Everyday Beauty

The last couple weeks have been a roller coaster! There has been a lot of schoolwork stress, a lot of podcasting, a lot of worrying for no real reason, a lot of fun. I’m happy, but my life feels totally surreal right now. In one month and 5 days, I will have finished my degree. TAKE THAT IN. Whew. It’s absurd to even put that into words. I’ll be done.

There’s a lot of stuff fogging up my brain, mostly to do with graduation, and the future, and this summer, and planning, and blah blah blah. I tweeted a quote from Girls the other day: “Sometimes being stuck in my own head is so exhausting it makes me want to cry”. It’s so apt! And sometimes I do cry. But I am trying to remember the things I know to be true: that I am a reasonable person, that I am capable, and that everything is going to turn out okay. I have wonderful friends and a great famjam, and some lovely coworkers and they make me feel loved. My running is going well, and those runs make me happy and help me stay calm. Mostly, they help me gain perspective, which is the best way to stay calm, in my opinion!

I am trying to use my camera more, and it worked a little better this week. We took those crazy fruit pictures and I love how they turned out. We held book club this weekend, and it was fun as per usual. I went karaokeing with my friends briefly after work the other night and they played a bunch of amazing songs and it was hilarious. I got new glasses for the first time in several years, and I love them. I missed blogging like cray cray. Last weekend the magazine I work for threw a great party, and the next night me and my two besties went to see Stars in concert, which was wonderful. I’m playing a whole LOT of Tetris, and it’s stuck in my head at all times, but I like it. I’ve had a few great talks with my girlfriends this week. I’ve had a few moments where I feel like I could have handled things a little (a lot) better, but what’s done is done, live and learn.

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend, wherever you are! Hope the sun is shining and you’re feeling peaceful. xo.

I’m alive! And I feel really alive. It’s 7:11PM, and mark my words, it’s still sort of light out!  Thrilling. There’s nothing that makes me feel more alive than long, bright days (see also: I am moving to California at some point).

I’m on the train on the way back to school, and it took me all week but I’m finally not feeling all stuffed up and headachey and exhausted. I had a lot of fresh air, a lot of hugs, a lot of sleep, a lot of visits with people I love, a lot of good food, a lot of vitamins and exercise. I did not have a lot of productivity, and I did not do a lot of TV watching or taking photos or cooking or blogging or reading or schoolwork. Oops. Honestly, though? I think I needed the break. Ya, I’m feeling kind of guilty for not doing more homework, but I’ve got to emerge from this final semester with my sanity and health intact. It’s the final push! I have 50 some odd days until I’m done my undergraduate degree, meaning this was my last possible opportunity to take a break. Glad I did. #noregrets

Saying goodbye to my family was weird this time, because I couldn’t help but think (and say) “the next time I’ll see you will be at my graduation ceremony!” Oy vey. Have I ever mentioned before that I’ve always only pictured my life up until university graduation?Let’s not get into that now, I’m working on breaaathingggg.

Guys, I’m practically embarassed by this week’s collection of photos. Yes, I had some pretty epic (for me) culinary adventures, but you’d think I never left my house or saw anyone or did anything but eat. NOT SO. Sigh. This is why I dislike wintery months, I’m never inspired to go outside, let alone with my camera. Working on it.

From the top: perfect soft boiled eggs, the makings of a hot toddy, “food styling”, sweet potato and edamame rice bowl, brussels sprouts grilled cheese sandwich, vegetarian bibimbap. All were delicious.

In other news this week, I have the full-fledged crazy brain about my upcoming trip to Europe. Right now, it’s manifesting itself in researching travelling light: products, backpacks, etc. I’ve decided that for my trip I’ll be travelling with just one carry-on sized bag, so there’s a lot of planning and learning that goes along with that! We’re talking 22+ tabs open on my browser and lists upon lists in an amazing Google Drive document that I love already. I’m more excited every day!

I also had a lot of studying to do this week, to work in around the travel obsession. Watched Girls with my BFF and drank wine and had a grand old time. Got some midterms coming up early this week, and an assignment due, but all things are on track as long as I keep my head down tomorrow and work until my friend arrives! So looking forward to it.

Cheers, friends!