the everglow

(photo source)

Here's a night & it shines
And it calls us on and on
So be here by my side and watch the stars
They're ours
Make a wish or just take charge
When the moment comes, get lost and go far

I think that we've got what it takes to get this heart start beating again
So take it all the way

Oh, now our hearts are on the everglow
So just let go and fall into it

We begin (breathe in)
Here's our chance to go for something
So this is where we win and take the game (no blame)
There's a neon light inside that shines
And it's tearing down the walls in the way

I think that we've got what it takes to get this heart start beating again
So take it all the way

Oh, now our hearts are on the everglow
Deep inside we both know it
Everything's hanging on this moment
Oh, and our hearts are on the everglow
So just let go & fall into it

Let's go inside and look deep in the night
The light is bright enough to save the weakest ones, and you're in the running
Oh, don't you give up or fade away

Oh, our hearts are on the everglow
Every action makes a reaction
We'll figure it out and make it happen
Oh, and our hearts are on the everglow
So just let go and fall into it

oh, sweet tattoo

On Thursday evening, I finally got my first tattoo. :)

I've been wanting one since my freshman year of college, but since my parents were/are so opposed to the idea (ie. threatened to cut me off financially if I got one), I held off. But damnit, I'm an adult now (although I assume it hardly looks that way, what with me living with and working for my parents...), so I sacked up and tatted up.

My tattoo artist, Lane, was fantastic. Admittedly, I was a little afraid he thought I was a total lame-o, but throughout the entire ordeal he was funny and really nice. My friend Kelsey tagged along for support and to take pictures. I'm so thankful she came, too, because she ended up being the one to pick the finals colors! Yay for sweet, creative friends! :)




For the record, tattoos hurt a lot more than people let on. Or at least tattoos on one's wrist. I had heard over the years that the pain is mostly "uncomfortable" and "annoying" than actually painful, but I'd say that's only true 60% of the time. The other 40%? Hurt like a bitch. I didn't even think about what a vulnerable area the wrist is, what with all the veins, tendons and bone. There were certain spots where I could tell Lane was having to go over and over and over because they were difficult to ink, and those were always the spots that were the tenderest. Ouchhhhhh. In the end, it was so worth the discomfort, but I'm definitely not looking forward to going back next week for touch-ups.

Oh, and no, I didn't cry. Props.




I chose the word dig from the Incubus lyric, if I turn into another, dig me up from under what is covering the better part of me. I wanted a reminder to always look for and bring out the good in others, even when it's not easy. Dig is about how we all fall to our human weakness, but we have each other to bring out the best in us. I know I personally need that so much from the relationships in my life, need my friends to remind me of the person I really am under it all, and I aim to do that for the people in my life as well.

It's so easy to get caught up in my own problems, my own stupid worries, that I forget to make the world a better place in my own small way. I wanted this tattoo as a visual cue to stop focusing on myself and dig up the good all around me.

I kind of can't believe I actually did it, but already I'm so glad that I did.

djohariah

(photo source)

...

go on, little sister
go on
for the world is yours, world is yours
all the wilderness of the world is yours to enjoy

go on, little sister, go on
for you're beautiful, [beautiful]
all the fullness of the world is yours

tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow

We all have a weakness
Some of ours are easier to identify
Look me in the eye and ask for forgiveness
We'll make a pact to never speak that word again
Yes, you are my friend

We all have something that digs at us
At least we dig each other

So when weakness turns my ego up,
I know you'll count on the me from yesterday

If I turn into another,
Dig me up from under what is covering the better part of me
Sing this song
Remind me that we'll always have each other when everything else is gone

We all have a sickness
That cleverly attaches and multiplies
No matter how we try

We all have someone that digs at us
Well, at least we dig each other

So when sickness turns my ego up,
I know you'll act as the clever medicine

If I turn into another, dig me up from under
What is covering the better part of me
Sing this song and remind me that we'll always
Have each other even when everything else is gone
...

