My poem “Road Maps” was reprinted recently with Pittsburgh Poetry Houses. It was also featured both online and at Randyland, which is pretty much the coolest thing ever.
art
Best of Bogotá
My mom might not have been happy with the fact that I went to Colombia, but I sure was. Flights were so reasonable, and what else is a girl to do over a long holiday weekend?
On my first full day there, I set out to climb Monserrate, a mountain with sweeping views of the city. I don’t know what I was expecting, but the hike was tougher than I imagined. Fighting the rising heat, the altitude, and the physical exertion along with my pacemaker- I finally reached the top.
But maybe it took so long because I kept stopping at every turn to stare behind me. Look at these views! There was a church, several restaurants, and other shops at the top. You can also reach the peak by funicular, but if you can handle it, the hike is well worth it.
After heading back down, I wandered around Bogotá, exploring La Candelaria and surrounding neighborhoods.
The cathedral, capitol, Plaza de Bolivar, Museo del Oro, Silva Poetry House, Gabriel Garcia Márquez mural & museum, and many more were highlights throughout these narrow streets.
And I also stumbled into ALL THIS GORGEOUS ART.
No, really though…
The coffee, of course, was delicious. As was all the food (and mounds of chocolate) I tried!
As always, there is danger in any place. Please use precaution and be smart, especially when traveling solo. But don’t ever let fear of the unknown & stereotypes or opinions of others hold you back from experiencing life! The most wonderful things happen outside right outside your comfort zone.
Until next time,
The Launch
One day before my 27th birthday, I celebrated the release of my first chapbook, Next to Everything that is Breakable (Finishing Line Press 2017) at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
Over 50 of my friends, family, and colleagues came out to support me as I launched this chapbook into the world.
The author & the artist.
Books were for sale, as well as artwork by my dear friend Catherine (who also took the photograph on the cover of the book).
Catherine’s creations with my poems.
Around 2:30 p.m., people arrived to mingle and get refreshments. Shortly after 3 p.m. my mentor, Tess, welcomed the audience and introduced me.
Tess & I.
I became overcome with emotion as I looked around the room and thanked those that had helped me so much, for I knew without them this endeavor would not have been possible.
After the reading, I signed copies of books and spent precious, too-short moments with the guests- even my high school English teachers came!
It was an intense whirlwind of an event, but I’m thankful for how smoothly it went. Seeing the people I love come together to show their support for my passion was the highlight of my birthday weekend.
Check out some pictures below:
P.S. For those that were unable to make it to the launch party but would like a signed copy of the book, please message me!
The guest book!
Speechless in Sevilla
August 2013
I traveled to Sevilla only as a stopping point between my travels from Barcelona to Morocco. I was there less than 48 hours. But in the end, this city ended up capturing me entirely with its charm, breathtaking gardens, vast art and architecture, and surprisingly wonderful people.
Plaza de España, Torre del Oro, Palace of San Telmo
Teatro Lope de Vega, Plaze de España, streets in Sevilla
Metropol Parasol (Las Setas), Plaza de España
Sevilla Inn Backpacker’s (my hostel), outside La Giralda
More Plaza de España, La Giralda, Door of Pardon and Patio de los Naranjos,
Plaza de Triunfo, Se Renovo
Rio Guadalquivir
Snapshots of Sevilla, Spain.
One of the most breathtaking places I have ever seen, and where I met the most beautiful people. Fitting that it was on my mother’s birthday- God must have known I needed family when He made my path cross with these four. I can only chalk it up to fate.
25 and Comin’ Alive
I’m always a day late and a dollar short.
Just two weeks after turning 25, I am finally forging a path back to my childhood dream. With this blog, I hope to not only retrace my footsteps over five months of traveling in Europe, but also rediscover my voice as a writer.
It’s funny how thirteen-year-old me knew best all along, huh?
Since then, I’ve transferred colleges, broken up with boyfriends, had surgeries, gained a sister and a niece, crashed my car, built friendships that failed, found a soulmate, ate the weirdest sea creatures imaginable, drank absinthe, swam topless in the Mediterranean, cried in castles, jumped from mountains, and the whole time I drifted in and out of my first love- writing.
I received my B.A. in English from Westminster College in 2012 and moved to Pittsburgh, PA. After working for a year in a job that I increasingly became more unhappy at, I had my quarter-life crisis early and quit my job to travel. Now, two years later, From This Side of the Sun is the compilation of months and months of poetry, journal entries, pictures, and word vomit that expels every emotion I’ve ever felt.
Head over to my about me page so I can introduce myself further, or (for those who know me) refresh your memory on where I’ve been.
Can’t wait to catch up with you all!
from this side of the sun 