THE JUAN I LOVE (and more!)

Sorry to be bugging you with photos of tropical paradise again, but 2014 kind of got in the way of my blue skies photo spamming, so here we are again! This time to talk about San Juan. Let me be your imaginary travel agent for a moment (It's my favorite role to play.) and advise you on what to do, where to go...etc. 

In other words, let me boss you around! Like I said, it's my specialty.

 ▲▲ Make sure you head to Del Morro (or excuse me Fort San Felipe del Morro,whatever. ) on your trip! We spent the morning there and there are lots of nooks and crannies to get lost in and killer ocean views from the roof. However, as we found out the roof is HIGHLY DANGEROUS so don't go there. What's the saying, do as I say not as I do? Something like that.

▲▲ After you are evicted from the roof (because with those views you'll want to move in.) wander through cat land to colorful Old San Juan. Obviously I am having way to much fun with the JUAN YOU LOVE pun, but you will love it. Pink houses, I was in heaven.

▲▲ Actually my favorite part was driving through the jungle-ly mountains. (mostly because there was AC.) My dad is king of finding random gems and we drove up this windy road and had a grand time (listening to mariachi band music no less!) Puerto Rico has no shortage of beautiful and interesting sights..!

▲▲ The square inch of beach we visited was probably the least impressive sight of our trip. And while I've heard that of gorgeous Puerto Rican beaches, the one we went to (an adventure in itself just getting there!) looked exactly like what we have here, so I was not too impressed. Better Luck next time PR!

Okay kids, that's all from sunny Puerto Rico. It was certainly good to go a different country (so to speak) and hopefully was good preparation for any other South American countries we travel too!

Goodbye and Good Riddance!

I find can find no better year recap idea, so to the lists we go! Three things I am thankful/grateful for/still confused about...

TRAVEL: Seriously guys,I love it so much. This year we have been so blessed and been able to travel all over (Portland, DC twice, NYC twice, Virginia twice, Chicago, Boston, Maine, Puerto Rico.) I know that this one is so cliche, but whatever, I'm cliche so I guess its okay.

GROWING UP: I felt like I aged a million years in 365 days. Of course, I'm still rocking the braces so from the outside you can't really tell. But I've been through a lot this year, and I feel like it's given me a different view of the world. Not necessarily better, just more realistic.

GRACE FILLED- This year was full of grace. I needed so much, and who am I kidding? I still do! The amount of grace I have been given this year is incredible, and in turn, I feel as if I am learning to give grace more freely, to myself and the people around me. Maybe I'm crazy! Either way, I need grace. LOTS of it.

(i lied, 4 things.)

GIVING THINGS A SHOT: Trying new things has NEVER been my forte, but I've gotten a bit more familiar with it this year. Between Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis and Drama I've had a whole slew of new experiences. And maybe I'm better at small things, like talking to someone new or carrying a conversation.

Anyway, there is that! 2013 was interesting, to say the least. And seriously, does anyone enjoy reading these posts other than me and my mother? Probably not. That being said, more recap posts to come! I know, you love me.

Pizza on Earth, Goodwill towards men!

Does posting on Christmas mean that I really don't have a life? Either way, MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope you had a magical day doing everything Christmasy, including celebrating JESUS. Some days I can't even believe how incredible the story is and all he has done for us. It's just so amazing.

The candle light service is always good (um, glow sticks, but whatevs.) A lot of crying babies and shuffling papers but a lot more people coming to know the Lord! We sang Love Came Down and even though I've heard it a ton, I've never really thought about it (typical for me. I'm trying!)

____________________________

 Love came down and 

rescued me,

Love came down and 

set me free,

I am Yours

Lord,

I'm forever Yours 

_________________________

Because of Christmas, we are free! Isn't that just the most beautiful thing? Free and saved and wrapped in Grace. THAT is what Christmas is all about...

Aaaaannnnd puppies in holiday dresses! Of course!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight! I'm off to go dream of sugarplums or bacon. One of the two. Cheers!

