I am preparing to travel to Hungary for the fall semester. 

As I tell several people the spiel about the program, I find the monotony taxing on my excitement. 

"I leave on August 17 and get back right before Christmas: August 19. Yes! I'm very excited. I'll be staying in Budapest. I'll be studying there at the local university." ...Etc. 

Even as I'm reading through guidebooks and Europe Through the Back Door, I think mostly of the things I am weary of; thieves, money, packing. 

My explanation is a rerun of memorized words and I forget the truth of adventure until it whispers to me again in the quiet before sleep. 

Even though I moved to Seattle for five months and feel like i'm already savvy with packing and preparations, it's different. 

The nerves I felt once will come back again; a mixed palate of fear, happiness, hope, and destiny. 

Here I go again! 

I baked today. 

Lavender & Earl Grey Cupcakes! 

Et voila! Les petits gateaux sont succulent! 

I also have been enjoying;

-fresh fruit (Michigan Strawberries)

-Honey greek yogurt

-sleeping in

-watching Friends avec ma mere

-Madagascar 3

-Cryptoquote puzzles 

Thunder! of God, 
harken and turn. 
Shaken, but held. 
for rain, I yearn. 


Lightning! a blast, 
hard to ignore.
Shock, while sure. 
come fast. 


Droplets! to clean, 
penetrate the deep. 
Destructive, not mean. 
stay with me through sleep. 

a new perspective

"On your feet now-applaud God!
Bring a gift of laughter,
sing yourselves into his presence.

Know this: God is God, and God, God.
He made us; we didn't make him.
We're his people, his well-tended sheep.

Enter with the password: 'Thank you!'
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him.

For God is sheer beauty,
all-generous in love,
loyal always and ever."

Psalm 100 (The Message)

Otherwise known as, "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth....Enter his gates with thanksgiving."