Free Spirit Saturday: Charmie Stryker

Happy Summer Solstice you sweet sun bathers!  We hope you are out enjoying the longest day of the year! Opal+Wonder is so happy to introduce this sun-chaser as our Free Spirit feature, Charmie Stryker

"Breathe properly, stay curious, and eat your beets." || Tom Robbins || 

Sometimes life has a funny way of introducing integral parts of your life without your knowing of it.  Back in 2007, I met Charmie and Aaron for the first time through a mutual group of friends, upon meeting them little did I know the importance of their presence in the future. We crossed paths various times throughout the remainder of their time in Tennessee before they moved to Austin,Texas in 2010.  Each meeting leaving a stronger impression on me; it was when they moved to Austin I started seeing the dynamic, inspirational, adventurous individuals they are.  Charmie's love for the unfamiliar inspires me to willingly walk outside of my comfort zone, to feel confident walking into the abyss, to be powerful in my own skin. Her graceful presence shows, women, in particular, the importance of self-reliance, individualism, but most importantly, not being afraid to see life in a different light, a light that is not attached to an electrical circuit, a light that is not provided falsely by dollars; but a light that shines effortlessly through her transcendental self.  Charmie's travels have taken her all over the United States (I'm pretty confident she has been to almost, if not all of them.) and during those travels, she and Aaron bring to life a beauty that is sometimes forgotten due to the high-paced, commercialism lives we live currently. They withhold the capability to display the rarest beauties and unfold the forgotten treasures of this world. 

Rajasthan, India

 On Earth Day in 2013, they both resigned from their positions in Austin, TX to embark on a journey that would take them across the United States, and to lands most of us dream of seeing: Laos, Thailand, India, Cambodia, Philippines, and Palau- just to name a few.  You can scroll through their travels on their  photo blog: Visual Journey. Charmie just recently received her yoga licensure in the Himalayans with fellow Free Spirit, Kaya Cait with The Barefoot Print. As Charmie and Aaron began their journey around the world, the two of them brought New Crop to life- a multi-cultural shop that inhabits the most delicate jewelry, exquisite patterns and materials of the cultures that have left their mark on the canvas of Charmie and Aaron's life; the site is also home to a blog that tells the most beautiful stories of some of the most primitive cultures and tribes in the world, and a visual blog that will make every hair on your body stand on end.  New Crop is our connection to lives that are beautifully detailed, respectfully self-reliant, and gracefully happy.  New Crop provides a look into cultures that live simply.  

This versatile Gemini's spirit is an infectious one, that breathes life into all she encounters, (She is, after all, the air element.) her spirit excites you, inspires you, and challenges you to step out in the void...Confidently. I am over the moon to present a feature on a young lady who originates from the Philippines, but found her home in Johnson City, TN who is currently residing in an Ashram in the Himalayans in Kullu Valley, India, Charmie Stryker. 

Charmie received her yoga certification in the Himalayans. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself: 

I was born in the Philippines with an amazing childhood surrounded by family and living with all my close cousins under one roof. I moved to Los Angeles when I was in 2nd grade which was a great city to "ease" in to a new country. LA was so vibrant with culture and diversity that I didn't have a hard time adjusting. Later, my father's job was moved to a small town in East TN where I spent the majority of my school years, where I have made my life long friends, and where I met Aaron =) Hindsight, I realize how serendipitous life is.  My family found their way back to Los Angeles and me and Aaron  found ourselves manifesting our dreams in Austin, TX. He pointed out a boutique design agency that he said he would love to work for, and I admitted my dreams of working for a creative magazine in which later we both landed as our dream jobs at the time.  We were so blessed to be surrounded by such a fun buzzing city that was growing with us filled with music festivals, sunny days and amazing friends. As happy as we were we found ourselves in search for something more. We would daydream out loud about "what if we could just up and leave, and do whatever we wanted?"  If money and security really wasn't an issue and you couldn't fail, then what would you do? The same way we planned and manifested our dream jobs in Austin, we planned to manifest our dream lives.
We daydreamed about travel, about discovering and RE-discovering our roots. Hugging family members and sharing stories in person. 

Charmie and Aaron celebrated their 8th anniversary in Ifuago, Philipines.  

We wanted to find our creativity in a place we never even thought of visiting, and finding inspiration in places we wouldn't think to look for. I will admit the thought excited me to the depths of my soul and scared me to tears at the same time. All of it makes you feel so alive. That was all we needed to feel to hit the road. The road has been our biggest teacher. I've learned not to tie myself to anyone or anything. I realized how temporary everything can be and to allow things to happen, to appreciate it and then to let it go.  The act of letting go has made me feel even more connected with everything and with myself. I have fallen in love with our nomadic lifestyle, where our only permanent address is our emails and when the only constant is change is when we feel most alive


How do you keep your mind stimulated? Books? Records? Journals?

