"your room smells like adventure"

aww, thanks Jen!

do you ever wonder how other people see you? do you ever think that maybe the person you see yourself as is entirely different from the person you show to the world? for a lot of people this may be true. often times we find ourselves putting off an image we think others want to see, but it's not really who we are! I'm guilty of it, and only recently discovered the flaw in this way of thinking. staying true to yourself (your beliefs, your pursuits, and even your sense of fashion) can be incredibly empowering. as individuals, we are all "individual" - unique, rare, and one of a kind!

as a twin I sometimes forget this. sure my sister and I technically share all the same biological traits, but who we are is also a product of our lives and experiences. over the last year I have had many new experiences, things I couldn't share with Jenny and had to experience on my own. while there were moments of uncertainty, anger, and frustration, I learned so much about the person I am (and also the person I don't want to be). I don't want to be someone who doesn't have time to enjoy life, to sit down and read a book, to go to the beach on a school day, or bask in the sun in the driveway. finding these small pleasures has helped me recognize the person I am (with or without my twin by my side).

so who am I? I am someone who likes to wear "grandpa pants" and dress in things completely inappropriate for Hawaii. I am someone who cares about the environment and holds empathy as an essential human trait. I will never be comfortable in tight fitting clothes and prefer to take risks with my outfits (high waisted shorts and all). I also deplore doing anything I'm not good at and will forever be a perfectionist. like it or not, this is me. and at the end of the day I'm the only person who has to like it.

when Jenny told me my room smelled like adventure she was telling me something. the images on the wall, the photos in the frames, and the books on the shelves are all products of my life and travels. I'm proud of what I've accomplished and how far I've come. but I know I couldn't have done it without Jenny. while we may be two different people, we are still twins. we share the same memories, and up until very recently the same life. even though I am on my own in Hawaii, I still have Jenny.

her sentiment reminds me that every day is an adventure and a chance to learn something new about yourself. so here's to adventure! may we all have the courage to dance like no one's watching :)