Tatum Hipp: month

a month in moments // november

1:00:00 AM

Thinking back on November, I think back to complexity. I think of the wide range of activities, events, people, and places I experienced and all the emotion that was felt. I have quite a bit to say about this November so grab your tea and join me!

As always, I deeply enjoyed witnessing this month's full moon/supermoon. There is something so humbling about a full moon. It makes you feel small and gently reminds you of your place on Earth.

I got to see my little love bug, sidekick. When I look at her now that she is so old and slower, I see her as the little puppy she once was chasing me and my sister around our playhouse. She's brought this family laughter and sweetness. It is something special to grow up with a dog.

Many fires were made this past Thanksgiving and paired with the smokey mountain air from the North Carolina forest fires, our clothes were thick with the smokey, dense scent. I'm not complaining though.

This year I was lucky enough to spend a few days at home in Pennsylvania before hopping back in the car for the drive down to North Carolina. I spent lovely days with my mother, a woman whose inner beauty radiates just as much as her outer beauty. We strolled through Longwood Gardens to see the last of the lush Autumn life before all trees and bushes are covered in lights for the holiday season. Golden hour is truly a mesmerizing time.

How can golden hour not be one's favorite time of the day? It speaks to me spiritually.

And again....GOLD.

Had my first successful rockhounding experience this past Thanksgiving. Mother Nature is a total goddess. I mean look at which she produces! The gem haul included garnet, aventurine, aquamarine, quartz, amethyst, sodalite, emerald, and topaz all in their truly raw forms. My favorite part: the first time the sifter is dunked in the water, washing away the dust and the perfect sunlight hitting the soft colors of these stones. It's safe to say I'm addicted and could do this everyday.

My time at my Pennsylvania home was short, but it was sweet. Visits to Terrain and the newest Philadelphia Free People, baking with my dog under my feet waiting for a drop of cookie dough, and spinning some old records filled the short days. Now only two and half weeks, five projects, and 4 final exams stand between me and my Pennsylvania holiday celebrations.

P.S. Be sure to check out this quick video I made of a simple recap of the infamous Hipp Thanksgiving.

austin texas

A MONTH IN MOMENTS // OCTOBER

1:00:00 AM

October has simply floated by like the leaves in its crisp autumn winds. Although I am sad to see it go, I am thankful for and still holding on to the gifts it has brought me.

October included travels to weird Austin, Texas and memorable visits to the 6th street bars with Mom and Dad. It was a downtown experience with parents that I will never forget.

It's brought the realization that flying offers world recognition, seeing the peace of mind and thoughtfulness that comes from watching the sun rise to your level and witnessing the world wake up down below.

It's brought the richest of colors and the deepest of reds. It has accented the most intimate and lovely details of nature that we take for granted. Autumn is mother nature's time to shine. Showing her power and control she has on the life surrounding us. Autumn is her last gift to us as she leads us into winter.

October has brought great notice to myself. My favorite question to ask was: "How does my body feel?" Listening to my body, doing what it needs, brought great self contentment as well as self control.

October, a lovely gift in itself, brought many small gifts. So, thank you October for giving me somethings to take with me into November.

june

A MONTH IN MOMENTS // JUNE

1:00:00 AM

Another month, come and gone, but it was a good month. June was simple and it was fun.

Firefly Music Festival made the best moments of the month, but June was really a highlight reel in itself. Seeing friends from school, witnessing the wonders of the Chesapeake, learning more about myself and my role in this crazy world, and meeting new people everyday.

There is so much to be grateful for within this month, and I am.

may

A MONTH IN MOMENTS // MAY

1:00:00 AM

If this isn't just the most random modge-podge of photos I don't know what is. But, the chaos, in a way, further establishes my point that May was a whirlwind of change. I moved from one small town in Virginia to another small town in Maryland. I stopped studying from 5pm to 9am and began interning from 9am to 5pm. I went from farm country to festival grounds, to waterfront. And, finally, I went from 28 roommates to a solo-lifestyle. It is all okay though, really.

I have this summer as an opportunity to reinvent myself, or at least, invent myself further. I'm living in the moment and I'm noticing the small things. I'm paying attention to the detail as well as the big picture. I'm balancing.

So goodbye to May and all its craziness. And fingers crossed that next month's moments will have a better theme to them.

adventure

A MONTH IN MOMENTS // APRIL

5:23:00 PM

How incredibly fulfilling it is to say that most of April was spent outside. In the woods, in the water, on the trails, on a park bench. There is nothing that makes me happier than to be out under the sun or under the moon.

April was joyful. Not a day passed that I did not recognize the beauty around me, that I didn't laugh, or that I didn't simply smile out of pure contentedness.

I don't even mind that April managed to come to an end so quickly, because every day was filled with bliss and beauty. I am so grateful for all that April has brought me and I am so stoked to head into another beautiful spring month. So, let's go May.

february

A MONTH IN MOMENTS // FEBRUARY

1:00:00 AM

February was quite blue. Not in terms of sadness, but in terms of peace, spirit, and intelligence.

Peace - I found humbleness through the words of others, through my spirit, and through the weather.

Spirit - I felt my spirit soar while I felt my spiritual being become more grounded and present.

Intelligence - I gained wisdom from the words of my friends as well as from the many mistakes I had made.

asheville

A MONTH IN MOMENTS // NOVEMBER

1:00:00 AM

I truly can't believe that I am decorating my tiny space for Christmas, that Thanksgiving break has already come to a close, and that it is officially crunch time before finals. Where has November gone?

While I may be focused on the time ahead, one thing of the past is for certain. This has been the most naturally beautiful autumn I have ever witnessed. From the sunlight to the leaves crumpled by passing feet, everything was breathtaking. What a beautiful month November was.

autumn

A MONTH IN MOMENTS // OCTOBER

1:00:00 AM

I can't believe that I have already made two "a month in moments" posts for october here. Time truly does just race away from us.

This october was spent much like the last with pumpkins, corn mazes, Halloween costumes (sushi this year), and lots of warm drinks.

One thing that no camera can capture, however, is just how glorious and breathtaking this autumn season has been. I have never seen natural beauty quite like a have this fall.