Beauty

Vacation. A term used lightly in my life from the point that I was young to the present. The places that I’ve been weren’t spectacular, but they were just the things to make my young heart happy. As a family we would travel to destinations that you would read about in your 4^th grade Social Studies book and learn everything about that location, and even more. My father used to be into these learning vacations more than the four siblings were at times. I remember going to North Dakota, The Grand Canyon, the great State of Texas; even Canada, Michigan and Tennessee to visit Chattanooga and Covenant College. We would go to fun places too, like Disneyland, Peaks Island, (a family favorite) and to the gold Country to mine for gold with our pans and magnifying glass. These trips were fun because we were so young and everything was a blast at the time.

I know that the rest of my siblings make it a point to rest each year and go on a much-needed trip, however I have really haven’t had that chance to stop everything and just relax for a week. This week I decided to go on a little trip to Southern California and Seattle. The plan was to just take the week in stride and really just enjoy myself. No really big plans, just taking some time to laugh and catch up on missed opportunities throughout the years. I always enjoy Southern California because it was my home for four solid years of my life. My friends down there are welcoming of my out of insanity lifestyle; that is why I love visiting them as much as I can.

Now the other part of my trip will be traveling to Seattle. A place I’ve been once before. As you can tell from my picture, I was having a fun time up in the Pacific Northwest. I will have a great time just enjoying my time up here. I’m sure it will rain a bunch and be dreary most days, but it’s a new experience for me. You can’t go wrong with that. There are a few things that I want to do while in the Seattle area, and that is hit up the Public market, go to the first Starbucks, maybe even check out a Mariners game… who knows. Now that’s what I call a vacation. Not really knowing what you will be doing until a spur of the moment, great thought enters your head. I’m also dropping off a painting that I finished a while back for my friend Savannah. I really hope that she likes it. Carrying it on the Airplane people were commenting on the intricacies of the cuts and tearing of the top layer oil paint revealing the under belly blue. We’ll see her reaction once she lays her eye on “Kindness”.

To tell you the truth I need this break. I’ve been working really hard lately to not think about the negatives in my life and hang out with the positives. So far I feel that I have accomplished that goal so far in my trip and it can only get better. Here’s to some great pictures, great accompaniment, and an important chance to change my thoughts on the word Vacation.