Grooving and Learning.

These are pictures from my friend Ben & his housemates big birthday bash last weekend. It was a blast. The next picture is me with my future roommate, Paige. We just heard back from the realtor this week and will officially be moving in, with two other friends, in June. Big adult type event!

The same weekend involved me working at Vagina Monologues on both Friday and Saturday nights - which was an incredible experience. I am finding it increasingly easier to socialize with my fellow HEART team members, even with my everpresent social anxiousness. My friends came out to the show on Friday night and then we went to IHOP, which was my first time at the pancake chain.

The week itself was spent appreciating the beauty in tiny things, like this chalk art for Eating Disorder Awareness Week - which reminded me to pay special attention to loving my body this week. The library, pictured below, is quickly becoming my favorite place on campus. I'll go in search of one book and end up finding a whole section on sex research or immigration history. Needless to say, I have ten books checked out right now. And look how pretty they look on the shelves.

This weekend I took myself on a me-date! I had bought a ticket to see Unkown Mortal Orchestra, Foxygen and Wampire at the First Unitarian about a month ago. I thought I may find someone else to come, but didn't mind the idea of going by myself. It is freeing to get to dance and enjoy music on your own. However I ended up running into some friends, which made it even more fun. Plus, the music was amazing.

Spring break is quickly approaching - FINALLY. 

I promise to do some cute things that are blog-worthy while home next week.

Smiles, Morgen.

Crafts, Cures and California

So this has been February. I know it's not actually the end of the month yet, but I haven't blogged in close to forever. The whole 17 credits thing is definitely an adequate challenge. These first pictures are from a night out in West Philly - which involved my first ever cab ride. Exciting new events in the life of a city girl, I know. 

Here's the hand full of crafty things I've been up to as of late. Starting from the left; I knit a tie for my boy. It was my first time working with that type of string and it went pretty okay - at least he likes it. Then I sewed a pocket onto my friend's sweatshirt while everyone was watching the Superbowl  Lastly, I have gotten into hand embroidery some and needed a feminist fist on my denim jacket pretty bad. I'm working on a lacey vest for my mom, but it's pretty tedious and hasn't gotten the attention it deserves.

Last weekend, I was in bed with the flu for a few days which was no fun - but I recovered on Sunday when we had some unseasonably warm weather. I drank plenty of green tea and then walked to Love Park to read and watch the skate boarders before checking out a female art exhibit and panel at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts with an activist pal.

I was still half sick all of last week which was incredibly unpleasant. Runny noses are never fun. But the week was extremely busy and stimulating because I saw three speakers throughout the week. I got an adorable package from my mom for Valentines day and wore heart print tights, but otherwise kind of ignored the holiday. Sam and I are not very into holidays which leads to us barely acknowledging them as couple days. 

After a week full of anticipation and four weeks of not seeing each other, I made my first ever journey out to California, Pennsylvania to see Sam this past weekend. I took the Greyhound express bus and got to Pittsburgh about six hours later just to take three hours more of buses to get to little ol' California. 

It was exciting to meet Sam's new friends he's made over the last semester - but the bone chilling cold and constant snow could have been a little less intense. Nice to have a break from the city all the same.

It felt very normal to be back together - listening to records,watching my boy play guitar, drinking too much coffee and sewing patches on all the holes that Sam magically acquires. We went out and met people in the evenings but otherwise spent the afternoons relaxing.

 We went to the library on Sunday afternoon and pretended that we wouldn't be parting for a whole month in just a few hours. It was peaceful out there in coal country, but not quite somewhere I could see my myself. I'm glad Sam has learned to enjoy it out there and meeting these new people in his life was beautiful.

Our goodbyes were pretty sad this time around, as they seem to get more and more so that way. We are so good at being apart when we're apart, but the actual leaving is so rough. Here's a shout out to all the lovers out there that find ways to get through obstacles, like long distances. It makes us stronger as individuals - which makes for stronger loves.

Have a good week, friends.

Smiles, Morgen.

Return to the city

It's back to Temple, back to Philadelphia, back to semi-adult life, back to long distance love and family separation. That description may make it sound like I'm dreading it, but I'm not at all. My excitement about my new classes is overwhelming and I am anticipating lots of wonderful new experiences over the course of the semester. 

 My mom was the one to bring me back to school this time, so I took her to Northern Liberties. We had 35 minute wait for Honey's Sit-and-Eat where we were eating lunch, so we walked around. Since it was and has been so cold, we didn't walk far but we did find this adorable plant store. I adore having members of my family in the city because I love being able to share the experience with them, especially my mom.

