well, i’m up, chatting with Griffin and probably not going to bed anytime soon. i’m going to list it up because it brings me great joy to reminisce over amazing weekends at a rapid reading pace. wearing my new popsicle bird shirt from the flying worm. lunch-hour adventures with Carrie and Augusta. drooling over shoes. seeing Heidi for the first time in like 2 years. power yoga with Erin. road-trippin’ to IC with Marisa. rockin’ out to Garth Brooks. “caaaaaallin’ Baton Rouge… St. Louis ;)” dancing with Ben. slipping on beer and nearly groping a stranger while trying not to fall all the way to the floor. bubble showers at studio. dancing in the cage. explaining to Ben that i had eaten a ton of onion and hummus, and that’s why i was covering up my mouth while talking to him. him telling me that he lost his sense of smell when he was 16. me exclaiming that that was perfect, maybe not for him but for the both of us at the time being. walking in on a raccoon in Drew’s bathroom when we got home. squealing while running across the kitchen. the look on Kody’s face when he saw what i was freaking out about. slow-motion as the raccoon walked into the living room instead of out the back door. Bandit, the raccoon, scaling the window frame and knocking down the blinds and the curtains. Kody trying (and failing) to shoo him out with a broom. listening to The Knife and “patiently” waiting for Bandit to leave on his own. lemon sage body wash in the morning. espresso, mimosas, omelets, and pancakes at Bluebird. the amana colonies. all of the weirdass but chill people at the Renaissance Faire. fox tails. coin scarves. unique jewelry. “I have a feather in my hat, and I have named it ‘Macaroni’!” proclaimed with such fervor! having a really good conversation with Marisa on the drive home. deciding not to shower and just go to Brian’s party. jittery giddiness from not eating for a long time and excitement of seeing Matt. being in a charming mood and telling stories to peeps at the party, causing riotous laughter. being pretty damn good at bags. loud burps and the disgusted looks from prissy girls :) the flirtatious and loving relationship between Drewsoph and i. listening to “Midnight Voyage” on our early morning voyage back home. skinny dipping in the hot tub. cool rain drops falling on my face. getting out of the hot tub and running naked through the yard and rain. standing at the edge of the field, completely vulnerable. squealing in surprise when Drew and Matt snuck up next to me. “don’t cover yourself, you’re beautiful.” snuggling with Drew and Oscar in bed. a quick breakfast before Drew went back to IC. pool party with the fam. recharging in the sun. laying in the grass with Amy and Micah. channeling my inner sage and giving advice to Amy. deep talks throughout the whole weekend. 

welp, chamomile is kicking in. time for bed.

Experience. Dream. Risk. Close your eyes and jump. Enjoy the freefall. Choose exhilaration over comfort. Choose magic over predictability. Choose potential over safety. Wake up to the magic of everyday life. Make friends with your intuition. Trust your gut. Discover the beauty of uncertainty. Know yourself fully before you make promises to another. Make millions of mistakes so that you will know how to choose what you really need. Know when to hold on and when to let go. Love hard and often and without reservation. Seek knowledge. Open yourself to possibility. Keep your heart open, your head high and your spirit free. Embrace your darkness along with your light. Be wrong every once in a while, and don’t be afraid to admit it. Awaken to the brilliance in ordinary moments. Tell the truth about yourself no matter what the cost. Own your reality without apology. See goodness in the world. Be Bold. Be Fierce. Be Grateful. Be Wild, Crazy and Gloriously Free. Be You. Go now, and Live.