I was skimming through my instagram the other night and man, life is pretty great. That isn’t to say there isn’t heartbreak or that it’s easy. Shit, it isn’t easy at all. But taking in every moment to the fullest, especially the unexpected ones, makes this life so worth it.

The last few months are kind of a whirlwind. Since November I’ve been to Tahoe, Kansas City, Santa Barbara (twice), Vancouver BC (ohhh 5 times), Denver, Vegas (twice), and Leavenworth WA. And in a week I’ll be back in Vancouver, BC.  Travel feeds my soul. Sets my heart on fire.

Last weekend I photographed Christine & Jon’s wedding (if you haven’t checked it out you’re missing out, and I’m not even joking in the slightest). I brought one of my best friends, Meg Courtney, to photograph it with me. Her and I spent the end of February and beginning of March together, speaking at UNITED in Santa Barbara & WPPI in Vegas. Some of the best times in my life. Random overnighters in the pool during a rainstorm. Impulsive trip to Disneyland at 3 in the afternoon, hours away. Last minute decision to not book flights and roadtrip to Vegas stopping just about everywhere along the way. Late nights and craziness in Vegas. Both of us will say we hate the Vegas. But, honestly, I think we’re just trying to convince ourselves of that now. We met for the first time in Vegas, over 2 years ago, and then took it by storm a couple months ago. And, I didn’t care that her flights from Canada were twice the cost of mine + the hotel. I had to bring her. Vegas is best with her.

It really is the little things that make the adventures of life crazy and fun. From sitting on my luggage for an hour at the airport as Meg struggled with getting to the main terminal. Struggle is real. And she has a hard time with directions. Haha.

To dancing in the window, just because why not?! And rushing to the pool for the last bit of sunshine and half priced drinks. And pushing her into revolving doors cause they freak her out. Shopping at midnight. Prepping for a wedding and talking business of the day, while in bikinis at the pool. Goofing around at the wedding together. Dancing with the bride and groom. Definitely participating in the pool party after the wedding with the bride and groom and their friends. Sleeping in. Spending 5.5 hours at the pool, swimming, napping, just laying in the sunshine. Having 3 hour long dinners to just talk. Life. Friendship. Business. Our belief in crazy, stupid, love. And the pursuit of it. Driving the strip with the windows down and the music blaring. But instead of turning around we just kept going to the California/Nevada stateline. Letting our minds wander and soundtrack of our lives just play. Returning to our room to pack at 4am. Up 2 hours later for the airport. Honestly it’s kinda a miracle we didn’t just pull an all-nighter. What were we thinking napping?!

Just before leaving the hotel I hopped on my computer and checked in for my flight. Normally I just use the airline app on my phone but honestly I think Allegiant is dumb. And therefore, their app is dumb. It never likes me when it comes to picking seats. So, I checked in on my computer. Shut it and put it in my bag and we were off to grab McDonalds breakfast (mmmm love me McD’s breaky), get some gas, and return the car. At some point during this I looked at my flight on the app on my phone and it said I wasn’t checked in. So I try to redo it from my phone. Dumb, like I said and errored out at the end every time. I worked for an airline in college and I travel quite a bit. I only bring a carry-on and I make my way through airports including security pretty snappy. I’ve got my system down locked. Bolts. Boom. So unless I’m going international or at a real big airport I don’t show up hours early to just sit. I was there an hour early, normally woulda been fine. Then spent 35 minutes in line at Allegiant waiting to get a boarding pass printed. Again, dumb, since there were only about 18 people ahead of me with several agents working. And then they wouldn’t print me a boarding pass saying the flight was fully boarded. It was everything within me not to laugh out loud as never ever once has a flight been fully boarded 25 minutes before departing. If you can shut the door 10 min early you’re rockstars. Alright then. I chatted with the girl for a bit. Not even mad. Not even upset. Allegiant flies to Missoula 2 times a week. Once on Monday and once on Friday. Time for a new plan. I walked away and took a seat just giggling. What a perfect way to end the trip and start the week.

I mean it. It’s hilarious.

All part of the experience. A little moment in life. Two minutes and $400 later I was booked on trusty Delta home later that night. Time to blare music in my headphones, hop through security, grab the biggest coffee possible, people watch (catching others watching me as I was really jamming out), started editing, doing other work and laughing it off as the first adventure for the week. And is there really a better way to end Vegas than miss your flight? Kinda feels more like it was a success if you do 😉

It’s all how you choose to view it.  Live in the moment. Fully. You can let life happen or you can pursue it. Even in the little things. I pursue it. I go after it.

Every morning we have two choices: continue sleeping with our dreams, or get up and chase after them.

It’s up to you.

 

 

 

 

PS. Include others in the adventure. Especially those who align with your views and beliefs. It’s better together.

Contact Jackie | Join the Facebook Fanpage | Check out the Website