remember when...

i have found myself continually using two words: remember when.... it amazes me every day how fast time flies by. remember when i was in college. remember when i lived through the biggest typhoon in world history. remember when i flew across the world to find out how cold Russia really is. remember when i got to eat the biggest scoop of pistachio gelato in a cute little shop in front of the Vatican. but how much do we take time to remember the little things. the things that make our life. the things that make us, us. me, me. and you, you. today i got that pit in my stomach. that icky feeling that you used to get when you were crossing your fingers your mom wouldn't find out you broke one of her favorite china plates... this time it came from my own thoughts. not that i did anything horrific, but the thought came into my head how often do i put my thoughts towards what is coming tomorrow or in an hour or in a month instead of what is happening in the NOW. this moment. this second. the time you will never get back. how many moments have i missed making memories or remember whens because my focus is on the past or the future? i'm talking about the little things. the nights you stay up talking to friends about absolutely nothing, but end up peeing your pants a little cause your laughing so hard. the times you get to hang with the coolest fam in town on your one day off driving across the valley + get to spend a little extra time teaching your nephew how to do a handstand while grains of sand are getting in places they definitely shouldn't be. sometimes i get so caught up with the me me me + the things i want to be doing. i forget how lucky i truly am. so take a breath and enjoy the NOW. whatever you are doing you better find a way to enjoy it. make it a memory instead of a burden. it will make a world of a difference + i promise.

A True Addiction

i have an addiction + craving that can't seemed to be helped. TRAVEL. i got it when i was young. i put full blame on the parentals. i crave it and adore it. i love to experience the way other people live + to explore new places by roaming the streets as a native would do. (even though i am highly unsuccessful because my jaw is continually left down with amazement wherever i go) i have a travel bucket list that has only a slight dent in it. but i would jump on the idea of even just driving to the next town over + or renting bikes to explore the one i live in now. this year i made a goal to explore my home. after spring break a smile was on my face, feeling like i somewhat made a part check mark on my goals list. 

my dear friend from Switzerland is spending her last summer here + had never seen the northern part of the west coast. ROAD TRIP. so two friends + i packed up a car + left in a hurry Sunday evening, after enjoying  a wonderful weekend at a cabin with my family. the sights - incredible. the memories - unforgettable. the laughs - immeasurable. 

THE ADVICE: if i could give one piece of advice to anyone, especially those of you that have caught that travel bug, it would be simple. DO IT. many people are afraid to leave their bubble. there are a thousand and one excuses not to travel. money. school. work. fear. comfort. but i promise you will not regret it. i have a firm belief in the old saying that says something to the effect of.... you never know until you walk in someone else's shoes... the absolute best way to learn about something or someone and to gain empathy is to experience what they experience. to do what they do. to see what they see. the world is an incredible place, but do you know what is even more incredible? the people in it. the every day joe that wakes up early to throw the fish on the ice at Pike's Market. the ranger that spends every day working in the Redwood Forest so that silly girls can do some midmorning yoga by it. the kind friend with the cutest French accent that lets you sleep on the coach/ bed of his one bedroom apartment. the homeless man that spends hours on the corner people watching, giving you advice of where to get the best breakfast in town. the impressions + the friends + the knowledge you gain are priceless. you don't have to travel across the globe. simply exploring your own city can do. be a tourist for a day. put that camera strap around your neck + get your selfie finger/ timer in place and get out there.