Differences Between 21s and 25s

1. Twenty-one year olds order double rum and coke, and accept whatever is poured into their cup. Twenty-five year olds order double captain and coke, and will accept nothing on a shelf lower than that.
2. Twenty-one year olds have a keggerator: an old refrigerator that is hooked up to drain a keg. Twenty-five year olds have a "keggerator": a nice wooden mini bar with drafts on top that can hold 4 different kinds of beer.
3. Twenty-one year olds clean when they have to. Twenty-five year olds clean because they enjoy living in a clean environment.
4. Twenty-one year olds own laptops, more convenient for being on the computer in bed, on the couch, or wherever else they are comfortable watching tv/eating/existing. Twenty-five year olds own a desktop, because checking your email is its own activity that exists in its own dimension.
5. Twenty-one year olds fill their wine glasses as full as possible, to consume as much as possible, and to avoid getting up to refill more than once or twice. Twenty-five year olds fill the wine glasses to the correct part of the glass (actually a different level for white wine and red wine) and enjoy the full cup before asking if any more wine is needed.
6. Twenty-one year olds decorate their houses with empty liquor bottles that they have successfully finished. Twenty-five year olds decorate their houses with full wine bottles that may be consumed at some point, but actually sit on the table as a centerpiece and not as a convenient way to set out alcohol.

If I could do it all over again

Today I received a letter from myself. Five years ago at a retreat we were all told to write a letter to ourselves that would be delivered to us at an undisclosed date. So here I am five years later, working for the same company that provided me with the leadership group I wrote the letter from, and on the surface it seems as though not much has changed. I am currently at home, affiliated with this non profit, and completely unsure of what the future holds. On the other hand, it is phenomenal to me how much has changed. I know that at one point I was that girl, but to relate to her is almost more difficult than it is to relate to the entirely separate people I come into contact with every day. I am thankful to see that I have not abandoned everything that I held close to me, but curious to know what 16 year old me would feel about 21 year old me. But I wish that I could let her know that despite it all, it turned out ok.

Today I wish I was

this girl


this girl


and this girl

so that i could let her know that one day she is going to make it to be this girl


not sure where she's headed but happy and with the right people to help her along the way.

And I wouldn't change a thing I'd walk right back through the rain back to every broken heart on the day that it was breakin and I'd relive all the years and be thankful for the tears I've cried with every stumbled step that led to you and got me here, right here.
-Rascal Flatts

Oops I did it again...

I let life catch up with me...and eventually overwhelm me. And I forgot what I wanted. And I still haven't slowed down.

This past week was "summer vacation." I spent it beginning my internship, registering/starting one of my classes, organizing my summer study schedule, working on things for all of my activities, and basically being regular old Emily. But what did I discover? That I don't want to be here for more than another year. Even if eventually I make it back to Gainesville, this place is not going to be able to hold me for much longer. And watching my friends leave reminded me that that is ok. There is so much world out there, and holding on to the things I love is always going to be difficult. So here are some of the places I want to remind myself that I wish I was...even if it's not until tomorrow.


The Medical University of South Carolina...earning my MHA.

and more importantly...

Charleston, SC


The beautiful beaches of Sarasota


Cape Town, South Africa...which I was supposed to land in today


Back with all of those who gave their lives so that I could have a land of my own...where some of my friends are currently


Climbing (tibet)

And most importantly...the place I return to consistently each year...

My favorite place of all

“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” – Jack Kerouac