Journal

September 27th, 2021

Big transitions happening for Silver Van Studio. Recently we sold our silver van and it's the first time in about 6 years we are vanless and it's a funny feeling. We've gotten used to having a getaway vehicle. Bad vibes? Bad fires? Rampant Covid? Ready for something different? Want to see something new? It's nice to be able to leave it behind and simply drive away with everything we care about. We've been packed and ready to go.

But my heart wants some roots and my hands want to garden and I want to feel that feeling of being in the kitchen in the late afternoon when the lights coming in just right and my 30 piece thrifted mug collection is shinning like treasure and my funky artwork is looking good on the walls and Doug & Luna are nestled in their usual spots and I get that grateful feeling for having a cozy safe home in a place I love to be. That's my mission now. We have been in Colorado for the past 2 months playing in the Rockies having an really incredible time. But we move to Bend, Oregon on Friday and I'm feeling really hopeful that this is the place we put down some roots. 

I'm thinking of new names for SVS! I feel like a little rebrand is in order now that the Silver Van has moved on. Hopefully I'll decide soon but picking a name brings out the indecision in me. 

Until next time, 

Ali

 

May 25th, 2021

Back into the van we go!

We are starting to formulate plans for life after July 31st when we return to the United States. It will be hard to leave Costa Rica but ultimately we are ready to return to the mothership and do some domestic exploring.

We are really living some life here in Costa Rica and its not over yet! Costa Rica is rich. Rich with nature, waves, water, good friendly people, spirit, inspiration, nourishing food, challenge, and sights + sounds that reflect the magic and wonder of this wild world.

I came here with a goal to take my surfing to the next level and this coast has delivered waves that have allowed me to experiment and play and have taught me to commit and trust. The ocean here is powerful and the waves get big. The water is warm and sometimes clear, sometimes murky. Stingrays are jumping and every so often there is a croc just past the lineup. We have surfed remote point breaks with macaws flying through the sky landing on trees filled with monkeys and sloths. Floating in the water and looking back at glowing green jungle and the misty clouds is a sight ill remember always and i know i will long for when im anywhere but here. I know these days are ones we will look back on with so much love and fondness.

Grant and I have been many places we have loved, but the goal now is to find a place to call home. Ultimately there are places we love to visit and places we could see ourselves living and as we travel more of the world the difference between the two is getting a bit more clear.

We are back in the van in August with hopes to visit the PNW. In September & October we will be back in Southern California and hopefully East Coast & the Jersey Shore in November. Hawaii at years end. Ill be thoughtfully making quality jewelry all along the way.

Thanks for reading.
From my adventures to yours,
Ali

December 15, 2020

Next adventure: Costa Rica! We are packing up and heading to Costa Rica for about 5 months. Cats too. I will be bringing all my jewelry equipment and cannot wait to make pieces that reflect the magic of this special place. Jewelry making time sandwiched between a morning and afternoon surf session is my bliss. 

One problem. We managed to lose our passports within the last couple months. Not sure if they were lost or stolen, but that really doesn't matter much now. We cant find them and if you can imagine we searched every nook and cranny of the van. We are trying our best to get new ones as fast as possible, but we are a long ways away from our storage unit with all our important identification. 2020 wanted to give one more sucker punch to the tummy, I guess. 

We accept what we cannot change, we laugh, and we move forward.

See ya soon, Costa Rica!

-Ali

 

November 11, 2020

Well, I was contemplating deleting my journal page from my website, but decided to write an entry instead. My intention was to write consistently and share frequently this summer... my bad.

I recently attended a small women's surf retreat that included a short journaling workshop that reignited my love for scribbling my thoughts down on paper in messy handwriting with poor grammar and bad spelling. I have taken up a daily journal again and it feels cleansing. I just allow myself to start writing freely about anything at all, which at times feels trivial and shallow, but often leads to the unearthing of otherwise forgotten and peripheral memories. It surprises me at times.

I enjoy writing. Its healing and reading the writings of others is a major way to feel less alone in this wild world. I am grateful and inspired by those who write openly and freely. Its a very brave thing to do. My 30th birthday is on Saturday. As I reflect back on the last 10 years I see it as an intense time of self-realization, introspection, and unlearning. As time goes on, I am excited to see what happens when I open a journal and pick up a pen.

Until next time,

Alicea

 

May 22, 2020

It has always been a dream of mine to openly share writings about myself and our travels. I hope to use this space as a place to write about who I am, where I am, and what I stand for. 

We are in the process of packing up our home and moving into our big silver Sportsmobile full-time. Its gonna be a hoot! Stay tuned. 

-Ali