VIRGINIA : part t w o

I think having a vacation to recover from vacations needs to be a thing. Coming back to reality late Sunday night and expecting myself to have my shit together for work this week was putting too much hope on my organization skills. 

somehow I made it through, though wahooo! celebrating the little things over here. :) 

Last Thursday, Rachel and I spent the majority of our day in the car, singing and dancing to Jason DeRulo pandora, catching up on all the things we've missed the last few months, while driving 3 hours away just to paint mermaids! She found this place online a few months ago and we had no idea what we were in for, but we decided we had to go anyways. 
best choice the whole trip! we had so much fun, shared a delicious lunch and saw the beach! It was freezing cold and windy, but it was the beach sooo can't complain too much.
here's some pictures from our day! 

VIRGINIA : part o n e

Hello from Virginia! 

This trip is already half over and I am beyond sad about it! 

Spending time with Rachel, being away from Colorado and taking a break from reality was needed more than I even knew! 

I have had such an amazing time already, as expected, of course. 

I spent the first day wandering around DC while Rachel and Alex were at work and I ended up walking 12 miles throughout the day, taking way too many pictures of random things and drinking a whole lot of coffee. I guess I wanted to be a full-on tourist, so I think I accomplished that. :) 

Walking around DC alone, teaching myself how to use what I feel like might be the most complicated public transportation ever, was the perfect thing to remind myself of how independent I can be! Only entertaining myself, seeing the things I want to see…perfection! This trip is by far my favorite one and I may or may not ever come home ;) 

Here's some pictures from day one! Sorry in advance for the many Virginia blog posts to follow...Rachel and I set the goal to take at least 50 pictures a day and we have so far succeeded haha. *dancing twin emoji times 5* 

happy weekend to you! :))

xo 

Farewell, Shannon.

A lifelong best friend of mine is officially moving to Africa tomorrow to join the peace corps! I still can't believe it, even though it's here and we have said our goodbyes, given our hugs and cried the first of probably many tears (especially on this end, hello all of the emotions ever).

I am so proud of Shannon for following her dreams, she has wanted this since we were little tots in elementary school. Shannon is such an inspiring person in my life, always has been. She has been by my side through all of lifes' stuff, big and small, and I've relied on her for just about everything. 

It was only right that we all had one last celebration for her. My friend Courtney and I put together what turned out to be a wonderful party on Friday night, celebrating all of the holiday's Shannon will miss in 2015. It was a room full of great people, delicious food (desserts for days, never a problem) and a whole lotta love for you know who. 

Then, on Sunday my family went to a goodbye brunch for her and spent the morning loving on her and her wonderful, supportive family. It was a special weekend saying goodbye 20+ times and giving hugs at every possible opportunity. Anyone who knows Shannon knows how special she is. I'm so grateful to have gotten the opportunity to focus just on her this past week and to have spent as much time as possible with her. I feel like I won the lottery with this friendship of ours.  

here are some pictures from the weekend. enjoy!

"woah 23 already?! it's like my birthday was just here!" ;)

 ^^ says 'best wishes' in Shannon's new language, Chichewa! looks pretty easy to learn... 

Miss you so much already, Shannon. Can't wait to follow along with your adventures and come visit you IN AFRICA next year. You are so brave and strong and the best possible role model I could ask for. I want to be just like you when I grow up. :)

love you the mostest.