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Life

Dear February

March 2, 2018 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 13 comments
Dear February

Dear February,

You snowy little month, you. For such a short month, you always feel so long. But, you’ll go down in history as a good month in 2018, because you brought travels to a city I should have traveled to by now, but haven’t. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, though.

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

You started off with lots of puppy-sitting and the Super Bowl. I’ll be honest and say I wasn’t excited about Minneapolis hosting the Super Bowl because I knew it would create an inconvenience, but decided to join in some of the festivities and venture downtown the Friday before. It was fun to see my city celebrating and to see people from all over walking the streets, even if it was a bit cold that weekend!

(Your Restaurant to Guide to Minneapolis // Local Favorites)

[Tweet “Turn lemons into lemonade. When the festivities are inconvenient, join them!”]

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

Little One doesn’t enjoy hanging out with Tino, so she hung out with my parents while I was puppy sitting. After a strong of puppy sitting days I got some time with my little furball before I took off again.

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

And then, February, you brought a trip to a rainy New York! I had friends who were happy I have Mina, because it meant I had to return. 😂 New York has been on my bucket list for such a long time–I even have family there, so there’s really no reason I haven’t been there yet. I was so excited to explore a new city and one I have wanted to visit for so, so long!

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

I was there to attend VoxCon, which is a conference about honing your voice so that you can communicate a message and be heard. It was the first year of the conference and I really hope they do it again. I’ll go back! More on the conference will come later this month. One thing that I always find a little awkward at conferences (as a tried and true introvert) is networking, but this time I was determined to take advantage of opportunities to get to know people.

[Tweet “Take advantage of opportunities to network and make some new friends!”]

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

There were some really great speakers, including Donald Miller (discussed story structure), Jonathan Merritt (gave a beautiful speech on the power of language and words), and Mary Karr (talked about finding your voice) among many others.

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

And Jonathan Merritt and I are tattoo twins!

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

We had breakout sessions at The Alvin Ailey Dance School. The second photo is from our walk back one afternoon. Before I left for the conference people asked what I was hoping to get out of the conference and I always said, “I don’t know, I just know I have to be there.” And that was the truth. I really didn’t know much about it; even when I signed up. I just knew I had to make the investment in myself to attend. I had a gut feeling about it when I heard about it and that gut feeling was confirmed when I saw who some of the speakers were and that a portion of the proceeds would go to fund clean water initiatives in Flint, Michigan. (The lack of clean water in the world–and the US–can get me worked up.)

[Tweet “Invest in yourself, in your dreams, and in your future. You’re worth it.”]

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

I went with a friend and one of her friends, so we went to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum after the conference ended. Definitely a must! We ran into some other people from the conference while we were there.

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

We went out for drinks our last night and I taught my friend how to use Instagram & Instagram Stories the day they left.

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

I spent a few extra days in New York to spend time with my cousins. We went to the Cloisters to see the Unicorn Tapestries, but I wasn’t feeling well that day and it started to rain, so that was the end of our sight-seeing.

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

And on the day I came home from New York, my friend’s baby was born.

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

You were the month I officially became a hockey aunt! I’ll definitely go to more of my nephew’s hockey games next year. It was a lot of fun to see them play (and end up doing really well!), even with the element of danger. 😂

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

You didn’t have as much time as I would have liked for reading. I guess there are ebbs and flows in life. A little behind-the-scenes of this Instagram photo.

(Book Review // The Last Days of Oscar Wilde)

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

Tino’s a handsome fella. And speaking of Tino, you’re his birthday month! Valentino, aka Tino, was first in a litter born on Valentine’s Day.

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

And then you brought the snow.

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

After a roll in the snow.

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

As you came to an end I spent some time with friends, but felt bad about being out a couple of days in a row, so I took Mina over to hang out with my niece. Here’s her lunch box with her dinner, water bowl, and a few treats.

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

I took a break from a weekend of planned work to go out for drinks, food, and Black Panther. Have you seen it yet? My New York friend was there too and we were talking about in terms of Donald Miller’s talk on story structure after. 😂

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

February reflections: you started off with a bang with the Super Bowl in Minneapolis and a trip to a new city that's been on the travel bucket list for such a long time. Let's look back at the month and lessons learned through it. // dreams-etc.com

As you came to an end I finally pulled out the bandana I got for Mina. 💙💙💙

Goodbye, February! You were so long, but also so great!

[Tweet “Dear February. Lessons from reflections on the longest, I mean shortest, month of the year.”]

