This past weekend I went car camping and then on an overnight backpacking trip. I spent both of my nights wide eyed and very much awake in my tent by myself. For the first time. It was a great experience. My friends were a few feet away in their own tent, and at times I felt like hollering out at them to get the reassurance of life nearby. But I resisted. I resisted for a few reasons. The first is that I wanted to accomplish being in my tent completely by myself. Nobody else. Just me. And the second is that I was too scared to make noise. Seriously. I was convinced throughout the night that if I made noise I would be attracting attention to myself and that would be the opposite of my goal, which was of blending in, and ultimately, staying alive. I succeeded in sleeping alone and having a great weekend in the mountains with my friends.

I love camping. I love being uncomfortable. I love the appreciation it gives me for life. I love feeling like I'm going to die but having a smile on my face because I couldn't be happier dying that way. I love a good challenge. I love testing myself.

Which brings me to my next recent endeavor. I took my bike out for a long night ride for the first time and was in love. I enjoyed the feeling of independence it gave me. I liked navigating the roads and paths and how my legs felt so heavy at times but how I also couldn't slow down because I was experiencing such a high. Seeing the stars twinkle, feeling the wind on my skin, smelling everything from the beach bonfires to exhaust and pollution, hearing the gulls screech and being apart of the elements of life. It creates awareness of issues you may otherwise be unaware of as you drive down a road with the windows up blasting Katy Perry. It creates an acute awareness for everything aspect of your ride- traffic, weather, road/path conditions, debris, etc.

Maybe not everyone can afford to spare as much time as I can to enjoy nature and the outdoors, but everyone should be able to take the time, at the very least, to go on a walk outside. To look at the sky and smell the air. If you live in Southern California, be sure to do this after a rain and some strong winds so you can see the mountains and past the hazy smog in the sky. It makes a HUGE difference.

til next time,

Christina

 It's the feeling of getting YOURSELF somewhere. Of pushing your body to the limits. Of communicating with strangers on whichever path you choose to use. Of creating energy and using energy. Activity. Outdoors. Everybody should have , at the very least, a friendly dose of both.

Last week at Disneyland I was walking to Space Mountain when I came across a child playing in the gutter. Yes, the gutter. All I could think of was...this is the HAPPIEST place on EARTH and you're playing IN THE GUTTER?!

...whatever floats your boat, kid.

definition.

Found you weeping in the snow

Hark the bells are ringing

I won't let you go...