Category Archive
The following is a list of all entries from the Happiness category.
Purposefully Planted Palms
I know I said today was going to be about working out while pregnant but since it’s Friday and I have had a day full of pregnancy brain errors (yes, it’s a real thing) I am going to opt for something a little more simple.
I was also thinking since it’s November and the month of Thanksgiving, every Friday I would write about what I am thankful for. We all know I am thankful for my family, friends, good health, future child, yadda yadda yadda. So, I am going to try and look harder for things to be thankful for.
Today, I am thankful for the lack of palm trees on Litchfield Rd. Ever since I moved here, the sparsely planted King Palms lining Litchfield Rd. has really bothered me. It honestly looks like someone quit halfway through planting them. I also love palm trees so to see them so carelessly planted annoyed me. Until Monday morning.
My husband, friend, and the two pups went for a hike in a nearby mountain park. It was a beautiful morning and we were headed home.
Hiking in the White Tanks!
Driving back to base, actually talking about how the sparsely planted trees looked so bad, when my husband saw a car coming straight at us. In our lane. He swerved the car onto the shoulder and so did the oncoming car. There was no way not to hit the oncoming car straight on except to go between the palm trees – where, thankfully, they were planted so far apart, we had plenty of room.
We safely (but quickly) swerved off the road, into dust, between palm trees where we stopped. The car flew past us, in our lane.
It was a good reminder that sometimes even the things that bother us serve a purpose – to help us, sharpen us, build us up, and even sometimes, to save our lives.
Jet Setting
This has certainly been a summer of travel. After returning from DC last weekend, I jetted off to Durango, CO for a weekend with my family at a lakehouse. It was absolutely amazing to get out of the Phoenix heat, see some (a lot!) of trees. It rained every day and was so beautiful. We took a train from Durango to Silverton, a small mining town in southwestern Colorado. The train has been running for over 100 years, I actually think it was more like 129 or something. The train went through the mountains, sometimes right on the edge of the mountains. The view was definitely different than Phoenix! It felt so nice to get fresh mountain air.
Then, I came home to Phoenix for one day before jetting off to Montgomery, AL to visit my husband. He is there until the middle of September. I spent six days in humid Alabama. It was so hot, and that is saying a lot since I live in the desert! It was over 100 degrees and extremely humid. But it was good to see the husband and I landed just in time to pin on his new rank of Captain. We didn’t even plan it that way! It just worked out. Funny how that happens. I also got to see some friends from DC who just so happen to be in the same training class. They have a new baby so it was especially good to see them and meet their new addition.
Many people were concerned about how we (and “we” being mainly hubby) would feel about returning to Montgomery since we received such devastating news there. I didn’t feel apprehensive or sad in any way landing in Alabama and he didn’t either. It was actually nice for both of us to come back to a familiar place. While the faces weren’t familiar (it’s the military so the same people are never there when you come back), the places were. I was relived to find my way around town, namely to the Starbucks, with no trouble. I even drove past the clinic on base and our old apartment. My first thoughts were not of the fear and confusion we felt, but instead of the compassion and help we received.
Now, I am in the airport in Alabama flying to Chicago for my future sister in laws bridal shower. Phew. Lots of places to go and people to see. As much fun as I am having on the road, I can not wait to get home to Phoenix and see my new friends. I never liked change before, it was always a burden. But, I am proud of how quickly we have adapted to the military and to life in Phoenix – mostly thanks to new friends.
Boarding now! (pictures of travels to come!)
Still Unwritten
Home Is Where Your Heart Is
Last weekend I left Phoenix for the first time since I arrived at Luke (excluding one super fun night in Vegas with my bestie). I went back to DC to see two good friends get married and I was so honored to be in their wedding. It was so beautiful. They have been together for 11 years and could not be more perfect for each other.
The first day I met the bride, Shana, I had just started my new job. I moved to a new city and did not know a soul. I knew right away we were going to be friends. I was seated next to her, we shared a “pod” (aka – our cubicles were next to each other). She greeted me right away with a hug. We had so much fun sitting next to each other. We eventually started going to happy hour and happy hour turned into happy hours with too many fun memories to count.
Through her, I met the amazing group of girls below and these girls, plus a few more, made DC home for me. They were the first people I met at work and greatly defined my three and a half years in DC.
It was such a relief to fly back into DC, to see grass and trees and those breathtaking monuments. Ben Stein wrote an amazing article about the people of Washington DC.It is truly an amazing city with so much history and I am proud to have lived there and been able to experience it in full.
