Insight
August 31st, 2010 § 21 Comments
One of the things I love about traveling and seeing new places is that genuine “newness” that everything has. It’s seeing places and people that my eyes have never looked at and taking it all in. For this reason, airports are one of my favorite places to just hang out. I really wish I had been in my 20s pre- 9/11 because in my opinion, the perfect first date would consist of sitting in a terminal, coffee in hand, making up stories of passersby.
Since that’s never going to happen, I’m content to just see as much of the world as I can with fresh eyes. Having relocated to a different part of the country, every day holds a surprise or two. What I wasn’t expecting, though, was how my perspective could change through the eyes of someone else.
Can you believe there is no such thing as a Target in Canada? The horror! Lucky for Alex, there were plenty on our trip. I will never forget her excitement as we pulled up and she went running from the parking lot into and through the store.
We did this poor girl a disservice by taking her in at 9:45 – 15 minutes before the place closed. She literally ran the aisles, eyes wide and bright. I lagged behind, laughing and documenting. When we visited another store in Texas, she couldn’t get enough! Homegirl practically walked out of there with a whole new wardrobe. Her excitement was palpable. It was refreshing.
The whole experience got me thinking. How often do I put myself in the position to be completely consumed with the excitement for something new? How easy is it to let a negative attitude prevail when suddenly your day isn’t going as planned? Lose your temper? Start cursing and yelling?
I’ll admit, I can be pretty quick to let my blood pressure rise when I get angry. Lately, though, I’ve been trying something new. Instead of reverting to anger and frustration, I’m acknowledging that whatever the situation is, is not ideal and moving on with it. I’m seeing it with a new perspective.
When I get sent home early from work because we’re short on hours? It’s more time to focus on pursuing my passion.
When my GPS gets thrown off and steers me in the wrong direction? It’s opportunity to uncover new areas I would not have found otherwise.
When the paychecks don’t stretch as far? It’s a chance to make my money work harder for me.
When the rejection letters and emails come my way? It’s fuel to my fire.
Acknowledge it. Deal with it. Move on. Find the positive. Sounds pretty simple, but aren’t we all looking for simplicity in life?
How do you deal with an unexpected occurrence? Are you calm or do you have a bad temper (like me)?
Strength in Numbers
August 30th, 2010 § 5 Comments
Wow! I am absolutely floored by the support I received on my last post. My readers are amazing and this community is an absolute blessing to me. Rachel‘s movement has spread throughout several blogs and I wanted to take the focus away from myself and encourage – no require – that you go read the stories of these amazing women today.
Rachel linked up to several women who also “owned it” here. You should read them all.
Kat encourages us to not sweat the small stuff. This woman’s story (you should listen to it here) in itself is amazing and I am so proud to call her my friend and support her.
Alicia owned that what she is dealing with may be the exact opposite of what she shows on her blog and she’s not going to let it own her. This was so powerful.
A few other links to share:
Alex tells us why she runs. Why do you run? Or do Pilates or yoga? Or hike, bike, dance? Whatever your passion is, my hope for you is that you love it like she does hers.
Kelle Hampton may be one of the most beautiful writers I’ve come across. She also takes gorgeous photographs. Check out her account of her trip to New York City with her father and gorgeous baby girl. This made me very homesick for NYC.
And if you really love photography and fashion, please check out my three favorite fashionistas: Stylish White Female and Fashion Devotion and Song of the Exile.
Happy Monday and happy reading!
Who inspires you? Any favorite bloggers or posts we should be reading? Please share them in the comments below – I love new additions!
Possession
August 26th, 2010 § 36 Comments
Do you know who Rachel Wilkerson is? Have you read her blog? Laughed (hysterically, I might add) at her videos? Felt empowered that you are a woman?
I have. Rachel is one of those people who isn’t afraid to say what she thinks and stand behind her word. She’ll come to your side if ever you need support and she’ll keep you on your toes with the array of subject matter that she writes about daily. She’s witty, sassy, sexy and smart. Dare I say she’s like Samantha, Miranda, Charlotte and Carrie ALL rolled into one? Well, I just did. I own it.
