Savory Santa Barbara Summer



A picture is worth 1,000 words, so here are some snapshots of recent summer happenings...



I LOVE summer, and...


The beach



Playing volleyball with friends



BBQ's



Surfing



Playing



Laughing



This weekend I am taking a required seminar class for my master's program that is all about counseling "older adults" (a nice term for the elderly), and learning how to help them process "end of life issues". Tonight I was sitting near the window in the classroom, looking outside at the setting sun from time to time-- thinking about what it would feel like to know that I was nearing the "sunset" of my life. Being young, I rarely stop to think about this, but tonight it was hard to not think about. In class we watched a video of older people (all of whom were over 100 years old!) sharing about their lives. The essence of what they all shared was, "Savor each moment" because it "goes by so fast". We have all heard this before, but tonight it really hit me! I want to live life to the fullest and enjoy every moment! Throughout the duration of the class I found myself so thankful for my youth, and for my health. I felt this new urgency to really grab life by the horns. While I should have been taking notes on the professors lecture (detailing the "issues" older people face-- the loss of loved ones, failing health, depression, incontinence, dementia...) I was busy writing down all of the things that I want to do and see in the coming months. I made a list of all of the things that I love, and vowed to spend more time soaking up life's precious moments. Below is what filled my page of "notes" after I had already written the heading "Helping The Elderly Deal with End-of-Life Issues"--

SAVOR EVERYTHING!!!!

Surfing, the wind in my hair, children, service, the beach, trader joes, tennis, driving with the windows down and sunroof open, laughter, sunshine, music, iced coffee, beach volleyball, my pink beach cruiser, cozy rainy days, fruit, free time, playing, teaching, listening, relating, family, travel, roommates, books, friends, meat, fun hats, DANCING, running in the rain, chocolate, jumping in the ocean, weekends, weekdays... Yes... SAVOR EVERYTHING, and enjoy each moment!


I know there are many great things about getting old-- I just don't want to experience them quite yet!

FUN IN WASHINGTON-- and other updates...



It has been a long time since my last post! So much has happened since then that it really seems silly to try to recap. I will hit some highlights from these past 9 months!
1) A fun trip with close girl friends to Washington! In November we traveled to the Northwest to visit a close friend living in Olympia. We enjoyed rain (of course!) as well as crisp fall weather and colorful leaves falling to the ground. We had quality time catching up in coffee shops, and even paid a visit to the very first Starbucks. The highlight of the trip was connecting with girls that I cherish and being able to reminisce about the past, enjoy the present, and dream about what the future might hold. All of the pictures below are from our time in Washington.
2) I started graduate school in the fall, and embarked on the first steps of my journey in becoming an M.F.T. (Marriage and Family Therapist-- which is admittedly a bit funny since I am not married and definitely don't have children! haha!)
3) I moved to a house on the mesa! I am living with two friends from Westmont and enjoying a more spacious living situation (I have my own room!) and closer proximity to my favorite surfing spot! My new address is 409 Flora Vista Drive, Santa Barbara, CA. 93109.
4) I am continuing to enjoy my job, tennis, surfing, beach volleyball, hanging out with friends, and walking on the beach. I love what I am learning in school about humans -- our brain functioning-- which influences thoughts, feelings, tendencies, and behaviors. So interesting! I also really enjoy being a part of Ocean Hills Church.