If you have been around the blog at all this week, you would know I was all about the summertime activities this week! And if there is one word that has made its way into every post this week, it is kayak. I feel in love with it the first time I went...which was sadly the last time I went. I haven't been able to go kayaking again since last summer. Lately, it is all I can think about. If I can get myself back in a kayak at any point this summer, I will officially declare it the best summer ever. That is how much I am itching to get back into the water. So, I thought I would offer up a list of the places I want to kayak. I'm sure many, many more will be added to this list in the future. For now, here are the top 5 places in the U.S. I want to kayak.
5. Acadia National Park, Maine Traveling up and down the East Coast is definitely high on my list of things I want to do. Besides a stop in Boston (which has always been on my list), going to Acadia would knock two things off my list. Visiting another national park and kayaking of course.
4. Prince William Sound, Alaska Just Google a picture of this place and tell me that you wouldn't want to see that beautiful place up close and personal.
3. Lake Tahoe, California This one is sort of a cop out, seeing as I've already done it and it's where I went for the first time. But, the weather is beautiful, the lake is clear, and the scenery is some of the best. Definitely wouldn't mind seeing it all again.
2. Glacier Bay, Alaska Again, Google this place and tell me you wouldn't want to see it. Those views are absolutely breathtaking. I don't think I would be able to leave or at least stop drooling from the beauty. Gorgeous.
1. Chicago River, Illinois This is absolutely the top of my list. One, I've always wanted to visit Chicago. Two, I love skylines and architecture. Three, Chicago has a kayak tour that combines all of those things. A three hour, architectural, kayak tour at that. You can cruise the Chicago River as it winds through the city and just marvel at The Windy City. Yes, please! They also have options for a sunset paddle or night paddle! Who wants to plan a trip?
Taken from here, which is ironically an article on the dangers of kayaking the Chicago River. I still want to do it.
I've started a page in my travel journal of places I want to kayak,
where are some places I should add to the list? Where is the one place you want to kayak or visit this summer?
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Earlier this week, I listed out a few of my summer goals and yesterday I told you guys about one of my favorite outdoor activities. Well today, I'm linking up with two great link-ups today and I'm combining the two! Shannon challenged us to think about 5 new things to do this summer and Kiki and Samantha want to know what some of our goals are!
Lately I've been challenged by a lot of posts where people are tourists in their own town. I've lived in Alabama for about 12 years now and while I've gotten to travel the state and lived in various spots whether it was in college or during the summer, there is still lots I haven't done. This summer I want to try and get out and be a tourist in my state. Here are 5 things I want to do this summer in Alabama!
1. Visit 5 Rivers in Mobile. This is the spot where the Mobile, Spanish, Tensaw, Apalachee, and Blakeley Rivers all come together and flow into Mobile Bay. There are waterways, woods, and wetlands. There is even the opportunity to kayak! Which was definitely on my list for this summer.
2. Visit the Audubon Bird Sanctuary on Dauphin Island. Recognized by the National Audubon Society as being "globally important" for bird migrations. Might bring mom along on this one, she is such an avid bird watcher. Plus, it's located on Dauphin Island, where there is again, an opportunity to kayak. I'm just saying.
3. Visit Little River Canyon in Fort Payne. This area is in the Southern Appalachians and is one of the deepest canyons east of the Mississippi River. There are waterfalls, hiking, canyons, and swimming areas.
4. Visit Monroe County's Old Courthouse Museum in Monroeville. I can't believe I've in Alabama for about 12 years and still haven't done this. Made famous by To Kill A Mockingbird, this is where the story took place. Most schools in the area take field trips to visit the museum and to watch the story come to life in a live play that actually takes place on the courthouse lawn.
5. Visit the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. I mean, combine my love of space and astronomy, museums, and wanting to always be a kid, this place just sounds like fun. Again, can't believe I still have done this one!
Have you ever been a tourist in your home state or town?
Do I have any Alabama readers that would add something to this list? If I visited your state, what would be the one thing I should go do and see?
Linking up!
Welcome to SUMMER WEEK here at Polished Arrow! Seeing as Memorial Day was the unofficial start to summer, I thought it would be fun to have all posts this week summer related. Who doesn't love summer? It's the time for vacations, bright sunshine, the great outdoors, July 4th, adventures, cookouts, and more! So get ready, because we are about to kick it into full on summertime mode here. Join me and let me know if you are having any fun summer related posts this week! I would love to read them!
