homesick.

 our college friends, otherwise known as "the 434" at our wedding June 2010

one of our best friends is marrying the love of his life today, and we are not there.

it's heartbreaking to have to type those words.

this is the third wedding we have missed due to our decision to move to Taiwan [one was before we even left]. one more we know of we'll miss for sure in march, two others currently pending dates to be set. we missed homecoming. we missed birthdays. we'll miss thanksgiving and christmas and new years. we'll miss my dad running the boston marathon. not to mention all the engagements and babies that have yet to be.

we knew we would miss these things when we decided to move. it was part of what made the decision one of the hardest we've ever faced. oh, but it still hurts. maybe even more so because this is something we have chosen.

there are other things we miss: our kittens, shopping at Wegman's, running at the canal, Buddy's gluten-free pizza, having a dishwasher... but by far, it's my people I am homesick for the most.

the next few months are going to be rough, missing all the holidays. I know I'll be fine. there are still plenty of things to be grateful for here. and I'm sure I'll be writing happier things tomorrow... but today in particular I'm just feeling mighty homesick.

friday five

once upon a time, I used to write down [and sometimes blog] five things every friday that I was thankful for that week. reasons to be happy about life, people who fill my love-cup, things that inspire me, or just moments from the week that made me smile. I think it’s a good way to remember the small things in life that make it good, and to be grateful for what I have. I've been feeling kinda funky lately [bad funk, not good funk] and I think that practicing a little gratitude may help.

so, I'm bringing back the friday five. feel free to join me and post your list or a link in the comments below.

1. this incredible short documentary starring one of my favorite photographers, Andria Lindquist. I love her work. and as a person she is incredible + inspirational + just plain awesome.
2. creating my own fonts. see that ^ up there? I wrote that. with my finger.
3. starting another attempt at the photo a day project.  mostly just for fun. you can follow along on instagram if you like, my name is @jamiethewalker
4. weather that's cool enough for open windows + snuggling in sweatshirts [even if it only lasted 2 days... back to 83F currently!]
5. this book. some of it was a bit cheesy, but I like the concepts of self-compassion, accepting imperfection, and "let go of who you think you're supposed to be and embrace who you are". things to aspire to.

happy weekend everyone!