back from Italia.

wow wow wow.
just got back yesterday from my interterm trip to Italy.
my soul is still swimming with all that my eyes saw, all that my mind learned, and all that my heart felt. (photographic proof soon to come)

now i'm sleepily resetting my brain to school mode this next coming week and am preparing to look through all of the images i took while i was over in that beautiful country. i might have an art-attack while looking over them. and then may also have the sudden impulse to run back to the airport and catch the first flight to Florence that I can find/sell organs to afford.
but i'll probably refrain. probably.

my heart is so full, even though my mind and body are so weary.
that right there, is a feeling of great accomplishment.
ciao ciao.

twentyeleven

happy next year of life my fine friends!

may you be both silly & wise in twentyeleven.

giggles & lasagna

i'm realizing something that makes me happy every time - never failing, is community. whether a situation is completely miserable or amazing, it is made better by sharing it with someone, anyone.

earlier today i did a photoshoot for the r.a. staff of a dorm on campus, and i only knew 1 girl out of the 7. and it's always a little odd to photograph groups, especially groups of girls that are your peers - it always takes them a while to trust you and relax. but later into the shoot, i realized what great girls they were and how kindhearted and hilarious each one was. even though i never met any of them until that moment, i felt so comfortable interacting with them - result of good community.

tonight my roommates and i went next door to our neighbors apartment with about 10 other people, ate lasagna and played telephone pictionary (which is fantastic) for hours on end, laughing ourselves silly.

even though, again, i didn't even know several of the people before that interaction, it was so great to be so chummy with them and my dear friends. it is situations like these when i remember how important communication, interaction and quality time are to me - they're game changers. i value my time with people so highly. i dislike being by myself for long periods of time - people are like my batteries, they charge me with energy. 

i think i'm also realizing that this is the l a s t time i will get to live in such a thriving community of people with such good hearts. 

this is my l a s t year of college. that still hasn't really hit home yet for me, but im slowly coming to grips with the fact that i am not peter pan, and that i eventually have to grow up. 

but not yet, i've got some more giggling to do.

s is for summer

my bones are achey, my eyes are tired but my heart is happy and my mind is resting because it is SUMMER and i am finally HOME.

i love biola and all that i am blessed to do there and the people i get to be surrounded by, but as long as i live i will always love my dear friend oregon.

so far summer is off to a resounding start at the McCord house, as it always is... complete with unveiling/cleaning/repairing the boat for the summer, Sonic limeade/ocean water runs, communal lunches and dinners fully equipped with bevs, constant nephew entertainment and long overdue dosages of delicious family bonding.

oh summer, you are so lovely.
can't wait to catch up with old friends, unpack and start making plans to have adventures.
soon i'll have to start my 3 online classes and find a job... but for a day or two i plan to be blissfully unaware of adulthood and be a summer love child in every way achievable. duh.

p.s.. you may be sick of seeing these boys but i don't care because they make me smile until my face hurts. A N D they are deathly beautiful, proof:

my heart is home & so happy.