"not all who wander are lost"

I long to travel. I always have.

My family has never been much of a traveling family. Not that they hate it or dislike it; they actually really enjoy it. It's just not high on the priority list.

That's always been tough for me. I can't just up and go wherever I want to whenever I want to. I just turned 16.

But I yearn to see places. So so desperately. I live in an amazing place. Tennessee is beautiful.

memphis, tennessee

 But it's all Ive ever known. People travel long and far to hike the smokey mountains, picnic by the mighty missisisppi river, walk down Beale street, visit the Opry Land Hotel. I get to do those things all the time. I am lucky. But the beauty of it fades over time like a blind spot. You look right over it. I can't help that. I long to see some place different. I travel to nearby places often (Missisippi, Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas) and it is a lot. I love to travel when I can. And I do get to. But I have started to feel like the walls are closing in on me and I can't escape. I stare at pictures of places that in reality aren't far at all, but impossibly far for me.

I want to be able to go places and experience those places.

i want to eat pastries and sip coffee in a quiet cafe in london or paris.

 breathe in the smoke from a fire crackling deep in the mountains of colorado. 

walk through a forest of evergreens, my hair dusted with snow.

  to sit on a beach of white sand, not a single soul or sign of civilization in sight, and stare into the crystal clear water and the fish whirling around my feet.

 to look out of an airplane and look down and see blue. only blue.

i want to look out over a field and see horses grazing, hay bales, and the only sound be that of the grass swaying in the wind

 i want to drink a strawberry milkshake while taking a walk on the sidewalks of mobile, alabama.

 i want to shop in fun and cute boutiques in charleston, south carolina.

I want to walk down tiny streets of places with names I have never even heard of.

It's hard to be content. It's hard to accept the fact that God has put me here, when I want to be somewhere else, if only for a short while. Don't get me wrong, I love my home. I don't want to move. I love where I am. But I want short snippets of time where i can be a different person in a different place. 

I want to see new things. Taste new food. Hear new sounds. Meet new people. I don't think a person is meant to stay in one place for very long, otherwise man wouldn't have a want to see the world.

I pray that God shows me where he wants me to go. I pray that he is able to show me the absolute wonders that he has made. Not that man has made. Man did not make the earth. God created the earth in a single breath. And look how beautiful it is.

God made this earth for man to enjoy. God made this earth and all that is in it to praise him. Even the stars worship Him. 

His creation amazes me every day. I can't wait to see more of it.

Mark 16:15

Christimas is Right Around the Corner...

 

Christmas is right around the corner, and as it always happens, I thought of everything that I wanted for Christmas less than week before Christmas day. So when I told my mom, she said it was too late to ask for anything else. Figures. so I guess ill just have to be surprised! But I already had a wishlist made with some things I am pretty sure are sitting under my tree right now and here are just a few of the things that were already on my wish list that I made a while back...

 



These awesome camp socks from Jcrew, a few of which I have already received. I also have a few from Gap that are awesome and for a cheaper price

 

 

 

 

This Patagonia vest. I like this furry one but any of their vests I would more than happy to own

 

 An Eno! I have wanted one for a few months now and I am hoping that one just might be sitting under my tree this year! They aren't that expensive but I'd rather receive it as a present then spend my own money. In Memphis where I live, we have a lot of super hipster outdoorsy folk, so if you see a cluster of trees, you're also bound to see a couple Enos strung from them. They are super great and so easy to strap up just about anywhere. they have single nesters and double nesters, and I want a double nester because they are more spacious and because someone could also sit in it with me....



 

 

My mom bought me a Lands End pullover (which are supperrrrr comfy might I add) in maroon and is getting a white monogram for me! It's a Christmas present so I can't wear it yet...

 

Gap's PJ pants are amazing. Period. I have a small large obsession with sleep pants at the moment, and Gap has 'em! Some other good sleep pants can be found at target, vineyard vines, old navy, L.L. Bean, Lands End, and Jcrew.

 

Hunter rainboots. Who doesn't want these?! It's a must have for any rainy season. The ones I want are hunter green, but the black and red are also a couple of my faves.

 

 

The Anthropologie volcano candle! If you ever want your room/house/anything to smell like an Anthropologie store, this is your ticket to amazing smelling places. I have actually already gotten this as a late birthday present!

This skosh cross necklace is simple but so cute. I wear it 24/7 because I have already received this gift!

 

 

The "rising star" ring from Pandora! I received this gift for my birthday (which was December 2) and its so gorgeous! My parents are the best for getting it for me!

 

 

 

I am so excited for Christmas, although I feel like it has come a bit too fast! I mean, it was just Thanksgiving, right? I don't know how I feel about Christmas being only 2 days away, but I am excited! The festivities began yesterday for me and there won't be a break until Friday! So pumped! It really is the best time of the year. Especially since all the high school grads who used to be on my swim team with me come home to visit. And they are guys. Hot, swimmer guys.

It's a privilege. A privilege.

But let's stay in the Christmas spirit:)