Santa Cruz

I love this year here. It's been an immense year of growth for me. I've come to truly love this place I live in, and I think it took some pretty immense disorientation to do so. I think I had to come to experience the city in my own right, doing things by myself before embracing its eccentricities. My mum asked me if it is a strange thought that I won't come back after I graduate in June. At first I said yes, absolutely- that it would be weird to never be in this town after living here almost four years. But I think, after some reflection, it won't be altogether odd. I'll miss elements of it (such as the sunsets pictured above on a random walk), but I feel I came to know this city and to grow in it exponentially. I will definitely take a lot away from it, including lifelong friends, but I realize it is not so very different from my life in Lancaster, U.K. which I left for good as well. It feels most like a chapter concluding. The time was just enough. It's okay with me to have these chapters, I think. To fragment my life into places I inhabited where I met certain people. I realize I wouldn't change a thing about the path I had here... and it was a time I'll have grown probably the most in my life, but now I am extremely confident in me, and the path of life I lead.

my plant.

this little guy is growing very slowly but the colors are starting to change. yay for sunshine. gosh this makes me want to garden.

PS-Lindsay! Why have we not named our plants yet?

Um, these are amazing.

These are a Dutch wafer cookie called Stroopwafels, but they are filled with caramel. You have NO idea how delicious they are. Or addictive. I warn you now that you may eat a whole bag in two sittings (or less!). You can get them at Trader Joes and they are called Daelmans Caramel Bites. Don't think that it would be better if you never try them... you need these bits of heaven in your life.

Coeur de Pirate

Prague, Czech Republic
I adore this song/artist. She is a very young songstress from Montreal, and she reminds me of a lot of people like Regina Spektor, and Ingrid Michaelson (lots of piano), but with a more delicate sound... and in French.

Also, this song evokes a lot of memories from my travels- here are some of pictures:

Berlin, Germany

Kildare County, Ireland

Warwick, United Kingdom

Warwick, United Kingdom

<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3

I realize thus far in February, I've unconsciously been making posts only about things and people that I love... so we're just going to be continuing that for the duration of this month.

I know it's a week into the month already, but I love people immensely. I think it's tremendously easy to be disappointed with humans when we look at the news and occurrences in our life... but on the whole think how blessed we have been. Think how many smiles you have had, how many stomach-cramping laughs. Think of the love you've given and received. Suddenly it is incredibly contradictory to lose hope in humanity. So while I know it's a week into a short month, (and also that it's tremendously overused as a month of love, but why not celebrate the people that make us happy?) happy February.

for a friend

You know those people who just bring a smile to your face? I have to say I love them. There are many of those people in my life that without fail bestow joy. They've come into my life at various stages, often unexpected, but ironically enough at those points most needed. Whatever is to befall us in this life, I hope that I never lose a single one of those friendships, but that they continue to blossom in the ways that they have.

I love that we each take our own paths in life. I see my friends grow as their passions become apparent and they fixate on their dreams. I love watching that transitional phase, when they await the greatness they work toward when I already see it.
Our friends give us so much perspective. And perspective is undoubtedly what we need most in this life. I think it takes many forms not only in love but in anger as well. It shows us we are lovely and it shows us when we are headstrong in stubbornness. But it, too, is the thing that gives us a revelation, where we feel we've learned something and grown. I have that perspective today. And I think that it comes from one of those people who brings that imminent joy. That person today is Kayla.

my plant ♥

I was given a bulb from my boyfriend's parents over Christmas, and I've been growing it ever since... I should have documented it more because it grew so fast! I really enjoy nurturing plants, its so rewarding to watch something grow and notice the difference when you forget to water it or put it in the sun. Anyway, it should be blossoming very soon ♥

getting me through this week.

Sandra McCracken's album, Red Balloon.

PS-Now I am craving mango.

yum.

My latest obsession:
Mango.
No, not the clothing line, although I do love that as well. Just cut up mangoes. And mixed with some blueberries in yogurt? The ultimate. Mango popsicles? delicious. Mango smoothie? to die for. I love it all : )

Bikram Yoga

Call me crazy, but I've developed a passion for this very specific type of yoga.
The studio I go to chose to up the par, so instead of sitting in a 105 degree room, we sit in a 110 degree room. Sure, it seems as though that 5 degree change makes little difference once you're in that kind of heat, but say that again at the end of a 90 minute session. Torturous? Perhaps, but I assure you I have never felt more cleansed in my life. well, after I run home and shower that is, since you sweat BUCKETLOADS of water. Normally I don't sweat much when I play sports or run, but this is a whole new playing field. It's not really explainable actually. I just took my housemates to a session and then they understood how strenuous it can be. Practicing it properly, your heart rate will rocket just like running, but you are also finding calamity at the same time.
oh, it's brilliant; I promise. : )