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[writtenbyx]

quarantine day 12

please enjoy this photo of my dog using a chair as a chin rest.

I miss my boyfriend. I miss normal life. I miss not being in quarantine.

//aubrey

[writtenbyx]

nomad: designing a home for escape and adventure - emma reddington

Nomadic lifestyle.

Something I’ve been pondering and dreaming about for awhile.

Nomad by Emma Reddington tells stories of people living alternatively, either for a short time or weekend trips, to full time for years on end. The best thing I’ve gotten from this book is that it seems pretty attainable to me now. 

After seeing all the different setups and layouts of the vans, campers, and skoolies, it makes me want to take on this adventure! We have an old pickup camper that I’m now determined to renovate. I have the perfect family for this operation because:

1. we already have an old camper that needs a new life.

2. my dad knows all about carpentry and building.

3. my brother can help with solar panels and electrical.

4. my mom loves decorating and design.

5. I want to live in an alternative way and want to learn how to do all these things, too.

I loved getting to look at all the photos, and I found that I was looking most at the camper renovations. I always thought van-life, but my boyfriend is 6′4″ and that would not be ideal for his tall self, so I think a camper would be ideal.

I’m going to ask my dad if he can get the camper out and put it in our yard so I can start demo because hello quarantine and having nothing to do.

//aubrey

[writtenbyx]

quarantine: day 9

I’ve always found refuge outside in nature. 

Playing in the sun. Climbing trees. Walking. Feeling the breeze on my face and through my hair. Sunrises. Sunsets. Stargazing. Bonfires.

Winter is beautiful in its own ways, but Midwest winters are brutal. Freezing temperatures for months on end. November through March or April. Half of every single year where it’s almost painful to go outside. 

Now that it’s warm enough to enjoy being outside, I’ve been drinking up the sunshine. It was 45 degrees today and it’s supposed to be 62 and sunny tomorrow. 

I find myself yearning for hot summer days that are only bearable by jumping in the lake. Warm nights, bright until 9 pm. Clear skies to watch the stars.

This summer will be the best of my life because it will be the first full summer with the love of my life. We’ll get to go camping and stargazing and swimming. Sun-kissed skin and lightened hair.

I can’t wait to keep going on walks and work up my mileage in preparation for hiking something fun. I’ve been intrigued with the idea of through-hiking for awhile now even though I’ve never really been hiking. I want to do something challenging. Something that will push me like I’ve never been pushed before. Something outside.

//aubrey

[writtenbyx]

impulse - ellen hopkins

impulse #1

Vanessa, Conner, Tony. Three unlikely, broken souls that meet and form relationships of a lifetime.

Ellen Hopkins writes books in verse about people riddled with abuse, mental health problems, bad circumstances and sad lives. She does it with such grace and beauty that you learn about the characters in an organic way by jumping right into each story. Impulse was no different.

This book follows Vanessa who is bipolar and manic depressive and expresses those struggles through cutting.

Tony who was sexually abused by one of his mother’s dumbass ex-boyfriends.

And Conner who just wants love from his family and shows that through unhealthy romantic relationships.

Most of the book takes place in a rehab facility and documents the budding friendships and relationships between the three characters, whom I came to love throughout the story. I was rooting for all of them because I knew their backstories. I knew why they were in the positions they were in. I wanted to give them all a big hug.

I’m always impressed when I read Hopkins’ work because she writes about such uncomfortable, not-talked-about topics, but handles them so well. I used to be extremely uncomfortable when I read books like this when I was younger, but now that I’ve grown up I appreciate them for the art they are. I love verse and poetry and this just solidifies that I need to read more work like this. I like feeling slightly uneasy *in this way* when I read books. They make me think.

I live a very privileged life, so it always blows my mind when I read about such broken homes and abusive lives. I’m so grateful I’ve never had to deal with anything worse than an emotionally unstable relationship with my ex. I can’t even begin to imagine trauma that these characters have experienced; my heart aches for anyone that has been in situations like these.

//aubrey

[writtenbyx]

quarantine: day 7

highlights of my day:

- playing with my adorable pup and taking this cute photo of her

- drinking coffee

- being super productive with my schoolwork

- having a good discussion about contemporary dance

- finding out a got an ‘a’ on an art project I worked really hard on

- facetiming a new friend

- finishing the book of genesis

- learning that my sweet boyfriend got a great job that he gets to start tomorrow

//aubrey

[writtenbyx]

quarantine date

Coffee date six feet apart.

My sweet boy brought me Starbucks and we had a happy lil’ date, me standing outside all bundled up, him sitting in his car with the window rolled down. 

Thank you for being you, my love. Thank you for treating me so well. Thank you for showing me that you care and always telling me you love me. For going out of your way to provide a happy life for us. Thank you for being a goof and folding your 6′4″ self into this position.

I can’t wait to kiss you.

Hug you.

Touch you.

Hold your hand. 

Snuggle up to you and be either sized spoon. 

Put my forehead on yours. 

Run my fingers through your hair. 

Feel your voice against me.

I love you.

//aubrey

[writtenbyx]

quarantine: day 5

It feels unfair, this new quarantine life. 

I miss my friends I worked so hard to foster relationships with.

I miss my boyfriend and his long hugs and sneaky smirks.

I miss my roommates who used to be complete strangers, but are now some of my best friends.

I miss my apartment. The first place that felt like home that wasn’t home.

I understand the purpose and need for quarantine. It keeps people safe and healthy. But selfishly, I’m very sad. This was my final full semester in college, my senior year. After transferring from a place I was unhappy to fully embracing my collegiate life, it’s hard to turn my back on it. I’m supposed to be with my friends. I’m supposed to be able to walk across stage at my college graduation. I’m supposed to get to perform in my last dance concert.

I wish I wasn’t stuck inside in snowy Iowa. I wish I could be outside in nature enjoying the sunshine we had a few days ago. I know God’s got my back and everything is working with His greater plan, but I still wish the circumstances were different.

//aubrey