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living an adventure-filled life

Hola! It's Erica

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Holidays + Gratitude

December 26, 2017 Erica Cook Carter
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Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, happy everything!

Phew! This holiday season has been a whirlwind. After passing Comps and graduating, I thought I'd have a ton of time to just unwind. Well, I've had more time, but not necessarily to stop to catch a breath. :P I'm finally back again, and this time feeling better than ever! Now I can continue to be a mediocre blogger but without the guilt of academic procrastination attached. ;)

 Here I am, clutching a bowl of "S'mores" Ben & Jerry's ice cream, protesting the end of Christmas. #LittleSantaHasTurnedHisBackInDisapproval #LessFattio #MoreCardio #ItsHardio #MyNYResolutionIsToNotGiveAShitAboutNYResolutions #IDontBelieveInThemAnyway

Here I am, clutching a bowl of "S'mores" Ben & Jerry's ice cream, protesting the end of Christmas. #LittleSantaHasTurnedHisBackInDisapproval #LessFattio #MoreCardio #ItsHardio #MyNYResolutionIsToNotGiveAShitAboutNYResolutions #IDontBelieveInThemAnyway

Instead, I'm sitting here with a bittersweet mixture of feelings of post-holiday blues and relief. Blues, because everyone knows I love Christmas an almost absurd amount (but there's no such thing as loving it too much anyway). I'm that annoying person you pretend you don't know who puts up the decorations early and takes them down late. Because one month is simply not long enough to celebrate Christmas, so kiss my ass and call it my protest. 💁🏼 To be honest though, a teeny tiny bit of me is weirdly relieved it's over, because let's be real, the holiday season can be pretty freaking crazy. I thought I'd avoid the stress that tends to come with it by ordering all the gifts online more than a month beforehand, but after losing a couple packages in the mail I realized holiday shopping stress, well, virtually unavoidable.

I realized something way more important, though. As I grow older, I really feel the spirit of Christmas in the quality time I get to spend with my family, and I find myself caring less and less about presents. In fact, I've realized that I cherish the cards more, as I've kept every single one. And every year that passes, I am overwhelmed with abounding g r a t i t u d e.

 A private, 2-person slumber party consisting of an air mattress, Netflix, and pizza in bed has become one of our favorite holiday traditions. Then again, we find ourselves doing this year-round. ;) What can I say - married life is cool.

A private, 2-person slumber party consisting of an air mattress, Netflix, and pizza in bed has become one of our favorite holiday traditions. Then again, we find ourselves doing this year-round. ;) What can I say - married life is cool.

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 This photo of Adam's little cousin strolling in Boulder, CO, totally makes me miss the snow, even though this Latina is not a fan of the cold! We miss our family there, and would love to maybe even live there someday!

This photo of Adam's little cousin strolling in Boulder, CO, totally makes me miss the snow, even though this Latina is not a fan of the cold! We miss our family there, and would love to maybe even live there someday!

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I love the holiday season for all that it signifies to me now:  a time of gratitude and contemplation. The biggest question floating around my head has been, "Why am I so blessed?" Blessed to have a home. Blessed to live in a safe place. Blessed to have had the privilege of education. Blessed to receive gifts on Christmas. Blessed to have food in my belly and extra stocked away. Blessed to have clean running water and electricity. Blessed to be loved. Blessed to be wanted. Blessed to breathe. Blessed to be here.

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My follow-up question is, "What did I ever do to deserve all of it?" The truth is, I've had this question for a while. I don't think I'll ever truly know the answer. Sometimes I feel guilty about the blessings that I have, especially around the holidays. I see loneliness and deep sadness and grief in so many of my therapy clients, their depression like grey clouds looming over them. I see numbness in some of them, too, and this is just as sad. This holiday season, my blessings grew, while some people wondered what it even feels like to wake up wanting to live. It feels unfair, but that is why I always, always must practice gratitude. I will never take what I have for granted.

 One of the first photos I took with my new Sony A6000 - but I'll get into that later! :)

One of the first photos I took with my new Sony A6000 - but I'll get into that later! :)

 

 

xo, E

 

 

 

 

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In 2017, Christmas, Family, Holidays, Life, Lifestyle, Memories, Personal, Reflections, Updates Tags holidays, photos, life, life update, christmas, life lessons, family, personal, thoughts, reflection
← Dear Restless SpiritBOO! →
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Hola! I'm Erica the twenty-something, and I live in a little harbor town with Adam the husband and Koda the dog. I reflect on things, rant about things, and basically do other things. Oh, and occasionally take pictures. Let's be friends!

