Weddings

It wasn't until around this age that I realized how much I love weddings. They are, in my opinion, truly one of life's most enjoyable celebrations. I mean- you get to attend this beautiful ceremony and reception that someone has planned with an unusual amount of care, wear a pretty dress, be served food and champagne, hear heartfelt speeches and toasts, get down on the dance floor and overall, just take time to celebrate... love.

This is not to say that I'm dying to get married anytime soon, or at all for that matter... In fact, when it came time for all the single girls to try and catch the bouquet, I literally tried to avoid it. Some of my other relatives, on the other hand, shoved me out of the way to try and catch it.

I guess I have seen and heard so much about marriage that,

on one hand, I'm like

but mostly, I'm like

Yes, I'm entranced at the idea of a never-fading, all-encompassing love with someone.

At the same time, I know that this love is rarely ever found. I watch most couples lose that love early on and either get a divorce, or spend the rest of their days together quietly despising one another.

But despite this serious skepticism of mine, I still somehow have hope. I'm both a believer and an atheist and it's all very confusing. 

But, I'm also eighteen. I don't have to have everything figured out just yet.

For now, I'm simply going to let myself enjoy weddings and all the pretty sights and people and tastes they entail, and try not to focus on the impending doom the lovers might me facing... instead, I'll admire the plunge they are taking. 

Farewell Santa Cruz, for now

We're finally back home. I can't really tell how I feel about it quite yet. A few weeks ago, I said goodbye (for good) to my school in San Francisco. Today, I helped my sister say goodbye (for now) to her school in Santa Cruz... both have been overwhelming experiences. I'm now suddenly thrust back into my small, suburban town, having left those majestic places and people behind. I feel happy and relieved to be home-I have my family, old friends and that cozy, warm feeling of protection surrounding me. At the same time, I feel melancholy and somehow...bored already.
I can only take comfort in knowing that Santa Cruz, I will see you again.
The last day with you was as magical as the first.

There was that incredible campus art show, with the badass photography exhibit Women With Guns done my student Courtney Hanson. Her shots were so beautiful, so powerful. 

Then the tree gazing- just lying out on the grass under the lovely canopy of green, feeling the warm air. 

Finally the day ended around 2 a.m. with a music festival in an amazing trailer park. We wildly danced to folk and reggae bands, admired the mystical, bohemian trailers, gazed at the full moon through the redwood trees, watched a fire dancer, loved seeing how joyful and free everyone around us was, and just took in the incredible eccentricity that is Santa Cruz. I had never seen anything like that before. but how I loved it. 

Oh Santa Cruz, how radiant you are. Thank you for all of your wonderful memories and adventures this past year. Until we meet again.

Last Days In Santa Cruz

It's hard to believe that this horrible-wonderful-painful-beautiful year is coming to a close... and that we'll be somewhere far away from this glorious place soon. Though this is not technically my school year to say goodbye too (mine ended 3 weeks ago) I still feel all the emotions that my sister is going through- I mean, I loved this place as much as she did. Just one more day of hugs and tears and strange feelings to go, and then the official goodbye will come... until October rolls around I suppose.
Just some photos of these past few days...