My Home

The cool breeze with the scent of sea salt. Moist skin in the gentle Sun. Trains breaking a fairly silent day every 32 minutes. Weeds growing in the cracks of distressed roads and sidewalks. Kids playing double dutch. Boys waddling because their pants are obnoxiously low. Bright flowers. I love the lavender in the garden. Corinne Bailey Rae playing on my porch step. My sister, beautiful even if she is mad at the world. Michael, so gentle and meek... I love that about him. My mother's ribs and black bean rice on my plate. The fish market down the street with its overflowing customers. Men whistling at me. Angry parents yelling for their children to come inside and eat. My mother, so slim and beautiful... and not aging. Green all around me. Hip hop blasting from zooming cars. flowers to honor the falling on nearby sidewalks. The corner stores. The fried chicken shop one block down filling the evenings with the savory chicken. This is my home, and always will be.

A Whole Lot Of News

Well my dear friends, it has been FAR to long!! So much has happened in the past few weeks I don't even know where to begin!! You already know I have pictures to go along with each little event in my life so... let's get started shall we?

So I guess I will start with the biggest news so far. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, girls at the age of 19 can serve a 18 month mission. For personal reasons, I felt it was my time to serve. I have been called to labor in the Birmingham, Alabama mission!!!! at first I was shocked to be going to the south but the more I let it sink in, the better I felt about it. I will be reporting to the  missionary training center in Provo, Utah October 2, 2013. I will be spending time with my family in boston from September 7th, until October 1st (when I head back to Utah). So basically friends in Utah, you will only have one more week with me so boys you better fill my canteen quick ;)!! the people that I have come into contact with here in Utah have seriously shaped me into a better person, I love you all, you are my second family!

So I met this amazing girl Adrienne a couple of weeks ago. She seriously just has an amazing light around her all the time and it causes you to be the best person you can be. I have been privileged to be around a person that just changes your perception on so many things. After 3 weeks of bonding with this girl, she had to go back to her beautiful home in New Zealand (cool I know)! I am keeping in touch with her and hopefully I can go out to see her soon!

Jewelry party at Shakira's house is always a good idea (the beautiful dog is jack... he's the best)

Finally, part 2 of my San Diego trip!!!! (sorry some of the pictures are sideways)

.

Green Is The New Black

So when I was in high school, I could go to McDonald's after school everyday, order whatever I wanted, go home and eat dinner, and still maintain a decent six pack. Now I am 20 and I am finding out that I can't just eat whatever I want and expect to look or Feel 100%! So after my Vegas trip, i have been trying to change my eating habits (vacation and diets aren't exactly realistic). I want to feel healthy, not just look it. My friend Shakira has taught me a lot about portion control ( my weakness). She also suggested to go vegan at least 3 times a week. I recently went to a vegan potluck, and it was so fun and yummy! Anyway, I've been feeling AMAZING ever since I switched the big mac for whole  wheat pasta with veggies! My skin is better and I can workout for longer periods of time! My hair is also growing faster, which is sometimes impossible in this dry weather. Anyway check out some of my progress :)!

The gym in my apartment complex

End of Summer Goal Jeans

I've been dancing as well

Oatmeal with yogurt and black berries

Summer Snack

Vegan Potluck Love