Free to Be Me.

bodies are beautiful. From eyebrows, to necks, to SHOULDers, to bellybuttons, to calves, all the way down to toenails. everything about them. every person's is unique. and though sometimes It's hard to fit into your own skin, once you're able to embrace that beauty in yourself, your skin fits like the best pair of jeans you've ever bought, only better because it's not a physical fit, it's a spiritual one.  And in that sense, there's no "fitting in." rather, a breaking free from that caGE That's been holding you back from your deepest desires, keeping you from the person you've always wanted to be. A risk-taker. and you can blame the world for your troubles and point your finger at "the man," but really, you know what you should be pointing iT AT TO Overcome your misery, and that's your skin. that horribly itchy, three-sizes-too-small societal suit your ever-expanding soul's been packed and beaten into time and again. cut it off. but where is that "sacred" image...???

Why Intelligent People Get Tattoos.

Recently, I've been contemplating getting a tattoo.

Honestly, I never thought I'd get one. Like never, I hated the idea of something being so permanent. I used to think to myself, "seriously, someday soon you're going to look at that ugly picture and say, 'wish I hadn't been so drunk that night' or later, you'll look at that sagging image on your body and think, 'what the hell was I thinking?!' I've always liked the idea of getting one. I always thought people who get tattoos are so bold. I secretly wished I was bold like that. I'm not so sure what exactly made me start considering one really, but I am now...I think it's the little bold changes I've been making in my life recently that have been leading up to it. Cartilage piercing, hair dying, nose piercing, New York spring break trip. I hate to say that this is just what "comes next in the process," because that's not necessarily true, though it may seem like it.

I guess my whole view of tattoos changed thanks to friends, and of course, Pinterest. A few of my friends have tattoos, and they got me thinking about the way I view people with tattoos. Yes, I thought people who got them were bold and extreme risk-takers. But, and excuse my former close-mindedness - I was raised in a bubble-like community and an all-girls Catholic school, I also used to think that all people with tattoos were sentimental losers who were going nowhere in life. Well, if that's true, I guess that'll be me soon, haha. But talking with my friends about their tattoos, I really started to admire them! Tattoos can be such a unique and personal art form, part of the beauty of which is in their permanence. 

Right around the time I was having these thoughts, I got a Pinterest account and began seeing some of the most creative, beautiful, and innovative tattoos I'd ever seen. Got me thinking that maybe not all tattoos are tacky and obnoxious...I even started my own board with a few favorites I've seen entitled INK. Check it out!

But I would never get a tattoo for no reason. This is the hardest part to convince people...or maybe myself of. So listen closely, because I never want to say it again. I think the want for one is inspired by this whole "boldness" period of my life. I want to preserve it, this mindset, in a way. I want something permanent that will always remind me of the person I want to be. The confident, grown, adult, BOLD me that I hope to become more and more like everyday. Always learning, always striving, always improving. 

A Glimpse...

...of what is to come?
Well...something incredible has happened.

I, M______ E________ G____, will be spending next year entirely off campus!

This is so exciting. Not that I don't like my campus or anything...but I could definitely use a change of scenery. And what better scenery is there than the best city in the US?

CHICAGO!

Yes, this fall semester, I'll be living, working, studying, breathing, dancing, teeth-brusing, screaming it up in the heart of Chicagoland; then, after four months or so, there will be another magnificent scene-change. Only this time, it'll be much much farther from my small little campus.

Lookout, EUROPE, here I come to study in two of your most beautiful and historical cities known to man: Florence, Italy and London, UK! Ha. Studying, who am I kidding? Vacationing, photographing, soul-searching, anything BUT studying. (jk...but seriously, though).

Wow, I know it's a little early to be saying this, I haven't even gone anywhere yet, but am I a lucky girl or what?! This coming year is going to be epic. It almost scares me a little to think of it. I hope I can handle all of this, really appreciate it, and not let it overwhelm me. Here's to the coming year and slaving over summer to save for it!!


Cherries on the cake? Our dear friends Jessica (Chicago) and Arthur (Chicago & Florence/London) will be joining us on these excursions!