Moving...

(grrr!)

This week is the last week that my "official" residence will be on Croslin St.

I have been moving my things here and there, very slowly, over the past few months. I've sold some of the belongings that I won't take with me...and still, I am amazed at how much crap I have!

Why is it always the last few loose ends that are the most frustrating in any move? That's all that I'm left with right now. Thanks to the "clutter clearing" that I have done in the past 6 months, this is the least amount of final loose end crap that I've ever had. Making the move by far the easiest one yet.

Don't be fooled...it still sucks!

I think I move more than any person that I know...in the past 4 1/2 years, I have moved 6 times. Which is insane! I don't understand why I continually make myself do something that I hate so much??

I'm hoping that this will be the last move for a long while.

That would be nice.

The Celebration Continues

Graduation Day!

Graduate School ceremony, 9am at Bass Concert Hall.

Main Ceremony, 8pm at the Tower (and the party that followed).

Thank you to everyone who encouraged me along the way, who witnessed the pomp and circumstance at graduation, and who celebrated with me when all was said and done!

This was truly an experience that I will never forget...

...but one that I am certainly glad to have behind me :-)

I Don't Like to Hurt, Either

A new blogger...
A new link under Favorite Blogs.

I don't like to hurt...

I love the quote in her header and 'cause I love it so much, I'm going to share it here, too.

"I'd say the most important thing a marathoner must have is the ability to suffer. If you do not accept that, you will not be a successful marathoner." - Steve Sisson

Welcome, Melissa! I look forward to reading about you.

Best Macaroni & Cheese

Joe's Bar & Grill

I ordered the Macaroni & Cheese last Thursday at Joe's on a whim. I'd never had it before and don't usually make a habit of ordering "new" food. Turns out, it was one of the best decisions of the night :-)

It was the most amazing Mac & Cheese that I've ever eaten!!

Macaroni shells, cheese, cheese, more cheese, plus a hot dog sliced into the dish. I'm getting hungry again just thinking about it.

I ate the leftovers yesterday...still good!

Act Like It

It's a phrase that I've heard plenty. Sometimes, it's only a joke the photographer tells to elicit a smile. Sometimes, though, there is a sad truth behind the request...



"Act like you like her!"

I recall old photos with people who I am acting like I like...or who are acting like they like me, but there is no twinkle. There is no joy. There is only a half-hearted smile and that's about all.

It's interesting how much of a story a photograph can tell.

The photo of Gareth and I was taken at my cousin's wedding a few weeks ago. The story that it tells is this: I am happy that he is with me, and he is happy to make me happy.

Gareth drove with me from Austin to Kansas City and back again in one weekend. I think we spent more time driving that we did in Kansas City!

I know that he had plenty of "more fun" options if he had stayed in town that weekend, but he knew that it meant a lot to me for him to join me...and he did and was wonderful!

Not just in photographs, but in the small moments and decisions in life, it's nice to have someone who doesn't just act like they like you from time to time...it's nice to have someone who really means it.

What Do You Tell Yourself?

When I was frustrated and afraid that I was not going to meet my deadline for graduation, I would repeat this phrase to myself, "I am smart!"

In the car, "I am smart!" In the office, "I am smart!" As I was falling asleep at night, "I am smart!" Anytime thoughts of failure started creeping in I would tell myself this over and over until I believed it.

Today I feel tired, and need a pep talk again...

I am smart.
I am healthy.
I am beautiful.

What do you tell yourself?

Welcome Transitions

Nobody likes change.

Isn't that how the saying goes? As I look back to consider this thought, I can certainly pinpoint a few changes in my life that were not entirely welcome.

- the end of my volleyball career
- the beginning of life in the "real world" (i.e. no summer vacations)
- friends leaving town
- roommates getting married

For me though (most of the time), change is exciting! I have far more transitions in my life that I have looked forward to and embraced. Change is a chance for a fresh start, it is hopeful, it promises new, better, fun-er experiences!

I am currently going through a number of transitions.
Each one of them is very much welcomed...

- time spent on the completion of my Masters degree -> time spent training
- a new office at work and new responsibilites
- a new home! I move in with Gareth this month :-)

Hopefully each of these things will bring a little bit bigger smile to my face.

As I say good-bye to the journey of my education, to the comfort of the niche I have found in my career, to the independence that I have experienced living on my own...I am looking forward to the opportunities for health, growth, and love.

Some people do like change. For now, I am one.