Keep calm and hike on... unless of course, you are in danger. And then you should channel your inner Survivorman or Bear Grylls and find a way to safety. If there is one thing I love, it is being outdoors. I wouldn't say that I'm so hardcore I would possibly find myself in a Bear Grylls moment, but if it happened, I would whip out my Gerber and find a way to make shelter. Gerber is a type of knife, for those that don't know. And I really do have one, two actually. For real, my Dad gave me them last year at Christmas.
Seriously though, I love being outside. When I was little and living in the suburbs, I was always outside. I played outside until the sun went down. Hopscotch, drawing with chalk, hiding in the bushes, riding bikes all around the neighborhood, and flipping off my bike in the neighborhood. My parents used to take me and my sisters camping when we were younger too. Either we would go to the river or to my aunt's farm in Mississippi and just sleep out in the pasture with a bonfire outside our tent and the horses roaming around. Then, when we moved to Alabama, Dad took me fishing and even got me interested in archery. It's why I feel such a connection to Katniss in the Hunger Games, Merida in Brave, and Kiera Knightley as Gwyn in Princess of Thieves (props if you have seen this one!) and then as Guinevere in King Arthur. When I moved to college, I spent a lot of alone time along the river that ran through town, Saturdays on the Quad celebrating football, I discovered the lakes, and great places to hang my hammock on the bright, summer days. The day I bought my hammock was one of the best days ever. I'm not even kidding you guys. I have my best friend to thank for that one! And I love the moments that we get to "hang" together. Then came the pinnacle! I got to move out West for a short period of time. And I got to see and experience the outdoors in whole new ways! When people say, "west is best," they aren't just bragging for any ole reason. They have a reason to say that. It is absolutely stunning! There are beautiful places everywhere, don't get me wrong, and I love the rolling hills of the South, but the west definitely captured my heart with it's views. I got to hike and kayak in some of the most beautiful, and most visited, areas of California. I got to visit Yosemite, you guys! I touched Redwoods and saw massive Sequoias! These were all things that I only dreamed about, nothing I thought I would ever actually get to do! So, whether I'm outside hanging in between two trees, burying my feet in sand, reading a book, kayaking on the bluest water, or just sitting on my back porch, being outdoors is my happy place. It's my favorite summer activity, because the colors are beautiful, the sky is bright blue, and the breeze comes at the most perfect time. Throw in the birds chirping, dogs running around, lightening bugs glowing in the orange sun set, and it's just the setting for a beautiful day. And it's my favorite.
What is your favorite outdoor activity?
Or would you rather stay indoors?
Welcome to SUMMER WEEK here at Polished Arrow! Seeing as Memorial Day was the unofficial start to summer, I thought it would be fun to have all posts this week summer related. Who doesn't love summer? It's the time for vacations, bright sunshine, the great outdoors, July 4th, adventures, cookouts, and more! So get ready, because we are about to kick it into full on summertime mode here. Join me and let me know if you are having any fun summer related posts this week! I would love to read them!
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I learned about the 52 Lists Project at the beginning of this year. Just like the creator, Moorea Seal, I am a fan of lists. I've been known to write something on my to-do list that I've already completed, just to draw that sweet line through it. So, what is the 52 Lists Project? Every week, there is a prompt with a different set of things to list. Look for my list each week!
What are some of your goals this summer?
What is one of your favorite summer memories?
Welcome to SUMMER WEEK here at Polished Arrow! Seeing as Memorial Day was the unofficial start to summer, I thought it would be fun to have all posts this week summer related. Who doesn't love summer? It's the time for vacations, bright sunshine, the great outdoors, July 4th, adventures, cookouts, and more! So get ready, because we are about to kick it into full on summertime mode here. Join me and let me know if you are having any fun summer related posts this week! I would love to read them!
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Photography is something that I love, but don't do it nearly enough. I don't often go out and just snap away, unless I'm really feeling the bug. But, when I'm driving down a street or I pass a cool looking building, I'll often think about what an awesome photo op that would make. I, sadly, do not have a fancy camera. My mom does, however and often times I will grab hers from the bag and take it out. Normally though, I'm shooting with my iPhone. It's always with me and doesn't do too terrible of a job! ALL of these photos shared below were taken with my iPhone.
I love the vibrancy and color of a bright, blue day as much as anyone. The colors that can come out can be simply amazing. But, I do love shooting in black and white. One of my dreams is to photograph London in b&w. It just makes things seem more dramatic and can definitely turn the tone around. All of these pictures below were originally taken in color. I simply edited them to b&w. Mostly out of my own curiosity, no real big reason. But, then I wanted to share them. Some of them turned out pretty awesome. My favorites would have to be the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, the blooms, sunrise at Emerald Bay, and The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. But, my absolute favorite, the one that takes my breath away, is the one I saved for last. Fight the urge to jump ahead! But, go ahead, if you must. Enjoy!