I have gone deeper into my meditation during my stay here at the ashram. They require us us to meditate twice a day. There is such a mind stimulating life force within us internally that we lose awareness to during the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives. A lot of intrinsic changes, emotions and realizations arise from this and I find the best way of sorting out is with my journal. I also find travel to be exponentially mind stimulating. Everything seems to be a discovery, the food, the language, the people, their culture and their art.  I am always in awe of the creativity that is naturally within us. I always find that those who live simpler lives are happier, live with more mindfulness to the earth, and have kept their traditions and  art alive.

Why leave it all behind?

Hindsight, I realized that letting go and practicing non attachment has opened up a whole new mindset for me. When we first set out to leave, I spent a few nights overwhelmed with fear and anxiety wondering how we were going to make this crazy idea of just up and leaving to travel indefinitely actually work? The hardest part was convincing our friends and family we weren't crazy and that we were going to be ok, when we weren't even sure ourselves if we were crazy or not, or if we were going to be ok. The act of leaving was surprisingly easy, once we downsized everything we owned to fit in a car, we hit the road. We've been downsizing every since, our packs getting smaller and smaller with each step. I can't even explain how liberating the feeling is knowing that we were leaving and could come back whenever and wherever we wanted to.

Palau

How do you budget for a trip that long? Advice?

We sold everything, and saved up a couple month's salary and decided we would figure out the rest when we got there. Being on the road and meeting lots of other travelers I realized the one thing that long term travelers are rich with is courage. With our scenario we were both lucky enough to be able to do freelance and work from anywhere with wifi. So when we quit our jobs, we started working for ourselves and with amazing clients. Aaron handles mainly all the design web and print, and I handle the social media, and blog management. I've realized travel takes more courage than it does money. When most people think of travel they think of vacation, which normally is a lot of money. There are so many options with traveling long term such as: work abroad programs, freelancing, teaching English somewhere exotic for a year,  couchsurfing…etc. We found ourselves traveling a lot longer than planned, working a lot less, and saving a lot more. I keep asking ourselves why we didn't we do this sooner?!  =)

Was New Crop already an idea? Or was that an idea that manifested into your travels?


Yes, I look at our old logos, which says est. 2011, but we didn't actually launch it until a few months ago. We knew we wanted a creative outlet, and once we hit the road puzzle pieces started falling into place; it eventually evolved into what it is now. I have definitely found my passion in rediscovering my roots and preserving my culture and along the way I have felt a calling towards discovering and preserving others' cultures through New Crop. It is still definitely manifesting, and evolving with us and our journey.

Along with your growth, how did your experiences change you perspective on priorities?

 It took leaving everything behind to make me  realize the unknown is not so scary after all, it gives you that warrior spirit and makes you feel fearless. To not let uncomfortable situations and annoyances distract you from realizing that our circumstances of existence is pretty glorious.

Siem Reap, Cambodia 

What are some of the best experiences you have had overseas?

India by far has taken the cake for experiences. I have never pushed out my comfort this intently and this often. Sometimes its a love/hate relationship but one thing is for sure, it has definitely shaken and awakened me. Made me realized just how sheltered and comfortable I was before and how little I know and how much there is left unseen. India has made me hungrier for more.

How have you coped with uncomfortable situations? Have you had any?

All the time =) I think that is the gem with traveling. Funny thing is as I answer this question,  I am on a sleeper train in India, where someone is currently sleeping on my bed, so me and Aaron are sitting cross-legged on his bed while other Indian passengers across from us are resting their feet on his bed using it as a foot rest. The funny thing is you cant resist the uncomfortable situations, you just have to go with it and let it be =)

Any "aha" moments that humbled you?

Constantly, even now as I write this and wonder if I'll have my bed to sleep on tonight on this train, I realize that I am lucky enough to get off this train and have a comfortable bed in a guesthouse.  That it's not the end of the world if someone who needs my bed more than I do is currently in it. No matter his situation or others that I come across, I know how lucky I am and I am constantly reminded to be grateful for my situation and to be mindful of others.

Any advice for Wanderlust spirits?

Follow what sends a tingle down your spine, what makes your heart race and where your daydreams wander.  Make a list of what truly makes you happy, or what your dream life would consist of and find a way to connect the dots. Whatever your bliss may be, work really hard at it and surround yourself with those who inspire you and support you.

|| Keep up with Charmie and Aaron's adventures||

New Crop Shop

Instagram

New Crop Blog

Congratulations to Aaron and Charmie on their engagement!  Aaron proposed to Charmie on June 13, 2014 in India!  O+W wishes you all many years of love, adventure, and happiness! :)  

All photos from New Crop

Free Spirit Saturday: Amber McDermid

Today's feature is on the visionary of Opal + Wonder, the young lady who adores animals, cats, in particular; the young lady who is sitting on a plane right now flying to Maine to start her 2,180 mile trek on the Appalachian Trail; the young lady who makes her dreams a reality.  I (Jodi) am elated to feature the Owner/Creator of Opal + Wonder, Amber McDermid, as our Free Spirit Saturday! 