WHAT A KRYN WOULD WEAR

So, it has dawned on me that I like traveling. So I will write about it. Pointing out the obvious is my specialty!

Traveling is all sorts of fun, but dressing on trips (and doing hair, that's the worst!) is a pain. And that is coming from an experienced traveler. Please accept these tips as a sign of my love for clothes, new places and general nonsense.

TRY TO LOOK NICE, DUH.
I used to always wear shorts and an aero shirt and converse while traveling. And on a scale of one to homeless, it was not pretty. Now, I'm not saying I've been elevated to some fashion goddess, but I figured that since I was gonna look at these photos for THE REST OF MY LIFE, I might as well brush my hair and wear a shirt without stains. Aren't you proud of me!?

ALWAYS BRING A SWEATER!
This is so mandatory. Airplanes are like hormonal women, hot one minute and freezing the next. Thus, a sweater! It also acts as a blanket and a pillow and if need be, a tissue. Oh and also, wash it when you get home.

HAVE A LITTLE FUN
The fact is, you are in a new city or a new country AND YOU WILL NEVER SEE THESE PEOPLE AGAIN. Take great delight in that fact and bask in it's greatness; you can wear mismatching prints and colors and no one will care, or even notice. Thank goodness we have cities so we can be dorks once in a while. It's healthy for the soul.

My outfit, in case any of you are passionately curious
top: forever 21
jeans: old navy (first time wearing jeans in almost 8 months, mind you!)
shoes: jcp
necklace

And with that, I'm off! Can you guess where too?

#KRYNGOESPLACES

Good morning all! I'm here to inform you that it's Boston/Maine week here on the old blog. We took a trip this weekend and it was one of those trips that went by so fast but felt like years (in a good way! happy years!) I feel as though I won't find a humorous way to share my thoughts about the trip, mostly since my thoughts are like "GAHHH! MAINE IS MAGIC!" But maybe you find that humorous? Maybe read these at 2 in the morning, since everything is funnier then.

Even my blog posts, I hope!

Today, a video! But first, let me apologize for a few things....
-I got my hair cut! Of course, hair never looks how one wants while traveling, so please pretend you didn't notice.
 -And I really liked my shoes, apparently! Hope you do too, since you will see them about 90 times.
-My video making skills make our day look like a snooze-fest. I promise, it wasn't!
-the name is purely inspired by forgetfulness and laziness. I'm overflowing with fruit of the spirit, clearly!





It was a nice try! Someone please introduce me to a tripod, I feel as though we might really hit it off.

Northwest is best

Last weekend we went to Portland. Portland Oregon, which is about 18 million miles from where we live. And what does one take photos of when they travel 18 million miles, go to their cousins wedding and see family and such that they have not seen in at least 5 years?

Take cloud photos!

I seriously have about 80 cloud pictures and it's kind of sad isn't it? In their defense, they were rockin' clouds, but people are better! And weddings! I like weddings, but I guess not taking pictures of them?

On a side note, while visiting I had a very intense urge to pick blueberries. I don't even like blueberries though! Something about the nostalgia of it, I have no idea. However, my magical blueberry fest idea was quickly vetoed as traveling 18 million miles with 3 pounds of blueberries would really drain all the magic out of it.

It was so good to be back in the mountains and to see family and to not be sweating constantly. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO LIVE IN 70 DEGREE WEATHER. Amen.

Photo dump, you asked for it. Didn't you?

▲▲ Good news folks, I was the winner of the artsy photo contest held in the Boston airport! On an unrelated note, I was the only one in it. Landslide victory if you ask me!

 ▲▲ Corn Hole! My advice, try not to play at like 10:00 at night, you might not be so pumped with your results.

▲▲ You know, I used to really hate posting pictures of me that were less than fabulous. But now in my ripe old age I have realized that no matter what, I look like I imagine myself too, so what the heck! Of course, a little more awkward photo discretion might be appreciated by you, but feast your eyes on Cousin Katie and Cousin Kellyn. Seriously, all the good looking genes in this family went right over my head and into these girls. No fair. No fair AT ALL.

