MY YEAR IN BOOKS, V.2

In the spirit of tradition, today I am sharing all the books I read last year! (For the record, referring to 2015 as "last year" is already weird. What the even.) If I have one 2015 regret, it is that I didn't get to read near as many books as I wished. Ah well. C'est la vie. But I did the best I could and discovered some true gems! Last year (still weird) I read books that have become my favourites and a couple I wish I could forget. So without further ado...

The books of 2015!

• Show Your Work - Austin Kleon
• The Importance of Being Earnest - Oscar Wilde
• Chivalry - Zach Hunter
• The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexander Dumas
• Life of Pi - Yann Martel
• Erasing Hell - Francis Chan
• Rebecca (reread) - Daphne de Maurier
• Bread and Wine - Shauna Niequist
• The Secret Life of Bees - Sue Monk Kidd
• The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict - Trenton Lee Stewart
• The Calvary Road - Roy Hession
• Divergent, Insurgent, + Allegiant - Veronica Roth
• The $100 Startup - Chris Guillebeau
• The Thirteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield
• Go Set a Watchman - Harper Lee
• The Circle Maker - Mark Batterson
• Daring Greatly - Brene Brown
• The Hundred-Foot Journey - Richard C. Morais

BEST: Bread and Wine wins by a landslide. This is one I want to keep and treasure and read again throughout the years. Also, I won't be satisfied until I try all those scrumptious recipes. Whoa man. 

WORST: The Divergent series. For the love, do not even get me started on what a sloppy, shallow mess these books were. No, really, stop me now.

MOST THOUGHT-PROVOKING: I thought long and hard over Daring Greatly. What Brene Brown had to say about the power of vulnerability and how it changes our lives was fascinating.

MOST DULL: I'm afraid I will have to say Life of Pi. But to be fair, the second half was very engaging and interesting. It was only the long, prologue-ish first half that tended to bore me. 

FUNNIEST: This honor goes to The Importance of Being Earnest. Oh my word, what a wickedly funny little story!  

MOST CHALLENGING: To say The Calvary Road is a challenging book is an understatement. It would be more accurate to say it grabs a hold of you, knocks you over the head with a spiritual sledgehammer, and leaves you in a corner to consider what you have done.  

MOST INTENSE: Though I found the middle to drag a bit, The Count of Monte Cristo was an intriguing read. The beginning and end were wild rides of intensity that kept me going until the last page.  

MOST SURPRISING: As I said in my review, I expected Go Set A Watchman to be a major disappointment, yet it wasn't. Though it can't compare to its faultless predecessor (what could?), I loved this book through and through.

CURRENTLY READING: My Cousin Rachel by Daphne de Maurier, The Complete Collection of the Brothers Grimm, + Charles Dickens: A Life by Claire Tomalin. 

So. We all know what comes next. The 2016 reading list! What are your recommendations?

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YAY IT'S FALL: PLAYLIST

Guys. It's finally fall. Fall means sweaters and cold air and steaming lattes and gorgeous colors and salted caramel pumpkin everything. Literally. I've basically been counting the days until fall because it just makes me so happy. And something I've learned is happiness always necessitates a good playlist. So in celebration of fall, here are seven songs I listen to when I'm particularly excited about life. (I excluded all Broadway, Disney, and musical tunes since that would take an entire list of its own.) And I must confess these songs don't necessarily relate to fall, so if you were expecting lyrics about rustling leaves and changing colors and what not, well then this just got a little awkward...

my lighthouse // rend collective
What I enjoy most about Rend Collective's style is their infectious joy, and this song is full of it. It's hard to pick a song of theirs I don't like, but this one has remained solidly my favourite.

oh how I need you // all sons + daughters
My love for this song was confirmed when I heard it live. This duo has such an pure delight for music and the God they worship. It's incredible.

trees // the oh hellos 
My favourite songs are ones that make me think. But one such song that also has a crazy fun tune? It's a winner.

house of gold // twenty-one pilots
I'm in love. The catchy tune is addicting, and honestly, what is more satisfying than screaming that one line?

shut up and dance // walk the moon
I'd like to know who can not dance when they hear this song. I ask you.

little talks // of monsters + men

I don't have enough good things to say about it. I'm just crazy about the sound of this song and the vibe of this band. 

where no one goes // jonsi + john powell
This one makes the list because A) it just sounds like happiness, and B) my love for How to Train Your Dragon knows no bounds.

So what are some of your favourite happy songs? Are you welcoming fall, or sad to leave summer behind? Or a little of both?

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TRAVELLING GOALS 2.0

Edinburgh, Scotland

Austin, Texas

Long ago in the early stages of this blog, I shared my dream travel list, months before I began planning my trip to England. While re-reading it recently, I couldn't help but smile at how amazing it is that the UK has finally been checked off that list. To be honest, I got a tiny bit sentimental (okay... a lot) as I read my paragraphs on England and Scotland, where I listed all the things I dreamed of doing and the sites I longed to see. I still have trouble believing that I completely fulfilled those ambitions, getting to see and do everything I planned plus so much more.

