I wish summer wouldn't end, but also that it would.

This picture was taken outside of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. This summer has been amazing, but also very educational. I've gone on a few different vacations, and I've gotten to spend a lot of time with my family. I also got some experience working in a hospital as a patient transporter, but all of that is besides the point. This summer meant more to me than most people realize. My first year of college had many ups and downs. I struggled a lot personally. My first semester started off pretty horrible, but ended okay. My second semester started out great, but ended badly. My grades were surprisingly pretty average considering what I was going through at the time. I'd like to do better, and I plan to this year. I spent this summer focusing on myself, trying to learn how to be truly happy again. I took this time to understand and love who I am. I also had to learn to respect myself. I had to forgive myself for the mistakes I made in the past, and also forgive those who have hurt me to truly heal. I found that doing things that I love and that bring me true joy made me understand more of who I am. I just moved into my new apartment at school. Now I just have to wait a couple days for classes to begin. I'm hoping that all of the reflecting and healing I did over the summer continues through this year. I can't wait to see what my sophomore year of college holds.

I wish life was as peaceful as it is intricate, like this tree.

This picture was taken outside of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. It is absolutely beautiful there, and I would go back in a heartbeat. This tree sits peacefully on a porch looking out towards the gardens of the estate. While peaceful, it is intricate in the ways the vines wrap around the trunk in all different directions. Our lives tend to lead us towards many different paths causing us to get lost in ciaos and stress. I've recently been able to take a step back and get some perspective on my own life. No, it is most definitely not peaceful. It is very intricate, but I have come to a point where I am very happy with who I am. It is good to do things that make you happy, like taking this picture was for me. I had forgotten the amount of joy I feel when I capture something so breathtaking, even if it is only in my eyes. I don't know if anyone actually reads these posts, but if you are, do something today that makes you happy.

I wish summer would go by faster.

This was taken of the ceiling right when you walk into the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. I just got home from a vacation in Bryson City, NC. I loved it there. I would love to move there one day. It is absolutely gorgeous. I am home for the summer, and while I love being home, I just want to move back to school and start working on classes. I feel like I'm not doing anything really productive at home. I am supposed to be working, but for some reason my job I had lined up isn't really working out at the moment. I have no idea when I will be able to start my new job. Just thought I should post something since I was able to get some pictures taken on this vacation. Hope to post soon.