Advance confidently in the direction of your dreams; live the life you have always imagined. – Henry David Thoreau 

This sincere, sunny Scorpio was born and raised in the Great Smoky Mountains where her love for the outdoors, people, and animals manifested.  Amber displays an infectious love for all three; her reviews from the people she has encountered, her actions and pledges for the outdoors and animals speak volumes for her loving nature.   I unfortunately have only known Amber for a little over two years now, but her friendship and presence has forever left an imprint on my life.  She is a silent warrior, keeping fairly quiet only to observe and soak in all that is going on around her.  She takes life day-by-day not letting the insecurities of the future hinder any vision or dream she creates.  She is a believer, a wife, a sister, and a friend.  She is so many things to so many people.  Amber always sees the light, and it shines!

As I mentioned above, Amber is on a plane flying to Maine to start the Appalachian Trail (SOBO!) with her husband, Stacey, her father, Rick, her brother, Tucker, and her cousin, Luke.  Opal +Wonder plans to keep everyone updated on their walk through the longest continuous marked footpath in the world starting at Mount Katahdin, Maine and ending at Springer Mountain, Georgia .  Amber is excited to call the trail home for the next six months. 

O+W: So your departure for the Appalachian Trail is quickly approaching, what kind of feelings do you have about this adventure?

AM: It’s a magical feeling when you can literally feel a dream coming true. I mainly feel weightless with a slight sense of disbelief and anxiousness. I have worked hard for this moment and it just feels like my body is letting out one long, beautiful sigh. It’s happening and I’m ready to welcome the adventure.

O+W: When did you decide thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail was something you wanted to do?

AM: I remember the exact moment when the desire to thru-hike tugged at my heart.  It was in the summer of 2010. My dad and I were at the Backpacker “Get Out More” tour and I was listening to them talk about how to properly pack a backpack. I remember thinking how amazing it would be to travel with all of my belongings on my back. On the way home I told Dad that I would hike the AT with him. It had been his dream a long time before then. I knew it was only a matter of time before It would happen.

O+W:  How long did you prepare/train? What did you do?

AM: I haven’t done any special training to prepare physically other than nightly headstands to strengthen my shoulders. It took about 2 months to pack up all of our belongings and take them to storage (aka my in-laws), purchase all necessary gear we were missing, forward bills/ tie up loose ends.

O+W: How have you mentally prepared for this trek?

AM: I have mentally prepared mainly by researching. I have read blogs, books and watched documentaries to learn what to expect on the trail. I highly recommend Appalachian Trials blog for anyone who is considering thru hiking.

O+W: What are you looking forward to the most about the Trail?

AM: Simple living and being completely in my element. Oh, and getting a trail name!

O+W: What are your fears?

AM: I’m not the type of person who worries, so I don’t really have that many fears regarding our adventure. However, if I let myself think about it, my fears might go something like this: forgetting important gear, something happening to take me /my family off the trail, getting sick, getting hurt, running out of money, not liking trail life, my sweet mom being home without us, my cats going missing or getting so hungry that I eat McDonalds. Yeah, something like that. Fears limit you from living though so I just choose not to think like that.

O+W: What do you hope to take from this experience?

AM: Personal and Spiritual Growth.

O+W: What are you excited to see on the trail?

AM: Critters! Amazing views and landscapes. Oh and Stacey’s mountain man hair :P

O+W: How do you plan to keep a positive outlook when you face adversity?

AM: Remembering that suffering is only temporary and it can always be worse. Hopefully letters from home as well!

Technical:

O+W: How much weight are you carrying?

AM: My base weight is 28lbs. That’s everything minus food, water and fuel. So I’ll usually be lugging around 30-32lbs around.

O+W: Provide a summary of the gear you are taking:  (backpack, apparel, gidgets and gadgets)

AM:

Gear: Osprey Ariel, Leki Trekking Poles, Jetboil Sol Ti, Sawyer water filter, Black Diamond head lamp, rope, bug net, Black Diamond gators, Luci solar lantern, Gerber pocket knife, cup, bowel, spork

Clothes: Patagonia Capilene base layers, Columbia light weight fleece, Patagonia down jacket, Patagonia rain jacket, 2 tech tees, Prana zip off pants, 1 pair of shorts, Sierra Designs rain pants, 3 pair of Exofficio underwear, 4 pairs of socks, Solomon Speedcross trail runners, Chacos, buff

Personal: Dr.Bronners soap, tampons, medicines, nail clippers, tweezers, ipad mini, book, journal, phone, headphones, guidebook/map

 O+W: What kind of tent are you taking?  (all things sleepy time-sleeping bag, pad, etc.)

AM: My humble abode for 6 months will be a Nemo Obi3p complete with a Thermarest NeoAir xlite, eXped air pillow, Sea-to-Summit Thermolite Extreme Reactor and 35 degree Mountain Hardware sleeping bag.

::YOU::

O+W: Favorite three musical artists…ready…go!

