Dogs and Babies.... about the same!

I once experienced a day in the life of a dog owner, or at least a few hours of it. I was with my brother in Portland and we went to a race. While Nathan ran, I got to walk around with Slate, the dog. He had shared the joy of “stranger chit-chat” that comes with having a dog next to your side, but I didn’t realize the reality nor the pleasure until I experienced it myself. I was blown away by the number of people who approached me in friendly conversation…. Just because I had a DOG with me! It was as if any stranger awkwardness was completely washed away merely by having a simple and obvious topic to discuss. I loved it!

I’m finding that being pregnant has a similar Stranger response. They gravitate to a common, logical conversation topic that I’m wearing right on my belly! It’s as if I’m screaming, “Please small-talk with me. I have a giant belly and I like people.”

The other day I was at the grocery store and the man behind me in line asked when I was due. He didn’t fit the traditional profile of “stranger interested in a woman’s due date” but I didn’t stress and proudly shared the news. It turns out his wife is pregnant as well and is due around the same time as me. They weren’t able to get pregnant after having their last son, who is now 10 years old. How exciting. He actually shared quite a few details including the length of and some inconsistencies she has with her cycle which at one point made me laugh—who knew I’d be discussing a woman’s cycle with a strange man in a grocery store? But regardless, it was all legit. It was all okay. And we bonded as expecting parents. What fun.

Another time, I was at Taco Bell. I love their ice water, and one of the main reasons is because it comes in a little plastic cup and doesn’t have that yucky after-taste that paper cups give. One day they gave me my water in a PAPER cup. I almost didn’t say anything, but decided to be bold. I told the man I had a strange request and when he seemed confused as to why I cared about the type of cup I received, I proceeded to share that because I’m pregnant, things are just weird with my tastes. He genuinely apologized, saying they were out of the little plastic cups. Moments later, as we were beginning our meal, he passed by me with one of the giant soda PLASTIC cups. He said, “My fiancé is pregnant. I understand these things.” I don’t think he was technically allowed to hand over a giant soda cup for free, but we had a common bond of trust. I was SO grateful. What a man.

Another day, I was at Burger King and struggling with my order. Spencer piped in an explanation to the lady that I was pregnant and very indecisive with food choices. She shared that she, too, was pregnant and completely understood. She and I bonded when I told her I was very impressed she was working with food during such a hard-to-be-around-food time. She thanked me. After eating our very satisfying lunch, I went up to get some ice cream. She looked at me with understanding eyes and said, “Do you need more food?” I thought she was so nice. I’m pretty sure she made our M&M Premium Sundae with extra care AND extra M&Ms. It made my day.

Today, I was getting my blood drawn for a little health screening at work. I was a little stressed about it because I had to fast for 8 hours and I rarely make it through the night without a 2 am snack. I sat down to draw the blood and when I filled the nurse in that I had only fasted 8 hours instead of the recommended 12, I saw her little eyes light up and we connected. She shared a story about taking the 3-hour glucose test when she was pregnant with her 4th child. She said she felt so sick and had to fast for so long, but was told that if she threw up, she’d have to start over. I sure hope I pass my 1 hour test so I don’t have to try the long one! I don’t think I’d make it without throwing up. She chatted the entire time, and soon the needle was out, the blood was done, and lo and behold I didn’t even pass out! What a wonderful lady.

Not so tough.

Back in the day, I thought I was tough. As the youngest child, I was trained by the best and knew that if ya wanted to play the game, you weren't allowed to cry. No matter what.

When I got to college, I started running. For someone who felt like she had conquered the world after running 5 miles, running a marathon was a bit intimidating BUT, being the "tough" girl, it was of course, no big deal. I used to push myself to the max. It was completely normal for me to run a half marathon on a Saturday morning, then play 3 hours of volleyball right after before any soreness crept in my muscles. I’d push myself through the day maintaining high energy levels and scheduling events with friends in the evening because I was TOUGH. I was fun. I could do ANYTHING. I loved it.

Well, I THOUGHT I was tough stuff. I THOUGHT I could suck up whatever physical challenge came and face it with pure gumption. But I think I’ve met my match. It’s called pregnancy.

I had NO CLUE what this would entail. I am in awe of how many people exist on earth. They all got here the same way, and everyone’s mom had to go through this insanity.