Currently reflecting on: Intentional Living

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  • April 2018
    • Apr 13, 2018 Yo. Izza update.
  • January 2018
    • Jan 12, 2018 Dear Restless Spirit
  • December 2017
    • Dec 26, 2017 Holidays + Gratitude
  • November 2017
    • Nov 10, 2017 BOO!
    • Nov 7, 2017 Best. Email. Ever.
  • September 2017
    • Sep 13, 2017 COMPS: A Goodbye to Carefree Days, by: A Graduate Student Just Trying to F*cking Graduate
  • August 2017
    • Aug 7, 2017 Steadfast
  • June 2017
    • Jun 22, 2017 An Exciting Endeavor!
    • Jun 19, 2017 Monday Thoughts
    • Jun 9, 2017 10 Reasons Why Hayao Miyazaki is the Greatest Animator of All Time
    • Jun 2, 2017 Just Us
  • May 2017
    • May 31, 2017 A Special Somewhere
    • May 30, 2017 More Than Just a Dream
  • April 2017
    • Apr 17, 2017 Unapologetically Me
    • Apr 11, 2017 Welp.
  • March 2017
    • Mar 20, 2017 Settling In
  • February 2017
    • Feb 7, 2017 Year Two, Woo-hoo!
  • January 2017
    • Jan 6, 2017 A Letter to my Future Adopted Child
    • Jan 5, 2017 Hello 2017
    • Jan 2, 2017 Lola
  • December 2016
    • Dec 28, 2016 Merry Christmas!
    • Dec 19, 2016 Disney Birthday!
    • Dec 14, 2016 'Tis the Season
  • November 2016
    • Nov 29, 2016 Thankful. (+ Little Letters!)
    • Nov 4, 2016 Bye October!
  • October 2016
    • Oct 25, 2016 10 Ways to Better Connect with People
    • Oct 13, 2016 Dreaming and Wondering
    • Oct 6, 2016 The A-Z About Me
  • September 2016
    • Sep 29, 2016 An Overdue Update!
    • Sep 27, 2016 A SIGN OF LIFE.
    • Sep 13, 2016 Overwhelmed.
    • Sep 1, 2016 12 Tips + a Checklist for Worry-Free Travel
  • August 2016
    • Aug 24, 2016 Today's 20 Random Thoughts
    • Aug 22, 2016 What Does It Mean to Need Someone?
    • Aug 17, 2016 Clearwater Beach
    • Aug 12, 2016 Calm Before the Storm
    • Aug 8, 2016 It's the Little Things
    • Aug 7, 2016 5 Favorite Low-Budget Dates!
    • Aug 4, 2016 "The Wizard of Oz" Date Night!
  • May 2016
    • May 30, 2016 Life Lately
  • April 2016
    • Apr 7, 2016 Spring Cleaning
    • Apr 5, 2016 What Am I Doing Here?!
    • Apr 5, 2016 Cohabitation Virgins Unite
    • Apr 1, 2016 5 Wedding Do's and Don'ts
  • March 2016
    • Mar 31, 2016 A Tidbit on Weddings and Marriage
    • Mar 30, 2016 But FIRST!
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  • September 2014
    • Sep 30, 2014 A Dream Come True

LIFE

Dear U K 🇬🇧...I can’t wait to see you again in August! Your historic architecture, vintage treasures, beautiful countryside, stunning coastline, and so much more you have to offer...there’s no place quite like you. And I’m ready to be reacquainted.
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Perhaps @adamcarter2715 & I will even get in touch with some of our ancestry!
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Soon I’ll be strolling those London streets again. For now, I’ll just look at pretty photos and daydream about it. 🇬🇧 Photo taken by @a_ontheroad + edited by me for his editing challenge.
That’s my grandparents’ old album from their trip to Ireland way back, and my parents’ Ireland guidebook. And that England one is ours, newly purchased. 😉 Passion for travel runs in the fam 🌎
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See you in August, Ireland & England! We might fit in another destination once we’re over the pond...we shall see! 😁 #SeetheWorld #TraveltheWorld #Wanderlust
I think Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes is my favorite spot in Diagon Alley 😜 Perhaps because it humors my personality: fun and sassy and a little bit wacky. 💫✨🧙🏻‍♀️
On this #TravelTuesday, I’m daydreaming about our adventures abroad & particularly missing #Italy, especially #Florence. We’re planning our return because it’s one of those places that you simply can’t ever get enough of.
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Also, I realize I never shared my favorite photos from our time there a couple years ago...maybe I still will sometime because late is better than never, right? #wanderlust
#FBF Missing that summer glo... but have to admit I am enjoying these cooler Florida days. Sorry fellas up North 🙈 #FlashbackFriday #igotitfrommymama
How can I say "no" to this face?
Hint: I don't.
The chills, the warmth in the heart, the shortness of breath, the utter glee...☺️
...all feelings we #Potterheads can relate to when first gazing upon that familiar & comforting entrance.
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W e l c o m e  t o  H o g s m e a d e, where your magical dreams come alive. ✨🌙 ~Please respect the spell limits.~⚡️ #WizardingWorldofHarryPotter
This first photo is my favorite from the ones I took at #WomensMarch2017. (I didn't take the others, but badass kids with badass signs? HP references? Hermione power?! LOVE.) What an incredible experience it was to be amongst thousands of strangers who stood for equality & change. I will never forget it.
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I'm privileged to be surrounded by strong, resilient, independent, fierce, loving, & kind women in my life. They've helped shape me into the woman I am today. Ladies, you know who you are! YOU are QUEENS! 👑✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿
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I am so proud of you. I am so proud of us. I am so proud of what it means to be a woman. 💪🏼👑💃🏻👩‍👩‍👧‍👧👩‍👩‍👧‍👧👩‍👩‍👧‍👧 #GIRLPOWER #WomenEmpoweringWomen #MenSupportingWomen #InternationalWomensDay
#InternationalWomensDay2018
The BEST texts a woman could receive from a man after a long workday. I'm not lucky, I'm blessed. 🙌🏼 #LoveMeWantMeFeedMe #YouHaveAPizzaMyHeart #ProudLikeDrake #ItsTheLittleThings
Accio Firebolt!! 🔥⚡️
#Potterhead
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#HarryPotterFans: Would you rather fly on a...
✨Broomstick?
✨Hippogriff?
✨Dragon?
✨Flying motorcycle/car?
 

