Give me a second I, I need to get my story straight

This writing is free association, so I can't promise you if it makes that much sense. 

Man, Life, I tell ya. 

I've been going through some intense experiences this month. Normally, I wouldn't mind, but I hate the month of September for a few reasons dealing with loss. Four years this week and sometimes, it still hurts. However, I refuse to let my past define me. 

Luckily, most of my experiences this month (and life in general) have been positive. Confusing, but positive. 

I always try to enjoy life for whatever it throws at me. We can't feel real happiness without experiencing real pain. 

One thought that really struck a chord with me is the idea that we don't have to understand or think about something too much to enjoy it. We shouldn't. If we over-analyze something too much, we begin to second guess ourselves. I'm going with this. 

Fall List 2012

Every new season, I make a list of things I want to accomplish. Some of these can be small accomplishments and some of these can be larger. I try to do seasonal lists such as this one as a reminder to appreciate the simpler things in life. 

1. Play in a pile of leaves

2. Go to a cider mill

3. Go on a road trip

4. Go camping

5. Have a Star Wars marathon

6. Snuggle under blankets all day and relax

7. Create something new

8. Take fall pictures

9. Carve a pumpkin

10. Find a new favorite band

11. Go to a show

12. Go wine tasting

13. Knit a scarf

14. Felt something

15. Watch a new series

16. Look up new counseling theories

17. Have a yes day (my last one was very successful, I ended up singing with a band at a bar)

18. Have a spa day

19. Feel infinite

20. Go out to the end of the lighthouse and enjoy the sight

21. Spend time with the elderly

22. Let go of a vice

23. Buy flowers for myself

24. Learn a new skill

25. Write down my experiences

26. Read at least 15 books (school books don't count!)

27. Have a completely spontaneous day

28. Go to a haunted house

29. Go to Rocky Horror

30. Have a girls' night

31. Get rid of 20+ items I don't need

32. Drink hot apple cider

33. Listen to the rain outside

34. Sit in complete silence 

35. Have a dinner party

36. Make a new friend

37. Reconnect with old friends

That's all for now. I'm sure there will be more to come!

Adventures

Numb.

Observant

1. Madam Simza Heron: "What do you see?"
2. 
   
3. Sherlock Holmes: "Everything. That is my curse."
4. 
   
5.                                                                                 -Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Let Go-Frou Frou

One of my favorite songs. 

Enjoy!

National Suicide Prevention Month

Suicide Prevention

Goodbye, Summer

"Then Labor Day came and went, 

and we shed what was left of our summer skin."

-Death Cab for Cutie

9/11

This past spring break, I had the chance to take a road trip to NYC with my traveling buddies, Bill and Dan. Whilst there, we visited Ground Zero. What an experience. Between visiting the museums, and listening to and viewing the stories, it was a bit overwhelming. Especially to see the remaining artifacts from the victims. A wallet here, a piece clothing there, it was surreal. I didn't think it would be appropriate to have a picture of myself smiling at such a somber location. This was one of the times in my life where I felt small. It was hard to imagine that I was standing where thousands had perished, and that the two giant waterfall base structures were where the Towers once stood. I'm not sure if I would ever visit there again, but one thing kept being repeated in lower Manhattan: "In darkness we shine the brightest."

Over Labor day weekend, the dynamic duo, Dan and Dylan, came home to Ludington with me to go kayaking. We went swimming in the lake twice and took some beautiful pictures. My friends and family rock.