Marathon #2...the training begins!

St. Jude Memphis Marathon :: Mile 14 :: December 2011

 My rhythm is back!  Training began 5 weeks ago, but tonight was the first run where joy for the sport cast out doubt. Doubt that I wasn't good enough... strong enough... disciplined enough to finish marathon #2. 

Rounding the final corner of my nine mile run tonight was bliss.

{Although, I'm quite sure I looked like a hot mess in compared to the photo above!}

 California International Marathon (race date 12/2/12) here I come!!! 

Moonrise Kingdom

 "...even smart kids stick their fingers in electrical sockets sometimes."

{Bruce Willis as Captain Sharp}

"I love you, but you don't know what you're talking about."

{Jared Gilman as Sam Shakusky}

---

Moonrise Kingdom:
a film I will watch many times into the future, & still come away w/ something new every time
Magical. Subtle. Romantic. Humerus. Quirky. Authentic.


Cheers to 
the dysfunctional family plot line
infused w/
deadpan humor
suspension of disbelief
reasonable adolescents 
amongst unreasonable adults
w/ a well matched musical score.


Cheers to
another Wes Anderson triumph.


-Abby

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Embracing the Summer Solstice

summer

invites one to stay home a little less.

days passing

on patios

 on beaches

 sun-kissed shoulders

in parks along farmer's markets

noses delighted by

scents of fresh flowers

baked goods & tomatoes eaten like autumn apples.

summer

invites one to delve into pages.

novels traipsing through the mind 

long after epilogues

 final words

& concluding messages conveyed.

summer 

invites one to passion.

sweaty sheets & beaded brows

hands caressing curves

curling pink painted toes

in the early dawn.

summer 

invites one to the road.

leaving work & unpaid bills 

beyond the rear view mirror

 laughter & leisure dancing on the air

as tire tread

presses against hot unfamiliar pavement.

summer invites you...

{it's official}

embrace.

---

Love summer?  

Click here to see how Underlined and Bold embraced summer in 2011.

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Ray Bradbury

Like many,

i've been thinking of this man.

this writer.

this wordsmith.

flipping through pages

feeling soft paper under my thumbs

finding the text that tugged my heart

that tossed around in my mind...

"...when you're my age, you'll find out it's the little savors and things that count more than the big ones. A walk on a spring morning is better than an eighty-mile ride in a hopped-up car, you know why? Because it's full of flavors, full of a lot of things growing. You've time to seek and find. I know--you're after the broad effect now, and I suppose that's fit and proper. But for a young man working on a newspaper, you got to look for grapes as well as watermelons..."

 {Grandpa in Dandelion Wine}

 "I don't remember anyone winning anywhere any time. War's never a winning thing, Charlie. You just lose all the time, and the one who loses last asks for terms. All I remember is a lot of losing and sadness and nothing good but the end of it. The end of it, Charles, that was a winning all to itself, having nothing to do with guns. But I don't suppose that's the kind of victory you boys mean for me to talk on."

{Colonel Freeleigh in Dandelion Wine}

Rest In Peace

thank you for honing your craft

sharing your gift w/the world

W/gratitude,

Abigail

Image via.

Sunset in the City

Biking on the Halsted bridge between Grand & Lake.

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The Loveliness of the Modern World.

Chris is in Budapest today.

 He shared this photo.

His i-phone to my e-mail.

So he can be far but very close at the same time.

The loveliness of the modern world.

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I'm back!

Chris & I @ the 826CHI Prom Fundraiser. April 2012.
{The theme was the internet & I was dressed as the "i-cloud"}

Updates. Photos. Thoughts. Reflections.

Coming Soon!

"And this too was Greece.."

First day in Byron Bay, Australia.
February 2012.

I love connecting travel to art and poetry.  Both powerful forms of expression harness how a new destination touches the mind, body, and spirit...how an unfamiliar environment invigorates the senses...how the intellect is stimulated and the heart transformed.

Another Island

by May Sarton

And this too was Greece: 

Water so clear

A jellyfish looked opaque;

Silence so transparent

A voice could scratch it

Like a pane of glass;

A long crescent of white sand

Where we found

Not a broken hand of Aphrodite

Nor a silver coin,

But small pink shells,

The rockrose

White as foam

Under the dark pines--

And across the translucent sea

Another island

Floating on a dark blue line.

