Quote

Took this photo on the way to class

Being loved by someone gives you strength

While loving someone deeply gives you courage

-Lao Tzu

I have been reflecting on this quote for awhile now. Ever since I first saw it in a book (in Anthropologie obviously) and took a picture of it with my phone (and proceeded to make it my main background) I have been kind of obsessed. 
Not only is the quote precious, it is so extremely true. 
Being loved instills a unique kind of confidence in a person. And loving someone else enough to take risks and make sacrifices can definitely be scary at times. 
I am lucky to have been able to experience both feelings.

Only one Bachelor left in the world

I don't get addicted to too many shows. If I took the time to intentionally catch up on the one's my friends watch, I would probably thoroughly enjoy them.
But for some unexplainable reason, I have been watching The Bachelor this season.
The lucky guy is named Brad Womack, a 38 year old dirty blonde-haired Texan, looking to find love..for the second time. He apparently was on the show a while back, and after breaking some hearts, he left after not proposing to anyone.
He now claims to be a changed man.
While I haven't seen all the seasons, the episodes I have seen have some obvious patterns. The drama (the obvious result of putting a giant group of emotional, single, drunk girls in a house and having them compete for one male), the roses (awarded to every girl who can make it to the next level and avoid elimination), the exotic locations ( I can't help think about the piece we just read by Jamaica Kincaid about being tourists; traveling to poverty stricken areas to enjoy ourselves), and of course the host: Chris Harrison.
Yet still, I watch. I stay hooked waiting to find out if my "favorites" advance onto the next round, waiting to see which one he will choose.
These women have become a box of chocolates, waiting for Brad to sample each one until he chooses one he so desires, and place the other half-eaten ones back in the box.

Leaves

Today is a blustery day. Walking to class, I had to clutch my sweater tighter around me in an attempt to add some warmth from the hectic and crisp wind surrounding me.
Every day, it has become my routine to walk up these stairs (I realize I mentioned these stairs in an earlier post).
In the process of walking up them, I looked up and saw leaves swirling around in the wind. Carried about, just out of reach.
At this point in my life, I have so many opportunities, ideas, plans, and hopes that are floating around me. While usually my tendency is to get overwhelmed, or go out of my way to force an opportunity to happen, I am in the process of trying a new way to approach these things. In that, I let them approach me, and trust the force behind them.
Finally I reached the last step, and started walking forward until I heard a crunch. I looked down to see that I had stepped on a brown leaf that had fallen to my feet. I stared at it for a brief moment.
Then continued walking..

San Diego Discoveries!

So, recently I have had a few opportunities to find some "hidden treasure" locations very close to school. I love that just when you think you know the area where you live, you discover another gem that truly makes you appreciate living here. For me, these gems include a beautiful running path next to a harbor (complete with mini private beaches, a little dock, cute houses to look at, and even a tree swing!) and a cute little brunch place called To the Point that had the same cozy feeling that one experiences when entering Anthropologie. And the food was great too!

Life is truly about the little things