Tomorrow I'm finally getting the tattoo I've wanted for the past four and a half years. And I'm ecstatic. :)

october ushers in fall favorites :)

With October comes the reemergence of some of my absolute fall favorites. I'm thrilled that we're regularly experiencing temperatures in the 70s (however, I am not thrilled by my bout with the flu), and that it's once again time for my third favorite season of the year (ahem, summer and spring will always have my heart).

(photo credit)

First and foremost, motherfucking CANDY CORN. Haters gon' hate, but candy corn is delicious and October-y and ahhhhhhhh I love it so much. :)

(photo credit)
The Cocomotion. Thanks, Mom, for buying this hot chocolate maker for me several Christmases ago. It has been one of the best presents I've ever received. Plus, it makes PERFECT hot chocolate. Not too hot, not too cold. Just right.

(photo credit)
These Fossil boots make me swoon. They are definitely on my Christmas list. Any takers?

(photo credit)
Also from Fossil, this birdie scarf. I want. ASAP.

(photo credit)
While we're on birds, I've been obsessed with this bird pillow from Urban Outfitters for months. In fact...I can't remember why I haven't just bought it yet...

(photo credit)
Urban Outfitter's Swedish Landscape patchwork quilt. I want to curl up under this and read a book.

(photo credit: me!)
Last but not least, Grapevine Lake. As much as I always love it, I think I love it most during fall. After the relentless heat of summer, the cool breezes and falling leaves on rocking docks refresh me in a way nothing else can. My dog, Clark Kent, and I take walks in the early evenings so I can sit on concrete picnic tables while she sniffs the surf and eats driftwood. It's absolute peace, and I have yet to find another place on earth quite like it.

Welcome, fall! I love you and thanks for finally coming around. :)

can't stop, won't stop: september [2]

I'm crushing on this playlist so hard, and I can't stop/won't stop playing it on repeat:

• I Love U by Chris Brown
  Mary by Patty Griffin
  Djohariah by Sufjan Stevens
  Teenage Dream by Katy Perry
  Maroon 5's entire Hands All Over CD (Stutter, in particular)
  
  

photo credit

This time I really need to do things right
Shivers that you give me keep me freezing all night
You make me shut up

I can't believe it
I'm not myself
Certainly I'm thinkin' about no one else
You make me shut up

I really, I really
I really need to know
Or else you gotta let me go

You're just a fantasy, girl
It's an impossible world
All I want is to be with you always
I'll give you everything
Pay some attention to me
All I want is just you and me always

Give me affection
I need your protection
'Cause it feels so good you make me st-stutter, stutter

If I could touch you, I'd never let you go
Now you got me screaming
And I cannot shut up

Now I'm laying on a bedroom floor
Barely even speaking and I cannot get up

And I really, I really
I really need to know
Or else you gotta let me go, oh

You knock me down, I can't get up
I'm stuck
Gotta stop shaking me up
I can't eat
Can't sleep
Can't think sane
You've got me under, sinking under

but to my surprise, no reason why...

photo credit

have i ever told you before

i think you're beautiful when you're sleeping?

i have faith you watch me in my slumber, too

if i'm all that you're looking for

tell me, why is there a river streaming

down your face?

sometimes it makes me wonder all about

your love

(love love love)

after some time, it's something i've found true:

love's not a grave

it won't decay on you

too many days, i was afraid of love love love

(love love)

what if nothing is just that

and the only thing we're good at's dreaming

oh, yea, we're dreamers

picture that: a whole world in slumber

but don't get too attached to the living

even every single memory's fleeting

that's a fact

but to my surprise, no reason why,

one day i woke up and realized...

(love love love love)

after some time, it's something i find true:

love's not a grave

it won't decay on you

too many days, i was afraid of your love

(love love love love)

give it to me, love

i'll keep you in my focus with love & affection