TRAVEL

A picture of beautiful V e n i c e for you 🌹 because it's been a while and I love that place 😘
Sorry I've been MIA. I've been focusing more on enjoying the moment in the here and now, and using my personal IG (@holaitserica). There was a time after our trip to Italy when I was really torn between the "What If" and the "What I Have". It soon became about "What I Want", which, if dwelled upon, can turn treacherous. I experienced what you might call an existential crisis, or what I call a "quarter-life crisis". I found myself wondering if I was becoming who I wanted to be, if I was meant to be where I was, in this place, in that point in time - here, or there? Could I be anywhere? Could I go everywhere? And where would I be at my ultimate happiness?
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Suddenly, I found myself slipping down the slippery slope of self-doubt. Try saying that five times fast. I had everything I had ever wanted, and I still wondered if there was more out there. Or, did I not have everything I wanted? Obviously, I was confused. I was basically living in oxymorons and contradictions, my friends.
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Then, one day, I had the realization that I was wrong. It was all wrong. All of it. And by all of it, I mean my thinking. My feelings were normal; of course I felt like traveling, I longed for far away places, I felt happy in vibrant, exciting times. And who wouldn't? That wasn't the point, though. I let those feelings dictate my thoughts. I assumed, "Well, since I really miss being anywhere else besides here right now, I must not really be happy here. I must not want to be here." Wrong. I thought, "I feel so sad and angry about this country's political situation, so bored with routine, so tired of the sameness." Wrong. No. You see, I realized this one night when I could've been gallivanting in Europe but instead I came home from work to a vase full of flowers on the dining table: I am allowed to feel whatever the f*ck I want to feel. Life will never be perfect. Life is no damn vacation. Life is not a stroll down the streets of Paris without a care in the world, with an immunity to the bullshit. Life is seeing the ordinary as another day to be grateful to be alive. Life is embracing where we are even when we wish we were somewhere else. I chose this life for a damn good reason. 🦋
Have you ever been somewhere where you'd wish you could get lost? We're lucky to be good paper map-readers and decent direction-followers, but in a way I secretly wish we weren't.
Our dreams took us there; mesmerized, we felt our appetite for wander only grow greater...but all we could do was keep dreaming of days like this.
We dreamt of sailing away into the great unknown; it was us versus the world.
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(Can you spot a famous landmark?)
Ah. I can finally breathe a little easier now that midterms are done with and I settled into my new position at work. I'm glad to be back. You see, you all are so lovely, and I love this lil' IG community.
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A lot has been on my mind lately. Sometimes I don't know if where I am where I'll always want to be. In fact, most nights I find myself lying awake and feeling restless because I wonder what it would be like to be somewhere else. It's not that I'm unhappy, no, and it has nothing to do with my marriage. It has to do with p l a c e. On days when I sit in my car, in traffic on the interstate for an hour, and the only view in front of me is a giant billboard or the occasional palm tree poking through the cement, I wonder. I daydream. And sometimes, I dwell. Before I know it, I'm standing on a hill in Polperro overlooking the Cornish coast, and a breeze sweeps through my hair. .
I snap back to reality before I miss my exit. I wonder how many more commutes I'll make before I fly away someday.
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I will be posting a reflection soon on my blog. (But you can check out other posts in the meantime!) Stay tuned. ☝🏼️
Hey guys! 👋🏼 Trip coming up soon? If so, check out my blog - I recently teamed up with SimpliSafe to bring you 12 worry-free travel tips ✈️ (plus a checklist)! Link in bio!
We arrived in Venice and were instantly captivated by it; it hadn't changed since the last time I had been there as a child. It pulled us into its narrow alleys, each one leading us on a different adventure around the maze on water. We fell under its spell instantly; we did not want to be found. ✨
Ready, set, VENICE!
Next stop: V E N E Z I A!
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We left the Stazione di Firenze Santa Maria Novella with adventure and excitement in our hearts, even to just be on the train! The train ride was nice on the way over. It was surprising how suddenly the landscape changed and we were on the City of Water (or also known as "The Floating City"). We were so excited as the train slowed to a stop...and couldn't wait to explore this beautiful city! Amazing photos to come ✨