N E E D S O M E T H I N G

Feeling a little gloomy whenever I'm alone lately. I think I feel a bit stifled by my environment – this room is not mine, these things don't belong to me. I have been remembering my apartment on Belmont Avenue and missing the space that was all my own. 

I miss the cherry trees that grew outside the windows, and the little birds that would socialize there – and the evening sun, the way that it danced across the building opposite mine, scattering little rays of light across my room – and the familiar noises, like the click and hum of the heater (my electricity bill was so expensive!) – baking and listening to podcasts in my kitchen, and having picnics on the floor of the living room while watching bad redbox movies...

It was pretty romantic. 

The sunshine just broke through the clouds and is warming my face. That helps a little bit.

S L E E P Y T H I N K S

This book arrived in the mail yesterday. I've added it to the neglected pile of other books I've been intending to read since last September.

Have I mentioned that I'm working toward a double major in journalism and photojournalism? Also, I plan to minor in political science and perhaps Spanish, too. Tengo que practicar mucho. Almost daily I feel a little bit disoriented over how I got here. Is it as strange to you as it is to me?

Sometimes I look back and wonder if my writing is getting worse, rather than better. Certainly not the direction I want to be moving in.

I better start taking photos again. Instagram doesn't count. Definitely not.

L A T E L Y

S U M M E R L O V E

I keep finding things that I never got around to sharing with you. These are photos I took at Kristen and Michael's wedding last year. It was such a sweet and enchanting weekend.

Sweet couple, sweet friends - Michele & Ryan. 

E L A Ñ O P A S A D O

Entries I made during my time abroad in the journal that Ashley gave me.

I was reading Tender Is The Night at the time, and this postcard that I found at the Pollensa Sunday market fit the vibe perfectly.

(exactly one year ago today!)

I've been awfully reminiscent lately. A welcome distraction from studying for finals, I guess.

There is a part of me that wants to have these, despite the fact that I already own an authentic pair - which have walked on actual Mallorcan ground - sitting on the floor in my closet. I suppose in some silly way, finding these in a box on my doorstep might feel like a small piece of Mallorca is coming to me, since I cannot go to it.

I miss Spain, and that part of my life, in such a deep and crazy way -- it's hard to put those feelings into words.

Ps. And wouldn't this be nice, too?

2 D O W N

Well, this is a rather unimpressive photo that I've taken of a very beautiful one from this week's New Yorker. I am too tired to do any better right now, so do forgive me!* Spring break is around the corner, and I look forward to finally having some "me time". It's exciting to think I will be able to read something other than my text books!

So, here I am already nearing the end of another quarter. Finals are next week, which I think I may be in denial about. Ten weeks really do pass so quickly. My classes have been challenging, and extremely demanding of my time - but ultimately so worthwhile. I will especially miss my political science class. It was by far the most interesting, and my professor, who dressed mostly in Bill Cosby sweaters, shared insights which pressed me to think deeply and critically about so many things.  Next quarter will be less interesting, but also less intense (I think/hope). I welcome the break.


Spring is trying so hard to show its face around these parts. I can hardly wait for all of the flowers to bloom. While walking to class today, I could detect a sweetness in the air; a promise that the season is very near.



*Also, in my defense, I sadly cannot seem to transfer my Adobe Design Suite onto my new Macbook. :( It's rather painful.

C L I C K - I T !

A work in progress, to be sure - but I have finally completed (to some extent) a portfolio of my works. It only took nearly a decade - whew!

School is keeping me busier than ever. I am l-o-v-i-n-g it! Guess what, guys? I am a straight A* student! It feels so good to be proving to myself that my preconceived limits of my academic potential were totally (mostly) wrong.


On that note, this was meant to be merely a quick break, so I had better keep it that. I must go put my nose back into a book. The studying never ends.


*So far. I should try not to get too carried away just yet - I have a long ways to go! And... math next quarter. Cringe.

2 0 1 3

The last few days of 2012 were spent in Selah, Washington at my Uncle's house. (I've decided I need to vacation at his place as much as possible not only in the summer, but in the winter as well. They get the best of both worlds over there on the other side of the Cascades. Sunny, hot summers and snowy winters. Lucky!) My entire family stayed for several days and we had the best time sledding (and crashing - see my total wipe out here.*), laughing, playing games, watching movies, singing by the fire, making homemade "snow nog" (egg nog made with snow - a delicious creation by my Uncle David) and last but not least, visiting some wild Rocky Mountain elk while they breaked for lunch. It was a wonderful and super fun weekend.

Before I go (and possibly not return for a while - seems to be the new trend..) I thought I might share some happy news that I received shortly after I last wrote here; which is, that I have been awarded a full Pell Grant for the school year! Such a wonderful relief - I am so grateful for that. It feels like a reassuring sign; like I am doing the right thing and headed in the right direction. I am very excited for next quarter to begin, especially now that I'll be able to go full time. The classes I'm taking may turn out to be a bit of a heavy load, but I very much look forward to it! Classes start tomorrow - I cannot wait to get back into the classroom.

I really do hope to find the time to write here more often. I'm not sure how many times I've said this, but there are yet more photos and stories to share from my travels around Europe last summer, plus other things that have happened more recently. Maybe I'll get around to that this weekend, since after working every day of December, I'll finally have some free time at home!

W i s h i n g   y o u   a l l   a   H a p p y   N e w   Y e a r   ! 

*Ps. You may notice that my feet look huge in these photos. It's because I was wearing my uncle's boots since I had none of my own. While walking back up the snowy hill after a more successful ride down, I utilized the wonderful and convenient technology of our time and used my phone to order some snow boots of my own for next time! They should arrive in 5-7 business days. Upon their arrival I plan to head back to Selah stat!

O N C E U P O N A T I M E I N B E R L I N

Just a little tour of Kassi & her beaux's place in Berlin. This day feels as though it occurred lightyears from now. It was a hot day. That evening we lounged in the grass at a park as the sun was going down. Sometimes I think I could cry, from that homesick-heartsick feeling, when I realize it all came and passed so quickly. I miss Europe and my friends daily. My memories are a distant dream.

Life just got crazy busy. I just started a new job, which means I now have two. Finals are around the corner, tuition for next quarter is due and I'm not sure I'll get the grants I need to pay for it. I am a little scared. I am nervous. I am doing my best to suppress the anxiety welling up from my belly - taking deep breaths and trying to focus on one day at a time. Sometimes I struggle with worrying over things which I haven't any (or little) control over. I have to remind myself that these things always work out, one way or another.