Awesomes

11. Line drying.





















12. The smell of the town bread factory at the beginning and end of my runs.


















13. Being THIS happy.

















14. Coffee.

15. Re-inventing clothes.

16. Conquering a literary behemoth.





















17. The lambent book you read really fast after finishing said behemoth.


18. Hosti (hosting)


19. Pets that think they're smaller than they are.


20. Train cups in California.

A moment of gratitude

For all its scars and old injuries, perceived imperfections and my occasional struggles in making it look presentable, I am wonderfully grateful for my body. It sometimes seems strange to be limited to a form that changes little and doesn't always seem to reflect the spirit it houses. But today, and recently, I am terribly glad to have a strong, healthy body that lets me go places and move things and interact with the world. I am grateful, too, to not worry so much about the imperfections, and to choose to not see those as important.

It's a good place to be. :)

Blessings to you as you also live in appreciation of your form!

Awesome Things

This is my 100th post! Woot! Awhile back I posted a video called "1,000 Awesome Things," which got me thinking about my own list. Not promising a thousand, but let's make this an on-going process of admiring those experiences that make us sit back and say, "if this isn't nice, I don't know what is."

Here's to awesome things.

1. The smell of a burnt-out candle.

2. Cooking experiments that turn into favorites.
















3. Running without music.



4. Running in company.

















5. The smell of new electronics/appliances.

6. The first shave with a new razor blade.

7. Ukraine's version of Two Buck Chuck (and at only about $1.62 a box!)





















8. Getting my Facebook status, post, photos, etc., "liked."


















9. Finding smell-favorite hair/body products and deciding to be brand-loyal across language barriers.

















10. Packages that inspire an out-loud laugh.

An Oldie!

I rediscovered this video from training...that would be November of '08. As I'm finishing up my service, it's fun to remember those early days! Enjoy!

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It might be wrong, but I want to be this tan FOREVER

Summer shenannigins involved a sandy week-long stint with my excellent good friend, Natty and her counterpart from her town. Tons of time in the sun, swimming and strolling ensued! Did I mention food? We found MAGNUM ice cream bars (a treat I discovered in Australia)! Woot!

Introducing Natty to the glory of the Magnum bar. Many flavor-samplings followed, all photo-documented. I won't bore you with the progression; suffice it to say that "Beyaz" was the best, being a sort of oreo-cookie ice cream dipped in almond-chunk white chocolate. Magnummmmmmm.


Having fun.


Ladies!


The sea was so warm! Natty and I spent HOURS on the rope that designated the swimming area, nearly getting high-fives from the passing motor boat driver running a rafting tour. Great time for conversations and bonding!


Helping Lena shop for a winter coat turned out to be rather amusing.


Classy. So classy.


We found Nacho Cheese DORITOS!!! Lena remained confused about why we were always taking photos with food.


Two lovely ladies at an open-air disco on the beach? You know it!


Disco involves "foam" party component. Sure.


A self-made hiking trip included throwing rocks into the sea. Unfortunately for all there was a busy road at the bottom of that cliff, and I do not have the greatest arm.


What's vacay without a trip to a Turkish bath? Massages, facials, tea. Sweet!


Magnums, BK, and Doritos all before 9 am. All's well that ends well!

A new way

After months of struggle and some pretty low points whenever the 24th was about to roll around, I have finally found a new way of feeling. My sweet friend Katie opened her heart to my sadness and anger about Nolan's death, and responded with the words which changed those feelings into if not yet joy, acceptance and peace. Simply put, she told me to focus on the awesomeness of Nolan's six years, and how that's how he'll always be in our minds and hearts. He will remain a bright spot for us, and nothing can be changed about that. This last month, I let the 24th pass as a day, and instead celebrated the 26th, his birthday date. Think I'll make it a trend.

Blessings to you as you re-write your own trends.