Linking up with Aimee for Finding Beauty!
Do you enjoy photography?
Do you have a fancy camera or are you into iPhoneography? Color or b&w?
To see more of the pictures I take, follow me on Instagram!
ICYMI This Past Week:
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I discovered Shannon's blog, Smile and Write, last month and learned that she had a very cool link-up that happens every Thursday! It's called Write Yourself Happy. For the months of April and May, the topics were all lists! And we know, I'm a lover of lists!
For this week's list, Shannon encouraged us to think of 5 things we could do right now to be present in our lives. I loved this challenge, because it helps us to think about now. We often think about the future and what we want to do (30x30 or Bucket Lists) or the past and what we can't change. Thinking about just today is often easier, taking a breath, and just taking one day at a time. Of course we should be intentional in planning for the future, but just thinking about future days can stress me out sometimes. I don't want to miss where God has me right now, here in this season. I want to be present.
Enough said and easy enough. I've had it listed on my monthly goals for the past two months to spend one day a week away from all electronics. There are some days where I don't even open my computer, but I hardly ever get away from my phone. Our lives are ruled by technology today. And while it is one of the things I'm thankful for, it's nice to escape it all and get off the grid sometimes.
Talking on the phone is definitely NOT one of my most favorite things to do. I'm often not the first one to initiate a phone call, even with family. It sounds horrible. It's not that I don't want to talk to them, I just don't enjoy talking on the phone. I'm way better with written words. However, I live hours away from most of my family and want to be intentional with them besides just holidays when I actually see them in person.
Writing is not only a stress reliever for me, but it also helps to remind me of all that is around me. Whether I'm recording about a place I've been or writing down the things I'm thankful for or the things I want to do. I want to recognize all the blessings around me every day. Because, they are there and I want to be aware of them.
This one was also on Shannon's list! Out of everything on this list, this is probably the easiest for me to do all the time. I LOVE being outside. Whether I'm outside exercising, reading a book, or just laying in my hammock, being outside is one of my favorite ways to pass the time. It is the best place to reflect and bask in God's glory and beautiful creation.
And this is probably the hardest thing on this list! I've gotten better at complaining...at least I think I have. I don't often talk negatively about everything around me or complain about every little thing. Unless it's been an absolute terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day (anybody get this reference?) and I'm in a venting session with a friend. Or I get frustrated and annoyed with where God has me. Hey, it happens. This goes back to number 3. Whenever I find myself complaining, I want to stop, and think about the good. I want to think about what God is doing and what He is trying to teach me. After all, complaining about it won't change it.
What are 5 things you can do right now to be present in your life?
What is the easiest thing to do? What is the hardest?
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Working in a coffee shop I encounter lots of different people there. Nice, awkward, quiet, the talkers, the rude ones, non-tippers, and the gracious tippers. (Your barista thanks you.) I've noticed that there are pretty much two ways that people ask for their order when they approach the counter. They either say, "Can I have..." or "Give me a..." That last one usually doesn't affect me unless they say it with a certain tone in their voice, but most of the time it's just their normal way of asking. But, if you just focus on the words, they are very different. "Can I have..." is more approachable and easy-going, it's nice and pleasant and asking. "Give me a..." is, simply put, more demanding. It perceives urgency or entitlement. I'm not writing all of this to complain about customers. These two phrases have actually made me think about the way that I approach and talk to God. Oftentimes I approach God using that second phrase. I come to Him thinking I'm entitled to everything, that just because I'm here, and His daughter, I should get everything I ask for. Give me a car. Give me a full-time job. Give me that relationship I've been waiting for. Give me, give me, give me. Yes, it is true that He works for our good in all things. But, He doesn't give us things just because we are good. If that was the case, we wouldn't have much of anything. We are full of sin, greed, lust, lots of things besides goodness. Any goodness that is inside of us comes directly from Him, because He is good. He is working good through things in our lives, pointing us back to Himself and giving us little gifts that we may not realize. "Give me a car", I say. Instead, He says I'm going to carpool to work with my Dad, spending more time with him and having some awesome conversations. "Give me a full-time job," I say. Instead, He says I'm going to continue working at the coffee shop, where I'm freely able to listen to people and see more of their hearts, see them walk back into a church, and pray for them. "Give me that relationship I've been waiting for," I say. Instead, He says I'm going to wait just a little bit longer and during that wait I'm going to draw closer to Him, learn more about myself, and who I am in Him. He works good in all things! In all situations! Even when