observations from 32,000 ft.

I can see the moon hovering in the distance, while the morning's rays engulf the world below me. People moving about with their hectic, repetitive lives- work, work, play, work, then more work again. I should probably still be asleep right now. I like flying though; being free of your duties for a little while, and although I'm confined to this tiny space, it's still relaxing to be able to look out of the window and take in the world with a different perspective.

The lady sitting across from me is from South Africa. She's currently been flying for 16 hours and is now tackling her last 4 to end her journey in Orange County, California. She's quaint and speaks with a gentle tongue. She reminds me of someone I know, yet I can't think of exactly who. Her husband died this past July, and she is going to stay with her son and his family for the holidays. She seems interesting, and a part of me wants to know more about her story. After all, everyone has a story. I wonder if she has always lived in South Africa, or what she does for a living? I even wonder if this is the first time traveling without her husband? She eventually lays down in her seat, trying to get some rest. From the expression on her face, it would probably do her well.

The man in front of her is reading some newspaper with Cam Newton on the cover. He keeps shooting glances at me...it probably has something to do with my Auburn bag that's sitting next to me. However, I'm assuming since I haven't received a hearty "War Eagle!" that he isn't a member of the Auburn family, but nonetheless I give him a smile. I do this partly out of pure kindness and partly out of knowing that my team probably stomped his at some point in the season. Oh, Auburn...I do love thee. WDE!

Two hours have passed, no sleep accomplished, but I have listened to the entire John Mayer- Battle Studies album and caught up on some much needed writing. I guess you could say the thing I love most about flying is the time it gives you for reflection; it demands you to conjure up something to keep yourself occupied, yet I fall short of being successful almost every time, unless you count this entry as being successful.

The flight attendant has asked me four times now if I would like something to drink. Please note that my Sprite is still fizzing from when she first handed it to me. She's a kind, blonde lady and it makes me laugh, so I guess I don't mind.

We're almost to Cali, flying over deserted land with the rivets of a river cut into the earth so precisely that it doesn't seem real. As many plane rides as I've taken, it still blows my mind at how beautiful (this word doesn't serve it justice) the world is and how great God is for creating it all. I still sit in awe at each, new glimpse I'm offered.

the world is MY playground

Every now and then, I think about how grand it will be to travel the world.

Conveniently, images of Asia, Europe, small towns, exotic paradises, magical deserts, and foreign lights lay across glossy pages for the avid dreamer to soak up, yet only a few people get to experience them. Fortunately, I've been blessed to be able to indulge in some of these already. Some may call me crazy, but there's something absolutely endearing when you visit somewhere foreign, whether it be across the world, or across the country; being dropped into a sea of culture and the unfamiliar- it'll change your life, I swear by it.

When I was a Junior in high school, I received my first stamp in my passport, one that I will cherish for the rest of my days: Paris, France. When you see the Eiffel Tower beaming at you from the pages of National Geographic, you think you've experienced beauty, but it doesn't even come close to serving its reality justice. When I stood under one of the most beautiful fortresses known to man, I felt a sense of awe, peace, appreciation, life, intimidation, wonder, strength, and love. From that point on, I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life engaging in moments like these.

Since then, I've also ventured to England, Italy, The Bahamas, and various cities across America. Each has offered something that I won't find anywhere else in the world; something that I don't want to find anywhere else in the world. Admitting what a dork I am, I am a subscriber to National Geographic. When I flip through their pages, I can't contain my excitement for what the world has to offer. If I so allow it, the world can be my playground.

Although I'm not venturing out of the country anytime soon, in the near future I am going to visit family in California, as well as take my first, real ROAD TRIP with some of my sorority sisters. I am so ecstatic that I can't even talk about it without beaming with happiness! Although I've used the means of a plane for a million adventures for 11 and 12 hours at a time, I've never been in the car for more than 5. However, this will soon change. At the end of this semester, I'm getting the opportunity to sit back and relax with great company, jam to good music, and see America from the way it was meant to be seen: from a 2010 Honda CRV named Chad :)

Along with my gal pals, Julia and Elizabeth, we are starting from Auburn, Alabama and driving to Newnan, Georgia; Charleston, South Carolina; Williamsburg, Virginia, and ending in Bel Air, Maryland (while there, making a day trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania). You may say, "who cares, everyone's heard of these places and some have been to all of them," BUT actually making the journey from Point A to Point B with the intention of experiencing the sights, the smells, the culture; it's a little different. Each mile that we put behind us opens up a door way to something fresh and impacting that lies ahead. What I'm most excited for is the chance to stop at ridiculous signs, hole in the walls, natural landmarks, and the most exciting: "America's largest/smallest/oldest... (fill in the blank)."

