Creativity, v.1

1  a profile, v.1
2  a view
3  a shore
4  a profile, v.2

On this Thursday morning (when returning to work seems impossibly hard), these images remind me that there is a glorious world out there, far beyond this concrete jungle.

California, v.4

We spent our time in Santa Barbara at the sweetest little inn. The front door was propped open all day long for easy coming and going.

We actually didn't spend our entire day out and about, exploring every tourist attraction or lying on the beach for hours. To be honest, we went out for breakfast... then went back to the inn. We took a long walk down the beach, ate lunch... then went back to the inn. We ventured outside once more to go window shopping... then went back to the inn. It was amazing, and we definitely needed the rest!

Our final adventure in Santa Barbara took place at Stearns Wharf. We left the inn one more time for a beautiful walk along the coast.

Aren't the mountains gorgeous? This scenery is much different than the beaches in North Carolina, where I grew up. The East Coast is very flat, but the West is garnished by these rolling hills.

California, we miss you already!

California, v.3

 

We took the California 1 from the San Francisco Bay area to Santa Barbara. Needless to say, it was the most glorious drive of my life. These photos hardly capture the magnificence.

A wistful song

Alexa posted this video on her blog a few days ago, and I fell in love with it instantly.  Doesn't it warm you with summer dreams?

The Ocean Blues

Today, this is where I want to be.

Living in Chicago with my husband and dear friends is spectacular, but coastal North Carolina will always have a special place in my heart.

After long, sweaty shifts at Panera, I would hop in my car and drive to the island.  After changing into a swimsuit inside a grungy public restroom, I would mosey down to the water and spread out my towel.  Sipping a cherry limeade and listening to music was pure relaxation.  Pure bliss.

Oddly enough, I miss the sand that would peskily get lodged in my cell phone.  I miss the painful sunburns and the frustration of forgetting my sunglasses.

The beach is beautiful, and I think I took it for granted.

The Ocean Blue

I leave for Chicago on Saturday!  I have completed my final shifts at Second Go-Round and Panera Bread, and I have said my bittersweet goodbyes to dear friends at church.  Remaining are three days of sweet freedom!  I plan to rest, pack, watch re-runs of "The Office," spend time with family, and...

Leaving for college has heightened my appreciation for these beautiful beaches!  My family is blessed to live only fifteen minutes away from the ocean.
 

Relaxing on the sand this afternoon, sipping a massive cherry limeade and listening to music, I felt at peace.  This summer, though mostly consumed with long shifts and sporadic wedding planning, has truly been a wonderful season.  Josh and I created some fun memories before he left in July, and I also enjoyed some get-togethers with high school friends!  It has also been a blessing to live at home for three months.  I will miss my family when I return to the Windy City.