Alpha Gam Always

Today is Day 1 of Sorority Recruitment at the University of Kentucky.  I remember that jam-packed, overwhelming day like it was yesterday.  But it's been slightly longer than just a few days or few years since I experienced that pivotal moment.  In fact, it's been a decade.  Ten years, folks.  Ten. Whole. Years. since I woke up for my first morning living on Big Blue Nation's campus. 

I simply can't believe how fast the time has flown.  The memories made.  The season of life has come and gone, yet leaves many fond memories, cherished forever friendships, life lessons learned, and t-shirts.....yes, many many t-shirts.  Many of which I have hung on to because I simply can't let them go - after all, they were the staple of my college wardrobe.

Not only does the realization of ten years passing since this significant event in my life bring obvious reason for reflecting and reminiscing, I have smiled even more so knowing that a very special person is going through the same thing today.  You see, she was only 8 years old when I had this experience in the early 2000's.  And now the time has come for my beautiful, smart and talented first-cousin Allie!

Yes, I know, she's gorgeous!  And she's super sweet too!  There's no doubt in my mind how I would love for her to become my "sister" as well.  However, I'm not being forceful on that - after all, I want her to choose the best sorority for her (although I won't say I'm not wishfully hoping for a certain set of letters!).

I have probably been bugging the heck out of her with my frequent text messages checking in on the day....and I have also stalked her Facebook profile just in case I could catch a glimpse at any part of her experience - and she and her roomie are adorable in their dorm room (which happens to be at the same university, in the same dormitory, and on the same floor that I lived in)!  While Allie made these decisions for herself and some were by "chance," I simply can't help but thank God for this sweet divine moment that I'm feeling as I know just what Allie is feeling, thinking, and seeing at this very moment. :)

Seriously, I'm just beside myself with excitement for her!  Streams of tears (happy sentimental tears, that is) roll down my cheeks as I type this post.....so proud of Allie and her many accomplishments, excited that she's going through UK's recruitment week, knowing that her life will be changed forever in a matter of just a few days.  It's about all I can do not to jump in my car and drive to Lexington, KY and sit on her little twin bed in her shared dorm room and laugh with her and cry with her and ask her so many questions about her first days as a college student....all while trying to impart some wisdom from my own experience.

I also think how my own experience did not include text messaging (let alone a smartphone), no digital camera, nor Facebook.....goodness, the dorm wasn't even "wireless" - I remember how impressive the "ethernet" was compared to the slow speeds of my family's internet service in rural KY.  All this makes me laugh as I feel so old! 

My heart is swelling with excitement and thankfulness of my own experience and the start of Allie's collegiate years still to come! 

Gotta go.....just heard a text message come through! :)

A little update on life

Hello! Whoa, what a whirlwind life has been lately and it's still going in full force. I want to do document this season of our lives right now - not necessarily because it is very interesting to others, rather because I want us to look back and see how God has poured out many blessings and extra doses of energy so that we can continue to push through. Life right now is very sweet....things are going quite well....just at a pace that neither of us wants to sustain forever. However, we are thankful that the Lord is proving that He can and will do "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" (Eph. 3:20) including when we need another boost of stamina to keep us in gear. ;)

I type this message from a hotel in Charlotte, NC where Josh and I arrived yesterday afternoon. We are in town for tonight's Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw concert that will begin later this afternoon. Josh was sweet to schedule this trip as a surprise to me. The days leading up to this weekend have been so hectic that we worried the timing was wrong to leave town; we even considered selling the concert tickets to stay in town. The reason is because this isn't just any weekend - it is the last weekend before we move into a new home. We left town with boxes still to be packed up and moved. We arrived to Charlotte exhausted and drained. We agreed to come enjoy this trip and rest up, making every effort to forget about the work ahead of us this week with moving while also working our full-time jobs and continuing to strive for our health (which doesn't include the conveniences of drive-thrus, food delivery,and slacking on our fitness). On top of that, Josh has been working third shift and many overtime hours. That pretty much means he puts me to bed each night and then goes into work while I sleep. Then I am at work when he is sleeping. It's been an adjustment to say the least since our schedules are completely opposite. However he is taking it like a champ and still being my awesome husband (pretty sure if the roles we reversed, I would not be so sweet).

