Back to reality.

I'm back home in El Paso. Last week came and went already. My plane came in yesterday at about 1 in the afternoon. You know how some people go away for a week or so and after awhile they're like "Oh, well.. I do miss home a bit. I miss so and so."
Yeah, not me. At all.
The whole week my sister and I kept saying we didn't want to leave and we wanted to just stay in Raleigh. Sadly, we weren't able to. We have jobs and responsibilities to get back to. Lame.
It was probably one of the best weeks I've had in a very long time. So much greenery and so much happiness shared with the family I love most. My sister's backyard has a creek and it's surrounded by trees. I felt like I was in paradise. She also has a trail behind her house that we went on a few times. I even went alone because of how peaceful and nice it was to just walk with your headphones in and clear your head.
We stayed in Myrtle Beach for the week, which was pretty amazing, even with the not so nice weather we had. That didn't bother me. It rained but I liked it. It doesn't rain here. They kept apologizing for it not being such a hot week and for not being able to go swimming but again, I was with my favorite people in a new place, so I can't complain.
Remember when I kept posting about taking pictures with my cameras? Yep, never happened. I'm okay with that, though. I didn't want to constantly carry my camera to take pictures and not enjoy the moment we all had together. I took a lot with my phone and I've been spamming Instagram, which I don't like doing. I have so many more to share, so if you'd like you can follow me here.
I think I'll be done with traveling for awhile.. by plane at least. Seriously, I'm such a terrible flyer. I'd much rather spend 20+ hours in a car than fly for a few hours.
I'll post more of an update later on. I have a lot to talk about, but I just wanted to post something quick updating you all. Hope you're all doing well!

Getting ready for vacation: iPhone edition.

As you all know, I'm going to North Carolina/Myrtle Beach for the week next week. I've held off packing because as some of you may know, I'm a huge procrastinator. Even with things I look forward to. I make mental notes of things I must remember to pack (like extra contacts, because if I don't, I'll need them)
With two days, I suppose I should start packing, right? With this vacation, I want to document it as much as possible, so I figured I'd do a clean out of my iPhone. I'm getting rid of all of my pictures and putting them on my laptop so I have a clean folder to start with when I go. I'm getting rid of unnecessary apps I don't use and updating my music with all new bands and artists for the plane ride.
I wanted to share what apps I would be using during the plane ride and during the week I'll be spending with family. I'm an Instagram and Twitter addict. It's seriously bad. I don't update Instagram a whole because I'm so OCD about my pictures and if they're not perfect, I refuse to upload it.
Anyway, I'll obviously using the typical apps, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, etc. I've recently discovered a few "photography" apps that I'll be using as well.
My all-time favorite app is VSCOCAM. It's seriously the greatest thing I've put on my phone. I use it for all of my pictures and it's quickly becoming a favorite app of photographers and Instagrammers around the world. It's got great editing features like fade, grain and exposure. I love this app so much because the filters really make the picture pop. I love the black & white filters they have, it's probably my favorite thing about this app. The app itself is only $0.99 and it's more than worth the dollar you'll spend. I suggest if you want to improve your photographs, definitely buy this app.
Another great app that I just discovered is Afterlight (previously Afterglow) The reason I love this app so much if the filters they have as well. They have a few "scratch" effects that VSCO doesn't and it's what I use most while using this app. I also like to fade my pictures a little bit more with this app after using VSCO.
I feel like these apps are becoming increasingly popular, so my photographs look similar to typical ones you see on the app, but they're all special to me and I enjoy my photos so much more because of these two apps.
I also use Flickr to upload my iPhone photographs I deem worthy of being in the album. Phonto is a free app that puts text over images. You can buy other apps that have fancier fonts, but I really enjoy simplicity. They have a ton of fonts to choose from. PicFrame helps me put images together, I used to use another one but after a recent update, I couldn't figure out how to use the app anymore. This one is by far the most simple. Again, I love simplicity. ShakeCamera is great to self-portraits, though my images come out pretty blurred and grainy. I still use it because I take a lot of self-portraits, but the image quality is not as good.
I'm definitely going to be using each and every one of these apps on my trip and I can't wait to see the outcome of it!
Photography aside, I have some more apps I'll be using. Pandora for sure will be used a TON on the plane ride. I've recently fallen in love with Pandora again after using it to read or walk with. I love listening to the Metric and Explosions in The Sky stations because they always seem to play the perfect music. I've found so much new music thanks to these stations and they always put me in a good mood. Shazam is another great music app. I've watched a ton of TV (Grey's Anatomy and The Vampire Diaries) where I want to know the artist being played and thanks to this handy app, I've found new music to appreciate. I don't think I'll be in many situations where I'll overhear music, but it's always there if I need it!
Vine. Man oh man. Vine is an app where you can post 6-second videos. I don't post much at all, but I'm slowly trying to get comfortable enough to make more vines. Sometimes I find myself on this app for over an hour, finding hilarious 6 second videos. It's hilarious to see celebrities use this app and act like fools. Has anyone seen Roseanne Barr's? That woman is batshit crazy and has no idea how to use the app, so you'll usually watch 6 seconds of her feet and complaining that she doesn't know how to use it. Some hilarious stuff. I'm hoping while on my trip, I'll get the courage to post more videos and even talk in front of the camera. I'm so camera shy it's not even funny but I'm hoping this app will help.
Do any of you have any others recommendations for apps to use while on the plane? I don't play games on my phone. I've played Family Feud and FunRun but I find myself getting bored very easily. I'm going to try to keep busy while flying because I'm going to be a wreck. I'm terrified of flying and anything to keep my mind off of things will be appreciated!

A much needed getaway.

It's been 288 days since I landed in El Paso, Texas.

As much as I enjoy it here, I'm ready to get away, even for awhile. I'm ready for grass and tons of trees and water again. I'm ready to see what family I have left and catch up and finally go out to bars since turning 21 with them. 

In less than a month, my sister and I will be taking a plane at 7:30 A.M and making the journey to Raleigh, North Carolina. The next day, we'll be driving to Myrtle Beach and renting a cabin for the week. Staying on the beach, every night for seven days. I'll wake up to the beautiful ocean and fall asleep with the moon casted over the water. Nightly walks on the beach and sitting in front of the ocean and letting the breeze hit me are high on my list. I can't wait. Sometimes when I'm having a bad day, I'll think about me sitting on the beach, all alone, right in front of the water with the moon reflecting off the water. I'll think of the distant laughter from those having a good time. I'll think of the music I'll be hearing coming from my headphones and how it'll sound twice as good while I'm there than it would right now. I'll think of how warm my heart will be sharing a week with the only people I have left in my life. 

I haven't seen my sister or her children in probably over two years. I've FaceTimed them a few times and every time I do, they look so much older. My nieces are taller than their mother, so chances are they're as tall as me. 

Less than a month. I can do this. The time is already going by fast and I'm sometimes surprised by how close the days are getting. I can't say I'm having a hard time, but the idea of getting away for awhile has me thinking of it all too often. I can't wait to make memories and share laughs and just spend time with some important people.