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The Trail to the Lighthouse

{Australia Challenge Day 7}

Two and half hours later, I returned to my hotel room. My feet sloshed around in my sneakers as droplets of water hit the floor from my clothing. I grabbed my towel hanging in the closet and wrapped it around me for warmth. I plopped on the bed and kicked off my sneakers to rest my feet.

"How was the hike," my roommate asked in a concerned but curious voice.

Smiling I replied, "Great!"

 I had just completed the popular trail to the historic Cape Byron Lighthouse. A midday storm hit the seaside town during the descent of my hike. But the trail's scenic complexities play to the senses, easily distracting hikers from physical discomfort felt from weather fluctuations and the steep uphill climb. 

Below are few pre-storm photos from my time on the trail. Enjoy!

Adventures in Sea Kayaking

{Australia Challenge Day 6}

Take a risk. Be nervous. 

Try something you've never done before.

I did. And was. 

And it turned out like this:

My Go Sea Kayak Tour Group.

Coming in on a wave! Me w/my German kayaking partner Fabian.

Salt water in the eyes! I am a mid-west girl through and through. I never got use to the salt water of the ocean.

Fabian and I were both trying stand on the boat simultaneously.
Needless to say, we were both in the water seconds after this photo was taken.

Snacking on Tim-Tams, and patting ourselves on the back for an awesome morning tour.

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The Truth of Our Choices.

Atlantic Byron Bay
@Byron Bay, Australia February 2012

"It is our choices, Harry, that shows us what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

{Australia Challenge Day 5}

Travel at its core is a person or group of people making a lot of choices.

Choosing destinations. Choosing lodging. Choosing modes of transportation.

{trains, planes, automobiles}

Choosing w/whom your travels will be spent.

Choosing urban versus rural. Choosing souvenirs. Choosing guide books.

{Lonely Planet =)}

Choosing clothes to be stuffed in your pack. Choosing shoes to comfort your feet.

{as they pick up particles of life on every road you take}

---

  Analyzing the choices I made in Australia has been an interesting process. The choices I made are concrete evidence of my preferences and biases. If I want to understand who I am and what makes me come alive, I cannot hide from these choices.

One choice I've reflected upon was my decision to avoid "party" hostels.

During the first week of my travels I stayed in Melbourne, and crashed with friends. While traveling alone outside of Melbourne, I chose {subjective to my ideals} cozier accommodations. 

One example would be my stay at Atlantic Byron Bay. This hotel sells a few shared rooms for the same rate as hostels, but is adorable and quiet. No late night disruptions. And my roomies were women just a bit older than myself. One from China studying yoga in the area. One from Germany on a two week vacation mostly involving reading. I absolutely loved this arrangement.

The choice on the surface seems simple. I either wanted to party or I didn't. Right? But I am also a person who enjoys recommendations and getting the inside scoop from those who have gone before me. This led me to discover opinions mostly pointing to one essential component of visiting Byron Bay; party hostels. 

I mauled over the decision for a few days. I scoured the internet reading hostel reviews. I asked more people's opinions. 

"Why am I struggling so much with this decision?" I asked myself. I was struggling because I wanted to go against the dominant advice. My being wanted nothing to do with the "party" hostel. My being wanted quiet. It wanted the beach, the sun, and the ocean. It wanted a massage. It wanted a novel and pen to paper. It wanted trail running, and flora and fauna.

My being wanted a glass of wine {or two} coupled with live music at the end of each relaxing day. For the record, I am not inherently opposed to evenings of debauchery. {Just ask my friends.} But for me on that trip at that moment; it wasn't the experience I was looking for. 

So I chose what I yearn to do more often. I honored my inner voice. I discovered a piece of myself. And I enjoyed every minute of it.

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I Did Not See Kangaroos in Australia...

{Australia Challenge Day 4}

...but I did fall in love with several animals. The photos below are from my Willing Workers On Organic Farmers (WOOF) experience. In future posts, I will discuss WOOFing in depth. But for now, enjoy photos of some adorable furry friends.

Barney!! My favorite animal friend of my entire Australia experience.

Unfortunately when I think of cows, I think of factory farms. Seeing them grazing in this beautiful setting filled me with joy!

 In love with this cat's memorizing deep yellow eyes.

Alpacas!!!
{enough said}

How crazy are those ram's horns?? I was delighted to have a fence between him and I.

Snack time!!! This adorable pup was lucky to have a pear drop from a tree.

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A Media Must Have...

