"how wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."
-anne frank

yesterday i said some things out loud that felt really good to say. i had been holding these thoughts in forever and had no idea what a relief it would be to finally get them out of my head. it wasn't anything unkind, just things i had been thinking that needed to have a voice.

this weekend was full of family, relaxing, good food, and good friends.

Perfume Genius - 'Dark Parts'

good things are happening

i've worn my hair down every day this week (PLEASE GROW)
my mom is in town
it's friday
i get to leave work early today
honeycrisp apples are in season
reese's don't have high fructose corn syrup in them
running in the mountains
fall storms

slovakia

"escape"
red roofs sad people
independent strong alone
home, leave now. please go

a wednesday haiku

"tired"
my bed is so warm
comfortable and cozy
can't i keep sleeping?

current jams

the week of picking fruit

yesterday me and LJO went to a farm to pick grapes in a vineyard and then we made our own grape juice and put it in a fancy bottle (we both agreed it was a sign we needed to be in italy). we came home and drank it it wine glasses on our front porch and felt pretty classy. today after work i went to a friend's house and helped them pick raspberries and plums.

this makes me lol (beware the last part of it has the f word)

you make it beautiful, friend

well the weekend has come and gone and it was a good one (most of them are).

i am just constantly amazed by the kindness and generosity of people. the yoga studio i go to has been raising funds for Mexico (through a sunday donation based class) and so far they have received $525. THAT IS SO MUCH MONEY. it is incredible. i am in awe.

last night i went on a five hour drive with my friend eric. we meant to take pictures but ended up talking most of the time. here is one of the gems he captured:

{eric ward photography}

"because God is never cruel, there is a reason for all things. we must know the pain of loss; because if we never knew it, we would have no compassion for others, and we would become monsters of self-regard, creatures of unalloyed self interest. the terrible pain of loss teaches humility to our prideful kind, has the power to soften uncaring hearts, to make a better person of a good one."
-dean koontz

Like Swimming - Let Go (Official Lyric Video)

almost drowning

i am working hard to get caught up on work....always the downside of taking a vacation. but it's worth it! i've gotten lost in instagram black holes a few times today but so it goes. i am trying to work a lot to make up for the time i missed and it is painful at times. but i have good music to keep my company and a lot to do.

after a summer of injuries, i am getting back into a regular yoga practice and my body seems to welcome my old routine. the stretching, the breathing, the meditating (and the sweating) always seem to be some of the best things i can do for myself. that's why i teach it...so i can spread the love. i want other people to know the goodness of yoga.

i am so glad that it is fall even though it is still so hot outside. it's almost sweater weather!!

"if you ever find yourself empty from something you cannot know or name, find a stretch of ocean, or field, or mountainside, or even clouds, or trees. because there are 1,000 simple ways to fill your tired soul so you can remember how to be, how to see, and most importantly, how to breathe."

-victoria erickson

in love love love love with this song

i'm not afraid to live

My brain is full of thoughts, which is what I guess brains do.

Vacation was SO GOOD. I was all over the place and I got to spend time with a lot of people who I love but don’t get to see a lot and that is always the best. Here is a breakdown of my trip:

Friday-Monday: Flew out, had a layover in Boston/breakfast with my dad, arrived in DC, saw the sights with Jesse, Lindsey, Kristin, and Evan, went to the zoo, ate a lot of good food, girl talk

Monday-Thursday: Rented a car like a boss and drove to Newport News, VA. Jodi drove up from NC and we ate, shopped, laughed, and watched a lot of Netflix.

Thursday-Monday: Drove back to DC and my Sister in Law picked me up at the airport with my niece and nephew. We spent the night in a hotel on the border of West Virginia and Maryland and got up early on Friday to start our Ragnar Relay. We ran through the Appalachians and it was fun and exhausting and I am retiring from running relays (I need to be nicer to my body). We got back Saturday night and showered and slept forever (the worst part of relays is sitting in your own filth).  I met new friends and really enjoyed getting to spend time with my stepbrother and his family.

Monday-Tuesday: 36 hour travel extravaganza. I love that there are such thing as buddy passes. I love that Jesse’s husband Robbie was willing to share some with me and I am so so grateful for that. But I do not love traveling stand by. One of the best things about it was that I got to spend time with my little sisters. At one point I was sitting in a ghetto 15 passenger van full of a melting pot of ethnicities going from LAX to Long Beach and I was just laughing like a crazy person. I may or may not have had a meltdown in the Boston airport the day before, but at that point all I could do was laugh. I got home last night and it felt so good to sleep in my own bed.

Taking a vacation is always good. Combine that with being somewhere you’ve never been before and being able to experience a new environment and food and sights and smells and people and it is even better. AND then add your awesome friends and family and it is the BEST.

BONUS: Someone walked in on me while I was going to the bathroom on the plane (YES I LOCKED THE DOOR)

vacay so far

vacation means:

flying standby//lots of layovers//breakfast with your dad in boston

being somewhere new//seeing the sights in DC with some of your favorite people

not brushing your hair for days

going to the zoo 

eating tonsssssss of yummy food

renting a car for the first time and feeling like a real grown up

getting lost in the ghetto whilst running

hanging out with some of your bests

so far so good!!!

adios

i'm outta here for the next week and a half, going to visit friends and family on the east coast and i'm super pumped. flying standby and i hope i get on a flight...cross your fingers for me!

go ahead

life.

today i told my dad that things going on in my life are still hard but i'm still happy. it just takes me a few days to get used to the crappiness...it always hits me hard, it shocks me, but then i get used to it and keep going. my dad said that's what growth means. i think he's right.

on wednesdays i wash my car. i go on my way home from work and i always look forward to it because it is so incredible how dirty my car can get in one week. i've never been like this with cars. and literally every single car i've ever had has been a gift (i am amazed at the people i have in my life) but for some reason this one is different. it's probably because it is a brand new car and i've never had a brand new car before and i just want to keep it special forever.

last night my phone fell out of my pocket and i stepped on it and it made a big giant scratch in the middle of the screen. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME. it still works and it's not even that bad but it still stings when i look at it.

and that about sums it up.

life.

the weekend in pictures

(playing games at my grandma's til midnight)

(enjoying the beauty of Heber whilst at a friend's cabin)

(4 wheeling whilst at said cabin)

(rollerblading for a quick min)

(impromptu boat ride...i learned how to wakeboard!!)

*not pictured: yard work and hanging with jesse, labor day bbq with new friends

Vance Joy - "Mess is Mine" [Official Video]