Christmas is coming...and birthday is coming.

I know this seems a bit ridiculous...but as Christmas approaches and friends and family ask me what I would like for Christmas...I would like to say that I am still in need of the following items for my adventure of hiking and would love my Christmas/birthday presents that anyone was wanting to give me to be helping me in my quest to acquire all the gear I need. So anyone still interested or trekking alone with my adventure...

Things left to purchase:

1) Wool socks
2) Neck warmer thing
3) Sock liners
4) Sleeping pad
5) Water filter
6) UV water filter pen
7) Lots of food
8) Gortex rain jacket
9) Gloves?
10) Hiking skirt?


It's crazy how much stuff I have and how much stuff there is still left to buy.

Being alone is not good.

So I thought that I was lonely when I was in Nashville...and then I moved to Williamsburg...most days I only interact with my parents and some people I serve and some of the people I work with...but other then my conversations with my parents...these interactions are short and unmeaningful...on some days I really just sit at home alone...watching documentaries about cults and drinking tea...I don't talk to anyone...


I know that this is not good because the more alone I am the more annoyed I get at people and their quirks...I get annoyed so easily because I am so selfish...the more I am alone the more I want things my way cause that is what I am used to...


I need community because without it I just become a grumpy old lady who is angry when school kids put their feet on my grass...


Sometimes I don't want people...I need them though.


I am really lonely. I really miss my friends...this is going to be a long journey...and it is going to be a really hard one...


I start my full time job this coming Monday...Red Lobster is probably going to let me work with them still...I hope I can still pick up some other part time jobs...


I joined the YMCA and have been lifting weights and swimming.


I don't know how to be alone...and after this journey...I don't want to be alone again.


That's all for now...


...also I just realized that Donald Miller talks about this concept and need of community in Blue Like Jazz...he was right...and I am doomed to selfish grumpiness unless I make some changes...but I don't see what can change for a few months...


it's a good read. You should read it...



The end.

Weekend Bliss...ters.

Hey everyone!!!

   So I got to get out on the trail last weekend for a couple of solo hiking days!!! It was amazing! 

I hiked about 3 miles of Friday night and set up camp in this beautiful fielded area on the top of a mountain range. I made some dinner there and enjoyed reading a little bit of 1984. (I am still in debate on whether I want to bring books on my hike or not...I didn't journal but I haven't been journaling for a while now...need to get on that). I didn't sleep very well the first night because of the wind...and kept waking up from dreams of bears being outside my tent or a man crawling in my tent...no zombie nightmares...I think I finally kicked that fear!!! But waking up in the morning and seeing the view and knowing that my day consisted of just hiking...wow it was a great day!!! 

Saturday I hiked near 11 miles...I filled up my water at a stream and ran into a couple who wanted to give me a trail name. I had been debating whether I wanted one...to be honest I do not want one...but I think it is a cultural thing I need to do! For the most part I was alone and fighting with myself to keep hiking on. I hiked past the planned camping spot cause I wanted to make sure I was going to make it back to the pick up spot on time Sunday...man I have never wanted to stop walking so badly in my life...but it was the best feeling to keep going! I finally set up camp (not sure it was a legal camping spot so I made dinner so fast and then crawled into my tent!!) I realized that night I did not like the book 1984 and that it is very hard to try to start getting ready for bed at 6!! Haha I didn't sleep that well either mostly cause it was cold and there was a tree creaking very close to me I imagined falling on me in my sleep hahaha! 

Sunday morning I woke up and broke camp in the coldest weather yet!!! I was freezing!! Too cold to bother with breakfast so after I packed up I just munched on a power bar while I walked...turned out I was only a mile away from my pick up spot...and then it was all over...I got in the car and drove back to Williamsburg to go to work...

sooo...turns out when you are carrying your pack that weighs over 40 pounds you will be more sore then you could ever imagine. I am still super sore even a week later! It is a wonderful experience! 

I realized that this is going to be a really hard and challenging adventure...but do I still want it?! YES!!!!!!

Just getting to focus only on hiking, eating, finding water, and finding a place to camp...well it is just what I need...I am more excited then ever...and more aware of what I am getting myself into...

Also as far as how much I have been able to save...well that answer is 0...my car has been having issues and I have now had to get 300 dollar health insurance and pay a ton of money for a chiropractor...I am feeling super discouraged and angry to be honest.

BUT I FINALLY GOT A FULL TIME JOB!!!! I am going to be working in a call center...and either working at J Crew part time or Red Lobster part time! Fingers crossed!!!!

I have started making stationary to try and start selling to raise some money...

Things I am learning that I need to give up:

1) Spending money on stupid small things like candy or drinks or what not...no more eating out

2) I have to give up something now if I want to be able to hike and I need to be serious about it now

3) Dating right now does not work...

ENJOY SOME PICTURES OF MY WEEKEND!!!