Ryla Training 2012

10 years ago I went to RYLA as a Camper. RYLA stands for Rotary Youth Leadership Award and it is a weekend of teambuilding, high and low ropes course events, camping, cold, new friends, uncomfortableness, and being completely alive and happy. I went away from my Ryla experience with the knowledge that I could do things I did not think I could and now ten years later as a camp facilitator I get to give other High School Juniors that same experience! Totally siked. My Sis (who went to RYLA too) went with me and we spent the weekend training, Tune in in a month for the actual camp experience.

 This is a pic of my awesome sis and a friend and fellow facilitator climbing the Giant's ladder. 8 or 9 rungs high and the rungs get progressively wider as you ascend four stories in the sky.

 This is my sis when she and her partner made it to the top rung! (Her partner had already belayed to the ground.)

 This is another high course event. The Pamper Pole you scale it and jump off! This is "Number two" (that's the ryla name of my awesome teammate!)

 Me and the sis posing for a pic.

My sis is in the middle in action belaying a person on their team.

A great weekend and so glad that we could go back and give back.

More Christmas Picts

 

 We just took the Christmas Tree down and stored the two huge bins and several ancillary boxes in the Garage (soon to be in their final resting place in the attic). But you probably know I love Christmas and I am thoroughly SAD to see it go into boxes. So I am attempting to prolong it a little longer on my blog with Christmas pictures. (I will not even promise that this is the last Christmas post): 

Here are more Christmas Picts that are too cute not to make it onto the blog. I am so late posting these. However, not too late considering that I still haven't sent out Christmas Cards... as you can tell they will probably be Valentine's cards. But lets face it our December was packed full this year (graduation, accepting my dream job, family, Certification test, south carolina for Mr.'s Family Christmas, Houston for our Fam Christmas, and prep for Indonesia)... something had to give. I fancy that a great problem to have! This is my gorgeous sis and Bro n law by our Christmas tree. They are going to make beautiful babies! 

 Mom, Sis and Bro n Law. 

 Me, Mr. and Mom

 Me and Mom after all the craziness when we could just go to Chuy's for some Mexican food and some much needed R &R. 

Indonesia Trip!

The trip to Indonesia was 2 weeks of family, eating, and experiencing a culture that is 180 degrees different from our everyday. My sis and I have been going since my sis was 8 months old so we knew what we were in for. My brother in law and Mr. took everything in stride though and did a great job of assimilating into the culture evan though being "Orang Bulle" they stuck out and got lots of attention! 

Soo many stories so I just thought I would show a few of our pictures. 

Us at the Mud Volcano. This is a huge natural disaster caused by careless oil drilling. The mud has overtaken 5 villages and growing. I really wanted to jump in and play around... However, Mr. said that was not a good idea... I still don't see what the big deal was. 

Exploring the supermarket to get an upclose view of some of the different fruit in this part of the world. This is durian. We also tried Mangees, Salek, and Rambutan. Yummy weird different fruit. It is amazing the different fruit that grows in different parts of the world. 

My sis and I love to eat from food trucks like this one while we are in Indonesia. It is basically an all out assualt on your digestive system but it is part of the culture as these carts are everywhere and portable so that the owners can travel down the streets selling their dishes. Some of what we sampled included: Pachel a breakfast miz of peanut sauce, rice, and veggies, Chwemie which is noodles with dumplings, Sate, Mr's favorite, a chicken kabob with a sweet and peanutty sauce, and Soto ayam a soup of chicken rice and yumminess that is my sis's fav. 

This is us Jalan Jalan (walking) down Telamoyo the street where my mom grew up. 

This is the group outside the van/public transport bus that we caught a ride home on one day. 

We went to a spa one day. I did not give my bro in law a foot massage. He got one from a trained professional. 

This is a bacha. A traditional taxi. This is us hijacking one!! 

This is an entire cart full of krupuk, an indonesia chip made out of fish or shrimp. They are really yummy. The seller drives around selling these to pedestrians on the street. 

 This is Mr. at a 900 year old Hindi Temple that we went to tour at Blitar. 

Sis and Bro posing at the Temple. 

The group of us along with some family in front of the building that my uncle is a professor. My mom lectured while we were there to Master's and PhD engineers about Lean manufacturing. 

Family in front of my grandma's house.

Bro n law and I in Singapore trying the Singapore Sling.

Rock Climbing!

Adventures with the Sis and Bro-n-law. We took the sis and bro-n-law rock climbing. They were awesome!!

So much to be thankful for...

As the year wraps up, I must write and say that this year more than most are so many tangible reminders of how much I have to be thankful for.