Speaking of, those three little words: “I own it,” make for one powerful statement. Yesterday Rachel wrote about owning it. I suggest you go read the post. Seriously. Everything I want to say about being guilt-free and ridding yourself of fear, doubt and insecurity is there and in so many more of her posts.
And since she’s letting me, I’m going to borrow this little number:
And let you in on a few things.
See, ever since I read Jenna’s Confessions of a Food Blogger I’ve been thinking to myself, what confessions do I have to make? What things would I say if I had all my readers and this community in a room with the promise that they’d never tell?
When I read Rachel’s post yesterday, I thought, “Screw the room, push down the walls, it’s time to get real.”
I totally believe in the separation of personal life and blog life. There are many aspects of my life that don’t need to be public and many parts that I don’t want to be public. There are however things from the past I have said that my actions since have contradicted.
Remember when I told you I spray tan a lot? I didn’t go overboard voicing my views on UV tanning but I didn’t exactly praise it either. Andrew credits me as the reason for putting a halt on his overly tanorexic lifestyle. Carrie pleaded with me not to ever step foot in a tanning salon again. I know the potentially harmful side effects. I know that it increases the risks for skin cancer tremendously.
I’m tanning again. In a tanning bed. Sorry I’m not sorry.
This is a recent thing for me and it goes beyond the need to feel good about myself at a cosmetic level. My skin has been suffering through some changes this summer and tanning helps to alleviate it. I know the difference between somewhat normal and going overboard. I don’t need a lecture on why it’s so bad. I get it. I know. I feel better and that’s all that matters.
When I was in Nashville, I made a materialistic purchase. Some might say that goes against the restrictions of my Summer Spending Challenge. I say it was a souvenir. Sorry I’m not sorry.
When I took Chase (Visa) out of the freezer, I used him a few times. They weren’t large purchases, but – wait no, ya know what? Sorry I’m not sorry.
Oh and remember that terrible breakup I went through in January? The one where he said he wanted to end it because I blogged and he just didn’t “get it”?
Well, he also broke up with me because I wouldn’t sleep with him.
Sorry I’m NOT SORRY. I own that decision and I love myself even more for it.
You might think I just went a little too personal there. I own that and I’m OK with it. If it’s “too much” to share on a blog, I’m content with going against the grain.
In the same respect, I refuse to settle for anything less than what I truly deserve. No relationship is perfect, but no woman should ever be made to feel like they are inferior to their man. Am I picky and selfish here? If I am, I don’t care. In the words of Marilyn Monroe: “If you can’t handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best.”
I love Jesus. I have a strong faith and I love church. But at times, an F-bomb slips from these lips. I own that.
My thoughts can be stereotypical and my judgments are passed too quickly. I sometimes don’t give people a chance beyond a first impression. I’m working on that and I fully admit it’s a flaw. I own that.
I picked up and moved half way across the country with no “real job.” I’m working part-time for the same company I worked for in Pittsburgh, but I took a severe pay cut.
I am absolutely joyous to have the ability to have free room and board and only work part-time for the first time since high school. Some may call me privileged and they’d be right. Hell, they might say I’m spoiled to have this opportunity when so many others struggle to make ends meet. Sorry I’m not sorry.
I’m giving myself a mental break. Physical space. Leisure to pursue my passion. Downsizing stress and responsibility.
I own it.
If you’ve asked me for advice in the past and I’ve given it repeatedly yet you still continue to fall into the same pattern, part of me has written you off. Same goes for unreturned emails, ignored phone calls and when you don’t listen to me while we’re having a conversation. I respect the right to have your own opinion, make your own decisions and live a hectic life. You should respect mine, too. Sorry I’m not sorry.
I’m choosing to own it. To not be sorry.
Can you do the same?
Is there something you’ve been holding back for fear of what others think??
I’m joining Rachel and inviting you to take charge of something in your life – via blog, email, conversation, etc., and finally own it.
Take it from me – be free.
It’s kind of like a new pair of boots. At first it might be hard to put them on. Walking around in them might feel unnatural, stiff.
Walk around just a little bit more – as soon as they start to break in, you’re never gonna wanna take ‘em off.
Health, etc.
