Brit+Co Re:Make Summit 2016

I spent this past weekend in San Francisco at Brit+Co's Re:Make Summit. I found out about it only a week or so before and made the insane decision to splurge and attend. SO WORTH IT. 

Friday was spent listening to the likes of Sophia Amoruso, Melanie Whelan, and two of my FAVES Grace Helbig and Mamrie Hart. I've been following these two YouTubers for years now, and it was so amazing to see them live. They're both comedians, but I love listening to them speak in interviews and panels like this because they are real and honest and so relatable. 

Then there was Brene Brown. WHAT. I KNOW. She spoke for only about 30-40 minutes, but I could have listened to her for the whole 8 hour day. One of my teachers introduced me to her Ted Talk on The Power Of Vulnerability years ago. I've been meaning to read her books, but have not gotten around to it with all of my school work. After this weekend though, I know I need more Brene in my life. So amazon, here I come!

Saturday was a day free to the public with vendors of all difference creative mediums. There were DIY projects, food trucks, live music. I stayed with a girlfriend in lower pac heights, and on Saturday I decided to walk back to her apartment from the Fort Mason Center. I figured the two mile walk with much uphill climbing was my exercise for the day (especially since my morning was spent at Tartine). I loved all of the old homes and apartments, especially with the vines and flowers and greenery all around. 

xxo

A Day of (non)Productivity

Yesterday I did absolutely nothing productive (outside of watching a whole television series on Netflix, which takes determination and focus...right?). I didn't shower, didn't exercise, didn't work on my thesis. At some point during the day I literally asked myself, "what am I doing with my life?". I'm freaking out thinking about finding a job, making a living, and reconciling my heartbreak. 

At some point in the evening my grandmother called and asked me how my day was. I told her how I had done nothing, but tried to make up for it with the plans I have for today: working out, reviewing some thesis work, applying for more jobs. My grandmother reminded me that sometimes we need a day off. And at first I thought that was ridiculous and couldn't apply to me because I've been "off" for over a month now without a job. But I haven't really been off. I've been stressed and anxious. I've been job hunting and working the numbers and planning things out. I've been dealing with a lot of emotions and anxiety since leaving the kids...

So yeah, I took the day off yesterday. I was lazy and vegged out on fantasy television. And I'm not going make myself feel bad about it. I'm going to chalk it up to a mental health day, and use the rest of my week wisely to find the balance between hard work and self-care. 

xxo

This Hill is Worth Climbing

Because there are glorious treats at the top!! (and in reality my car does all the climbing of hills...so that makes it easier too). I spent the first day of fall at Apple Hill yesterday walking through the orchards, eating apple donuts, and smiling at all of the little babies with their parents, being reminded of all of the pure and beautiful memories of going to Apple Hill as a family growing up. 

For the past several months I've gone back and forth with worry and excitement at being unemployed. My head is telling me I need to get a job, one that fulfills me and challenges me (and pays me). But my heart and intuition are reminding me to take things slowly, and that I need to savor this wide open space of unknown, because these seasons in life are rare. I'm reminded of one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books, Oh the Places You'll Go. I love this book. I would read it on the regular to the chickens I nannied. But every time we got to the two pages about "the waiting place" I skipped over it. 

To me there is a difference between waiting in stagnation, and waiting in anticipation. Our society tells us that the more we work, the harder we work, the better we are-we make more money, we gain more esteem from colleagues and recognition from the community. But from what I've experienced myself, and seen others go through around me, is that all that produces in burnout. You're not even able to enjoy the "spoils" of your work. So I'm working on leaning in the direction of my heart, and reminding myself to slow down. I'll job search and apply to positions for an hour or so each day, but then spend the other 23 hours of the day filling myself up, exploring Sacramento, reading a good book (currently The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt), yoga and exercise, healthy eating (sans Apple Hill donuts because those are always excusable), basically all of the things that I make excuses to not do while I'm working full time. 

Take it easy

xxo

Exciting News!

Some of my favorite shots from recent travels are now available for digital download on my Etsy shop!! Each JPEG is available to purchase for $10. After you make your purchase, it's sent right to your inbox (hello no shipping and handling fee!). From there you can use it digitally, or print it out and display it however you fancy. I particularly love Artifact Uprising. I've ordered from them several times, whether it be their set of 25 prints, the option to create your own book, or most recently, a larger print of my New York trip. 

So head on over and check out my shop. I'm so excited to share these pictures in medium outside of this blog and Instagram.

xxo

Roosevelt Island

Roosevelt Island is almost like a parallel universe. It's so close to the city, you can see it just across the water and hear the busy noises of cars and trucks and life in the city. Yet Roosevelt Island is calm and quiet, filled with schools and playgrounds, young families, people convalescing, and just a general slower rhythm to life. I loved it. I practically walked the whole island in one afternoon (in other words, get ready for a whole slew of pictures. And be grateful I whittled it down from over 100 to about 35). 

xxo