4th of July, 2020

Hola,

I hope you guys had a fantastic 4th of July!

The Fourth is my family’s biggest celebration, and we typically host a huge party with friends and neighbors. This year was quite different, however, but we still had a great time! Although the pandemic took away our party, it did not take away our annual firework show… Every year, neighbors contribute to a massive firework pile that never fails to blow me away (literally).

There is something special about that burst of color against the night sky, and I look forward to it every single year. As firecrackers, sparklers, and fireworks filled the night, all of my worries kind of faded away, and I was able to truly live in the moment. I especially needed that this year, so it was awesome! How did you celebrate?

Happy Independence Day 2020!

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beach glass

in my hand I hold a story

washed away by the sands of time

 

a fragment of the past

beaten and forgotten

stripped from depths that never saw the light

 

lost among the wreckage

of a perilous journey for years

it somehow found its way to me

 

but I cannot retell its tale

for its origins are still a mystery

forever lost under the waves

 

through all the uncertainty,

I know that I am holding

a connection to the past

 

a beautiful piece of beach glass

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I recently took a walk along the shore and recovered a few pieces of beach glass that inspired me to write this. I began to wonder if they are a hundred year old remains from a shipwreck or simply a bottle that fell overboard… They could be anything, and the possibilities seemed endless. I think it is amazing to consider the story behind something so simple, and the history of something in my hand. What are your thoughts on this?

Golden leaves

do you hear that?

the echo of the trees

conversing among each other

dispersing messages in the breeze…

 

do you see that?

the array of golden leaves

painting the earth’s canvas

 letting beauty run free…

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I was walking to class the other day, but I had to stop to take a picture of this beautiful moment. It also inspired me to write a poem, so I thought I would share it with all of you.

Also, I am loving this song.

I am in the process of putting together this month’s playlist, so be on the lookout for that as well. I hope you all have a great rest of the week, and thanks for reading!

Do you have any plans for Thanksgiving? What are your thoughts on this post? Did you like the song? Has anything inspired you recently? 

Dazzling Colors

The sky was set ablaze, and every color imaginable flashed across the sky. Wondrous eyes peered up to the heavens while embers descended gracefully with a soft, flickering glow. It was one of the biggest parties that my family has ever hosted, and it made my heart so happy to see everyone gathered together on such a special day. My family gets pretty wild on this annual celebration, but this one was even bigger than the last… Each year, our wonderful community of neighbors pitch in to compile a massive firework collection that leaves the whole crowd in awe, and the show is always breathtaking. Bounce-houses, incredible food, sparklers, and smiles filled our yard as all the families came together for one huge party.

It was an extra special year for me because my grandparents were able to come celebrate too! I am so grateful that I was able to be home with my family again this summer because there is nowhere that I would have rather been on my second favorite day of the year. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for such an amazing night. I had an absolute blast, and I love you both so much!

What did you do to celebrate? Do you enjoy fireworks too? What is your biggest party of the year? I hope that you all had a safe, fun, and Happy 4th of July! 

–a summer stroll–

I spent my day…

strolling through the heart of town

exploring new flavors at a local cuisine

 

shopping around gift-shops

taking short breaks from the summer heat

 

keeping coconut refreshments close at hand

letting the blissful sun stroke my skin with every gentle ray

 

I spent my day

strolling through the heart of this beautiful town…

Just Beachy

A blanket of sand covered our toes, and the cool water brushed our skin.

Everything was just beachy.

I used to drive by the beach on my way to school everyday last year, and I would always gaze out at the peaceful solitude. Birds would occasionally fly through the wakening sky, and a light layer of fog would gently settle on the water. The sun would peek through the clouds while boats danced with the waves… I would long for that freedom as I sat in traffic preparing for another lecture-filled day. After months of fantasizing, I finally stepped into the water for the first time this summer, and I was so lucky to have had such great company. I had so much fun; thanks y’all! 

Do you enjoy going to the beach? Anything exciting coming up? What is your favorite thing to do during the summer? Is there something that you often find yourself longing for? 

“mystic cords of memory”

“The mystic cords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart…should swell into a mighty chorus of remembrance, gratitude, and rededication on this solemn occasion.”

~Abraham Lincoln

“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”

~President Harry Struman

Wishing all of my readers a safe and blessed Memorial Day, 2019!

Eccentric Movements

The audience sat intrigued as we created eccentric movements one dance at a time, and we slid barefoot across the floor embracing the freedom in our blistered toes. It was a night of contemporary, and the stories left people deep in thought as they attempted to interpret the ambiguous shapes. I had the opportunity to choreograph my own contemporary solo this year, and I felt so powerful as I brought “On The Edge” to the stage for the very first time. Halsey’s song, “Castle,” echoed throughout the theater as my legs and arms intertwined to match the vocal cues.

I felt like I attacked the steps with so much power during the onstage rehearsal, but a migraine took over when people actually filled the seats that night. I pushed through all of my dances, not allowing it to alter my performance, but I am upset that I couldn’t truly enjoy myself. Overall, I am so happy with how the choreography turned out, and it is definitely one of my favorite dances that I have ever pieced together. Halsey was my true inspiration, and her song really generated the intensity that I wanted. I hope that I have the chance to perform it again in the future…

What are your thoughts on this song? Do you enjoy the contemporary style of dance? Can you relate to getting a migraine at the worst possible time?

It’s Thanksgiving, 2018!

I just want to take a second to acknowledge all of my dear readers and followers on this blog of mine. I am so thankful for all of your support, and it means so much to know that my words are being read and appreciated by so many people. Hopefully, you are all able to spend this afternoon celebrating with loved ones, filling your stomachs full of turkey and pie, as well as reflecting on all of your wonderful blessings.

For this post, I have decided to share 10 things that I am thankful for in no particular order:

1. The food and clean drinking water on the table
2. My faith
3. Family and friends
4. My heart to love
5. Home
6. Education
7. Freedom
8. My lungs that keep me breathing and alive
9. My car
10. My memory to remember those great moments in time

Feel free to share what you are thankful for in the comments below.

Happy Thanksgiving!

After 2 Years…

Water balloons began the celebration with a splash as we raced across the yard, drenched in colorful rubber pieces.

A delicious buffet of home cooked food followed this refreshing amusement.

Then, bets were placed as cardboard “soldiers” were sent flying high in the air after being released from a small firework. Wind carried them off as people shouted in hope that their parachute would land nearest to the chalk marked X.

The sky was suddenly glittering with hundreds of patriotic fireworks that exploded in the night. My face lit up. I was so happy to be home.

This was the first 4th of July that I spent with my family in two years, so it was definitely a special treat to be home. The afternoon was absolutely spectacular, and I couldn’t have asked for anything better. Thank you so much, Mom & Dad! I love you both so much! 🙂