travel bucket-list: update #3

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

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Where? North, north, north. A small island in Canada. Near my home island, Newfoundland.
Why? It's the setting of my absolute favorite book/movie. It's the dreamy home of a fictional character whose spunk, imagination, and luster for life helped rear me from childhood into adulthood. Red-headed Anne Shirley captivated my heart once upon a time and settled there, reminding me to lift my chin, to write even when I have nothing to say, to be wild and untamed, and to hold out for my own Gilbert Blythe. I want to see the places that inspired her. Green Gables. White Way Delight. Lake of Shining Waters. The Haunted Woods. I want to stand on the sand dunes and feel the wind whip through my hair. Drink Raspberry Cordial in the warmth of the afternoon. Spread a blanket out on rolling pastures and burry my head in a book. Stand along the shore and peer out at the horizon while counting my blessings. I find a certain solace in that girl with the straw hat and strong will. I trust her. I think it's okay to trust a girl with a freckled face and unwavering belief in kindred spirits…don't you? I think it's okay to dream of stealing away to a place tucked away in the corner of a continent; a place put on the map by an author who saw a story and told it brilliantly and beautifully.

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rainy october

It's been raining for 6 days straight now. But I don't mind. 

Ben and I have been cutting our AC off, opening our door wide, pulling the screen shut, and listening to the drizzling rain as it starts and stops. Over and over again. The raindrops jump off the wood and occasionally, we'll watch leaves float to the wet ground. We get cozy on the couch with mugs of warm, spiced cider and then doze off to football games on TV. 

You are most loved at The Treehouse, sweet October. Thanks for the British weather as we ring in month 3 of marriage. 

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers" -- L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables 

summer 2013: "it's delightful when your imaginations come true, isn't it?"

This summer, one of my very biggest dreams came true. The same dream that echos in the hearts of every girl from about five years old onward. 

The opening scene of The Wedding Planner comes to mind-- a little girl donning a white veil is sitting in a sunlit room, surrounded by toys, with a Barbie and Ken also dressed up and ready for marriage. My sisters and I acted out that very same scene many times in our own barbie days. Weddings were the very best story line to play...we'd always beg my mom to buy us more ken dolls so more of our barbies could get married! I smile now....even then we knew that Barbie was better with Ken. I guess we had school-girl intuition that everyone desires to find a person who is willing to change their whole world and tailor it to yours, that single person who will sleep beside you, live beside you, and love no one besides you. 

It's just like the little girl from the movie says as she holds up the plastic bride & groom:

"From now on, he'll take care of you...and you'll take care of him. He'll make you big bologna sandwiches...and you'll buy him new socks and a white briefcase. And you'll live happily ever after. You're the luckiest girl in the world, Barbie."

On July 13, 2013, barbie matrimonies were long gone. I was the one wearing white. I was saying "yes" to a man who is tall, dark, and much more handsome than any ken doll. I had my own precious promises written in a mini molskine notebook and I was ready to declare them to the world. My overall vision for the day that first originated in my mind had been flushed out, sketched out, mapped out, and planned out. Every detail had been crafted. Every chandelier had been hung. The 7 month wedding planning journey was over and there I was, sitting in a salon chair getting my hair done by my talented sister, totally freaking out. I knew it was the beginning of a long, long day (as I had been told), but I knew it was also the beginning of much more. No, of everything. That day was when it ALL began. 

I need help from one of my most favorite books to summarize my point:

“But Anne with her elbows on the window sill, her soft cheek laid against her clasped hands, and her eyes filled with visions, looked out unheedingly across city roof and spire to that glorious dome of sunset sky and wove her dreams of a possible future from the golden tissue of youth's own optimism. All the Beyond was hers, with its possibilities lurking rosily in the oncoming years — each year a rose of promise to be woven into an immortal chaplet.” -- L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

My wedding day was the beginning of all my hopes, all my imaginations, all my plans, and all that God has promised to fulfill in my life! It was as if my story leading up to that point no longer mattered, suddenly everything that came after was much more exciting and enticing. I realized I am no longer out to be the great Destiny Morrow, but rather WE are out to be the great Rothwell Family. And all our goals and dreams are now shared. His are mine and mine are his. How amazing it is to have TWO people pushing you to become who you want, to pray like you should, to love like Christ loved, to cling to your passions, and dream up new, crazy dreams. So, taking a cue from my red-headed kindred spirit, I'm sitting with my chin in my palms, peering out the window of life, confident that all the beyond is ours. 

