beauty, warmth, and light

I have started to carry my camera around again and notice the beauty that's constantly around me.

It's warm enough here to keep the door open in December and sit comfortably in a tshirt.

Light streams through the windows and makes me yearn to go outside.

ambience, exotica, and school pride

I put my iPod on shuffle and observe different people as I flip through the songs, looking for an appropriately fantastic song for a series of mundane moments.

I am in love with a new coffeeshop that is surrounded by trees and exotic plants and looks like it could easily be in the Costa Rican jungle.

Hook 'em.

misery, caffeine, and renewal

Shared misery makes my gloom about my career path a bit more bearable.

I am completely jazzed on coffee and punk covers as I finish a lengthy paper.

A one-on-one debate with a graduate professor reminds me of my love for a topic area and renews my ambition to get my doctorate.

love and pain

Limerence makes me grin.

Physical therapy is painful, but I know I've made a lot of progress.

My big, cold, lonely bed made me appreciate the comfort of the last week.

love, fall, and sweets

"Let's fall apart together so that we can pick up the pieces."

It's finally cold and finally fall (maybe for real this time).

Warm gooey cookies are a great study treat, even if I didn't have time to make them myself.

early mornings, inspiration, and kindness

Waking up before my alarm clock makes the morning seem a lot more relaxed.

Hearing a discussion of the fight for civil liberties from someone who has done it reminds me of why I came to law school and what I should do once I leave.

I have always relied upon the kindness of strangers.

consumerism and comfort

The new iPod provides a constant musical narrative to a boring day.

Watching The Office with my love makes us more like a normal couple, even though he's still far away.

Hot soup is a nice alternative to cooking dinner after a long day.

exhaustion and bonding

The sun beating down on my shoulders as I trek to a coffeeshop for lunch refreshes me after a long morning.

My physical therapy exercises are hard, but that lets me know they're worthwhile.

Jokes and camaraderie make a longer than expected weeknight edit enjoyable.

illusions and nice surprises

A glance out the window at soaked orange leaves on wet pavement under a gray sky makes outside look much colder than it is.

An unexpected and warm email brightens my day.

The sunshower during the walk to my car was a nice surprise.

endings and beginnings

The sunset last night was beautiful enough that I mourned neither having my camera nor time to pull over and watch.

The orange leaves crackled and swirled in the wind this morning, and it truly felt like Fall.

Cleaning out my closet led to rediscovering old gems and let me get a clean(er) start on things.

music, observation, and comfort

Wonderful music at a coffeeshop makes me more productive and glad that I went.

Good drinks, fantastic conversation, and excellent people-watching on a comfortable couch in a chic bar make for a great evening.

The fact that I was really excited about plans of spending my Saturday night sitting on a couch on my apartment, talking to my love, and watching the fireplace burns makes me realize that I lead a very comfortable and happy life.

luxury, accomplishment, and getting back on the horse

An unexpected scalp massage made me a lot less nervous about the haircut that followed.

Finally tackling the pile of dirty pots and pans makes me feel like I've really accomplished something.

I'm writing again, hesitantly.

flowers, ambition, and longing

My bougainvillea looks tired but is finally blooming.

A riveted discussion in poli makes me remember why I want my PhD.

A nice evening after a long week makes me miss someone.

daydreams and surprises

Seeing "I Love You" spraypainted on the side of a boxcar on my way home made me daydream about the circumstances of its creation, which resulted in thoughts of very romantic stories for the entire drive.

Pizza, beer, cookies, and friends are all well and good, but witnessing a historical moment last night is what took my breath away.

Leaving the wall air freshener plugged in while I was at school today was probably a fire hazard, but coming home to a nice fresh scent was a wonderful surprise.

love and change

Waking up with a love song stuck in my head is a great way to start the day.

At some point, while the temperature stayed in the 80s and I kept my head in a book, the leaves began to acknowledge that it's fall.

The air has been dancing all day with the knowledge that, whatever the result, tonight will mark a historic change in our country's history.

warmth, clean starts, and opportunities

Flipflops in November allow me to feel the warm sun on my feet as I walk to my car after hours spent in cold classrooms.

A sparkling clean kitchen after weeks of clutter and dirty dishes fills my apartment with a green apple scent.

A counter full of clean tupperware means a week of yummy lunch possibilities.

Buying Christmas lights to decorate my patio, even though it's November, despite having to pass over the solar-powered lights this time.