Showing posts with label adventures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adventures. Show all posts
I just got back from my annual camping trip that my family and I go on every year. We go up into northern Michigan in the Little Traverse Bay Area and camp at one of the state parks. It has been our favorite place to go to and this year we decided to make a pit stop at Mackinac Island known for only it's bike and horse drawn carriage driven roads, fudge, and views. It always feels like we were just camping and I can't believe I am already home (and taking a really nice shower).
I thought I would do kind of the same thing as I did last year with the photo story because many of these speak for themselves. These first few pictures were on the island and we biked all the way around it--a total of 8.2 miles. We stopped halfway for ice cream and met up with some of my cousins and their cute golden retriever pups.
We spent Fourth of July up there and enjoyed time at camp with our new Eno Hammock which my whole family loved. We also celebrated my dad's birthday and had a really nice time enjoying our campfires and s'mores. Many people ask me how I even camp for so long and I ask them why they don't! It's honestly one of my favorite things to do and it's truly not that hard to do. I have been camping for about 13 years now and every trip brings more memories every time.
Even though this trip might have been different than last's without our pup and friends, we still had an amazing time soaking up the sun and going to the beach. We had unbelievable weather and I enjoyed it all. Besides my sunburn, I would say that it was a really nice trip. Have you been camping before?
posted in
Now that it is officially the end to my high school journey, I am off on my way to college! I am so unbelievably shocked at how fast it all went by and all of the great memories I have had with all of my closest friends and I am so beyond excited to start a new journey at DePaul University in the fall.
I don't think I have talked in extent to what I have experienced in high school, but I hope I can help light the way for future seniors and even incoming freshmen. It goes by so fast. Please embrace all of the moments: the football games, the pep rallies, dances, teachers, your peers, and all of the fails or aces you make because it'll all go by like a blink in the eye. I know that when I joined color guard or flags with my marching band that I would forever have an amazing group of friends to be with. Going to Disney World with them was probably one of the best memories I have had from high school.
Thanks to all of the people that helped me along to my graduation and who really made my high school experience a great one. It wasn't about popularity or anything cliche, it was just a roller coaster of new experiences--ones that I will cherish and learn from. I mean, high school is when I started my blog and doing yoga, so I would say it was a success. I never thought I would be on this growing blog today and I am beyond grateful for everyone who has endlessly supported me.
As for this blog, I truly hope to continue writing on it through college and beyond. I want to share my college journey (and especially my dorm room) for the next four years. I am so psyched to be living in my beautiful city and I will be studying communications with a focus in public relations and marketing. Really, not a shocker.
I am currently enjoying my long summer break until I have orientation and move in day later in August. Tomorrow I actually leave for a week long camping trip, the one I blogged about here last year, and will still have posts up next week! I am not sure if I want to post another camping post for the sake of not bringing my camera to camp, but I know I will for sure have some pictures up on Instagram.
I don't know where college will take me, but I know I will always have my family and friends along with me supporting me every step of the way (so cheesy). And you guys! I just thought I would share my future plans, so feel free to share yours! Any new college freshmen out there feeling nervous as ever like me?!
posted in
Hello all! I thought I would take today to reflect on a few things that I have recently been doing over the past month after my high school graduation and update you all on the haps! I can't believe it's already mid way into June and the summer seems like it has only just begun. I feel like I haven't had one of these types of posts on here in a while, so I hope you enjoy.
Over Memorial Day weekend, my great family friends and I travelled about an hour to Indiana to go explore and go to the beach. We had incredibly nice weather during our weekend getaway and I was so thankful for how sunny it was. We stopped at this little farm that had only one cow and a goat. It also had a chicken coop with about twenty chickens. We hiked around the state park and ended up in mud piles and going on a rather regretful route, but had so much fun.
Pictured left is my best friend Alyssa and her younger sister Emily. They're also my back door neighbors. I've been on so many trips with them and it was so nice to just go somewhere for a couple days and discover a new terrain that we've never set foot on!
That following Friday, Alyssa, my sisters, and I went to North Avenue beach in Chicago. I've only been to Oak street beach and have realized that this beach is where all the noisy teens go. It was very entertaining. Not only did we see a 16 year old get pushed into the lake, but we also got to see her chug a whole bottle of vodka and lake water in one go. Now that, my friends, is a show. We left shortly after we got over the fact that it happened.
It was also National Donut Day so we brought this inflatable inter tube that wasn't actually allowed in the lake due to safety and stuff. So, we really just wanted it for cute photos. Can't blame the things you have to do to get a cute insta snap!
