Perks

Fact: When I read first read The Perks of Being a Wallflower in my adolescence, I downloaded songs from the mix tape Charlie gave Patrick for Secret Santa (p. 62!) because I wanted to feel infinite too.

Nerd alert.

A Lifelong Exchange

At my cousin's wedding, each guest was asked to leave a message for the couple.

With the conversations described below still fresh, this was my wish for them.

Love at first sight? I'm not sure about that. Attraction begins, as a friend of mine put it, with that initial conversation. That's what captivates you and sparks your interest in the first place.

So maybe a relationship is just a really long and a really good conversation-- one that keeps you from being bored, where you listen, and where you, yourself, feel heard.

Then marrying that person is hoping that conversation will never end.

But when there are no more words, well, then maybe the only thing left to be said is "goodbye".

Father Knows Best

If you know me at all, you know that I am the quintessential daddy's girl. And after this summer, the one that will be written in the books as the summer of our Daddy/Daughter Asia Adventure, I can, with utmost certainty, say that he is one of my best friends.

Always reminding me of my priorities and what really matters in life, I ask for his advice and talk to my dad more now than ever. (His advice is always the same: Just pray.)

Tonight, I needed one of his talks. With so many options and directions that my life can go, I called my dad and filled him in on what in the world is going on. Taking all things into account.. What are the jobs? Will I be happy doing that? What does it pay? Are there health benefits? Where would I live? Would I be happy there? How expensive will that be? Where's the closest locale? Will I need a car? How will it benefit my career in the long term?

He finally said, "What do you want to do? If you know what you want to do, then do it. Don't get a job just to get a job. It's a waste of time... Things aren't easy right now, but you have a strong faith and what ever you want to do, God will help you because you have a good heart. So just come home and we'll talk about it and figure it out."

Thanks, Dad.. For really getting who I am and for making me go home.

Just ridin' elephants with my dad in Thailand in August 2012.

How Does It Know?

I can't make this stuff up...

Part of my horoscope from today:

Gypset (gypsy + jet set) living calling your name, Scorpio? Today’s quarter moon in your travel sector activates your wanderlust.