Ten years ago, I was about to go to bed in Sydney, Australia when my (then) boyfriend's phone beeped.  The message said "Turn on the TV, watch WWIII".  We thought it was quite a strange message, and it was quite late already, but we went and turned on the TV anyway.  

We sat entranced as we saw the first tower burning, and shocked as we saw the plane hit the second tower, LIVE.  There are no words to describe the horror of those moments and the hours, days, months to follow.  I was 19, living alone in a foreign country, and had already felt the backlash of simply being American.

I stayed up that night until about 4 am., only going to bed because I had school the next day.  My day was a haze...and at every opportunity, I scooted over to the student lounge to watch the news, in shock.  When I got home, it had been raining.  Storm clouds loomed over, and I thought it poetic for the circumstances.  As I walked down my street, I looked out over the cliffs and saw a striking rainbow out over the ocean, breaking through the dark clouds.  I rushed as quickly as possible into my flat, grabbed my camera, ran to the cliffs, and captured the image above.  A ray of hope, streaming out of death and destruction.

Our world is an extremely different place, 10 years later.  I think of those who gave their lives searching for the less fortunate, and send them my thanks.  I think of the children who will only know the ghosts of their parents, and send them hope.  I think of the people on those planes...all of them...and send them peace.

May they all rest in peace.

I was finally able to get a couple days in the studio this weekend....

Things are happening, here and there....

Can't wait to show you more, soon!

 After our wedding, Dave and I went camping with some friends from Australia.  I picked up many little treasures along the way.  The trip lasted a few days, and was chock full of laughter and happy moments.  I absolutely love the Oregon Coast, and was thrilled to be able to share it with people who mean so much to me.

A week after our return, I headed back to the coast (further north, this time) to do some nanny work.  It was just what I needed, to relax and unwind.  In the throes of life's hardest moments (in this case, de-compressing from the wedding and all planning leading up to it), I often long for the ocean.  

It centers me, reminding me of the immense beauty and power surrounding us.  Some people long for walks in the woods, or being surrounded by the desert...I need water in those moments.  

A river will do, but the ocean is what centers me the most.

What centers you? 

I am at the coast again this week, but this time it's a mix of work and vacation.  I am alone, and the space is welcome.  Don't get me wrong--it was so hard to leave my wonderful husband behind, but I'm realizing I needed these few days to myself.

Tonight, after work, I took myself out for dinner....I rarely eat alone outside of my house.

Then, down to the beach I went, making only one stop along the way at a candy shop.  And there, I sat, watching the sunset and eating dark chocolate seafoam, breathing in the salty sea air.

It was...restorative.

Sometimes, restoration comes not in yoga, or tea, or meditation.  

 I am finally home from our Wedding and Camping extravaganza!  Of course, I leave again for work tomorrow (today was a great day for relaxation).

The wedding was absolutely amazing.  I felt a sense of almost surreality in the days leading up to it, what with all the pre-wedding events and lack of sleep.  It was beautiful, and so worth the months of hard work.  We are now a few thousand dollars poorer, but a few thousand memories richer....and which do you think matters more?

People keep asking if I feel different.  Not necessarily, but....

There is more love.

More tenderness.

More joy.

Did I mention...more love?

May your life be as blessed and full of love and joy as ours is.....

xoxo

images by Tor Clausen