SO...here's to my infatuation with traveling and the desire to experience life, whatever it may offer. Being kept up in a little town is not an option. There are too many opportunities just waiting for me to grasp. As Natalie Kocsis cleverly puts it, "The world is a playground, and life is pushing my swing."

exiting writer's block

Life, recently:

1. I've become a firm believer in Karma, even when she's a sassy, little bitch.
2. I've come to respect and cherish the friendships that I take for granted.
3. A regret for not pursuing my French minor has cultivated.
4. Cam Newton is boss, as is the entire Auburn football team. War Eagle!
5. Journalism doesn't seem as exciting as it did two years ago.
6. I have an obsession with the outdoors.
7. A Mocha Frap with extra whip is the key to my heart, seriously.
8. An urge to serve others selflessly has instilled itself within me.
9. Completely outspoken and honest, yet always tactful.
10. Writer's block is finally broken.
11. "Always do what you're afraid to do." -Emerson
12. I have a genuine interest in philosophy.
13. Being a free spirit is the only way to live.
14. I want to learn to play guitar, but the actual motivation is lacking.
15. Looking for a frat daddy. Kidding.
16. I made my first, real meal: success! (love for cooking has still yet to form)
17. I've taken note on where my roots are firmly planted.
18. Change is for the bravehearted. Change is good. I'm conducting the change train.
19. There's a blissful reward in appreciating the quiet/serene moments of the day.
20. I've realized everything doesn't always happen for a specific reason. Sometimes it just happens.

taking flight

August, where have you gone!?

I have officially been sucked into the lifestyle of The Plains, but I couldn't be happier! August has rushed by me and we are about to enter September going full speed ahead. Whoever dubbed Sophomore year as the slump year, was highly mistaken though. I am high on energy from everything going on in my life right now. Between school, sorority, family, and just being an Auburnite, there's no way I can even manage to come close to a slump, so give me the mountain tops because that's where I'm headed!

With only a few weeks of Sophomore year under my belt, I feel complete bliss and an amazing wave of positivity for the future. Maybe it's cliche for me to say this, but I can feel it in me that this year will be everything I've ever hoped for and more. So many opportunities have knocked at my door, and I have gladly accepted them. Being in college is a time to explore every orface of possibility, so I willingly accept this challenge to do so. Benjamin Franklin once said, "The greatest question in life is what good will I do with it," so here I go, spreading my wings and taking flight, beginning my journey of figuring it all out!

we all want to be living proof, too.

Sometimes I like to take a few hours out of my day to simply think. Lay paralyzed, listening to music of some sort and just allow my mind to have a little recess. Today as I laid on my bed, listening to the invigorating voices of Joshua Radin and Schuyler Fisk's "Paperweight," I began to reflect on the idea of soulmates. It's so cliche, yet very original.

When I was little, I could have sworn on Santa's life that every person had a soulmate, but now I just believe it because it just feels right to believe it. The idea that every person has someone that completes them- now that's beauty in its purest form. Some may disagree with me, but why not believe in something so profound? I have an aunt and uncle who are soulmates; they're living proof that they exist. I also know other couples who are living proof that even if they do exist, most will never exist together. It happens all the time: too early, too late, and sometimes and most frequently, never at all.

But then again, maybe soulmates also come in different forms. They come in lovers, best friends, sisters, brothers, colleagues. A wise Aristotle once said,"Friendship is one soul dwelling in two bodies," and I think he was correct. The one person that completely understands you for you. The one person that does something a little extra for your life. I believe, that, within itself is enough to convince anyone.

A few weeks ago, the news showcased a couple that had been married for several years, not knowing each other prior to meeting in their early, adult years. One day the man came across a photo that was taken of him at a theme park when he was about 5 years old. In the background, walking with her mother, he noticed a familiar face. That familiar face was now his wife. Never had they imagined that earlier in their lives, they had crossed paths. It's funny to think that walking down the street, you pass thousands of strangers, but you could be passing your soulmate, your potential spouse. Fate works in interesting ways: the story of the photograph proves it, as well as gives us romantics hope that one day we can be a living proof, too.

evolved

The seasons change.
The days change.
The nights change.
People also change.

Normally I'm an advocate of change, for it signifies new beginnings and growth in one's life, but sometimes change is one's worst enemy. Today I had lunch with my two best friends: note the "best" part. It was like any other typical day, but as we all three sat around the table, struggling for conversation, we were each at a loss of words, at a loss of interest, seeming as though we had a loss of friendship. After being apart for a year, significant change had occurred in each of us, forcing the unthinkable question of whether or not change had made such an impact that we no longer were compatible. How could one year change us so much that we no longer could muster up interesting conversation over something as measly as a lunch time sandwich? For 4 years we have had numerous ones: conversations and lunches, but today we were strangers... just three, insignificant people eating together.

Maybe my mind overanalyzed what had happened, but my gut tells me I didn't. As I drove back to work, I couldn't help but allow tears to stain my cheeks. And what's more is that I didn't freely choose change, this time.