▲▲ A family photo! Or the best we've got. We are a bunch of weird munchkins.

And now my brother is off to college in the bestest state and I am starting school and summer is outta here. But it was a very nice adventure for the last weekend of bliss and things of that nature. Bliss is also not showering for a week, thank you very much.

Cheers to families and weddings and 18 million mile trips and cloud photos of course! It's been the greatest summer ever lived.

Last bit of summer.....

First, a walk down memory lane! As if, I could really forget what happened only 3 moths ago, but whatever. This summer was magic. Not perfect, mind you! It had it's ups and it had it's downs as any ones does, but the UPS were HIIIIIGH. (and vice versa.)

I come out of this season feeling so blessed and more than feeling, knowing that I am. In every situation where I was sure the world, or at least mine, was going to explode and vanish and whatnot. but it didn't, what do ya know!? Thank You Jesus, that's all I've got to say about that.

And also, I AM READY FOR YOU FALL COME AT ME BRO. Because Fall is a dude! Today, right now in my polka dot outfit and with the sun shining and the cicadas singing the songs of their people, I am ready for varsity volleyball and college classes and lord have mercy - drama. Oh course, I'll be a scared chicken in 2 seconds, but for now I'm gonna take this pride in stride.

I have a few things coming soon, but for now I'm off to take cloud pictures because I have like 5.8 seconds of summer left and I'm gonna put them to goooood use. Cheers!

xoxo, kryn

Humor me, it's a bloggy birthday!

 Hi blog, happy Anniversary! Although, I didn't know you were married!?

Seriously, why do we call it anniversary anyway? Did I unknowingly marry my blog the day I started it? Does that somehow make my blog...A BOY! Eeek, this is getting awkward!

So anyway, 3 summers ago I started my happy-go-dorky little blog and I love it to bacon bits and pieces. I've shared an obnoxious amounts of typos and embarrassing stories and somehow have managed to wrangle a reader or two to comment some. (thank you for sacrificing your sanity! I promise, I won't tell your friends!)

And I also promise that while I appear to not take things to seriously here on the blog, I do in real life.

Except when Justin Bieber songs come on. Then I just have to dance.

(and maple leaf rag! I was totally jigging in lego land once...and my thighs were jiggLING too! They know what's up!)

Although three years is mere and tiny, it seems ginormous to me, so since I like to give advice...three blogging tips for you for three equally odd blogging years from me!

BLOG BECAUSE YOU LOVE IT.
I used to try and do certain things because I thought people would think I was cooler. Now, I've totally given up on that. (Although, maybe it wouldn't hurt to try a l-i-t-t-l-e?) I find that I get more frustrated with myself and blogging and stuff in general when I'm worried about how many comments or yada yada. The biggest joy I get from blogging is going through my posts, so I totally base my posting on that. It's made it change a little, but in the end it's better to go with your blog gut.

Blogs are getting more human by the minute. What is this, cyber Star Trek?

I don't think that related at all.

INSPIRATION DOES NOT FALL FROM THE SKY
And what is inspiration anyway? A person, a photo, a feeling? If you do want to blog, YOU are going to have to blog. And not be so heavily inspired by someone that it's not really you anymore. Inspiration is like a snowball, once it starts, it keeps getting bigger and bigger. So take it in stride and spend time coming up with posts, ideas and so on. They won't fall from the sky.

FIND YOUR STYLE
I seriously think I spent the first 2 years of blogging finding my style, and I've only recently found it and began to hone in on it. If you haven't figured out your groove yet, you will. Just give it time and keep plugging along - even when it's rough!

Oh, and what's this? A bonus tip!

DANCE AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE.
Especially to cheesy music.

But really, what would this blog be without you? NOTHING! So thank you for reading and commenting and making my day, like, all the time. You are the bestest of the cat's pajamas. Maybe even footie pajamas.

Mucho love to you and another fab year of blogging, however many typos that may entail!

