Insta-grace

This past weekend, Y and I drove down to Virginia to spend the weekend with his family. It was a weekend full of some of my most favorite things: family, food, flea market. 

On Saturday morning, Y and I went on a walk with my in-laws and their dog, Coco. The weather was perfect: the sun warm but the breeze refreshing. We discovered a few turtles sunbathing (can't blame them).

i spy two little sunbathing turtles

And then we came across this. 

i spy a rainbow

How magical. It was one of those moments I will cherish forever. Rainbow: a symbol of God's mercy and promises. It may just have been exactly the type of reminder I needed. 

Another highlight of this trip was getting to visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.  

"Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope" 

MLK has always been my favorite historical figure. Being in Washington DC, our nation's capital and being able to visit the MLK memorial was the best way to spend MDW. 

And with that, I leave you with one of my favorite MLK quotes: 

Friday Favorites

Hooray for a long weekend!

Confession: Sometimes, I come home after work and I am so tired that I take a nap for an hour. Or two... And once I get into this rut, I often get trapped in a vicious cycle of lethargy. But this week kept me so busy and went by in a blur.

Realization: Inspiration seems to be my mid-afternoon lethargy's kryptonite. 

5 things that have inspired and recharged me this week: 

recharged by: a refreshing drink, my new favorite, green tea lemonade

recharged by: a date night for our anniversary. sushi&sashimi + white wine is good for the soul. at least for mine. 

recharged by: sweet students who made me a cupcake wishing us a happy anniversary. 

inspired by: my students and their heart for those around the world. 

inspired by: my new obsession, the bullet journal 

Concrete Jungle

My perfect day would consist of a mixture of sleeping in, exercise, being in "the big apple", good eats, and maybe a tiny bit of shopping. And this past weekend, I got to do just that. all of that. 

satisfying a major vietnamese sandwich craving @numpang

a mandatory coffee break @joe

window-shopped (and maybe shopped) and dined at chelsea market 

On our drive into the city, I asked Young, "Don't you think it's so amazing that you work in NEW YORK??? Don't you feel so inspired and in awe that you get to come into this city every day?" His response was not so enthusiastic, but then again, to his credit, it's not as glamorous when you have deal with the commute, the tunnel traffic, the chaos in Port Authority. But I love New York City. I love the hustle&bustle. I love the smell, the people watching I can indulge in.  Maybe it's because it's where I met and dated Young and where he proposed. Maybe it's the fact that I lived in the city for two years post-college. So when I get the chance, I love being able to make my way across the Hudson. 

It was one of those days that was just so perfect that I replayed it over and over again in my mind. As we drove home, I thought about why my day had felt so perfect. And it dawned on me: I had felt recharged, rejuvenated, refreshed. And I was inspired. 

Walking around New York, walking around Chelsea Market's Independent Designers Pop Up Shop, and especially getting to visit a friend's new restaurant in Chelsea Market (post on that coming soon!) I was inspired by their creativity and innovation, inspired by how they're living out their dreams. So inspired that I came home and decided I would launch this blog! 

And with that, let me leave you with the words of two of my favorite artists, Jay-Z + Alicia Keys: 

New York, concrete jungle where dreams made 
There's nothing you can't do 
Now you're in New York
These streets will make you feel brand new 
Big lights will inspire you
Let's hear it for New York

happy 3

3 years ago, today, I married a pretty awesome guy. His name's Young and he keeps me forever "young" at heart (oh boy, his corniness has rubbed off on me.) Since it's our third anniversary, let me share with you THREE top 3's. 

top 3 memories of all time: 

proposal @grandcentralstation 2.13.10

wedding day 5.21.11

honeymooning in hawaii 

top 3 best memories of this year: 

our first missions trip together. to cote d'ivoire 

first ski trip together for young's 30th birthday weekend

trip to chicago during spring break. @terzopiano at the artinstitute

top 3 things i love about him: 

• his humor - he has literally made me laugh EVERY single day we've been married
• his heart - he loves and cares about not just me, but his family, my family, friends, church members, strangers. but most importantly, he loves God. 
• his passion - he is passionate about his work, sports, people, travel, books, food... basically, he's passionate about life! and it's contagious. 

Steals & Deals: Books

I'm a sucker for "steals and deals". And I take pride in finding a good bargain... to the point where, when asked, "Where did you get that?" I often can't resist the urge to yell out not only where I bought it but how much I bought it for. 

I love discount stores, thrift shops, garage sales, flea markets. I love digging around and searching for that diamond in the rough. It really does feel like a treasure hunt. 

Today, I stumbled upon a book sale at my local public library. I had only gone in to drop off a few books I had borrowed but I was quickly ushered in by the friendliest man. He greeted me saying, "You made it! You're here!" What did I make it to? I thought to myself. My puzzled look must have given it away; he answered, "Our annual book sale! It's our last day and you've made it just in time! Go ahead downstairs." He was pretty persuasive. I didn't think twice and made my way down to the book sale. And boy, am I glad I did because I found a few gems. 

• The Earth Under Sky Bear's Feet: Native American Poems of the Land by Joseph Bruchac & Thomas Locker
• The Perricone Prescription: A Physician's 28-Day Program for Total Body and Face Rejuvenation by Nicholas Perricone, M.D. 
• Psychotherapy: A Basic Text by Robert Langs 
• The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
• The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon 
• A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith 

Grand total? $2. *Jumping up and down*