The world behind and ahead

So, judging by the in flight air map, I am currently somewhere over dark blue, very deep ocean, somewhere in the middle of the pacific between Fiji and Aukland, NZ. I am on flight #1 of 5 on my trek back home. I am anxious and I can't sleep. Listening to Bon Iver (because that normally does the trick) just wide awake thinking about all the travel I have ahead of me the next 2 days but, so excited about seeing my family, my friends, & my sweet Bradley.

I keep feeling this overwhelming sense of happiness and joy and appreciation for the places I have seen, the people I have met, & the eye opening, jaw dropping scenery that God designed himself. It's been such a time of growth, traveling the past month... & as you might be catching onto, I am pretty phsyced about it. But, what I'm even more excited about is the life I'm going back to, it's pretty cool too. ;) It's sometimes really hard to be removed from the so called "real world" and travel the world, knowing that the "real world" is still waiting on you when you get back. But, for me and my optimistic thinking, I cannot wait to get back to my real world!....Brad, New York City, spring time on its way, a burning desire to chase my dreams again in a new place, my turquoise bike, date nights, sushi take out, curling up on the sofa and watching old James Dean movies, cooking, having wine with my man... Yea, its that good. :)

My point is, I've had the time of my life this past month (which feels like a year) of my life and I am so happy for the chance to see the world but I am even happier to see the world ahead of me. I know it will bring great things as long as I am keeping my eye on them. I hope to get there eventually... Because right now I feel like I am light years away!! Let me just fill you in on my journey to "home" (because I am makimg a few detours along thr way for BRITNEY/AJ WEDDING, etc...woohoo!!)

From Fiji to Aukland (customs/immigration).
Spend the night in Aukland airport.
Depart Aukland to Sydney (customs/immigration. &yes we are going backwards)
Sydney to LA (customs/immigration. Finally, USA!!!!)
LA to Dallas (thank G no customs)
Dallas to TN (hugging my momma's neck!)
{wedding festivities, wedding}
TN to Vegas (on Sunday to work ACM'S)
Vegas to NYC (I think I might jump out of the moving cab prematurely out of pure excitement).

It might be a minute (or a few days) before I get anywhere but, I'm staying positive and sleeping (a lot). Thanks for listening to me babble.




Last day in FJ :(

Love
{L}

Be strong. Be smart. Be bold.

Location:In the sky

Paradise

Fiji is my paradise.
Sunshine, sand, bugs, mountains, sailboats, local beer, culture, snorkeling, the company of best friends, a beachfront bungalow.... Paradise.
Day 3 and we are still basking in the beauty. Got online to find Brad but had no luck so, I'll Blog instead:) heading home on Monday (it's Saturday). Yesterday we spent a day on a boat today we might bike or just lay by the pool. Love to this life.
















Be strong. Be smart. Be bold.

Location:Fiji

NZ to Fiji

Vacation has begun... Officially.

I am sitting in the airport in Auckland, New Zealand right now, with 45 minutes of shut eye (meaning no sleep, only eyes closed), a straw beach hat, a backpack, & my sandals. I left my giant suitcase in storage here at the airport so I wouldn't potentially want to shoot myself carrying it around much longer. So, I plan to live In my swimsuit and a few simple things for the next 6 days of my life. I'm really so excited to just go, sit on a beach and do nothing, worry about nothing, talk about nothing except maybe what I want to eat next and how beautiful the sky and world is. Life is beautiful. Traveling has inspired me immensely. I am ready to see the world in its entirety. I have found a rewarding feeling knowing that, we are so small In this huge place. Our problems, concerns, the things we work so hard to achieve are only present. There is so much out there. There is a happy, simple balance to life that should be reached. Calm down, slow down, smile, and be thankful. :)