AM: Bah! I love so much music, but I will always hold a special spot in my heart for Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Bob Marley, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Mamas and the Papas and O.A.R. ( I realize that is more then 3, sorry)

O+W: Favorite writers?

AM: Henry David Thoreau, my sister, Mary Oliver and C.S.Lewis

 O+W: What does a free spirit mean to you?

AM: Not conforming to other people’s ideas of how you should live life; Being open, spontaneous and welcoming; Feeding your soul with whatever it needs.

O+W: Favorite festival: any year in particular?

AM: Bonnaroo 2010 with my sister. Floyd Fest 2013 comes in second.

O+W: Favorite concert you’ve seen to date.

AM: I followed O.A.R. and Ozomatli in the Summer of 2008 and got to talk to them after each of the shows. The played a set in a park at Raleigh, NC that was pretty amazing.  

O+W:  Philosophy on life:

AM: I believe in living a life you love, even if it means small paychecks. I believe in growing your roots. I believe that in order to be happy and feel good you must do good. So be kind to all living things even if it means going out of your way. Be kind to your body; eat clean, exercise and rest. I believe God has a plan so don’t sweat the small stuff.  I believe that everything is connected. We are all in this together.

Happy Trails! I can't wait to hear about your experiences! Sending our love, good vibes, and prayers the whole 2,180 miles!
If you would like to keep in touch with the McDermid/Adams clan on their journey, you can subscribe to blog or check out any of the social media sites listed below.  


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Free Spirit: Zack Turner

Happy Free Spirit Saturday! 

We are super excited to introduce this lovable addition to the O + W Free Spirit family. Meet, Zack Turner, a 23 year old Libra living in the Rocky Mountains. He has this great positive energy that feels like your soul is being hugged. He lights the world up with his personality, warmth and kindness. The way he loves life is such an inspiration. One day is working at outdoor store the next day he might be working on a farm. Whatever he is doing, he makes the best of it. I encourage you to read the little pieces of his life that he has shared with us! Highlights include: Zack’s job as a bud-tender, his trip to India and the longest he went without a shower.

Life Motto: If there’s one thing I know, it’s that I will never know enough.

Current dwelling: Of course, as a “free spirit” you caught me in-between dwellings :p for two weeks I will be living in a spiritual retreat center referred to as the “foam dome” It’s a large private dwelling that has been molded into a cave like atmosphere where zero corners exist to prevent stagnant and negative energy from getting trapped in the house. It’s one of the coolest properties I have ever visited because of the awesome energy and wild architecture. There is a traditionally and ceremonially resurrected tipi and sweat lodge on property, as well as a yurt and two beautiful fire pits nestled on the blue river in Silverthorne Colorado. The gentleman who built this vision and the house is named Boot who I think just celebrated his 90^th birthday and still lives in the foam dome. The rest of the inhabitants are other fellow travelers and transient beings.

After my two weeks in the dome, my best friend and love, is moving to Colorado and bringing a 1972 airstream with him. We accepted positions as campground hosts and we’re setting up our airstream for 5 months in the desert surrounded by sagebrush, the Rocky Mountains, and the Green Mountain Reservoir. We purchased the airstream nearly gutted so we look forward to customizing and renovating the space.

Current occupation: I am currently a bud-tender at High Country Healing, which is just a fancy way of saying that I sell marijuana products legally. But the realms of my responsibilities extend way beyond just selling cannabis flowers and edibles to recreational and medical users. As a bud-tender I have to act mostly as an educator, relaying information to patients to assist them in finding the right bud for their condition. We have patients that come in for issues like insomnia, pain, epilepsy, eating disorders, etc., and each strain has specific cannabinoids that might be good for one thing, and not so good for another. It’s a lot of learning and researching each strain to best help each individual that has chosen an organic alternative to pharmaceuticals. 

Opal + Wonder: What does being a free spirit mean to you?

Zach Turner: Doing what you want to do, chasing your curiosities, and finding adventure in everything.

O+W: I have so much fun looking at your photos from your adventures. I'd love to hear about some of your favorite places. 

ZT: I’ve got a really soft spot in my heart and a never-ending urge to keep returning to India, so that’s definitely top-of-the-list material. It’s a powerful place to grow in any direction you please, whether it be growing more spiritual, more healthy, more conscious, or more sustainable, or pretty much any other aspect of yourself that you can grow on. Some of my most special moments were spent in days of silence at a meditation retreat, working in a raw food restaurant where a large portion of the food used I helped grow, and spending time in several different guru’s ashrams. I’ve done a lot of traveling, but India has definitely assisted me in becoming a better person on so many levels so I give it a lot of credit. Other countries I’ve visited include, Thailand, Costa Rica, Amsterdam, Peru, Mexico, France, Italy, Spain, Singapore, and Turks & Caicos. My passport says I have been to Germany, but I haven’t.

O+W: Did you have any “aha” moments during any of your many travel experiences?

