Those of you who have known me for a while know that I LOVE anything with cherries on it: clothes, jewelry, mugs, bags, glasses, you name it. My mom got bought me a fuzzy cherry print sweater in Israel a few years ago and I absolutely love it. I got very good use out of it and since I lost 27 pounds, it is no longer flattering on me. Today I decided it was time to retire it…as a sweater.

My mom has been crafty all her life, she made her own clothes and she made all of my school clothes, until I got a uniform. She has won ribbons and received millions of accolades for her artistic ability. I figured if I wanted to keep the sweater who better than my mom to recycle it.

I now have a new cherry print throw pillow and leg warmers thanks to my mom’s handiwork. I am very sentimental when it comes to certain gifts and this sweater was one of those gifts; I am very glad I still have it.

Thank you, Mommy, for doing this for me. I LOVE it! 🍒

Toujours, Tara

For 23 years, I have lived in a warm climate, except the day I left France. If you know me at all, you know I am ALWAYS cold. I have my heater blanket on high, all night long, all year long. There is a point of cold that is painful and at that point, there is no getting warm. People tell me they’d rather be cold…why? If you’re warm, take off a layer and drink a cold drink. If you’re too cold, there’s only so much you can layer before it’s no use anymore.

Now that I am living in Missouri, I will experience Winter in its entirety. I have seen snow and I have been cold, but this will be my first time living in it and driving in it. I am excited to see the beauty that comes with the season changes and for the cute outfits I will create with my four sweaters.

Toujours,
Tara

On the first day of class, my teacher said if anyone comes to class late they have to bring Krispy Kreme doughnuts for everyone.

Fast forward to today…class was in full session and in walked a late student with two dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts. The teacher said “take one and pass them around” and when the box came to me, I quickly passed it to the student next to me without taking one for myself.

Why? Because today is Thursday and I fast on Mondays and Thursdays until dinner. I have lost 15lbs in doing this and I’m not about to give in eat a doughnut on a fast day…even if it’s a Krispy Kreme Original Glazed.

Toujours,
Tara

This past weekend my parents and I drove from St Charles, MO to Kansas City, KS for my Great Great Aunt Beverly’s 100th birthday festivities. When we arrived on Friday afternoon, we went to the hotel to unwind a bit and then we met up with my grandma (Dad’s mom) and my great Uncle Pogo (Grandma’s brother) and his significant other, Phyllis. We then drove to the first of three parties.

Friday night dinner was at my dad’s cousin Linda’s house and that’s where we met a bunch of family members I didn’t even know we had. I was the only 20 something-year-old (everyone else was either under 12 or over 30) but I enjoyed the company of the adults and the interesting stories from their childhoods.

Saturday during the day we (Mom, Dad, Mimi, Pogo, Phyllis, and I) grabbed brunch at Panera and then went back over to Linda’s for some more storytelling and photo admiring.

Saturday evening was the BIG party. We all got dressed up and went to this lovely country club to celebrate Beverly’s 100th (she refuses to believe she’s 100, so if asked, she replies she’s 98.)

Sunday was brunch and more chatting with the newly acquainted family members. After about four hours of reminiscing, it was time for Mom, Dad, and I to make the 3-hour car ride back home.

I had a great time celebrating Beverly this weekend as well as meeting my long-distance relatives. I love family reunions and hope there are more to come in the future.

Have you found any relatives you didn’t know about before?

Toujours,
Tara

This past week (Monday – Friday) I went to Minnesota to see a friend. He was flying in from Maine as I was flying in from Missouri. Our landing times were about 30 min apart with him landing before me. When I arrived, I texted him as I walked to baggage claim where we were meeting. We messaged back and forth for a minute before realizing we were at opposite ends of the airport in two different terminals. Neither of us thought to look it up beforehand and I waited another 15 minutes for him to hop on the light rail and come to me.

Once we met up, we walked back to the light rail and took it to the Mall of America. We met up with his brother and his wife and their two daughters that evening.

Since I was only there for a short time I really wanted to make the most of it and have some quality time just the two of us. Saying this, he and I went to the Como Zoo and Valleyfair alone and by the end of the days my stomach hurt so bad from laughing.

We also enjoyed family time at Taylor’s falls and Bowlero. I know he was happy to see his family and I enjoyed meeting them too.

It was an amazing trip and I wish it didn’t have to end so soon. Fingers crossed he and I will see each other again soon. The distance between us will make keeping in touch a bit more challenging, but not impossible.

I believe it will work out.

Toujours,
Tara

This afternoon I will be heading to the airport to board a plane to Minnesota. This trip has been planned for about a month and thought about for four years (not necessarily MN but the trip in general).

