Think and Wonder, Wonder and Think

It is time to get real and there is no easier way of saying it than with the help of the brilliant Dr. Seuss:

deep breath

Being on the road long term sucks. 

“You'll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You'll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go.”

There are so many things that you can lose.

Your phone charger.

Your eating habits.

Your ability to exercise.

Your social life.

Your sanity.

Yourself.

You. Lose. It.

“You can get help from teachers, but you are going to have to learn a lot by yourself, sitting alone in a room.” 

It can become gruesome. When you lose it, you begin to question everything, no matter how well you think you know yourself.

Why you packed this pair of shoes over those.

Why you haven't dyed your hair pink yet. 

Where you are living.

Your relationships. 

Your life decisions. 

You. Question. Everything.

"So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left."

It has taken 1 year of extensive traveling to feel like I have truly lost myself. 

It has taken 15 days of vacation to give everything in my life a big questioning. 

 “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...” 

But you know what? When you lose something, it must be found. It could take weeks. It could take months. But it is there, waiting for you. Post your flyers, offer rewards, and check your local lost and found. 

“I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!” 

It has taken 1 weekend at home with my family to find myself.

 It has taken 1 day of reflection to see what I have learned from it. 

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” 

I am going to take these learnings, and my baseball bat, and get back on the playing field. I am going to get back to me. When I hear that fastball flying at me again, I am going to knock it out of the park. 

“You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So... get on your way!”  

Live your life

It has been 10 days since I turned 25. It seems like it was so long ago. But, between you and me, I have been telling everyone I was 25 for upwards of two months...whoopsies. 

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So many of my friends are scared of this landmark of a year. 

The big 2-5.

The last fun birthday.

A quarter of a century old.

 Well, I found it thrilling. I feel like I am just beginning to learn who I really am. I am so excited to see what 25-29 has in store for me, because lets be honest, the next "fun" or landmark birthday, is 30. Which, I am not afraid of either. (Hasn't anyone ever told you that 30 was the best years of their lives?)

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Well, on the eve of my 25th birthday, I reflected on what a BIG year 24 was for me.
I moved out of my parents house. I began paying my own rent and utilities. I got a big girl job that I get to TRAVEL for! I moved to a big(ish) city. I made so many new friends. I spent 9 and half months traveling the East Coast and Mid-West regions of the United States. I mean a BIG year!

But, I was afraid that 25 would disappoint me. I mean, how could I top this past year? So I began to think: What are the things I miss doing in my life? What do I need to do to keep on track for my life goals? What have I always wanted to do, but haven't?

So I started a list. A few days later I finished said list. 

25 things to do while I am 25:

1. Visit 4 new states. I am 23 states away from my "50 states before I turn 30" goal. 

2. Read 20 new books. I get addicted pretty easily, and with all of my traveling, easy smeasy.

3. Accomplish a NO shopping month. Okay, this is a lot to ask, but a girl can dream!

4. Send out holiday cards. What a great way to keep in touch with those just out of reach!

5. Get more involved in my sorority, Tri Sigma. Such a huge impact in my life, time to give back.

6. Run a marathon. Watching my dad in his half Iron-Man earlier this year really inspired me!

7. Take an ASL course. I have learn bits and pieces, here and there. Time for the next step.

8. Volunteer for a cause. I use to volunteer with AHA every year. Time to get back in it.

9. Attend a staple event. Mardi Gras, NYE Ball Drop, NCAA Final Four, Olympics, etc. 

10. Learn about wines. I LOVE red wine, but I cannot hold an intelligent conversation about it.

11. Send post cards while on tour. I really enjoyed the personal messages that come with post cards.

12. Attend 3 major sporting events. This cannot include teams I've already seen in their home stadiums.

13. Go camping. Time to bring out my inner child, and childhood memories. 

14. NO fast food. Biggest challenge on this list, as I travel for months on end.

15. Host a dinner party or brunch. Pretty cocktails and all!

16. Say yes! But not to a ring...

17. Don't spend money just to spend. I am known for retail therapy. It's gotta go. 

18. Treat my parents to something  special. It is the least I could do after the past 25 years.

19. Plan a trip abroad...and put money on it! Traveling is my biggest passion, time to see the world!

20. Donate/Adopt an animal from WWF. I love animals, and what WWF stands for. 

21. Put half of every paycheck into savings. I use to be great at this. No more useless spending!

22. Purchase something expensive. Something for me to be proud of. A lifelong purchase. 

23. Save all $5 bills.  How often do you see a $5 bill? Not often. But is adds up later.

24. Clean out my closet.  And under my bed. And my storage unit. And my junk drawer.

25. Go to an outdoor concert. I could not tell you the last time I did this. They are so much fun!

"To live is the rarest thing in the world."-Oscar Wilde

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What are some of the things you want to do before your next birthday?

