on Coincidences .

Sometimes, things happen in just the right way that it just absolutely blows your mind. Coincidence? Maybe. A few weeks ago I just happened to have this one Twitter account pop up related to architecture, after I just happened to start spending more time on my architecture Twitter account. I happened to email a guy about maybe potentially working for / with him this summer. He works alone and didn't really have any open positions, but there happened to be an AIA function going on in his district that he just happened to invite me to that just happened to be that very week that I emailed him. He figured that at the very least that I would be able to gain some valuable contacts and maybe snag an interview. At the function I just happened to run into a guy named Richard, who happened to look at me and figure that I was a student, who happened to be looking for people to hire for the summer at the firm where he works. He happened to tell me to come in the next day for an interview, and I happened to have my résumé and portfolio all ready to go. I went up, interviewed, and this week, got a job offer. Is that a ridiculous number of coincidences or what? There is something special going on here. Whatever is at work, it's pretty awesome, and I'm eternally grateful.

As it turns out, I can't take the job because with the commute and the fact that they can't even match the current pay I'm getting, I just can't afford it. But man I would love the experience. However I know that not all hope is lost. As I've told my parents and other people, if I can just get myself in somewhere for an interview, I can get a job. All I need is to be given a chance. If there are any architects out there or if there is anyone that stumbles upon some opportunities or architects to connect with, definitely please let me know!

Completely unrelated to architecture, I'm up in Vermont this week on vacation. I'm playing some golf courses, enjoying good food, and creating some memories with my dad. We've been doing a golf trip for almost the past four years now; we missed a year in there somewhere, but we do try to do one when we can, and while I still have the work flexibility to do so. Yesterday we changed our tee time five different times (or I should say, my dad did... ridiculousness) to try to escape the rain. Eventually we just decided to go out at 1:30pm and hope for the best.

It rained for about the first three holes, and then was just cloudy, and by the end it was virtually sunny. It truly turned into a gorgeous day. Amazing how that really works out sometimes. I can't help but think that there was someone up there watching out for us... making sure that the clouds cleared for a few hours during the day so that we can build some memories.

That's all I've got for now, but I will definitely plan on writing a little more about Vermont and what it's like up here. It's a beautiful part of the country, just as much if not more so than I remember from the last time I visited.

God's Country .

In our busy lives it is far too often that we forget to 'stop and smell the roses.' Despite the cliché, it really is true. The daily rat-race to New York City, job schedules and daily workout routines, time spent with friends and rushed meals, who has time to go on leisurely walks or lay on the grass and turn clouds into creatures? Yet today driving on the highway, when you've been on the road for hours you can't help but notice the beauty in some areas.

Did you know that Vermont has some sort of ordinance that forbids billboards from being put up in the entire state? I feel like Vermont has a real similar feel to Oregon. Coming from suburban, overpopulated Jersey, all of a sudden you're on highway roads that take you through forests, mountains and the middle of nowhere towns. A random house here or there, a bridge and river create this magical woodlands oasis; who knew those even existed anymore?

As the sun set behind the mountains, the cloud cover softly rolled in and all you could see was the blurry waves of light from small towns and hotel signs in the distance. Out here, what you see is what you get -- pure natural beauty. No neon signs, no billboards, no airplane lights. You are out here with nature, more or less alone.

My mind takes me back to when I started reading "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau. While many might take one look at the verbiage in the book and bag it, I decided I wanted to try it -- of my own volition. That's right, I didn't even have to read it for school. I got through about half but the summer waned too quickly and soon I found myself with school around the corner. I returned it back to the library and haven't been back to it in almost a year but maybe it's time to pick it up again. Thoreau was on to something, something about having this own outdoor oasis where you can be you and no one else is privy to the things you discover about yourself.

There's something really special and really comforting about that. That as you discover things about yourself, you can either tell the world -- or hold it secret, locked up in your heart.

i miss .

I miss being able to do the little things. I miss creating matchbox car villages on the driveway with chalk. I miss getting face lunches from Mom, and learning how to ride a bike. I miss making towns in the sandbox, only to destroy it and build another one. I miss having Family Nights on Fridays, and doing things like going camping.

real life .

Recently some buddies and I have been trying to solidify our living situation for the next academic year. Living at the Reserve is easy enough, because I literally just pay my rent and that's about it. There's no bills (with the exception of electric, but Zach takes care of that and we all pay him back) which is so easy. So for next year, we're looking for a house -- like, a house house. Something that will be off campus, but not just in an apartment complex.