August 25th, 2010 § 13 Comments
Let’s talk health, shall we?
It’s been awhile since I’ve mentioned much about running or anything pertaining to fitness in general so we’ll start there.
For most of the summer, my running was on hiatus. I flirted a bit with Jillian Michaels’ “No More Trouble Zones” but my commitment to that was about as solid as a a JELL-O mold two hours into the fridge.
During the road trip, Alex and I laced up our Asics a few times. Within minutes of the first run, I remembered that little thing called an inhaler when my air supply felt like it was being sucked through a tiny straw. Once we started running in Texas, the ability to breathe easily was just one of many concerns on my list. Now we were dealing with blazing sun, squinting eyes and headaches. Cue Academy, the most affordable sports store EVER!!! Would you believe we snagged Camelbaks for sub- $35?? Oh yes my friends.
CH-YEAH! This officially tips the scale at just over five pounds of gear I strap onto my body.
After about two weeks of consistent morning runs, I’m still getting back into “I’m feeling this” mode.
I also decided to bow out of a race I was planning to run for my birthday. It’s not because of distance (it’s a 10k) or because I’m not capable, it’s because I’m being smart about my finances and choosing not to put myself in debt over a race. It wasn’t any easy decision but in moving down here, my financial situation changed drastically, causing me to be even more responsible. In retrospect, the Summer Spending Challenge was just a precursor. And no, I still have not purchased any clothing or accessories this summer outside of gifts!
The race scene here is great – Austin may just be the most active city I’ve ever seen – so I’ll get back into my groove. For now, I’m building back my strength and running for myself.
I’m also sitting up and taking notice of other healthy additions I can make to my life. A few months ago my doctor suggested I start taking a daily multi-vitamin. Last week’s trip to Costco provided me with the perfect opportunity.
PS How freaking bomb is that place?? I mean, I’ve been to a Sam’s Club before but Costco just absolutely won me over. Where else can I buy a best seller for $8.99, grab a case of beer and a variety pack of Pepperidge Farm baked goods under roof? Nowhere, friends. This may or may not have been the highlight of my weekend. I may or may not a penny pinching b 80-year-old woman on the inside who loves a good bargain (and cuts coupons).
As you can see, I also picked up some Fish Oil. When I saw the giant bottle of it, something in the back of my mind reminded me of an article I read at some point in my life boasting its benefits. The price was right and I was on a bulk binge so I tossed it in the cart. I’ve been taking these babies for a few days now and I’m interested to see their effects.
They are also monster sized and I have to make a fist when I swallow them to distract myself from the fear they’ll scratch my throat on the way down. Because that is the worst thing. Ever.
On the opposite end of my day, I’ve welcomed the presence of another healthy friend.
You know, sometimes I wonder what my future children’s friends will say when they come into the kitchen in the middle of the night during a sleepover looking for a snack or consoling after a bad dream and instead see me taking photobooth pictures of random things like bags in my mouth or manicotti shells thrown into the sink.
“Your Mom is so weird.”
Also, confession: I never would have tried these let alone known what they were had it not been for blogging. Alas, I have succumbed to the crunchy love that is the chia seed. Naturally I’m throwing them in my daily Green Monster. The recommended serving is 1 tablespoon but sometimes my hand gets a little heavy and I just dump a big pile in. Is that a bad thing?
And there’s your health update for the year. Now I can go back to eating mini warm delights at 9 p.m. on the daily and not feel ashamed.
Do you take any daily vitamins or supplements? Which ones?
What additions have you made to your health lately?
Free falling
August 23rd, 2010 § 13 Comments
Since I have more than once thrown myself into the “healthy living” category in blog world, I was actually going to post about something health-related today. Instead, I’ll save that for another day. If you’re interested in reading more than just my random musings on life, though, check out Healthy Living Blogs a website designed to enhance the positive community of the healthy living blog world that I am a member of. Last I checked it was over 700 blogs strong!
