Right Now.

I wasn't made for the city. Maybe it's because I've always lived in small towns or maybe it's just part of who I am. Either way, the city feels so big and empty to me. I want small town. Where everyone knows each others business but everyone also watches out for each other. Where you can see the stars at night and the air feels so fresh as you breath it in. 

I'm making good money but I do not enjoy this job. Life is too short to do something you don't enjoy everyday, you know?

I'm so in love. I'd always heard people say how they continued to fall in love with their wife/husband more with each year but I never understood how that could be until I started dating Jake. I can now say that I know that feeling so well. I feel so blessed to have been given the love of my life so early on in life. 

I'm learning so much. About myself, about this world, about being an adult, about life. Things aren't perfect but I wouldn't change this beautiful life for the world. 

Give Me a Second To Catch Up

I'm not quite back into the groove of things and still have so many Puerto Rico pictures to share so I thought I'd start with some Instagram pictures.

Before our red eye flight, we went to Joe's Crab Shack. I had never been and I must say, they had the most delicious desserts.

My favorite guy participated for so many pictures! I was shocked. I think we took more pictures together the whole trip than we have during the past three years we've been dating.

Our exhausted faces.

The other cute couple and my roommates, my brother and his girlfriend, Devyn.

Beach trip number one.

Night number two at my aunt's house with the vacationing couples.

I was trying to get him to smile my kissing his cheek. When that failed, I bit his face and a picture was accidentally taken.

Vacation faces!

Beautiful El Yunque. The only rainforest in the US.

My two sweet cousins. 

Jake and I with my uncle. Excuse the ridiculous faces. We had just done a pretty intense uphill hike in El Yunque and with the crazy Puerto Rico humidity, we were sweating like maniacs. 

More pictures and blogging to come soon!

La Isla Del Encanto

I'm back! 

As good as being back and getting things done here is, I miss my first home. There really is no way to describe how wonderful this trip was. Although it was exhausting in that we spent morning to night running around, I enjoyed every bit of it.

We visited two beaches, El Yunque, Viejo San Juan, and a few other places. The love of my life was finally able to meet my family and he was finally able to see the attachment I have with that beautiful island and its people. 

My favorite moment of the entire trip was our last night. My aunt and uncle had a little party in their backyard with the entire family. We ate delicious food, laughed, and danced crazy amounts. There was a point where the entire family was dancing the Macarena and I looked around to see my significant other's face and the faces of each of my family members all smiling. In that moment, my heart just felt completely happy. There it was. Everything I could ever want right in front of me. 

Indescribable.

(My camera is unavailable right now so all pictures were taken by my brother's girlfriend) 

Favorite Finds

I've been a little obsessed with Pinterest lately and thought I'd share some of my recent favorites I've pinned!

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(I made these the other night and they are spectacular!)

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Feel free to follow me on Pinterest here!

Videos Worth Watching

I'm a huge fan of finding meaningful or inspirational videos online so I thought that while I'm away, I'd share some of those with you. 

Enjoy!

Ever since I discovered Sarah Kay, I have been obsessed with her spoken word poetry. Here is a spoken word poem written between her friend Phil Kaye and herself.

My brother makes some really great videos and I'm still in love with this one he made for our mom's birthday a couple years ago.

I am a huge fan of wedding videos and although this one is a little long, it is my absolute favorite. The first minute is a bit strange but I promise you'll be in tears by the end.

This is the original TED Talk that made me fall in love with Sarah Kay's poetry. 

Another TED Talk featuring Amy Purdy who lost both of her legs below the knee at the age of 19. She speaks about living beyond our limits and about how she became a professional snowboarder.

Guest Post: Katia from Kitty Snooks on Home DIYs

Katia is one of my favorite blogger ladies and someone I would definitely call a friend! She is such a lovely lady and someone whose blog you should absolutely check out! She came up with this guest post idea all by herself when I told her she could chose whatever she'd like to write about and I've got to say, I absolutely love it! I am all about DIY things and this is perfect for my current situation.

Enjoy!

Hi Guys! My name is Katia and I blog over at Kitty Snooks about fashion, art, and

any other little (or big!) things in life! And speaking of big things in life, I’m sure a

lot of you readers know that Amanda is moving into a new apartment soon. Well

so am I! In fact it’s my first apartment ever, so I’m crazy excited. And since this is a

common theme between the two of us I thought I’d share some of the home DIYs

I’ve found that are not only budget friendly, but super cute and easy to do! It’s easy

to be intimidated by the complexity of some of the DIYs we see, so I thought these

were great because anyone can do them and it’s super easy to find the materials for!

