ALLAS: April 2014

nothing worth having comes easy.

Tuesday

I finally got it. I've been sitting on this one for about a year now, and last night I decided it was time. I can't even begin to explain how hectic things have been the past few months, let alone the past couple of weeks. I've been pulling nearly full time at work, I'm up to my ears in projects + papers, I've picked up extra hours babysitting- which make for extra long days, and there's so much going on in my personal life that I've been neglecting. I'm exhausted -- and life isn't going to slow down any time soon. But for the first time in a long time, I feel like I can breathe again. Yesterday I hit another breaking point; it was probably the worst day I've had this entire year. One of those collapsing-to-the-floor-inside-a-bathroom-stall kinda days. I was brought back up with the help of Molly's support and selfless heart. And before we knew it, we were at a tattoo shop in Chicago + I decided to go for it. There are going to be far worse days ahead and I need to remember that everything will be worth it in the end. Because nothing worth having comes easy.

I get by with a little help from my friends (and spontaneity).

weekly reminder.

Tuesday

I'm currently sitting at Denny's with Molly downing endless cups of coffee as we try to crank out last minute papers + projects. Saying these next few weeks will be stressful would be an understatement. There's so much going on right now that I keep looking down at my tattoo as a reminder to just let it be. In fact, my response to everything the past few days has either been life, man. or life happens, man. A few break downs later and that's what I'm left with. I have so much to look forward to in the next few months that I just need to stay focused and keep on truckin'.

Everything will work out in the end.

southern sun.

Thursday

This past weekend my mom and I took a little trip to Florida to visit my aunt and get away for a few days. The first thing we did after we landed was grab a bite to eat at a local taco place called Capital Tacos, and let me tell you - hands down THE best tacos of all time. This place needs to start a chain reaction because I'm prepared to go back solely for more tacos... worth it. When we got back to my aunt's, my mom and I laid out for a bit by the pool and I chased some lizards, and maybe got bit by one. We won't talk about it. Later we went out to dinner at a restaurant called Mosquito's... and quickly learned how it got it's name. We met my aunt's fiancé for the first time, and I'm pretty sure I have a new favorite uncle. The guy's awesome.

On Saturday mom and I hit the beach and happened to crash a wedding (check that off the bucket list). That night we went to a quirky place called Ukelele's and had the best crab cake sandwiches ever. They also had a live band, Double Barrel, who covered songs from the 50's to current day country, pop, and rock. We kind of turned into groupies, and when we left, the band walked off the stage, out the door, and into the parking lot with us... while they were still playing. Talk about making us feel guilty for leaving.

Sunday we drove to Homosassa and checked out the Blueberry Festival. There were tents on tents of people selling unique goods of all kinds, and I was extremely upset I didn't have more cash on me.... but I definitely would be broke if I did. Then we checked out the Homosassa State Park Wildlife Refuge and got to see lots of cool animals.... like flamingos. They're my spirit animal. After spending all day under the hot Florida sun, we ordered two large pizzas and called it a day.

All in all it was a lovely trip and it was nice to have a few days off, but it was not. long. enough. And coming home to Chicago cold and snow was just not the most wonderful thing in the world to say the least.
Looking forward to the next adventure - May 10th, hurry up.

*I apologize if this is all over the place/doesn't make sense. I'm sitting in lecture attempting to write this post and take notes simultaneously.

florida flashback.

Saturday

I'm sitting in my aunt's lanai, cup of coffee at hand., overlooking the pond in her backyard + admiring all the ducks, cranes, turtles, and tiny gators (it's taking everything in me to not go all crocodile hunter right now). The weather is absolutely gorgeous and I can't help but reminisce my previous visits here from the past few years.

2009