Gravity

Last night was just what I needed.
As I sat in the passenger seat on the way to Bellevue, I spilled my guts; and afterward my best friend, sometimes the only person that can see my mind clearly, brought me back to earth. It’s a harsh reality that I did not want to hear, much less accept.
We had a great dinner at Cheesecake Factory and then shuffled across the street to see How Do You Know? at Lincoln Square. Pretty typical chick flick about a girl dating the wrong guy, while the right guy sits on the sidelines yearning for her attention…we all knew what was going to happen in the end. But really…? It’s a movie! How often in the real world does the right guy get left behind? It kind of got my mind working.
Had a few texts to return after the movie, then we hit the road for home. The following two songs came on, back to back, and I felt like I was in another world: 

“Gravity” –Sara Bareilles 

“Come Round Soon” –Sara Bareilles 

As I sat in the passenger seat on the way home from Bellevue, I let the music take me over; I hummed, and I sang. The headlights of cars travelling north blinding me, transfixing me, yet at the same time grounding me. And for the first time in a very long time, I realized that no matter what happens in the next few months…I can be in control and I am going to be okay.

maniac

To Do - 12/20 to 1/2

Things to accomplish while in the 253:
-Go to Zoolights
-Make sure the people at Trapper still know me
-Drive around and look at Christmas lights
-Skype Kelsey on Christmas day while we watch the amazing NBA lineup
-Go to the mountains & shredddd
-Finish my book
-Spend a day wandering Seattle or Tacoma with absolutely no agenda
-Plan something epic for New Year's Eve
-Not think about what happens after Jan. 2

Movies to see:
-Black Swan
-The Fighter
-True Grit
-How Do You Know?

CAN YOU HELP ME?!?

A few thoughts

Home.

Time slows down.

Relaxation.

My "life pace" falls instantly.

Sleep comes easier.

Pages begin to turn rapidly.

My pen seems to write more fluidly.

Peace.
New friends; old friends.
Decompression.

Let's see how long this can keep up.

List

Things I'm thankful & grateful for:

1. My best friends, no matter if they're near or far in distance
2. Post-it notes with thoughtful messages
3. The opportunity to go to the University of Washington and receive a great education
4. Family
5. Being able to watch NBA, NFL & NCAA on television because I can never be there in person
6. Having roommates that are insomniacs
7. Getting to talk to my big sister while she is in Montana
8. "Good morning" and "good night" text messages
9. New adventures and opportunities arising with a friend-of-a-friend, an amazing musician
10. Going home to see you
11. Good music
12. Digital cameras to document nights that you can't remember
13. Having a best friend who works at 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle
14. Hair straighteners
15. Free "extra shots" during finals week at all the campus coffee shops
16. Witnessing my best friend fall in love
17. Skype - so that I can see my roomies over break
18. The fact that...finals are over!!!!!!

This list is brief, and there are certainly things I am forgetting...but sometimes it's just good to be thankful!

Finals are upon us

Finals week - it's the week college students dread, yet ironically look forward to, all quarter. It marks the end of a quarter or semester, and the beginning of a "brain break." It's when a person's true character glows through to the exterior and when thousands of extra-shot coffees are consumed. 

This quarter, I'm ready. I'm ready to be done with these classes; I'm ready for break; and I'm ready to get a fresh start in January! :)

Brand New Day

I decided to "Shuffle" my iPod this morning on the way to class instead of listening to my normal playlist...it started off with some Muse, then transitioned into a lower-key, Joshua Radin tune. Nostalgic to say the least!

"It's a brand new day

The sun is shining

It's a brand new day

For the first time in such a long, long time

I know, I'll be ok"

Fitting :)

Joy

Hmm. So let's see here...the past month has been pretty friggin good :) I look back on the past 30 days and I can't help but just smile. 

Kelsey's birthday weekend - check! Veteran's Day in Vancouver - check! Amy's birthday weekend - check! Snow days - check! Thanksgiving break - check! Best friends - check! Husky Basketball - check! Parties - check! Life cleanse - check! Apple Cup WIN - check! Great conversations - check! 

Geez...that made me feel so accomplished :) Earlier today I was trying to think of the last time I was this comfortable with everything surrounding me, and determined that it has been FAR too long. But today, I find myself blissful, peaceful and full of joy. I'm holding on to this feeling with everything in me, because I don't want to have to wish for it anymore. It's here.

My best friend, roommate and life-twin gave me a card a few weeks ago, and I feel like it completely applies now. This is all it said:

peace.

it does not mean to be in a place

where there is no noise, trouble

or hard work. it means to be in

the midst of those things and still

be calm in your heart.

(unknown)

I'm honestly just on top of the world. One more week of class - 3 days of finals - and then I'm home for two and a half weeks. I'm really going to miss all of my friends up in Seattle, but I'm unbelievably excited for what this break has to offer :) Here goes nothing!

joy [joi]

noun

the emotion of great delight or happiness caused exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation

Curveballs

Man, sometimes life just throws you a curveball...

EMBRACE IT! :)