First, I want to share that I’m more than grateful to be pregnant. I’m excited beyond belief and am very aware of how lucky I am. The following documentation isn’t to complain. In fact, it’s to joy in the reality of what is. It’s to realize that life is tough. I have an unwavering testimony that motherhood isn’t an easy thing and I haven’t even held my child in my arms yet. I feel that women and the strength they hold is one of my greatest inspirations. I’m honored to join in this calling and blessing.

That being said, I have had quite an entertaining past 6 months. It’s entertaining NOW, which is why the post is so late. Most of this is to record the horror that has now subsided enough to make it entertaining.

FOOD AND NAUSEA
I’m very grateful these days are over:

The days of puking. It lasted 6 months. I’ve had 2 weeks of peace (minus a very depressing morning today), and though the nausea is still there, I can function. GLORY.

The days of having to eat cereal every TWO HOURS, 24 hours a day. That means all the way through the night. Spencer used to get up and pour my cereal and milk while I went to the bathroom and sprawled helplessly on the couch. He eventually purchased paper bowels and plastic spoons to help with the dish load. I won’t share how many packages of those dang paper bowls I went through.
The days of moaning in my sleep. At least, I think these are over. Spencer says I used to whine and moan while I was sleeping. And I’m sure I did. I WANTED to do that all day, every day!

The days of plugging my nose and trying to cook without looking at the food. Spencer would usually take over for these ones as frying hamburger without looking can cause some pretty ouch-y grease burns.

The days of puking at the sight or smell of anything. If there was a pan soaking in the sink, the smell would make me puke. If we ate dinner, left our house, and returned the smell of old dinner would make me puke. If Spencer opened his bag of his ever favorite Chile Cheese Fritos… oh man. Ew. Ew. Ew.

The days of walking around work, the mall, or ANYWHERE with my mouth open because I couldn’t handle the smells that came by breathing through my nose.

I have the strangest food likes and dislikes:

I lived on Nilla Wafers, Cereal, Arby’s, Burger King chicken nuggets, canned peaches with cottage cheese, and green mints. I’m gagging just writing these foods down. YUCK!

I now live on Wendy’s French fries and frosties (though the phase MIGHT be coming to an end). Taco Bell, saltines and PB (my new midnight snack), bagels, and quite a joyous variety of dinners.

My very first and pretty much only REAL pregnancy craving was for McDonald’s Sausage-Egg McMuffins. WOW. One day, the glorious vision came to my mind and when I made my first purchase, I realized I was eating food that tasted GOOD- which was a feeling I’d been lacking for months. One day I asked if Spencer would bring me one to work. I didn’t think he got the message in time and after calling McDonalds to find out when they stopped making breakfast (10:30 at our local store) I accepted that I’d have to come up with a new food plan. But Spencer is amazing and had already purchased the glorious muffin before I even knew it. I cried tears of joy that day. Not just a few. They were pouring down my cheeks in endless streams. I randomly hate chocolate. Saddest thing ever.

I love gummy worms and starbursts. Why?

I suck on Jolly Ranchers, Wurthers, and Kraft Caramels all day. Every day. Sugar overload. I really hope my diabetes test goes alright next week!!!

Ice. I LOVED ice until one day around week 18. Now I hate it for absolutely no reason….unless it’s the square kind from fast-food restaurants- especially Taco Bell. I LOVE their ice water.

In the beginning, I couldn’t STAND salt. By week 20, all I wanted was salty French-fries and Chex Mix.

JUST A FEW SMALL INCONVENIENCES
My throwing up all the time got to a point where I had to take off my pants and put paper towels under me because I peed my pants every time. Then after the deed was done, I’d have to clean up my puddle of pee and rinse myself in the shower. It made puking multiple times a day VERY inconvenient. Once I had to have Spencer bring me a change of clothes at work. I think that was my “rock bottom” day. I cried. And then I laughed because I had to call home and report that I’d peed my pants. How old am I?

Sleep? The baby’s going to be a BREEZE. (Don’t worry, I’m not that naïve. But STILL.) I haven’t slept more than 4 hours straight since getting pregnant. Usually it’s 2 hours at a time. On the weekends, I can pack in a 12 hour night like a champion (with my 2 hour wake ups, of course). In all honesty, this sleep pattern gives me optimal awareness of Spencer sleep talking. He’s HILLAROUS. If I were to sleep all night, I’d miss it all! I never knew how much fun he while he slept.

