For the fourth consecutive Thanksgiving, I am spending the day away from my family. The first year was spent cooking serving food at a halfway house in Delaware. And, for the third year, today I am spending the holiday in Denver with friends.
Although I miss my family in South Dakota, I have never felt lonely while away from them on Thanksgiving day. I have been fortunate in my life to have lived a number of places, making amazing friends along the way -- they have become my family too. I am so grateful to be living a life filled with wonderful family and friends and I know that no matter how many miles may be between any of us, we are always there for each other and for this, I am truly grateful.
November 26, 2009
September 24, 2009
on the eve of 29
As someone who tends to set annual goals on birthdays versus employing the New Year's Resolutions path, I have been thinking a lot in the past few days about what I would like to achieve in my 29th year of life. Of course, this also prompted me to analyze my 28th year and the goals met and lessons learned.
My goals for 29 carry extra magnitude as they also will include those accomplishments I hope to achieve before turning 30. So, without further avail, the lists:
Lessons learned/accomplishments at 28
- Made the move to downtown Denver -- no more suburbia for me
- Began my CCC certification (application, portfolio)
- Took my first solo vacation (extra points for international)
- Obtained a passport
- Made new friends
- Let go of other relationships that were not benefiting me
- Learned to ski (still learning)
- Listened and acted on my gut feeling/intuition
- Expanded professional contacts
- Continued to improve in my position/field
- Reached a point where I felt I finally "belong" at TSGT
- Began playing softball again (after a 10-year hiatus)
- Renewed past friendships
Goals for 29
- Document each day through a photograph
- Do something daily that improves my life or the life of someone else
- Serve successfully as president of the Denver Jaycees
- Branch out to other organizations/groups
- Be more financially responsible
- Successfully complete my CCC certification
- Run a 1/2-marathon
- Stay in my apartment (thus breaking the habit of moving annually)
- Be a better friend
- Journal/blog more frequently
My goals for 29 carry extra magnitude as they also will include those accomplishments I hope to achieve before turning 30. So, without further avail, the lists:
Lessons learned/accomplishments at 28
- Made the move to downtown Denver -- no more suburbia for me
- Began my CCC certification (application, portfolio)
- Took my first solo vacation (extra points for international)
- Obtained a passport
- Made new friends
- Let go of other relationships that were not benefiting me
- Learned to ski (still learning)
- Listened and acted on my gut feeling/intuition
- Expanded professional contacts
- Continued to improve in my position/field
- Reached a point where I felt I finally "belong" at TSGT
- Began playing softball again (after a 10-year hiatus)
- Renewed past friendships
Goals for 29
- Document each day through a photograph
- Do something daily that improves my life or the life of someone else
- Serve successfully as president of the Denver Jaycees
- Branch out to other organizations/groups
- Be more financially responsible
- Successfully complete my CCC certification
- Run a 1/2-marathon
- Stay in my apartment (thus breaking the habit of moving annually)
- Be a better friend
- Journal/blog more frequently
August 18, 2009
too comfortable?
I realized something recently when I had the choice of choosing between a date and spending time with my friends -- I am very happy being single. Needless to say, I chose my friends.
This subject has been one of ongoing internal contention for me as I watch on the sidelines while my childhood friends get married and have children. However, since moving away from South Dakota three years ago, I will admit the need to "settle down" has drastically subsided. Obviously, the fact that I spend the majority of my time with those who are also in my single boat has helped alleviate my need to mate for life, but as I begin the countdown to the big 3-0 (13 months - yikes!), I wonder, am I too comfortable with my singleness?
On another completely unrelated note, I am headed to Jackson tomorrow to spend a few days with Grace and I couldn't be more excited! It's going to be a bit of a mini-adventure as I will be staying in a camper at Grace's yurt park, where it has been in the 30s and 40s at night. For a girl who has been living in dresses the past three months, the time there will be a big wake-up call to the fact that fall is right around the corner. Today's weather is actually an appropriate segue as it has yet to hit 70 and has been cloudy and rainy all day. Regardless of the weather, I am looking forward to the trip and having the opportunity to spend time with my best friend.
This subject has been one of ongoing internal contention for me as I watch on the sidelines while my childhood friends get married and have children. However, since moving away from South Dakota three years ago, I will admit the need to "settle down" has drastically subsided. Obviously, the fact that I spend the majority of my time with those who are also in my single boat has helped alleviate my need to mate for life, but as I begin the countdown to the big 3-0 (13 months - yikes!), I wonder, am I too comfortable with my singleness?
On another completely unrelated note, I am headed to Jackson tomorrow to spend a few days with Grace and I couldn't be more excited! It's going to be a bit of a mini-adventure as I will be staying in a camper at Grace's yurt park, where it has been in the 30s and 40s at night. For a girl who has been living in dresses the past three months, the time there will be a big wake-up call to the fact that fall is right around the corner. Today's weather is actually an appropriate segue as it has yet to hit 70 and has been cloudy and rainy all day. Regardless of the weather, I am looking forward to the trip and having the opportunity to spend time with my best friend.
August 10, 2009
reliving my youth
Well, I did it. I signed up for an adult, co-ed softball league. And, to tell the truth, I'm pretty freaked out.
By my calculations, it's been about 10 years since I've been involved on an actual softball team. Granted, I played pretty consistently from my t-ball years to the age of 18 (with the exception of that year immediately following t-ball when I refused to play because I didn't want to relive the t-ball scenario of being the solo female on the team), but I'm going to assume that 10 years of non-playing, combined with the whole 10 years of aging factor is not going to paint a pretty picture when I actually pick up a bat.
Also, I have to purchase a new glove (and perhaps a bat? and batting gloves? or am I taking it too seriously?), which stirs up some resentment related to the individual who lost my cherished, very broken-in Wilson mitt, but that's a whole other story. So, this evening I'm going glove shopping and then, if time permits, I plan to hit the batting cages at some point before the season begins. I just hope I don't embarrass myself too much.
But, I've made the commitment and I'm going through with it. Besides, I hear there's beer in adult-league softball :-)
By my calculations, it's been about 10 years since I've been involved on an actual softball team. Granted, I played pretty consistently from my t-ball years to the age of 18 (with the exception of that year immediately following t-ball when I refused to play because I didn't want to relive the t-ball scenario of being the solo female on the team), but I'm going to assume that 10 years of non-playing, combined with the whole 10 years of aging factor is not going to paint a pretty picture when I actually pick up a bat.
Also, I have to purchase a new glove (and perhaps a bat? and batting gloves? or am I taking it too seriously?), which stirs up some resentment related to the individual who lost my cherished, very broken-in Wilson mitt, but that's a whole other story. So, this evening I'm going glove shopping and then, if time permits, I plan to hit the batting cages at some point before the season begins. I just hope I don't embarrass myself too much.
But, I've made the commitment and I'm going through with it. Besides, I hear there's beer in adult-league softball :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)