I will say, The past 5 days in New Zealand has been incredible. This is the most beautiful place I have ever laid eyes on. It's green and lush with gorgeous views of miles and miles of sea. It's very tropical and earthy and makes you wanna walk around bare foot eating the leaves off of the trees! I love it. I was able to do a lot while being here... I hiked to the top of a volcano, swam in the Tasman sea, went wine tasting on Waiheke Island, went on a road trip to the Bay of Islands on a rainy day to see tons of rural back roads and rainforest and then came upon a sleepy little town with the oldest pub/hotel in NZ. But, the besssst....I repelled down a waterfall, swam with an eel in a freshwater pool, jumped off a giant 20ft rock and did it all without even worrying about risking my life. :) It was great! So liberating. Later that day, we laid on a black sand beach (volcanic sand). Amazingness my friends. I could not be in a better place right now. Although, I am realllllly tired and I really miss the love of my life, I am thankful for this time to explore and seizing the opportunity for adventure.

Loving on the present.















L

Be strong. Be smart. Be bold.

Melbourne. Sunshine, Victoria.

This city is so eclectic and artsy I love it!! Tons and tons of small cobblestone streets and alleys with cafe's and bars and amazing restaurants. I have been to an Aussie rules football game in the middle of no where, a winery in the outback (that looks identical to Tennessee), and I spent today & yesterday browsing around Brunswick Street doing a little vintage shopping and scored with some great finds!! Today, Marlyn, Shannon, Charity, Taylor, Claire and I spent about 45 min in a vintage shop trying on retro swimsuits. I got 2 of the cutest suits of my life. So classic and flattering :). Everyone got one actually. Good finds.

Tomorrow is show #3 and the final show of Australia. It's kind of nuts how quickly this is going by, with only 1 more country/city left & 3 shows after tomorrow! It's sadly coming to an end... But, what a ride! It has truly been a life altering, mind boggling experience. I'm so happy it was granted to me:). I plan yo get brekkie around my hotel with dancer gals and go to a lift,e hat shop I found today to get brad something special. Bc he deserves it:) These hats though... Are sooo cool. All made in New Zealand. Great quality, unique hats. It's gonna be a good day.

Here's to a night of good, deep sleep.



Melbourne.

{L}
Be strong. Be smart. Be bold.

Location:Melbourne

Opals and Sydney

I bought a new opal ring today in Sydney. It's my favorite thing!! Opals are BiG down under! Just excited to share....



We frolicked around more street markets and took a ferry ride to Manly Beach. It was a GOOD day! Show tonight, Melbourne tomorrow! Whewwy travels! I'm tired, but happy:)

{L}
Be strong. Be smart. Be bold.

From Addie to Brisie

Current location:
Just flew over the Indian Ocean & took a mental snapshot of the crystal blue water going from a light ice blue to a turquoise to the deepest blue you can imagine... Looking for great white's from above but, having no success in spotting any deadly creatures of that nature. :) We are traveling from Adelaide to Brisbane. 2 shows of 12 are behind us. We have 2 more in this city. I'm on a Qanta's flight, sitting beside a nice man from the Gold Coast, south of Brisbane, just sipping on a cola zero and water (yeah, I never can decide which to get so I just fold and say, both!) The airline is so nice! Far better than American airlines...Free meals, snacks, alcohol. It feels like 1st class even on the back of the plane. I mean... I can't actually imagine what first class is like on here. Geez!
Adelaide was cute! It wasn't the most amazing place I have ever been to in my whole life but, it was sweet. There were lots of old churches and old buildings with wrought iron balconies and tall cobblestone clock towers. A small city, where you had to search for the character but, it was there! I went out on an exploration yesterday for coffee and found an adorable street market happening! Just so you know... That is right up my alley. If I had to do the same thing every Saturday and Sunday for the rest if my life, I would be a street fair/flea market hopper. Yea... Frolicking around, in my own Lyddie land, finding vintage treasures, one of a kind jewelry and clothing and purses and antiques. It would be the happiest time! Which, is exactly what I did yesterday. I got some gift items for others and fed my soul with an Adelaide cultural experience. :) It was guuuud. I also managed to pay $22 for a bag of coffee beans to take home to Brad. It was just one of those things I couldn't have gone home without. THE BEST COFFEE I HAVE EVER PUT IN MY SYSTEM. Delicious! & a unique thing to the city of Adelaide. The beans are from there. I might have a hard time drinking them when I get home. I will certainly savor the sips!
So, this week we are in Brisbane! We have lots in store there... A Koala Santuary, which is apparently the biggest in the world (holding a Guinness book of world record) & the only place left in the world that allows you to cuddle a Koala! I mean... It might not be the same as cuddling with my man but, a chance of a lifetime ehh? :) Maybe a hike in the beautiful mountains too & hopefully another trip to the beach, if the rain goes away...I hear they are a bit more commercial here but, I do LOVE me some beach! Looking forward to new adventures in a new Australian city.
It's been such an awesome, broadening experience thus far. I love traveling and I love being open to new adventure. It keeps me inspired. Missing my Bradley and chatting with Sully each day but, it won't be long until I can hug their necks! XX from the other side of the world.
