My medicine makes me extra constipated on top of what pregnancy would typically bring. “Poo babies” are a common phrase at our house. I consider it preparation for child birth. I’ve also clogged our toilet pretty badly a few times. I went off my medicine for a glorious yet horrible week, thinking the drugs weren’t helping me. My bowels were the happiest they’ve been in months. My nausea became unbearable though (week 24!!!) and my midwife said to choose the lesser of two evils. I’m back to poo babies.

I used to wake up with insane pains on my sides- round ligament pains is what I was told they were. OUCH! I’ve been pretty okay lately.

Except I sometimes get this INTENSE cramping on my upper abdomen. My midwife says it’s probably premature contractions. Luckily I only get one every few weeks or so (meaning 2 so far) which is considered safe and normal, but my oh my, when they start coming every few minutes I might die. Pure pain and the inability to breathe= not a fun combo.

I have to put a blanket under my belly at night because otherwise I get too sore. It kind-of makes me think I’m tucking Alora in and I smile.

HOT. I get SO HOT. In fact, just last night I requested the fan to be turned on. In the middle of the night, I heard poor Spencer getting on his wool socks and sweatpants and shivering under the covers. I was only using the sheet.

Burping! I’ve always been a burping girl. I think it’s a part of my subconscious that has to live up to my “nearly nauseating” title given by my mother at a decently young age. However, it has become a little intense. I used to hold back the burps at work and then I’d get the hiccups. John used to comment all the time on my hiccups and I would think….if he only knew what they WANTED to be. Now, I wake Spencer up every morning as his burping alarm clock. It works nicely. The only sadness I’ve really had with this is hearing my mom say she thought she finally had a classy daughter…. But now she can’t say that. I didn’t know my sister’s weren’t classy! So sad to have ruined the title without even realizing I was worthy of it. It’s okay though. She said I still appear classy even if I’m not.

Driving. Oh how many times did I drive up the hill after work giving myself positive affirmations of “I CAN MAKE IT” to get home and throw up instantly? Spencer at one point wondered if I had conditioned myself to throw up every time I walked in our house. No, but I did train myself to be able to “make it.” I always had a plastic bag in my car- just in case. But really? How do you throw up AND drive AND not pee all over the seat? Yeah. I had incentive to make it home.

We once went on a road trip to Boise. We had gone on a very successful trip a couple weeks earlier where I had a miraculous weekend of not throwing up, so we had high hopes for the healing power of Idaho. Boy, were we wrong. I don’t know how many stinkin’ gas station nasty toilets I threw up in on our drive home, or how many times I made Spencer stop. I was MISERABLE and vowed to not take another road trip until I was ALL BETTER. And I haven’t. I’ve only even gone to visit Paige and Brent in Midvale twice. And that’s only a half hour away!

SAD REALIZATIONS
I watched 2.5 seasons of LOST in about 3 weeks.

I get commercial jingles stuck in my head on a regular basis. I used to not even know what commercials were on.

Dinner gives me anxiety. Still. It’s the hardest part of the day because I NEVER know what to eat but I’m ALWAYS starving and nauseous.

I really struggle with Sundays. They’re not my favorite anymore, which is sad. I have to decide what to eat the day BEFORE and I can never know what’s going to taste good that far away. I used to bring my snack to church, leave sacrament early to eat in the mother’s lounge, and do all I could to make it through primary without throwing up. I actually only threw up ONCE at church- but many many many times the second I walked in the door after. 

GRATITUDE
Yes, I did maintain a tiny spark of gratitude through all my tears, whining, and frustrations:

I used to send Spencer to whatever restaurant we were getting food at or to the grocery store for whatever ingredients we were going to need for HIM to cook dinner. Bless his heart. He even bought me plastic ‘old people’ containers to put my various cereals in because they were overtaking the counter and didn’t fit in the cupboard. THANK YOU, SPENCER!

I obviously struggle from nausea, and through my entire life I’ve struggled with motion sickness. When I first started feeling Alora move, it made me feel woozy. I was so stressed that she would make me motion sick EVERY TIME SHE MOVED. Luckily, that’s not the case and I’m SO grateful.

Once, I got ready for the day. It really was an incredibly RARE happening. I did my hair and my make-up and was so excited to go to church. I even had on a cute dress. Then it hit. Puke time. I ran to the bathroom but holding back my hair AND holding up my dress to avoid pee stains wasn’t working. I was so worried I was going to throw up all over my freshly done hair when Spencer stepped in and held it back for me. This is one of those honorable husband tasks I’ve heard women speak of. I’ve always told Spencer- PLEASE just LEAVE ME ALONE if I’m puking. I don’t want you close, I don’t want you to hear me, and I REALLY don’t want you touching me! What a man to recognize a woman in true need. I was humbled and VERY grateful that I could still wear my hair down.

