Summer Speed Dates with Moms and Boyfriends

Last week, my mom came to the city and we got to see She & Him in concert at the Mann Center. We did some walking around and ate a delicious dinner before the show. The concert was absolutely fabulous - She & Him's music has been the soundtrack to my romantic development thus far, so each song has a memory attached to it. 

Having three days off work meant I went home for a much needed "vacation" in York. I had a sleepover, ate grilled muffins, got milkshakes, played board games, did a little shopping, got coffee and saw lots of loved ones - all in two days. It was so wonderful.

I had the rare exciting opportunity to see Sam two weekends in a row. The other weekend Sam drove down after I got off and we got ice cream with my roommate & her boyfriend. It was a very short visit. We drove down to Towson as soon as Sam got off this past weekend to meet up with his brother & go to a baseball game. Sam's favorite team is the Toronto Blue Jays who obviously aren't always easy to see play. This was a great treat for him. I tolerated sports in the name of a cute afternoon. This summer has been rough on the two of us because it's just more of the same constant missing each other that school was. I'm proud of us for doing this well, but I wish it was more fun. It feels like a dream when we see each other for these tiny stints. Now it's back to reality with working and grocery shopping. Summer is going by fast, huh?

Smiles, Morgen.

So I moved in to my first apartment....

Lots of stuff happened since I last blogged, holy cow! I moved out and in to a new home, got a new job, and went and turned 19 years old. It's been a lot of new experiences, but nothing particularly exciting since I'm "growing up" AKA working all the time and trying to keep the house in order. 

Here's me and Sam in coordinating tie-dye after loading up my U-Haul on moving day. He is working at a summer camp this summer, so we won't be seeing much of each other as usual. But we had a nice two weeks of time together before summer started.

 I live in a neighborhood north of the Art Museum district  so that's where I work and hang out sometimes. I do most of my travelling on my new bike (isn't it cute?) so I like close things. I'm waiting tables at a from-scratch barbecue fine dining restaurant called Jack's Firehouse, across the street from the Easter State Penitentiary.

This is me and Frank Turner, who I saw twice in one week and definitely recommend next time you are feeling angsty yet optimistic  I did a good bit of volunteering. I started at WXPN which is a local public radio station. I answered phones during the fund drive and I'll be volunteering at their festival at the end of the month. I also worked at Ladyfest which was this awesome festival for feminist workshops and sweet bands. I met so many rad ladies who were equally interested in the things that get me excited. Being able to volunteer is a great benefit of being here over the summer.

 I had a John Hughes themed birthday party at the end of June. My roommate, Paige, dressed up as Bender and I attempted to channel Molly Ringwald from Pretty In Pink. It was the first gathering in the new house and people seemed to have a good time. I like all the freedom and responsibilities of tending to the house. Check back in during the school year & that may be different.

Most of the time, I come home from work and eat snacks with Paige while watching Netflix. On occasion we go exploring and out for dinner or attempt to go for bike rides. It's not quite the same as summers past since there is more "real life" things to do but I'm making the most of it. 

But anyway, there's a loose catch up on what I've been up to. I promise that I will be getting better at updating/taking pictures so I have something to post about.

Smiles, Morgen.

I Believe in Faeries and Family.

I went home for a pre-finals weekend of good food and child-style dress up.

I made my costume out of old fabric scraps and a recycled dress that I decided to bleach dye using bathroom cleaner. Then I borrowed a head piece and wings from my lovely faerie festival friend.

I've been going to the festival for the past three years. I absolutely love this atmosphere - it is so welcoming and accepting to people of all sorts, the ultimate be yourself dreamland. When people ask what it is, I describe it as super similar to a renaissance fair but with hippies dressed up as faeries and other fantasy characters. So there's food vendors, accessories, and performers among other things. I got a pretty nasty sun burn on my chest and shoulders, but it was worth it for such great vibes.

I went to a lovely brunch in downtown York with my parents on Sunday morning at the White Rose. Of course I took advantage of it being Cinco de Mayo to wear a festive outfit and make festive food for the family. Below, you can see my dad eating a gigantic fish taco.

I'll be home in just one more week. This is very exciting. However, it will be a raw week of pushing through lengthy paper writing and packing up my little life. Needless to say, I'm excited to leave dorm living and eat homecooking for a few weeks. My anxiety about starting out on my own this summer is definitely increasing, but it's healthy anxiety.

Good luck to anyone else who is doing finals!

Smiles, Morgen.

Kelly's Run & Fabric Flowers for the Soul

These pictures are from a previous weekend but I needed to make this shout out to the pretty lady in the birthday princess outfit who has been my friend for years. She has propelled me into the world of activism by giving me a wonderful supporter and partner in discussions. Now 20 years old, she'll be moving away again but our friendship always manages across distances so it's okay.

I took a mental health break from Philadelphia for the weekend before I have to do the projects and papers that are integral to the final weeks of the semester. I went home to enjoy the springtime weather, time with family, and a reunion with my love.

