"From one seed, a whole handful: that was what it meant to say the bounty of the earth"

-J.M. Coetzee

 

these summer mornings at home have taken on a wonderful routine: walking barefooted through the dewy morning grass to the fig tree my dad planted a few years ago. Pushing aside the big velvety leaves, picking the plump purple figs off of their branches. Leaving a few behind for the birds and squirrels, savoring the rest for breakfast, for lunch, for dessert. Every bite brings me such joy: they taste like sunshine, patience, and home.

Year in Review--Part I

Reflecting back on each year is always bittersweet. It scares me how much happens in a year, how quickly each year goes by, and how rarely I stop to actually pay attention. I spend most of my time waiting for that day/week/month to be over, and next thing you know, the year has flown by. I resolve to be more present in this coming year--with a whole semester to intern and do the things I love before I start my new adventures as a law student, I think it can be accomplished :)

In an attempt to start my resolution early, here is 2011 in review, part I.

Just a few days after the new year started, Winter made its way to the South and snow-pocalypse meant that everything came to a standstill, even the beginning of school. It was magical.

Photos stolen from Jenny :)

I started a new job with UGA Recreational Sports, which has been amazing. I will definitely miss being a part of the crew this year and I couldn't have asked for a better student work experience.

Mary Kate, Jenny and I once again were given the short end of the stick as our spring break plans fell apart. Poor Morgan had to deal with the blood clot from hell, and we tried to make the best out of a last minute trip to Amelia Island. It wasn't the smoothest trip (thanks to an unfortunate situation involving locked doors) but we made the best of it, and I loved our hot tub conversations under the stars.

After years of planning and waiting, Mary Kate and I finally turned 21. We were lucky to have our birthday fall on a weekend, so we had several days of celebrations with family and friends.

UGA HEROs put on an amazing event in the spring called Pain The Town Red. From a slip and slide to a paint-filled water balloon fight, it was an absolute blast.

After all of that happiness, reality set in and I started spending many many hours a week in my LSAT prep class. It literally drained me and made the end of that semester extremely stressful, but it was so helpful. My only happiness in that time was when my dad found a baby kitten in our driveway. As an avid cat lover, the cuteness was *almost* too much for me to take, and after a few weeks of bottle feedings and caring for the newborn kitten, Chloe became a part of the family.

Part II coming soon!

Holiday Spirit

Our little apartment in Athens is not exactly a dream home--the carpet bugs me, its loud, the location isn't ideal, etc etc. However, we have made it our own and the last few months of lazy mornings in my bed and evenings of Friends DVDs and hot chocolate in our living room have been heavenly. To make it all better, we got into the holiday spirit this year and our decorations make my heart happy.

(colorful lights along our staircase)

(the smell of pumpkin pie)

(ornaments)

(our tacky and yet completely adorable baby christmas tree)

Scenes from Thanksgiving

Clearly belated, but what can you do.

Night at the Garden and Porch Decorating

UGA's student garden had a fundraiser not too long ago called Night at the Garden--there was food from local restaurants and we got to eat in the garden while the sun was setting and acoustic music was playing in the background. Although we should have gotten there a bit earlier since the food ran out fast (lesson learned), what I did eat was deliciousss (tomato-basil bread has forever sealed its spot in my heart).

The decorations were perfection. I loved the long tables, wildflowers in mason jars, candles, and twinkle lights--you really can't go wrong with twinkle lights. And there is something about Athens' sunsets, especially out in the agricultural part of campus. They're just prettier than the ones at my parent's house.

After the garden, Jenny and I carved our pumpkin and decorated our sorry excuse for a porch with lights and tombstones. It makes me ridiculously happy, and the only reason I am okay taking it all down is the knowledge that Christmas decorations are around the corner.

I was pretty sad that the Chesire Cat pumpkin's ears didn't work out like I had hoped, but he's still cute.