Hills By (Bare)Foot

Today was hilly. I had a slow walk up the hill, realized how tired I was when I hit the top, ran down with my hair flowing freely/bare feet touching the ground/wind and sun touching my skin, then the sensation of my heart dropping as I look up and hurt my neck with the jolt by looking at the steepness (not relating to class assignments) and seeing a patch of dense mist over a mountain my friends are on having no idea what is going on, only guesses and patience.

A walk to Target via the creek and finding adventures along the way

with Jon Macemore

 

Through my camera's lens

having trouble focusing on the beautiful spider

drainage pipes leading directly into the creek...

~so peaceful~

slowly immerging

all the way

reflections, technology, bridges... :)

Grapes: though they were only way up high - apparently they weren't meant for humans to gather (without a ladder and or super good tree climber). The birds are lucky!

 

Select photos from Jon's lens

 

We had an amazing walk. Sporatically and loosely planned this morning. Met - decided we wanted food and coffee before starting the journey so that we did. Walked. Observed. Shared. ...poison ivy. It was such a good time.

We both winced and made ewy faces when we popped out from the woods and saw pavement and houses. Next we popped out into a shopping center. Who knew culture shock was a thing from just about 2 miles away...

We spent some money (on food from fresh market) and saved some money courtesy of many dumpsters. I bought potatoes in a shop then found a trash can (to be composted which is soso much better than actually being throw out) with lots of potatoes in it. I collected what I thought could get used and I now have half a fridge of chopped up veggies without spending a dime. (Cucumber, peach, watermelon, peppers, and organic broccoli).

 

 

I am not panicking which is great but I do have class assignments due tomorrow morning (7AM blog for Maia and reading and moodle task for Jim by 8:20). My eyes are drooping and I ma ready to curl up and sleep but will dig for the energy to keep at it for a bit longer.  Vince is on his way.

 

I have 4 circles on my right wrist (redraw about an hour ago), a iece of black duct tape on my right ring finger, and hair that not only tucks behind my ears but also now fits into a hair tye.

 

Today started out tired, the middle was beautiful and adventure filled, and the near end got serious and hard fast - back to class assignments till my eyes close.

Dreams in the Meadows

Photos from a beautiful night with friends

He was SO hyper. Energy drink at 6 PM to get through Physics.

Justin, Lucas, myself, Rachel, and a bit of Eli

What we all woke up to :D

Crazy

When I was attempting to look up this song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fc67yQsPqQ 

I found this song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd2B6SjMh_w

and have been listening to one

and then the other

for about 30 minutes now.

 

Crazy related songs feel relevant.

 

"We are never going to survive unless we go a little crazy"

"In a world full of people only some want to fly - is that not crazy" 

(Ronan, Jim, Embercombe, James, new group of 5 here, Justin being uber hyper last night, me leading the life I am, me being who I am, life being what it is...)  

Sunday and Past Images

I took this to represent the first year class (Binford being a first year dorm) but was also having camera troubles at the time so this one didn't make it into the file of photos to consider... I like it though.

Besides memory and current connection this is the only proof that James and my paths ever crossed.

A picture of a video clip...

Justin, Lucas, me, Rachel, and Simon

Finally sleeping in the meadows together!

What I woke up to this morning amongst new friends~

Universal Connections and Goodness

Something clicked this morning:
While is is not easy having my heart divided in different places/environments/communities it also feels healthy. I know it is only the beginning of week 2 but the walls of the Guilford bubble are not that evident. I am trying to be aware of a few worlds. A strong point of mine has never been keeping up to date on 'world news' (as in anything happening not within a 15 mile radius of where my body is at the time) until now. I am keeping up to date on the protest for the reasons of being aware of loved ones there while also wanting to be involved in the stance of not fracking. I feel more divided geographically than I have before (possibly with acception of when Kels and I were in Roatan, Mum was in England -without internet access, and Dad was at Patrick Ave during a tornado. It feels healthy; challenging, strengthening, and beautiful.

I have been having a dream nearly every night at Guilford. (If it is hard to see my dream during the day at least I am having night time dreams). The universe made me go wide eyes this morning. A few times in my life I have had a dream where someone who I haven't seen or heard from in years appears and then the next day (in not night time dream life) they call or I receive an email from them. Crazy! That happened except not with a dream. Yesterday the weight of not knowing if James (a compassionate, active, dedicated lad at the protest I connected with) was arrested or being mistreated was extremely alive. This morning I read on a comment of a new picture that he was arrested yesterday. ~world~ He is out now but the fact that that was so alive to me yesterday and that he was arrested yesterday reminds me how connected things are in this world. ...He gave a copper the bird which brings up a whole lot of things to think about...

