I figured it was high time that I introduced myself officially and let you get to know me a little bit!
If you're just finding me, my name is Caryn and I am originally from California! I moved here to Arizona after I felt that I had exhausted my growth potential in my home state. I felt directionless and frustrated with where my life was (or wasn't going) and had the strong impression to start a new chapter of life in Arizona.
I moved to Arizona only knowing one person and figured that this was a great time to re-invent myself and start some new momentum in my life! I eventually ended up meeting my now-husband on one of my worst days after moving to Arizona. It's funny because I came home and told my roommates that I had been asked on a date, but that I didn't think it was going to go anywhere .... famous last words!! The experience of meeting Landon helped remind me that on our darkest days, the light and hope always follows. And I'm incredibly grateful for that!
I have taken the long road to photography, but it has always been something that I have been interested in. For most of my teenage years, I requested a camera for Christmas, but my pre-requisites were quite different when I was younger! Back then, my only condition was that it fit in my pocket ..... now I worry about much more than that when selecting a camera!
Now that I have shared a little bit of my story, I want to share some of my favorite things with you! I think it's really important to take time to do things that refill our wells and these are 1o of the things that help me feel fulfilled!
Caryn's Top 10
1. Drawing: this is mainly a party trick I now pull out for distressed kids at church or airports, or cousins :). Once upon a time, I wanted to be a Disney Animator (like every other child who grew up watching the Renaissance of Disney movies). Whenever I do take the time to draw, it's very cathartic for me and helps settle my mind and soul.
2. Music: Music fills my soul like nothing else can. I am constantly discovering new music, listening to music throughout the day, and singing. My mom always said that she could tell I was having a good day because I would be singing. I currently have the great pleasure of performing with Millennial Choirs & Orchestras in their Grand Chorus. This is a great organization that spans from ages 4-100+ with a full symphonic orchestra. We have weekly rehearsals and it is typically one of the highlights of my week each and every week. I have included this link to the MCO website directly if you'd like to learn more. I have also included a Spotify playlist for you if you'd like to take a listen! I am always in search of new music! Do you have any current favorites?
3. Photography: I have always loved photos. When I look at photos, it takes me back to a moment in time and I relive it. I stinking love it. I have so many memories that I hold close to my heart and on hard days, I scroll through photos are remember the jokes, the places, and the joy! Which is your favorite photo of yourself?
4. Reading: I am a voracious reader. It's always been a problem. And when I say problem, I can finish quite a few books in one day. My family and I were on vacation once and I bought three brand new 300+ page books for the trip that I may have finished the first day of the trip which also may have resulted in another trip to the closest Barnes and Noble ...... My husband has recently been getting me into self-improvement books. We are currently reading Atomic Habits together and I am loving it! Don't hestiate to ask me about my other books I have been reading. What is your favorite book?
5. Date Nights: I never really dated most of my life. It was a completely foreign concept to me. My favorite part of my weekends are date nights with my husband. We are both so busy during the week working hard to make our dreams a reality, that we rarely see each other. Our date nights are when I get to fall in love with my handsome husband all over again ... and let me tell you I swoon every time! Please send any date night recommendations our way! We are always wanting to try new things! What's your go-to date night?
6. Greek food: So I am a sucker for good Greek food .... especially pita and hummus! My husband and I love how light and refreshing Greek food is. We love a good Mediterranean salad, gyros, and chicken kabobs with some yummy turmeric rice! I am ALWAYS in the mood for Greek food! What's your favorite restaurant?
7. Candles: My husband and I started a nightly ritual last winter and it included: hot chocolate, lighting a candle, catching up about our days, and then saying our prayers together as a couple. We have kept everything but the hot chocolate as we transitioned into summer and it really is the perfect way to wind down at night. We have tried a lot of candles in the last year and our favorite by far is the Flannel candle from Bath and Body Works! Is it just me or do you love candles too?
8. Sunsets: There is something so reverent to me about sunsets. Whenever I see a gorgeous sunset, I stop and just enjoy it as it unfolds. It brings peace to my day and helps me remember there is beauty in this world even on hard days. Something you should probably know about me is that I LOVE color. And the colors that regularly appear in sunsets hit me in all the feels. I love the gradation and the blend from one color to another that creates a beautiful painting in the sky. I think sunsets are a potent metaphor for the good things in life. The sunset shifts and changes constantly. We need to make sure we're enjoying every minute of it because eventually, the stars come out and the sunset's time to shine has past. Sunsets are always a reminder to me to not take any moment of life for granted. When do you feel the most peace throughout the day?
9. Cuddle Parties: At the end of a long day, there is nothing I want more than to hold my husband and my sweet puppy tight! In our house, typically every night ends in a cuddle party. We have the sweetest Schnoodle who also loves to cuddle. We have jokingly named these nightly sessions: Schnoodle Coodles. Schnoodle Coodles are some of my very favorite things and I always feel refilled after a good coodle session :). What rituals make your heart all melty?
10. My Faith: I have a deep understanding that God knows me personally. I also know that my greatest blessings are only by and through Him. I can celebrate each day because I get the chance to be better each and every day. What are ways you want to take the opportunity to improve tomorrow?
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