As I left DC to fly back to the desert, I realized how fortunate I am to have such good friends in three different cities. There is so much to learn from each of them. Over this year, their support, friendship and love has been unforgettable. As thankful as I am for the time I had to live life near each group of friends, I am even more excited to share my future with them; to see more weddings, more families created, more love shared and definitely more happy hours that turn into happy nights.
Still Unwritten
Making Lemonade
The past three days have smelled like rain. It has been humid as HECK. Arizona is not a dry heat. I invite anyone who thinks that to come visit, go outside and see if you start sweating. I would love to see rain, curl up on my couch and settle in with the Harry Potter marathon on ABC Family. But, that is not in the cards for today.
It was another early trip to the airport this morning but today was a sad trip. I had to take my husband to the airport for a nine week trip. Now, before you think that’s a long time (and it is..kind of) there are couple of things to remember. He is still in the United States, which means he is relatively safe. I can go visit him (and I am!). I can talk to him on the phone every five seconds if I want (but I don’t). There are a ton of people around me whose spouses are gone to a much farther place, for a lot longer with very limited communication so I can’t spend too much time feeling sorry for myself.
Nevertheless, it stinks. But, to make the proverbial lemonade, it also allows me time to refocus and set goals. So, here are my goals while he is gone:
- Get running mileage up to 5 miles three times a week
- Sign up for my first half marathon and
- give up Diet Coke (for one month)
Yesterday, when I was studying for my personal training exam, the chapter was about behavior modification. One of the studies quoted said that people with vision, people who can clearly articulate their goals are six times more likely to achieve their goal. The goal must be well defined and measurable in order to succeed and not something flimsy like, “look better” or “take better care of myself”. I think mine are pretty straightforward and will be easy to measure at the end of nine weeks.
Other than these goals, I am traveling a ton, which I am super excited about. I am going to see family, friends and celebrate a wedding of a very dear friend. The weeks will fly by for sure.
In the spirit of summer and making lemonade, check out this amazing recipe for Basil and Mint Lemonade from Taste and Tell.
What goals are you working towards now?
How do you cope with being separated from loved ones?
Quarter Life Crisis
The reason I started this blog was to find a passion in something, something that I am good at and that I love. When I turned 25, I knew I was in trouble. College was more than a little over, my husband had a clear direction for his life and I was just along for the ride. For years, I would look at my friends, you, and say, “well you have a passion for teaching, or the law, or children, or whatever and I don’t”. Or, “you are good at this or that, and I am not”.
And, in response, people would constantly tell me, “hmm..well, you are good at making friends.” Seriously? That always sounded like a cop out. Like saying, “hmm..you are good at inhaling and not only that, but then you exhale really well..” But, through all the difficulties of this year, I am learning that having friends and surrounding yourself with people who you love and who love you may be the single most important thing in life.
I have also learned that just because I am not good at something right now doesn’t mean that I won’t ever be good at it. When I started running years ago, I literally couldn’t run down the block. Honestly. Today, I ran 4 miles before breakfast. It just takes a little hard work. Today, I can’t hit a golf ball more than 100 yards and that’s the farthest I have hit one. Ever. Which is why I am taking lessons and maybe in 5 years, I will finally know all the names of the clubs in the bag.
All that to say, I no longer feel a huge sense of urgency to find a job that fulfills me because I am not going to. That’s not what jobs are for. I am not bored. I am not searching for happiness because I think its okay to be happy now, even when I am far from perfect.
In Like A Lion
Today is the last day of March. I hate March. I know, being from Chicago that’s probably some kind of sin but let’s be honest – March hates me. Last March, my best friend almost died in a car accident in the middle of the month. This year, March didn’t wait around to start kicking my but. With a cancer diagnosis on the first of the month and news of my parents divorce on the fourth of the month, we were off to a great start. BUT, today is the last day of the worst month and I am so excited.
Even though March has tried to get me down, I am still here to see April 1 tomorrow, so I win. And, a lot of good things happened in March. I wanted to share with you some things that I am incredibly thankful for during this horrible, no good, very bad month.
In no particular order:
- My mom, brother and future sister in law coming in this weekend.
- My new home to host them in.
- My husband’s improving health.
- My husband’s radiologist being featured in Phoenix magazine as the top radiologist in the region.
- Opening insurance bills to see “amount due: $0.00″.
- Tax free food and appliances on base.
- Phone calls from friends at JUST the right time (lookin at you Liz Reising)
- Phone calls from friends at ANY time.
- An increase in my running mileage over the past month
- An increased focus on nutrition because of my husband’s treatments
- Seeing two old friends from home who were out here on Spring Break.
- Spring Training.
- Thunderbirds Air Show.
