to experience and it has only just began." At that moment, I realized I had been so caught up in my emotions, that I let all my problems get the best of me. Maybe I was just due for a good cry. But the ending effect of this comment had such an impact, that all night, as I slept (or tried to), as my dreams allowed my to fantasize of what to come.
           Now..... I sit at my laptop, with a wonderful feline on my lap purring away and all the ambitious goals I only temporary put on hold, rushing back to me. The sun shines gracefully upon the trees outside and the wind moves the branches, as if they are swaying to the music from the neighbor below. And like my post said last week; regardless of what happen the day before, only think of good things happening. Because today is a new day.


Hope you enjoyed!!!
Luvs!
Aubrei R. Albin






Another great piece of advice I try to live by:

"Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together." ~Elizabeth Taylor.

Say cheeeeeeeeese!

Here is just a little thing I'd like my readers to do for today. Start by trying an experiment; If you've already started your day, no worries, you can still start now. As you go about your daily routine, make sure you smile at everyone you come across. Even if it's that one person you work with that you can't stand. A smile at a stranger can go along way. And as you start to see that you are making others happy, you yourself will have a change inside you. Expect good things to happen no matter what occurred the day before. Bottling things up will only make things messy. Don't you agree? So let go of all the hostility, all the worries of your past and those "problems" that seem to distract you from the things that are right in front you that we take for granted. Instead of pondering on that "problem" like its an ambiguous test, focus on one thing you can do to make your day better. Being optimistic can be good sometimes. And if you take at least one step towards resolving it, eventually there will be a solution.

Luvs!
~Aubrei Albin
aubreiralbin@gmail.com

What I told a friend yesterday: "Do you realize your joy affects the entire world? To begin with when you are in joy you don’t inflict negativity on anybody, which means you don’t harm anybody. But more than that your joy touches those around you, then it touches those around them, and so it continues rippling out touching one person after another. You are one person but YOU have the power to affect the entire world!" – Rhonda Byrne

Easter has come early!!!!

I've been reading this book lately to help enhance my creativity. One of the exercises I'd like to share with you is called, "Incubate a New Project." I happen to have a TON of projects I am working on. ADHD...I don't think so. Ambitious.... VERY. This exercise is not only easy, but its fun.

What you'll need: 

1. a bag of plastic Easter eggs (dozen)
2. twelve slips of small paper
3. a pen or marker


How it works:
1. On each slip, write down an idea of something you've been wanting to do for awhile. These ideas could be for example, "Learn how to grow herbs.", "Take a cooking class" or  maybe "Run a marathon."
2. Once you have written on a slip, fold it up and put it in its own individual egg.
3. Here, you have two options. A) Hide the eggs were you'll regularly run into them. Example: Car, laundry basket, office, freezer, ect. or B) Put them in a basket or bowl. Once a week, take one egg and say yes to which ever creative idea you pick.

Not only will you get that pesky TO DO list out of the way, but you open up to being more open minded and creative in your daily life. This could also be a great idea for your bucket list and doing this in moderation, once a month.  Hope you have fun and enjoy!!!


If you like this book and would like to purchase it, click this link>>>  The Creativity Book by Eric Maisel


Luvs, Aubrei
Feel free to comment below or if you have any suggestions or ideas for post, emial me at aubreiralbin@gmail.com. Thanks!!!


"Each conquest of distance reveals greater distance." Martin Marty

And Now Let's Welcome The New Year....

...... Full of things that have never been.
                     Oh my goodness! It's been 6 months since I've written??! Well, I must say,  a lot has happened since July. But instead of reminiscing of the past, let us look forward into the future. What better way to start a new year by starting with a clean slate? This blog was created so that, as a writer and aspiring author, I can get my best stuff out there and express to the world what goes on inside this very creative and active mind of mine. I will be sharing with you writing exercises, quotes, book reviews, creative stories, helpful advice for the everyday woman and things that make me happy that I think you'll enjoy.  Please feel free to comment on my post. If you have any questions, or would like to request something for me to write about, feel free to contact me. Thanks!!! And look for my next post later today.