This time next week I will have graduated with my Masters! I can't believe that almost three years have gone by since I started. To anyone thinking of undertaking grad school know this time flies so that is a big pro for doing it. Also, I can't believe that I got married during grad school. (More evidence to me that you can't predict how your life is going to go...)

Anyway I will be getting graduated with my lovely wonderful family around me. The first of January we are heading to Indonesia for the first time with the Hubbies which will be an adventure. And then when we get back I should be starting my new wonderful job! (more on that to come in a later post but lets just say dream job...)

My lessons for 2011:
-Go with the flow but do your best
-Let the little things go
-Celebrate
-To want less

This time last year, Beautiful Photoshoot

Last year around this time, we had a beautiful photoshoot with an amazing and sweet photographer Abby.
Here are some of the more fun shots. There were so many that were good it was hard to pick just these! maybe I will post more again. 

Crock pot Cooking and meal planning

So you may have noticed lately the blog has been quiet. Living life has gotten in the way which is enough said right?? Anyway here is what I have been up to lately.

Job hunting, Thesis writing, getting graduated (Dec 11th!), Interviewing, Applying, Decorating for the holidays, gift buying (trying to get it done early!), did I mention JOB HUNTING.

Two new things that I have tried out on the home front are meal planning and crock pot recipes.

Meal Planning

When I am bored, I picture shop on pintrest. (Great site if you haven't joined but can take alot of time if you let it, like anything good!!) I love to find recipes on pintrest. I like my friend, Lauren's, philosophy on a great dish it must be easy, yummy, and not have too many ingredients!

My browsing on pintrest built up a list of recipes I was excited to make and try. Then on Saturday morning or sometimes Sunday when I sat down to meal plan I had a list of meals to add to favorites like homemade pizza and spaghetti that I know Mr. and I already love.

I always keep past meal plans so I have ideas and inspiration and with meal planning like everything else in my life I plan but try not to fret too much if things don't go as planned. I put down dishes I think would be great each night but if Mr. or I want to go out we do and I bump that meal back to the weekend or next week. If I want to switch nights on meals because I didn't do necessary prep or I want something easier one night (even though all my meals are relatively easy) I do. It has helped me focus on grocery shopping for items I need and we have had some yummy new dishes. Plus for me cooking new things is fun (when I am in the mood and have the ingredients).

When I first lived with Mr., I always felt like I had to make extravagant meals. I felt like the amount of time and energy I put into a meal showed him how much I loved and appreciated him. And while that can and is the case sometimes it is not an every night labor of love. Especially because I have a busy life see above. Even though my own mother said, "Why do you need a vacation... you don't work." Thanks mom. Love you!

On that note on to crock pot yumminess!

If you are looking for a great one for the Hubs, or if you are a carnivore at heart do this one! This was my first time making ribs ever (I had never even bought ribs) and it is pretty much a no fail recipe. Mr. loved it and now I have another recipe to add to the rotation that we love and is super easy!

This one I am trying tonight I will let you know how it goes!

Today

Some days I just feel more in control. Not that my house is cleaner, or there aren't things on my to do list. But that I am in control instead of at the mercy of the house the dogs the clock the to do list!

So I am thankful for that today. It's the little things!

Weekend with the Sis and Bro-n-law

This weekend I went to Houston to spend some time with my sis and bro 'n law. It was the first solo trip I have taken in a while. I always forget how much I enjoy traveling solo. I traveled alot before I got married and while I immensely enjoy traveling with Mr., I also love setting out on my own for a weekend or a week with the gals!

Every weekend with my sis is a gluttonous weekend of girl time! Seriously. Here was the run down of the weekend.
Day 1: Arrive, go shopping. Home to watch Housewives!
Day 2: Breakfast, shopping, out to dinner (yummy Indian Food) and then dessert at The Chocolate Bar. The cake slice was literally enough for maybe 5 people!

Day 3: Get up for the 2nd or 3rd (lost count) trip to Nordstrom in as many days. Shop until we have literally dropped. (ie. there is no more room in my trunk for shopping bags) 

All in all a good weekend! Love you sis. Thanks for the hospitality. 

Volunteering

Today I spent the day volunteering at the Aids Interfaith Network (someone made me, I am not that good of a person, though I wish I could say I was!). It was a great and humbling experience. I must confess that I was the world's worst volunteer. I did way more socializing than "volunteering."

During the morning I played Farkle with some of the patrons of the facility. This facility has an adult day care program. Basically a place where people can come throughout the week and spend time socializing, playing games, and also getting a couple home-cooked meals.  This provides respite care to family members who are the full-time caregivers of these people and socialization for homeless individuals who would otherwise be on the street.

