All posts tagged: love

wine, whiskey, coffee & christmas carols

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I was on the bus home from the airport when I sent out a group message to the girls: “I’m headed back to Donosti. Flights cancelled.” To which I received the response from Usoa: “Ohhhhhh myyyy gooooooooooooooooood. You are coming to my country house.” And it was settled. A Christmas in the Spanish countryside isn’t what I had planned for December 2013, but after strong winds kept planes from landing and taking off it’s where I found myself surrounded by my Basque family. I never thought I’d find another family just quite as crazy and loving as mine. But here I’ve found them. We arrived just after dark and just in time for glasses of wine to be poured and us to sit down at the table to begin eating. Giant shrimp – eyeballs, feet, and all – were in a couple bowls across the table to pick at, as well as chorizo and bread. Then blood pudding, fish soup, and a chicken foot pallela were served. To say the least, I gave it my best …

| like a river flows so surely to the sea |

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Like the lyric says, some things are meant to be. Some songs strike a certain chord within a person – for whatever personal story hidden deep within their heart, whatever memories they make flow back, or whatever loved ones suddenly cross their mind — certain songs touch us and instantly become special. The other day I stumbled upon a cover of the Elvis song, “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” and all I can say is that it left me breathless. The rendition was played on a ukulele and the voice of the artist surprised me after seeing some of his other work. But that’s the beauty of love – like the artist and his surprisingly beautiful voice – is the constant surprise of how someone can make you feel. The unknown of letting your guard down around a person and knowing they can give you the greatest happiness or sadness. That happiness and sadness overwhelmed me all at once. I thought about the happiness and sadness that love has allowed me to feel …

|in a land of pintxos |

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It occurred to me today that I need a summer project as I was sipping on a cana con limon in the Plaza de Constitucion and discussing food with a fellow American. I’ve decided to make my focus: pintxos. Living in the North of Spain one is highly aware of the large amount of pintxo bars (and bars in general) throughout the food capital and Capital of Culture 2016. San Sebastian is home to the famous pintxo and hundreds of bar owners and chefs offering traditional to very modern choices. A pintxo is an individual portion of meats, cheeses, fish, veggies, etc., skewered with a toothpick onto a piece of baguette. Of course, pintxos can vary from bar to bar and in the different regions of the North leading me to my decided project for the month of July: 30 Day Pintxo Challenge Inspired by my appreciation of  tasty food, desire to write, and love of photography and challenges — I’ve decided to dedicate the month of July to pintxos. As my budget is low – I’ll stick to one new pintxo …

| the positives of a negative person |

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It’s a deep breath in, and a controlled breath out. It’s the negative energy from one person to remind you of all your positive energy. It’s their negative energy that makes me want to be nicer, that makes me want to smile more at others even though it’s driving me crazy inside. It’s their negative energy that reminds me to slow down, breath deeper, and appreciate the people and world around me.  It’s their negative energy that makes me healthier — reminds me to practice yoga, to eat better, and to be happy with myself. It’s their negative energy that makes me sad that they clearly don’t share any of this joy that I embrace every day. Instead of letting them make me upset, instead of them putting me in a bad mood because they are, instead of letting their negative energy do any damage to my positive energy. I embrace it. I let it teach me and I learn from it. I do my yoga. I breath in my positive energies and out the …

| to the mediterranean & back |

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It had to be done — I had to escape my seaside town for the weekend. With Georgia & Olivia heading east, I decided to take a break from my routine and go with them. Little did I know that I’d be reminding myself of why I originally fell in love with San Sebastian three years ago — The big city smells; bustling, loud, crowds of people; and stuffy buildings had me craving the fresh ocean breeze, chimes of the church next to my house, and the sandy floors that remind me I’m home (and that I maybe need to sweep, too). It’s a weekend I needed away to make me appreciate where I am — because even though I constantly try to remind myself of “being in the moment” and “making the most of where you are”  — I sometimes need a kick in the ass to remember my own words of advice. Despite the hectic crowds, we made our way through the winding streets of Barcelona finding new treasures from hidden coffee / …

| love, an ocean a part |

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It’s hard making a decision to leave; and yet, it’s so easy. I knew before I even decided where I wanted to be that I’d be living abroad. That I’d be thousands of miles away from my family and closest friends – but somehow none of that bothered me. I made my choice; I moved across bodies of water and country borders; I left my life as I knew it to create a life I dreamed about; I’m here now; I’m happy and I’m sad. It’s something that doesn’t quite hit you until important events start passing and you can no longer just drive up the street to be apart of it. It’s a phone call, a skype date, a letter which keeps you in touch. There’s nothing physical about it anymore — just love that somehow keeps you together, even though so much distance keeps you a part. It’s these friendships and relationships I cherish the most – yet hurt me so much at the same time. I’ve missed one friends wedding shower; I”ll miss …

| hidden away |

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Once upon a time, I wanted to know what love was. Love is there if you want it to be. You just have to see that it’s wrapped in beauty and hidden away in between the seconds of your life. If you don’t stop for a minute, you might miss it. – Cashback (2006)

| sunsets, excitement |

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Sometimes people enter into your life quickly and unexpectedly and then leave just as fast. But even though their time is short, you can still learn something about the world or yourself. You just have to let it happen, or these moments may just pass without you even knowing they were there. Couch Surfing has allowed me to meet some really amazing people from Cambodia to the United States; from Russia to Chile. People with similiar opinions, people with different views and everything in between. I’ve met people who will be in my life forever and those who were just meant to pass by for those few hours or days. But in the end, they’ve all opened my eyes to another part of life; or reminded me of passions I may have set aside. The last person to enter my life has reminded me to not forget the beauty in the most simple moments  — And even though I always try my hardest to enjoy where I am, to embrace evey new experience in my life, …

| the southern soul |

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The rain had soaked through my boots. The lines were long and we were sent from one end of the property to the other in the pouring rain. I didn’t have a jacket and I was hungry, but somehow I just didn’t care. Afterall, we were at the Alhambra. After three hours in the car that morning from Seville, with an Italian girl, a pup, and an Andulucian with dreads, we made it to the city of Granada. Greeted with downpours, construction work and long lines at the Alhambra, we finally made it inside. The beauty of the Alhambra is hard to describe as most spectacular places and moments are impossible to put into words. The details of the walls, ceilings, and floors steal the show. Intricate designs of floral patterns, highlighted with blue hues make the Alhambra a unique spectacle in the middle of this Spanish city. The gardens are neatly taken care of featuring orange trees, beautiful pools, and other well trimmed hedges. Although we only passed through the gardens quickly as we …