solitasolis

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jugglingdaisies on ig

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went hiking today and it was so beautiful

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https://www.instagram.com/p/B6dRgGUhgs6/?igshid=1p26feqymy97g

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sunrise at the falls

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Sherwood Forest (Nottingham) — looking like a daydream.

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Mother Nature is my Homegirl // august 30, 2019 This morning I woke up and really wanted to spend time outside before it got too hot! I went to a local hiking spot but I went on a new trail I never been on. I really liked it. I saw a lot of cool trees. Its been really dry here lately, usually things are more green in the spring. But I did see a little bit of the beautiful fall leaves. Fall is my favorite season! The green plants in the picture are mostly near the river. Unfortunately I had to cut this hike short because it was getting too hot but before I headed back out I sat on a rock and listened to the wind blow in the trees. I treated myself to my first official pumpkin drink of the season on my way home. I brought in my reusable cup and straw and ordered the pumpkin cold brew with cold foam. It was delish! 

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New Delhi and Agra, India, February 2019

This was my first big solo trip. My first time being so far away from my home in California. It changed my life.

People always warn women against traveling alone. People told me I was crazy, that India was too dangerous, everything like that.  I knew I wanted to go no matter how scared I was. And I was really scared, excited, and nervous. 

Women face oppression everywhere you go. Crime is everywhere, bad people are everywhere. But heres the twist: Good people are everywhere too. 

I’ll give you an example. I was wandering around Agra by myself. I had spent the day looking at local shops and drinking Lassi. It was starting to get dark, my phone was dying, and I couldn’t find someone who spoke English. I told my hotel I would be back by a certain time, but I had wandered away from the area I told them I would be. I was lost.  I tried talking to a few of the Tuk Tuk drivers around. Tuk Tuks are the little yellow and green golf cart type things in the picture above. I had no luck. Nobody knew where I was trying to go. I showed them my hotel business card and still they would say no. I couldn’t understand them and they couldn’t understand me. I was scared. I made a mental list of my options.  1. Cry and think of every single negative scenario that could happen.  2. Go into one of the more tourist centered stores and ask them to call me a taxi. This area I was in was where local Indians go to get their everyday clothes and groceries. The shops were all little hole in the wall family businesses. I would have to walk a ways to find a touristy area that caters to Americans. It was my only option.

I started walking in whatever direction looked right at the time. As I was walking I kept telling myself “I’m going to be okay, God protects me, Stay positive” which is my affirmation I have been repeating to myself since I was 7. Suddenly a man came up to me from across the street and said to me in clear, perfect English, “do you need help?” He wore a light blue colored shirt and had a leather messenger bag across his body. Usually when men talk to me I ignore them or politely decline conversation. But it was already dark and I was desperate. I told him my situation and he flagged down a Tuk Tuk driver, told the driver where to take me in Hindi, and sent me on my way. Before I left I shook his hand. I thanked him and asked him what his name was.  So now I’m in the Tuk Tuk, relieved but also slightly nervous because this Tuk Tuk could be taking me anywhere, really. But I pushed that thought away and safely made it to my hotel. I learned a lot of things that day. 1. Always bring a portable phone charger. 2. Be prepared for bad things to happen, but don’t dwell in negativity.  3. There will always be someone there to help you when you feel helpless.  This is just one example of the many amazing, good people I had the honor of meeting during my travels. Unfortunately, I forgot the mans name that helped me. But I remember his face vividly and pray for him always.  When traveling solo be smart, be prepared, and be positive.  If you are looking for the negative you will find it. If you are looking for the positive, you will find it. Or it might find you. 

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I wanted to share some pictures of my favorite place. My home away from home. My mom and I go to this place a lot. We walk around and look for butterflies and bees. The flowers here are so beautiful. We sit in front of the chicken coop for a little bit. All seven chickens are busy giving themselves dust baths. We circle around the feild and sit by the river for a few minutes. After that we make our way to the giftshop. Candles, tea towels and ceramic dishes are covering the wooden shelves. Nature sounds play from a little CD player in the corner. We make sure to say goodbye to the cats that live here before we leave. We do this several times a month. This place is so special to me. That is our place.

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Special  // September 14, 2019 Something that I have been trying to do lately is to make little everyday things special. I’ve been practicing this by eating without any distractions, using my favorite mug, bowl, or plate, and eating outside. I love to watch the birds in the morning while I drink my warm tea. Pumpkin is one of my favorite things and I was so excited when these Perfect Bars were released. I sat down with my favorite flavor protein bar, my cup of tea in my favorite mug, and watched the hummingbirds come to my feeder. Making little everyday things special is one of the ways that has helped me be present, peaceful and calm. Create rituals and habits that make something you do every day special instead of boring and mundane. Make things enjoyable and special for yourself for no reason other than it makes you happy. 

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garden in the city // september 25, 2019

My sister took me to this beautiful garden and plant sanctuary when I went to visit her. The pic of me on the bench was a little garden that someone built around the sidewalk. We accidentally found this one on our way to breakfast. The plants were so green and bright. You can tell that someone takes good care of them. It was a nice little surprise to find that garden in a busy city. After breakfast we went to a park that focuses on native plants. We walked around, hiked up a hill, and saved an injured bee. My sister was able to show me the hard work she does in this garden. Local parks are important in every community. They provide a place to look at nature close by and are home to animals, bugs, and birds! You don’t need to go far to be in nature!

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Some cows I saw on a hike 🌿

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First Autumn Rain // September 26, 2019 We got the first little bit of rain this morning! My plants really loved it! I loved waking up to the rain and hearing my wind chimes. I just sat at my kitchen table while I ate my oatmeal and listened.  I wish it rained more! 

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Flowers // October 5, 2019

Being outside is the best way to spend a weekend. This weekend I took my mom and my sister to my favorite little place. We saw some beautiful flowers and pumpkins! I hope you are able to find a special place outside that you can be with the trees. Maybe when you find that place you can share it with family and friends.

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Autumn Leaves // October 7, 2019

I took a little trip to see the leaves changing this year. Here are a few trees that stood out to me. I love trees and all their different seasons. They are constantly working hard for us. Trees stand tall through the changing seasons. They teach us to accept change and let go. They do so much for us and we take it for granted. Don’t forget to thank a tree today!

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i got to spend some time with these beautiful flowers recently. quarantine forces me to explore local parks and rediscover the beautiful things i have so close to home. i hope you’re taking care of yourself. wear a mask!