I'm Almost Idahoan. And Most Definitely Not British.

Europe. Yes, you are about to hear a small story.

My first stop: London, England.

I couldn't wait for London. I mean, Hogwarts is in London; it's BOUND to be magical.

But... London happened to come at me sooner than I expected. After our 5 hour layover in Atlanta, Georgia I steped on the long planeride to England and found my seat.

Of course, I am sitting next to a 19 year old British guy who has just been touring America and is flying home (all the girls on my flight were surprisingly friendly to me those eight hours).

William. His name is William. Could it be more... English? Nope.


Mostly he was as fasincated by my "American-ness" as I was fasicanated by his British accent. So we made good friends.

British Accent 101:

Wat-uh (Water)
Al-oo-min-ee-um (Aluminum)
Lit-uh-er-ly (Literally)
Tom-ah-toe (Tomatoe)
Po-tah-toe (Potato)

Those were the more obvious ones. He begged me the whole time to order my water in a British accent...but I couldn't do it. When I asked him to do an American accent: "OH MY GOSH! THAT IS SO LIKE GREAT!"

Sad, huh?

Also, he pulled out his phone and said,

"Want to see the funniest thing I saw in America?" (British accent)

"Ya! Of course!"

An Idaho license plate:

He shows me a picture of an IDAHO LICENSE PLATE. Huh?!

Look closely. Maybe your eyes can find something hilarious that mine didn't...

"Famous Potatoes it says. Famous Potatoes!" (British Accent)

Then he laughs for about five minutes and holds back tears.

Maybe he didn't know Potatoes could be famous?.......

I said "Haven't you ever heard of Idaho's famous potatoes?!"

"NO!" (British Accent) (continued laughter)



I think I refrained from telling him I was moving to Idaho in a month...

Or maybe I did and he sat and stared at me for a couple minutes wondering who in their right mind would move to Idaho.

He admitted, "Us Brits, We see America as L.A., New York....and everything else." (British Accent)

SAD! Sad, sad, sad.

Western culture is such a part of here.

And I love it! Even if I'm slightly nervous about the crop of men to meet me in Potato Land. What if they are all "Buttcrack Bills"? (That's what I like to call 'em) You know, redneck, cowboy, manuer lovin', bull ridin', grease wipin', hicks?


I'm moving out it less than two weeks.

Please, oh, PLEASE Idaho, be slightly less Agricultural than your liscense plate and my Brit friend William make you out to be.

I'm not riding my horse up there, you know.

La Venezia

Remember a couple months ago when I was decently into art and exclaimed to the world through the web that I was going to develop my talent as an ARTIST?!

I didn't do a great job at that once Summer started.

Not a good job at all.

But, tonight, I decided to pull out my painting supplies, buy a canvas, and brush up my skills. (HA! 'Brush' up my skills. Get it?!)

My dear friend Kendra and I went to work.

Step 1: European Inspiration.

Step 2: A Blank Canvas

Step 3: Supplies

Step 4: A Friend

Step 5: The Mood

Step 6: Paint

Step 7: Share!

Wasn't that a "stroke" of brilliance!? (BAHAHA)

The Epitome of...

Yoohoo! I'm home!

WOW

What an incredible experience. I learned so much about the world, myself, music, and others. It was life changing.

But, as I am suffering greatly from jet lag and have SO much to get done, I'm only going to give you a taste today of my adventure.


When I arrived at my first destination: London, England. I came up with this idea. Whenever someone goes touring they get the EXACT SAME PICTURES. 

How many times have you seen this picture?

Or this one?

Ya. A million times. You could Photoshop your face into that and say "Hey! I've been to the Eiffel tower!"

So I decided I wanted to take some unique pictures of all the countries I visited.

This is where the idea of 'Epitome of...' photos came from. Being a creeper is already a talent of mine, why not develop it a little further?

In each country, when I spotted someone that, to me, seemed like the 'epitome of' that place, I took a picture of them. A couple people noticed....But I was never approached, so it's alright.

Here goes:

The Epitome of London:

The Epitome of Paris:

The Epitome of Switzerland:

The Epitome of Austria:

The Epitome of Italy:

The Epitome of Germany:

Nice huh?

I'm proud of them. It made my European experience all the better. I will post more soon about the trip. But for now,

Au revoir! 

Give Me Three Weeks

I'm off fellas!

I know you will miss me. But, no worries. You will hear all about it when I get back.

Things like gypsies stealing all my money, "ugly American" treatment, and my warm personality taken in the very wrong way (I don't really want European men climbing up my window)....

Ya. These are the things they tell us the day before we leave!!!

WHY?! They choose the worst possible outlook.

Why not:

GONDALA RIDES!

ST. MARKS CATHEDRAL! 

THE EIFFEL TOWER! 


All they tell us is how we shouldn't look at people in the eye and never take peoples babies cause they will take your purse and try to not look American.

I guess it's all good advice.

But, I'll admit, I'm slightly nervous. No phone. No communication. No family. Just my little bag of luggage, a couple Euros, Francs, and Pounds, and three weeks on my hands.

Should be an adventure, Yes?

We had our "Bon Voyage" concert tonight. And let me tell ya, we sound GOOD. Three full day rehearsals paid off. Even if they were exhausting.

I'm off. In a few short hours I will be flying to London.

Wish me luck!

Pray for me.

And don't forget about me.

After all, three weeks isn't TOO long.

BON VOYAGE!

Three Dreams Minus One Plus Another.

I was almost invited to sing with a Jazz quartet today...

That was until they realized I was going to be in Europe when they performed.




WHY ARE TWO OF MY DREAMS CLASHING RIGHT NOW?!

Also.

I've been at rehearsals the past two days. Singing until my voice hurts. The songs are beautiful. The people are talented. I've made a couple new friends. I'm exhausted. But SO ready to see the world. I'm already packed. My plane leaves in 4 1/2 days.

Here I come London, Paris, Venice, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and Lichtenstein.

Shelby Alyse Frampton is on her way.

(Hey. Hey you. Remember how I'm a HARRY POTTER FANATIC. I get to go to King's Cross. AND Diagon Alley! WOO WOO!) 


(Oh also. My THIRD dream is to see Phantom of The Opera. I'm seeing it. IN THE LONDON THEATRE)

(Now I'm just REALLY getting pumped!)

(I guess Phantom is my Fourth dream because boarding Platform 9 3/4 is my third)

(LOOK OUT EUROPE!)

Can I Just Say....

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!

243 Days............