ZT: I have a journal full of “aha” moments! But a large theme of my travels has been centered around environmental and personal sustainability. In the states sustainability is often a hard concept to grasp because we are surrounded by unsustainable practices…everywhere. Traveling around India I was spending most of my time in extremely rural areas. These cultures don’t have any other option but to be super sustainable and live with the earth. A lot of my "aha" moments were just realizing the beauty of the planet, other cultures, and how small we are in the grand scheme of things

O+W: First concert you went to –
ZT: I think one of my first concerts was weird al. I was in fourth or fifth grade I think? Weird indeed!

O+W: Let’s talk festivals. What is your favorite festival you've been to?

ZT: My #1 festival to date is called Gratifly. It’s a transformational festival, which balanced the music, art, spirituality, and community like the yin and yang. Most festivals I have encountered are centered around over indulgence, partying your face off, and mindlessness, where as gratifly was truly emanating compassion, transformation, and unity. It’s in South Carolina in a community called Avon right on a river you can relax in. There's a fairy forest to wander around in, a waterfall to sit in, and a dome that looks like a jelly fish! 

O+W: Name 3 things you believe in. 
ZT: Vibrations, Alternative healing, Universal magnetism

O+W: Someone just gave you $15,000. What are you going to do with it?
ZT: Burning Man then move back to India.

O+W: Fill in the blank. The world would be a much happier place if ________.
ZT: If people would show some damn compassion

O+W: What is your favorite article of clothing?
ZT: Does a satchel count as an article of clothing? I’m all about satchels. If satchels aren’t included, I’m all about this jacket that’s made out of dashiki material with a wizard hood on it. satchels and wizard hoods, cant get enough of them.

O+W: Favorite room in your house and why- 
ZT: I’m always drawn to the kitchen. There’s food and it seems to always be the community hang out in whatever house I am living in at the time. Also I really enjoy the whole process of cooking, so it’s gotta be the kitchen!

O+W: What is the longest you’ve went without a shower ?
ZT: It was either 3 or 4 weeks while on a sea kayaking trip around the San Juan Islands in Washington State. All of us were pretty ripe after that trip, but it’s crazy experiencing the effects of natural hygiene and watching as our body return to it’s natural state without all of the artificial products that we use to clean ourselves

O+W: If you could have one super hero power what would it be?
ZT: I would totally want the power to be like a super healer or something shaman like where I could wave my hands and do a dance and people would be fixed

O+W: What are your summer plans?

ZT: I guess just hanging around the green mountain reservoir and working at the dispensary. I’ll probably make my way to a few festivals but other than that I don’t have any major plans.

Keep up with with Zack on: 
Facebook + Instagram

Free Spirit Saturday: Kris Bible

I (Jodi) am happy to introduce our first male Free Spirit, a subjective Scorpio who has become drawn to the idea of simple living. Meet Kris Bible, a 27 year old, young at heart,  adventure-seeker, who was born and raised in Gatlinburg, TN! Gatlingburg is mostly known for Dolly Parton's Dollywood, but is also home to the most beautiful sights to be seen in the East.  The Great Smoky National Park is located at the end of Gatlinburg's downtown stretch.  The park is where this young man has conquered numerous mountain-tops, discovered paths unseen, captured images so beautiful they are indescribable. For the most part, the mountains are responsible for inspiring his various endeavors; the National Park has given him a vision for a life that is far from the norms of our society, but a life that brings a sense of ownership, freedom, and most importantly, happiness.  He envisions a life where we can back to the basics of simple living-being the cultivators of the food that fills our stomachs, the knowledge we acquire in our minds, the comradery of neighborhood, the love the respect we have for each other as individuals.  Most would argue that it is an unobtainable way of life, it is unreasonable...but at one point in time, that was the way of life.  It is quite beautiful to listen to someone speak of such an idea; an idea that appears so primitive to our modern world. 

"Too weird to live, too rare to die." -Hunter S. Thompson 

Opal and Wonder: What is your life motto?

Kris Bible: Difficulty lies in attempting to sum up one's "life motto" into a singular, coherent thought, line, or page; yet one phrase has lead me to being the person I am today..."So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 7:12).  Surprise, I know...a bible verse.  However, this Law has never led me astray.  Never free of pain, heartache, temptation, but filled with many of enhanced every day moments, unbeknownst adventures, and a family larger than blood. 

O+W: Since I know reading is something you do...A LOT.  Lets talk about some of your favorite books (which I am proud I knew!), music and/or movies?

KB: So many good ones to have just one favorite, therefore I forgo my top three of each (listed above) Also, order does not imply favoritism.  

Book:  

The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Electric Kool-aid Acid Test by Hunter S. Thompson

 Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry to Values by Robert M. Pirsig

Movies:

No Impact Man

Seven Pounds

Into the Wild

Music:      
Rising Appalachia
The Doors 
Elephant Revival

O+W: As you discuss your favorite books (because I know you will), what is your favorite quote?


