1. The beach.
This is where I go for sunrises, sunsets, star gazing, and meteor showers. They take my breath away. Laying on a towel warm under the sun, eyes closed, just listening to the sound of the surf is the best meditation there is. Walking down the shore by myself to let my mind wander… finding little treasures—seashells, starfish.
2. Gem Mining
Sifting through dirt as a gentle stream of water runs through your fingers and finding dirty, raw amethyist, rubies, and emeralds makes you feel like a little kid… except this time you really do find treasures.
3. White Water Rafting
So fun! it’s like a roller coaster, except it’s actually dangerous and you could get hurt. Somehow that makes it all the more fun.
4. Dreams
I guess I get this from my dad. We both have the strangest, most bizarre dreams. Usually I remember them. I love it when they’re so weird that they just blow your mind, or so perfect that you wake up smiling and feeling good. I try to write down every dream I have.
5. Fireflies, forests and Smokey Mountains
This is nothing short of beautiful.
6. Blackberry picking
I did this all the time when I was little. My mom would make the most delicious cobblers out of them.
7. Kittens
No explanation needed.
8. Pretty color combinations
I got a scarf for Christmas. It’s a dark emerald green. It has a plaid pattern incorperating black, dark dark blue-ish purple, and bright pink.
9. Perfect weather.
Hot, but not so hot you sweat. A slight, warm breeze. Whispy clouds in the sky. No bugs or humidity. Also, those few minutes right before sunset where everything is glowing red.
10. Hurricanes
After all the destruction, everything outside smells fresh and green, as if everything bad had been cleaned out. I love boarding up and hunkering down for a big storm, listening to the wind and hail. The feel before a big hurricane is electric, as if the air around you already anticipates it. I remember one time during a tropical storm I made a tuna sandwich. My mom hated the smell so much that she made me eat it outside, which I always thought was funny.
11. Smells that bring back memories.
I still can’t find a name for the smell of Christmas.
12. Live concerts of favorite bands
Last year I saw Jimmy Eat World, my favorite band since I was around 14. That was a perfect night. It brought back so many good memories and was beyond amazing. Afterwards, my face hurt from smiling.
13. Hiking at the bluffs.
Finding a hidden tunnel under the streets, flattening pennies on the railroad track, climbing into the old treehouse, a sketchy rope swing over a cliff, goat trails, getting dirty. My dad took me here all the time when I was little. Last year I got to share it with my closest friends, which ment a lot to me.
14. Those random, memorable nights.
One of my favorites began at a frat party—which my friend and I ditched with 2 piano players, who snuck us into the music building to serenade us. Later we went on a quest for ice cream and tried to see how many people we could fit in a tree (while it was raining, of course). Also: the cucumber incident and the phantom cupcakes.
15. Sock puppet Atonement.
Look it up.
16. Potter Puppet Pals and Potter musical
17. ART
Throwing on the wheel, glazing, sculptures, oil, watercolor, charcoal, anything I can work with. I love it!!
18. When a guy I like gives me butterflies.
I can’t remember the last time that has happened.
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