Earlier this morning I visited the hotel gym on my own. You should know this is a pretty big deal for me, but in keeping with our recent efforts for overall health and well-being I made myself peel out of bed for at least a short workout of some cardio and strength training. Funny thing is that it is a little easier to do when my "reward" is hotel continental breakfast and fresh-brewed coffee waiting downstairs....I am a sucker for a real breakfast and someone else making my coffee. :) I want to show you my view right now but am having problems getting the photo to upload in this post. So picture me in the chair with my feet propped up on the ottoman, with a bag of ice stretching over both my knees. I laughed at myself that this very same chair I had used just moments before for reverse push-ups is now being utilized for my rehab. Unfortunately I have known for quite some time that my knees and ankles give me pain and problems, which is the very reason I have quit working out many times before. I am still not sure the approach I will be taking if this continues. I am a wimp when it comes to pain, however I am also more mentally committed to overall well-being now than ever before. I just have to find the right balance between challenging myself in a way to grow stronger while also not causing damage. My sweet husband took me a couple weeks ago to a running store where they performed an analysis of my running form, taking a video to show me how jacked up my ankles are. We purchased the overpriced shoes and inserts that will hopefully help stabilize my ankles. Right now I am not sure if it is helping or not so I will definitely give it more time. I joke (not at all in the make fun of way) to Josh that I probably needed braces on my legs (like Forrest Gump) when I was younger, but it might be too late for that now. To my surprise I am really enjoying the upper body strength training, which was the very thing I most feared when we began working out several weeks ago. I still can't do push-ups "man style" but I will get there eventually. Josh actually showed me how to do them using a staircase which has been my preferred method for now.

We are not doing a particular diet or fitness regimen; we are not counting calories or following a structured meal plan. Instead, we are combining cardio and whole body strength training for fitness and eating more wholesome foods such as lean meats, lots of veggies, fruits, and nuts (basically limiting processed/high-sodium foods). We still enjoy some indulgences (like yesterday was our cheat day and I am not even going to name what we ate). The coolest part is the changes in the way my body feels.....well, other than the soreness that is. ;) I am feeling more energetic and just a lighter feel (I am really not even talking less pounds so much as just more free and peppy). And now that I have been in this new way of health for a few weeks now, it's funny that when we have our cheat meals my body doesn't feel as great. I don't get sick or nauseous feeling, just feel more lethargic and fatigued...plus I can tell when we've consumed sodium (ahem...chips & salsa....cough, cough) because my fingers swell and I just feel weighed down. This is obviously just the beginning of many new things in my life. I am certainly no expert - just a simple girl trying to make good lifestyle choices that will have long term effects. My encouragement to you (and the lesson for myself that I'm still learning) is to get back to the basics and simplify by shedding the excess. This can be the junk we put in our bodies as well as the junk we find stuffed in closets and drawers when it's time to move out. Both situations really are similar because if we protect our bodies and homes from the things that cause them harm and clutter, we can focus on what makes them thrive. I know all of this, yet I still struggle with committing to this very beneficial lesson. It helps to remember that every little bit makes a difference. The healthy meal with a short workout is a step toward my goal, just as cleaning out one drawer. I need to not view life as all-or-none and rather see it as every good process is letting me step closer to my ultimate goals. Feel free to hold me accountable to this - I need all the help I can get! :)

On the Road & Relationships

Happy 2012! :)  I haven't posted in a very long time.  Honestly, I had many ideas for posting and would sometimes log in with the intention to post, only to see the photo in my last post and decide I loved it too much.  (perhaps a little slow to change?!)

Since that last post in October 2011, there have been so many exciting things going on and thoughts and revelations and moments and trips that I should have captured in print and shared for the few of you out there that read this blog.  But alas, I just kept on keeping on living this blessed life.  Pictures pile up, life happens, and special moments soon become memories.  It has been a cycle, but not a vicious one.

Maybe I'll catch back up someday, but for now I can recap the last couple of weeks.  In the past two weeks (well, two and a half now that I'm settled back in), I have traveled over 2,500 miles on my own through eight states in two different rental cars and completed three audiobooks....and that doesn't include the round trip flight I took from Charleston, SC to Nashville.  I traveled to two weddings, a baby shower, a Mothers Day family gathering, countless work events, visited friends, new babies of friends, family, and friends whom I count as family; yet I won't dare try to count the numbers of loved ones I've seen lately.  There was one stretch in the first week where I channeled my inner Goldilocks and slept in five different beds over five nights.  I've laughed, I've cried, I've gone through way too many drive-thrus and pumped so much gas it's probably hazardous to my health.  And somehow I only missed two days of work.  Sure, I'm worn out from it all....but it's a good feeling of tiredness because while I know I haven't done it all just right, I can rest in the fact that I've given it all I had.  Relationships with friends and family are extremely important, they reap many rewards, but one lesson I'm learning as I grow older (and wiser) is that they don't keep themselves going.  They take investments of time and effort. 