This morning I was reading through a thread of messages on Facebook between eight of my girlfriends from high school. Since we are living in several different states now, we periodically update each other this way and before we know it, there’s a thread is over 30 messages long. Everyone is at completely different points in their life – one is married with a little girl, another is married and remodeling her house, another just had a baby, three are in serious relationships and three of us are single. There have been so many times since we graduated that I’ve had a big moment of realization around just how much change each of us has endured in different ways and at different times, and yet we all still maintain a very strong friendship. For that, I consider myself to be very lucky.
This morning, one of my friends was sharing her decision to quit her “real job” and instead work full time at what used to be her part-time job. She had been considering going back to school for her third degree but decided against it when she realized her heart may not be fully into it. Then she said something that resonated with me.
“It’s weird; I have nothing – I have nobody, don’t have a real job, but I’m happy. I just think that it’s amazing that we can still have these threads and let each other know what’s going on. We may not talk everyday and all of our lives are changing so much with babies and weddings and live-in boyfriends and serious boyfriends and ‘the ones’ but we can still at least have these threads. It makes me happy.”
I don’t know how it’s possible to feel even closer to someone who’s over 1,000 miles away. I never imagined I could feel more ingrained into eight lives that I already considered to know as well as I know my own, but somehow I do.
Aside from it being a comfort to me as I come to fully realize what a physical distance I’ve put between myself and everything I know and love, what she said made me think a lot about happiness.
I know I’ve talked a lot about it. I’ve talked about my pursuit of it and knowing what I am doing will bring it to me. I know a lot of bloggers talk about happiness and how it relates to health and well-being. I know it’s something we are all in constant need of. It’s something that takes a different shape in every mind that formulates an opinion of it. Lately I’ve been telling myself that it’s not something that’s months or years away. It’s got to be in every day.
When my friend said she has nothing – meaning no assets, no relationship, no “dream job” – yet she is completely happy, it made me think about my own life.
Everything I own was just packed into the back of an SUV. Every relationship I have ever had is in the past. My “dream job” is still a dream I’m working toward. My closest friends are spread across the continent. Aside from my parents, my family is, too. Where does that leave my happiness?
Sometimes I think we feel like happiness can only be found in the shape of something that’s attainable but out of our grasp. “If I didn’t have a terrible boss,” “If I could just get that promotion,” “If I didn’t have so much debt,” “If I had a boyfriend/girlfriend,” “If I ever get married,” “If my kids would just behave,” “If we could just stop fighting,” “..then I could finally be happy.” How easy is it to fall into that trap?
I fall into it all the time. I keep feeling like there’s so many “If’s” and “When’s” right now that are holding me back from being happy. I’ve been impatient since I got here. I’ve wanted everything that I think will make me happy to happen right away.
The truth is, I’ve been so busy focused on the things that I want that I have forgotten about the things I already have and can enjoy every day that do make me happy:
- my humor
- my health
- my morning runs
- my dog
- the support under my own roof
- music
- books
- the power of prayer
- coffee
- good food
- sunsets
- the love of friends, near and far, old and new
To me, the focus now is to find the happiness in these things, and whatever things come my way with each new day. It’s kind of a freeing feeling. Happiness will certainly be there within the things I want to have someday, but the not so big secret here is that it’s in everything I already have. Now that I realize that, it’s time to dive right in.
What are your views on happiness? Where do you find it everyday and where do you hope to find it in the future?
You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me
August 20th, 2010 § 12 Comments
Not sure if I mentioned this before but I’m what you call a boomerang kid.
Seven years ago – almost to the exact date – I moved out of my parents house and into my college dorm. Not exactly the easiest time – I cried for the first 30 minutes of the drive. After things settled and I got into a routine I loved it. Throughout college I lived in two other apartments with roommates. After college, I lived in the Philadelphia area, again with roommates. After a year and a half there, I relocated back to Pittsburgh where I lived with Carrie until three weeks ago.
Now I live at home.
I went out. I came back in. Boomerang.
I am extremely grateful for the amazing parents that have welcomed me back with open arms. They’re the same parents who are going above and beyond to make this transition as easy as possible for me. (No friends = slight adjustment)
It goes without saying, though, (and you know I’m going to say it) that coming back after seven years is quite the shakeup. Seven years. That’s 49 in dog years which equals 157 in 20-something years. It’s a long time people.