KB: Oh, you thought I was going to rant about 1984?! Hahaha.  My favorite quote?! That's a tough one...probably one of my favorites is from Hunter S. Thompson, "Too weird to live, too rare to die." 


O+W: Tell us your passions.  What matters most to you?


KB: Life.  That's really all that matters to me.  Without life...well, I'm not sure, but it would suck.  When I say, "life," I mean the opportunity to do what you see fit in the situation at hand.  Rather it be to hike a mountain, plant a garden, or go to kick-ass rager party.  Moments.  Life is nothing but an amazingly complicated, constantly changing, brutal, beautiful collections of moments. And it's the ones that are remembered that count.  





O+W: Tell us about how you live your life as a free-spirit, and what it means to you?  

KB: As I have been told by too many co-workers, I do what I want. No matter consequence, conclusion, or odds; if I set my mind on doing something, there’s not much that can stand in my way. To me, that very action defines being a free spirit.  

O+W: What inspired you to start  Chaos Made Sense in late 2013?  What is it about the type of photography you do that makes you want to share it? 

KB:  The only thing I do differently that most photographers do nowadays is I don’t edit. Besides that sharing my photography is a chance to show people how the world looks those eyes that look a little closer than most. There is nothing more powerful, beautiful, and humbling then to capture an image. Not to mention the high you get when some wants, like, or compliments something you hold so dear.

O+W: Describe the projects you are currently tackling?  Why did you decide to learn to build furniture? Or anything for that manner, hobby or genuine interest?  

KB: Ha! I lost count years ago, knowledge, I feel, doesn't sit docile waiting for someone to come find it.  Just like building furniture, photography, sign carving, gardening, and the countless others found me.  I never went looking for them.  The furniture building came from an almost limitless supply of materials: pallets, good-will, and recycling/re-purposing.

O+W: Where does your inspiration for your writings #hopefullywordstothewise come from?

KB: To be honest, #hopefullywordstothewise is my emotional outlet.  I use it as an opportunity to show people what I see is happening, what is wrong,  what is right in in how we live day-to-day.  People, both known and stranger alike, are my muse.  There are a few key players that have inspired me more than others, my favorite to mention  is Joanna Bigham aka J or pusspuss.  


O+W: Haha, thanks for that.  Discuss your philosophy on life. And the pursuit of happiness. Try not to get all political, rant-like :)

KB: Live it. Live it for you. Live it for your loved ones. Live it for your friends. Live it for the people you haven’t yet to meet. Live life as you if one day you will have to balance each moment on a scale of righteous. Make sure you do more good than bad. Not because you might go to “Hell” but because if you don’t then you suck.  

It is always interesting interviewing/writing a piece on someone that you have had the pleasure of knowing, loving, and watching grow during our experiences together.  Thank you again, Kris Bible for allowing me to share your views, humor, hopes, and dreams for your future, as well as others you encounter on this journey through life.  Life is so much more fun with you in it.  

If you would like to connect with Kris 

                                             Facebook: ChaosMadeSense

                                             Instagram: @chaoskris

                                    

   

Free Spirit: Lillie Somerfield

Today’s spotlight is on my best friend and favorite free spirit, Lillie Kate Somerfield. She’s a native of East Tennessee currently enjoying city life in Brooklyn, New York working as a graphic designer at Fresh. I met Lillie when I was 5 years old and we instantly became inseperable. I can remember being drawn to her fearless outlook on life. I called her my “brave” friend for as long as I can remember. It didn’t surprise me a bit when she packed up her life and followed her heart all the way to New York. Growing up with her helped shaped me to be the care-free, creative I am today. She taught me courage by always doing her own thing regardless of what others thought. Not only was she the person who I confided in, went on double dates with, and everything else a best friend is, but she was also my role model. Still is, actually. And I’m so proud and honored to feature her today! So grab an old fashioned or an iced coffee with milk and a sprinkle of cinnamon (2 of her favs) and get comfy. Then read on to learn more about this inspiring free spirit as she talks about her travels, what’s in her fridge and her opinion about today’s youth.

Opal + Wonder: What does a free spirit mean to you? 

Lillie Somerfield: Being uninhibited by what’s expected of you

O+W: What really matters to you?
LS: I think personal and creative fulfillment are very important. But I'm not sure if they are possible... I think the drive to be better can be healthy but I've been thinking lately that the only happiness is what you have right now, because that's all that is real. So being happy and positive in the now is very important to me, something I try to do everyday. I also think that honest love is the most important, always.

O+W: You have a traveling heart. Where all have you been to? Any good stories to share? What did you learn about yourself while trevling?

LS: Ohh I've got the travel bug so hard right now... I've been lucky in my travels thus far. I lived in Paris for a month, I traveled around Greece for a few weeks on a school trip, I've visited California and done a good deal of exploring in the south and east United States. Good stories... well I did have a love affair with a photographer in paris, that was pretty young and fun and stuff, I felt very alive there. I had a lot of spiritual experiences in Greece, the countryside is so pure and lush and old, the whole energy of the country was slow and sweet, everything smelled like orange blossoms. My travels have taught me that I really can do anything I want, and that it's often best to just go with the flow.