The following Sunday, my other best friend, Mikayla and I decided to sign up last minute to run the Color Run downtown Chicago. I was in the city so much!
You can wear as much color as you want, but be careful because the chalk they throw at you literally gets everywhere.
This is my second time running it and my second time running a 5k. Last time we both got lost in the crowd and I kind of had to "re-run" it because we wanted to finish together regardless of time.
I'm hoping that next year I can participate in the Blacklight Run or Bubble Run, too! We both had a blast this year and I would recommend it for everyone. You can run or walk and you also get to be on the streets of Chicago around Grant Park which is so cool.
Each year they have a theme and this year's was based on Dreams and Unicorns. Last year was a Tropical theme and I am excited to see what it'll be next year!
Later, I had my graduation party with all of my close friends and shared it with my older sister who also graduated from college this year. Pictured are my best friends Madeleine and Mikayla trying to keep me up. We had beautiful weather and I had a really nice time with all of my closest friends. I loved only having a small group of people in high school that I could spend time with because I think it's more special than knowing everyone in your grade.
Thank you for everyone who came and enjoyed celebrating this achievement of mine and you can bet that I am just starting my ever-so-more exciting college journey at DePaul this September.
This is not my dog and I wish it was. I just had to add this in because this little guy was the dog of my dreams. Obviously, my old dog Rigy is, but after his passing, it has been so hard for my family and I. So, when my neighbors told me they were dog sitting this little fluff nugget, Harrington, I knew I needed to go meet him.
This post would be longer if I didn't go rock climbing and bust the muscles in my forearms and fingers. Alyssa and I wanted to do something we've never really done before and something that would substitute as our daily workout.
I have so much more respect for avid rock climbers because it takes all of your upper body strength and muscles to force a human body up a body of rocks. We've soon realized how strenuous this activity really is. We loved every minute of finding new rock pathways and reaching the top of the wall. It was rewarding and very liberating to accomplish something like that...even if Alyssa didn't have a bell to ring.
I'm just waiting for many more adventures like these to come and I am so excited for the rest of this summer before I start college. I have so much to think about and do, but I really just want to embrace it all for what it's worth. I have been so grateful for all of the opportunities that I have been given and I am just getting started with my journey. What is something exciting that's happened to you lately?
posted in
I made it. For all four years of high school, I cannot believe that it's finally over. On May, 21st, this past Sunday, I graduated from York High School. What an amazing journey it has been and I am incredibly ecstatic and anxious to see what the next four years will bring. I am truly thankful for everyone who has unconditionally supported me and who has made my high school career worth while. I wouldn't say that it's been a high school musical, but I do think that it has made me appreciate many great things about my experience there.
This post is just your usual thanking post and reflection post. It might not be as interesting as many of my other ones, but for my personal keeping, I would like this post to just be an entire reflection of my high school experience: addressing the goods, the bads, and the uglies.
Posing with my just graduated from college sister, Melissa, and my father who is a Dean at her college in Chicago, have both supported me and given me so much love. Thanks to my English professor (now Dean) dad for always spelling and grammar checking my English papers and also giving me a ton of dad advice because you just do. I know I can count on you for always answering my philosophically irrelevant questions.
Mel, thank you for being my guidance counselor throughout my stressful times and always being the derp you are. I can't wait to see what you do beyond college and I know that you will accomplish all of your hopes and dreams when they come to you. No matter what challenges you face in the real world, I know you will always do amazing things with your writing.
Obviously I can't forget my beautiful mama. She has truly been my rock throughout all of my school endeavors and I am beyond blessed to have you in my life as a supporter and everyday cheerleader. Also, for telling me to save my money and to make my bed every day. We have been through many ups and downs, but I always know that you will be there for me no matter what.
Finally, to my "little" sister Emily, I am so beyond proud of how grown up you've become. No matter the annoyances or shenanigans you pull, the ukulele playing at 10 o'clock at night, the screaming, or anything else, all in all, you have really impressed me. Thank you for taking all of these incredible photos, especially at prom. I know I put you through some tough times, but that's just what big sisters do, even if you're 5'11. We will be buddies forever and ever. I am so excited to see what your future brings as you flower into an amazing young woman. Yes, woman.