 It was a nice break from the cold and grey to be in this space with bright green plants & fairy gardens. I even picked up  a little baby succulent for my dorm room to keep me happy, because having green plants around is proven to improve your mood. We had delicious food at Honey's - I had berry and granola whole wheat pancakes & my mom had a warm salad with kale, parsnips, sweet potato, fennel and a poached egg.

Here I am, back to dorm life. I added a new wall hanging and my plant to spruce up the place a bit. The thing that makes me happiest is my book shelf - full of books I can't wait to read, including books by: Audre Lorde, Margaret Atwood, Angela Davis, and an assortment of Jewish writers who's books sound riveting. Needless to say, I'll be busy reading most of the semester.

To all my college student readers, enjoy the beginning of new classes.

Smiles, Morgen.

Doing things in the New Year without resolutions

I'm not really a New Year's Resolution person because I think they only result in two things: the gym being annoyingly crowded for a month and people feeling disappointed in themselves because they had unrealistic expectations. I do however embrace self reflection as a way to welcome another year, another semester, and another life chapter. I am encouraging myself to do the things which make me feel better; this includes creating more, having more stimulating conversations, and making a new effort to change my diet so I don't feel sickly inside. So I've been instagramming about my "DIY-of-the-day" which isn't always daily, but has included this hairpin made from scrap broken jewelry  vegan banana nutella granola, and from-scratch black bean soup. Making something yourself has a beautiful potential to make one feel empowered.

I have been so excited for those around me lately. Sam has been out trying to make his dreams come true. It is exhilarating and inspiring to see him act on his passions. He i has gone to a handful of open mic nights over the last few weeks, and they have been great experiences. Another one of my friends is finally going back to school for his high school diploma and I am similarly inspired by this burst of motivation he has now.

 

Another thing that makes me feel good is being out in the woods, and being with my lovely partner, so when we were faced with unseasonably warm weather we did some hiking. These were taken on the Mason Dixon Trail, off the Wrightsville entrance. And that night we went out with our lovely couple friends one last time to do some bowling. Sam and I never resist and opportunity to dress for a decade. You can't completely see our wonderful outfits, but we were shooting for 70's and both wore more patterns in one outfit than most people wear in a week. That isn't quite out of the ordinary though. 

These pictures are from Apollo County Park in Brogue, PA.

 Sam won't stop wearing this vest.

 

Additionally, I went on a day trip to Philly by myself to do a tour of an apartment for next year. It's unreal to think that I'll be on my own this summer. The travelling alone was positive for my self assurance because I had a lot of time to develop even more confidence about my decision to move away. I got my tarot card read yesterday and I got the "Spiritual Healer Fairy," which told me to trust my intuition. But now I am less than a week away from going back to campus for a few months and I will miss it. I will miss the morning conversations with my mom, the constant companionship of Sam, the yelling and screaming of my siblings, and the free access to a fully functioning kitchen. The final week is mostly reflective, and has slowed down a good bit. Sam and I are spending our days going out for coffee, cooking breakfast food and reading in each other's company. Goodbyes don't even feel like they are approaching.

Smiles, Morgen.

West Virginia & Card Games, but most importantly peacefulness

After the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I convinces my mom to make the trek out to West Virginia to surprise my oma.  My grandparents live in the middle of the woods, outside of Parkersburg. It is so peaceful out there, and a visit there is the perfect thing to help one feel re-centered  We were lucky enough to have some snow while there, making the landscape even more beautiful and adding an extra dose of serenity to Sam and I's morning walks. As you can see, we were all smiles building a snowman with my little cousin and playing in the snow. 

 We returned just in time for New years Eve, which is a holiday I'm not a huge fan of, thus why I volunteered to work on New Years Eve. Working holidays is actually kinda nice because all the customers are excited to be there, which makes it pleasant. After not seeing our best friends since before Christmas, we reunited after the week apart. We went to the movies on New Years day, after I had attempted to spend the day getting to know my sewing machine (basically getting half frustrated for six hours). And on Wednesday we went across the river to Lancaster to do some browsing and eat a really good meal. We stopped in at the Prince Street Cafe for dinner, one of my favorite places in Downtown Lancaster. Soups and sandwiches were used to warm up on the chilly evening, before we head back to York for dessert and card games.

 Now, for the first time over break, I'm spending time alone and in the quiet of my own company during the day. It feels amazing. The nipping thought of going back to school and dealing with the half-stress of assignments, the nagging guilt of expensive education, and the loneliness of dorm life are still here, but they seem far off still.

 I hope everyone is taking to enjoy just a little stillness as a way to great the new year.

Smiles, Morgen.