After two rounds of getting trounced in Farkle, it was time for bingo. I have never played this competitively so I had some learning to do. One of the patrons S. taught me that you never clear your card until someone yells "Clear your card." Just because someone yells Bingo does not mean that they have won, they may have the wrong numbers covered by mistake and then if you have cleared your card you can't continue when the game resumes! The last bingo prize was a bag of white cotton socks. A man at our table St. remarked, "man, I want those socks. You always need some good socks." That broke my heart. Socks?!

I came home and decided I was going to bag up some of mine and Mr's warm clothes and donate them when I go back on Thursday. In about 10 minutes of shuffling around in the garage and closets I had 6 wal-mart bags full of clothes for the shelter.

Mr. and I are not fashonistas by any stretch of the imagination. But even so we have 4 closets in our house and all of them are filled to the brim with clothes. I counted in Mr.'s side of the closet he has 42 dress shirts! 42! (excessive I know and he doesn't wear all of them).

It is so easy for me to think about what I want that I don't have. Uggs, hardwood floors, a new car... But I was so thankful for today. Because it made me look outside myself and my problems and my wants and needs.

Volunteer your time, give an old coat to a shelter, bring a bag of food to a food bank. You will get more than you give. 'Tis the season!

Twenty Five

I wish I had written down somewhere at fifteen where I was going to "be" at twenty five.  Things that I wanted to achieve by twenty five, do places I would have gone. I wonder what my fifteen year old self would think of me today. . . I think she would be a little surprised that I live in suburbia, that I have a dog that weighs half what I do. But I think younger me would be happy that I am happily married and about to finish my masters. Younger me might be surprised that I have practically the same hair style and some of the same friends (true besties). I think to fifteen year old me twenty five must have seemed old just like thirty five seems so old to me.

I don't want to write out goals for thirty five just predictions or musings or something more likely just to look back on (if we still have Internet and I can still find this blog in 10 years)!

Predictions for 35 year old self

- For me and Mr. to be living in or building our forever home
- maybe the pitter patter of little feet or at least a couple better trained dogs
- to be working as a PA in a job where I am happy and fulfilled
- To be an aunt
- To live within a 20 mile radius of my sis and mom
- That I will have run a triathlon
- That I will be more fluent in Spanish
- I will have traveled to Europe again with Mr., Sis, and Bro-n-law
- I'll be confident enough to make crepes

What a precious thing life is. Can't believe I'm twenty five. Where has the time gone! I know that before I turn around it will be ten years down the road.

Simple living

Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of life you look up and say what am I doing... I've recently become interested in simple living. I am at the beginning of my thinking/experimenting with this lifestyle but really I am just interested in distilling my life down to what makes me and Mr. happy and fulfilled.
One of the ideas from the simple living manifesto (posted above) is to come up with simple pleasures and sprinkle them throughout your day. Here is a sample list. and here is the beginnings of my own list.

•  Coffee
•  Painted nails
•  a hot bath
• a glass of wine
• baking/creating
• a good book
• watching Mr and the dogs play
• blogging 
• catching up with a dear friend
• a massage
• getting my eyebrows waxed
• going for yogurt
• Christmas music/decorations
• laying on the beach
• walking barefoot
• a quiet saturday morning
• kolaches 
• fresh baked bread
• staying up talking 
• sitting on the porch 
• a baseball game
• a nice walk
• the way you feel after a good workout
• dinner out 
• pizza carryout
• new sheets 
• planning a weekend away
• dinner with friends
• a new piece of clothing or shoes
• curling my hair
• JIF peanut butter on bread
• a clean house
• clean dogs

I just came up with 33 things in like 5 minutes and just making the list brought a smile to my face. That is what I want my new lifestyle to be about: making myself happy (I hope you don't see this as selfish, I see it as filling my tank so I have more to give to Mr.'s and others), using my time more wisely and not stressing the small stuff. I look forward to adding to the list.

My Hiatus

I have taken some time away from blogging. More unintentional than anything else. I have been reading, thinking, ageing, musing.

I am 25 now. I only think about it in flashes but I can't believe that I am 25. I am a planner, I look forward to life. I can't imagine that I graduated college 5 years ago, and high school 7 years ago. (Yea I did college fast).

(Picture from my party w/ Mr. at Flying Saucer)


A year from now I will be working. I think I always think about my life in terms of when I get to ____ fill in the the blank with graduation, marriage, 25. I will "begin" my life. I am realizing that at least 1/4 of life has gone by. I need to get my head out of the calendar and start living it! Enjoying it not looking forward and preparing for it or worrying about it. anyone else have revelations like this lately?