Well, I figured it was time to update my list! Obviously I would love to revisit the UK or some of my favourite US destinations (Coloradooooo), but my travel list is only for places I have yet to see. I can't help it. I'm that person who is constantly making travel plans, checking flight prices, and figuring budgets, because it's never too early to start planning, right? For now I must be content with working hard and saving money, but over the next couple years, here are a few cities and countries I would love to step foot in...

Kendal, England (photo by Jess McGhie)

1. Iceland
My desire to visit Iceland has only exploded. It seems like several people I know or follow on social media have visited Iceland recently, and their pictures are astonishingly beautiful. Also, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty just added fuel to the fire (that film is like my love language). I pretty much sit there drooling during all the Iceland scenes (yeah, there's a lovely mental image for you). I have this feeling that once I explore Iceland, I'll never want to leave.

2. New York City
My country roots are strong and raging, but after experiencing big cities like London and Austin, TX (and completely falling in love), I'm pretty sure I could find a home in some place like New York. I'm developing a deep fondness for city vibes, and NYC is calling. Broadway and street food and Chinatown and famous coffee and Times Square and Central Park = YES. Maybe one day I could even hit it up on New Year's Eve...

standing in Philadelphia and waving to New Jersey

3. Paris, France
Or really, just France in general. But Paris is always a good idea, right? I want to climb up into the Eiffel Tower and try that infamous Paris food (all of it) and learn the secrets of why/how Parisians always look so darn classy.

4. The West Coast, USA
I have family in California, but the times we've visited I haven't been old enough to appreciate the sites. So I'd love to go back and fully soak in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco (which I hear has the best fish tacos, so that's reason enough right there)... This Disney-loving girl would jump at the chance to spend a day at Disneyland. And while I'm over there, I might as well pop up and visit the gorgeous states (and mountains) of Washington and Oregon, particularly Portland and Seattle. Rumor has it the scenery and coffee shops are to die for.

5. New Zealand
You may not know this, but there's this half-Kiwi that I really like and she's obsessed with New Zealand and I don't think she'll permit me to die without seeing it. Besides, best I can tell, it sounds like the type of place that is so incredible you just can't help but be obsessed.

West End, London, England

6. Charleston, South Carolina
Bright colors and a sailing atmosphere and historical sites and beautiful scenery. Sounds sublime. Plus, I've had people tell me Charleston is my kind of place and I would fit right in there. Seems like a match made in heaven, right?

7. Vancouver, British Columbia
Keeping up with my recently discovered love of big cities, Vancouver is drawing me like a magnet. The more I find out about it, the more earnestly I check out flights. I think Vancouver would be a wonderful, exciting, and probably fairly hipster first-time-in-Canada experience.

Well, that's a good start! Have you been to any of these places? What's on your travel list??

Ouray, Colorado

Norwich, England

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THIS AND THAT

Life has been crazy, guys. Over the past couple months, my family has moved into a new home and launched a new phase of life. It has been strange and hectic, and I'm still finding my feet. But I never want to neglect this little online space and the people I've met here and grown to love (um, meaning YOU.) As I am developing my photography, I love sharing my photoshoots with you guys (your support and encouragement is always appreciated!). Although there are many more to come, I don't want to forget the community and conversation side of this blog. I miss talking with you guys. So in the spirit of getting back to my roots...

//

HOW I'VE BEEN OCCUPYING MY TIME:

taking pictures of cool people
reading (of course)
drinking coffee (always)
enjoying the summer...
(actually, that's a lie, I'm a cold weather person through and through.)
writing words for a fantastic magazine
painting on some furniture (it's gonna be gold, guys)


WHAT I'VE BEEN LEARNING ABOUT GOD:

No matter how unfaithful I am, He loves me.
When I run, He loves me.
When it hurts, He loves me.
He loves.
He is love.
Basically, love.


WHAT I'VE LEARNED ABOUT PEOPLE:

Sometimes they're hard to love.


WHAT I'VE LEARNED ABOUT MYSELF:

Sometimes I'm hard to love.


THINGS I'VE DISCOVERED:

White & gold is the most vibrant color combo ever.
My new bonsai tree, Fred (pictured above), makes me so happy.
American flat whites just cannot compare to European flat whites.
I am simultaneously the most indecisive yet most impulsive person ever.
People are weird, but I love them like crazy anyway.
I am blessed to have some lovely weird people in my life right now.


I WISH...

I was travelling right now.
Money didn't exist so I could be travelling right now.
Magic carpets were real.
I could be paid to sing Disney songs all day.