With that being said, there are some adjustments made by both respective parties. Adjustments you will surely come to be made aware of via this lovely little vessel of words.
Today, the issue at hand is quite simple and yet oh so complicated.
Welcome to my parents house – aka the fortress of crack!
Eh, Christmas styles. You get the picture. It’s even worse then! Frosty has been known to untie himself at 2 a.m. and do some serious dealing.
Anyhow, perhaps we should start a little dictionary here at The Twenty-Fifth Year. When I say “crack” I am referring to anything that is addicting to the point where the only solutions are drastic, dramatic and often harsh. Most of the time, it’s food related. I go through phases where different food groups act as crack to me. One week of the year it’s vegetables. The word crack doesn’t linger on these lips that week, unless it’s to shout, “Hey crack open another bell pepper, would ya? I just can’t get enough!”
For now, crack remains notorious under this roof. Here’s the proof.
I’ve heard women refer to hair relaxer as “creamy crack.” I’d like to propose a new substance to bear the name. It would be this frosting. Unbelievably hard to find, the raw emotion upon finding it are not unlike striking gold in California circa 1849. Homegirl has been known to pass one of these bad boys around the lunch table in high school and polish it off with the help of six other girls. Or finish it off in a few hours during in a cross-country road trip. Details, details.
You know what’s absolutely great with creamy crack?
Animal crackers. I don’t even have to make anything up here. This one has crack RIGHT IN ITS NAME!!
And don’t you worry, if there’s no rainbow chip frosting creamy crack on your grocer’s shelves, you can bet my elastic sweatpants you can have a little party in your mouth with this.
And if you want to torment yourself further, just put a few gobs of these in cupcake liners and freeze them a la Gracie. Sitting around waiting for them to freeze knowing what will result is going to taste like a Reese’s Cup is reminiscent of jonesing for a cigarette (from what I can remember). Pacing ensues. You’re probably better off finding something to do while it freezes. Like running laps around your kitchen. Or eating brownies.
No Peanut Butter & Co.? No worries, just go ahead and have the real thing, would ya?
“Oh I picked up some snacks on the plane for you. Twix bars, two brownies and 19 Reese’s cups.”
Thanks, Dad.
When it gets this bad, my addictive personality just turns to another vice.
Perhaps the title of this post should be, “This Is Why I Run.”
What is your parents house like? Do you succumb to all the extra sweets or can you stay away?
What’s your guilty pleasure snack?
When Electronics Attack
August 19th, 2010 § 14 Comments
I’ve had to answer the same question a lot lately, “How’s Texas?” Every time I have answered, “Hot!” While this may seem like I am stating the obvious here, my Yankee blood is going to take some time to adjust to the feeling of sweat rolling down my back while I eat dinner. It’s pretty hard to enjoy a delicious local beer or a cheesy Tex Mex dish when my mind keeps wandering to the same thought: “Oh. My. Gosh. Can anyone see that? Is my face glowing? Oh yes, my upper lip is beading with sweat. Where’s my napkin? Must be discreet!!”
I’m trying to think of the blazing sun as an added bonus to give my translucent skin some love, Vitamin D styles. You know that song, “Can we pretend airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars?” Well let me tell you, if those planes need guided down to earth, you could lay me on the runway and I’d serve as a great means of reflection.
Really, though, I’ve only been here a week so I don’t think I can pass any kind of fair judgment on my new home. I can tell you one thing I absolutely despise: driving.
Prior to my relocation I considered myself to be pretty skilled when it came to tackling new terrain and driving in heavily populated areas. Sure, my sense of direction might not be super sharp but I could handle it given I had my trusty GPS along with me. Speaking of, I can’t believe I have never mentioned her on here before. Yes, her. She has a name, it’s Jill. Laugh all you want but spend any small amount of time with me in my car and you’ll be calling her that, too.
I think the reason she received her name was because when I went to pick the accent, the British woman was named Jill on the Garmin. More importantly, giving her a name has made me feel a little more sane in raising my voice at her on a regular occasion when she guides me in the wrong direction.
