Hey everyone! I just wanted to wish you all a happy 4th of July, as well as provide you all with just a couple of updates.

First, my hiatus. I’m taking the week off from my “Lessons to Practice” series to enjoy some down time. However, I can’t help but share a little bit about the adventures I had this past weekend in Austin. For those of you who know me by now, you probably won’t be surprised to learn that I spent the last three days running, doing acro yoga, reuniting with old friends (mainly over food; the Impossible burger from Hopdoddy was so tasty!), and making memories with some of the most supportive souls that I’ve ever known. Plus, I got to actually experience what it feels like to go on a vacation by myself. I will say that, while it was challenging and uncomfortable at times, the moments of inner peace and heightened self-esteem that I discovered were so very worth it.

Hopdoddy with my besties!

The best part of this weekend was surprising my mom with a spontaneous visit to her neck of the woods. I drove straight to her house once I got off work around lunchtime on Saturday, and I was so happy to see how much I brightened her whole weekend! We had some good meals together, wrangled her two wild house cats when it was necessary, and visited my aunt’s ranch home to tend to the cows and chickens.

In Austin, I got to take Lux’s Spotting class just last night at the Fit and Fearless gym. Lux Sternstein, an acro yoga instructor with a decade of teaching under his belt, showed us the nuances of how to spot a flyer and a base in a deliberate and ever-watchful way. His teachings were practical, funny, and passionate — and with a few swear words sprinkled in there for good measure.

So, while the fireworks are booming and the grills are sizzling, I hope some of my tales and pictures from this past weekend can bring a smile to your face and a kind curiosity to your heart.

Lastly, some breaking news! I’m starting a third series that I’ll be uploading once a week, beginning next Friday. Without giving too much away, this series will be my first ever venture into the world of vlogging. It’s been a couple of months in the making, and I’m super excited to tackle this new project with my usual optimistic spirit. I hope that many single young adults like myself find this series relatable and funny.

Look for my next “Sounds of Summer” post this coming Thursday as well. Until then, fellow WordPress junkies!