Sea Salt

The first time you set foot on an oceanic beach is incredibly thrilling, from the salty sea air that greets your nose, to the rushing sound of waves breaking on the water's edge, to the indistinct blueness of the horizon, to the cool smooth sand that covers your toes like a blanket.

Or perhaps you would rather stroll along the boardwalk. There is a mystifying sensation that I get when I hear the word 'boardwalk'. It's about something that is so classic and calming. It's comforting and wonderful. Maybe it's the faded memories I have of walking on the boardwalk with my aunt when I was little, when we would visit my great aunt's home by the shore. Maybe it's the "classicness" of hearing about the boardwalk, or maybe it's the boardwalk itself; how it follows the ocean and creaks and groans as you step lightly over the weather-beaten boards.  It may also be just the fact that it is a pathway to the beach. Whatever it is, I love the boardwalk.

Notice the photographer guy on the right taking a picture of the lady on the bench?

Nothing seems to inspire me more than the beach.

Zoo (part two)

One of the two pictures of me from that day.  And I like it that way. ;)

Our entire group [minus one]
P.S. That lady in red is my aunt, by the way.

I'm convinced that this was the real-life Eeyore.

There were bats behind that wall. But I won't creep you out by showing you a picture of them.

More to come...

Today is just another day

It's a cloudy day. I feel like doing something Pinteresty.
I am babysitting with my older sister while everyone else is out. She is coloring. Yes, that would be Anna, the one we babysit.
Danish for breakfast, grilled cheese for lunch, and out for supper with our uncle. It's going to be a yummy food day.


Previous read: {Lark Rise to Candleford by Flora Thompson}


Currently reading: {Start Here by Alex and Brett Harris}


Next read: {Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand} New York Times Bestselling book & my sister talked on the phone to the guy the book is about


Current music: {Let it Be - The Beatles}

Lovely quote:  I'd rather waltz than just walk through the forest

                    The trees keep the tempo and they swing in time
                    Quartet of crickets chime in for the chorus
                    If I were to pluck on your heart strings
                    Would you strum on mine?

                                   - Plant Life, Owl City

Lovely song: 

(Can you tell I've been loving Owl City lately? I got another CD for my birthday. :) )

Birthday post

Today was my birthday. Well, it still is, but the day is practically over.


Do you ever get those "birthday blues" after your birthday is over, and you realize that it won't come for another whole 365 (or 366) days? I usually feel that way. There's rarely a year where, after all the happiness and fun, when I'm about to go to sleep at night, I have a good cry. Sad that I won't be anticipating little surprises from my family, special phone calls from my friends, paper chains hung around my bed, the special supper and dessert I picked out, and not to mention the fact that everyone seems to love me on my birthday. 
     But this year was different. I prayed that God would help me to have a nice day, and he did. It struck me this morning that most of the time people seem to think that on your birthday you have to be happy for every second of it, and you have to make the right decisions about what to do on your birthday, or the whole thing is ruined. I realized that I might not be happy for every moment of the day, but that's okay. Ultimately, it's just a really good day. It's only twenty-four hours long, and honestly, have I ever had a day where I was happy for every single second of it? ;) 
     So after realizing that this morning, I tried not to agonize over what to do. I let myself not be entirely blissful the whole day. I spent time being happy at the little things, even if they might not have been the most fun things that I've ever experienced. And it ended up as a wonderful day. One of the best birthdays, I might add.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     I woke up to donuts that my brother got from Dunkin' Donuts (okay, my dad actually paid for them, and they were just leftovers from a Men's group my brother attends, but he tried to get extra for my birthday) and a homemade breakfast sandwich by my dad. Not to mention the fact that my family bombarded me (in a good way) with 'happy birthday's. :) 
     After getting ready for the day, I played a little on the Wii with my four-year-old sister and then watched a couple episodes of a T.V. show with my siblings. My oldest sister then took me out, and we stopped at Dunkin' Donuts (Hot chocolate with a shot of espresso = YUM) and then went to a few stores. Anthropologie was the first store we went to, and I think I pretty much browsed every inch of it. I wish I had tons of money so that I could buy things there. Or that the prices were cheaper. That would be nice too. ;) She bought me a really cute mug with my initial on it, and we went a couple other places before heading home. The rest of the day was pretty leisurely. For supper I had chicken pot pie and my family went around the table saying what they like about me (a birthday tradition). We did presents (one of which was a Ravelli tripod!!!) and then had Oreo cheesecake for dessert. :) I went on my computer for a little while, took a couple pictures on the tripod, and then watched a movie with my two older sisters. It was a wonderful day, and I wouldn't trade a second of it. 


Thank you so much to everyone who made my day brighter! I love you guys! :)

(taken on my tripod :) )

Wedding Part 2

After the wedding my friend Sam and I took a bunch of pictures! Even though it's January, the weather was surprisingly warm, and the lighting was beautiful!

The girls standing around chatting 

Aislinn and Zephy

Zephaniah...I tricked him into taking his picture. :)

Sam and Mary

 Me, Hannah, Sam, and Mary

Cutie!

Mary's gorgeous eyes

Mary, Lieren, and Hannah

{Which edit do you like better?}

My brother Ian :D

Some of the kids there 

My gorgeous friend Lieren 

Sam :)

The boys :)

 She would not look at my camera! (We were doing duo portraits with both cameras at the same time.)

There we go! :)

My mother :)

A gorgeous shot of the church that my sister took

I love this picture {photo credit: Mary} 

{photo credit: Mary} 

 Silly faces!

Haha!

Let me know which pictures you like best, and stay tuned for part three!