Gallery

I had to visit the iconic Santa Monica Pier while I was in LA. The beach is so vast, it takes a while to walk to the water across the sand. I love how large the sky feels in SoCal - Texas is big, but the ocean brings a whole new scale to the horizon. I went for a run among the roller-skaters and saw all the unique characters of Venice Beach. And of course, I put my feet in the ocean one last time before heading back to Texas.

I went out to LA for a weekend at the end of the summer. I can't imagine it ever being a season other than summer in LA. Out in Malibu, damage from the recent wildfires was still visible, but the sunsets were as beautiful as ever. I hope to live in California one day.

I didn't truly experience Texas until I spent a Saturday in Fort Worth with some co-workers. Our day featured the Zoo, a trip to the iconic Stock Yards, and of course some BBQ. Texas is one of the few states in the US that still has a strong and unique culture - I like that people here are proud of their history and identity.

This photo was taken on my first run in Texas. I moved here in early June, 24 hours after graduating college. Waking up early to beat the summer heat, I witnessed the dawn of not only a new day, but also a new chapter of my life. The ducks who inhabit this pond have become my favorite neighbors.