Luvs, Aubrei
aubreiralbin@gmail.com  












Live, Laugh, Love. ♥

*sniffle sniffle*

I have been out of commission for the last few days. Have a really bad cold I'm trying to get over. So until I get better, I will remain in bed sleeping this thing off. Although I would love to share with you a lot of ideas that have been popping in and out of my head. I can't really gather the strength to focus in on anything with all my creativity. But I hope that you had a great Independence Day and have a great week full of sunshine. XOXOXO

"The best things in life, are free."

Moonligh Skinny Dipping

This is a time when I went to Hawaii and was staying at a hostel the remainder of my trip over on the North Shore. It had such an impact of inspiration on me that I decided to write about it. Hesitation of weather or not I would share it, but with only the people involved, I decided it's mine to share also. Hope you enjoy!

*The names in this story have been changed due to discretion. Also, no animals were actually hurt during the time. 




The foggy distant dream of last night lingered, then I sudden realized where I was once my vision came into focus. Looking over to the emptiness next to me, I smiled wondering where my friend had run off to. Hmmmm..... I thought, he must have gone to work. I wonder what time it is? As I stumbled out of my small bed with half of the sheets and covers dangling over the side, my hangover instantly kicked in. BAM! As if it was saying "You will be miserable this morning!! Mauahahauauahauahahahah!" And yes, it snickered at me in an evil laugh. I walked through the scattered clothes and shoes that were flung all over the room and noticed that...my friends belongings were still here. Creeping into the common area, not to wake anyone up, I found him. He laid there like a giant angel on the extremely small couch. His feet curled up, for if he was to lay straight, his body would dangle over like a rag-doll. The sun was coming up somewhere and the little light outside gleamed in. His smooth skin and dark features appeared darker than usual because of this. I guess being a vegetarian had it's benefits after all. His skin was like silk. "Richard.... Psssssss... Richard..." I whispered. "What... huh!!!" he looked at me confused and startled as I appeared over him, waking him up from his dreamland. "Don't you have to go to work?" I then giggled at his complete innocence. He jumped up and walked into my room frantically. After I grabbed the water from the fridge, I also walked back to my room, but only to find him plopped down on the bed with his face buried in the pillow. At this point, I couldn't help but laugh. He rolled over to his side of the doll sized bed and instantly fell asleep. I joined him shortly after. Beep, beep, beep, beep! The sound of his alarm clock on his phone blared from underneath the pillow. "Aaaaaaghhh....." I moaned a little in annoyance. "What time is it?!" I said in my quiet morning voice. The rooster outside started crowing that it was definitely morning. "5:45 a.m. babe...." Richard seemed reluctant to get up, hit snooze and said, "I'm good for a while longer." And rolled over to put his arm around my partially naked body. He pulled me closer to him and we fell asleep once again. COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!!!! Fucking chicken wants to get eaten, I thought, as it woke me from my pleasant dreams. This time, with no hesitation, Richard jumped up and said he need to go to work. He kissed me gently on the forehead and left. I then closed the window, shutting out the world and that cocky chicken I would soon eat for my breakfast if he continued with his waking everyone up act. Ugh!!! Finally some peace and quiet.



