May it be

May it be the best and last semester (*and season spent in Chapel Hill)!

This morning, during coffee in bed with Rachel, I felt comforted and supported by the life I have lived here these past (*almost) four years. I’ve moved into a new place, I have paired down my life to the essentials, and I feel a new wave of energy.

I am ready to put in to practice being fully present. I am also ready to gone and away from here, but for now, I want to enjoy this. And all its simplicity.

“Limitation is the condition of our lives. What matters — what allows us to reach beyond ourselves, as we are, and push at the boundaries of our ability — is that we continue. But then everything depends on how we practice, what we practice.” – Glenn Kurtz

Routine

This photo was taken on one of the many long walks through Yangon. I found it between two other unrelated images and remember the exact moment in time when I took it. My life these days, although it occasionally involves a long walk, is far different than my life this summer.

I feel that I have already settled in to a routine here.

During the first week back, I was convinced this was going to be the longest few months of my life. Now I’m convinced of the opposite. Days move too fast and I’m already overly committed, involved, and invested.

Weekends are long, fun, and filled with new adventures. These tiny trips have kept me feeling like myself.

This weekend –> a wedding, some car time, and time spent driving motorcycles at the beach!

Changes

Back in Carrboro and back to an old and familiar routine.

Although my days don’t quite look like these days did in Yangon, I’m glad I’m here with the ones I love and the comforts of home.

“Travel’s a fairly miserable business in which the journey is nothing but self-discovery is everything.” – Paul Theroux

While I’m happy being here for now, I’m already working on plans for the next trips. Up next –> I’m heading out West and going to explore more of this beautiful country I get to call home.

The dinner party

 

On Sunday night the NAFD crew gathered to celebrate the end of another semester and another season of our lives.

Some of us are staying here, some traveling to other countries, others are moving across the country, and another is biking across the country. Out of our darling group, we have a wide variety of different passions and loves and it is always exciting to see.

I love these ones more than most anything on earth.

“If I knew that today would be the last time I’d see you, I would hug you tight and pray the Lord be the keeper of your soul. If I knew that this would be the last time you pass through this door, I’d embrace you, kiss you, and call you back for one more. If I knew that this would be the last time I would hear your voice, I’d take hold of each word to be able to hear it over and over again. If I knew this is the last time I see you, I’d tell you I love you, and would not just assume foolishly you know it already.”- Gabriel Garcia Marquez

*Some photos by the ever lovely and talented Ora*

Alexis + Sergio | Chapel Hill and Carrboro, NC

Last weekend, I got to wander around Chapel Hill and Carrboro with the lovely Alexis and Sergio. After walking through UNC’s Coker arboretum (*where Sergio carved their initials in a tree years ago), we went for a beer at Steel String Brewery and Glasshalfull in Carrboro.

This couple should seriously considering modeling. Alexis had warned me that they “don’t take good photos together,” but I don’t believe that for a minute! They’re entirely beautiful and full of life and adventure.

 

What life looks like these days

Life lately has been a hilarious mix of funny events, wild emotions, and dramatic weather. I’ve lived my weekends out of bags and my week in the a variety of places too. I’ve thought a good deal about the big, scary future and feel that I really have no idea what is in store. I know with confidence, it’ll be something I never dreamed of doing and in a place I haven’t ever considered.And I’m excited. I’m ready for a challenge and ready to take on just about anything right now.

Maybe its all inspired by the new warm weather and the snow and ice slowly melting away, or maybe its just the constant reminder Spring is near. . . and with it comes a whole new set of possibilities.

“Everybody is identical in their secret unspoken belief that way deep down they are different from everyone else.” – David Foster Wallace

More photos -> here.

Galentines Day 2014 | Carrboro, NC

Last night, the tiger house hosted Alyssa’s annual Galentines day soiree.

This is a little of what it looked like.

Plus, you should read this.

These snow days are making me incredibly lazy, unmotivated, and happy!