Spencer calls me his “big bellied beauty” with all the love and adoration of a perfect husband.

When I wake up feeling sick it the night, I drink water. In my tired mind, I picture the water washing the nausea into oblivion like a huge tsunami. Even knowing this isn’t logical, I still find myself creating the mental image every time I take a drink in the night. It’s my saving grace.

One day I was at work and had no idea what to do with how sick I was feeling. I texted Spencer who went to the store for me and brought me a bag full of the random foods I thought might help. He actually did this a few different times, and offered to do it many additional times. What do single women do?!!?? There’s NO WAY I could have made it through without him. I hope he knows how much it means to me- and that he wasn’t just my “go-do-boy.”

Wake-up Call

In reality, after writing this post I’ve realized a few updates about my “tough” life before. I actually thought I was going to die when I had mono. And I cried and cried and cried when I slammed my finger in my car door. I also used to cry when Adam would tackle me on the trampoline. Maybe I’m not so tough after-all. Either way, I won’t even PRETEND that pregnancy is easy.

ENGAGED!!!

Well, the time has finally come... Happy Engagement Day to Spencer and me! Here's a rather extended but not as extended as in person version of the story....

Spencer and I LOVE this movie... it was the first one we went to and BOTH came out enjoying. (Sadly when I watched it yesterday, it has a lot of swearing.... just a little poop in the brownies) He randomly bought it for me on New Year's Eve, but only let me watch the opening credits. I had to work on New Year's day, and woke up with the decision to watch the movie upon getting home from work.

This is Natalie... I work with her, and we were both working on New Year's. She came to me while I was eating breakfast and said that the RTC patients REALLY wanted to watch the movie "500 Days of Summer" but that it was missing and there was some confusion about the renting of it. I, hesitating bc I REALLY wanted to watch it, offered my copy of the movie. Natalie said GREAT and sent me home to get the movie.


When I got home I found THIS! Well, my first instinct was that I had just ruined Spencer's surprise for when I got home from work at 3. I was sad that the movie was at Spencer's house instead of at my house and I figured I'd grab some other options for the patients, and stop at a red box on my way back to work.
LUCKILY, Spencer had given me a new peaceful lamp for Christmas, and it was ON. Spencer's big on the whole "turn the lights-off when you leave a room" lifestyle, so I knew he REALLY wanted me to notice, and perhaps notice at 8:00 AM. If his little surprise was really meant for 3:00, he wouldn't have left the light on. After much hesitation and thought, I decided I'd drive to "our park" which was a long drive. I grabbed the note and decided if I really was supposed to be back at work, everyone would understand my confusion. After even more confusion seeing his car at his friend's house, I almost went right back to work, but something inside of me just made me keep driving to the park.....

And look what I saw! I actually saw Spencer and his roommate, Shane, walking and then running when they saw me crossing a huge snowy field. RELIEF- I was in the right place at the right time.

This is Shane. He was standing RIGHT next to the heart and roses for optimal photo opportunities. I said hi to him before Spencer-- I was just kind-a surprised to see him RIGHT THERE and thought I'd let him know that his hiding place wasn't very hidden... but he's a good friend so he got to join in the proposal :)


Because of that, we have a picture of us the moment Spencer asked me if I'd marry him. Sadly, I didn't get ready for work that day, I'm wearing my glasses and hat, and apparently I'm wanting to push him away from me. I just wanted a good sturdy stance to handle all the emotion.... maybe?

It's hard to know what to do when someone proposes. ... I mean, I've seen it in the movies, but do you have him put the ring on before you say yes? Do you have him stand up? I just kept him in the snow, but that's okay.

I think this is our first public kissing picture... and first long kiss in front of another person. We once kissed in front of two other people, but we made it super fast. This was just one other person who couldn't look away... it was surprisingly not awkward at all!


And here we are!


I love balloon bouquets almost as much as flower ones. When I was little, I would get balloons on my birthdays. I also love red roses against white... good work, Spencer! We gave some balloons and roses to two little kids who came to play at the park as we were cleaning up. The little girl said she's going to marry her best friend. We told her that's the way to go!


