STAY

"Wasting time -
Let the hours roll by
Doing nothing for fun
Little taste of the good life
Whether right or wrong
Makes us wanna STAY, STAY, STAY, STAY, STAY FOR A WHILE!"

So yes - this post is a lot different from my first one ... once again I was walking along the river and enjoying the sounds of the tunes on my ipod and "stay (wasting time)" came on by Dave Matthews. Of course I needed to take out my Moleskin again and write down my thoughts:

4 months - a semester - 1/3 of a year ... it all sounds so long BUT when you listen to a song like Stay and have the experiences that I've had and the moments that I've shared with people I've merely met two weeks ago but can call my good friends - 4 months doesn't seem like a long long time - it seems too short. "I'd sure miss this thing when it all rolls by..." I started to feel (prematurely) bitter-sweet about the end of my semester here..., BUT "...for a moment this good time would never end". Yes, that phrase is oxymoronic because it is merely a moment that never ends ... I plan to treat every moment like that - I will cherish it and enjoy it!

xoxo

A Toast to the Past!

"It's time to move on
Time to get going
What lies ahead I have no way of knowing,
But under my feet
The grass is growing."
-Tom Petty

I have heard this song a few times now because Lance put it on my "Travelin' Tunes" CDs but today - a gorgeous day in Sevilla with warmer weather than we had yet - I jammed out on my way through the streets, and when I heard this song, I couldn't help but take out my Moleskin and write down my thoughts. Monday morning was a hard morning for me, but that night I went out with some friends and had a drink ... that night, this song, and other things let me to these thoughts:

With a smile I had a drink to the past
and with excitement I toasted to the future!
Life's an oyster -
Enjoy the taste!
(And if that one tastes no good ...
pick up another and keep trying!)

xoxo
ME

Walk with me ... (to class)

my first post!

hello all blog followers!

so I do not have a lot of time to blog today and instead of updating you on the things I have been doing ... I want to update you on the positive thoughts I have been having. Every nasty cloud has a silver lining - right?

Well the second and third nights were a bit difficult and I started to feel that homesick - why am I doing this - 4 months is daunting - thing ... but in the nights following as I started to feel homesick again I realized that it is kinda nice ...

I spoke with some people and they couldn't wait to be here cuase they wanted to leave whatever they had at home and for maybe one of the first times in my life, i felt VERY VERY secure in my life! My friends, my family, my academics and social schedule ... it was all perfect and I was very content.

This expereince is going to be amazing and I am sure going to prove that no regrets will be necessary so being "homesick" is just a beginning thing and I am sure will go away ... but being "homesecure" is something that I am excited to feel now and excited to hopefully feel more of. Coming here, and even in just a few short days, has given me an appreciation for not only the life I have back in the states - my family and friends and the nice circle I round daily, but the states themselves. The culture here and the place is great!!! but it has shown me that I reall am a proud american!

ok - that is all for now .. but as I travel and such and have more thoughts - I will share!
xoxo
ME

Time to Travel Tess...

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the girl who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

And you may not find any
you'll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you'll head straight out of town.

It's opener there
in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,
don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.

OH!
THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!

As your older brother, and specifically one that prides himself on the influence I have had on your life :), I wanted to give you a gift that made you realize just how much you have done the same for me.

Your courage.
Your passion.
Your ability to live a life with purpose.
Your willingness to live a life worth living.

They are inspirational.
You are an inspiration.

Now is your time.
Now is your moment to explore.
Now is the moment you open yourself up to another world, because I assure you that everyone you encounter will open themselves up to you.

I ask one thing...

Bring us with you.
Share your moments. Share your encounters. Share your thoughts.
Let us continue to be influenced by the beauty and love that is Tessi.

Yes I know this is your blog, and therefore I will only take up a bit more room in your digital space.

But it's to share this final thought...

You have a natural harmony.
You have an ability to ride the waves that are all around you.
Listen to them.
Feel them.
Let them wash over you.
Let them wash away the urge to hold on.
Now is not the time to hold on. It's the time to jump on and see where you'll go.
Oh the Places You'll Go...

I have always found the easiest way to ride these waves, especially while traveling is with music.
You'll find what works best for you.
In the meantime, I've prepared a mix of Travelin' Tunes for Tess:

Disc 1:

• Never Been to Spain-Three Dog Night (Album: Harmony)
• Series of Dreams-Bob Dylan (Album: Bootleg Series Vols. 1-3)
• Time to Move On-Tom Petty (Album: Wildflowers)
• Feelin' Alright-Traffic (Album: Traffic)
• We're from Barcelona-I'm from Barcelona (Album: Let Me Introduce My Friends)
• Lady in Spain-Ingrid Michaelson (Album: Be OK)
• Spain-Rodrigo (Album: Gypsy Kings & Queens)
• Life By the Drop-Stevie Ray Vaughn (Album: Essential)
• In God's Country-U2 (Album: Joshua Tree)
• Ain't No Reason-Brett Dennen (Album: So Much More)
• Time to Pretend-MGMT (Album: Oracular Spectacular)
• Mean Old World-Duane Allman & Eric Clapton (Album: Layla Sessions)
• Across the Universe-Beatles (Album: Let It Be...Naked)
• Ooh La La-Faces (Album: Ooh La La)

Disc 2:

• Star Spangled Banner-Jimi Hendrix (Album: Ultimate Experience)
• Chicago-Sufjan Stevens (Album: Come On Feel the Illinoise)
• Change-Blind Melon (Album: Change)
• Ocean-John Butler Trio (Album: Live at St. Gallen)
• Euro Trash Girl-Cracker (Album: Kerosene Hat)
• Can You Hear the Music-Rolling Stones (Album: Goats Head Soup)
• Song of Our Country-Miles Davis (Album: Sketches of Spain)
• Holiday in Spain-Counting Crows (Album: Films About Ghosts)
• Seville-Justin King (Album: Le Bleu)
• One Big Holiday-My Morning Jacket (Album: It Still Moves)
• Can't Find My Way Home-Blind Faith (Album: Blind Faith)
  

I love you Tess.
And remember-

"Don't let your silly dreams, fall in between, the crack of the bed and the wall."

Love,

Lance