we don't want to see it. Even when we don't understand it. Does this mean that we can't approach God with the things that we want? That we can't tell Him the desires of our heart? That we can't hope for things that may come? Of course not! After all, He already knows the desires of our hearts. He searches our minds. Scary isn't it? Even the things that we think we can keep from him, that we think are our deepest and darkest secrets or our deepest and darkest desires, He already knows them all. Although He may already know everything that crosses our minds, it is still good for us to speak out loud our wants. To voice our opinions and ask Him directly for those things. Does it mean that it will all come true? No. God isn't a magic genie living inside a gold lamp waiting for us to rub it, set him free, and grant us three wishes. (Not dissing on Aladdin, I'm a huge Disney lover!) It also doesn't mean that He automatically turns His head away whenever we ask for something or that He laughs at what we want most in the world or that He quickly denies us in our requests. Together, with the Holy Spirit, He searches our minds and works good into our lives. He blesses us beyond measure with all the gifts that He gives us. And He has already given us a gift that will last forever. Salvation through His son and a life eternal with Him. The gift of Christ alone is enough satisfaction to last us while we are here on earth. Yet, because God loves us, He wants to bless us in so many other ways. He just doesn't want us to forget that it all comes from Him and that the gifts He does give us, should be used for His glory. He deserves all the credit, because without Him, we wouldn't have any of it anyways. Without God, we wouldn't even have life. There will always be things that we want and desire, no matter what stage of life we are in. We are always going to want something else and we will always be waiting for something else. God places different desires, wants, and needs into our hearts for a reason. Whether we get them all or not is ultimately His decision, for our good. He knows what is best for us, He knows the ways in which we will glorify Him, He knows the lessons we need and will learn. He doesn't want us to be afraid to ask for things in our lives. He wants us to be able to see the good He is working into every situation. Everything He does for us, every gift He gives us, is all so we will see and recognize His love. How we approach Him makes all the difference, not only in our conversations with Him, but also in our hearts. Let us never lose sight of the good He is doing, even when we can't see it. Let us approach Him with a "can I..." spirit, instead of a "give me..." attitude. Which do you say more? "Can I..." or "Give me...?" How do we strive to recognize the good God is doing all around us, even in the worst of situations? Follow Me :)
I learned about the 52 Lists Project at the beginning of this year. Just like the creator, Moorea Seal, I am a fan of lists. I've been known to write something on my to-do list that I've already completed, just to draw that sweet line through it. So, what is the 52 Lists Project? Every week, there is a prompt with a different set of things to list. Look for my list each week!
What do you want to be known for?
ICYMI This Past Week:
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Last week, Paige at Moments for the Journey, asked me to participate in a blog tour that focuses on our writing process. I jumped at the opportunity because I knew that it would help me think through what I want my blog to be about. One of the great things about blogging is that we are all different. We all have a different style, different things we love, different writing processes. Yet, we do have lots of things in common as well. Like enjoying writing, being creative, and connecting with others. Blogs let us do all that! Although I'm not a well known blogger by any means, I still want this place to be special for anyone who comes across it. I want everyone who clicks through these pages to leave encouraged and with a smile. That, in a nutshell, is my writing process. But, let's move onto the actual questions in this tour!
What am I working on?
Right now I am considering starting a travel throwback of sorts. The year after I graduated college I moved to California for about 10 months where I got to live in beautiful Tahoe City. I also got to visit San Francisco, Yosemite, Muir Woods, and other places while out there. Not too mention the hiking and attempting to ski. It's been about a year since I moved back home, so I'm thinking about starting a bit where I share my time in California and all the things I got to do! Plus, the landscape of Northern California just needs to be shared! It's beautiful! I've also toyed around with the idea of bringing out some old posts (archives if you will) from my first blog.
How does my work differ from others of its genre?
This is actually hard for me to answer. I've never considered what "genre" my blog fit into. It definitely isn't DIY or cooking. And I'm not legit enough for it to be a photography blog. I'm not living and traveling around the world (although, in my head I am). And I'm certainly not a fashion blogger. If I don't have to work that day, I probably won't get out of Nike shorts. And the days I do? It's three things: v-necks, skinny jeans, and flats. All day, everyday. If I put myself in a genre, it would be "lifestyle" I guess. I'm just documenting my life as a single twenty-something who is striving to live for the Lord and bring Him glory. I write about whatever comes to mind, things that I enjoy, a little of this and that, encouraging words, or sometimes I just share a song. I'm a very laid-back lifestyle blogger.
Why do I write what I do?
