A little jaunt to Colorado.

I am a nature-loving girl living in a mountainless, land-locked state. So when I had the opportunity to road trip to Colorado with some of my best girls this summer, I jumped at the chance.

We ate delicious food, played the license plate game, giggled, explored adorable mountain towns, went white water rafting, off roaded [and got stuck in a freak hailstorm] at Pike's Peak and climbed everything at Garden of the Gods. 

Until next time, beautiful Colorado.

An empire state of mind.

I never in a million years thought I would find myself in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Let alone in Tulsa, Oklahoma for eight years.

But here I am and I couldn't be more grateful.

I've built a great life here: I have a rewarding career with wonderful students and fabulous co-workers, a small business, a creative outlet, amazing friends, a wonderful church and a host of lovely memories.

But.

I'm antsy.
And filled with something big that's dying to get out and explore the world beyond these safe walls.

So...I will teach for one more year in Tulsa.

Next summer, I will be moving to New York City to embark upon the adventure of a lifetime.  

My plan isn't a whole lot more intricate than that and for those of you who know this Type A kid, that's a big deal.

The details will come in time ;)

Some may call it a quarter-life crisis [that was a little generous--I'm totally not 25 anymore!], but I call it "Why the heck not?!"  

I'm still [sort of] young and the world is my oyster, which is simultaneously exciting and terrifying and bitter-sweet.

So.  I will treasure the time I have left here in Tulsa...and daydream & plan about the life to come in that magical place.

Home for the Holidays. {travel}

When you live 1,930 miles away from your "home" and family, visits are few, far between and sweet.
From the moment I step off the plane onto that famous PDX airport carpet, something is different.
The air is cleaner, the greens are greener and my heart is happy.

I spend my days in Oregon watching millions of episodes of "What Not to Wear" that my mom DVRs throughout the year, seeing all my high school friends [and their ever-expanding brood of gorgeous children], making memories with my family and exploring the natural beauty of a very un-Oklahoma-like land.

Also, I occasionally make my parents smile for the camera.

Until next time, lovely place I once lived.

Much love.

[a sacred silence]

Even wrapped in scaffolding,  St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan is a thing of beauty.  The kind of sight that sucks your breath away for just a moment as you take in the vaulted ceilings, the targeted lighting and the detailed stained glass windows. 

We wander in to find sanctuary from the bustling streets of the city and stumble upon a golden, sacred silence.

People mill around, lighting candles to the saints and most likely sending up silent prayers for loved ones.  And suddenly, in the midst of the quiet, comes the startlingly rich sound of the organ.  Immediately following is the traditional recitations of prayers and hymns from the altar.  Voices rise from all over the church and seem to warm the air around us.

A slow chill runs up my spine and a lump forms in my throat, catching me completely off guard.  I am overwhelmed by the presence of God in this place, and simultaneously humbled to be surrounded by believers who worship in such a different way than I do.

In an environment that I formerly would've considered cold and without feeling, something new starts happening in my heart.

These pews are filled with people who understand what I have forgotten.  

I have come to think of God as Father and Friend, and while He is those things, He is so much more.  He is almighty, He is all powerful, He is the creator of the heavens and the earth.

I have become too familiar.  I have lost the sense of awe and wonder and reverence and respect that He so deserves from me.

…and so what began as an excursion into a beautiful building has left me speechless with gratitude, wonder and a new perspective.

let's have an adventure, darling.

There's a part of me that comes alive in New York.

A part of me that walks faster, weaves in & out of traffic, and can find her way around the streets [slowly, but surely].  A part that notices every fall leaf, is encouraged by the kindness of strangers and drinks in every green space.

There's an adventure waiting to happen there.  I can feel it.

My fall break trip there was a perfect whirlwind.

It was full to the brim with walking, sight seeing, window shopping, exploring, train riding, picture taking, show tune singing, Broadway show seeing, delicious food eating and way-past-our-bedtime giggling.  

I was wonderfully exhausted at the end of each day and my feet may never forgive me for the amount of miles I put on them, but I wouldn't have done anything differently.

Til next time, my love.

A Love Affair With a City Far Away.

I was born in the bustling, big city of New York.
We moved to Jersey very soon after because my parents didn't want to raise me in the city.

We went back when I was four, but I remember nothing about it.
I've been told that I lost a tooth in the cracks of the fold-out couch.
Clearly a memorable trip ;)

Throughout junior high and high school, I felt a pull towards the fabulous city of NYC and decided to audition early decision for NYU my junior year.  And then...I totally wussed out, had a pre-quarter-life crisis, and decided that theater wasn't my life's calling.

I had the chance to go back when I was 18.  My choir sang in Carnegie Hall and I had the opportunity to do some of the fun, big, touristy stuff.  But I knew I'd be back...

I went back last spring for a few short hours while photographing a live event in Jersey.  And again, I knew it wouldn't be my last time.

And now...
in three short days, I will be there again.
With a fabulous friend by my side and the chance [for the first time] to do whatevvvvvvver I want in that magical city.  I am positively beside myself with excitement.

And maybe someday, I won't have to leave...