20.

Today marks the day I have spent 20 years on this Earth. 20. An age, a number, a word that honestly makes my stomach sink.
Wasn't it just yesterday I was painting pottery for my 10th birthday, watching Grease for my 50's themed 9th birthday, in a limo celebrating my 13 going on 30 birthday party? Or how could I forget my 6th birthday where all of the girls in my kindergarten class came over and we dressed up in costumes and had a tea party...

Everything feels like a different lifetime ago. Somehow, everything feels like yesterday.
When I was younger, I would look at twenty year olds and think about how they were adults. I would look up to them and think they had their lives all figured out, knew exactly who they were, and had all the friends and the fun they needed. Spoiler: that's not how it is. I woke up this morning and I didn't feel different or older or didn't get hit by some magical realization. I'm figuring out who I am, I have more questions than answers, I do not have it all together (or anything for that matter).

But, I'm another year older. It's a whole new chapter. The twenties are said to bring excitement, adventure, love, and mystery. It's my second day of classes at USC, it's my 5th day living in actual LA, and it's my first birthday away from my family and home. My heart is completely full of gratitude and love. Here's to growing as a person, here's to trying everything, here's to living fearlessly.
Here's to 20.

20 little life lessons from me to you:
1. Never compare yourself to others.
2. Mom is the ultimate best friend.
3. My little brother is cooler than I'll ever be (and he'll always be my little brother)
4. You don't have to have it all figured out.
5. Do what you love.
6. Hug your dad tightly and watch football with him.
7. Don't ever ever ever settle.
8. It's okay to stay home and read your book if that's what you feel like doing.
9. It's also okay to go out with your best friends and have a good fucking time.
10. Family is everything.
11. Dance around your room in your underwear.
12. Think, but don't overthink.
13. Look up at the sky, the clouds, the moon, and the stars. No matter where you are in the world these are always there.
14. Time moves faster than you realize.
15. Mom is always right, and you can trust her with anything. Call her.
16. Say yes to new adventures.
17. Love yourself.
18. Smile at other people.
19. It's okay to be scared. Don't let that hold you back, let it drive you.
20. Create a life you absolutely love.

h a p p i n e s s

I was sitting at my desk in my dorm and looked up at the bulletin board that has my jewelry, photo booth pictures, post cards, and inspiring words tacked on. About a year ago, I wrote a list of the things that make me happiest. After reading it again I actually felt happier and a sense of comfort so I thought I would share. There's a number of things that I'm now adding to the list (macarons, when my dog kisses and jumps on me after I've been away, good vibes at farmer's markets...), too! If you are feeling down or have a few minutes, make a list to remind you of the best things in your life.
The Best Things in Life..
-diving under a salty wave
-making someone smile
-coffee shops on rainy days
-California fog
-your stomach dropping on a roller coaster
-laughing uncontrollably
-the smell of fall
-getting an A on a test
-being told you impacted somebody
-having your back scratched
-walking barefoot on main street
-your plane landing at your destination
-giant acai fruit bowls
-surprises that make you smile
-friends who truly care
-sleeping with tons of pillows & blankets
-driving with the windows down when it feels
like the whole world is sleeping
-dreaming of traveling
-heart to heart conversations
-having your mom as your best friend
-helping someone just because
-banana creme pie
-when all of your family is together
-cozy sweaters
-not worrying about the time
-reading life changing books
-Christmas morning

"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases from being shared." -Buddha 

Looking Back

This morning I woke up, made hazelnut coffee, and started writing my morning thoughts in my journal. I thought I'd share them.
I'm officially finished with my first semester of college classes after I take my two finals this week. The past four months have been quite the adventure and have shaped me more than I could've ever imagined. Moving away from my family, my hometown-from everything I've ever been used to has been the biggest change in my life thus far. I don't regret one second of it. There's no doubt I have questioned everything, cried, and experienced new feelings, but the knowledge I've learned is irreplaceable. Each and every day I discover more of who I am and the person I would like to be. Not only have I learned an abundance of information from my courses this semester, I have learned lessons that life teaches you...from having a dead car battery, experiencing a flat tire, insane traffic causing you to have complete road rage, making new friends, living with 3 strangers the first few days, dealing with homesickness, handling money, and ultimately laughing at things you can't control. My goals have changed and my perspective has been altered. I have made a life long friend who I'm more than grateful to have here. Sticking this decision out has been a pretty good decision.
I'm excited for what is to come, where I end up, and who I become.

"To live would be an awfully great adventure." -Peter Pan 

Instant Adventure

When you find an old Polaroid camera in your garage, take full advantage. A 600 film Polaroid Camera was sitting in a box gathering dust and that's just not acceptable in my book. I ordered some film from Amazon and got this baby snapping memories right away. I'm in love with this camera. 

 

On Friday, I embarked on my first drive to California alone. Driving can get kind of boring after a while so you just gotta make sure you have your favorite music playing and plenty of snacks to eat! Those few days on the beach could last forever and I wouldn't mind at all. The beach is such a timeless place; nothing compares to being in the salty ocean with the warm sun soaking into your skin. My travel journal is filled with more incredible experiences and now some rad vintage looking Polaroids that fit perfectly inside.  

Adventure List. This is something new I started doing about a week ago. I have a bucket list-actually I've probably had about 8 bucket lists throughout my life-that I just haven't kept track of. With an adventure list, you can write down all of the awesome activities or crazy things you do that you haven't really planned or imagined yourself doing. Write down what you did, the date, and where you were. For example, I went white water river rafting about a month ago and I never thought I would ever do that. So it's now going on my adventure list! Every opportunity to live adventurously/try something new, I'm in! The idea of an adventure list is neat because you aren't limiting yourself, but instead exploring all this life has to offer.

I'm going to start ending my blog posts with a quote starting today! Have a lovely evening. 

"No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world." -Robin Williams