Wayfering 006 :: Perfect Beach Day

Before the beaches get too crowded, and the weather gets too unbearably hot, I decided to take up my cousin's invitation on a random beach day. I thought 'why not' and then realized how perfect a beach day it actually was.

Wingaersheek Beach, Gloucester, MA

The water was just warm enough to dip in. It was low tide and we couldn't dive in, but it was still refreshing. It was also a Wednesday, so the beach was beautifully uncrowded.

Low humidity. UV index of 8/10. Hot with cool breeze. Perfect day for a tan.

The weather was hot but the breeze was cool. Low tide let us explore a few tide cools and see some cute little shrimp and barnacles.

Then we ended the day with fried clams, and ice cream.

This past winter has been especially rough and it was amazingly rejuvenating to be near the ocean again. I didn't think I'd miss the annoying calling of seagulls, but I did. The salt water, the slight burn from staying out in the sun too long, the bright sky that calls for sunglasses, I've missed it all. It was especially nice to spend some time with my cousin since she's been away at school. Now more than ever do I realize how fast life is going by and  want to savor every bit of it.

Summer brings back a part of me that always hibernates in the winter. It was a perfect day and I am grateful.

“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” 
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

o-o-o-o-o-o

Have a wonderful day!

-Chelle

tbt :: Boulder, CO

With summer approaching, I think back to a time when the air was not so humid and not as polluted. Of course there was the high elevation that I had to adjust to, but there was a lot in Boulder, CO that I enjoyed. 

I went to Boulder to be an REU Intern for the Environmental Engineering Department. Although I grew a lot from academic and research portion, I learned a lot about myself, and had to force myself out of my comfort zone. 

There were many things I loved, but here are a few favorites.

First was the beautiful campus.

Every where you turned was green and blue - undisturbed or beautifully arranged.

One of the most outstanding things about Boulder was the motivation to be outside and be active, whether at a local farmer's market or hanging out with your fellow interns. It's not humid like it is in New England and it's so much easier to breath and just be outside.

Boulder was beautiful even when it was pouring rain. And most of the time it's so hot in the summer that you won't mind the downpour.

Of course I couldn't forget fun research team meetings - at a chocolate store :D

And then there's the Celestial Tea Factory (pictures not permitted while inside). As a tea and art lover, I was very happy with my visit.

And then there are those sleepless nights where you stay up for no reason and figure why not just stay up more and catch the sunset.

When I look back a it, I smile looking at where I am now compare to who I was three years ago. It all seems so silly - the things I considered difficult back then. Taking initiative in large social situations; conduct field research on my own without a car or smart phone; and accepting how gray the world actually is - to be kind but also to stand up for myself. When I look back they seemed like nothing, but in that moment I was the only child of two over protective parents who never had the chance to grow outside of home or school.

Many of the people who I talked to at school never bothered applying to jobs outside of state or were too afraid to go far from home or just didn't want the hassle of it. When I look back I am grateful to have taken that chance to grow. It may have only been three months, but that's still time I spent growing instead of going back to the old part-time job down the street from my house that I was so used to and was sure to be easy. Not only that, but it was an eye-opening experience to possible career options I would have never considered. And I grew in confidence knowing that even if I'm in another place almost across the country from home - even if I'm not the most prepared - that in the end I'm capable and I'll be okay. 

But the chance has to be taken by you on your own accord to make the best of the situation and not go into already expecting the worse. Perspective is everything.

In the world, there are plenty of people who want to do good in the world and want to change the world for the better. But in order to change the world, we all need to change and better ourselves. As an aspiring Environmental Engineer, I want to contribute to the wold's water resources and technology. But I can't see exactly how I can do that now or in 20 years because my vision is short. And I can't broaden it by just staying where I am now, mentally (not necessary geographically or physically, but I hope to).

I hope every one out there with passions and aspirations in life give themselves chances to grow and take on new things that may turn fear into excitement.

“Everyone wants to be wanted and if all people wait for someone else to invest in them, the world will be stuck in an eternal stalemate: nobody moves and nobody wins.” 
― Laura L.

o-o-o-o-o-o

Have a wonderful day!

-Chelle

Wayfering 005 :: Boston Calling

It was absolutely beautiful this past Memorial Day weekend for a music festival :D

I originally wasn't even going to go, but my friend needed to sell off a ticket and I didn't think I'd get a chance to see Marina and the Diamonds again. Though there were many bands going, I only cared to see two of them. 

(Kaze Shabu Shabu, Boston Chinatown)

To avoid the over priced food stands at these types of events, my friend and I got Hot Pot in Chinatown for the lunch special. Highly recommend the Thai broth!

I liked Tove Lo when I heard her on the radio, but I grew to love her even more after seeing her live -I ended up downloading more of her songs after the concert. She was bold with flashing the audience for a split second, and made me realize and appreciate how unapologetic and herself she was with the audience. It was refreshing to say the least

I had never gone to a music festival before, so I'm glad I went to see Tove Lo and Marina and the Diamonds and went with a good friend who knew how to get pumped from the music. The beer was good, too, and the overall atmosphere was nice and laid back, but also energetic at the same time - it's a hard combination to find, so it was a spectacular day :D 

.

The main reason I went to #BostonCalling was to see Marina and the Diamonds and she was amazing. I felt at home within the crazed crowd as we watched her spectacular performance and flawless vocals.  I always love seeing a live performance because there is so much more to the artist than a recording. Their hearts are contagious. 

And it just makes you feel like you're somewhere other than reality, even though you're not. Like when you go to a movie theater, to go to watch the movie and escape reality. This was similar, but since the artist is right before your eyes, you're really enjoying reality instead of trying to escape it. It's rejuvenating :D

I hope everyone had a great memorial day weekend and enjoy the weather! it's finally beautiful outside!

"Realize deeply that the present moment is all you will ever have."
-Unknown

o-o-o-o-o-o

Have a great day!

-Chelle

tbt :: Rocky Mountain National Park

With spring being here and summer slowly but surely approaching, I think back to a time when the air was not so humid and not as polluted. The air was fresh and crisp, and the sun was hot, but the nights were cool. Of course there was the high elevation that I had to adjust to, but there was a lot in Colorado that I enjoyed - the connection I felt with Mother Nature that I would not be able to find in the Boston area.

Rocky Mountain National Park

I originally did not want to go hiking at all. Being outdoorsy was never really my thing, but yet again I had never tried. I was a typical glued to a computer screen type of person. What would hiking do for me?

"Michelle. What could it hurt? When would you get another chance besides this summer? Didn't you say you want to try new things?"

"I'm not in good shape at all..."

"So what? No one's telling you to break a world record. Just take your time."

"I don't know..."

"And you never will until you try."

Yeah, I know I'm weird for conversing with my self, but by the end of every day it doesn't matter who believes in you if you don't believe in yourself. I decided to give myself the chance and luckily for me I had a good friend to help me along the way. She grew up on a farm in Wisconsin and her and her family play soccer regularly and are very active. I was very thankful she was patient with me over the couple hiking trips we took together.

Rocky Mountain National Park - Chasm Lake

With the warm weather in the Boston area finally picking up, I wanted to get back into working out regularly. Hibernating is getting real old, and slowly we're all starting to gain back motivation to be more active. 

When in need of motivation to work out, I think of the time I hiked the Rockies. It was by far the most physically difficult thing I'd ever done in my life. I'm not a runner, or a hiker by any means. If something were chasing me, I would probably die. Neither me or my family are athletic and the only sports I've participated in required more technique than stamina or strength.

 And that made it all the more worthwhile when I finished. I was pitted against myself on these mountains and I won. Just like any road to an end goal, the path is rocky (pun intended). You're going to want to give up. You're going to want to give into instant gratification and quit. You're going to try to convince yourself that you didn't want it that badly anyways - that it's not important.

Don't.

So many times during the hike I would stop to think about going back. But as I just continued on and quit the stopping, I would say why not to continuing since I had already gotten that far. And before I even realized, we had reached our goal and took in an amazing view.

I wish these pictures could do some justice to the view, but it's one of those things better seen in person. Of course the view was much more amazing since we worked so hard to get up there. The things in life that come easy are the ones that we take for granted and are just not quite as special as the things we have to work and fight for.

This is the type of advice you always hear and understand, but never really feel until it's experienced first hand. The Rockies have definitely internalized this in me as well as the proof that I can do much more than I thought I originally could. I hope everyone reaches that point in their life sooner rather than later because it really helps to understand who you are and what you are capable of.

The mountains were here way way before any of us, or our families, or our civilizations. The mountains were here first and have weathered through storms and disasters. The mountains only move on their own accord, but are at a peaceful passivity to its surroundings. These mountains are fierce in their own right, and they inspired me to be my own mountain.

“What are men to rocks and mountains?” 
― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

o-o-o-o-o-o

Have an amazing day!

-Chelle