Au Revoir Simone-The Lucky One

OUR song

I was reminded of our anthem 2 weekends ago while reuniting with some college BESTS in our Nyc. True story: In college Emily, Brittany and I used to get PUMPED UP to this song before hittin the town for the night. It was our go to rally up song!! I can remember driving in Emily's old suv, which was always running on E, blasting this song on our way to Cucinas and singing at the top of our lungs to our happy melody. Britt always had her butterfly eyes (compliments of Emilys make up make overs) and we were all always so TAN! So young. So clueless. So free!


...and then life moved from our bubble in wpbfl to our NYC apt in murrycurryhillmanhattan.

and now...


Britt just got engaged!! And Guess What I received in the mail today :) My BRIDESMAID INVITE. So exciting. I love Em and Britt so much. I am so thankful and blessed to know that these 2 friendships will continuing marching...up the other side of the mountain...

2 glasses of red

I find myself lost in a zone of reminiscence this evening. Perhaps it was my Mother's text reminding me that tomorrow marks 2 years of my second chance at life, or that I am greatly anticipating traveling back to a past residence that I am still so deeply in love with. It could also be that I am antsy to venture off into the world of the unknown again...or it could simply be the 2 glasses of red- which trigger an emotional state of nostalgia within. Regardless, I do not believe I have ever really thought through the reality of a particular past year of my life. There were so many events, experiences, milestones, people and not to mention- HOMES (5 to be exact). I look back at it all now and I can understand why my life has brought me to where I am today. Why I have- by choice, been tucked/isolated away in the midst of No where, Tennessee for the past year of my life. Why I frequently, and humorously, instruct my roommate to refer to me as her "foreign exchange roommate." Ja. It has definitely been a year of rest. Consistency. A year of recuperation. Peace.
Reminisce:

June 2009- Moved from living in Nyc for 14 months to...

Colorado for the summer, where afterwards- instead of traveling to Spain, as planned,

 I experienced, and survived, my first car accident...

which left me in Recovery mode from Aug 3, 2009-Feb 15, 2010

Broken "lovely bones" & stuck in Florida with Doug, Aaltje & Slips

until recovered and

I booked myself a one way ticket to...

living in the Dominican Republic from Feb 2010-June 2010.

 I loved traveling somewhere not knowing a soul upon arrival- and leaving my time there knowing I met the sweetest soulmates.

(this picture above was one of my 5th grade classes that I taught)

and so that brings us up to today

June 2010-present

Tennessee

All in a year's time.

"I hear a banjo, paddle faster"

Spent my Saturday amongst the wilderness via canoe...

A few friends and I peacefully drifted down Tennessee's Harpeth River.

The river was lazy.

Bluemoons frio

The passengers relaxed.

All in all I'd say this day was a Much needed breathe of fresh air.

Will have to return soon!

(Jim behind me hiding from the sun underneath his flannel. Ha.)



MasterPEACE

Make every day your masterpiece.

Boast in me. Take delight in your creation. I am your Masterpiece in this museum we call life.

"The old has gone, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

"...filled with inexpressible and glorious joy."

.But if we hope for what we do not yet have we wait for it patiently. R8:25

chattanooga weekend/4th of july hike

I love to get out of an area code for a weekend. Especially to explore a new land I have never set foot upon before. 

This one occurred a few weekends ago by way of road 

trip. 

The historic & mountainous Chattanooga, Tennessee

For one who has never visited I would compare it to another Asheville, NC or a very small version of Denver, Co.

Be a tourist. Go to Lookout mountain and ask, "Who lives up here?"

Other things we did while there: farmers market, junk yard pickin, listening to live music outdoors, Aretha frankensteins for Brunch , Tacomamacita for REALLY good mexican food and the the Terminal brewhouse for a beer and lunch 

Pretty parks along the water.

They were preparing for 4th of july festivities

I'd say this city is very accommodating to kids/families- to visit or live- not to mention the way of life is super cheap- that's TN in general though- get it while it's Hot?

I counted 3 bridges- 2 of which were for my pedestrian enjoyment

Chattanooga is also very artsy/ecletic.

Never had I seen a fence made out of old bicycles :)

This made my weekend...life.

Many of the bicycle baskets were filled with potted flowers

You are now entering Jim & Jodi's 4th of July Hike:

Jim caught me frogs along the way...

to the many pretty blue springs we came upon...

and swam in.

I did not know there was natural clear blue water in TN :)

Barefoot Blue Jean Night (Vero Beach Road Trip)

It happened...About a month ago... I officially programmed a favorite radio station button in the ford back to Country. Yes, the country seems to have slipped back into my blood again. It only took 1 year of living here in music land aka Nashville, Tn. NOTE: last week marked my official ONE year of living here in TENNESSEE. Furthermore, I haven't been listening to no country music since back in the early 2000's. The music takes me back to my roots. My home town. Which ironically Jake is from as well- hanging out at Vero's ole faithful Riverside Bar, where on any given weekend night, or holiday weekend, you are for certain to run into just about EVERYONE from your childhood.