The roads in Austin are set up much differently than in Pittsburgh. In the latter there were several main routes, highways and the like but they seemed to run on their own direction, never really paralleling or intersecting without very clear signage. Here, it’s a whole different scene. Every highway has about seven different names, they cross at random and may or may not turn into toll roads where a tag is required to pay the toll, less you be billed in the mail. Also, along many of these major routes runs a frontage road. While this may seem very elementary to you, it is completely foreign to me and therefore completely screws up the entire world of Jill.
Exhibit A:
I must first offer the disclaimer that all photos were taken with the car stopped (hence the big glowing ’0′ on my dash). But as you can clearly see here, I am in fact on a road. Jill on the other hand, well she thinks I am just driving aimlessly on a road never traveled. Perhaps in the middle of a field or maybe through a house? Either way, in her world, I am on Bell Boulevard but not really there at all. Queue the Twilight Zone theme song.
Once she does finally line up my little arrow self with an actual road, things rarely get any easier before they get harder. I’ve become accustomed to thinking I’m well on my merry way when all of a sudden, “*ding ding* Recalculating” Does this mean I have suddenly taken a wrong turn? Contraire mes amis! She is only being a ditzy gadget! I blame it on karma. I have been told my whole life that although I can ace a test and write a killer research paper, my skills in the common sense department lack something. I guess I got the one electronic that matched my personality to a ‘T.’
The other night, I found myself on another adventure with Jill that ended in my surrender to a toll road and lots of “*ding ding* Recalculating.” (I couldn’t stay mad at her for long – I’m a sucker for accents) To complicate it even further, I had to battle this demon.
Is it just me or do all testy appliances and machinery in my life glow at me like terrible creatures? Remember Sharky?
Anyhow.
My problem with this area of the car isn’t so much with the heat and air – you simply only have it on one setting all the time: ice cold. My problem is with the radio stations in Austin. I thought I heard somewhere this was the Live Music Capital. Well, in my frantic repeated tapping of the seek button, here’s what I heard:
- Four stations playing the same commercial for Blue Bell ice cream, each at different points in the jingle which rivaled The Jersey Shore in levels of cheesy. If I heard “Have Yourself A Blue Bell Country Day” one more time I thought I was gonna lose it.
- Fifty stations blaring Mexican music. I am all for some diversity in my world, but sometimes a girl just needs a song – one that she can actually sing the words to.
- Every remaining station was either devoted to Jesus or news.
My drives typically go something like this:
Jill: “Drive three point four miles then exit right.”
Me: *Fiddles with the seek button*
Gremlin Radio: “Bésame, bésame mucho. Como si fuera esta noche”
Me: “Gah! Seek!”
Gremlin Radio: “Blue Bell ice cream is the best in the WOORLD!!!”
Me: “Nooo! Seek!!”
Jill: “*ding ding* Recalculating”
Me: “Whaaa?”
Jill: “Drive point five miles then bear right.”
Me: *Looks right, then left.* “I am on a overpass, JILL. There’s nowhere to bear right?!?”
Jill: “Recalculating. *pause* recalculating.”
Gremlin Radio: “De piedra ha de ser la cama, de piedra la cabecera.”
Jill: “When possible, make a U-turn.”
Me: “GAHHH! ghjg&*#! s*%$#!!!!!”
After three more minutes of this round and round, I finally settled on Spanish crooning found a route I actually knew, turned down the volume on Jill and pulled into my garage looking like this:
Jill/Gremlin Radio: 1
The Twenty-Fifth Year: 0
Road, Review, Renew
August 17th, 2010 § 6 Comments
As obvious as it may be to say, I have made it to Texas! I feel that this statement warrants an exclamation point because, well, it’s kind of a big deal, no? I mean 1,457 miles is no short jaunt of a move. The latter part of the drive post-Nashville was a long one. This was something I didn’t figure out until I started plugging in addresses to Google Maps. As I looked at the clock with regret Tuesday morning at 11 a.m., I told Alex we had about 12 hours of road between us and where we’d lay our heads to rest that night.
