a week well spent

it's amazing how quickly times goes by when you're with the people you love. it almost seems unfair, doesn't it? i mean, really. i would have sworn that five minutes ago I was rushing off to the airport, daydreaming of California sunshine and yet - somehow - I'm already back in Oregon, unpacked, and wondering where the week went.

it's times like these that I really wish life had a "pause" button. wouldn't that be great?

the thing about having a really good time is that, when it eventually has to end, it's a million times harder to say goodbye. and goodbyes are the worst! but we won't think about that right now.

this week was everything I could have asked for and more (a lot more). i must have really been needing this trip because I felt spoiled just being home. being with my mom. spending every day with my best friend. finally seeing my family. finally being with my people. we all have our people, don't we? you know the ones - the people in your life that make you feel rejuvenated and calm and loved and happy and grateful just by being in the same room together. i sure love those people.

the theme of this vacation was definitely relaxation. i have a handful of fun adventures to share, but the moral of the story is that this week was all about taking it easy. enjoying the simple things. like not having to set an alarm. and going on walks. riding bikes with my mom. hanging out with my dog. listening to the ocean. reading. maybe dedicating an entire day to eating cupcakes and watching the whole season of orange is the new black with lauren. (you know, life's simple pleasures)

sweet, sweet vacation. i've only been back for a few hours and i'm already feeling nostalgic and sappy and all sorts of melancholy. i suppose that's to be expected, after a trip like that.

damn you, sweet vacation! 

home sweet home

hey blog!

things have been extra quiet around here in lieu of a top secret mission. I'm spending a week at home in California and decided it would be fun to surprise my best friend a whole week before she thought I was coming to town. knowing me, I'd wind up spoiling the whole thing by posting anything on here or instagram or facebook, so I figured total internet stealth-mode was the way to go.

after lots of plotting and planning, I'd like to report that the suprise was a great success (and really, is there anything more exciting than a surprise reunion?). we haven't seen each other since Christmas, so this has been a long awaited day. there was lots of screaming and jumping and hugging involved. reunited at last!

it feels so good to be home. there's always something therapeutic about it, as I'm sure you know with your own homes. it's so easy for me get caught up in a routine of work and responsibilities and to-do lists, that coming home is like a little escape from reality. everything seems to slow down. these past few weeks have been pretty hectic, so I'm looking forward to a week's worth of friends and family and doing a whole lot of nothing. sometimes no plans are the best plans, you know?

so stay tuned! lots of California-y photos coming your way. be prepared for a bombardment of sand, sun, and sunburns.

speaking of sunburns. this photo was taken the first day of my trip. my mom and I went straight from the airport to go ride bikes along the beach (classic Californians!) and somehow it didn't occur to us to put sunscreen on until we were a few hours into our ride. needless to say, I think I got more sun (and burns) within one hour of being back in California than I have my entire summer in Oregon. oops.

home sweet home

It's been a long time since I've been home. 

Remember when I realized (here) that getting older means not having the whole summer off for playing? Ha. Well. As summer continues to get closer and closer - only a few more weeks! - I've been realizing that it also means not going home. This isn't exactly news to me. After my first year of college, I went home for the whole summer. But not the second year. Or this year. I managed to escape for 2 weeks last year, but this summer I'm working full-time and as it turns out, you can't exactly ask for 3 months off. Who knew, right? 

There are certainly worse things in the world, so I know I can't  throw a pity party over here. But hey! If my master plan works out, by the time I do get home, it'll have been 8 months since I last saw my family and best friend (and dog!). For me, that's a long time to go without seeing my people. Sometimes you just need them, you know? Sometimes you just need to go home. 

In the spirit of being overly sappy and sentimental, I've been going through some old photos. I came across a few that were taken last summer at my aunt & uncle's house. They may not be pictures of my home, but they certainly make me feel the most at home. I'm telling you, this is probably my favorite house in the world. It's one of those places you thought could only exist in movies. Know what I mean? There are freshly cut flowers on the table, twinkle lights on the patio, and Norah Jones and Cat Stevens always seem to be playing in the background. Words wouldn't do their garden justice. Words also wouldn't do their cooking and baking abilities justice. Seriously. Something heavenly is always baking in that cozy kitchen. 

Whenever my family gets together, this is usually where we go. Sometimes we just spend the day by the pool, dipping our toes in the water and enjoying each other's company. Sometimes we play games. Or go on walks. We always make too much food and leave with way too many cookies in our bellies (it's inevitable). These are the things I miss. All the little things. This is where I want to be, right now. 

Being there with them is like getting a big hug. That's what going home feels like. 

(and I want my hug!)