Where We're Starting

Something compelled me to take a look back at this blog last week. Seeing that I saved drafts that I never published from SEVEN YEARS ago made me want to give this a shot. It's just...there are so many formats: regular journal, bullet journal, notion, one second a day, social media. How do you choose just one place to put your thoughts? Answer: simple yet not simple: you don't. Of course. Here's giving this thing another shot, just to see if it sticks and if it works for me.

My life is about to change in some very big ways. I've been in DC, living a pretty comfortable, happy, easy life. In a month, I'm packing up my things and heading out to the PCT, with the plan to settle back home in California after. I'm going with my boyfriend, N. I wonder what his trail name will be!

It's probably much simpler on a person to just do the PCT rather than PCT plus a cross country move. What can I say? We like a challenge.

Why am I going to uproot it all? In the beginning, this was easy to answer. For the adventure of a lifetime and many other reasons that have to do with living life to the fullest and growing as a person. That probably deserves its own post. Moving to be close to my family. Easy. Obvious. At first.

I knew the PCT would be difficult but I didn't expect to be challenged this way so soon. You think you have your reasons nailed down and then life makes you repeatedly make the choice of the PCT in the face of tempting, logical life perks that are great for your future long-term.

This past week and a half, N&I got sucked into a vortex of considering postponing our trip to next year. It made us to solidly reaffirm our reasons of saying yes, even though we're less prepared than we hoped to be. Hoped to hike more, backpack more, save more. We're going to be scraping by but be out there just the same. What I know for sure is that I don't want to be a person who gets stuck in the comfortable and easy.

It's clear to see why N&I went through this phase of doubtfulness. I was waist deep in not wanting to leave my life the way it is, yearning to keep it all the same, and fearing all the things I'll be saying goodbye to. Having to convince N to not push it back made me fight for the trail  and unknowingly, give myself the permission to begin letting go.

PCT lesson #1: Drop the idea of perfection. Doing it imperfectly and learning during the process is more important than waiting to be perfectly prepared and never getting around to it. Sure, it's obvious, but it's hard to live by. So we practice :)

A Weekend of (Modern) Classics

As the weather started warming up, I'd been itching to leave the comfort of home to get out into the city and explore. Our local paper, Express, advertised a classical music concert at the Library of Congress and I made it a point to get the weekend started right. 

Warmed up for the night by strolling around the National Mall and U.S. Capitol for a good hour or two (it had been a while!) and heading into the Library of Congress for my first visit. Unknowingly, I had walked into what was a classical music concert with a modern twist. Any concert at the Library of Congress is bound to have an extra special element to it.

The next morning, I made my way on over to the National Gallery of Art for a special viewing of the Flames of Paris ballet. I was lucky in that my parents taught me an appreciation for the arts. My brother and I went to plenty of operas growing up. Somehow, ballets were left off the list. I went just by myself and had a truly great time. The ballet was all about telling a story: two lovers during the French Revolution. It was hard not to get drawn into the story with the costumes and the beautiful, graceful movements of the dancers. The principals were performing dancing feats left and right: the women spinning around countless times and the men leaping high into the air. 

^^ The grand National Gallery of Art

^^ A bit of art spotted on the way there (how fitting!)

^^ The talented dancers of the Flames of Paris

(NY Times Photo)

Said a passing hello to our nation's capitol (whose beautiful dome is currently under the process of reconstruction) and headed to Teaism to do a quick meet-up. They had a menu chalk-full of different teas, drinks, and natural foods. I had the Moroccan Mint Tea. Although good, it was a bit off from the traditional that I so adore.

A quick stop at Wendy's was a great refuel for the BU Days of Global Service (#BUGDS16). At the Washington Humane Society, the dogs and cats received as much love and care (and shhh, treats!) as a girl could possibly give! Rounded out the night with an order of Dominoe's and a Netflix showing of a childhood classic: Anastasia.

Other weekend highlights

A good ole' crepe from Eastern Market.

Exercising: Classic. Crossfit: Exercise in a modern kick-your-butt in less time kind of way. 

Don't hold your breathe waiting for a second round from me!

Can't. Resist. Puppies. 

I'm so happy so see spring rolling around. It's giving me the spirit and energy to get moving and get outside! 

A New Beginning

I did it. Last September, I moved out to DC and each day brings me closer to that life I want to live. I miss my family and the comfort of LA but nothing excites me like discovering a new city and building a new life. I'm inexplicably drawn to change and new experiences. It all adds to what life is about. I still don't know where I'm head but it's warmer in the direction I'm going. I want to lead such a full life, soak up it all up and embrace each and every moment that is given to me. I want to feel alive by living. 

dear new home, you are what I've been searching for all of these months. Perfect house, perfect neighborhood. It's nice to finally be together.

dear summer, how is it that you're already here? After such an amazing winter, I had high expectations for you and you've been living up to them with camping trips and nights on the town.

dear rain, nice to see you again. There's something wonderful about being unexpectedly caught in a warm rain storm. Unless it was the biggest one since 2012 and you're trying to move in the middle of it.

dear frozen pizza, I've been relying on you a little too heavily recently. Please release me from your hold. I'm looking at you, Hot Pockets.

dear car, it was great of you to join my boyfriend's life. What a feeling to drive through the city with the top down!

dear parents, thank you for planning a 3-week trip to Romania. Although I'll be missing everything about this city and the people here, I'm couldn't be more excited to get out to explore again. Here's to some of that good ol' family bonding.

"Our hearts are like firestones. When they strike, we feel the love. Sparks will fly, ignite our bones. When they strike, we light up the world. "

*format inspired by Well Traveled Wife.