We set out to cover the rest of Tennessee, all of Arkansas and finally cross into Texas. After four veggie subs, an entire state without coffee, some really scary bathrooms and a gorgeous sunset, we got to Ft. Worth and crashed around 1 a.m. The next morning, we made the most of a hotel breakfast and hit the road. We rolled into my parents’ place in the early afternoon and unpacked my car. My Mum kept insisting I took a ‘before’ picture of my wreckage but really, I think I’m doing you all a favor by sparing you of just how much crap I hauled down here with me.
What I do have photos of, however, are some of the highlights throughout the rest of the trip. Without further ado…
After a day of exploring my new digs and nearly melting approximately nine times, we took the afternoon Friday to go see Eat Pray Love. Now, I know there are critics out there – both those who make a living as one and those who simply have an opinion. Mine is pretty simple: I loved it. I read the book a few years ago right as it began to get popular and I loved it, too. Many of the details had faded in my memory and that was OK with me. I knew the premise. I’m sure many women went out and read the book in the weeks leading up to the movie’s release and were disappointed to see the plot line change.
People, c’mon. How many books stay true to their 120 minutes on film? It’s very rare and nearly impossible for a story to translate into a movie. I mean, Elizabeth Gilbert’s story would have taken hours to portray accurately. Perhaps it’s because I am in the midst of such a transition in my life, but I really got a lot out of it. I choked back tears of understanding, gratitude and cope throughout a great deal of the film. There was a lot of talk about pushing yourself outside your comfort zone, taking risks and chances and figuring things out for and about yourself. There was also a delicious pizza and some crave-worthy fries.
As I sat in the chilly theater, I pulled my sweater around me in a pseudo hug, wiping away single warm tears past my curls. I told myself it was OK to be moved but that it wasn’t necessary to have a complete breakdown in the dark. I felt inspired and compelled and as cliché and trite as it may seem, I felt a bit consoled. Sure, Elizabeth Gilbert’s story is rare and one in a million. I don’t have any immediate plans to put my life on hold for a year and travel the world (although if anyone would care to sponsor that, I wouldn’t object) but I do have plans to do something great with my life. As scary as it is, I’m looking at this move and decision to relocate half way across the country as a gift to myself. It’s a delicate gift. One that must be opened slowly. There’s no need to rush through it – though I desperately want nothing other than that. I’m looking at this time to focus solely on myself and discover what it is I really want. I’ve never had the opportunity to be quite as unattached from responsibility and social commitments so I’ve decided now is as good a time as any.
Those tears were not the last. I woke up Saturday morning and made a beeline to the freezer where two ice packs awaited their fate atop my eyes to bring down the swelling. They stung my cheeks again as I hugged Alex goodbye for the fifth time at the airport and drove away knowing my life was about to take a major turn and that I was without a friend beside me every day for the first time in years.
Thankfully, I have a wonderful support system right under my roof, at the touch of a button on my phone and a click away on the Internet. There are so many people who have helped me get to where I am today; standing at the brink of this road where so many opportunities and adventures await. There is however, only one person who could have helped me make the actual trip and transition in such a smooth and calm way.
I have talked about how wonderful of a friend this woman is to me, but spending eight days non-stop with her has truly solidified it in my heart. It’s amazing what I have learned and gained from this blogging community – but I count my blends (blogger friend = blend) as the biggest blessing of all. At the end of the day, it can be hard to keep up with everything and everyone but I believe no matter how often you press publish, how many tweets you send, how many comments you receive, once you’re in this community, you’re in and a part of something so life-changing and wonderful you can never imagine your life without it.
Did you see Eat Pray Love? What did you think of it?
Have you been part of something bigger that changed your life? How?
Road Signs
August 10th, 2010 § 11 Comments
Hello from Nashville!
We’ve been going solid for three days now – at this time tomorrow we will be in Austin! Yep, that’s right, I brought along a friend.
My – very near and dear to my heart – blend, Alex!
This lovely lady arrived in the States last Saturday to attend a very special wedding and make the multi-state trek with me. What’s been even more fun than having her around is watching people’s reactions when I’ve told them the story of how we actually never met until a few days ago. They’re all, “Huh?” and I’m all “Yup! Welcome to 2010. Glad to have you join us.” If nothing else, this community has brought into my life some fabulous people whom, I swear, don’t pack axes, guns or torture devices of any kind in their suitcases when they travel to meet you.
