1. so thankful I never stayed with my high-school sweetheart through college. there is really something unfulfilling and almost juvenile about not venturing outside of one's 17 year old relationship with another 18 year old. we knew nothing about life, and now, I feel I do (kind of), and he still doesn't via his own accord and personal choices (according to some personal messages I've received). 

2. birth control was a necessary evil at one point in my life, and I'm happy to have had the best on the market- even though I gained 20 lbs on it. not fun, but I could have imagined worse things that are not fun. 

3. florida. oh florida, how I love thee. between the salty air, the sunsets, my daily bike rides, my cacti and backyard fruits, friendly souls and friends in my area, my mom, my cat... this is home. and I wouldn't trade living anywhere else right now. (accept maybe a study abroad program in Europe, if I ever got so lucky.)

4. getting a new job, outside of the industry I've worked for the last 5 years. I'm now a hostess at an oyster bar on the water. and I'm so excited to start. I've known retail the last 5 years and to be honest, I need a change. 

5. good shoes. good shoes cannot be overlooked right now. very glad I bought a couple pairs of expensive well-made leather booties when I justified the money. (I couldn't now- among the bills and saving for travel, shoes mean nothing). 

6. baby orchids. in love with my 10$ pale blue pot of purpley-white orchids. my bedside companion. 

7. air plants. in pots, tea cups, terrariums, magnets, weird geometric floaters, and the like. low maintenance, yet unique and beautiful. sounds like the perfect woman. 

8. the importance of friends. friends that are yoga teachers, runners, soccer players, and lovers of adventure and intellect and nature. I'm surrounded (not always physically, but in pure spirit) by strong young women with a sense of self, a love of others, and a genuine, charismatic disposition. women who do not give a shit about "likes" on an instagram photo, or the latest fashion trends. rather, women of integrity, ambition. life is not worth living without family, nor without friends. this is imperative.  

my best friend, taking a moment to find gratitude in the death of the day.