my heart like a kickdrum...: October 2014

Fall Adventures

By Em O 7:51 PM 2014, autumn, fall, friend, photography, photos, YWAM

I traveled to Australia and spent 8 months there. While there, one of the girls I grew closest to was Shannon... Shannon just so happens to live in MICHIGAN. Funny how that worked, but it makes seeing each other definitely doable. She drove down and spent the weekend with me and we tried to do all the fun things we could, while enjoying the beautiful October weather.

We ate Mexican food, walked around at The Greene, hung out at Ghostlight Coffee, went to a corn maze with my friends (its a fall tradition!) visited Yellow Springs, took photos, drank coffee and chai from Dino's, went to Young's and had cinnamon ice cream and saw the goats. We talked a ton, went to a service at Apex, got pizza at Dewey's and watched a movie in our pajamas in my room. Sunday morning we had brunch at The Cheesecake Factory, walked around a bit more and visited Target. (midwest life, am I right?)

These are some of the photos from our weekend...

Isn't Shannon gorgeous?

It was SO BRIGHT!

So we had this idea that we wanted this shot of our necklaces...

They're from The Giving Keys; I gave Shannon HOPE when we were in Australia, and a few weeks ago, she sent me STRENGTH.

Stunning.

Ah! So grateful for this lady!

Roots

By Em O 6:57 PM 2014, fall, life, photography, photos, thoughts, words

I'm terrible at keeping in touch with people. It frustrates me.

Working in visuals at Macy's is exhausting-- but I love it. We're always busy, always a million things to do, but it actually feels like we accomplish things, and when little old ladies are shopping for the things they see on the mannequins I'm dressing (before I'm done!) I count it a win.

My feet hurt- I think I'm getting old. So I bought new TOMS. (okay, maybe I'm not that old, if TOMS are my comfort shoes. But they seriously ARE comfortable and supportive!)

I listen to sad music. Its a blessing and a curse. It helps me think. Think what you will.

My life is about to go from zero to like, 100mph. I am about to start a full-time, new job, while finishing out a part-time seasonal job, plus normal life, social activities, previous engagements and responsibilities. And... hopefully, moving to my own place.

Dear goodness, I need my own place. I need a place to call home.

I need somewhere to plant some roots and to just be.

Changing Seasons

By Em O 6:56 AM 2014, autumn, color, fall, instagram, life, photography, photos

Maybe because I missed last autumn (it was spring in Australia) or maybe because I am completely biased and absolutely, unashamedly adore autumn... but this year has been gorgeous. The colors, the sunshine mixed with overcast days. So pretty.

Loving it, like, more than a McDonald's commercial loves it.

Other than my tween girl crush on fall... life is weird, as per usual. I was able to pick up a seasonal position at Macy's- I'm the Visual Assistant to the Visual manager. Basically its the most wonderful job ever. We dress mannequins, arrange shelves, do signage, dress beds, decorate Christmas trees, floof ribbons and put up all the holiday decor... and I don't have to use the registers or really help customers, because I'm with visuals and I don't know any of those things. And my manager is hysterical and great.

Down-side is that its only 'til mid November, and its only about 20 hrs a week. Sigh.

I finally interviewed at Starbucks, and was offered a position... but I was waiting to hear back from Arhaus Furniture, and Starbucks had to go ahead and hire for the position I was offered.

Now I'm STILL waiting on Arhaus (its a full-time position with benefits so its a job I need to accept if they offer, plus I would be able to afford a cheap apartment, which I need as well) and Starbucks has said they potentially have another position I can have early November.

So while I adore autumn... this life season sort of stinks. I'm so ready for something to happen. I'm really not handling it all very well and am frustrated beyond belief. Its all just incredibly exhausting.

That's me being honest with you. I'm not a fan of the sugar-coat, unless its on M&Ms. (preferably crispy ones, which, have you heard, are FINALLY coming back. Even though they totally had them in Australia.)