oh the places you'll go...

Oh the places you’ll go…I love this saying penned by Dr. Seuss. I must admit, I’ve never read the famous children’s book, but the title alone stirs within me a burning desire to embark on a grand adventure. 

 

When I was younger- not that I’m that old, but I’m not exactly counting the fractions in my age, either- I dreamed of a life very different from the one I have now. Not that I’m complaining, it’s just different. Instead of a briefcase, I carry a diaper bag/purse/”where the heck are my keys” sort of thing. Rather than wearing fancy threads I’m usually sportin’ my chucks with jeans and a cardigan. If it's a really good day, I've got mascara and Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer on, too. Look out world! Instead of spending long hours hovered over legal documents, I generally read aloud to my 6 month old and when I’m lucky, I get to read a “grown up” book that I’ve downloaded to my iPhone, because seriously, who wants to go check out a book at the library when you’ve got a baby time bomb strapped to your chest? Reservations at a fancy restaurant? No, thank you. I saw the recipe on Pinterest and I’m pretty sure with some slight alterations and swapping the butter for coconut oil I can cook/bake/eat just about anything. Jetting off for a quick relaxing trip usually entails hopping in my car sans baby, and going to the gym or grocery store ALL. BY. MYSELF. 

You want to know something wonderful? These are my adventures. You want to know something crazy? I wouldn't have it any other way. It’s not the places I go or don’t go, physically speaking, that make my life an adventure. No, it’s living every day and taking in that exact moment that make my life spectacular. Adventure beckons my name every minute, if only I choose to see it that way. And believe me, I didn't (and I don't) always. 

Perspective is a silly thing. Only when we learn to master it, or even attempt to do so, do we truly begin to understand how beautiful and grandiose life, and the moments it's made of, truly are.

Baking chocolate chip cookies for my husband with Disney music playing on Pandora, babbling with my daughter as she learns how to crawl and make new noises, going for long walks with my family while my Bryce holds on to Junebug’s leash and I wear my sweet little Penny close to my heart: these are my adventures.

And oh...the places I go.

a place called home

Writing your first blog entry is a lot like being on a first date. You only get to make a first impression once. I find myself nervous and over-thinking every word that comes out of my mouth- or in this case, from my fingers. What do I talk about? Do I try and be funny and down to earth or do I play it cool and mysterious? How much information is too much information? Do I mention my fondness for dark chocolate and penguins or my growing collection of buttons, affectionately known as flair? I don’t know. I just want to get this awkward moment over with. (That’s a lie. I actually get quite a thrill from awkward moments.) Moving on.

I majored in journalism approximately 307 years ago. I haven’t done much with my degree since I walked off campus, diploma in hand; never quite found my niche, so to speak. I interned at various magazines my senior year and became disillusioned with the whole writing thing. The artistic and cathartic elements seemed to be removed when you added a paycheck. It became a business of over-thinking and, quite honestly, giving too much weight to others' opinions of the words one chose to string together. 

Once upon a time I wrote for the love of it, and that’s why I’m writing now. It’s like William Faulkner once said, it’s not about being a writer, it’s about writing. Somewhere along the line, I forgot that.

That being said, dark chocolate & rain boots is born with no expectations except one- to be a home to the words that I choose to write. And like they always say, there's no place like home.