on this cool summer evening

i enjoyed the soft breeze while sharing a large combination pizza with my parents on the front steps of our home.

i first talked with my dad about various woodworking techniques and the sorts of machines you would need to carry them out. when my mom joined us, we discussed the tiny puppy that i cared for for a week before turning him over to his future owners... only to run away a few days later. eventually, my dad spoke the words i had been waiting for: "this feels just like we were back in vietnam."

i am happy to share any little moments with my parents that link them back to a time before they had to abandon their roots to jump on a boat headed for america, even if for a brief moment.

like any other 22 year old, i've had my share of ups and downs with my folks. and like all these same young adults, i know they can understand how much a rare little occurrence such as this would mean to me.

unbored at the boardwalk

i rode *this* particular theme park ride last night. it was the first time i’d ridden anything since high school and much like the many “first times” or “first time since”s that have presented themselves in my life these past few months, the sensation that comes with forfeiting complete control over everything you think or feel or touch for a minute is what i needed.

your body is forcefully being swooped at all angles in all directions, holding hands with gravity and shoving it around all at the same time. blood rushing through your head in mid air is an effective way to clear your mind. i will try to remember that :)

i also rode the ferris wheel for the first time ever! ferris wheel operators that allow your carriage to come to a hault at the top for an appropriately brief amount of time are kind, kind people.

(or at least their managers that force them to do that are.)

about two weeks ago, on a whim, i decided to cut my own hair for the first time

and ended up with an accidental mullet >_>