breathing

thoughts: i'm really enjoying the peace that idaho has to offer. during the early morning, the breeze blows across the valley and sends the sweet smell of grass into the air and the sunlight gently shines. in the afternoon, the sun is hot and the air is dry but the land is goregous and just lit up with the sunshine. the evenings are filled with long hours of sunshine and settling clouds. i'm really happy here. not to say that i'm not happy in corvallis, but i feel so free here! i have (some) obligations here, but nothing compared to back home. i have really enjoyed reading, playing backgammon, cooking, and spending time in warm weather. it's weeks like these that really make me enjoy summer. i'm finding peace in the relaxing atmosphere here. it's times like these that i can actually breathe and forget life's worries.

why i chose this photo: josh and i went on a walk down by the road at the bottom of the hill and watched the sunset here. it was beautiful to watch the water change color at the same time as the sky. i think that walk was one of my all time favorites.

question: what is the most breath-taking sight you have ever seen?

inspiration: "breathe in, and out. it's all going to be ok."

a peaceful evening

thoughts: i don't really know the cure for worry, and i'm not really sure if there is one but i do know that clearing your mind every once in a while really helps. it's been really nice to be here in idaho, hundreds of miles away from things that have been stressing me out and to just sit outside and listen to simplicity. i'm not saying that i ran away from my problems back in corvallis, but it is nice to sit back and forget about them, to have them on hold for a while. this trip has been extremely relaxing and stress free, but every once in a while, stress creeps into my mind and stays there. the most relief i have found for stress and worry is just emptying my mind every now and then. now, emptying my mind completely is really difficult because i'm always thinking about something. today was really interesting because i was occupied with a lot of fun activities (driving around downtown, getting coffee, playing backgammon) but my mind was full, i was thinking about too much. tonight after dinner, i walked outside to watch the clouds pass over the valley and i sat on the edge of the hill where josh's family's house is. soon the whole family gathered next to me, and we all sat on the edge and watched the clouds slide over the valley. it was gorgeous. we sat for maybe 15 minutes and watched the clouds. we only talked a little bit, but we just sat and gazed at the clouds, listened to the crickets chirping and cows mooing, and i felt peace.

why i chose this photo: this was one of my favorite skyscapes of the evening.

question: what is the most peaceful sight you've ever seen?

inspiration: "take time to clear your mind and find your inner peace."

the start of summer

thoughts: i haven't written in awhile, but things have been busy. the last few days of the term were spent studying and working. that is basically all i did. i am so relieved to be done, and that feeling of peace has just begun to wash over me. after finals week, my boyfriend josh graduated with a bachelor's in business while his dad graduated with a phd in education. it was a beautiful graduation and it was really fun to be a part of it! the next day, i drove to idaho with josh and his family, where i am currently spending a week. it is so relaxing here. i can forget all of my troubles and just breathe. we are in the middle of no where, on top of a hill, in the most goregous home you could imagine. i can lie in the grass and not hear a sound for miles, except for the occasional mooing cow in the pastures below the house. on the first night we were here, it was really warm and within an hour of us finishing dinner, a huge thunderstorm rolled in, complete with lighting! it was a beautiful, powerful vision of god's might and it was a cool way to start the summer. i really enjoy thunderstorms and it is nice to be far away from everything that stresses me out back home. i feel invincible out here, and i'm so glad i have this trip to be free from everything!

why i chose this photo: i haven't seen a thunderstorm in a long time, and i have definitely never seen one roll in. i took this photo minutes before it was pouring rain and the thunder started. it was one of the most amazing things i have ever witnessed. i love a warm summer rain accompanied with a thunderstorm. it is so pretty to watch.

question: what makes you feel at peace? what do you enjoy about summertime?

inspiration: "the simplest things in life are the ones in which we find the most joy."