If you visit my 'about me' page, I definitely included this. When someone comes across this blog, I really want them to leave feeling encouraged. I'm not saying that all of my posts are going to be cheery and bubbly, because life just isn't like that. But, if there is something to remember, it's to remember that we are not alone in whatever we are experiencing. Often times we like to bask in our own personal fable, thinking we are the only ones that could possibly understand what is happening to us and no one else on the earth could possibly be experiencing this as well. While we may have different situations come up or different obstacles to jump over, we experience a lot of the same feelings. It's just something we don't want to talk about. I don't want to hide who I am or what I'm going through from this blog. I want to be real and for others to see that they are not alone in their struggles, whatever it may be. I want people to be encouraged to see that their problems do not define them, that they have worth, that they are not alone, that they are loved. Words are powerful and I want to use them to speak truth, life, and love to people.
How does your writing process work?
I'm a fairly organized person, but when I started my first blog I just kind of winged it. It was about the same content as this one, a little of this and that, just not organized. I guess my blog could be considered organized choas, because there isn't a general theme all the time. ha! When I started this blog, I created a calendar on my computer that had what I would blog on what day -- the only catch is that I had the whole month already planned out! I quickly found out that this was not going to happen and I'm not the best at keeping deadlines when it comes to my posts. For example, this post was supposed to go up on Monday. It is now Thursday.
Now, I have a monthly planner (cheap, from Dollar Store) that has the monthly calendar view with big squares and note space on the side. (This planner is for both my blog and my life.) On the note sidebar I divide it into sections: post ideas, link-ups, guest posts, sponsor highlights, etc. I also use the extra blocks from the calendar to: record prayer requests, e-mails I need to respond to or send out, things I'm going to make, to-do lists, etc. I'll first put an idea in the sidebar and then once I have actually started drafting out that post, I will choose the day I want it to go live and then put it down on its day. Then, of course, I put a line through it once it has been completed. That is the best part! I try to remember and write down any post ideas right when they come to me. I either write them down in this calendar or make a note in my phone. At the end of the month, if there was a post listed in the ideas that I didn't write, I will really think about whether I wanted to write it. If so, I write it down first under post ideas for the new month.
I don't beat myself up if a post doesn't go out on time. One, it's my blog and two, there is always tomorrow! Link-ups that I participate in, I try and keep those for Tuesdays and Thursdays. Which leaves Wednesdays and Fridays to be whatever I desire. I very rarely have a post go up on Mondays. Right now, I don't work on Mondays, so that is the day that I typically sit down and write for the week. If it was a very productive Monday, there will be a post for every day that week. If you have been around here for a bit, you might see that this isn't necessarily true. If you have just started coming regularly (welcome!), you have been getting spoiled! ;) I used to apologize when I came back from a long-ish break of blogging, but I really want to stop this. I know there are going to be times where I don't want to blog or where I just have nothing to talk about. And that is okay! I always laugh when I'm going through my blog reader and I see some posts that start out with something like an apology for not blogging or "well, that break lasted a bit longer that I thought!" I'm definitely guilty of this too, but we shouldn't be sorry about that. That just means that life has been happening, whether busy with real-world deadlines or just enjoying life with family and friends. That is never something to apologize for. It just means that we will have something awesome to share once we get back to blogging...if we choose to share it. And if we don't forget! Just like I never told you guys about that Rend Collective/Kari Jobe concert I went to! It was awesome, don't worry. Blogging here on Polished Arrow may never be consistent or exciting all the time. But, I'm thankful for those that continue to read, for the e-mails I get, for the texts from friends (which still freaks me out sometimes) who say they really enjoyed a post, and for the comments of course! My little introverted self loves connecting with you guys...from the safety and comfort of my living room or bed. Of course, I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to make coffee for you one day either!
Hope you enjoyed learning a little about the blogging process here at Polished Arrow. Thank you again to Paige for passing this on to me, I really enjoyed it! As you can see, it can be all over the place and not always the best organized! Now, I pass this blog tour on to two other bloggers! I can't wait to learn more about how these ladies blog and hope that you will stop over to see their posts next week! Here they are!
If you haven't checked out these two blogs, I highly encourage you too! They both write from the heart and encourage me in so many ways.
While we wait to read these two girl's post next week, what is your blogging process? Is it fairly organized or are you all over the place like I can be? Do you write whatever comes to mind or is your blog strictly focused around one thing?
Follow Me :)
Every year my Dad has conferences for work and they are usually at the beach. Win for me and mom who get to tag along and hang out in the sun all day! Pensacola Beach is beautiful with it's white sand beaches! Definitely one of the best along the Gulf! Enjoy these pictures from my weekend there!
Pensacola Beach, Florida
Are you a beach person? Or would you rather vacation somewhere else?
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