Waking up to an empty bed was completely satisfying. Usually people get sad when they see no one next to them after a hot night of amazing sex. But in this case, I just wanted to be alone. Away from all the bullshit. I mean, that was the reason I came to Hawaii in the first place. I looked at my phone and saw 5 text messages from Asshole, saying how much he missed me. I hate ex's. Which really makes me wonder what the hell I as thinking for even hanging out with him after 3 years of silence. We were a horrible couple. Always fighting about some stupid nonsense. His temper was the worse. I thought I had a bad temper but my goodness, this man had issues. Borderline psychotic with spurts of bipolar fits. It was almost like a puppy if you don't train them properly. After awhile, the cuteness wears off and he has moments of jumping around, back and forth. Then when you tell him to stop he goes for the first thing, which happens to be your Louboutins and chews them up. Asshole. He should know better than that. His way of thinking is 'My way or no way.' There is no getting around it either. And if you try to voice your opinion, you're either wrong, a slut or you're just not listening to anything he is saying. Instead of replying back to Lee, I deleted each message before reading them. One by one... BEEP, delete. I don't have time for those shenanigans! I'm single, free from all drama and have my own bed all to myself! Life seemed completely amazing. Then I had a moment where I looked over again and wish he stayed. Damn emotions. They always win. Stretching just a bit, my morning awaited me. I crept once again through the jungle of clothes sprawled all over the floor. Mmm.. flashback. His lips.. lingering all over my body...his touch.. so safe and secure. His eyes, so intense. Glazing upon me like I was his prey and he would devour me at any moment. As soon as I opened my bedroom door, I came right back to reality. I took a shower in bliss, contemplating the fantasy over and over in my head. What an asshole, I thought, I'm being stalked mentally by Richard and his King Kong sized unit. But as the soapy water rolled down my golden back, I kept thinking of his darkly tanned fingers caressing me there.


My hangover followed me out of the shower and into the kitchen. A banana and a tall glass of orange juice would get this pesky pervert out of my head. You lose this round Mr. Hangover, we shall meet again very soon...  I looked in the sink and thought, Who's the inconsiderate jerk who didn't wash their two spoons?! How lazy! But then I realized the white creamy substance on them was in fact, potato salad from Food Land; and last nights memory came lingering right back to me. All I could think about was our two naked bodies wrapped up in each other on the sand. The moonlight glistening off our skin as we made sweet jungle love to the sound of the ocean waves. Each thrust was in rhythm, with no one around but the sand crabs and crashing water. I don't think I have ever felt that close to anyone. We held each other so close, it was as if we became one. Unified. Our souls entangled down to the very core. He was so gentle with every touch. So careful and with every caress the passion for each other increased. Do we just have amazing physical chemistry or was he my soul mate? All I knew was the next minute we were running around the beach naked and jumping into the ocean. Giggling, laughing and eventually plopping down on the beach towel to take in what had just happened. I felt so comfortable. It was the perfect night, with an amazing person in the most perfect place. Right then, I wished on a star. Asking the Universe, to give me more experiences like this in the future.  But instead, I snapped back into the kitchen. The spoons mocking me.

Practice makes perfect.

Hello readers, Sorry I haven't been posting much of my writing lately. A lot has been happening which I will eventually be posting. I also haven't been doing much of traveling. That is usually when I get all my creative energy. But I will let you in on a little of what I will be putting up in the next few days. 

• More insight on my trips to Key West, Hawaii and San Diego
• La La Land: Part Two
• Moonlight Skinny Dipping which I will be posting today
• My trip I am taking for the next two days to San Francisco
• And more teasers from my book

Hope you enjoy. XOXOXO Thanks for reading!!! 

“Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well” ~ Voltaire

Ain't that a kick in the head...

Hope everyone is having a wonderful day!!!!

Every day I get up and look through the Forbes list of the richest people in America.  If I'm not there, I go to work.  ~Robert Orben

In every girls life; there’s a boy she’ll never forget and a summer where it all began.

Now that summer is here, time to put away those winter clothes and pick out the right attire. I have been obsessed with Free People, Michael Kors and Lucky Brand and a couple other random pieces. Here are a few pieces I absolutely love!

(To the left and right, All Saint, http://www.us.allsaints.com/ )

“Summer is kind of like the ultimate one-night stand: hot as hell, totally thrilling, and gone before you know it.” — Cosmopolitan

“So here’s to all those summer nights when my feet hit the sand and the waves break my fall and all my friends around me out number the stars.” — Unknown

“Sun is shining. Weather is sweet. Make you wanna move your dancing feet.” — Bob Marley

“A girl in a bikini is like having a loaded pistol on your coffee table — there’s nothing wrong with them, but it’s hard to stop thinking about it.” — Garrison Keillor

I wish the best for you....

Love can make you do some crazy things. We constantly have people who come in and out of our lives who have an impact on us in many different ways. I have had a few that left me feeling like the words written in this song. But over all, I can say that I have met some very amazing and brilliant people within my short life of 25. Especially, over this last weekend when I went camping. And sometimes, the people you least expect to have an impact on you are right in front of you. Hope you enjoy this song. It's definitely powerful.

