A Confession

I would like to admit that some of my recent blogs have been written hastily and with not as much thought as I normally put into them.  The reason is that I have not designated a time for the blog lately.  It's been done at night when I am winding down.  I will make sure that it will have it's very own time block in my day.  With that being said, tonight will be another brief one.  I'm doing a triathlon on Sunday.  The most important night for sleep when gearing up to do a race is two night before the actual event.  I need to be asleep in the next few minutes because tomorrow will begin early.

I will try my best to create a thoughtful, thorough blog tomorrow.  I will not be without a good amount of material to talk about.  Tomorrow will be a fun filled, informative adventure.  Those two adjectives (fun filled, informative) do not normally describe the same thing do they?  Well, that is exactly what it will be.  I'll expound on this in the next post.

Tea Time

One of my great friends has introduced me to the customs of English Tea.  Here are pictures of today's lesson in history and etiquette.

If I'm not able to travel to London yet then at least I can have a little taste of London right here in Wilmington.  Thank you Niki for our adventure today.  To many more!

Warm and Fuzzy...I mean Sunny

Yes, today was another exquisite day and I did take advantage as I promised.  I ran 3 miles by 6:30am in my new shoes to break them in for the upcoming triathlon (this weekend) and the half-marathon (next weekend).  I rode my sleek and swift road bike to my appointments for the day.  Got a massage to prepare my body for the endurance challenges coming up.  Entered a contest to win a trip to Ireland!  While strolling through the isles of the grocery store with a tasty coffee in hand, I discovered the forbidden rice.  Made myself a nutritious dinner of rotisserie chicken and forbidden rice.  I'm making sure I get plenty of protein and carbs for the races.  Watched Kill Bill Volume 2 (Uma Thurman rocks) with my hunk of a husband and the lovable pup, Captain.  Below is a picture of me and my sleek and swift road bike.  This was taken the week before my first triathlon Sept 09.

A day is not complete when I haven't been able to really connect with another human being.  Today had an abundance of magnificent connections.  I can't tell you enough of how these exchanges are what drive me on regular basis.  Not just the warm and fuzzy exchanges but the ones that take work and figuring out problems.  It's the happy ones and the sad ones.  It's being there for someone and vice versa.  Maybe you could just call me sentimental, but I believe it is what makes the world go round.  It's living your life with love, respect and understanding of yourself and everyone/everything around you.  It doesn't mean that living in this way guarantees happiness at all times, but I've found that it is a very fulfilling way to live life.  Plus when you give freely of those things they find their way back to you...and then some.

What better way to spend a warm and sunny day with the "warm and fuzzies".

Spring is in the Air

Today was absolutely gorgeous!  There is such an excitement in the air when people see the signs of Spring being on it's way.  I know most of the anticipation is looking forward to the warmer weather.  This is especially true when you live in a beach town.  Some of the vitality in our moods has to come from the new growth/life that Spring initiates as well.  It is definitely an energizing time of the year.

Here is Captain riding with me to the office to scan in an offer to purchase.  After finishing up with work, we went to the beach for an invigorating walk around "the loop" with our friend Niki.  "The loop" is a very popular walking/running route at Wrightsville Beach.  The route allows you to enjoy marsh, Intracoastal Waterway, socializing, ocean breezes, and much more.  Today was a lively day on "the loop".  Everyone seemed to be in good spirits with an extra pep in their step.  It's magical what Spring can do for the soul.  I don't believe I ran into anyone in a bad mood today.  It's not like I didn't see a fair share of people.  I would estimate I interacted with at least 50 friends, family, clients, co-workers and the like.  I believe there is going to be a few more beautiful days this week and I plan to make the most of them with many more adventures.

Observing More

 I said I would elaborate more on how writing this blog has helped me appreciate and be more observant in the moment.  There are three moments that come to mind from this weekend.

• My good friend MarCharia's baby shower 
• Being at Ferguson's with four of the most special men in my life.  My husband, my brother, my dad and let's not forget my Jack Russell, Captain.  
• Hanging out with my in-laws

Writing this blog has helped me reach a few goals.  The goal specific to this post is being more present.  In the three moments I mentioned above, not only did I enjoy the experience as I normally do but I also was aware of how special they were during the moment.  In the course of the baby shower I tried to drink in all the details of my friend's celebration, while partaking in it at the same time.  I considered things like the time and effort her family put into the event.  The way the guests interacted with each other.  At Ferguson's I payed attention to the bond that my brother and my husband have formed.  The joy my dad had in telling us about his golf game.  The love that was felt as all four of us talked.  Then, while hanging with the Hoffman's I reveled in the comfort I feel with them and embraced the conversations, the food and the company. 

In these observations you witness not only the happy moments but also the troubled ones.  It is all important.  I believe that this being more present will infuse more vitality, quality and understanding into my life.  That can only lead to more vivid and exciting adventures!

 

A Lovely Weekend

As I mentioned yesterday I've been looking forward to this weekend.  The chance to see good friends.  To celebrate a dear friend's baby shower.  Greg helped Dad and Mike by bringing the ice machine from Wilmington to Ferguson's.  Found out that my brother Mike and my nephew Tripp just a race!  Seeing my Dad in such a frisky mood is contagious.  The rest of the weekend has been time with my in-laws.  Listening to my father-in-law play a bluesy tune on the guitar.  A nice family walk with the dogs.   We watched Alice in Wonderland  which was vividly portrayed with fantastic characters and costumes.  I felt it lacked the substance of plot that I was craving.  Next we had a delicious family dinner with even more family over for dessert and coffee.

Now we're back in Wilmington (just walked through the door).  I really enjoyed this weekend obviously.  I feel I've been able to experience it in such another level because of my blog.  I've found I'm much more observant and contemplative about what I observe.  For instance, in each segment of my journey from Wilmington, to St. Pauls, to Cary I was able to not only enjoy myself but appreciate/observe the disposition of all my friends and family around me.

I plan to explain this more thoroughly tomorrow.  It's almost 12am and my brain is telling me it is time to go to sleep!

Short and Sweet

This one is going to be FAST!  It's 11:46pm and I'm sitting in the living room with my in-laws.  We have had a big day.  Started at 5am this morning, got on the road to my home town for Mishie's baby shower, hanging with my Dad and Brother, then on the road to Greg's home town for a birthday celebration for Greg and his sister Jessica.  All week I've been looking forward to this weekend.  It's the first one I haven't worked in awhile.  I'm also going to see Alice in Wonderland!  I love Johnny Depp.

I promise to have more substance tomorrow.