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Little Coco

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I had the privilege of watching Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth III in her West End London theatre production, The Audience. The theater was lovely, her acting phenomenal, and the story completely moving. I've been thinking about it often...

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Day 2

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Day 1 of 30

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30 Days

Tomorrow I will start my final 30 days as an undergraduate student.

This semester has completely flown by. I don't know how so many weeks have slipped by without proper reflection. I'm so sad to say that my journal is almost empty and my daily planner has been sitting collecting dust. With the start of my photo business, my camera is filled with the sweet memories of my clients and I only have a few instagram photos and iphone snaps of my small moments that will be of huge value to me someday.

Tomorrow I will start a daily, raw, and unfiltered account of my last 30 days in this amazing place I've called home for 3 years. At the end of it, I'll have a detailed compiled book of my final weeks as a student.

I've been so good at being a student. I don't know what's next.

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I seriously love my school. #seniorsemester (at Pepperdine Seaver College)

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A splash of self confidence

When I look back on my personal writings... I surprise myself with how emotionally moving my stories and thoughts are. I'm most proud of the things that I've written and tucked away from all human life-- someday I'll print them... when I'm ready to be "found out" in a sense of the phrase. Hurrah for introversion! My journals and photographs will be the only things people will have when they look on the things that I've done with my life and they ask, "what on earth was she thinking?" That's exactly it-- my thoughts aren't earthly (or I at least try to keep them that way). I'm just a citizen of heaven passing through. I hope more than anything, my life and writing portray that truth to those that take the time to look upon them. In the meantime, write on!

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How to Pray

"Every material thing that you can touch with your hands will soon be taken from you as you die. The only thing you can take with you to heaven is people. Pray for them. Help them find out how wonderful it is to belong to King Jesus."

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I'm really excited

To go back to school. Summer has been boring for a while now. Time to get busy!

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Thrice

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Traveling Thoughts

Looking back on the past three years, the highlights that come to mind are made up mostly of the grand experiences that I've had traveling both domestically and internationally. Traveling is truly one of the only things in my college experience that I will clench close to my heart for the rest of my life. I really mean that.

People often ask me, "What has the transition been like for you since you've been back from Europe?" I think that most people assume that I'll say something nostalgic and even a bit sad because my experience is "over"... But I've found myself answering quite contrary to this. Rather than longing for a time well past, I'm able to see my life as a whole with travel and adventure woven tightly in my past, present and future. It's not an experience that will be neatly folded away in the pages of my endless writings or in my photo albums, but rather left wide open for new opportunities to flow freely in and out.

I realize that now that college is coming to an end, I must fight for the opportunities and time to travel far and wide. I would like to say that I'm an idealist -- but I'm quite practical when it comes to financial dealings and time management. But practicality won't make me smile back on my life when it is through.

The ability to travel has been made so much more available to the common person that it'd be foolish not to take full advantage of it. I personally learn so much about myself and God's Love for humanity through travel. At the root of my desire to run off and explore is the sense of abandoning excitement felt when God yanks you by the hand and all you can think is, "Where to? I'm trusting You!"

And that's enough for me.

Dreams I've Dreamt Up

Trek the Great Wall of China

Sleep under the Aurora Borealis

Walk through Israel

Late night meals in Spain

Swim with dolphins in the Bahamas

Dance in Brazil

Love a Koala in Australia

Markets in India

Watch fireworks in Dubai

Take too many photos in Pyongyang

Meet my parents' childhood in Seoul

Retrace mine in Memphis

Find my house in North Carolina and see Fort Bragg

Dig a well in Africa

Visit the Kremlin

Shake hands with the President (in his office)

Hire a private jet

Spend Christmas and New Years in New York City

Get tired of London (for the sake of my aching heart!)

The list gets longer as I get older -- I like this trend

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Jesus

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2 Year old Anatomy of American Geography

Mom: Ellie, where are we going tomorrow?

Ellie: ... home

Mom: Do you know where home is?

Ellie: Far away...

Mom: Yes, but do you know what home is called?

Ellie: ...

Mom: It's called Virginia. Can you say Virginia?

Ellie: ... VARGINA!

Yes, she pronounced it in the way that makes you laugh like an immature junior high school student.

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A BOY!!!!

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I can honestly say...

that this has been the best summer of my life.

And I know that it gets even better. I may not get "official" summer vacations after this one, but I know that life is adventurous, and I anticipate so many more adventures.

Here's to many more--