{L}
Be smart. Be strong. Be bold.

Show on the road!

Today was an all around amazing day... I have a million pictures to prove it... A beautiful, non stop 75 degrees, sunshine beaming, ocean breeze, 5 sweet gals, a nice cocktail, and the ocean. Yea, it was pretty much a day when I said to myself, "wow, this is my life?!" at least 5 times. Not to mention, I got to enjoy the company of the boss gal TS, outside of work. It was fun!

In Australia, at the beach, with no regards and the most gorgeous blue water I have ever seen (the Indian ocean). I am truly thankful to have gotten these opportunities in my life. How can I thank the Lord enough for making my dreams come true?

Tonight I am drained by the sun and trying to get prepared for our first show day tomorrow!! Excited! Let's get this show on the road!...TS Aussie/NZ 2012

Love to ya!

{L}
Be strong. Be smart. Be bold.

Location:March 1st

6 thousand miles away...

Well.... After days of traveling, 3 flights, a cancelled and a delayed flight... I made it to the other side of the world. I am somewhere around 6 thousand miles away from home and everything I know. I'm in Australia! First stop, Perth. The agenda includes a stop in, Adalaide, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne. Then, onto New Zealand! We complete our tour in Aukland but I don't stop there!... Planning to stay in Aukland for 3 extra days and take my happy bottom to Fiji to wrap up "vacation" on the isles of Fiji. Preferably in a beachfront bungalow In my bikini. Yup! A trip of a lifetime for me and definitely one I will always remember.

This week consists of rehearsals... In preparation for our first show on Friday. But, today consists of, pool time! Yes, currently I am blogging poolside. :) I hope to keep posting throughout my glorious travels (my mom will certainly appreciate it). Love
from the other side of the globe! xx

Here are a few pics of my first days in Aussie land...












Be strong. Be smart. Be bold.

Location:Perth, Australia

trending today...

.RAIn. [go figure].
.an hour long convo with Meggo. [she just got back from Asia and has a ''stomach bug'' if you know what I mean].
.messy hair and no makeup.
.coldplay- mylo xyloto on the tunes.
.searching my drawers for old clothes that i haven't seen in months, or maybe years, to make new outfits.
.job searching too.
.looking at the dishes in the sink about every 30 minutes thinking, "i should do that" but, still ignoring them.
.my red shoes are on. [even though I'm not going anywhere].
.a delicious afternoon snack. [steamed broccoli with lemon and hummus].
.a morning filled with coffee and hoda & kathy lee. [myfavvv].
.the FEB. issue of Glamour, InStyle, & Tay Swift Vogue in my lap.
.& this little necklace I have pulled out to spruce up my little black sweater and jeans.



.& it's FRIDAY!.
Hoping tonight can be a date night for me and BS. We struggle a bit with that when it's mid-dreary-january. We would much rather rent a movie and order chinese takeout like bums. But, making a better effort this weekend, considering I only have 3 more weekends here until my world travels begin! HAppY FriDaY!

{L}

sleepytown.

i'm much too tired to say anything interesting today so, i'll just leave you with this... it's so true of my thoughts, every night of my life...since I was 8. :)



goodnight. go to sleep my friends...enjoy the fact that humpday is over and the end of the week is near!! aka THE WEEEEKENDDD!!

{L}