Virginia

Looking back over my short six months in Virginia, it is crazy how much Williamsburg grew on me. My move to Williamsburg wasn't planned, a job opportunity arose and off I went. To be honest, I had never given Virginia much thought, terrible I know, but living there gave me such an appreciation for the state with (what I still think) is the worst state slogan. 

Having spent the summer in the mountains of Alaska, I wasn't sure how I would like the costal lowlands of eastern Virginia. After doing some exploring, I found a different kind of beauty of the costal estuary environments, a peaceful, wide open, wild, costal beauty, a beauty I loved just as much. 

York River State Park

York River State Park

York River State Park

York River State Park

First Landing State Park

Living in a place so steeped with history was also something new to me. I feel like Virginia was the birthplace of America, and everywhere you go there is a new/old piece of American history to (re)discover. 

Williamsburg

Williamsburg

Williamsburg

Williamsburg

 Jamestown

Richmond

I feel like a only just scratched the surface of all there is so see and do in Virginia. I honestly have no idea where life will take me, but definitely wouldn't mind ending up in Virginia again.

Queen City

Back in the Queen City for a couple of weeks before the summer of Alaskan adventures. 

Catching up with friends and family, taking some much needed down time, eating lots of good food and drinking lots of amazing coffee.

I'm going to Nashville for a quick trip this weekend, but right now I'm very much enjoying being in Charlotte.

Looking Forward...

...To these views again.

....16 Months Later

Oh my word! I'd almost forgotten about this little corner of the interweb!
Last I blogged I was going through 52 lists, living in Charlotte NC and trying to figure out what's what.
Currently, I obviously gave up on the 52 list (although I would like to finish them one day), I'm living in Williamsburg VA running a Bed and Breakfast, and still trying to figure things out.
I'm in the midst of transition again (story of my life), because in two weeks I'll be waving goodbye to VA and heading back to AK for another summer of lodge work.
This will be my third summer living the lodge life in AK, and I am in love with it. The beautiful wilderness, my lodge community, the naps I get to take everyday, I'm ready to go back.
While I'm getting ready to transition out of Williamsburg, I'm trying to enjoy the last few days here, I've only been here six months, but the more I'm here the more I grow to love it. It's going to be a sad goodbye. Although, I always think the sad goodbyes mean you have lived well wherever you are leaving.

The Palace Green at CW

List Your Accomplishments

Here goes...

I've graduated from university 

I've survived by myself in a third world country for over a year

I've always owned my own cars

I have no debt

I've traveled 

I've climbed a mountain

I've invested in causes, and people I believe in

I've been vulnerable  

I've told people how I feel

I've stood up for myself

I've asked for help when I couldn't deal by myself

more to come...

List #3

I think this list is my favorite so far. I've loved to read ever since I was a little kid. It's so fun to think back about all of the great books I've read over the years. I remember reading The Wind the Willows on my parent's bed when I was kid. I remember the first time I read To Kill a Mockingbird, and thinking it was the best book ever (spoiler alert). When I was living in Uganda I binge read books set in the Carolinas, because I missed the landscape so much. Reading a good book has such a way of transporting you to a different time or place. I can get so attached to characters in a book, and I've always thought about how awesome it would be to name your children after your favorite book characters. So without further ado...

My Favorite Books

To Kill a Mockingbird

The Lord of the Rings

The Hobbit

Everything is Illuminated 

Many Waters

A Wrinkle in Time

A Wind in the Door

A Swiftly Tilting Planet

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Persepolis

Serena 

The Cove

Blue Like Jazz

Through Painted Deserts

Gone Girl

The Chronicles of Narnia

Til We Have Faces

The Fault in Our Stars

Pride and Prejudice

Feed

Brave New World

The Little House on the Prairie Series

The Poisonwood Bible

The Lacuna 

Persuasion 

Johnny Tremain
The Harry Potter Series
The Phantom Tollbooth 

There are so many more books I love, and I can't wait to read more favorite books in the years to come. 

List Numer Two

Better late than never for list number two! 

I was scrolling through this Instagram account and I read this quote "I'm definitely on the brink of needing to decide what I'm going to do." Unsettlingly enough this seems to be exactly where I am in my life right now. So, this week I'll be listing the things I want to add to my life.

Now I realize these things will take some work to add to my life, but I'm willing to do the work, and admitting it is the first step, right?

 List of things I want to add to my life

I want to add a good routine to my life, I know I would be way more productive if I implemented a few routines into my daily life. 

I want to add more intentionality to my life. I wise friend once told me to step with intentionality while hiking a mountain. I think this is a principle I need to use more in my daily life.  Actually making the things I want to be a priority in my life a priority.

I want to add more graciousness and kindness to my life.

I want to add more self reliance and confidence to my life.