Adele ~ Someone Like You

I heard that you're settled down,

That you found a girl and you're married now,
I heard that your dreams came true,
Guess she gave you things I didn't give to you,
Old friend, why are you so shy?
Ain't like you to hold back or hide from the light,

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited,
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it,
I had hoped you'd see my face,
And that you'd be reminded that for me it isn't over,

Nevermind, I'll find someone like you,
I wish nothing but the best for you, too,
Don't forget me, I beg,
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead,"
Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead, yeah,

You know how the time flies,
Only yesterday was the time of our lives,
We were born and raised in a summer haze,
Bound by the surprise of our glory days,

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited,
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it,
I had hoped you'd see my face,
And that you'd be reminded that for me it isn't over,    

Nevermind, I'll find someone like you,
I wish nothing but the best for you, too,
Don't forget me, I beg,
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead,"

Nothing compares,
No worries or cares,
Regrets and mistakes, they're memories made,
Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste?

Nevermind, I'll find someone like you,
I wish nothing but the best for you,
Don't forget me, I beg,
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead,"

Nevermind, I'll find someone like you,
I wish nothing but the best for you, too,
Don't forget me, I beg,
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead,"
Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead.

Music is the key to the soul....

Music I am obsessed with right now. Happy Wednesday!!!  XOXO

Hope you have a great day!!!

                 

                    “Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.” ~Unknown

Not all those who wander are lost.

What I want to do this summer....

Hawaii; relaxing, surfing, white beaches, sunshine....Namaste

    Hiking, Rock climbing; adventure, beautiful landscape, risk taking, getting in touch with nature....

                                    More of this is definitely in need. Mmmmm......

                                                                    New Orleans, LA

Manhattan, New York

“Adventure is a path. Real adventure – self-determined, self-motivated, often risky – forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind – and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black-and-white.” ~ Mark Jenkins

La La Land, Part One

One of the most exciting adventures I have been on was my road trip to LA. Jesse was going to be out of town for a week and a half and trusted me enough to lend his car while he was gone in Atlanta. I already had a crazy summer but didn't know what to do with myself next. A couple months earlier, I went to a music festival in southern Cali called Coachella, that left me pining for more. My original plan was to go to Burning man, which was in the Nevada Black Hill Desert. But with little time to prepare and no money to accommodate me on my escapade, it slowly got booted from my "list of things to do this summer". So as I sat there twiddling my thumbs, I had to think of some master plan to keep me occupied. Hmmm... No money, a car for a ten days and nothing to do. This was dangerous and could potentially get me in trouble. So I did the only thing a freshly 24 year old would do. I took my rent money and some cash stashed away, packed a few things, put my puppy in the car and headed south. Ring, Ring....  I quickly dialed a friends, but first were my alley cats in San Francisco. "Umm... Hey!! What are you doing this weekend?'' I asked in confidence to my friend "Just working. I might hangout with my friends. Why?'' Robert replied nonchalant. "Well, I have my friends car for a little over a week and I was driving down that way anyways....so I wanted to see what you were doing." Surprise! There was a pause for a few seconds before he started laughing and proclaimed I was out of my mind but that if I wanted to come over, I could. So there I was, driving from Seattle southbound on I-5. I was out of my mind. I took my rent money for hostage, made my dog my side kick/ partner in crime and commandeered my friends vehicle while he was gone. Who does that?!