Lillie rocking the 70’s in Middle School

O+W: Your style has always been unique ever since middle school. Where does your style inspiration come from? 
LS: My inspiration usually comes from the 60's and 70's. I've been buying a lot of dresses lately and thinking about dying my hair grey for the summer. I mostly shop at vintage stores as cliche as that sounds. I happen to live by a ton of affordable ones and many saturday mornings are filled with digging for treasure. Other than that, I mostly stick to the sale racks at Gap, and asos.com.

O+W: As a creative person, how do you keep your mind stimulated? You seem to keep your creative fire going.
LS: Yes! I've always enjoyed that part of myself. Adventuring is a major part of my diet. I get bored easily and love being somewhere for the first time, that is a major reason why I planted myself in New York. I absolutely love the amount of things you can do on any given day (and lunch breaks in Central Park don't hurt either). I feel so very lucky to be a part of this city at this time in my life. 

O+W: So what are you listening to, watching and reading nowadays? 
LS: As far as entertainment goes, lately I've been listening to ASAP Rocky, The Beatles, Mountain Man, and Little Dragon. I really love old movies, some of my favorites are -- A Woman is a Woman, Annie Hall, Funny Face, and An Affair to Remember. Now that I use public transportation I'm loving the free time I have to read, I've most recently finished Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf, The Architecture of Happiness by Alan de Boton, and Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote. My favorite magazine is Lula, and my favorite TV show is GIRLS.

Annnnd for fun . . .

O+W: Name 3 things that are always in your fridge.

LS: Butter, kombucha, chocolate in the freezer

O+W: Are you more of a hunter or gatherer?

LS: Hunter all the way

O+W: Describe your ideal of a perfect day.

LS: Brunch, vintage shopping, laying in the park, eating tacos and icecream with my best friends

O+W: You are filling a box with your 5 favorite things. What’s in the box?

LS: My beau Dan, a fresh strawberry pie baked by my mother, my childhood dog missy, home videos, my bed

O+W: Any other random facts you want to share? Such as your brain dominance, last time you did a cartwheel or your opinion about the youth of today.

LS: haha well I think the youth of today is pretty much like the youth of yesterday, everyone grows up and thinks the kids behind them are nuts, but I think it's really just a reflection of our society changing as a whole.. we're all in this together. But it's not bad, there is so much beauty in what we have today... That it's easy to travel, to learn, to explore ourselves and find our niche, to make things with our hands because it feels most fulfilling even though it's not the quickest path to wealth and stability. We have a lot of freedom to find out how to feed our soul, which I believe is the best investment

I hope this interview put a big wide smile on your face like it did for us! You can connect with these loving Pisces on Facebook + Instagram. Also, checkout some of her work at lilliekate.com. 

Free Spirit: Brianna Gorsky

Happy Saturday Folks! Amber and I are excited to introduce a wanderlust soul that has walked where many of us have dreamed of walking; has endured circumstances that no one would prefer, and gazed upon some of the most beautiful sights in the world.  Brianna Gorsky is a 24 year old Cancer from Detroit, Michigan, who just recently made it back to the states after spending the last year in Seoul, South Korea.  Brianna has a presence that creates instant comfort upon meeting her.  She has a keen sight of the world and so eloquently tells her stories with conviction and vivid description.  She is a confident dream seeker, who seeks light, truth, and happiness- the ultimate quest for life. 

"You are not an Atlas carrying the world on your shoulder.  It is good to remember that the planet is carrying you." -Vandana Shiva


Opal + Wonder: Tell us how you keep your mind stimulated?  What are some of your favorite books, movies, and/or music?

Brianna Gorsky: Keeping your mind stimulated is one of the most important things you can do for your happiness, and, as we are now discovering, your health.  I've always been a true book worm.  A good book is just as good as a vacation, taking you to faraway places.  I can't tout the brilliance of Gabriel Garcia Marquez enough, and I'm currently having an affair with everything by David Mitchell. Documentaries are a staple of my daily life, to remind myself of how much I don't know, and open my eyes to worlds often unseen. Traveling and interacting with new and unique individuals challenges me the most and helps me to look at the world in new ways. 

O+W: Tell us your passions.  What matters to you?

BG: Defining my passions is much more difficult than I anticipated. Its something we're asked and pressured into defining our entire lives. So many things matter to me its often overwhelming and riddles me with anxiety. Most simply, I suppose, my passion is that everyone has a birth right to happiness and should be given every opportunity and tools that they need to live a life of passion, if you can define such a thing.

O+W: What did you learn about yourself during your experiences abroad?

