rays

Summer is truly winding down now. I did some last minute "summer-fun" activities, despite my never-ending homework. I just couldn't pass up the Idaho State Fair, or the Salt Lake Comic Con! That's right, I went! I took my 14-year-old nephew and my boyfriend with me and we had so much fun. We're definitely going next year, too.

What I want to write about today is how surprisingly good I feel about everything in my life right now. That's not an understatement. Of course not everything is ideal, but it's getting pretty damn close. I could be taking better care of myself when it comes to eating and exercising, I could be sleeping a more regular schedule, but I don't feel totally shitty because of it, and I think that's important.

School is fun and rewarding; I'm already learning so much and having a great time doing it. Work isn't a nightmare-- it's not interfering with anything (which I was afraid it would at least serve to overwhelm me), my relationships are great, and I can smell autumn in the air! Soon I'll be in a new space, my own space, and I think I'll be better able to work on my fitness and nutrition when that happens. I will probably sleep more soundly at night, and I will have a decent place to do my school work. It'll be bare at first (we have almost zero furniture...) but doesn't that happen to almost every 20-something year old at some point in their lives?

My point here is, I finally feel like my life is on track. I don't feel stuck. I don't feel stale. I don't feel gloomy. I'm on the threshold of living the vision I've had for my life for the past 2 years. I'm almost there. I'm doing it. I couldn't have done it on my own. My family and boyfriend have been there for me in countless ways and for that I am so incredibly grateful.

I feel like the sun. Bright, warm, and strong.

source

Happy Back to School!

Well, it took me a couple of years but I'm finally back in school! My 14 credit online semester starts today. I'm excited, and a little nervous, and very determined to do well! I know that my life is about to change (again) and I will have to make major adjustments to my schedule and leisure time. I'm still working my regular schedule. I've never worked and gone to school at the same time, so it might be a challenge for me to mold school around work, especially on long work days.. But I'm going to give it my all!

my best friends for the next 4 months

I decided to continue on with my 2 year degree, since most of my credits from Florida transfer easily to 2-year colleges here. I didn't want to risk losing a lot of credits or anything like that. And this way, once I complete my AA I can transfer into any university as a Junior. Which is a huge deal to me. Plus, it's cheaper. Once I'm done with my AA I can start working in my field and have a better job while I'm working on my Bachelor's degree. Overall, I think I have a pretty solid plan for my education. I just don't know where I'll be going to get my 4 year degree. That all depends on what happens while I'm working on the 2 year!

So today is dedicated to being patient and loving with myself, as I take the first steps to a different life (I actually sat down and meditated for a few minutes this morning. I have a hunch that practice will help tremendously); getting organized/making sure I have all of my supplies; planning out a new schedule and routine as best I can; drinking lots of water and taking deep breaths!

Wish me luck!

july gratitude

I feel inclined to write a gratitude list, since my last post was sad and stuff.

besides, it's been a while since i've done one of these.

-fresh water

-great books

-ginger peach tea

-wifi

-bookstores

-thunderstorms (we got one today, lightning included :] )

-this adorable kitten i've had the absolute pleasure of playing with lately

-my newfound appreciation for my little pony, thanks to my niece (no shame here- that show is cute!)

-the greenbelt

-personal progress

-my absolutely loving and devoted boyfriend

-sunshine, the sky, and white fluffy clouds

-the internet and the ease of accessibility of innumerable, valuable resources

-my parents

-music

-time with friends

-yummy fruits

-the yard game known as cornhole (it's not perverted, i promise)

-pillows and blankets

-the library

-helping people out where and when i can

-candles that smell nice

-knowing i have people i can count on when i need help

-the ruffling of skirts in the breeze

-life

tension

i'm torn about this post. i'm not entirely sure i want to post it...
i try very hard to only post positive, uplifting things on this blog.

it's a space for me to share my happiness; to muse over and blurt out whatever i want.

whatever i want.

so does that include things that aren't necessarily in flux with the majority of posts on this blog?

do i want to put what i've been feeling lately out there?

i don't know.