1. Fancify a plain dresser!

(Yes I’m aware Fancify isn’t a real word) I love this DIY for turning a simple dresser

into a piece with character – without going overboard! Just by using some textured

wallpaper, they end up with a really great, ornate style. It’s so easy and simple

to do. I found this DIY via Pinterest but it’s originally from here (link: http://

californiacallahans.blogspot.ca/2011/12/hemnes-hack.html)

2. Add a little pop with decorated light switch/outlet plates!

Simple, easy to do, you could probably even do it with scrapbook paper! I love how

little details could be added to a room to add JUST that much more character to

it, they do say it’s the little things in life, right? ;) Project found here!(link: http://

californiacallahans.blogspot.ca/2011/12/hemnes-hack.html)

3. Personalize your dishes!

I have LOVED this idea for ages – I’ve had a ceramic paint marker for a few months

now, but apparently you can do it with a plain ol’ sharpie!?! We all have some of

those lying around somewhere! This would be a great way to turn plain, cheap

kitchen dishes into fun, personal pieces that you’ll treasure after! Found this project

here (link: http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2012/06/his-her-sharpie-mug-

diy.html)

There are so many more around the web, but these are a few of my favourites ! I’m

definitely hoping to use these and come up with some of my own too once I actually

move in to my apartment! Maybe I’ll post about them all myself when I do my own!

Are you planning on any home DIYS? Have you done any? Let me know, I’d love to

have some more planned, decorating a home is one of the most exciting things about

moving! The potential seems endless, the only limit being a budget – which can

easily be avoided by DIY! So it all works out perfectly in the end! Hope you found

some inspiration for your own home decorating here!

xo

Thank you so much, Katia!

Be sure to check out Katia's wonderful blog, Kitty Snooks!

A Move and a Vacation

(Shirt: F21, Shorts: Gap, Shoes: F21, Headband: Handmade)

As you can see, today's pictures are brought to you from my garage because if you've ever been in Arizona, you know Arizona sun and summer heat is brutal.

Yesterday, I pulled out my phone and looked at my Puerto Rico countdown and saw the number only read "2". Although I know we leave the day after tomorrow, it still seems so unreal and seeing that countdown that started at 150+ days be down to that tiny little number made it seem a little more real. I'm not sure it will actually feel completely real until I'm watching my Arizona "family" mixing with my Puerto Rico family right in front of my own eyes. I wrote this little something about this trip on my Tumblr that I'll share with you.

Every summer and winter, I visit my family in Puerto Rico. My entire family is there and although I only lived there for three years during my childhood, it is my home. It is where most of the people I love most in this world are and where most of my favorite memories took place. 

After Jacob and I started dating in June 2009, I went to Puerto Rico for my usual summer trip just a month after. As I was there, I already found myself wishing that Jacob could be there to experience what I was experiencing. During the next 3 years, every single time I went, I felt that little bit of sadness knowing that my other piece of home was missing. When I went home in January, Jacob and I talked about how maybe one day he’d finally be able to come. Here we are, six months later and 4 days away from flying 3,000 miles with my best friend/love of my life for him to meet the people that I love most.

This entire trip means so much to me. I cannot wait.

And with that I leave you to finish the 101 things I have yet to do. I'm hoping to get a post or two in while I'm gone but if I don't get around to it, I have two lovely lady bloggers that will be guest posting while I'm away! 

See you in a week or so! 

Fourth of July

As usual, here is a bit of a peek into my life this past week. 

A coffee date with Nate and Laurel, two of Jake's siblings who happen to be two of my great friends. 

This is what happened when I asked to take a picture.

Jake and I went to celebrate so I put on my favorite dress and new thrifted cardigan. 

Jake's outfit. I just... can't handle it.

The loot from going shopping.

Kaycee got the pictures from the photographer at the wedding and I'm obsessed with how handsome Jake is (far left).

Before I went to take my Spanish CLEP test yesterday.

Needless to say, I did well. I would have hoped for considering Spanish is my first language.

Pumpkin baked goods in summer are the best.

Jake is a huge sweetheart and got me this dress and tights from ModCloth just because.

One of my best friends got engaged this weekend!

Celebrating that my grandma has been in peace with my grandpa in heaven for three years today. Although we miss her so very much, I know she's happier than ever now.  

I hope you all have a safe and wonderful fourth of July!