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4.30.2013

weekend things + a Q&A

kickin' it solo poolside // a pretty dried flower // reading material for the pool: the spartans
vanilla lavender scented candle // apples & cinnamon oatmeal // my new fur baby, Acho :)


So Erin, from Living in Yellow, posted these and I thought it'd be fun to get a little more personal and answer some deeper questions. It's a personal interview sesh! Here we go...


1. If you could do one thing differently in your life, what would it be?

To be honest, there's so many! Everyone says you should have no regrets, and sure that would be awesome if it were possible, but is it really possible? No way. That's a load of crap if you ask me. Of course everyone has something in their life that, if given the chance, they would absolutely do differently. You can't tell me otherwise. I'm not sure I would change all of my "regrets," because some of those things made me the person I am today. I'm thankful for some of the mistakes I've made because they were learning experiences that I'll have for a lifetime. That being said though, if I could go back in time, I would tell my younger self: "don't sweat the small stuff, kid." Seriously. Life's too short. Be more, do more. And, I wish I would have made up my mind about what to study in college a long time ago... well I thought I knew what I wanted to do (Radiation Therapy), but as it turns out, I'm super wonky. Politics is my thang! It took me 3 years to figure out that that's where my heart is and it's sorta what I want to do with my life!


2. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Oh man. That's a toughie. Physically, I have no idea where I want to be. I know I want a career in politics and I wouldn't mind living in D.C. (where there's actually 4 seasons!), but the field is so broad, so I'm not sure what direction I'm headed in just yet. I've considered things like working for political campaigns, nonprofits, or a lobby firm to things like being an ambassador or a foreign diplomat or working for the CIA. I'm still a work-in-progress on that one. However, if I somehow find out how to become a travel blogger... I'd do that! Anyway, while I'm not sure physically where I'll be in five years, mentally I just want to be content with my life. No complaints, no real worries, nothing bogging my creative side down. Just at peace and happy.


3. Do you honestly want kids?

As of right now, no. I don't want kids. I used to really want them... I wanted three, actually. I wanted 2 boys and one girl, with the boys being older and the girl the youngest. (As if you could order them that way, haha!) But as I've gotten older... I've realized that maybe having kids just isn't for me. There's so much I want to do with my life -- so many places to see, people to meet, adventures to go on. I just don't think I want the responsibilities of raising another human being, let alone three for that matter! Maybe it's selfish, but hey I guess I'm selfish. Is that really such a bad thing, though? If I were to ever change my mind though, I think I might adopt a baby/kid. There's so many children in the world already that don't have a safe place to call home. 


4. What has been the best moment of your life so far?

There have been a lot of great moments in my life so it's hard to pick just one, but I would say nothing beats the summer I went to Garmisch (2011) and went hiking/bike riding in Austria. I was with my parents and sister (wish you were there brother!) and we were up in the mountains at this lake called Sebensee. It was a gorgeously sunny day and as we were hauling butt down (I'm talking flying on our bikes) we could see big dark clouds rolling in on us -- and then I felt it. Cold rain drops piercing my skin as I flew down the trail. My dad and I were going so fast it was almost scary if you thought too much about crashing, but we were laughing the entire time! We were literally laughing out loud. It was an exhilarating experience and one that I'll never forget! I felt so free in that moment.




5. What is your life theme song?

Hands down, has to be the song Pursuit of Happiness by Kid Cudi. I love that song and it never gets old hearing it. I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I knowww, everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold, heyyyyyy, I'll be fine once I get it, I'll be gooooo-ooood. This song just speaks to me. (Minus the  'driving drunk' part.) Life's about doing what you want, living to the fullest and finding your own happiness.


6. What is one thing that you have yet to accomplish that you want to do before you die?

I want to take off to see the world and circumnavigate the globe on a tall ship (anyone ever seen Tall Ship Chronicles?). 
7. If you could choose one thing to be known for, what would it be?