I went to my 8:30 then spent from 10-11:45 in the kitchen doing dishes, making split pea soup, and sending emails. I feel alive, responsible, reasonable, connected, happy, and lucky.

The big opening kick off market starts soon! I must go now to help set up actually. First I want to write down what I said during vespers last night.
:

I am shaped by my experiences

I am growing stronger every time I pick myself up from a fall

I am beautiful

Last night Addy led vespers and brought up the power of words. 

Life is pretty alright and feels healthy at the moment. 

Images Speak Louder Than Words

These are all connected in many ways. All alive in my life currently is what I want to share here. 

Sunday - Bloody Good Sunday

Today was such a great day.
Even though it is Sunday (the day before Monday) I did not plan and did what came up and what I wanted to do - it worked out beautifully. (Almost too good to be true or like I am missing something super big, but until I find out what life is good/amazing/fulfilling/and full of joy.)
I stayed in my room doing laptop stuff for the first few hours I was awake.
The first thing I did when I stepped outside was found myself eating fresh figs from the tree just outside the hut and talking to Zane. (He asked me if I knew anything about freeganism and or squatting.)
From there I wondered to the lake and found a harmonica man sitting. Talked to him for a few minutes then moved on.
I did a lap around (most of) the lake looking for a spot to build a type of walk out board and or dock. Most times I pocked a stick down nasty smelling bubbles would come up. I decided to find the creek instead :)
Through my off the path woods exploration I heard an operah singer on the path near where I was. It was my buddy Vince. I could tell by his voice. We walked and talked for a bit (having not seen each other in 2 full days, which in this world and living so close can feel like a long time.) He was collecting leaves which are now hanging from the ceiling of his and Marek's room (it looks incredible. So peaceful and natural.)
Our path's diverged and I went back to find the area of creek I found when I left Jen Agor's house during orientation training and needed some think time. I found it!
It is such a beautiful spot - I forsee it becoming a home of mine. A place to swim, a live bamboo structure, and in a place where I feel far away but I am really not that far away - I think yes?! (Made me think of James.)
I dunked my body in the river and as my clothes dried I crawled around a patch of bamboo, got eaten by mosquitoes, and planned/dreamed up a home. I felt powerful, wild, and beautiful. It was incredible. Life is what you make it - and I am making mine good!
I sat outside with my back against Frank Science Center (with a roof over my head) for a few hours doing computer stuff and having a short phone conversation with Kelsey. Felt SO good to be outside AND doing computer stuff for college life.
I headed over to The Pines in my welly boots and knee length blue rain jacket allowing my hair to get wet (for the 4th... time today I believe.)
(~~I would quickly like to share my appreciation for auto draft saving! I just accidentally x-ed out of all my internet windows and thought I had lost all of this writing. Thanks world!)
I ate dinner there with the crew (except Ines because she was sleeping) and visiting with Marek and Vince until they went to bed around midnight and kicked me out. :)
Tomorrow I am definitely anticipating being filled with more of a schedule than has been the case for the past 3 days as well as the need to plan out my day (I already have a list of places to be where by the side of my bed so I don't forget). It starts with a breakfast potluck on the patio of founders at 8 AM. I keep filling my life with things I like.
Today was a GOOOD day.
Also Gabe and I had a quick exchange about the tarp of his I burnt holes in last semester by accident. I gave him options a) I could take him out to dinner like I offered when I gave him back the broken tarp but realized I had left my wallet in my room or b) claim the tarp I brought to school and I would get another one if he already replaced his old one. He said that he doesn't have a tarp but would rather go out to dinner. That feels better to me too - I want to give him something that really means something and something that is really me giving and I strongly believe the best and most lovng thing you can give someone is your time: that I am happy to do for a friend who I feel lucky to have in my life.
I wish I wasn't tired and I wish my alarm weren't set to go off in 7 hours, (if it weren't I would eat dark chocolate reeses, play guitar (somewhere not in my room to not wake up Katie), type up the new email list for the Food Justice Club (25+ people left there email, lets see how many show their faces at the meetings), clean up a bit, and make cookies in the Shore kitchen. Part of me is ready to do stuff and or excited to continue living a good day - but the louder part of me is starting to fall asleep so into bed for me. I really like my bed :)
So many good things in my life~