All smiles! I was happy to be walking behind Spencer, looking at the beautiful mountains, and feeling my heart fill with the peaceful contentment it's been looking for. It was a happy happy happy moment.


The ring!


Another pic of the ring, because that's all people seem to want to see! It's VERY beautiful and I love it. Today Spencer said it's not the "in-style" kind that most of the girls are getting now. I think it's perfect.

This was actually at Christmas, but it's a good culminating picture of "us." One of my favorite comments was hearing "Kelsey and Spencer are just two names that sound good together." I think so... and I also think more than just our names are good together.

MONO!!!!!!

I am proud to announce that I am a survivor of mononucleosis, which is a virus caused by the Epstein Barr Virus- a member of the herpes family... AKA the high school kissing disease.  Being a girl who has not stayed home sick since.... Jr high?!!?!!, I had no idea what the red flag symptoms were before diagnosis.  I knew my body was fighting something intense bc I had a HUGE lymph node for about a week.  I assumed it wasn't lymphatic cancer or leukemia but instead my furiously strong immune system (which has kept me illness-free for years on end) kickin into high gear to fight something intense.  I didn't think much about my sore throat... I figured it was just a minimized symptom of what could have been a horrible illness without my raging white blood cells!   After three days of taking advil and tylenol every 2-4 hours without relief and then curiously glancing at my tonsils to see a similar view as the photo above, I concluded it might be beneficial to the people I work with and my patients if I made sure I wasn't contagious.  So, I headed to the insta-care just to "make sure it wasn't strep" HA!  Little did I know :)  

I will be the first to admit, however, that I LOVED my mono experience.  I could have done without the puking and sore throat.  I could have done without that illogical desire to just end everything even if it took my life.  I could have done without sleeping through the 4th of July....But those things really only lasted a week.  I was quarantine from work but still getting paid. I really didn't have the desire nor energy to plan some exotic vacation or to "take advantage" of time off by doing anything exciting. I spent a solid month reading the Twilight series, watching Prison Break, and sitting at the park, the canyon, or my backyard.  I never stressed about going to bed on time, and I never had to be anywhere at any specific time.  I lived in my shorts and t-shirts, didn't wash my face, rarely put my contacts in, and shoes? never.  I ate popsicles and tortillas all day every day, and only answered the phone if I really felt like it. I was completely devoid of responsibilities! 

Tonight I had tortillas for dinner and with the overflowing memories of my healing food, decided we all need to spend more time in mono mode.  There are too many precious aspects of the world that we miss out on by worrying about sundry unimportant things.  There are too many sun sets missed in rushing from here to there.  I'm not suggesting we drop the concept of responsibility.  It's a good thing.  It's an important thing.  But perhaps we let ourselves "be responsible" about things that don't matter. Life goes on whether we're the one in charge or not.  And usually, it's more fun that way.  So take a day off. Don't use it for traveling or doing "exciting" things. Just eat some tortillas!  It's a beautiful way to live!

I lived.

A year ago, I decided to create a new passion for myself.  After contemplating taking up art, photography, or intense winter running, I concluded that snowboarding was my answer.  It was new, I had a friend to go with, and it was a way I could enjoy the winters that feel so so long in Utah.  Thanks to my sister Paige, I was able to invest in a used snowboard for $30.  I got my boots on sale at Christmas for $20.   I have enough weekdays off of work, and I was a student last semester, so I got a weekday season pass this year for $150. Perhaps being raised in a garage-sale/thrift store mentality creates the excitement to share that, but who can't be impressed by such deals???  The funny thing is, that with such an "investment" in a season pass, I consistently feel the stress of having to use it.  I have to "get my money's worth" every day I don't work.  If I don't make it to the mountain, I feel this nagging sense of guilt... (probably something I should work on)

Last week, I decided to take Spencer up the mountain.  Being a Florida boy, he had never before seen snow in such quantities.  I realized it was going to be quite the experience when he asked detailed questions about the process of getting off the chairlift.  He mentioned a few times that he wished he had insurance, because he hates the feeling of being overly cautious with the thought of doing something stupid hurt yourself in the back of your mind. Despite his pre-activity stress, Spencer performed beautifully... especially after accepting that we really weren't going to visit the bunny hill. 