all i know is that June was stressful, no matter how hard i try to sugar-coat or disguise it.

it's been so stressful my back constantly aches;

my sleeping patterns are all f*cked up;

my digestion is a wreck.

i feel helpless; lonely; stuck-in-a-rut-ish.

the few stressors i have in my life have truly been tearing at my heart.
and i don't know what to do, or if there's even anything i can do.
it all just feels so out of my control...

so basically i feel like shit. and i don't want to tell the world.
but i just did.
did you hear that world? i feel like shit!
and it's okay to post that on an otherwise happy, feel-good blog.
because i'm human.
and not every day (or month) is god-damned rainbows and frolicking bunnies.

little sprouts

My blog has over 2,000 page views! I'm not quite sure how that happened, but hey, it's still cool! (To me, at least.) It makes me a little more motivated to post regularly.

Here's a basic update on me, what I've been doing, and what is on the horizon:

*I have been reading A TON! Which makes me really happy, because I always seem to drift away from books and reading, for whatever reason. Lately I've been reading books back to back. I've read a couple of Kingsolver books, and I just picked up my second Gaiman novel, among other things. I usually take a few days (or weeks sometimes) to digest and ponder whatever I finished, but lately I just feel a pull to move on to the next story. I've been taking full advantage of my library card and Goodreads.com. It's been so much fun!

*Packing is once again in the works for me. It seems like I'm always packing. It's not daunting or overwhelming anymore; it's exciting. It's a part of my life that I know will keep popping up, so why let it stress me out and bother me? Besides, it's a good excuse to go through my things and decide what stays and what goes on a regular basis.

*Preparing for school in the Fall. You read it right- I'm going back to college! It's been a struggle, between establishing residency in Idaho and financial issues, but now everything is resolved and I'm registered as a full-time student at a community college. I'm beside myself with excitement! Also a little nervous, but deep down I'm confident I won't have too much trouble adjusting to my new schedule and workload.

*Carson and I have a few day trips planned, since he starts working more days soon and will have 2 days off a week again! We want to go visit some local waterfalls and go swimming. We're lucky we have Lava Hot Springs, Heise Hot Springs, and Green Canyon close to us. Oh, and the museum has a Guitars exhibit that he's really interested in. I just plain love the museum so we're going to go there, too.

*4th of July. It's right around the corner, three of my loved ones' birthdays are right around there, it's big in Carson's family. It's going to be a big, busy deal this year! But I'm excited, nonetheless. Maybe I'll make some treats for the occasion and make a post about it ;)

*My little garden is doing pretty well. Some plants are happier than others. I should re-pot a few into larger containers soon... but for the most part they're pretty and green and make me happy. I'm growing a majority of herbs this year. The plan is to dry out the leaves to use in my own loose-leaf tea. I'm growing peppermint, lavender, sage, and holy basil. Oh, and I'm happy and proud to say that it's all organic. I also found out that there is a gardening club/community in my city which I plan to join next summer. I get 30 square feet to plant what I want and engage with other gardeners!

That's probably enough for today. Thanks for reading and have a great day!

beerfest2013

On the first of June, the North American Brewer's Association put on 19th Annual Mountain Brewer's Beer Fest here in E. Idaho. I heard over 7,000 people went, as there were breweries from all over the Western United States. Craft beers are my heaven! And honestly, I'm still not too familiar with the different breweries that are available to me here in the West; they are quite different from what I bought in Florida. It seemed like a great opportunity to be introduced to what's around.

Luckily for me, my man had the day off and my 3 best friends came from out of town! The day was perfect; sunny, warm, and the vicious wind that is so common here was quiet.

I asked my friend Alisa to send me the pictures she took, since I forgot my camera. This was a day of celebration for us. You can see it on our faces. Especially since Carson worked 13 straight days before this, we hadn't seen Alisa and her hubby Caleb for months, and Candice lives in SLC so it had been a while since I'd seen her, too. Besides, when you throw sun and brews into it, any situation gets a little silly.

The lovely Alisa and I

Us plus the fabulous Candice

Cheese-balls.