Saturday we got all dolled up and headed to the historic Warner Theater in Erie, Pennsylvania, to watch my cousin get married in a throwback ’40s wedding.
To say this wedding was on point would not be giving it enough credit. Every little detail of the ceremony and reception was beautiful and obviously very well thought-out. Yours truly had the honor of being the first face everyone saw as they collected their “tickets” which were place cards to the tables inside. The bridal party was decked out in wingtip shoes, pearls and gorgeous hairstyles that would rival something in Mad Men. The centerpieces boasted beautiful Stargazer Lilies and ostrich feathers. People, It. Was. To. Die. 
After all that beauty, we were faced with this monstrosity.
Luckily, everything fit. Including what my Dad will tell you is the best part of Pennsylvania (that you can’t get in Texas).
For the next 10 hours, we drank copious amounts of coffee.
And rocked it out.
Yesterday, another dear sweet friend acted as our tour guide around Music City.
Maggie is one of those once-in-a-lifetime kind of friends. We met the day she moved into the dorms at college and have been great pals ever since. Having gone into the same field, she is someone who truly gets it when it comes to having a passion for something that seems almost impossible to make a living from.We have racked up hours of minutes offering support from states away over the years and yet we just pick up right where we left off with each visit.
Apparently we missed the memo that yesterday was Melt Yo Face Off Nashville 2010. Regardless, we saw the sights and heard the sounds that make up this great city. It’s hard to believe so much of it was destroyed by flooding just a few months ago.
To me, Nashville boasts something in the way of a magical feeling. Having grown up in a small town dreaming big city dreams, I can identify with the people who come here in hopes of fame and success. As I sat on a bar stool in one of the honky tonks, feet dangling high above the worn wooden floors, I couldn’t help but take it all in. Within those notes that sang country classics, Sugarland covers and original tunes was something more. I’d like to be cliché and say it was hope and determination and dreams. I’d like to make this all wrap up in some romantic way and tell you that I felt like everything became completely clear. Instead I’ll tell you that it gave me a good feeling – some reassurance, yes, but not the be-all-end-all-moment of clarity. Perhaps it was more like a sign on a long stretch of highway, letting its traveler know how much area there was left to cover and offering some relief. The number may seem high and daunting until I reach my destination, but at least I know I am still on the right road.
Thanks, Nashville.
Leaving
August 5th, 2010 § 8 Comments
Well all I can say right now is if you’re still checking in, reading and mygoodnessthankyou commenting then you are one fabulous reader/blend/friend. The poor Twenty-Fifth Year has taken the very back burner these past few weeks as I wrapped up my time in Pittsburgh. Rather than bore you with stories of what feels like 100 different goodbyes, here is a visual:
Andrew turned 21 and rode public transportation for the very first time.
We invited lots of people to our house on the stipulation they wore jeans and a white t-shirt.
My Philly friends traveled across the state to say goodbye and showed me so much love.
Those would be John Mayer lyrics. So. Perfect.
I got to have one last goodbye with my dear sweet Abby and try fro yo for the first time!
I got silly a few more times.
Enjoyed the sweet summer sunshine with friends.
Cherished some of my favorite spots.
(Homegirl lived on the 13th floor a lifetime ago freshman year).
That would be the fountains we were supposed to run through on my last night that were, ofcourseitsmyluck, turned off. Still beautiful.
I received some beautiful cards and gifts from loved ones whom I’ll miss more than I can wrap my head around right now.
How stinkin’ cute, right?!
Thank goodness for the spending challenge – I tried this on three days before it was given to me! Think it will bring me a cowboy?
Hi, thanks for making me cry.
Absolutely wonderful words to live by. I think I will start collecting quotable mugs.
Toasted to my “Leap of Faith” and “Texas” several times.
And said peace out to my city – the one that changed me, shaped me, taught me many things and loved me no matter what.
I have many thoughts, feelings, realizations and emotions I have yet to even pull out of my mind. I’m looking forward to getting back into writing and this community but for now, I’ve got about 1500 miles to put between here and my destination. See you on the road!