{Australia Challenge Day 3}

In high school, despite my social tendencies, one could typically find me secluded in my room. Bedroom door shut, stereo on, and a stack of magazines at my side. Glamour and Rolling Stone were among my favorites. 

 When I went away to college my magazine stacks slowly disappeared.  My academic classes urged me to think critically about the world.  And I soon felt disillusioned about the way in which the media presented "information" and portrayed women.

Within the past year, magazines have made a resurgence in my life. My ottoman yields stacks of The Atlantic, Runner's World, and Yoga Journal.

And after my Australia travels, I've added one more magazine to the decor of my ottoman; Frankie Magazine. The narratives, art work, photography and cultural insights are fresh, fun, and original. If you've never had the pleasure of flipping through this publication check out the website, or try to find a local store selling this Aussie gem. 

What magazines are sitting on your ottoman these days? What magazines did you read as an adolescent? I would love to read your thoughts! Please leave your lovely comments below.

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Travel, Reading, & Book Club...

{Australia Challenge Day 2}

While traveling in Australia I read the Salinger classic, Franny and Zooey. The words pulled playfully at the corners of my mouth and moved me to put pen to paper. I saw Australia through an altered lens because this paperback was my traveling companion.

Last week my lovely book club ladies and I met to discuss Salinger's words. I was able to share and express all that I had kept to myself while seeking adventure. The evening was joyous. The flow of discussion moved seamlessly as the group showed academic engagement with the text. We chuckled at the characterization of the mother, dissected the obsession with the ego, and disagreed with SparkNotes concerning the interpretation of the ending. We also came to believe that the stories were relevant to the contemplative words of Howard Thurman:

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

What makes you come alive? I would love to hear your thoughts, so leave 

comments below!

image via.

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A Creative Block & Solving Problems.

Chinese Museum, Melbourne.
January 2012.

{Day 1}

I am three weeks removed from my Australian adventure. And with the passing days, my current case of writer's block only seems to intensify. To break myself free of my struggles to contribute to the written word, I am giving myself a blogging challenge. Hooray!

The Challenge:

For 26 days {the length of my travels}, I will continuously post reflections, photos, and insights from my trip on Underlined and Bold. With a little outside accountability, I hope to regain my sense of creativity with words, and rekindle my love of snapping photos. 

Do you ever experience writer's block? What strategies do you use to break away from it?

  I would love to hear your thoughts, so leave 

comments below!

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Twenty-Five.

My lovely Chicago friends who came out to celebrate! Thank you ladies!

I turned twenty-five while traveling in Australia. I celebrated. It was awesome.

My friends, a little over a week after my return, generously threw me another bash at one of my Chicago favorites. It was also awesome. 

And just what I needed. 

-

Confession Time: 

I feel as if I shouldn't complain, considering I've just come home from an amazing trip, but I'm going to do it anyway. My transition back home has been a bit rough. My sleeping patterns are completely out of whack (4 hours of sleep at night, long naps during the day or immediately after work), the figurative off button to my inner monologue is broken, and focus is fleeting. I have not pinpointed the exact causation for this difficult juncture, but it is here occupying my attention for the moment. 

 I know I will find my rhythm again soon. But I cannot resist feeling incredibly impatient, letting my inner critic win. Allowing pessimism and futile thoughts run rampant.

Then again, it maybe good that I am unable to find my old rhythm. What good is a trip to the other side of the world, if it doesn't shake you up a bit?

Today, I leave you with a quote I've been contemplating.

"Life should be lived on the edge of life. You have to exercise rebellion: to refuse to tape yourself to rules, to refuse your own success, to refuse to repeat yourself, to see every day, every year, every idea as a true challenge- and then you are going to live your life on a tightrope."

-Philippe Petit in Man on Wire

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A Weekend in Sorrento

The second weekend of my Australia travels was just for the ladies. My friend Ali {who I was visiting in Melbourne} was invited to her friend Biffy's family beach house in Sorrento. Lucky me, I was able to tag along. Ninety-degree heat, swimsuits, sun tan lotion, sand castles, my first proper fish and chips experience, bunk beds, giggles, a sunset among the rocks, and an evening of reliving my childhood via a viewing of Clueless {RIP Brittany Murphy} defined my time in this slow paced seaside town.

Below is a little glimpse of my time there. Enjoy!

Me, Ali, Laura, and Biffy
{left to right}

More photos and reflections from my time down under to come! So be sure to visit Underlined and Bold again soon.

If you missed my travel photos from my first week in Melbourne, Australia, click here.

map image via.

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