End of an Era

Today is my last day in my 20s.  Its kinda surreal.  I definitely feel like Im leaving a land I have known so well and embarking on a land that Im a tad bit afraid of.  Afraid just in the sense that its unknown.

When I was a child and thought of the 'Adult Lisa', I always pictured myself as a Soccer Mom. Married.  Lots of kids.  Busy.  On the Go.  Settled in one place.  And in my twenties.  I never thought of myself older than that. Not exactly sure why.  Might have something to do with a sub-conscience desire to be a "young" mom.

And here we go.  Embarking on a land completely unknown.  Time to readjust my thoughts of the future.   Enjoying the journey, but still figuring it all out as I go.   Any words of wisdom are appreciated.

Just wish one of you, from the few that read this blog, were here with me to celebrate another year in person.  I have been missing those friends that even when time and distance has been between us, we are able to pick up like neither of those have been there.  Thinking of all of those friends that have made my 20s, and even the early years, so much more amazing than I ever could have imagined.  Thank you.  And excited for what the next decade will bring.  ....

Balkan Peninsula

So.  Milestone birthday was coming up, and if I didnt leave the country on, before, or after said date, then I felt like my world would fall apart. Ok maybe alittle dramatic, but really, that is nothing new!  ....

I found a travel companion.  We figured out a destination.  Tickets booked. General Itinerary created. Patiently waited for the day to arrive.  And then off we went.  .... England, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania.  .... And here are a few pictures from it.  I wont bore you with all the details, but feel free to ask specifics.  Im definitely looking at doing an Island Hopping tour in Croatia.  LOVED Croatia.

Relaxing in Hyde Park, London

Buckingham Palace, London

Krka National Park, Croatia

St Alexandar Nevski Cathedral, Sofia, Bulgaria

Roman Bath Ruins, Varna, Bulgaria

Cathedral, Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest, Romania

Happy September!

Why hello there!  Its been alittle while. I do apologize for being a bit of a recluse from the blogging world. ...  How are things  for you, and what have you been doing to enjoy the summer?  Here are a few things that I have been up to:

Mountain Biking. This is a popular sport here in Charlotte.  I have started to get the bug for it.  Even been initiated with a tumble over the handle bars.  Luckily I walked away with just a few bruises. *Disclaimer: Not me in the picture.  Have yet to think its worth it to buy actual biking gear! 

Swing Dancing! Oh how I miss the dance scene in Manhattan, but  happy for  the little scene that is here.  

Sand Volleyball.  Yes, yes thats not me, but much prettier shot than what I would have done!  Its been fun to get and   do alittle bump, set, spike after a long day in the office. 

Pool Time!  Sadly, the pool at my apartment isnt exactly this beautiful, but having a pool at my disposal has been fabulous!  I have really enjoyed it this summer, and will be sad when its no long as easy to enjoy a few chapters in a book while at the pool.  

Myers Park HS Football.  Between my love of HS Football during my HS days, my love of FNL, and for my desire to feel alittle bit more apart of the community I live in, I have been attending football games.  Its been fun to go and cheer on the Mustangs, and they are pretty good.  It does really make me miss the band at PSHS.  This band does not compare.

And now on to my favorite time of the year, FALL!  I love the cooling weather.  The fall colors.  The fun boots to wear.  The holidays to celebrate.   The new tv season and tv shows.  And this year Im especially excited for a trip to the Balkan Peninsula.  Beach time at the Adriatic and the Black Sea?  Yes Please! 

Ray of Sunshine

"i could sure use a lunch with you today. ... i miss your enthusiasm."

This gchat totally brightened my day. And it was even from a dude. I have some fabulous friends.

Sisters

Big sisters are the crab grass in the lawn of life. ~Charles M. Schulz

Sisters are different flowers from the same garden. ~Author Unknown

Some days, I wish I had a sister. And other days, Im fine with not. I hear of sisters sharing clothes. That is a day. I hear stories about sisters stealing clothes. Thats a not day. I hear of sisters laughing and sharing. That is a day. I hear of sisters arguing. And not that day.

