Anddd hello all you friendly faces! Long time no chat.
I’ve been MIA lately since I just finished my first round of midterms (I had genetics on Friday and Biochemistry on Tuesday), which means that I don’t spend any time online or doing fun things like interacting with all of you guys 
. But hey! I’m done and am excited to join in with Amanda today for some random thoughts! This week has been flying by, and come Friday night, Kyle and I will be making a quick trip to our hometown to do a mini couple’s photo shoot. An amazingly talented photographer I follow on Instagram offered a fantastic deal, so Kyle and I decided to treat ourselves and get some nice photos of the two of us. And by that, I mean I sweet-talked him into it (not hard to do with an easy-going guy like Kyle) 😉 .
Anyways, not sure where I was going with that introduction, but let’s move on!
Spending more time on things you love…
Nothing makes you appreciate free time more than being super stressed, over-caffeineted, and sleep-deprived for a week. Today, after my one morning class, I grabbed lunch with Kyle at a local bagel shop and then spent an hour just walking around and taking time to concentrate on a little creativity. Have you ever stopped and thought about how, when we get older, we stop playing? I remember being able to amuse myself for HOURS on end with stuffed animals, pebbles, and other kids I had just met. Things were so simple and there was never a time were I felt bored or under-stimulated. The world was my playground. It makes me all sorts of sad to think that I’ve lost that part about me. While I don’t think rocks would interest me as much these days, I’m working on “playing” in my own adult ways (woah woah woah guess I’m techinically a grown-up now) by taking more time with my favorite creative outlet: photography. My goal is to shoot at least once a day (even if it’s just a crummy iPhone picture), then gather all my photos together at the end of each year and see all the places I’ve gone, people I’ve talked to, and things I’ve learned.
Here are some photos from today! Including one hell of a gorgeous friend who offered to model for me so I could practice my portrait photography and one hell of an amazing bagel. I think I’ve ordered this three times this week 😯 . Poppy seed bagel with light cream cheese, lox, and fresh onions <3.
Speaking of photography…
I’ve been loving watching my new friend, Abbie, grow as a photographer and work towards her dream of capturing weddings! We both went to the same middle school (I think?), but ended up at rival high schools in our hometown. I’ve only recently connected with her through our mutual love of photography, and get so excited when I see her post new glimpses of her work on her Instagram! Such a gorgeous girl and I love how shared passions can bring you closer to someone you’ve never really known!
I’ve been running…
YOU GUYS. GUESS WHAT I DID. I ran 6 miles tonight with my roommate Abbie. Which is officially the longest I’ve ever ran before. We didn’t go super fast (a 10:13 pace according to my beautiful new Garmin) since Abbi had eaten nachos right before we ran (laughed out loud when I wrote that out… typical college kid move), but I am so proud of myself! I’ve never considered myself a huge runner, so the fact that I finished 6 and felt fantastic at the end amazes me. I felt like I could have kept on running forever and totally understand how people get addicted to running.
Green tea latte game is still going strong…
Still addicted to these things. My stash isn’t close to running out, but I have a minor freakout every time I open a packet since I know the end is inevitable. Luckily, my mom found more of these beauties at a Japanese grocery store. *pumps fist in the air victoriously*
And on the note of green tea lattes…
Get ready for a fun giveaway that I’m going to be starting in a little! Hint: the name of the giveaway is “These Are a Few of My Favorite Things” and include a bunch of supahhhh adorable things that I think you guys will love! Stay tuned 😀 .
And that’s all I got for you guys today! I’m typing this up and just realized that running 6 miles for the first time makes you damn tired. Time for bed!
Dude, you are amazing how much you can accomplish while doing the most difficult degree out there! It’s funny how our new interests/passions can connect us with people who never really did with in high school/primary school!
You have me craving a Matcha tea now.. The real deal.
I looove the photo a day challenge! How cool. And that bagel?! Can you believe I’ve never had a bagel with lox. I know they’re all the rage, so I should probably try one soon! Congrats on the 6 mile run!! That’s such an accomplishment and something I’ve never done (the thought makes me weep) Way to go
oh man that bagel looks amazing!!! your photography is awesome girl, keep it up!
All your photos look stunning! Do you mind me asking what kind of lens you used for the portraits?
Congrats on the run! 6 miles is such a wonderful distance – once you get over that initial “OMG why am I running?” feeling it’s all good vibes from there. Plus running with friends is so fun.
Have a fantastic weekend
I use a Nikon D750 with a 50mm f/1.4 lens :). It’s the BEST! Hope you have an amazing weekend as well!
Congratulations on your 6 mile run!! I love that you got to experience that awesome, addictive, end-of-the-run feeling! Once I started feeling that, I was hooked
YES for running 6 miles, making it through midterms, and allowing yourself to do something you LOVE while studying. Work and play need to be a balance. And whenever I ask someone to hang out, I always ask if they want to play. Hahaha. It brings me back to feeling like a kid for even a second… While most likely putting a smile on my friend’s face. 😀
PS. Favorite picture -> Flower in focus with your friend faded in the background. GORGEOUS.
MMM is that Bagel Cafe I see??? I miss that place so much. And your photography is looking great! Its such a nice outlet to have, especially to destress after all those midterms!
So, I am zero percent surprised that you rocked your run! Suuuuper happy for you though! I can imagine you just stomping on all those exams the whole way through. 😉
Hmmm…I should really try a matcha latte in the afternoon one day, because the days that I give in to a second cup of coffee are also the days that I get approximately 2 hours of sleep.
Youuuu and your gorgeous photography. I love the idea of taking a photo a day, and it’s something that I’ve been wanting to do myself for a while now, but I seem to keep coming up with the excuse that I’m too busy. Which is true to some extent, but I’m sure I could find time if I really wanted. You’re right that we stop playing as we get older, and I think I need to write myself a sticky note to remember not to do that…
Congrats on your run! That is so exciting!
let the obsession begin mwahahaha 
and I absolutely agree with what you say about playing- I remember very clearly when I stopped wanting to play and the guilt I felt! Yay for grown up play-like creativity! 
Nothing is better than accomplishing a new distance! I am so glad you have caught the running high, it is without a doubt one of my favorite things!
First of all, YAY running!! SO proud of you, girl! In no time you’ll be rocking out 6 miles like it’s nbd
Secondly, your pictures. I can not get over them. Seriously, I have no other word than perfect. I will be your model anytime!! I want to look that beautiful!
Third, Kyle’s haircut. He is too cute. Is it bad that I noticed he got one? (I’m assuming he did, lol!)
Your pictures are stunning!! I definitely agree that it’s important to still “play” as an adult. This past weekend I was stressed and needed to get out. So going out with my camera is what I did. That hour was so refreshing and allowed me to spark that creative flow. I just saw in the comments that you use a 50mm lens and that has been on my to-get list for awhile. Hopefully, I can get one soon!
What a fun photo challenge!! …and now I’ve got to try bagel and lox! Never tried it, but looks soooooooo good!!
Happy Friday!
Go you for those six miles! That is incredible Christine! Your pictures are as beautiful as always.
Great job running 6 miles! That is so awesome and you totally made it harder on yourself by eating nachos before hand… :at least you burnt them off.