Why Knot {Explore}: Yosemite National Park

Are you ready for a ton of Yosemite photos? :)

We just got back from one of the places that means the most to me and I can't wait to share all that we did. You see, starting before I was born, my dad's side of the family has been going up to Yosemite every single year for 30 years!! The first year they didn't go (and now my sisters and I plus cousins are included) was when my grandpa passed away and then they started again but it subsided again with the passing of my grandma four years ago. My family and I have now gone the last 2 years and each time it feels like coming home.

 Yosemite Falls

 Bridal Veil falls- so much water!!!

 This is the tunnel view outlook! 

climbing down from Nevada Falls (behind us)

 Glacier Point- hi Half Dome!

 There's Nevada Falls again!

There are so many photos of my sisters and I as little kids and babies at these exact same spots. I'm so grateful that a place as beautiful as this is also as familiar as a second home. Also, what a diffrence from last year with how green it was and how much water was everywhere!! We stayed at Yosemite Lodge and you could hear the pounding of Yosemite falls in your room! 

On this trip we wanted to lie low a bit and not exhaust ourselves. We really wanted to soak in the atmosphere and pay homage to my Grandma Ginnie. The first evening of being in Yosemite she would always make homemade potato salad and grilled chicken with some homemade lemonade as well. We continued that tradition this time and my sister made my grandma's potato salad just right! We all sat around the table reminiscing and being grateful for the many, many years we have spent up there. 

As you walk around the valley floor and look up at the giant rocks surrounding you, it's easy to be humbled at what a giant and beautiful Earth we live on. There's truly nothing like it. If you haven't explored Yosemite yet, I highly recommend booking a trip. But act fast, everything fills up extremely quick!! (like, book the lodge a year ahead of time!)

Happy Monday!! 

I've still got a full week at home and I'm soaking it up prepping for my sister's graduation and my friends coming into town for Memorial Weekend!!  

Hey there!

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I FINISHED ONE YEAR OF GRAD SCHOOL!!!

I get three weeks off now and you best believe it will be spent doing absolutely nothing related to school. I'm headed home soon and just in time because Portland has allllll the rain headed it's way. Yesterday was the first time I had to do something outdoors-y in the pouring rain and it definitely wasn't pleasant. I participated in Wanderlust 108 and guys, if it's in your city, DO IT! So. Much. Fun. But running the 5K in the pouring rain meant I was soaking wet and my rain jacket can only take so much haha. 

I thought I'd round up some of my favorite things around the web as a celebration of sorts. I miss doing posts like this, so let's get started! 

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

1. Have any of ya heard of Grapefruit Seed Extract? Apparently it has all these amazing health benefits and I'm very tempted to try it. Have you tried it?

2. Brothers Osborne. I am absolutely obsessed with their song "Stay a Little Longer". Every time it comes on the radio I turn it all the way up and sing my absolute loudest. 

3. The Simplified Planner. Holy smokes I want one of these planners so bad. I just can't justify it!! Someone help me make a decision!

4. Hydro Flask. These are designed out of Bend, Oregon and they are all over the place here. I just got the light blue one and I swear I'm drinking more water than ever before. Maybe it's because of its pretty color? :)

5. The Anthro Costa Midi dress. I just bought this beauty as my last purchase of working for Anthropologie. It was fun while it lasted but this summer is about to be crazy with school and my new placement so I'm excited to have a little reprieve. But I can't wait to wear this dress all summer long. 

What are some things you're loving?

One Placement Done!

Thanks Ashley for the photo!

Yesterday was my final day of my first clinical practicum! I ended my last day celebrating with my supervisor and the preschool teachers and aides I worked with all semester and then hopping over the Columbia and to the east side to celebrate with friends. Driving over into Vancouver, WA twice a week, at first, seemed like a frustrating task and it turned into such a great experience. I loved my time working in an early intervention preschool and in an elementary school! But I am also glad to move on and experience a new placement now with a completely different population. 

Getting to experience placements in the community is one of my favorite things about my program. I am getting to see, first hand, what the real life of an SLP is like. Every semester we switch where we are placed and the type of location as well. I'm SO excited that my summer placement is in the city, walking distance from my apartment!! Yippee!

Also, I'm so glad that there are friends in my cohort who appreciate a proper celebration like I do. We decided to try out Produce Row and all loved it! Sit on the patio and order some of their happy hour drinks (from 4-7!) and yummy food. I ordered the whiskey ginger and it was delicious! We then drove more north and got churros at 180 Xurreria! GUYS. If you're in Portland you have to try out this little place. They make authentic Mexican xurros and they even have one stuffed with chocolate and other deliciousness. I got the chef's special, which was a cookie & creme covered churro. A-maz-ing.  

Happy Friday! I'm so excited for the weekend to start because my best friend, Monica, gets in late tonight and will be here till Thursday (!!!) and I have an Aphasia Workshop to attend tomorrow. Let the festivities begin!! 
What do you have going on?