But today. Today is a day that I wish I had a sister. I have brothers. And I love them.

Im lucky. I do have dear friends from the many different years and life stages that I consider sisters. Love them all dearly. And really, they are the flowers in my wild flower field, and what a beautiful field I truly have. Im blessed.

Along I-85 to Raleigh, NC

Unlimited

I went over my messages last month. And not just a little. But by 2000!!! Yes, that is a 2 followed by three zeros! Seriously. Ridiculous. I immediately changed my plan to be unlimited! Why did I not do that before?!?!? And yes, I havent been able to claim being a teenager for almost 10 years now! Silliness.

Thoughts of the Day

1) I love to laugh. I love to smile. I love to be happy and express that in merriment and amusement. Im sure this is really nothing new to most of those that probably read this. But its true. Im a laugher. I might have even gotten in abit of trouble at work for laughing too much. Really? Is that possible?!

There is something in my brain that finds humor in super simple things, and sometimes, er alot of times, I really cant explain it. I just laugh. It makes people nervous. I understand. It makes me nervous sometimes too.

I love comedy. I love witty people. I love smiling. I love people that have the ability to make others laugh. I might laugh at cheesy and corny jokes. But someone that doesnt need to use that, and they still make me laugh, they are a keeper! And I love being able to make others laugh. Sadly, Im not as witty as I wish I was, but I do have my moments. And last night was one of them. I was out to dinner with a friend. The server just couldnt stop laughing because of me. It was fabulous. I might have had to point this out to my dinner companion. And this companion might have taken it the wrong way because the companion likes to think that they are funnier than me. Well. Sorry to inform you dinner companion, but I was last night! :)

2) When I was in high school, I liked to watch Days of Our Lives. It started after I became friend with a particular girl. Her mom watched it, and during the summer I would watch it with them. I did realize how pathetically slow the plot line was. And how ridiculous the stories were. But I did love a few of the characters. I watched a few episodes years later, and realized that it was like time had just stop still. Literally!

Well. Today, there were a few moments that I seriously thought that something happened when I drove from Manhattan to Charlotte on that New Years Day with all my belongs, and something transformed and I really drove into a Soap Opera. The last 4 months have been alittle bit on the ridiculousness. And in an effort to not just completely air my life in such a public forum, Im going to keep that at that. But if you want to chat, I would love to share my Soap Opera story with you personally.

3) Soccer was a huge part of my life for many, many years. I played from 2nd grade until 10th grade, and alittle during college. I was lucky enough to make the High School team and wear the colors of the Wildcats for two years. But I realized that that life was not particularly for me, and I didn't continue on into my junior year. Part of it might have been with the rigorous workout schedule we had. I didn't like it. I might have been in fantabulous shape. But it was just too much.

That has highly influenced my desire, or lack of desire really, for exercise post high school soccer. I have to admit, that I might be relying on the amazing genes that my dad was able to pass along to me. I have gone through spurts of working out. Paying for gym memberships. Buying fancy workout shoes, shorts, and shorts in the hopes that that will help motivate me. But I have never been very consistant with it. I would do it for a few days or weeks, but quickly it goes by the wayside. While I was living in Scarsdale, NY, I was probably the most consistent I had yet been. I found a few classes that I liked, and would go to those. But I definitely did not get my moneys worth at that gym.

One of the many goals I had for myself for this move, included working out. It might have taken a few weeks, er month, to finally make my way the 50 yards across the parking lot, but I did it. I have been going. And its been amazing. I actually look forward to it. I don't go for a super long time. And I don't have a lot I do. But its been fabulous. Im kinda really stinkin proud of myself. But really. I have one person to thank for getting me out of bed continually. And that is my fabulous Heavenly Father.

Life is good! :)