Hello my fellow Texans. It’s good to be back in these United States and in the Great State of Texas. It’s been quite the experience for me this past year and there don’t seem to be any signs of slowing down. I’ve been keeping busy here and there trying to figure out what I want to say to ya’ll. I’m definitely excited to be home and get back into the swing of things. 

I had taken some pictures before I left Texas that I had been wanting to post and share with ya’ll; so here they are; a little flash back if you will. Before I left for my year long adventure with the Army I took a day to myself to explore Austin for a bit all while my hubby was already overseas. It gave me a chance to take one last glance at the city that I grew up in and soak in what I could; to capture Austin as it was at that moment. These snaps come from various establishment on South Congress Ave.

Now that I have returned it seems as if this past year almost didn’t happen. It went by quicker than expected; but I suppose that’s what they all say when it’s over. I retuned feeling a little out of place; not really knowing how to fit back in or what to do. I can see all the physical changes of Texas; of my town. I began find myself at a loss of words, not knowing how to converse with others about everyday life because, well let’s face it, my everyday life was filled with not your everything day life events.

Upon my return I managed to sleep in past 1000 a couple of days and I felt like I had wasted the whole day. It felt shameful, and I felt guilty, it’s almost as if my body was forcing sleep upon me. For the past year I had been getting up at 0600 and sometimes working 12 hours days 7 days a week for weeks on end. I was used to a schedule, a work space, a specific crowd that became my comfort zone. Sleeping past 1000 was foreign to me.

You’re probably wondering what all of this has to do with the pictures that I’m sharing. Well I guess I wanted to open up with how I’ve been feeling as a way to remind others that it’s ok if you aren’t ‘go go go’ when you return back from deployment and for our welcoming family and friends to be mindful that we just want to sleep… lol… even if our minds won’t let us. That is, its ok to take time for ourselves to relax. I think that was the biggest adjustment for me. Taking time for myself and my family, enjoying the simplicity of watching a T.V. show, cooking dinner or just taking a walk outside with out having a deadline to meet.  

These pictures right here were taken on a day where I truly took time for myself before I left and dove into the chaos of deployment. No schedules, no deadlines; just me and my camera exploring Austin for the day.

So my fellow Texans, here and abroad, remember to take some time for yourself and explore, explore your town, explore nature, explore life.

Peace and Love 

-Leyda Kanzler