just. go.

Travel. Ahhh travel. 
You could say we have a relationship, we know each other, we get each other and we will forever continue this romantic dance. However just like any relationship I'm in no way any expert. But I think I've been fairly successful and I believe that  simplicity is key. Key for many things in life including travel, a beautiful thing that so many people love to make complicated. So after listening to envious words and excuses. Seeing Pinterest explode with countless amounts of dreamy travel quotes matched with an equally dreamy photo. And being aware of the more respectable those who seek out how they themselves can be a part of the wonderful travel experience.. I've decided to share the simplicity.
Here are the only four things you need to be on your way to the leaning tower of Pisa or the Sydney Opera House.. 
1. Balls. You need the balls to go alone, because if you wait around for your friends they're most likely not going to follow through. Which means you won't. 
2. A job and budgeting skills. Save EVERYTHING. That might mean no more morning coffee and canceling netflix, but so so worth it in the end
3. Disconnect. Disconnect from the nay-sayers including the nay-sayer part of your biggest critic- yourself. It's never going to a "right time" to travel in the sense of relationships, finances or career. But you have to decide what you value more, because the "right time" will never come.
4. A deadline. Buy your ticket no matter what 2-6 months out. It makes you less likely to back out and a timeline to help you save, prepare and get excited!

Oregon

I know all of you have read over and over on how obsessed I am with the place I call home: Oregon. But why the hell not be in love with where you live. I hope everyone else is just as fortunate as myself. The clouds and rain that come with the winter are too much for most people keeping Oregon's population down (thankfully). The newbies that manage to make it through the winter by complaining via Facebook and threatening their new coffee shop friends they're going to move back to LA, Phoenix or New York (or some other not as cool city). Those who make it get rewarded with-- the beautiful Oregon Indian summer. A preview of that perfection made an appearance this past weekend with 85 degree weather, which lined up perfectly with Shwood's new project that was released today, even more perfectly named..

This is Oregon

Shwood teamed up with Julian Bialowas, a Canadian photographer who happens to be one of my favorites. His photos not only scream with talent, but finish with inspiring travel, self and adventure quotes. So naturally, I was obsessed. Then when I was told that not only were they going to do a photo adventure with Julian, but focused around inspiring people to go outside? I was swooning. If the video wasn't enough for you, check out more..

Julian's stuff here

 or 

more of Shwood's rad projects here.

This weekend Taylor and I took advantage of the weather and headed for the coast. He even took me to a few spots where they filmed their project. 

I seriously love this place, I love this world and I love people who share the same love for being in it with me. Simple things, like lady bugs, sun tan lines or hiking an hour just for a view.  

new

Know what's awesome?
The fact that we wake up every day and go to sleep every night.
Waking up everyday with the sense of "new". A new day, a new start.
I love that.
Everyday we can choose to start over, or do something a little differently.

an easy kind of love

The easy kind of love. Something that flows.
Obsessed for all the right reasons.
All the cliches, but adding a twist.

I take no shame in admitting for everyone that they want that. 

The only problem is, I don't think I'll settle for anything but.

Which makes things not so easy.

However, very real.

savor moments

In the past week, I found myself savoring moments.
Saying..

"In this moment, I am happy".

Snowboarding. Driving back from an amazing day, sun setting, music loud, friends present.

Sunday's. Awake for hours, just cuddling the morning away. Acknowledging the sound of rain, but never not noticing my skin on his.

Running. Letting my mind slip away, miles click over. Amazed by what my body can do and where my mind can go.

My house and all the people in it. Laying around talking about heart things. Real things. 

"In this moment, I am happy".

Today

Sometimes words come to me that makes a light bulb go off. Today.. this was it for March 1st. 

Sunday

the occasional indulgence

I went to the store tonight for yogurt since I have been eating really healthy now that I have a kitchen and a consistent place of residency. Not only have I been eating healthy but I've been able to go back to my wheat-free ways realizing that there was in fact a reason I cut it out of my diet in the first place. But something came over me during todays grocery store visit, not only was I going to rebel from my healthy past five days, but also against my stupid wheat intolerant gut. I was going to buy a whole packet of cookies and eat the whole thing without any sense of guilt, and that I did.

Sometimes you need to eat an entire packet of cookies. Not just one, two or even three. You need to eat the entire thing. Even when you get the to the last few and you're feeling satisfied, you need to finish the whole damn thing for the sake of doing so.

 It's extremely liberating. 

I totally recommend doing that every once in awhile, whatever your lifestyle restriction is. Maybe you're a person of weekend errands and activities, I dare you to do absolutely nothing on a Saturday instead. Yea, nothing. Like stay in your sweats and watch Disney movies all day. Yea, I freaking dare you. Or you're a super awesome committed college student that swears off anything fun until after finals? Not only do I challenge you to go have a drink or five during the term, but on a Tuesday. YEA, do it.

You won't..

beach weekend success

Driving home this evening was quite lovely. Dusk seemed to last a lot longer then normal, and if you didn't know, dawn and dusk are my favorite times of day. That time of day the puts a stamp on a beginning or an end, purposely leaving a feeling of mystery and awe. In the midst of this time I sat in the back seat of Jessie's car comfortable curled up in a ball enjoying long car ride chatting. It wasn't until dawn had faded to night and Portland lights brought me back to reality..

I have a 1000 word essay due tomorrow

I have to register for my summer class at 8am

..oh and edit my FAFSA

I need to call so and so back

anddd reschedule that appointment

Ugh. Real life. It's s nice to escape reality, pack up for a weekend, go somewhere beautiful, bring friends and just simply relish in simple. For Kait's birthday a group of us stayed in Florence at her grandparents beach house. We celebrated Kait's 25th year of life by attempting to catch crabs, basking in copious amounts of sunshine, playing a lot of games, puzzling, eating crab and birthday cake, flying kites, thrifting and laughing so hard I'm surprised no one pulled a muscle. Solid weekend. 

I'm grateful life brings people in your life in the way that it does. Sometimes chaotic, intense, passionate, fast paced, love drunk on new experiences and people. High school, first years of college and camp was this way, milestones or rites of passage if you will.

Other times life brings people in your life in a way thats a bit more settle. I like both.