BG: My experiences abroad, as cliche as it may sound, have taught me a lot about myself. We surround ourselves with people who love us, and who we love back. They are our support system, our motivators, our cheerleaders. During my travels I have gone through periods of "darkness"; no phone calls, internet, etc., not always by choice. This taught me to learn to like myself. It seems such a simple thing.  But, no matter how down we get at home there is someone there for us, to tell us its okay, that we're worth it, that if we keep going everything will be okay. When you're stranded without anyone you know, anyone who speaks your language or understands the world that you come from or that you can blame, you have to reconcile with yourself. You have to learn to like or at least accept the person that you are for all of your faults. You have to be the person that believes in you, you have to be your own support system. This was something that I gained that I had never even given a thought to. I learned to love myself. 

O+W: What were some of your favorite experiences in India and South Korea?

BG: The best experiences I've had are when I stopped planning things and just allowed myself to go adrift. They were the days that I got lost in Seoul and stumbled upon hidden nooks of artists and chocolate shops. They were when I had meals with strangers from the buses in India, or convinced my friends that I knew exactly where the hiking trail opened, which as it turns out, I certainly did not. The most wonderful things that happen when traveling are often simple days where all of your plans go to hell. The best things were rarely the tourist attractions that I insisted on seeing and more about bumping into the real lives, smells, and personalities of a place.

O+W: Tell us about your favorite foods? Or places to eat?

BG: Food defines cultures and regions and connects people. My favorite food depends on where in the world I am and what season it is. I love shared meals with local fare. While in Korea my favorite meals were centered around a single shared grill or pot, allowing people to really connect and converse over their meals. This is something that was almost lost here at home but is resurfacing! Be sure, I'm not saying I don't enjoy a good chili dog or the occasional fast food drive-thrus!

O+W: Any strange "Aha" moments that humbled you?

BG: Traveling humbles you. Removing yourself from your comfort zone and diving deep into something that terrifies and confuses you is humbling in a way that brings a sense of peace. Getting lost and having to rely on nonverbal communication and the kindness of strangers makes everything seem a bit more manageable. 

"Aha" moments happened on a daily basis, as simply as when I was properly taught how to eat curry with my hands. Which, before hand, was a very messy situation that elicited laughter, at my expense, all around me. The childlike "aha's" never ceased. No matter how much research I do before I go to a new place it seems like all of the little things are left out, like why are there so many buttons on that toilet or what am I supposed to do with these tongs? The list is never ending but fills me with a childlike naivete and curiosity that is the best feeling in the world.  

O+W: How did you cope with being uncomfortable and alone? 

BG: Traveling is not always a fairy tale adventure, as I always imagined it to be, or  the party that it is often portrayed to be. My second stay in India was the first time I decided to travel solo. I had been to India with a study abroad, so I was excited and believed that I was prepared. What I did not realize in my first trip was that we had been very sheltered. I arrived and immediately got a tuktuk to my hostel. It was dark, I was tired. In the morning I went out to purchase a train ticket and explore and, I was in shock. The poverty was overwhelming, the male attention was infuriating. I locked myself in my room and cried for days. Maybe other people have harder nerves, but I do not. Considering the bubble that most of us grow up in, I don't think that my experience was particularly unique, but none the less eye opening. It wasn't a special inner strength or optimism that got me through it. It was the realization that for me this was essentially a vacation and yet for millions of people this is the reality of day to day life. I became acutely aware of the privileged of being a westerner and felt guilty for it. This is not to say that the people I met were not happy people, though.

O+W: Along with your growth, how did your experience change your perspective on priorities?

BG: I've grown an immense amount over the years. Its hard to tell what is just getting older and what is due to traveling. Definitely being away gave me a new appreciation for my friends and family. Its not easy to admit but I think that I have prioritized my desire to travel above my relationships which is neither right nor necessary. My time away has made me realize that community and relationships are where true happiness is found. I will forever have a kinder lust that is insatiable but my priorities have shifted toward the people around me. Also, my perspective on travel has shifted. I believe more in backpacking with a purpose but also am more aware of what little I may have to offer in many situations. 

O+W: What would your message to the world be?

BG:  One, be aware of how truly lucky we are and how many opportunities are available to us. But, also, how skewed, as westerners, our idea of happiness is. Happiness is simple and is the same for all of us the world over. It’s family and friends, a good laugh,  a connection with nature, a beautiful sunrise, food, its not nearly as complicated or as unattainable as much of the world would have us believe.

To be considered a free spirit both humbles and elates me. Its a mindset and a lifestyle that says that happiness and simplicity is what life is really about. Its about being true to yourself and allowing yourself the freedom to enjoy anything and everything. I'm a true appreciator of art, I have neither the talent or the patience to create, so my love for art is immense. I love to travel, which I think came from my love of books. My favorite nights are dinner and board games with friends, I could play settlers everyday! I try not to have a favorite anything because I don't want to limit myself. Don't be afraid of your anxiety but treat at as a tool to lead you to new experiences. Don't forget that we're all connected on our journey through this life and never feel alone. Get your hands dirty, that's what life is about.

                                                         

Connect with Brianna
                         Facebook: Brianna Gorsky
                         Instagram @briecheezy7