Mr. and I are going on our honeymoon in 18 days. We are headed back to Anna Maria where we got married a little over a year ago and we are both so excited for the break, but moreso to return to a place that we love. To a place that has become so special to the both of us.

Roomie

Sometimes the best things in life are free, and unplanned, and come in suntanned packages. This is the case with my Roomie. We met in college, were roommates then and have been since. Some, well a precious few relationships are easy, comfortable, and never get old, pretentious, or anything.

Roomie and I are Yin and Yang. We are far from the same but We balance.

Roomie and I have been flashed. I've seen her vomit over the balcony after a night of drunken scrabble. (maybe that was revealing too much). In short I love her. Not in the lesbian way, although at one point while being roommates we were mistaken as such... I love the person she is. Uncompromising, original, artistic, creative, compassionate, loving, caring, introspective, strong, resilient. She teaches me to value art and creativity in its various forms, to be thrifty, to look inward and reflect, to be real, to feel, to enjoy life for just what it is today. I miss you roomie.  I love you. I think of you often, always fondly, and more often as the weather turns warmer and more comfortable to sit on porches and ponder life over a glass of wine. 

Random

I randomly break into dance around the house when fun music comes on... if only I could take an instant pic and show you all how bewildered it makes the dogs. They (Jo Jo especially) does not understand what is going on.

Good Prose, err I guess this is Poetry

A more cultured friend posted this on her site a while, possibly a year ago. I don't read much (read: any) poetry but this spoke to me, I copied it and kept it. I love how the written word can do that. So I decided to share it with you today. To me it is about courage. 

The Impossible Dream

To dream the impossible dream

To fight the unbeatable foe

To bear with unbearable sorrow

To run where the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong

To love pure and chaste from afar

To try when your arms are too weary

To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest

To follow that star

No matter how hopeless

No matter how far

To fight for the right

Without question or pause

To be willing to march into Hell

For a heavenly cause

And I know if I'll only be true

To this glorious quest

That my heart will lie peaceful and calm

When I'm laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this

That one man, scorned and covered with scars

Still strove with his last ounce of courage

To reach the unreachable star

~Man of La Mancha

10 things I love about you: Life

1. Morning Coffee, I need it through an IV.
2. Splenda
3. Comfy sheets
4. Dansko Shoes  (they are ugly, cloggish. but soo comfy especially for standing all day.) Couldn't do without them in my work life
5. Sunglasses
6. Crock Pots
7. Netflix
8. Henri Bendel Candles
9. Columbia Fleece Throw
10. Spring Breaks!!

Things I want to do in life! aka Bucket list

First Draft (of many I imagine)

1. Win a blog contest
2. Be mistaken as a famous person -- Am I dreaming thinking Kim Kardashian?
3. Meet/recognize/see a famous person -- check Jessica Simpson, but I would like to again
4. New England in the Fall
5. Open a bakery
6. Walk on hot coals (if that's for real)
7. Compete in a triathlon
8. Own (possibly buy on sale) a pair of Louboutin Shoes
9. Create a secret family recipe that will be passed down
10. Celebrate my 17th Wedding anniversary


I encourage you to take part in this mental exercise! It is fun and requires more introspection than you think! Post it as a comment or on your own blog!

Two Weeks off??

I have the next two weeks off. I don't normally do this but I haven't really give any thought to how I was going to spend it!

So far this is how I am spending it...
Catching up on my google reader, reading all of you guys' blogs (I see that as my way to 'visit' you and see what you are up to!) I slept in this am, cuddled up watching the Today show, with my coffee and a left over sticky bun, in my Pj's, Dillinger and Jo jo made it perfect by cuddling up with me (only Jo Jo couldn't fit in the picture!)

I plan to get things done. I want to do some crafts and some baking and entertaining. I hope to do some visiting of long lost friends. But this morning I am just basking in the joy of having no obligations for the day!

A Beautiful Wedding Weekend

I threw a Bachelorette shower for a dear friend who got married this weekend. The theme was Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue! I decorated cookies to match the theme.

Here is the beautiful Bachlorette.

The venue was a beautiful Vineyard and the perfect backdrop for the sweet night. There is something very special about weddings. After attending several with Mr. it is a solemn thing to listen to the vows. It is like being reminded of the promise we made almost a year ago. Somestimes life gets in the way of living out our love towards each other and listening to the vows of another couple starting the journey always realigns my vision. Very often recently I fall back into viewing the world as it applys to me not the two of us. This weekend was a wonderful weekend to remind me what marriage is about.

It was also a great time to get to see an old friend I haven't seen in a while!! I love you Jen.

One more pic with friends!