overwhelmed

This morning I caught the MARC at an ungodly hour and rode in to the D.C. Metro for my first day. A woman from church actually makes the same commute each day and I had a delightful ride in with her and was so thankful that she showed me how to get to work. The train is nice and quiet- I have a feeling I will enjoy the ride each day. The closest thing I can compare the Metro to is the London Tube, however the quality is no where near the same (in my mind the London underground is comparable to Michelangelo's finest work in aesthetics and Gutenburg's in functionality).

Island Press is just two blocks from Dupont Circle, where the metro lets me off. This morning I walked through the circle, past the fountain and up Connecticut Ave. to my office. It's a small, neat space- yet in each office resides piles of files and books. I have learned SO MUCH already and feel a tad bit overwhelmed. However the feeling is familiar, like a first day at a new school, lets use Oxford as an example. This morning I was overwhelmed with the new sounds, beauty, smells and sat sipping a pumpkin spice latte in a shop

I like the people. I like the office and its location. I love what I will be learning to create.

newness

Two of my favorite things are cozy kitchens and windows. They are right up there with chocolate, mushrooms in pasta (or anything really) and an amazing book.

I'm sitting at the Elkridge house, in the kitchen specifically, with a playful kitten named Franklin. It is quiet here this morning, which is unusual for this house. With it's eleven rooms there is space for people to always be around, whether they live here or not.

Sunny today, but fall is definitely around the corner.

I start my new internship tomorrow. I'll be catching the train around 7am and be in the city hopefully in about an hour. At church yesterday I sat next to a woman who commutes into D.C. everyday and she gave me some really helpful advise, and her phone number, for how to get tickets and get there smoothly.

Green is the color of everything here. There aren't many right angles and I have the whole day to enjoy.

welcome to baltimore

Well, Elkridge, Maryland really. I left Southern California and packed my life up and toured it around to see people I love for a little bit. I went home to visit my family in tiny little Cold Springs first. Such a wonderful few days at home. I got to sleep in, spend time with my grandparents and meet my new baby cousin Kaden! He is so wonderful (pictures posted soon) and a great new addition to our family.

Next I drove back down to Azusa to spend a day in the life with Amber Wells. RA extraordinaire, she is living in an amazing hall with some amazing girls. So fun to spend some time with her there.

She dropped me off at John Wayne and my plane landed in San Antonio. The 1300 miles I've wanted to conquer for months now and the moment finally happened. The most wonderful few days with my bestie and I met some new friends too! I can't wait to go back yet I am excited for the new season we are moving into. Yesterday we got to drive to Kerville to see Noah and Katie Jenks and Mona McGrady! Joy of all joys they are and wonderful conversation. Forever friends they are. I was so happy that two of my worlds collided for a bit.

So much has happened and I haven't had internet so apologise for the listiness of this blog.

Up before the sun this morning, James and I had fun getting to the airport.We listened and sang to music and soon I was off. Strange to fly on a day that is so monumental for everyone in the airline business. I was greeted by the most wonderful Joy. Joy Wecker and her mom, Patti, came and got me from BWI with a welcome sign in the shape of a crab! Pictures soon.

I love this house. It's old, full of hard-wood floors, has more rooms than I can count, is full of life and people, has windows with trees outside, and is complete with a secret passageway.

No. Joke.

excitement

I picked up the essentials to start my new internship on Tuesday. The heels were only $8.00. Score!

september fifth

Music, like the ocean, inspires me. Often I can put a CD in my car player and let it play over and over and over again for months. Sometimes CDs find their way in and I find that they play like a soundtrack to the season of life I find myself in.

Band of Horses often settles me in to the fall and rain.

Kings of Leon was last November.

Kristine Muller was the soundtrack to San Francisco.

The Steelwells played to the beginning of the summer.

Jonsi inspired the end of my summer and the transition I felt coming.

A few weeks ago some friends gathered in our living room with some guitars, a mandolin, and a kajon. They played, sounded incredible together and it was through random happenstance that it all got recorded. I'm finding now that music of some of my closest friends spurs me onward and offers comfort for my next move.

Thanks Mike, for making sure it was captured.

favorite people

Blessed to spend my last couple hours here with these two. Please ignore the bead-head, we just got up.

pacific ocean, oh how i'll miss thee

moving is overrated

The night before our beds left Beth and I pushed them together. One last harrah.

 The next morning we got up and they were taken away.

Leaving my house with my keys, computer, toothbrush and some random anti-nausea pills in hand after a solid 12 hour moving day I thought, "All furniture out, check. Clean room and bathroom, check. Plants to a new home, check. Kitchen cleaned out, check. Car packed, check. Jonsi CD burned to computer, check. On my way to the Robeck's to sleep, finally."

Step one of picking up and moving across the country for the rest of the year done and done. 

It was strange to leave the empty room I've been living in for the last year and a half. Our bathroom is for sure cleaner than it has ever been. Living out of my car for the next couple days, sleeping with whoever will have me. Next step, get home.

change

What will it be like? I want to wander this new city and take in the small details that make it great. A great city it is, full of history and origin. I can't wait to take in the colors, smells, people and culture to let them become part of me. I want rolling hills, fall colors and crisp air that bring loverly things like tea, pumpkins and spice. To see old friends and make new ones, what a joy. I get to live in a big house with space and coziness– in my own room. 

I'm closing out this season of my life rather quickly. Too quickly for my liking but if anything it is teaching me to live, and live present in the moment. There are so many many things I will miss about here yet I can't help but be nervous excited for what is to come. 

For those of you who haven't heard, I will be the next Productions Editorial Intern for Island Press in Washington D.C. starting soon. 

waiting...

is so hard to do sometimes.