I am going to meet a friend who I have been in contact with since 2015 and the time has come to finally meet in person! I checked my calendar, found a good time that doesn’t conflict with school or work, and booked my flight. I will be there for five days enjoying the lake, zoo, and friendly company.

I am so excited and cannot believe this is happening after years of wishing on stars. (yes, I do that). I created a travel fund and will use it to see the world…starting with America I guess.

“Travel is never a matter of money but of courage” – Paulo Coelho

Toujours,
Tara

Last Thursday was my final exam for my Technical Support class; it was a two-part exam. The first part was the online “written” test which was multiple choice and the other half was a skills-based part which was taking apart a computer, putting it back together, and making sure it turned on properly.

A few weeks before the final exam, the teacher said he didn’t think anyone would get above 50% on the whole exam so he would double the scores up to 100%. I took that as a challenge and studied my butt off for hours and hours every day. Since the exam was taken exactly from the online practice tests I was studying, I knew all the right answers and I was determined to prove my smarts.

Going into the exam I was slightly nervous, but I believed in myself and I knew other people did too. It took me about 28 minutes (out of 75 minutes) to complete the exam and triple check my answers.

Once the test was submitted, the grades automatically appeared. When I saw my grade I was so excited and proud of myself, I got an 84% without the extra boost. (I blame my testing anxiety for not getting 100% in the first place but 84% is still good)
After everyone was finished with the online test we all began the skills-based part. I got 100% on that!

Fast forward a few days when all the scores were added up, I GOT A 100% IN THE WHOLE CLASS!

I knew I could do it and I am so proud of myself! I now have to schedule my actual A+ exam so I can get the real certificate and move on to a “big kid” job.

Toujours,
Tara

I have been continuously doing homework and studying for my exams for the past six weeks. The class I am in now is Technical Support and since it’s a seven-week Summer course, it’s expedited.

Once I finish this course, I can take the actual A+ exam and be able to get a big kid job. I want to take it ASAP so the information is still embedded in my head from the class exam. The actual one is expensive and I only plan on taking it once.

I’m putting out my feelers now to anyone who has or knows anyone who has IT connections in the St. Louis area. Anyone who may be in need of an apprentice or intern.

I am doing my best to learn and retain the information as much as I can since this is my career we’re talking about.

Toujours,
Tara

Hello and welcome to my blog.  My name is Tara and I am happy to announce that I will share my life stories with you all here on this blog. I began my new life at the end of January 2019 when I moved out of Southern California. I turned in my apartment key, packed up my car with everything I had (or at least everything that would fit), and headed off to pick up my dad at LAX. We then began our journey to Dallas, TX via Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. We toured Hoover Dam, The Grand Canyon, and Carlsbad Caverns over our week-long adventure. As we pulled into Dallas, I was ready to start my new life (little did I know that would happen again three months later.)

After about three months in Dallas, I packed up my car yet again, picked up my mom from Love Field, and we drove to St. Charles, MO where she and my dad live. We took a week and explored Waco, TX, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee before arriving at my new home.

I am extremely thankful to have been able to take these two road trips with my parents and figure out my life. Missouri is a lovely state;  and I am enjoying the St. Louis area.

I am currently a student at St. Charles Community College,  studying Computer Science and working my way towards a certificate in Cyber Security.  I am also working part-time at the Disney Store in St. Louis. Life is going really well for me right now. I look forward to next semester and the knowledge I will acquire from both school and adulting.

I plan to post more frequently about my adventures. Thank you for following my journey.

Toujours,

Tara

I am kind of very proud of myself. I had to go to the DMV this morning to get my car registered under my name. The closest one to me is Costa Mesa, but it was closed today so I had to drive to the Laguna Hills DMV. It took me about 40 min to get there (using only streets) and two hours in line. After all was finished, I faced my fear and took the freeway home all by myself.
Now that Preston is registered under my name, he is officially mine and I am so happy!

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays and since today is Halloween, I wanted to do something fun. I always love going out and today is the BEST excuse to dress up. Unfortunately, my loofah costume is in Tyler’s car and one of the straps to my Captain America corset is broken, I had to make do with what was in my closet. As for right now (may change tonight) I am dressed as Merida from Brave. I figured it was one of the many things I wanted to dress up as and I had gold leggings and a green flannel. I wanted to wear my pink wig, but it didn’t match anything…

Thankfully, Tyler and I came up with a compromise about tonight and I am really happy I get to go out! I am ubering up to his house and we are going to take his siblings out trick-or-treating and he is going to drive me back home! I really wanted to take them out and I can pass for a child and get free candy…

This day is turning out pretty good!

Toujours,
Tara