"Love is a Verb." -JM

I clicked a button that solidified a decision I made about a year and a half ago. After my trip to the Philippines in January 2011, I decided that I wanted to organize a project to help the people there. Monday morning, it became official. I sent an e-mail reaching out to my friends and family, telling them of my experience and what I wanted to do.

The entire weekend I was so anxious. It was nerve wracking. I have been working on bits and pieces of this for so long it seems, and now it's out there, floating around for people to see and read and feel, and I can only hope they receive it warmly.

Deep breaths. And keep on working. And pray, of course.

That's how it will get done.

Here's a glimpse into my little heart.

Nostalgia

Picos de Europa, Spain 2007

It has been five years since Santander, but I think about that perfect summer everyday and all the ways it changed me.

http://www.bigthink.com/ideas/why-traveling-abroad-makes-us-more-creative?page=all

Ramblings of a Crazy Person

I love that moment when you discover something beautiful.
I make secret goals for people.
I revel in my friends' accomplishments like I would my own.
I really believe that we are capable of doing anything.
I think that you should learn something from every person you meet.
You should leave a place better than you left it.
When you leave a person, they should feel more uplifted than when you first got there.
I love hearing people's life stories and learning about the things, people, and events that have shaped them.
I appreciate others' opinions, except when they're wrong.
I get that college was awesome. It absolutely was. But real life is pretty freakin' cool too.
I believe that if the work week was 4 days, we'd all be a lot more productive. And happier.
You should follow your instincts.
Being grumpy is a waste of energy.
It's okay to vent, but it bothers me when people complain then don't do anything about.
Life is whatever you want it to be.
I'm grateful. For everything. Everyday. 

It's true.

And don't you dare forget it.

I Blame Disney Movies and Country Music

Because I'm a hopeless romantic.

Morning Thoughts

Somedays I wake up and think about how crazy it is that I live in New York (again). Then I remember that I lived in Fort Myers. And that is way crazier.

Fact

Central Park

Nothing beats spring time in the city.

New Yorkers are ready to put away their boots and winter coats and replace them with sandals and sundresses. They leave their shoebox apartments and head for the great outdoors, exploring the Park, the streets, and rediscovering NY and all of its beauty.

It's what is does, yanno. You hate it all winter long, and just like that, it will make you fall in love with it again.