PS // In case you missed them:

>> Dear January
>> 14 Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day as a Single Lady (but you can do these things any time of year to enjoy your singlehood!)
>> I Am Enough (if you’re struggling with singlehood, read this)
>> Book Review // Girl Unknown by Karen Perry

 

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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I Am Enough
“Live it up, girl!”

13 comments

  1. Charlotte says:
    March 3, 2018 at 10:24 am

    I can’t believe I missed you while you were in NEW YORK!!! I’m SO SAD!! 🙁 I’m glad you had a wonderful action-packed trip though! Sounds as though the conference you went to was incredible (haven’t heard of it before, but will def look it up!). And good on you for investing in yourself! PS: your photos have been so impressive and beautiful 🙂 Love always the pups <3 especially in the snow! Cuteness.

    Sounds like you had a wonderful trip and awesome you went to the Cloisters (haven't been there since grade school field trip! GOOD LORD!) I'm sorry you were ill on that day though. Have a great weekend, Crystal! XO

    Reply
  2. Kristen Jones says:
    March 3, 2018 at 12:18 pm

    February looked like such a fun month for you! Your pups are SO cute!! February always feels so long for me, too! Here’s to a happy March!

    Reply
  3. Erica @ Coming up Roses says:
    March 3, 2018 at 3:31 pm

    Tattoo TRIPLETS – Count me in there, too!!!! 😉

    Reply
  4. Chelsie Carr says:
    March 3, 2018 at 10:32 pm

    You look like you had a great month – your pups look SO cute playing in the snow. This is the first year in a long time that it felt like February went by so fast for me!

    Reply
  5. Lisa says:
    March 4, 2018 at 10:58 am

    Looks like a fun and busy month. We saw Black Panther the other night, it was amazing. My dog would be jealous of the snow, we only got ice and she is a Great Pyrenees/Anatolian Shepherd so she loves snow.

    Reply
  6. kawtar says:
    March 5, 2018 at 11:22 am

    This post has such cosy vibes ^.^ Here’s to a better March!

    Reply
  7. Tami says:
    March 5, 2018 at 12:14 pm

    Looks like you had an awesome month! And your dogs are so adorable! <3

    Reply
  8. Beth Kondrick says:
    March 5, 2018 at 1:47 pm

    It looks like you had a pretty good month all things considered! I have never been to New York either and your pictures make me want to go! I’m glad it was a good time for you. And the puppy pictures. My heart. Both pups are so cute!!

    Reply
  9. shootingstarsmag says:
    March 5, 2018 at 7:13 pm

    Great month! I’m glad you were able to finally visit New York. I do love it there. That conference sounds wonderful.
    And I haven’t seen Black Panther yet but I really want to!

    -Lauren
    http://www.shootingstarsmag.net

    Reply
  10. Jenni L. says:
    March 6, 2018 at 10:56 pm

    What a busy, jam-packed month. It looks like you had a great time. I spent a few days in NYC as well!

    Reply
  11. Raina says:
    March 7, 2018 at 12:34 am

    Great photos and recap of your month! I really want to visit New York and the pictures look amazing. VoxCon sounds like such a great conference, too!

    Reply
  12. Candice Winter says:
    March 7, 2018 at 8:50 pm

    What a lovely snowy month you’ve had! I love NYC <3

    Reply
  13. Jessica Lynn says:
    March 8, 2018 at 7:49 am

    Oh, your pictures of New York City had me missing it like crazy. We used to visit every summer when I was younger, and it’s been literally years since I’ve been back. Sounds like Feb was pretty great—congrats on being a hockey aunt 😉

    Reply

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

I took these in early January when the snow still I took these in early January when the snow still felt a bit magical, but right now I’m just ready to walk barefoot in grass.

When I was younger I used to imagine what it would be like if we got so much snow that it would be piled high above our doors. I wondered if we’d be able to create tunnels in the snow to move around in.

And this year might just be the year we find out. I’m kidding, of course, but at this point I feel like we’ve been buried in snow. We’re even on track to beat some snow records I think (the amount of snow and the number of consecutive days with snow on the ground.

So. What’s the weather like where you are?
February was here and gone in the blink of an eye February was here and gone in the blink of an eye but contained moments I’ll carry with me forever.
When it’s almost halfway through February and yo When it’s almost halfway through February and you still haven’t posted January’s recap. January was filled with lots of family time. 💙
Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. “The water looks cold,” I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. 😂)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle tour with a stop at Thingvellir National Park. My fingers froze as I took these photos but it was worth it to capture this view. 😍 PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
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