But now the time has come [well, almost].  It's a moment I've been waiting for.  Through the absolutely wonderful times I've had the past two weeks, I am looking for a fun adventure this weekend....getting to spend the first full weekend with my husband since Easter.  And that's putting it pretty lightly since I haven't mentioned that he has been attending grad school since January, worked second shift the month of April, is putting in crazy amounts of overtime hours, and has had extensive work travel in Seattle, San Antonio & Cincinnati during the semester.

My hard working husband takes care of our family and makes our adventures possible.  I am so grateful for him and how he leads us.  He is extremely caring and protective of me, which I'm extremely okay with. ;)   In the midst of his recent jam-packed schedule, he made the effort to book all my hotels and rental cars (not based on the cheapest choices as I would have arranged, but with my safety and comfort as priority), he took money out of the bank so I had cash on my trips (he knows I wouldn't do this on my own), and he has been earning awards and recognition at work.  His work ethic and humbleness are models to strive for.  Multiple times each day I am overwhelmed with the blessings we share and I can't believe just how God laid out this path for this life of joy with this man.  It's not about the stuff he does for me  -- not at all.  These are just recent examples of how he goes over and beyond to show love for me on a regular basis and even during hectic times.  He seems to naturally understand that our relationship takes time and effort.  I guess I'm a slow learner because I'm just now really starting to understand how vital they are to maintain.

I pretty much can't put into words how I feel about my husband and our family and friends.  I'm so thankful - a blessed girl for sure!  So I don't get too sentimental, I'll leave with a few fun photos from the last couple of weeks:

Amy's Wedding in Cincinnati, OH

Catherine's Baby Shower in Northern KY

My work trip to Norfolk & Virginia Beach, VA

 Jillian's Wedding in Lexington, KY

The "Go With" Girl

Relatively speaking, I believe I'm agreeable and cooperative.  Sure, I am fully capable of covering a full spectrum of actions from planting my feet and refusing to move to leading the way to something else.  But when I think about myself over the past several months, I'd say I've pretty much been "go with the flow."  Nearly everything I knew and lived was turned upside down and changes were taking place all around and within me.  Definitely a learning and growing experience for sure, with ups and downs along the way.  Right before moving, I received several sweet gifts from friends.  One was a beautiful black and white hand-painted wooden plaque that says "bloom where God plants you."  I have a long way to go, but I can look back and see major progress.  For that I am grateful.

After we moved I told my husband I would follow him anywhere, going to the ends of the earth with him wherever he leads our family.  I don't know what that means for us long-term but I do know that resisting ideas is a sure way to be in the midst of them.  (The phrase "never say never" ring a bell?)  Of course the phrase "go with your gut" can have some relevance but is also not a guaranteed wise method of discernment.  Additionally, there are many things that I can't just "go with the flow" of the world.  If I did it would be at the expense of my values, faith and beliefs.  I have learned that as long as I stand strong in what really matters, it's much easier to "go with the flow" on everything else since I am firmly planted and rooted in a strong foundation.  Like an aged tree in the wind....flowing and moving, yet remaining rooted in the ground.

This "go with" mentality continues to bring many blessings.  While it is sometimes easy to get down and out about circumstances and why certain desires haven't been fulfilled, when I focus on the positives I can see how clearly blessed I am and how only God's perfect will can bring such blessings.

Sticking with my "go with" efforts, I am excited to say that I will once again "go with" my hard-working husband for another four-week rotation to Seattle.  We leave in a few days and I look forward to more adventures to come!  Also, I welcome any friends and family who might want to see Seattle during that time - I would love for you to visit and show you around!

Sweet Seattle & Surrounding Scenery

[WARNING: This post is on photo overload!]

