Buckle in for a nice big scroll through a nice big photo dump. I’m going to attempt getting back to the good old monthlies because I definitely do miss sitting down to write up reflections and all the things I love, but goodness—it’s already been a year choc-full of adventures thus far, and I have to summarise the first quarter of 2023 so far in this fashion. Hope you enjoy (:
January
Pismo + lots of coffeeshop visits
We kicked off the year perfectly with a little weekend stay in our beloved place: Pismo. If you’ve been here for anywhere longer than a year than you know just how dear this sweet little spot on the central coast is to me. I dug into All The Light We Cannot See (which was perfection, by the way), started my fresh new journal in an entry on the beach upon arrival, thrifted, sipped lots of delish coffee, and enjoyed the company of my family.
First, an iconic debrief with my Keely Brie at a new, gorgeous, v-pricey-but-definitely-worth-it-in-some-respects coffeeshop + bakery in town. Went back there again to see Maddie back off to PA for college, and had lots of other ventures about town to some places new and old on Wednesdays/Fridays with Hannah to catch up on Bible studies since we were missing them due to Joshua’s senior basketball season (more on that emotional chapter later).
I made some epic purchases in Jan as well: finallyyyy got myself a Paperwhite Kindle, purchased Children of Dune, The Atlas Six, and The Poppy War, and ordered some Sony headphones (PSA THEY ARE SO WORTH IT IF U LOVE AND ENJOY MUSIC IMMENSELY).
monthly playlist: jan jams
February
Adventures with bubbi + the final season
I have a literal TRUCKLOAD of pictures from every single one of Joshua’s game—especially senior night, in which I cried so much my tear ducts should have been entirely dried out for all time—but don’t worry, I spared y’all. Also: Joshua after getting home from his final winter formal; our delightful time watching Wakanda Forever; and one of his games that had a pretty moon which you kinda can’t see, but it’s okay we move. I got to pick Joshie up from his final regular season practise, and I got to tote him to a couple of his games which was a real treasure since he obviously usually takes himself. Such a special month celebrating and enjoying our special boy in his last high school athletic ride.
Valentine’s Day + hair refresh!!
Had a little galentines moment on a very windyyy day of love; Daddy gave me the prettiest flowers (which I kept alive and pretty for a record time, literally only just threw out the final bits today); and more auburn bits (and even some blonde!) in my hair which I am well and truly obsessed with.
This was quite the week, because we left for New York two days later…
NEW YORK BABY
Pooh getting tucked in for the very long journey + the Atlantic ocean.
We were in Highland Falls for the first two days of our trip, and though I did take photos, let’s be real, the focus here is NYC, so let’s just say it was a cosy little time spent relaxing, doing lots of reading, and getting back into The West Wing hehe <3
First ever train ride for me, and this took us to the city!!
Ralph’s Coffee
As I captioned my insta post (personal ig): “what are men to the feminine experience of Ralph’s coffee?” Iykyk. DIVINITY. Not even joking when I say that is the best oatmilk vanilla latte I have ever had in my entire life. This was our very first item on the agenda after checking into our hotel, and my goodness was it ever so worth it.
Did some window shopping after this and had a quick spot of lunch at an outdoor Shake Shack which we regretted rather quickly due to the wind. Very much fun though, and it led me to my peasant-girl-takes-on-the-big-city era. (An era that I stayed in for the remainder of the trip, brr.)
Also, the metro!! Very fun, very London-esque, I feel ready to take on the Underground once I finally make it across the pond.
Mooching about town: 5th/Madison Ave, Soho, the Financial District, Queens, + the eats
The most incredible ramen for dinner + cupcakes that must have come from heaven.
Being with Keely and Leah was UTTER FUN!! Can’t wait to do it again.
Ground Zero was utterly breathtaking. I’ve been wanting to visit and reflect here for a very long time, and I really enjoyed the opportunity to take stock and soberly look back on 9/11.
The MET!!
The Metropolitan Museum of Art was enchanting. I, of course, spent most of my time in the European art section, only leaving to have a wee look at some of the American and Dutch exhibits. It is so hard to put into words just how wonderful it is to see these great works from the Renaissance up close. That’s been my favourite period of art for as long as I can remember, and I am forever blown away by the true beauty therein—beauty that affects the soul and puts us on a higher plane. Nothing compares.
All in all, this experience was wondrous. I mentioned it over on insta, but I’m intrinsically predisposed against cities. I typically feel crowded in upon, and I crave open skies and huge meadows. I was fully ready to go to NYC, not really enjoy it, and only come back to see whatever big things I might have missed: not so. I found it so incredible that there was so much to visit and explore, and I greatly look forward to going there in the future Lord willing. My dislike for cities remains (LA, u stink), but I am sure that NYC and London (which I was planning on liking anyway :’)) will forever be places I enjoy being in (for the most part).
monthly playlist: metro moment (hehe)
March
Lots of matcha + pretty mountains
Here are a host of mostly unedited photos documenting this last, very fun month. Gave up coffee (& other things) for Lent this year, so it’s been matchas all around which I have very much enjoyed. Though I have not enjoyed all the rain and lack of blue + sunny skies (sorry Lord, I’m trying to be grateful, but I just want to start sunbathing tbh), the rain has obviously made our visibility so gorgeous. Lots of pretty views of the mountains/foothills on my way to work, and glorious clouds filling the sky on the way home. I just squeal “THE MOUNTAINS THE MOUNTAINS” to myself and Flavius (my car).
Venus and Jupiter also aligned in the night sky, and we won’t see that again in our lifetimes (nor will our children, I think?), which was super cool to see. I only got a poor photo the day after (oopsie), but still, how incredible! (also team selena amirite)
Josh ditched school on a day Melody and I both have off so that we could spend some quality time together which was the bestttt. We hit the gym early, got some breakfast bits, prepared a great feast, and relaxed together. That evening was the night before SAB premiered (lots of thoughts there l o l), so then Mel & I set off to commence the festivities!!
The sky looked ominous and gloomy and spine-tingly this night, so I had to take some pictures of the view. It was nice to be cosily tucked up inside whilst this storm was brewing (lots and lots of rain and storms and flooding here in California; it’s been a wild, out of character weather situation this entire year so far).
Also, purchased some Celtics gear as gifts for my immediate family (except for Mama, who retains her Lakers fanship, smh), as we were heading to the game this past week…
Celtics @ Sac
THE MOST FUN NIGHT EVERRRRR. I have been a Celtics fan since I was 8, and my sister and I had yet to see them in person—until now. (Josh got to see them for the first time last year on a trip with my dad!) All nine of us (us five + my tio’s family, aka my favourite people in the world) drove to Sacramento, caught dinner, avoided the rain as we ate (bless), and had the most fun screaming our guts out to a rousing Celts victory, 132-109. Green runs deep fr.
monthly playlist: none bc i forgot smh
Fin
It has been a very lovely first quarter of 2023 so far. I am so blessed to lead the life that I do, and I am so grateful to the Lord for all He has so graciously and undeservedly bestowed upon myself and my loved ones. What have you enjoyed the most from 2023 so far?? Any favourite moments, purchases, sights, trips, etc? Let me know & ty for reading xxxx