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Ole Miss Alum, Mississippi Blogger Trades Pinecones for Palmtrees
Ali Ballard (picture from pinecones2palmtrees.com)
Have you ever wanted to sell everything you own and move across the country? One former teacher for the Tupelo School District has done exactly that.
After two and a half decades of living in the South, Ali Ballard, 26, a Mississippi native and alum of Ole Miss decided to embark on an adventure by selling all her worldly possessions and moving to San Fransisco, California.
“I bought a one-way ticket to California. Because why not? I’m moving across the country with no plan, no job, and no place to live. I’m just winging it,” Ballard explained.
She is chronicling her experience in a blog called Pinecones to Palmtrees at www.pinecones2palmtrees.com which documents her many experiences and talents as a budding photographer. Her family and friends she leaves behind, as well as her many fans and supporters are able to follow along in her adventure vicariously through her blog.
But letting go wasn’t easy. “I have always loved my stuff. I’ve been a stuff person for as long as I can remember. I loved my furniture, my trinkets, and everything in my home. Recently, I have decided that life is more than stuff. I want my life to reflect something more.”
Inspired by the book, Packing Light by Allison Vestevelt, Ballard was able to sift through her collection of accumulated treasures acquired over the years, and unburden herself from material goods.
Ballard is armed on her journey with the outlook of a hopeless optimist. This fact is evidenced by a run of t-shirts she and best friend Amy Rebekah Holt had produced and sold featuring their motto “Just Show Up.”
“I believe great things can happen if you just show up,” Ballard exclaims. “People would be surprised what kind of great things can happen by just putting themselves out there.”
As chronicled in the Pinecones to Palmtrees blog (as well as social media featuring the hashtag #pinecones2palmtrees), her journey already started with music, love, witnessing first-hand the city of Cleveland Ohio break a 52-year sports curse, and even sharing a Nashville dance floor with rock star Jack White.
“This might be a book someday,” Ali says.
An auspicious start indeed.
Those interested in buying sponsoring or donating to Ballard’s blog, can do so at pinecones2palmtrees.com.
Daniel Lee Perea can be contacted at danielleeperea@gmail.com.
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Mary Johnston
July 20, 2016 at 1:33 pm
My husband and I met the brave Miss Ali at her yard sale in May (selling all her worldly goods). Being a native Californian, I realized immediately that Ali’s soul belongs in San Francisco. Every piece of art work, her clothes, her free spirited personality will fit perfectly in the San Francisco bay area. Ali is an amazing young woman. Brave, talented and friendly. My husband and I were able to visit briefly with Ali last week on our way to the SF airport to come home and even though Ali had been in Cali for only 2 days, she definitely was adjusting very well to her whole new world. So happy that you “just showed up”! Live, love, laugh!!
Brenda Green
July 20, 2016 at 6:10 pm
Love Ali, she will do wonderful things in SF. I met Ali when she was attending Northeast Miss Community College. She served as our SGA president. Ali never met a stranger, she is so loving and sweet.