Thriller.

A shockingly stellar day. 

[tons of photos - just an fyi - but I don't care - because they're super cool] 

It all started last weekend on my drive back from Orlando to Gainesville. 

I saw a billboard for the "Butterfly Rain forest" 

and thought, 

"Yes. I'm going to that and it's going to be huge and wild and adventurous."

I told Chris, Alexa, and Kate about it and to my surprise - they agreed 

and thought it would be a fun thing to do. 

I waited all week for Saturday, 

because I literally could not get butterflies off my mind. 

I have my digital camera back so I just kept thinking

how I can get such spanking photos.

Butterflies are so insane,

they start out as some caterpillar - wrap themselves up - 

and completely transform into a whole different creature.

Knocks my socks off.

Well. 

I was super excited. 

I mean, the Butterfly Rain forest - now really?!

So, where exactly is the rain forest?

I didn't know, I just assumed it was between Orlando and Gainesville,
Somewhere far away from the college-scene.

Take a gander at where this magnificent butterfly forest is located?

Right here, 

in Gainesville. 

In fact, it's on campus - run by UF itself. 

Cool, right.
I wanted to get away from campus but instead

I got excited for some university-run museum about butterflies. 

Doesn't sound so cool now, does it. 

I halfheartedly got myself up in the morning to go to this grand museum.

I met up with the groupies and we headed over. 

It must have been "Honoring Cowboys Day" or something because
there were cows and horses and photographs of ranches.

The museum set up a gallery of photos of country life, as I walked around -
little by little the museum started to grow on me. 

The museum itself was - again - surprisingly interesting.

Lots to see. 

There are so many butterflies in the world. 

and extinct animals. 

Alexa could not - slash - would not believe that Great White Sharks mouths are as huge as they are. 

I know it's hard to wrap your mind around, 

but did we really have to go and ask a museum guide if those jaw bones were real?

No. 

Finally, after experiencing the extinct creatures of the earth 

and learning about what we can do to save those that are endangered - 

we entered the Butterfly Rain Forest.

I'll be honest, 

it was basically everything I was hoping for. 

There were paths, tons of plants, and - of course - butterflies, everywhere. 

I had to be fast with my camera - and I missed a few good shots - but seriously, 

so fun. 

As long as we were standing in the sun - butterflies would land on us. 

Our legs. 

Our shirts. 

Kate's hair. 

Alexa's face. 

My face.
[none for Chris though]

At one point I had a butterfly on my face and one on my leg, the old people watching me 

started calling me the "butterfly whisperer." 

I guess butterflies just like really intelligent - crazy cool kids.

because they were all over this.

I deem the Gainesville UF Butterfly Rain Forest and Museum a great success.

A topnotch time, with topnotch people. 

We left the butterflies, I dropped everyone off, and 

I bought photoshop!

I know, it just kind of happened. 

I already had the - "okay" - from my mom 

and I walked past it - and saw that it was $100 less than I had

told her - so I had to do it.

I am now -officially - an Adobe Photoshop owner.

and it feels dang good. 

Surprise! Reagan is in Gainesville!

Reagan came up for our friend Angela's birthday - it was a surprise - and it was really 

hard not to say anything. 

But I did it. 

Immediately after buying photoshop - I went to Joanna's to see Reagan and get ready 

for the Gold and Green Ball. 

We looked smashing. 

I couldn't wait to dance. 

They went to dinner - and I went to pick up Cynthia - who clearly missed the memo

that the dance started at 7, not 8. 

But I don't mind, I'm so used to the Poirier-standard-time, which translates to

"the party starts when I walk in" 

and tonight it definitely did.

I got this awesome drawing from my friend Brennan, who is an incredible artist. 

I'm jealous of her drawing abilities. 

Our dancing was pretty wicked, as usual.

"Cause this is THRILLER!"
[Cleaning up was a show as well]

Cynthia hosted an after party;

we danced a bit more, played Werewolf, sang, 

ate, jumped off the ledge onto the couch, you know - the usual. 

After the rush of free falling 

Cynthia, Carson, Blair, and I made a five star - must see - music video

Simply put, a refreshingly entertaining day.