I WANT TO KNOW

How you are.
What is making you smile these days.
How I can be praying for you.

//

Love you, friends.

because who doesn't love lists

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT BEING HOME:

oklahoma sunrises
telling stories from England
breakfast with my family
making plans
going through all my England pictures
my momma's cooking


I DIDN'T KNOW I MISSED:

waving at strangers without getting weird looks
working at my desk
working on my floor
making my family laugh
looking out my window
driving
my bookshelves


WHAT I MISS ABOUT ENGLAND:

my people
walking everywhere
being so close to big ben
crispy duck with plum sauce
dance parties in the kitchen
the fireplace
reading to lil' Adelaide
how intensely green it is


WHAT I DON'T MISS ABOUT ENGLAND:

the power outlets. ugh.


PHRASES/WORDS I PICKED UP FROM THE BRITS:

rubbish
giddy
oh yeah, roy
fair enough
cheers
motorway
diddy
cheeky


HOW I'VE CHANGED:

I take and share ugly selfies without shame.
I drink my tea with plenty of milk and no sugar.
I eat using both a fork and knife.
I have a drastically different hairstyle (which I love).
I possess a more straightforward outlook on life.
I pray a lot more than I used to.
I have an easier time saying "Yes, Lord."
Change doesn't scare me anymore.
Not much of anything scares me anymore.


HOW I'M CURRENTLY OCCUPYING MY TIME:

editing my England photos
planning an England photobook
working my way through The Count of Monte Cristo
experimenting with black-out poetry
planning furniture refurb projects
playing piano like mad after being deprived for three months
catching up with friends
studying the Word, both solo and with my family
practicing photography


LOOKING FORWARD TO:

next week when a whole bunch of family comes to visit
Thanksgiving food
making British desserts for our holiday menus
blaring Christmas music
traveling more (no plans yet, just praying)
adjusting to new changes

--

p.s. before I left England, Jess and I made one final wrap-up video. it's weird and we're strange, but you can watch it here, if you like, and then indulge in the bloopers.

masquerade

I enjoy waking up early because it makes me feel enormously productive.  |  The other morning I hit the snooze button three times and pretty much felt like a failure at life.

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Once I have made a decision, I am ready to act. Right now.  |  It is quite possible that I am the world's worst procrastinator; getting to the whole ready-to-act point takes me an eternity.

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I am elated at my total lack of a Facebook account and that I've never succumbed to getting one. So this is freedom...  |  Despite my social media-deprived existence, I'm always comparing my life to other people's, and it takes me about this long to become discontent and feel left out.

-

It is my heart's desire to spend as little time on the computer as I have to.  |  I'm on my computer writing this post.

-

I have as many broken friendships in my life as anyone, but eventually I'm forced to accept it, right? Life goes on.  |  When no one's looking, I huddle in a corner and weep for the irreplaceable people I've lost.

-

I am a master at looking/acting/dressing confident.  |  I'm a chronic over-thinker. I fret over details and second-guess myself and over-analyze situations like nobody's business.

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The thought of turning twenty in two months is terribly exciting; is this when I become a true-blue adult?  |  I do not feel mentally or emotionally mature enough to be turning twenty in two months really I'm terrified where is my mom.

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I want God to be my sole source of strength, my all in all.  |  Without fail, I am constantly trying to rely on human weakness.




I'm really good at letting people see what I want them to see. What I've written above is not hypocrisy, because every word is true. I just have a talent for covering up whatever makes me look less than perfect and put together. So this is my attempt at tearing away my masks, revealing the other side of the truths I exude.  Here's to the beautiful and the ugly, the visible and the hidden, the real thing and the fake, the quirks Jesus gave me and the things He's nudging me to improve.

This is me. Stepping back from my masquerade.

i have an idea.

What if we finally shook off the pressure that we have to be like somebody else or dress a specific way or say certain words. What if we licked crumbs off our fingers and hugged fiercely and didn't care how loudly we laughed. What if we discarded society's impossible expectations and were brave enough to go without makeup. In public. (I'm really getting revolutionary here.) What if we actually danced in the rain, rather than simply frame those words on our walls. What if we shut off those screens that really do more to hinder than to help, and stopped substituting online hi-bye's for flesh and blood relationships. What if we actually treated those flesh and blood relationships as if they were treasures, instead of friend being nothing more than another word social media has cheapened. What if we cooked dinner at home more often and got up early just because and buried ourselves in raked-up leaf piles and maybe just didn't care anymore about being perfect. What if we stargazed. What if we spent more nights wrapped up in blankets and gathered around an outdoor blaze, the orange light glinting off our faces as we talk about Jesus and sing songs that truly mean something, until our throats ache with the passion. Really, just sometimes I wonder how our lives would be if we made it a soul-ingrained habit to embrace the simple and crave the underrated.