“All in all, it was a never-to-be-forgotten summer — one of those summers which come seldom into any life, but leave a rich heritage of beautiful memories in their going — one of those summers which, in a fortunate combination of delightful weather, delightful friends and delightful doing, come as near to perfection as anything can come in this world.” -- L.M. Montgomery, Anne's House of Dreams

travel bucket-list: update #2

 

 

JULIET'S BALCONY

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Where? Verona, Italy

Why? It is the designated site of the fictional scene between the most famous lovers of all time where Juliet profusely exclaims, "Romeo! Romeo! Wherefore art thou, Romeo?" I can only imagine the atmosphere surrounding Juliet's house that overlooks a small courtyard. Potent elements of magic, passion, and enchantment. For me, seeing this site would mean seeing my literary development come full-circle. I first read Romeo & Juliet in 9th grade English class. We had a student teacher from William & Mary named Ms. Hepp and her enthusiasm for literature was so contagious. It was while reading Romeo & Juliet that I first fell in love with English. I didn't necessarily know I wanted to pursue it at the time, but I loved the way tragedy and romance and jealousy and purity could all be expressed synonymously in one text. I remember our unit test had us write an argumentative essay about whether it was destined fate or merely immature obsession that drove the two protagonists of the play. Later, Ms. Hepp's comment on my graded assignment explained that her and I were the only true romantics of the class...apparently everyone else thought the lovers were crazy. I know visiting this place, this ancient balcony where starlight lit the scene of forbidden love, would stir my romantic beliefs of serendipity, and remind me of those first weeks when English became a part of me.

Romeo and Juliet, Royal Film Performance, 1968 (image credit)



crickets and rain

"I wish I could take pictures of sounds" Molly Hunter K. said with a sigh as she clutched her Nikon camera and followed me down the red brick path lined with lush greenery that stretched a few feet above our heads. We were on our way to our favorite spot in Colonial Williamsburg to enjoy the first moments of dawn. The drizzling rain provided the perfect morning mist while our feet splashed through shallow puddles that consisted of both rain and dew. Dancing raindrops bounced off the leaves of the trees before rhythmically falling and splashing onto our faces, and the crickets sang as if welcoming or maybe forbidding the rising sun. As light slowly and defiantly embraced the darkened sky, clicks from the shutter of Molly's camera seemed to echo among the vibrant hues of green -- forest, emerald, mint. The historic streets behind us were empty and quiet, allowing our soundtrack to occupy all space.

No, the pictures on Molly's camera definitely won't do this moment justice; they can't capture the melodies of the crickets or the drum of the rain.

As the rain came down harder, so did our laughter. Despite the dreary weather, which seemed to be straight out of an Austen novel (Marrianne, anyone?), or perhaps it was more Bronte-esque, we giggled with girlish bliss mixed with a bit of embarrassed shame...but just a fraction. Adolescents, still, no matter how hard life tried to make us grow up. "I wish our high school selves could see us," Molly said offhandedly with a touch of sarcasm. No doubt, our high school selves would never have anticipated we'd still be visiting the worn stairs covered in ivy five years later. I'm sure we thought we'd have much better things -- more sophicsticated things -- to do with our time. But here we were: hair soaked, umbrella ditched, black and white pictures galore, humming "Dawn" from the Pride & Prejudice motion picture soundtrack, and admiring cobwebs that shelved shimmering droplets of condensation. We really hadn't changed all that much, Molly and I. Sure, the topics of conversation shifted-- college, new relationships, missed opportunities, future dreams that suddenly (and dauntingly) seemed a lot closer. But us as girls? We were the same. Still as romantic as ever with a rather large flare for the dramatic.

Right now, I'm thankful that I'm 22. Young and free. Free to do these types of things -- by "things" I mean waiting for the sun to rise at 7am on a Monday -- and not being too caught up in apprehension or reputation.

all photos taken my Molly. Go visit her blog here. Go go go!

don't forget to listen for the crickets and rain in your own life....

travel bucket-list: update #1

BOX HILL

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Where? Surrey, 20 miles south of London

Why? It is the setting of one of the most famous scenes in Jane Austen's Emma. The site where Emma delivers her rude, impulsive, unfeeling insult to Miss Bates -- the poor old chatterbox. It is during Emma's proceeding scolding from Mr. Knightly that she has an epiphany about her character, resolving to rectify her naive, yet nonetheless silly mistakes. I like this place. It is known to be peaceful and serene. Emma must have loved it for a reason. And the hill must have given Austen some inspiration, as it is the backdrop of her heroine's moment of clarity. 

Maybe it could be the place for mine, too.

Emma, PBS Masterpiece, 2009 (image credit)

Life Lessons from Anne Shirley

Beautiful, smart, determined, witty, well-spoken, feisty, intuitive...Anne has it all. And we can learn so much from this beloved girl.

1. being dramatic is okay if you're elegant about it.

                                                   

2. if he gently touches your face and calls you, 'carrots', KEEP HIM.

3. laugh excessively with your best friend.

4. WRITE, even if the product is a bit shameful.

5. if you need to compete with someone in order to succeed, choose someone as cordial and forgiving as Gilbert Blythe.

