Everyday Charming Collab

Short post, but head on over to Everyday Charming to check out the collaboration I did with Laura and The Lightning Co! 

Miami Lessons

Whenever I get back from a trip I take the time to reflect. One of the reasons I love to travel is because it can teach you so much. Traveling has shaped me into who I am today. So here's what I've learned.

• Don't stay on Miami Beach the entire length of your trip. I enjoyed waking up and being two blocks away from the beach but everything was expensive, a little touristy, and it was a pain to travel to Miami itself.

• Saying no is powerful

• Don't let friendships stay surface level. Often in friendships we forget to ask how the other person is doing, what they're struggling with etc...

• Talk to others and ask questions. People have a lot to say and we can learn so much from others

• Alcohol in slushies is gross 

• I need to learn how to play pool

• Traveling makes you feel like you're coming back home with a big secret. No one will fully know what happened while you were away

• Give yourself more than an hour at the airport...

• Sorry but I am not a fan of Cuban coffee, espresso + too much sugar 

• Focus on the moment 

• Give to others

• Not all guys are bad

Once again, it was a trip I will never forget

Key West

Yesterday Braden and I booked a trip through Xcursions USA to go to Key West. The night before we stayed out late hanging with our two new Kiwi friends.

We got back to our hostel around 3:30A and had to be up by 6A. After about two hours of sleep we woke up dazed and confused. We got ready and made our breakfast (Bread and peanut butter) The bus was coming at 7A and we were told to be outside by 6:50A. Around 6:35 we went to the Starbucks right around the corner. By the time we got our Starbucks it was close to 6:45. I was feeling proud of us for having enough time to get coffee I said "You know no one has ever said I was smart but no one has ever said I wasn't resourceful."

We were across the street from our hostel when we saw the bus blow by. Braden and I looked at each other and wondered what we were going to do. We noticed that the bus stopped three blocks away.

With coffee in hand, we ran.

During the run my water bottle flew out of my bag, I yelled for her to go on without me.

When I caught up to Braden the bus driver was scolding her and saying that we weren't at the right hostel. She yelled back saying he never even stopped. After he was done scolding us he decided to let us on the bus.

And so began the three hour bus ride to Key West. The day was bound to be an interesting one.

Once we got to Key West we grabbed a quick bite to eat at Garbo's Grill. A local eatery that had about four things on the menu. Braden got fish tacos that she enjoyed and I ordered Korean tacos. We had 20 minutes to get our food, eat, and get in line for our snorkeling tour. Of course it took awhile to get our food so we found ourselves rushing again and inhaling tacos in five minutes.

We were barely on time for snorkeling with Fury Adventures. Snorkeling cost around $40, gear, two hour boat ride, one hour snorkeling, and alcohol was included.  Usually they take you out to the coral reef but it was too windy that day. Of course.

Snorkeling was still fun though. I love the thrill of doing something new. 












After snorkeling we went to Key West Key Lime Pie company to eat Key Lime pie of course. It was amazing, so creamy. We walked around the shops, watched the sunset, and got back on the bus.

The day was fun, nothing went as planned, but that's the usual.  

Abby + Sun

Running

I think it's safe to say that most travelers you meet are running from something. First, let me define travelers. I'm not talking about the people who take a week break from their jobs and decided to book a resort in Mexico.

I'm talking about the people who feel the urge to experience, to be pushed, and maybe to never return.

I am one of those people. I am constantly restless, always ready to run. What I am running from depends on the day:

- I'm running from who I've become

- I'm running from who people expect me to be

- I'm running from commitment

- I'm running from the mundane 

I've met people running from the same exact things and things that are completely different.

- They're running from pain and loss

- They're running from their jobs

- They're running because there's nothing left for them

Most often the people who are running find each other. Sometimes they use each other, trying to fix what's forced them to flee. Often they help each other, finding that the other person understands, and doesn't want to judge or use you.

When leaving a place I often find myself leaving with a broken heart for two reasons.

1. Because I am leaving the people that understood it. I was free to be me and there was no judgment. How can the broken and judged, judge each other. 

2. I am often used by others and that breaks my heart. I want them to really tell me what they're running from instead of using me to mask the pain. 

Traveling is a beautiful thing. Yes, in the end one can't run from problems but while attempting to run, you often learn how to fix the problem.

I usually find myself again and remember who I am and who I want to become.

-Travelers-Nomads-Wanderers-Runners-

My Grandpa

Hello--

My grandpa passed away about two weeks ago. I was prepared for it, he was in the nursing home and was getting weaker as the days went on. Even though I was prepared for it, my heart still ached. 

I didn't really tell anyone about it because I wasn't sure how to bring it up. Do I send my friends a text? I was not going to post on social media, so I remained quite. My friends heard through their parents etc. 

After awhile I did contemplate sharing the death of my grandpa on social media because of the amazing story there was to tell. I didn't, but now I've decided to blog about it. A minster for my grandpa's funeral emailed me and asked for a memory or thought on my grandpa. Here's what I emailed back... 

When I think of my grandpa, many things come to mind. It’s hard to pick just a couple memories when there are so many. When I think of my grandpa I think of a stubborn but loving man, I also think of my biggest answered prayer. 

Starting in high school every time I would see him I would silently say to God, “I love him so much, if I love him this much, I can’t imagine how much You love him. So please soften his heart, let him see You and accept You.”

I would pray that prayer with so much passion but honestly I doubted that my prayer would be answered. The night before I left for California for the semester I found myself praying this prayer in my room. I thought there was a chance I would never see him again. 

I have never prayed as hard as I did that night. My soul ached as I was begging God to save him. I believed He could but I believed He wouldn’t. 

Then one day when I was in California, my mom called me and told me my grandpa accepted Jesus and was going to get baptized. God answered my prayer.

So now when I’m having moments of doubt, I can just think of my grandpa and be reminded that prayer changes things. Prayer is in fact powerful. 

Praise the Lord for his mercy, endless love, and my grandpa. 

Matthew 21: 21-22 

Yes my heart ached and still aches for my grandpa but what a joy to know that he's in heaven. Something I never believed would happen. 

God is good all the time, He is good.  

Resolutions of 2015

Hi...

It has been awhile since I've blogged but I'm just feeling a bit inspired tonight. 

I, like many other people in the world made New Year's resolutions. I've hardly shared them with anyone, perhaps because they are a bit more personal than "getting in shape."

Are you ready for this...?

Love

Joy 

Solitude 

I'm only going to focus on one for tonight. Let's talk about joy. 

This semester is going to be the most stressful one of my college career. I'm taking five classes, all in the upper 300's while balancing a job, applying for internships, working out, and attempting to be a good friend and daughter. I can do anything for four months, right?

You see that's the thing though, I don't want to keep looking forward to the summer. I want to be in the now. I want to have joy in every little situation so I don't get stuck in the future. Every day I want to wake up and be excited for everything the day will bring, even if it is a lot of school work. 

I look back on all the amazing adventures I have had so far in my life and I sometimes I kick myself and say 'Man I sure didn't appreciate that enough, why did I get worked up about such a silly thing, why didn't I just let go of everything and have fun?' 

I often think those things because in my mind if I would have appreciated them more, it would have made time go by slower. I think ultimately it's just me missing the past. 

I still could have had more joy in those moments though. There's nothing I can do about it now but learn from it. So this night, tomorrow, this semester, and (hopefully it becomes a habit) the rest of my life, I chose joy. 

Things will happen outside of my control, I will feel stressed out but I will enjoy my day because I will never get another one like it.