the small things

adventureland in my own backyard...

So there I was clacking away on the keyboard working on my final project for college letting Pandora stream along in the background when Speechwriters LLC filled my room with beautiful music...

Southeast Asia

Classic cars and
outdoor bars and
movie stars

It sounds like California, hey I tried to warn you
Living any place is hard
When blood is pumped by a lonely heart

So I followed you
To Southeast Asia
The weather is grey here
They look at us strange here

It brings us close together, and things have been better
Than they've ever been before

This is love
Can't say it much different than that
Sing this song to someone you love
And you tell them
That if this is the end
You couldn't complain

and it made me happy.

i hope music makes you happy.

the great gatsby

a great adventure....

Just arrived home from Friday night date night with my best friend, Sara. We spent the evening in the courtyard area of the Biltmore in awe of the lives on the screen before us. On Friday evenings the Biltmore Fashion Park has hosted movies in their center court allowing families, couples, and friends to picnic on the lawn and enjoy a classic American film. This week in the park The Great Gatsby captured the audience and onlookers alike.

Previously, I had never seen the movie so I was delighted to see the beaded gowns, sequined headbands, and the romanticized way of life. As a matter of fact, I may just make my own Great Gatsby inspired headband and wear it the unneccarily lavish accesory to the market.

While I must report the experience was a bit chilly (I literally tried on my winter coat before leaving the house, but decided I looked silly at the last minute and went with a thinner sweater- something I started to regret around 8:45) it made the experience that much more. I was transported into winter with the store fronts decorated in red and green, trees adorned with white twinkle lights, and the crowd of movie goers bundled in scarves and blankets.

It made for an absolutely gorgeous Friday night.

i hope to see you at my table.

we're actually a visa family

another adventure just beyond the horizon....

Instate Tuition at ASU for 4.5 years: $18,258.00

Sitting for the NCTRC Exam: $425.00

Overnighting 2 transcripts to New York: $82.23

Knowing your daughter will stay in Arizona for the next three years: Priceless


Thanks Momma and Mike!!! I would never have been able to get through without you!

i hope you follow your dreams.

warm fuzzies

an adventure in my own backyard...



Last year my sister and I got these fuzzy scented socks for Christmas. At the time we thought they were totally weird and agreed that we would most likely never use them.

Fast forward eleven months....
The couple who gifted us these are genius!!! I was sitting in my house freezing thinking of ways to stay warm when the fuzzy sock popped into my head.
It took me a minute to dig them out, but it was so worth it.
My piggies will be nice and warm this winter :)

Thank you Bruce and Jamie!

Also note my favorite thing, my owl blanket from Target.
I <3 it!

i hope your socks are scented this holiday season.

coming soon: the real world

Put your cowgirl boots on and hang on for yet another adventure...

My vanilla bean candle is lit and the scent over-powers my room in the best way. Pandora is doing a wonderful job swirling the musical talents of The Format, Dave Matthews Band, Speechwriters LLC, Mason Jennings, Ingrid Michaelson, Joshua Radin, and many others. I'm wearing my paper crown for nostalgia, hoping it will help me craft a somewhat interesting post. My window is open to Willow, but the weather isn't as cool as November should feel.

I'm feeling rather homesick. The feeling came about yesterday afternoon and has only been welling up inside, slowly consuming all I am. I know it is partly here because a big wonderful chapter in my life is concluding and will soon introduce a new slightly scary and uncertain page in my book. Graduation is literally five weeks away, I'm moving out of the Willow house in eight, and I have no clue what my future holds. On top of everything else Christmas is just round the bend and I am sad because while I know this year will bring new traditions and memories it also means moving away from and all too soon forgetting the old ones.

It is unnerving to me to crave a home that does not exist. I want to live and be in a safe place that smells good, creates a warm calm, and is full of happiness. I want to see my family healthy and joyful. I want to sleep in the same bed every night. I am tired of living out of a duffel bag, tired of worrying.

I hope I find where it is I'm supposed to be. I know who I am supposed to spend the rest of my adventure-filled existence with, but I seem to have lost the directions to the corner of "financially stable" and "organized".

Take a deep breath. Last time I was overwhelmed with adult worries about my internship the stars lined up and everything has turned out to be amazingly lovely. I'm headed for big things, I just have to have faith.

i hope my lucky star is still up there.

weekend whipping by

Hello my name is Aimee and this is a real life adventure...

Dear weekend,

Why did you go by so fast?

Please stay longer next time.

Aimee

Dear Momma,

Thank you for spending your Saturday with me trying to replace the car battery.

I love you!

Aimee

Dear Clayton,

Sometimes it is hard to kiss you because loving you makes me smile.

My heart is yours.

Aimee

i hope your weekend was fantastic.

all grown up

Hello my name is Aimee and this is a real life adventure...

Despite being 22 and a half I still feel like I'm fifteen most days, and let's be honest I'm often confused for a high school student. Even though I drive, am in college, and having the most amazing internship experience I call my parents all the time and ask their advice on life issues, similar to asking for permission to stay out late. Despite my youthful mindset, every once in a while something will happen that reminds me I am a full fledged adult with big girl responsibilities and real world consequences.

For instance, after work I checked a voicemail asking me to call my Dad back when I had the chance. After hanging up from our two minute conversation I had gathered that my Dad had been experiencing chest pain and was in the hospital overnight for monitoring, but that I should not be alarmed only informed.

While I'm glad this little event can be chalked up to anxiety and stress I started thinking about the scenario had my Dad actually had a heart attack. It was a quick whip across the face for thinking I could be young forever. No more are the days of Mom and Dad taking me to the doctor, but checking in with them to make sure they are managing their blood pressure and cholesterol.

For now I am praying for health and new lives, instead saying goodbye to the ones already here.

hoping for happy things.