New York, New York

New York is just one of those cities that makes you bubble for no particular reason. Other than wildly amazing flowers and the rad skyline, of course. We hit New York this past weekend and walked a ridiculous amount and saw all kinds of crazy good things. And also some equally weird things, but that's the city for ya! I tell ya, I can't get enough of this going new places. It's quite invigorating!

Just like watching House Hunters! Nothing gets your blood pumping like a case of "This one has the fab pool, but that one has the postcard view!"

Somehow, all conversations lead to House Hunters.

Anyway, this is probably the first of many New York posts, so prepare yourself for the feet pictures and city pictures and the pictures of me looking like I would rather be swimming with alligators than having my picture taken. Sometimes seeing a photo of yourself is the worst form of torture.

Other than missing an episode of House Hunters, of course.

A day in Chicago Town

I would like to start this by saying that when you read the title, you MUST pronounce Chicago correctly. Well, actually, you must pronounce it the way I say it, and we can debate about correctness later. Basically, it's "CHICK-AGO". Really stress the O guys. And southerners, don't feel left out! If Georgia is your home, "SHICK-AGO" is your game.

Now, proceed to read about Chick-ago. And say Chick-ago a few more times, because it's fun!

 Up and at 'em for an earrrrlllyyy morning!

Okay fine.

It was 10:30! But still! A traveler needs her beauty sleep. And plus it was freezing outside, so staying in a warm cozy bed seemed way more attractive.

Then we went shopping!

And then I was broke!

Chicago does do beautiful things, no?

My favorite thing about traveling to different cities is that I know no one there, so therefore I can act like a dork and no one will remember! It's bliss! No more shame as I trip on the sidewalk, no more embarrassment as I have food dripping down my chin. Cities don't care! That being said, I do think Chicago has kind of an "I'm spying on you!" attitude. Get with the program, Chicago, you ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO CARE!"

I think I will end this conversation between me and Chicago. I always like to have the last word.

Oh hey, it's me! Oh hey, it was also 40 degrees and I was in a mini skirt! Now Grandma, don't worry, I wasn't really. But I might as well have been naked because I would probably have been an ice cube either way.

Like I said, cities don't care.

To end our blissful day we went to THE BEAN. I mean, it's a bean! In Chicago! At sunset?! What is not to love!? It was magical....and freezing. But I digress.

After beaning it up, we walked a few more blocks to check out the art museum. There was a gala going on so lots of ladies in formal evening gowns and men driving BMWs. I totally fit right in....except I was wearing all Target. Practially Oscar de La Renta for the middle class! YEEAH!

Our last stop was Navy Pier, mostly to re-live my Vera Bradley Dreams and pretend I was
Liz on Location since that's about all I did in the 13th year of my life. And then we went to our happy hotel to watch sponge bob and eat applesauce.

duh.

Happy Adventuring to you - and you can see my last trip to Chicago HERE. (PS: No celebrity sightings this time though...next time? It's on.)

Spring and Sparkle

  

I'm so, so, so close to being ready to blog again. Sometimes,you're just not ready for things? I promise, soon and very soon. I really don't want to join  in with the bloggers and sing the chorus of spring, but really? SPRINGGGGG IS HEREEE!!! 

It's kind of hard to convey singing via typing. But you, you get it. 

Right?

________________________________

“Sometimes I need
only to stand
wherever I am
to be blessed.”
― Mary Oliver,

________________________________

It's a good day to be alive.

Yesterday was a generally nice day to be alive. Not alive as in living and breathing but alive as in actually having a life other than yoga pants and pinterest.

I digress.


Our day involved going deep into nature, walking the pups, watching people work and not participating (unfortunately,  I enjoyed that), eating ruffles and macaroons and coming home to eat more bread and cheese and watch good TV. Pretty presh, no?

Unfortunately, our lovely day ended on a sour note. I have this odd/unfortunate habit of  mindlessly picking my eyebrows. We were watching monk and behold, my left eyebrow vanished. Really, it did. But I guess if you have to ruin a very nice day, an elusive eyebrow is the way to do  it.




How has your weekend been?