In my time my time at York, I have achieved a few awards: the State Commendation toward Biliteracy for my knowledge and accomplishments with Spanish, the Presidential Award towards Educational Achievement, and the monetary award granted from the entire English department at my school, the Corrine Johnson Scholarship of $500. It was a huge award that I was incredibly honored to receive. Especially since they mentioned my blog and how dedicated to writing I am. I just goes to show how much this blog has truly made an impact in my life.
For anyone reading this, I thank you whole heartedly for supporting all that I have put passion towards and have worked hard for. Not only has this journey been bittersweet, but so self fulfilling and I am ready for whatever comes next. It's not everyday you just graduate high school, for anyone still in high school, I give you this; don't sweat the small stuff and enjoy it. You get one high school experience and it truly is what you make of it. I spent most of it stressing about stupid stuff that doesn't even affect me now. Obviously get good grades and go to class, but one fail or two, move on. Life will bring you many failures and uptakes--embrace them.
posted in
Happy late Easter for those of you who celebrate it and also I hope everyone has been having a nice spring. My family and I went to Richmond, Virginia to visit my older sister who is there for an internship and also my very close family friends, or "cousins", just moved out there, as well. It was forecasted to be mid 80s all Easter weekend which was AMAZING. It was in the 70s in Chicago, but no it's back to 50 and I have no idea why Chicago has terrible lake weather. I got to wear shorts every single day and I think I even got tan for prom which is also this upcoming Saturday. I wanted to share one outfit that I wore because I loved it so much.
I ended up wearing my Topshop Aviators, Target cactus tee, American Eagle shorts, Birkenstocks, and all paired with my Kate Spade Spencer Court crossbody bag that I love. I felt so light and springy in this outfit and loved the way the denim went with the cactus print.
Pictured above is my younger sister (left), close friend (right), and I posing at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello or basically his entire "mini mountain" of land. We explored the property or "TJ's" home as my friend and sister would say. We did a lot of touring around Virginia and we also got to visit the University of Virginia because that's where my friend's brother goes to college and it was very nice touring the campus and seeing all of the colonial architecture that it had to offer. We spent most of Easter weekend outside and enjoying each other's company; relaxing in between feasts by snacking on abundant ham and Easter candy.
I am always so amazed by the history that can be explored along the east coast and I love visiting everytime I go (even if it feels like a school field trip sometimes with all of the history lessons). It's amazing to see how much has changed since our founding fathers created this country and I'm glad I got to explore more parts of it. I hope everyone had a happy Easter weekend and is enjoying the nice spring weather! What were your Easter plans?
posted in
Hello all! I know it has been a rough couple of weeks, but over this past weekend, I got the amazing opportunity to travel all the way from Chicago to "the happiest place on earth"--Walt Disney World. It was a very well deserved trip that my entire highschool marching band had earned. If you're new here, I am was on color guard for three years and I have been truly blessed to have been with a great family of amazing friends. It has been one heck of a year and a high school career for that matter, and I couldn't have asked for anything better.
My marching band was invited to march in Epcot's day parade and we were to travel a 20+ hour bus ride (ugh) all the way to Florida. While I have to say, it really wasn't that bad being on a bus with all of my friends, it did start to weaken as we came back home (it smelled like pee lemme just tell yuh). Besides the little things I remembered, like our insane bus driver that we loved (shoutout to ma boi Terry), our dope bus ("Bus #1, yaw yaw yaw!), or just giggling at the most randomest whale jokes, the journey was not as amazing as the destination. We were there from Saturday until Monday (March 24-26) at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and then Universal Studios.
Day 1: Magic Kingdom
I was there with all of my band and color guard friends and on the first day, we went straight from a 20 hour bus ride to a 20 hour marathon of walking and riding. I was the most excited for Magic Kingdom because it has been about 6 years since my last visit and I was feeling the nostalgia a lot once we got there. So many things I remembered and so many new things I had never seen before like Belle's castle or the new Dwarves ride that I ended up loving.
We got fastpasses to three things; space mountain, splash mountain, and to meet Rapunzel and Tiana. I had never done any of those things because when I was little I was in the "weenie club", my mom would taunt at me...then I'd just get ice cream and everything would be fine. Ah those were the good ol' days.
Day 2: Epcot and the Parade
Epcot was one of my favorite parks when I visited a very long time ago because I loved all of the world showcases and different countries to go and explore. Plus, it was mostly shopping and I never really liked rides. In the morning, the band and I had time to kill and do some stuff before the 3 pm parade, so my group and I did Test Track twice with out fast pass which was one of the smartest ideas. I love that ride so much because it takes you through a test drive and you go almost 600 miles an hour. Whenever my dad would drive really fast or recklessly (I do not condone), he would say that we're in Test Track.