6. allow older people to inspire you. 

"tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it"

 7. sometimes, you just gotta embrace that natural hair color.

8. find that romantic bridge and that handsome man in your own life.

9. consider happiness in terms of non-materialistic things.

"We are rich. We have sixteen years to our credit,
and we both have wonderful imaginations. We should be as happy as queens"

10. collect kindred spirits.

11. apologize with style.

12. find your paradise. 

13. fall in love reluctantly...enjoy it rather than rushing it.

14. memorize your favorite poems and quotes to recite when necessary. 

"There she weaves by night and day
A magic web with colors gay
She has heard a whisper say,
A curse is on her if she stay
To look down to Camelot."

15. have the perfect response ready when the man of your dreams tells you he loves you. 

G: it'll be 3 years before I graduate med school,
and even then there won't be any diamond sunbursts or marble halls.
A: I don't want sunbursts or marble halls; I just want you.

XO, 

Destiny 

a bend in the road

"my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road. I thought I could see along it for many a milestone. Now there is a bend in it. I don't know what lies around the bend, but I'm going to believe that the best does. It has a fascination of its own, that bend, Marilla. I wonder how the road beyond it goes--what there is of green glory and soft, checkered light and shadows--what new landscapes--what new beauties--what curves and hills and valleys further on." --- Anne of Green Gables

enamored with austen

I'm a lover of all things Jane Austen. Here are a few of my personal favorites...

this actor as Mr. Darcy (no one competes): 

this mug (I want it so badly):

the bonnets:

the dancing:

Mr. Darcy: Do you talk, as a rule, while dancing?
Elizabeth Bennet: No… No, I prefer to be unsociable and taciturn… Makes it all so much more enjoyable, don’t you think?

Marianne Dashwood's idea of love: 

TO LOVE IS TO BURN TO BE ON FIRE, ALL MADE OF PASSION, OF ADORATION, OF SACRIFICE!

 ---Sense & Sensibility

this lovely comic of Elizabeth Bennet: 

the disagreements between Emma Woodhouse and Mr. Knightly:

"badly done, Emma, badly done"

the famous Jane Austen silhouette:

the opening sentence of Pride & Prejudice (best of all-time):

IT IS A TRUTH UNIVERSALLY ACKNOWLEDGED, THAT A SINGLE MAN IN POSSESSION OF A GOOD FORTUNE MUST BE IN WANT OF A WIFE.

the rescue in Sense & Sensibility:

"there is nothing lost that may be found if sought..." 

this memoir:

this song from the Pride & Prejudice original soundtrack:

this quote from Persuasion:

I IMAGINED MYSELF INDIFFERENT TO HER WHEN I WAS ONLY ANGRY AND RESENTFUL.  I’M TOO LATE – TOO LATE I BEGAN TO UNDERSTAND MYSELF AND HER.  NEVER HAVE I MET HER EQUAL IN GOOD SENSE OR SWEETNESS OF CHARACTER. SHE’S PERFECTION ITSELF.  I’VE NEVER LOVED ANY BUT HER.

---Persuasion

the first summer day of many

It is 84 degrees outside.

I finally I have my summer plans figured out.

I just had my second meeting for my summer England trip.

I unpacked some of my summer clothes --- and then ached to go shop for tons more.

I just bought a new pair of black, strappy flat sandals.

Currently, I am sitting outside under the beautiful sunshine on the green lawn with some of my hallmates. Due to the perfection of the day, we decided to take advantage of it.

Yes, folks, summer is vastly approaching.

So, to commemorate the end of the semester and the start of a new, glorious season, I am posting my summer "lists."

SUMMER 2011 PLAYLIST

1. Wannabe -- Spice Girls (for my sisters, mostly)

2. Girls They Wanna Have Fun -- Greg Laswell (such a good cover)

3. Feeling a Moment -- Feeder

4. Hey, Soul Sister -- Train (because of Ben)

5. Cecilia -- Simon & Garfunkel

6. Young London -- Angels & Airwaves (reminds me of driving 90 down the interstate)

7. Forevermore -- Katie Herzig

8. I'm Only Me When I'm With You -- Taylor Swift

9. Island In The Sun -- Weezer (this always makes the list)

10. Nothing Left to Lose -- Needtobreathe

11. Overboard (feat. Jessica Jarrell) -- Justin Bieber (and pretty much anything j.biebs)

12. Save Me, San Francisco -- Train

13. You'll Ask For Me -- Tyler Hilton (another that one that will never be cut from the list)

14. Hey Jude -- The Beatles (reminds me of a sunset)

15. Take It Home -- The White Tie Affair

16. Weight of the World -- Chantel Kreviazuk

17. Shark In The Water -- VV Brown

18. Little Lies -- Dave Barnes

19. Kiss a Girl -- Keith Urban

20. Touch My Hand -- David Archuleta (another one dedicated to my sisters)

21. Love Today -- Mika

22. Here It Goes -- Jimmy Eat World

23. The Awakening -- Switchfoot

24. Come On, Come Out -- A Fine Frenzy

25. Open Your Eyes -- Andrew Belle (the perfect retrospective, end of the summer song)

SUMMMER 2011 FASHION:

