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Life Lately // February

February 15, 2016February 16, 2016 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 9 comments
Life Lately // February

I’ve been feeling a little disconnected from the blog lately, so I wanted to sit down and have a little chat and get caught up.

Life Lately // dreams-etc.com

1 // I went to a writing class a little over a week ago. It was focused on the business side of things, but it was really informative and helpful. The best thing about it was being back at the literary center in Minneapolis. It just reminded me that I need to spend more time there. It’s refreshing and inspirational to spend time with other writers and a nice break from the day-to-day of life.

2 // After class I visited my friend in her studio, which is right by the literary center. I haven’t seen her for a long time and we used to meet for lunch once a week when we worked downtown (now neither one of us does), so it was nice to see her and catch up. She has recently discovered a love for water marbling and she was finishing up something that she was working on when I arrived, so I got to see her process. It was so much fun to watch her! It was really mesmerizing to see.

3 // Watching her in the studio took me back to my photography classes and how much I loved disappearing into the darkroom to develop photos. I always found it to be a really calming process–even when things weren’t always working out as I’d hoped. I think there’s a photography store nearby that has darkrooms that are available to be used. I’ve always wanted to look into that, so I might do that this summer.

4 // And since we’re still on the topic of creative things, the writing inspiration has definitely returned. I’ve talked about working on letting go of control and letting my natural writing/thought process do its thing, and since I’ve been working on that I have this itch to write again. I mean, it’s always been there, but more so now. It’s back to the point where sentences pop into my mind and I have to write them down, and my characters are a constant presence in my thoughts. And that feels good!

5 // I’ve been obsessed with podcasts these days. I’ll have to do a post to share my favorites soon. Of course there’s First Drafts, which I’m caught up on now and I also love Serial, but there are some others as well. I haven’t even listened to an audiobook yet this year, I’ve been so focused on podcasts. What are some of your favorites?

I think that’s all for me.

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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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9 comments

  1. Allie says:
    February 15, 2016 at 3:43 pm

    My husband was obsessed with the darkroom when he was in his photography program back in college. He could lost in there for hours. Glad to hear you got to reconnect with some things that you love. Everybody needs that now and again.

    Reply
  2. Esther | The Cuteness says:
    February 15, 2016 at 4:03 pm

    Sounds like you’ve been busy! I look for inspiriting in lots of different places too, I’m glad you’ve been inspired and you’re using it well. <3

    Reply
  3. Brianna L. George (@BriannaLGeorge) says:
    February 15, 2016 at 6:16 pm

    Yay for your inspiration kicking in. Being blocked creatively can be maddening! I have been thinking about starting a podcast, but am scared. I don’t want fear to stop me though.

    Reply
  4. Erin says:
    February 15, 2016 at 7:51 pm

    I love podcasts as well! I really get into blog and business ones. I haven’t listened to Serial yet, though obviously that’s on my list because of how many people have told me it’s a must-listen!

    Reply
  5. Mia says:
    February 15, 2016 at 8:59 pm

    I am so clueless about podcasts. I mean, I certainly know what they are, but I guess I just need to pick one and dive in, lol. I hear so much about Serial, so maybe I’ll start there.

    Glad to hear that your writing inspiration is back!! I bet that’s a wonderful feeling. xo

    Reply
  6. Emily says:
    February 15, 2016 at 9:24 pm

    That’s so cool that you took a writing class. I’d like to take some sort of creative class soon. I’m just now starting to get into podcasts myself, but I always struggle with whether I should listen to audiobooks or podcasts or YoutTube videos while doing things around the house. How do you choose? Have you listened to The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey? I love that one!

    Reply
  7. Jenny says:
    February 15, 2016 at 7:40 pm

    I am obsessed with podcasts too — mostly crime based ones like Serial and some social media and blogging related ones as well.

    xoxo, Jenny

    Reply
  8. Summer @ Coffee With Summer says:
    February 16, 2016 at 9:03 am

    Crystal, you should totally look into that this summer! How fun and like you said, relaxing. It’s a great way to indulge into creativity.

    Reply
  9. Taylor says:
    February 16, 2016 at 11:10 am

    I LOVED the first season of Serial!! I haven’t listened to season 2 yet!!

    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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