We got a chance to see my little brother (who is actually really big at like 6'1") play volleyball on Friday night. Sometimes I feel bad for the kid, since he's all alone at home now but he probably loves it.

 We went to Kelly's Run on Saturday afternoon and hiked for almost 3 hours. This trail is truly gorgeous - its just six miles from the Maryland border and takes a scenic 40 minutes to get to. My only complaint was the number of times where I had to nervously cross the water on slippery stones.

It was perfect hiking weather; just cool enough to wear long sleeves and avoid bugs but warm enough to soak in some sunshine. Needless to say, the long hike with an extensive incline at the end left us both exhausted for the afternoon. We then indulged in way more Olive Garden food than I'd care to admit and indulged in an evening of movies and conversation.

(Notice how one of us is wearing tie dye in both of the pictures of us.Typical.)

Sunday morning was for french toast and dollar store flowers for dorm rooms, and one last drive in the familiar sunny roads. We parted ways on Sunday afternoon after a very satisfying weekend of time spent together - no tears involved when so many great memories there are to last till summer time. 

I was rejuvenated by the time I got to spend with my mom, including helping to make a delicious dinner on Sunday night which the whole family was home for. I've gotten to the point where I just deeply appreciate the time I spend at home instead of missing home or being homesick. 

On the train ride back at 5:30 in the morning, I had three days worth of pleasant thoughts to motivate me to look on the next three weeks of papers, projects and exams with optimism. I will make the most of the last weeks of academic vigor and then gladly take a few weeks of time at home before moving on to the next adventure of summertime on my own.

Hope everyone is enjoying spring thus far.

Smiles, Morgen

A Peek Into My Activism

This week has been a positive one, with great opportunities and even some poetry writing. I probably definitely do not take enough time in this space to blog about my feminist/activist life, and that is worth changing in my mind, being a women's studies major and all. So here's a look into the two really inspiring events I participated in as part of my school's Peer Education team. And then I'll share some pictures from First Friday on a lighter note.

On the left, is a picture of one of our participants in Temple University's Walk A Mile In Her Shoes. If you haven't heard of it or seen it before, it's a walk in heels for men to show their support in ending violence against women. We had all but a handful of the football players participate, as well as members of the Greek organizations, and many more men from around campus. Seeing this crowd of big, college men walking down campus in heels and with signs that say "Don't be that guy" or "These hands aren't for hurting" was great. On the right, is a picture from The Clothesline Project, which is done nationwide as well. The Clothesline is a living arts project where survivors of sexual and other types of assault are given an opportunity to decorate t-shirts as a therapeutic experience. It is beyond words how great of an opportunity this event is for survivors to feel strong, to empower other survivors, and to spread awareness of this experience that is all too common on college campuses. 

The gang spent last night in Olde City, which is in Center City East, for First Friday. I hadn't been to this one in particular before, so I was excited, especially because the weather is finally warming up. We explored some galleries and stores that weren't in our price range. Then we ended up finding a group of fellow friends in the alley and it was a very good time. Hanging around fellow creatives is always pleasant.

Broke the Spring with Museums and Family

Last week was spring break, which was of course not long enough. I tried to get all of the relaxation time I could while in the comfort of my own home - because there's something particularly serene about my old bedroom, especially when my mom gets me flowers for International Women's Day to welcome me home.

On my first day home, I went to my uncle's deployment ceremony with my parents which provoked some sad feelings but he'll be okay. Then on Sunday, my parents plus my brother came back to the city with me to take in a Temple basketball game and check out some fun places in Center City. Traffic was hectic and stressful but we survived and ate a lovely meal at The Continental.

I was so happy to be home for my little brother's birthday and especially excited to be the one making his birthday cake. I miss my brother when I'm away at school so I try to spend time with him whenever I'm home -even if he's sort of a reluctant teenager at this point in life.

I checked in with my lovely friend, Ms. Bury who unfortunately was cursed with a case of mono. But was a trooper and went out for grilled muffins & photography in the park. Don't let the sun deceive you - the weather in York this past week was not pleasant.

How could I not mention the resourceful things I did with my favorite partner? We went biking on the rail trail, which ended poorly with windburn and chilly legs. But we happened upon the Industrial and Agricultural Museum. This museum is a tiny, hidden gem of York county - especially when you're as dorky about local history as Sam and I. The sun came out and it got a little warmer for strolling around York along with a bowl of gelato from the Indian restaurant. Otherwise, it was just a lazy night for movies and cuddles.

On our rainy Saturday we took a little day trip to Gettysburg to check out Civil War battlefields and play Battleship in a quaint coffee shop called The Ugly Mug. Plus we had THE BEST ice cream at York Street Treat on our way home...and we eat a lot of ice cream. 

Goodbyes were hard, as usual. Especially when Sam took me to the train station and some tears fell on my train ride back to the city. But here I am, in my dorm, been sick and going to classes all week. Hopefully the sun and the warmth come to stay soon.

Smiles, Morgen

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.