New Beginnings

To say I don't like settling would be an understatement. I blame it partly on the fact that I moved around a ton as a kid [9 moves in 18 years; 7 different states] but mostly on the fact that I love exploring. So naturally after two years in Arizona I got bored and decided it was time for an adventure. So I looked at a map and decided I wanted to study abroad in England. I applied to the University of London and was accepted for the fall semester of 2012. Then I decided I wanted a summer adventure too and was lucky enough to snag a job in Seattle. So I packed my suitcase [well,  two suitcases, two carry ons and about 6 boxes] and set off on my 8 month adventure. 

I was greeted in Seattle by the three adorable kids I am going to be nannying for and some absolutely amazing weather.  Coming from the 95 degree heat in Arizona I definitely appreciate the 72 and sunny weather Seattle is spoiling us with.

 [trail run right outside my new neighborhood]

[Mount Rainer]

I'm really excited about whats ahead and am going to make an effort to keep up with my blog so that in five, twenty, fifty years I'll have something to look back on and remember my carefree days. Also I know I need to keep up with it to please my #1 fan, Mom. :)

Midnight Ramblings

I wish more people would just be happy. Yes, we all have our stories. Everyone has had wrong done to them. And sometimes life is just really hard. But what I've realized lately is that we are just as responsible for our current happiness as those who wronged us in the past are for their actions. When we wake up in the morning, we get to decided what type of day we are going to have. We are the ones that decide how to react to the situations we are put in. I know this probably sounds incredibly naive and people are probably rolling their eyes at me right now. But maybe some of you will get it. Self pity and sorrow may be easier to fall into and possibly even more comfortable for some people. But if today were going to be your last day on earth, and granted, any day could be your last day, would you really want to spend it feeling sorry for yourself? Is that how you want to be remembered? Life is short. And it's such a beautiful thing if you allow yourself to see it that way.

 "So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about."
— Marilyn Monroe

All the lonely people cryin’

It could change if we just get started

Lift the darkness, light a fire

For the silent and the broken hearted

Won’t you stand up 

And use your voice?

There’s a comfort

There’s healing

High above the pain and sorrow

Change is coming

Can you feel it?

Calling us into a new tomorrow

When the walls fall all around you

When your hope has turned to dust

Let the sound of love surround you

Beat like a heart in each of us

I just looked in the stats section and apparently my page has been viewed over 1,500 times which is seriously ridiculous considering that I thought I was the only one that ever looked at it...and maybe my mom. So I don't know who the heck is actually reading this, but thanks! 

“When things go wrong, 

you'll find they usually go on getting worse for some time;

 but when things once start going right 

they often go on getting better and better.”

-cslewis

latest obsession,

Nutella.

Having courage does not mean that we are unafraid. 

Having courage and showing courage means we face our fears. 

We are able to say, “I have fallen, but I will get up.”

-Maya Angelou

We'll be washed and buried one day my girl
And the time we were given will be left for the world
The flesh that lived and loved will be eaten by plague
So let the memories be good for those who stay 

Almost 20 years old and I all I really want in life is a fort to sleep in.

This little guy will never understand just how much I love him!!

And if your strife strikes at your sleep,

Remember spring swaps snow for leaves.

You'll be happy and wholesome again

When the city clears and sun ascends.

the avett brothers.

Are so good. If you don't listen to them, I suggest you start. 

Their bluegrass, folk feel reminds me of home. 

They are so good that this post is full of lyrics written by Scott and Seth. 

And I wanna grow old without the pain, 

give my body back to the earth and not complain.

There was a dream and one day I could see it like a bird in a cage I broke in

 and demanded that somebody free it. 

And there was a kid with a head full of doubt,

 so I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out.

She's as sweet as the summer time
And strong as the sunshine.

Hate stumbles forward and leans in the door – weary head hung, eyes to the floor. He says “Love, I’m sorry”, and she says, “What for? I’m yours and that’s it, Whatever. I should not have been gone for so long. I’m yours and that’s it, forever. You’re mine and that’s it, forever.”

When nothing is owed or deserved or expected
And your life doesn’t change by the man that’s elected
If you’re loved by someone, you’re never rejected
Decide what to be and go be it

 Sand beneath our feet, big blue sky above our heads,

 no need to keep stressing from our everyday life on our minds. 

We have got to leave all that behind.

 They say young is good and old is fine and truth is cool but all that matters is that you have your good times. But their good times come with prices and I can’t believe it when I hear the jokes they make at anyone’s expense except their own. Would they laugh if they knew who paid? Ain’t it like most people? I’m no different. We love to talk on things we don’t know about.

(always remember there is nothing worth sharing like that love that lets us share our name.)

this girl looks ridiculously similar to my sister.

Home, let me go home.

Oak Island, North Carolina

I wouldn't have picked any other place to go for spring break. Having to fly across the country to get between home and school can get kinda old. But watching my puppies go literally insane when I walk in the door, or seeing my mom cry when she sees me for the first time at baggage claim, that makes the 5 hour plane rides worth it. 

Faith is a bird that feels dawn breaking and sings while it is still dark.

Rabindranath Tagore

I crossed the street to walk in the sunshine.