I want to be known for having an infectious smile and the willingness to be adventurous. 
8. If you could do anything right this very moment (no consequences, no fear, etc.), what would it be?

Oh goodness! I'd take my family somewhere, to a beautiful island in the South Pacific, perhaps. And bust out my sailing skills that I learned from sailing on a tall ship on 'em! Ka-pow! :) I'd love to be able to just take at least a year off and go on an adventure!


9. What has been the most challenging moment in your life?

Honestly, I've had a lot of really challenging moments and I haven't decided how much detail I want to reveal about them on this blog. But for now, I think Erin said it best on this one -- death. My grandpa, a friend, a best friend's husband. Every one of those situations has been challenging in different ways but yet they all share a common denominator that bothers me to no end -- I had no control over offering a different solution. 


10. Summarize yourself in one word.

Wanderlust-ing. I realize that's not a word, but it is now.
And there you have it, folks. A more personal interview with yours truly. Took way longer than I thought it would. And I think this may be the longest, in-depth post I've ever written.
I think it's time for a drink and a dvr'd episode of RHOOC!

4.26.2013

travel bug

This summer is going to be EPIC.
I've been dying to get back to Garmisch for the summer and this time, instead of spending just two weeks there, I'll be spending 2 months in this gorgeous city!
Are you jealous?





And THEN, in mid July I'm going to Berlin for a study abroad!
I'm beyond excited! Everyone I've talked to that has either visited Berlin or lived there has nothing but good things to say about this city.


Berlin, I hear, is THE place to be.
Especially if you're young and looking for an adventure.
It's rich in history and culture, teeming with tons of art galleries, museums, record shops, döner kebap stands, beer gardens, cafés and much, much more.

And, lucky me -- I get to study at one one of Berlin's oldest universities, which is home to some of Germany's greatest thinkers, including Albert Einstein.


There's also a never-ending list of sites to see, like the Brandenburg Tor, the Fernsehturm, Museum Island and the Berlin Wall.



I'll certainly try to see as many historical places as I can, but I'm also looking forward to exploring other parts of the city and getting off the beaten path.
I've already met a couple locals who have promised to show me the real Berlin and take me to do things that aren't in any tour guide.

This summer is going to be amazing!

[berlin pics via]

4.25.2013

Do what makes you happy.


Is it spring already? Dang, where has the time gone?!
The last time I posted on this little ol' bloggy blog of mine was December 21st.
I can't believe it's been so long!
So, remember when I asked if anyone could guess where I was going to be traveling for Christmas break?
Well, (as you may know) I never even posted about my destination or shared my pics for you to oogle over - what a terrible blogger I am! Oops, my bad. I sort of just fell off the face of the earth after I got there. Which was Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany by the way!

Traveling across the world, with pictures to show off is like blogging gold and I totally F'ed that up.
What the heck was I thinking?
I'll tell you exactly what I was thinking about.
Snowy mountains, tall glasses of beer, shopping with my momma, wine, a weekend trip through Austria down to Italy, the most delicious food I think I've ever eaten, more wine, a ski jumping contest, cute Bavarian boys to oogle over!
I was so caught up in all the relaxation and pure bliss of not having any responsibilities for four weeks that I just never got around to sharing all of the awesomeness I was experiencing.
And ever since I got back from my trip, blogging got put on the back burner, which made me sad so I decided to get back to doing what I love and what makes me happy. And blogging does just that.
And I have like a gazillion pics to post and will hopefully be sharing those soon too. Even with all the pictures I do have though, I still wish I had taken more.
Pish posh.


After coming back to Texas, I started school at a new university (eat em up cats!) and it's been a bit of a whirlwind this semester... it's almost over though! It's been crazy, but it flew by and there's so much in store for this summer! I can't wait to tell you all about it tomorrow. ;)

So I hope to see yous guys back around here, same time, same place. Deal? Deal.




P.S. Man it feels good to be blogging again!