Showing off his new tattoo

not sure what's going on here, but it makes me laugh

Uh... same with this one....

we tried to get everyone rounded up, but we're
missing a few.

All in all, the day was an absolute success! It was a great way to kick-off the summer and I'm sure all of us will remember that day for a long time. Thanks again to Alisa who remembered her camera, because of her we have lots of visuals to look at and giggle to :)

BEING BROKE [prt. 2]

25 ideas. In listed form:

1.

Ride your bike in the morning (before the weather/heat pick up)

2.

Walk around taking pictures of flowers and blossoming trees

3.

Do an hour-long yoga practice

4.

Take a nap! (I bet you deserve it)

5.

Pick out a nail color you haven't worn for a while and give yourself a manicure

 6.

Bake! You could make a lot of breakfast and freeze it for early mornings, or you could stick with muffins, cupcakes, or cookies!

7.

Learn the basics of maintaining your bike (or another piece of equipment you use regularly)

8.

Repot your growing plants. I find this to be very grounding and I enjoy the time outside.

9.

Call your grandmother

10.

Learn something new. You could read about different art styles, the universe, a country you'd like to visit, marine life, the possibilities are endless!

11.

Take a walk around one of your city parks

12.

Volunteer at the animal shelter

13.

Organize your photos

14.

Organize your receipts and other paper stuffs

15.

Make a weekly cleaning schedule for your house

16.

Tackle the small repairs you've been putting off
(like changing that lightbulb, or fixing that button...)

17.

Plan out your meals for the next week

18.

Plan a fun stay-at-home activity for you and your sweetie

19.

Clear out some old clutter

20.

Meditate

21.
Go through the bookmarks on your computer

22.
Make some pinterest pins (crafts, dinner, dessert...)

23.
Wash your car

24.
Pick up that book you've been meaning to start

25.
Rearrange the house! Or just a room :)

BEING BROKE & WHAT I'M DOING ABOUT IT [prt. 1]

Well, folks, I did something expensive. But totally worth it. I purchased a bicycle! I haven't had one since I lived in Florida (so that's at least a year and a half!). As fun and exciting as a new bike is, it's never convenient to drop a pretty penny on a toy. Now, don't be thinking I spent 4 figures on a top of the line, name brand road bike. No, sir. I live within my means. It's a modest little thing that I purchased directly from a distributor (read: wholesale not retail). I'm a poor girl, with a modest budget, and now my itty bitty money is being stretched a bit more than usual. Which is totally fine. Really. I just have to find money-free ways to keep myself busy for the next little bit.

Now, you might be thinking, "come on, that's obvious: RIDE THE BIKE!" I have, and I will. But this week in E. Idaho we're getting windy gusts up to 30 freaking miles an hour. EVERY DAY! ALL WEEK!  On Sunday, my brother, his wife, and I did a 13 mile ride out in the country. It was so beautiful and peaceful. Oh, except for the 25 mph wind that we were riding against. That was hard. And frustrating. And I think at one point climbing a hill I even swore. Headwind + bike = not my ideal.

So, what do I plan on doing to busy myself while it's too windy to ride? I'm not sure yet. I'll probably just make things up as I go along.

So far this week:

Monday: 1 hour of yoga in the morning.

I read by the river (it may be windy but the sun is HOT this week. and I love it.)

I took the cutest, best dog in the world on a nice, long walk. I let him dictate where we would go. That way I was surprised and he was the happiest dog in the world.

Tuesday: I journaled.

1 hour of yoga in the evening.

I made phone calls and wrote emails I had been putting off (which was really a good idea because now I have a brand new headlight for my bike on the way. My previous one crapped out on me. Thank goodness for lifetime warranties!)

Chatted with my dad

I blogged! For the first time this year, hehheh...

I'd like to say that I'll post my cheap entertainment & busyness ideas every day for the next little bit, but let's be real, there's a high likelihood that won't happen. I am anything but a consistent blogger. However, I will try. For now, I think I will go to the library and browse the DVDs.

What are some money-free ways you have fun & keep busy?