After that ride, we headed to all of the showcases and explored the countries. We also had a fastpass to go meet Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy! It was really funny because Mickey left me to go grab Minni from Goofy and it I was Mickey's new Minnie.
Probably the most epic part of the trip was marching. It was one of the most fulfilling moments I had ever felt throughout my entire marching season. When they announced our band twice in the park, I nearly teared up because it was such a great feeling to be there in Disney doing what I love with the people I love.
We performed Thnks Fr Th Mmrs by Fall Out Boy and, while I didn't really approve of the song as a marching song, it was still a really fun song to perform to in Disney. I just can't believe that it's finally over. The last hoorah that many former band members never got.
After being in our hot and sweaty uniforms in the beautiful, 80 degrees and sunny weather (as opposed to Chicago's 40 and rainy) we changed and received a golden Mickey award for marching! We also got Disney performing arts hats that I ended up embroidering and getting signed by Mickey himself.
Day 3: Universal Studios
I had never been to Universal before, but at this point in the trip, we were all pretty exhausted and ready to head back home if you could believe it. However, I was most excited for Harry Potter World and had to keep my energy up to enjoy it--because I really did.
Of course, here's me with the $7.50 butterbeer that everyone needs to get when they're there. It was just like a coffee or butterscotch frappuccino with a marshmallowy foam on top. So sweet, but super delicious. I wasn't feeling too great that morning, but I did go on the Hippogriff ride which was really fast and awesome. We also went around to Dr. Seuss Land and Jurassic Park Land to explore the other rides. We ended up getting completely soaked on a Popeye raft ride and I was so ready to get on the bus and change into my warm sweats.
I know this post might not be as detailed as you might have hoped, but I want to just remember the things I want to remember and save the memories. I am probably running on only 6 hours of good sleep, but this morning I slept in until 11 and could have slept until 3 or 4. It was all so worth it and I wanted to thank my parents for helping me go on this trip and supporting me with flags for the past three years, my coach, Mrs. Riley for sticking with me and helping me become a better flagger and performer, my band directors, Mr. Riddle and Mr. Pavlik, for dealing with everyone and making this the first Disney trip our band has gone on, and to just all of my friends and supporters who have also helped me along this one hell of a journey through my high school career. I hope to remember this for the rest of my life and I am sincerely grateful and glad I got to be a part of this experience and marching band.
We brought Terry home! #bus1 #yawyawyaw #whalejokes #JuilaMccoy
<3
posted in
Over this past weekend, my family and I made a trip out to Larson's Family Farm, which is small, quaint, and everything you would look for in an all American pumpkin patch. The pumpkins were not picked over and they were very big and juicy! My family has paid for store bought pumpkins in the past and it just isn't the same. The day we went was one of the best days we've gone pumpkin picking; it was so crisp and felt like a beautiful, first autumn day!
This farm was not your average, commercialized "Big 'Ol Pumpkin Fair Extravaganza" patch. It just felt...real. The owners were so welcoming and seemed to have been running their family business for a very long time. They had a lot of acreage and owned a couple horses that I couldn't stop petting!
This farm had a pretty big patch of pumpkins which also included gourds (mini squash-like vegetables) every where we stepped! They also seemed to have been growing Christmas trees for the winter already. As we made our way around the rather abundant patch, we also managed to buy a pile of Indian Corn (some pretty rainbow corn that you can hang and use to decorate just about anywhere in or outside of your house) and some small gourds...that we totally forgot to bring home after we bought them. So, that just gave us another excuse to go back to the pumpkin patch again. Ha!
Once we were finished picking pumpkins, we paid for them all in their massive barn which consisted of a ton of Halloween treats! They had popcorn, apple cider, hot chocolate, candy, and of course caramel apples (which were amazing because they had home-made caramel).
I have always enjoyed picking pumpkins and it's a great time to spend with friends and family. I feel like fall isn't fall without a pumpkin picking excursion! I would totally recommend going to a pumpkin patch, preferably family owned and non-commercialized to get the best experience you can get! Plus, there will be warm, home-made goods that you can't get at those places anyway. If all else fails, supermarket pumpkins work, too! What's a fall tradition you enjoy doing?
Jacket-Charlotte Russe Flannel-Old Navy Denim-American Eagle Outfitters Hat-H&M Satchel-Urban Outfitters Chelsea Boots (look alike)-H&M
posted in
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Social Icons