On Thursday I enjoyed another solo day downtown Seattle since Josh was again working at the plant on the southside.  I LOVE water ways and boats, so I decided to walk to Lake Union.  I didn't follow any specific course and instead let my sense of direction lead me there.  It was a pretty good little hike (my route was close to 2 miles) and fortunately, my internal navigation led me to the right place although I did have to make some detours due to sidewalk and road construction.  While walking to Lake Union I was really close to the Space Needle:

Lake Union

A view of the city from Lake Union:

The natural explorer in me wandered to this place:

And I enjoyed simple and quaint views like these:

I walked back to the downtown area where I had started out that morning.  This picture is for my Dad:

After all of that walking and exploring, I had worked up an appetite!  So I returned to a French bakery in Pike Place Market where I had wanted to dine. 

The yummy smells of walking by this restaurant brought back many great memories of the May 2003 trip to France that my friend LL and I enjoyed.  During that trip, we ate quite a few of these......so naturally, I had to order one again.....for nostalgic reasons of course. 

A thin sliced ham, with butter, on french bread.  Super yummy!

And then I decided to top it off with a healthier local treat, an apple (Jazz variety, so sweet and delicious!) from this produce stand:

 

Since I pretty much used all of my energy at the beginning of the day, I enjoyed taking it easy for the afternoon before Josh picked me up and we enjoyed oysters on happy hour at Elliott's again. 

Later that evening we met some of the other Charleston engineers for dinner at Red Hook Brewery where we decided the food was not very good. 

We called it a night so that we could get to bed and get ready for a touristy day on Saturday.  

On Saturday morning we drove to Mukilteo where we boarded the ferry to Whidbey Island.

And by "boarded," I mean we drove our car onto the ferry.

The cars were all parked in lines bumper to bumper.  I was thankful that we had an outside spot so that we could see the water and islands outside.

It was only about a 20 minute ride, but I really enjoyed it!

We turned our GPS on and I thought this was really funny.....our car in the middle of the water!  That's not something you see every day!  :)

Fortunately we lived to tell about it! ;)  It wasn't long before we were released off the ferry and we were greeted with this sign:

We were also greeted by these petitioners!  (Seriously, it was just a group of people holding signs and flags - there was no violence or action taking place....at least we are not aware of any.)

The drive was beautiful!

And then......the moment we had been waiting for......we made it......to Deception Pass!

How beautiful!!!

 

We had a low-key Saturday night where we stayed in, ate snacks for dinner, and watched the UK game.

Sunday morning delivered the moment I have been waiting for!

Since we arrived weeks ago, this sign was in place of the attraction I most wanted to see:

I was sad that I couldn't see them from the moment we first visited Pike Place on our first weekend.  However, I was so thankful that we would still be around when they reopened!  

If you're not sure what I'm talking about, this is the World Famous Pike Place Fish Market!  

For a little history about how I learned about this place years ago......in the midst of my leadership studies I read the FISH! Philosophy book.  It remains my favorite today!  The book is based on "boosting morale and improving results" and it uses this particular fish market as the model.  The fishmongers have a great time and are always looking for a way to make someone's day.  I had seen many video clips of the fish throwing in action, so you can see why I was so excited for the opportunity to witness this event!  

We were there pretty early Sunday morning so it wasn't very busy.  The fishmongers were really nice to chat with us, answer questions, and take our picture!  They also gave me stickers (is it weird that stickers are just as fun at 26 as they were at 6?)  I was thrilled and seeing this site with my husband made my day!  I was so thankful for Josh who got up early on the weekend to take me downtown on what started out as a rainy day & I was thankful that the market was open and I could see them in action! 

I brought my book again for the photos, which led them to introduce me to another book written about the market: "Catch! A Fishmonger's Guide to Greatness" (the tag line is: 'stop floundering and become more effective in your life and work').  Of course I bought it.....because I wanted it and because we weren't buying any fresh fish to bring home and they autographed it for me! ha!  I haven't started reading it yet, but will update when I do.  Until then, enjoy these photos from our time at the Pike Place Fish Market!

 

(Yep, that fish above is airborne!)

 Josh and me in the midst of the fishmongers behind the counter!

And since we were at Pike Place (for what we figure was our last visit during this Seattle trip) we enjoyed some homemade donuts:

We may have grab some cheesecake to take with us to enjoy during the big game:

And there was one last trip to the original Starbucks:

Before we left downtown, we did one last tourist attraction.  We headed down post alley to the Market Theater Gum Wall:

On our way back to the hotel in Lynnwood, we grabbed a pizza [to go with our cheesecake, of course] and took it back to the room for the Superbowl!

Last night we went to dinner and a movie with a couple other Charleston engineers.

And tonight we have big plans that I can't wait to post about!!  

Here's a little hint: