three.worlds

Time slowed down as the road carried my mom, grandmother, and I away from skyscrapers and honking taxis towards salty air and local farmer stands complete with crabmeat, shrimp, peaches and corn.

My first full day home commenced with the beach and reintroducing myself to North End waves, followed by a few hours of boating and finally friends, family, and a bushel of crabs.

I've been taking full advantage of my short time here; spending every free second I have in the nearest body of water. i've been able to reconnect with my roots, my home.

For as long as I can remember, I have been shuffling through the sands of 54th street and I am positively convinced that there are two times in this world when there is no better place to be than walking down this street. The first being the literal calm before a storm, when the sky dons a mask of intimidation and ominous impression. The beach house wind chimes sing to the abandoned beach streets as mother nature reclaims her territory. The second time possesses a similar calming intrigue: late summer evenings, when the sun and the surfers call it a day and the sounds of crickets surround their bare feet and salty skin.

Out in the water, facing the horizon, as the sun retreats. That's when i feel connected to God on a whole new level, the ocean our medium with its force, beauty, and power.

Now back to the somewhat-real world: college. excited freshman, free spirited sophomores, and careless upperclassmen. I'm entering a new world of stresses and obstacles while trying to remain grounded and sane with an overwhelming course load, sorority duties, and a showcase to coordinate. But if I don't believe in myself that I can accomplish all that and more, who can?

and another zero 7 to get you through late weekday working nights, much like the ones i'm looking at in my near future!

"God gives every bird his worm, but he does not throw it into the nest"

I am a firm believer that this city, this destination for dreamers and realists alike, is alive. It breathes inspiration. The people here merely give it some character, a little personality, intrigue. While venturing these streets, alleys, and parks it's impossible to not be drawn towards it's raw, authentic inspiration. I've come to always carry a sketchbook with me, so I can capture this city's random sparks of brilliance. All the while, it has taught me to be who I am and that it's up to each of us to genuinely enjoy ourselves and celebrate our own unique thoughts, ideas, and dreams.

My last weekend here was my most relaxing yet. Friday I unveiled a true friendship while discovering the flaws in another. I started talking to the right people and ended up having a fabulous night. Saturday was my birthday. I spent it with the most important person on anyone's birthday - myself. So in between chapters of a Jack Kerouac book, I'd lay under New York's summer sun, basking in all its brilliance, and look up at the lingering clouds and purposeful planes and a pair of aimlessly floating pink balloons. I feel nothing but pure satisfaction. I glance at my fellow sunbathers...a distinguished, artistic, and sophisticated couple napping to the tunes of Fleetwood Mac that drift to my towel, which I don't mind. A group of young twenty-somethings engaging in exclusive gossip and laughter. And scattered across the lawn by the Hudson are various families and single, tanned and toned, young new yorkers.

I went to Boston two weeks ago to visit a musically-endowed good friend. Boston and New York come alive at night in two very different ways. New York seems recognize the transition, turning cafes into bars, and family tourists into loud, drunken clusters of young adults. Boston seems to not notice the sun went down. There's still as many people walking the streets, but they're still going out to eat, or just strolling around the quaint city.

That friend returned the visit last night. In between the conversation in Massachusetts and the ones while sipping coronas and watching lady liberty and Manhattan's lights flicker, we were able to connect on a new level. Now that we're becoming older and developing into the people we want to be, we have more control over who we surround ourselves with. We both concluded that the most important element in these people exists inspiration. We hope to be inspired by them as much as they are themselves.

oh...and here are a few of the shots from the intern photoshoot...

and a Morcheeba video to relax you a little bit..