Running Mantra

A few weeks ago I started running again and I am complete addicted! No lies. 

I cannot get home quick enough to start my run, and once I am done, I am ready to go back out.  It is kind of ridiculous. 

At first, I was naturally slow and I wasn't happy about it. I have never in my life run a mile with a 10 minute pace. So, rather than dwelling on it, I took action. I gave myself a few weeks with a 10+ minute pace over 3 miles to get back in the swing of things. I was afraid that if I pushed too hard, too early, I would hate my decision to start running again. 

Running view on a  cold, rainy day

This week, two weeks later, I decided it was time to start pushing myself. I was well versed, my body was acclimated, and I had no reason to lollygag anymore. 

I decided that I would push myself  hard for one mile. I needed to prove to myself that I could still run a mile in under 9 minutes, which to me is still too slow, and I did. I shaved almost 2 minutes off of my average pace. I finished in 8:41. However, I knew one mile was't going to be my issue. I was worried that if I continued to run 3+ miles that I would maintain my 10+ minute pace. Gag. 

Run put me on my behind. 

Yesterday, I set out on my run, relaxed, and no intentions of breaking records. When I finished my first I heard 9:30 flat. I was thrilled, but again, I firmly believed I would slow down. I quickly pushed those thoughts to the side. I mentally did not want to say, "hey, it is okay to walk," or "hey, it is okay to slow down." Instead, I repeated my new running mantra in my head:

"Push through. Dig deeper. You got this." 

I was not trying to push my body past exhaustion, but I did want my mind to finally match what I knew my body was capable of. When needed, I slowed down, but after a few paces I repeated my mantra and picked my pace back up. Doing so I finished a 5k in 29:54 or 9:40 a mile. I was ecstatic. 

I still have a long way to go. But I know my running mantra will help me mentally push through to my goal and during other events, like my Spartan Race tomorrow. 

New England Spartan Sprint 2012

At the finish line with my dad by my side

What is your mantra when working out?

Change the Limits

If I had to describe 2012 in one word it would be:

Change

My life changed in many ways. I took control of my life again. My relationship status changed. My job title changed, twice: unemployed -event coordinator-account executive. My temporary location changed: no fewer than 65 times. Friendships changed; I gained so many and lost a few as well. My overall outlook on life changed.

While this past year was full of change, my passions and life goals remained the same. These changes have assisted me in getting back on the right track to accomplish these goals and further explore my passions. However, I do not want to lose the progress I have made in re-establishing myself. So, I took advice from a college friend over at, Southern Hospitality, and decided to pre-establish a word for 2013.

Limits

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I am a believer that to grow personally one must push their limits, to remove themselves from their comfort zones. This girl will no longer settle. Okay, when completely necessary I will have to, but my goal is to push my limits even in the slightest.

See, growing up I wanted to live in NYC after college. Then after visiting Australia, I wanted to move out of the country. Well, after college, I was settling in my comfort zone and wanted to move to Charlotte, NC.
(The foreshadowing moment for my 2013 choice word.)

But something wasn't right inside of me. That is when I received the job offer that would forever change my life. The first big change of 2012.  This job offer is what has led me to this very moment, this realization, this personal growth.

See this temporary job led me to my full-time job, where I planned to work out of the Connecticut office. However, I would eventually settle, again, on the thought of calling Charlotte home. While this was never the plan, it just made sense. I would eventually be back on the road and moving up North did not make sense.
(Please, do not get me wrong, I love my job and I LOVE the traveling! But paying rent up north, while rarely living there...NOT smart.)

So to push my limits, I decided to live with my sister, whom I love dearly, but you see, my sister and I have not always gotten along. I mean, what siblings do? See, when we are with our family we fight like cats and dogs. It ain't always pretty.

However, her roommate had recently moved out and I needed a place to live in Charlotte, it was the best option at the time. AND IT WORKS! While we have our little tiffs here and there, we get along 95% of the time (knock on wood!).

I plan to really push my limits this year, but I will have to settle at times, like living in Charlotte. But by settling, I plan to find a small way to push the limits.

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So, over the next year, I invite you to share my adventure of following my dreams, pursuing my passions, and pushing my limits.