rediscovering inspiration

Hello loves! This first week at Penn has brought all kinds of new, exciting opportunities and some fabulous friendships. Most importantly, I finally finished James Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, as a quasi warm up for the Ulysses reading group Leah and I are joining. While certainly not an easy or quick read, this coming of age novel is certainly one to tackle if the mood ever strikes. Joyce's linguistic style changes as his character ascends through grades in a boarding school in Dublin, painting a shockingly realistic picture of the challenges faced by young men. Some seriously eye-opening stuff, especially for us women!

And alas, I have found myself feeling that I, too, have grown as the protagonist himself changes as his years pass. My time at Penn has been so, so different from freshman year. Emily and I are getting along fabulously, I've been spending lots of time with friends, and I've even re-met a certain friendboy who has continued to match my level of dorkiness. With my new single lifestyle, I'm making more time for me. I'm growing into my own, rediscovering what makes me tick, and am making deliberate decisions concerning whom and what I plan to include in my short time here at Penn. And, ladies, it feels good. I'm finally grabbing college by the reins and steering it exactly where I want to go. And discovering new and exciting forms of Truth all along the way.

Obligatory first day of school photo.
Outfit details: necklace, grandma's vintage. shirt, Nordstrom. shorts, Lacoste. belt, Peru. roommate, next door :)

The parentals and I at move-in. Please ignore the sweat from carrying up an entire truckload of stuff, aka food. Obviously.

Love and miss you all!

xo