- A safe 28 hour drive to Phoenix under very stressful conditions. The same drive that claimed the life of a friend and almost the life of another.
- Our friend’s fruit trees in her backyard.
- Family resources and job flexibility to fly out here as needed.
And, in a weird way, I am thankful for March. I know that I am stronger for surviving this month. And that April will be MUCH better. So, today, we are celebrating and thanking March for coming in like a lion, transforming me in the process, but also staying true to its word, and leaving like a lamb.
Back on Track
I was up early to take the husband to work and off to the gym. Since I slacked off yesterday, today was 4 miles or bust…and it was the easiest 4 miles of my life! I did have a little break at mile 2 for a phone call but jumped right back on the boring treadmill to finish out the last 2 miles really strong.
I wasn’t able to complete my originally schedule 7K run because we had to come to Arizona, so I registered for a run in Arizona! I just found it online. It’s the Luck of the Draw 8K and should be a super fun and pretty run through Peoria, AZ. I hope it’s not too hot in late April. I am excited to be focusing on something new and working towards an established goal.
After the gym, I decided to attend a women’s bible study at the chapel on base…where I was the only woman under the age of 70. And I am not kidding. And I loved every minute of it! Some of the women were actually here when the base opened in the 1940s and hung out with Gene Autry. He had a radio show here during World War II. While my first instinct was to hightail it out of the chapel when I saw that I was going to be only young’en there, I decided to stick it out. My thought process went a little something like this: I should leave. What would I say? Furthermore, I would go home and do…what? Pull weeds? Nah, let’s just see where this goes.
I am so glad I showed up and so glad I stayed. These women have awesome stories to tell and were really encouraging telling me their own cancer survival stories, reminding me that people do overcome their circumstances.
THEN, the best part of my day. Two old high school friends (who are now married) are here on spring break and I got to go to the Cubs/Dodgers spring training game with them! We spent the afternoon on the lawn chatting and enjoying the Arizona sunshine. It was great to see faces from home and be with people who know me.
Also – today is one of my most favorite days of the year. Today is the day my best friend in the whole entire world was born. I am so lucky to have a friend like her. She has been my best friend since we were 13 years old and we haven’t even lived in the same state in 9 years. I know friends like her are in a million and I am so grateful for her! Happy Birthday Sunshine!
Keep On Rocking In The Free World
Despite the reason we had to come to our base a little early, I am so glad we did! This weekend the base is celebrating the 70th annual Luke Days. Luke Days consist of a ton of events on base for the military and local community.
The weekend started at noon yesterday with an air show rehearsal for military families. We got to sit right on the flight line and see a preview of the show that attracts over 250,000 to our base each year! The show was incredible. I am not a big plane person, or even a big techie but these planes blew me away!
The most impressive was the F-22 Raptor. This plane can literally park in mid air. It stops. It turns. It does a pirouette into a flat spin and then gains complete control. It’s incredible. There were so many times I found myself with my jaw open or cheering for a pilot just as loud as the kid next to me. Awe inspiring.
It also got me thinking that this type of air power was not possible, not even in the realm of anyone’s imagination when the Wright Brothers took flight 100 years ago. Yet, here I was, watching a plane that can break the sound barrier with no problem and that’s only half as fast as it goes! Here I was, watching a plane stop in mid air. A plane that has speeds ranging from 100 mph to 1000 mph.
Not only was this type of technology not possible 100 years ago, it wasn’t possible 20 years ago, or even 10 years ago. There was also an F-18 Super Hornet demonstration. That plane set the standard for all fighter jets. It’s still an impressive plane…until you see the Raptor.
The Heritage Demonstration displayed the major planes that fought in World War II, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. Watching this demonstration, I couldn’t help but think how thankful I am to live in a world and a country that values ingenuity. That pushes for more. A country where people take risks, sometimes huge risks, to create. These inventors have helped to bring aid to devastated countries and protect our freedoms faster and more efficiently than ever thought possible.
The picture below shows the World War II plane, the F-4 Phantom, the A-10 Warthog and the F-22 Raptor.
When I thought I had seen the coolest demonstration after the F-22, out came the United States Air Force Thunderbirds.
These men (and one woman, thank you very much!) are some of the best combat fighters in the Air Force. Their precision and dedication to excellence is like nothing I have seen. I know how dedicated they are because they fly so close to one another, sometimes right at each other at extremely high speeds. They have to be dedicated. They have to be excellent. Anything less would cost them their lives.
I left the air show with a mild sunburn and a renewed sense of pride to be a part of this great community. I left inspired to translate their dedication to excellence and dedication to progress into my own life.
With much admiration and respect for the past but intense hope for the future.
Still Unwritten
