Great Friends

I am repeatedly amazed by the people who have become such an important part of my life.  These great friends might be near, far, seen every day, or seen once a year.  But I know they're a great friend when I get a text out of the blue and it just makes me happy to hear from them.  Today Lisa checked in about my starting grad school, and shared that she's excited about getting more dirt for her birthday for her arena.  You know you are good friends when you understand why someone is excited about getting dirt for their birthday.

Good Advice

Source: Free People Blog

Good Reads: Flight Behavior, Part 1

I'm about halfway through Barbara Kingsolver's new novel, Flight Behavior.  These are some quotes that have struck me so far.

"Hester wouldn't get this, of course.  In her eyes it was a phone, and that was that.  Dellarobia could barely get it herself.  She'd seen something so plainly in this toy that was fully invisible to her child, two realities existing side by side.  It floored her to be one of the people seeing the world as it used to be.  While the kids shoved on."

"'Will you explain to me why people encourage delusional behavior in children, and medicate it in adults?  That's so random.  It's like this whole shady setup.'"

Friendship

At this moment I have so much awe and gratitude for friendships so real, I can see them once a year and it's like it's only been a day.  Regan was passing through Fort Worth tonight and I managed to convince her that she was too tired to finish her drive tonight.  We spent approximately five hours talking about anything and everything.  I am constantly amazed by how similar we are -- I still half believe we were separated at birth.  I am so blessed to know her.

2012

I've spent the holidays doing basically nothing.  I had a two-day stay with my parents in San Francisco while in California for Christmas, but apart from that, I've spent my break horizontal in bed or on the couch.  It's been great, but I'm getting over it.  I've been craving a yoga class, so I'm planning on going to the New Year's Day class at the studio tomorrow...I've been saving up because I'm currently so broke I can't actually afford it.  But man, do I need it.

Anyway, I wanted to review some of the best moments from this past year.  It's been a big one for me.  I made some big changes and took some huge leaps of faith, things that I haven't always been good at doing.  My journey continues into 2013...

Moving to Fort Worth.  This time last year, I had just quit my full-time, soul-sucking job and made the decision to move from Austin.  I've always said my life has had places, not phases, and I just knew that Fort Worth was the next place I needed to be.  It hasn't all been peaches and sunshine, of course, but I have met some amazing people and re-connected with old friends -- all of whom have played important parts in pushing me down the path I'm on.  Lindsey, who inspired me to go back to school.  Olivia, my sister in every way but blood.  Lauren, the person who's made me love yoga.  Gemma, who makes me laugh and challenges me to think of things differently.  Julie and Seth, my Texas-parents.  And so many other wonderful people who have proven that this is the place I belong right now.

My three jobs.  Sometimes I think I'm crazy, especially since I'm keeping all three jobs when I start classes this semester.  But each one has introduced me to something new, or challenged me, or opened opportunities in an area I never thought I'd go.  It doesn't matter that I'm broke, ultimately -- it's so nice to work at places that don't make you want to scream and cry and eat a gallon of cookie dough ice cream every day.

Yoga.  I never thought I was a yoga person, and in some ways, I'm still not.  I'm picky about my yoga.  I've been taking classes at a studio that focuses on Forrest yoga, a style that has really resonated with me.  The yoga I tried before was never stimulating or challenging for me -- what I call "gym yoga," or that simple pose-pose-pose-pose sequence of putting your body in a position but without much intention behind it.  Forrest yoga has not only challenged me physically, it has challenged me mentally and spiritually.  There is meaning behind every pose and I am honored as strong and beautiful no matter how deeply I can get into a pose.  The competition element of gym yoga does not exist at this studio.  Not to mention the teachers are some of the most amazing individuals I've ever met.

Western riding.  Yup, I did it.  I've abandoned my dressage diva status to become a rhinestoned cowgirl.  I don't know how good I am at it yet, but it's been a blast and I hope to one day be able to show in this area.  A horsewoman's education is never over!

Small Wonders

The world might end today.  That's according to people who didn't bother to research more about the Mayans.  NASA is pretty convinced today is just another day.  I think it's somewhere in between -- the winter solstice has been a significant day in many cultures dating back for thousands of years.  And a lot of people do agree that today is the end of something -- a cycle, an era, the ownership of the NYSE.  I can feel the energy out there.  It's actually pretty cool.  But, just in case the world does end today, I wouldn't feel right if I didn't take the time to acknowledge all those small wonders in the world -- the little, beautiful things that we normally take for granted.

The way light reflects off of water.  |  Source: Tumblr

The unapologetic strength of the ocean.  |  Source: Flickr

A good read.  |  Source: Tumblr

Innocence.  |  Source: we heart it

All the colors in the world.  |  Source: Tumblr

Courage and honesty.  |  Source: Pinterest

Be content with what you have, rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.  - Lao Tzu

Snowflakes

This morning I am happy because...

I'm sitting drinking coffee out of a snowflake cup with awesome shimmery blue nails.  And being totally cool with my puppy dog getting my sheets all hairy while she snuggles into my warm spot in the bed.