1. multi-purpose black dress

2. african sundresses courtesy of my mama and dad

3. metallic sandals

4. bandanas worn in your hair

5. toms wedges

6. straw hats

7. tie-dye

8. homemade jeans-turned-shorts

9. crop tops with neon tanks worn underneath

SUMMER 2011 READING LIST:

1. Anne of Green Gables -- L. M. Montgomery

2. Pride & Prejudice -- Jane Austen (again)

3. Pillars of the Earth -- Ken Follett

4. Murder in the Cathedral -- T.S. Elliot

5. The Lucky One -- Nicholas Sparks (in preparation for Zac Efron)

6. Jane Eyre -- Charlotte Bronte

7. Little Women -- Louisa May Alcott

8. Emmanuel's Veins -- Ted Dekker (courtesy of big sis, taylor-lynn)

SUMMER 2011 TRAVEL:

1. Colorado Springs, Colorado

2. Cambridge, England

3. Wilmington, North Carolina (with my seeeesterss)

an ideal

In my Brit Lit class, we read a short story by James Joyce where the protagonist battles with the concept of life and death, only to find that the two are not so disconnected. Anyway, at one point in the story, he is watching his wife as they return to their hotel after a long, lively party, and he is overcome with memories of their marriage:

"he felt that they had escaped from their lives and duties, escaped from home and friends and run away together with wild and radiant hearts to a new adventure"

- James Joyce, The Dead

randoms:

1) I miss my nephew right now. He's getting big in Texas (no pun intended) and I can't witness it. It's such a bummer. I want to feel his little teeth come in, see him crawl, rock him to sleep, snuggle him.....:(

2) I have been listening to some super good music. I need to share:

- "Little House" Amanda Seyfried

- "Ride" Cary Brothers

- "Jar of Hearts" Christina Perri

- "Feel This (Love Fall Down)" Enation

- "From the Ground" Lisa Gungor

- "War Sweater" Wakey!Wakey!

- "Marathon" Tennis

- "Thistle and Weeds" Mumford & Sons

- "The Ocean" Mae

3) Tony Romo is engaged. This was life-altering news.

The fiancee (sob) is the sister of this fine gentleman:

maybe I should just "settle" and marry him to be in the family? psh...settle. 

3) Chace Crawford (above) makes me miss Gossip Girl...new episodes return next week!

4) I really love how my professor fooled our class today and presented us with both Dixie Chicks and Green Day lyrics and told us to analyze the "poems" simply by the context. She told us their true identities at the end of class. Productive strategy, I think.

5) my best friend will be in VIRGINIA in um, approximately 1 month. I'm ready for fresh adventures, inspiration, memories, and everyday LIFE with this girl -- without the looming plane ride back to washington state. IT'S ON, M!

6) I have to read this book for my "Justice in Literature" course which I'll take in CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND this summer. This looks like an enticing read. I'm reeeally excited. And the fact that we get to VISIT the cathedral in which the book takes place? glorious.

7) The Virginia Symphony is performing "Carmina Burana" tomorrow night at the ferg. I so desperately want to go, but alas, have no one to accompany me. Not many people want to sit through hours of ancient music, it turns out.

8) I'm still looking for a job. Until then, I'm staying busy with my sweet hallmates, t.v. series on dvd, reading for english classes, reading of friends' blogs, and.....wow, my life is pretty lame.

9) I have been discovering the most amazing truths and reminders in Proverbs these days. Definitely more to come on that. I'm engrossed in the Bible as of late!

10) Perogies. Noodles stuffed with a blend of cheese and mashed potatoes. Cook them in vegetable oil, fry up some onions, add a side of sour cream for dipping, and wham -- delicious heaven. I may or may not be googling how to make them homemade right now.

11) I watched this movie last week with my mom and brother, Landon (yes, he watched the whole thing) which came out in my birth year: 1989. I loved everything about it --- the characters, the passion, the soundtrack, the elegance. The romance of this movie targets your heart...and your tear ducts.

12) my dad will be in India for Superbowl sunday. The Superbowl simply isn't anything without my dad. I'm kind of lost on what to do. Is that pathetic?

13) b. rothwell went to minnesota over christmas and shopped at the Mall of America. He brought me home a "cowboy boot purse." It's the most genius thing -- recycling cowboy boots and using the leather for trendy purses. It's my new favorite accessory. He says it is for the "wannabe texan in me."