This week, I woke up on Monday morning with plans to snowboard.  It was a morning full of mindless accidents.  I didn't realize my friends were picking me up at 12 instead of 12:15.  I wasn't ready.  I couldn't find my clean socks. I couldn't find my coat.  I didn't know where I had put my pass.  I really really couldn't find my pass. I felt a little sick physically, and was about 10 seconds away from just having them go without me.  But I found my pass, and when bending to pick it up, I smashed my head against my window sill. I still have a bump beginning to change colors on my forehead.  I got in the car and realized I forgot my phone.  Oh well.  The clouds were hanging over the mountain, and I didn't want to miss an ideal day to use my pass.

I should have known from the beginning.  There were warning signs left and right, and they continued. It was raining.  The snow was slush. I felt like I had to learn how to board all over again.  I was falling when I shouldn't have.  I was getting soaking wet.  The friends I was with kept leaving me.  I was alone. I contemplated just heading to the truck, but I didn't even have my phone! What would I do? I knew I had to enjoy it or the day would feel forever long.  We headed to the back mountain, and the snow was a little more manageable there.  It was insanely windy, I was feeling more confident, and things were fun.  I was pretty excited, though, when it was time to head back to the front and get our last few runs in before heading home.

I was hesitant when I heard we weren't going to take the lift back... it was cat-track all the way.  I'd done that before... flat, flat, and more flat.  I remember saying I was in for any sort of adventure... little did I know.  Getting to the cat track, I knew going fast was key.  The faster I got, the more nervous I became.  What do I do?  How do I slow down? What do I do when I get to a curve?  Easy, just ride the board, relax, let the board and the snow work together.... but no need to self-talk any more.  I was suddenly in the process of flipping, flopping, head over heel, board on the snow, board on the sky, board on the snow, board on the sky...  what do I do? Just go with it.  Just be a rag doll.  Don't try to stop, or you might break something. At least I have insurance. Maybe it's stupid to have insurance. I would be more careful if I didn't. I hope someone is watching this.  When is this going to end? Board on the snow, board on the sky.... and then I finally stopped.  After getting my bearings, I realized that snowboards don't detach like skis do. Danger. I also realized that I didn't have my hat.  Or my hair thing.... both had flown off in my uncontrolled somersaults.  They were far far from me, and as I backed myself up, I kept thinking about how far I had gone and how thankful I was that I could move.  I had a really really rough headache, and could feel the muscles in my neck starting to tense up.  I saw the huge hole that nearly took my life, and was relieved that there was actually a cause for the pain.  I got up and rode the flat all the way back, skooching my poor broken body along the wet snow.  When we reached the bottom of the front hill, the rain was pouring down, and I finally verbalized my desire to be done.  No more.  Truck for me... and the others followed.

Today, my neck won't move.  Even the muscles on the FRONT of my neck are tender to the touch.  I have a sore throat and an ongoing headache.... but I'm ALIVE.  I can't express the fear I get just thinking about what might have been.  People break their necks doing that! People get paralyzed... people die! BUT, I firmly believe that you can't live if you're afraid you might not live.... so I'll continue the boarding.  I'll continue pursuing this passion. I won't let fear take over.  I just might watch for the warning signs next time :)

And here we have Idaho

I have always loved the sky.  In terms of picking a favorite aspect of nature, sky wins hands down.  I have myriad pictures of the puffs of clouds seen from airplane windows(my favorite), sunsets, and thunderstorms.  I can't say that many of them are void of power-lines, window reflections, or cars, but hey- I try.  I know a picture can't do justice to reality, but some day maybe I'll make it.  While searching among my travels in Europe, China, and various airplane rides in the states, I noticed an uncanny amount of "throw-out" sky photos.... but they still made my heart happy. I was even happier when I realized my favorite one was taken in my home land of Idaho. You can travel the world round, but nothing compares to home, sweet home!  Way to go, Idaho!

Here I am...

For years I have been planning on joining the blog world.  In fact, I know I have one half-way created floating empty and unvisited in internet land. I cleverly signed up as some incognito identity to maintain privacy, and I still remain a mystery even to myself!

Going to school last semester had two major results for me.  First, I gained back my ability to focus on quiet and calm tasks.  Second, I came to the major realization that time is my favorite thing to have and I have it.

With these newfound blessings, I am motivated to post pictures of the beautiful places I've been and the happy times I've had.  I will state that I feel rather cheesy and incredibly "groupy" by creating and posting such things.  However, I think I will enjoy organizing pictures with stories, paying attention to quotes, and composing conclusions I develop in my every day life.

Here's to life!