 When I got to Portland, OR, I felt a little anxious. Thoughts started to race through my head. Should I turn back. I really shouldn't be doing this. He's going to kill me. What if I don't have enough money or I run out of gas? Or I break down somewhere and a serial killer kidnaps me and then I have to be forces to live in a basement until he decides how he wants to kill me?!  I was literally having a mental breakdown on the freeway.  Calm down now... You're fine. Just take a deep breaths.  I immediately flicked the little angel off my shoulder and continued on my journey. The time started to fly. 6 p.m...... 7 p.m....9 p.m....11p.m... Suddenly it was midnight and I was starting to get tired. My eyes were glued to the charcoal pavement I drove on. At this point, I was more in fear of hitting a deer or elk then I was of flying off the freeway, being killed at a rest stop or crashing cause I fell asleep. I was going pretty damn fast down the winding valley. Finally, I came across a sign that convincingly said there were motels up ahead. I was in the middle of nowhere. What could I possibly get at this hour? I slowly pulled into this little carnival of a town and really slowed down when I saw the lit up welcome sign. YREKA! It loomed at me in a Come in...we wont hurt you... way that made me almost turn around. One of three things were bound to happen. 1. It would be like Hansel and Gretel. The little old lady would lure me in with her gingerbread house made of yummy candy then end up being a witch and EAT ME!! 2. I would pull in, not thinking much of it because I was tired, get a room and in the middle of the night, my life would turn into the movie The Vacancy. or 3. I would get a room, most likely a seedy one judging by the little town, and just go to sleep scared shitless with my dog to protect me. Yup, it was number 2. Just Kidding!! ha ha. I pulled up to this hotel called Budget Inn and almost slept in the car.


But I mustered up the courage to go ring the door bell for the manager, pepper spray in hand just in case.  *wink wink* A little dark man, smelling of curry came to the window. "Hello..what can I do for you?" He asked with his thick accent half asleep. "Ummm.. hi... I'd like one room for tonight please." I said nervously and glanced behind me to make sure no one was running up to stab me with a huge kitchen knife. He took my credit card, processed the info and handed me the room keys. "Room 204 to the left. Check out is at 10:00 a.m.. Thank you." He closed his window then disappeared through a dark brown door into a room with just a T.V. on. I walked very fast back to the car, jumped in, and locked the doors. Finally safe. Francois looked at me with his puppy dog eyes like I was crazy. I stared back, then looked around paranoid, afraid I'd be killed at any moment. They always kill the guy who is in the car. They always do! Or they wait until the innocent person parks and when they get out... Bam!! Their dead, I thought, panicking a little. I fumbled for the car keys in my purse, put them in the ignition and managed to turn the car on. Pulling into my assigned space and parking, I hurriedly grabbed a few things. Purse... check. Keys...check. Dog...check. Oh shit... what am I forgetting?! EEEeEEEEKS! Oh that's right! Pepper spray. Phew!  I ran to my room, got in and locked every lock I could find on the door. There was one. But I placed a chair in front of the door, just in case someone tried to get in. Francois trotted up and licked my hand as if he was letting me know he was going to protect me. I think he knew I was scared. I was a little intimidated to take a shower, thinking it might turn into a Albert Hitchcock movie and mommy dearest would appear on the other side of the shower curtain. So I made Francois take one with me; periodically looking out into the bathroom. After drying off, I put on my PJ's and climbed into bed. I feel asleep with Francois at the end of the bed, pepper spray in one hand and a high heel in the other. Just in case.

 The next morning, bright and early, we walked to the car once again to venture on towards Los Angeles. "You have dog in the room?! I charge you extra." Another man with a thick accent yelled from behind me. Startled, I flung around and lied "Oh no.. this guy... I was just...ummmm... I took him to the bathroom. Then forgot I left something in the room so i went back in to get it........he just followed me in." I looked at Francois like how could you follow me in there! The man knew I was lying, considering I was pulling him around by his leash. Dogs are always a good resource to use when trying to get yourself out of sticky situation. For instance, when you are on a bad date. Or when you don't want to hangout with someone. Or your roommates shirt comes up missing, you would say something along the lines of... "Oh.... he accidentally peed on it and I had to take it to the dry cleaners. So Sorry." Knowing, that you had worn it the night before for a really hot date and it was actually in your dirty laundry basket. So the man stared at me. It was almost like a I was about to have a showdown; first man who draws first wins. Instead, I jumped in the car and took off. Waving as I drove out of the small parking lot. Goodbye Yreka, Hello LA.    




**By the way... Yes, this is based of true events and experiences from my own life.**