On the Waterfront

I grew up in a landlocked state, so I didn't discover the joys of living near the water until I found myself living in Seattle a decade ago. Once I got used to life near the mountains and the water, I didn't every want to live another way.

Istanbul is surrounded by water, from the Bosphorus and all its bridges to the Golden Horn, it is hard to  not see water. Every time I've crossed the bridge in the background of the photo above it has been full of people fishing off the side.

I'm not sure I'm ready to take to the water on one of these boats - given that the Bosphorus is also full of oil and other tankers, I'm thinking I'd feel safer on something a bit larger.

This song has been a big hit in the US, it's a great celebration of a lazy day spent out on the water: Little Big Town - Pontoon.

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Away from the Light

I shared some photos Monday from a recent hike just before sunset. Those photos were taken toward the sun and I was trying to capture the beautiful warm light. This set of photos were taken the same day and from close to the same location, and same time, but were taken away from the sun.

Instead of warm golden light, these photos are full of coolness - and yet you can still see rays of lights shining through the clouds. Both versions of light are equally amazing.

This last shot was taken with my iPhone from a moving car (so forgive the blur.) It was taken near sunset - with the sun setting behind me, the photo is facing east. I was mesmerized by the rays of light crossing the entire sky. My goal is to someday develop my technical skills to the point that I can reliably capture the light as I actually see it, in all it's glory.

I found myself wishing I could head out a bit closer to nature today - since I can't here's the Pavement Ends from Little Big Town, a song is as close as I can get. Pin It

40 Years Together

My parent recently celebrated their 40th Anniversary.  I couldn't miss out on the opportunity to let them know how much I love them and appreciate the example they have set.

Mom and Dad met in college and moved back to my dad's hometown together.  They raised 3 children there, were strong members of the community and taught us the importance of showing love and concern through service.  They supported us whole heartedly, there was never a game, school program or activity that we participated in that they missed out on.

My parents taught me to dream and to believe in my ability to make those dreams come true.  They supported me through choices in my life that took me far from home, even though I know they hated having me gone.  They also taught me through their quiet example how beautiful marriage can be.

If I'm ever lucky enough to marry, I hope I have a marriage like my parent's, one full of love, support and selfless service.  I love you mom and dad. 

I love this song, it talks about the beauty of having that one person with whom you can share all that you are.  My parent's have taught me that this kind of love does indeed exist, even when the world tells me it doesn't.

Excuse the cheesy video - it was the only embed-able one I could find

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Update and Thanks

Thanks for all of your help and encouragement in my online dating project.  I've updated my profile and can already see a difference in the type of guys I'm finding - so thanks.

Now I just have to figure out how to successfully navigate the rest of this very scary (for me at least) endeavor.

I subscribe to a great blog:  Smart, Pretty and Awkward which basically posts daily tips on how to be smarter, prettier and (less) awkward.  It's one of those quick read blogs that usually leaves me with something to think about.  One item this week on how to be less awkward particularly hit home:

Every old sock has an old shoe, and everybody has someone out there for them to fall in love with. Every person. It might take longer or shorter to find the other person than you had originally planned and the person might not look exactly like the wishlist you thought you wanted, but the correct someone for you is out there. I promise.


So, I'm taking your advice and encouragement, giving it my all and leaving the rest up to faith/fate.


Instead of having a list of the things I want in a guy, I have a list of songs that describe the type of relationship I dream of - here is one of my favorites - Little Big Town's "Bring it on Home"


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Ode

If you've known me for more than an hour, odds are I've told you I'm a small town girl. I'm very proud of that fact - even if I've been known to use my small town roots to get a laugh or two. The honest truth is I'm so grateful that I was one of the (very) few who was lucky enough to spend my childhood in such a special place.

My hometown is one of those places where you really do know nearly everyone, where neighbors drop what they are doing when someone is in need and where you feel safe letting your kids go out to ride their bikes on their own. My friends and neighbors back home are an incredible group of people, they taught me what really matters in life and their encouragement keeps me going. I'll admit I'm not sure how I went from living in a town of 900 to a city of 20 million, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

A few years ago when I was living in Seattle, I was catching up on email on Saturday morning and, as usual, had CMT on in the background. A new video came on and within seconds I was in love with the song and the group. I quickly got ready for the day and didn't stop until I'd found a store selling the group's CD (this was back before I had an iTunes account, ah the trials we had back in those days finding music.) I loved the group for its beautiful harmonies but I loved the song because it spoke directly to me - it defined my love for my hometown. This is the song I go back to whenever I'm feeling homesick or I need to remember that small town girl that makes up the core of me.

I feel no shame

I'm proud of where I came from

I was born and raised in the boondocks

One thing I know

No matter where I go

I keep my heart and soul in the boondocks

It's where I learned about living

It's where I learned about love

It's where I learned about working hard

And having a little was just enough

It's where I learned about Jesus

And knowing where I stand

You can take it or leave it, this is me

This is who I am

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Let it Go

I'm in Chicago in the early hours of an 8 hour layover, and, while I'm still sad about leaving my family for the next four months for Delhi, I just heard a great song that helped me put a few things in perspective:

You’re like everybody else
Gotta deal with what you’re dealt
You’ll choose the story that you tell
Blame the world or blame yourself
Sometimes life comes at you hard
And it’s easy to let it drag you down

Yeah, I get it, it’s a mess
It’s a struggle, it’s a test
But can you find a place to rest
In a house of bitterness?
Just ‘cause it ain’t what you planned
Don’t mean it ain’t what it oughta be

‘Cause it’s only what you make of it
Yeah, it’s only what you make of it
Yeah, it’s only what you make of it
And you make it so hard on yourself

What you do and what you won’t
What you will and what you don’t
What you take and you give up
What you’re risking when you love
Bet you where you’re looking from
if you walk or if you run
You take the long way there

‘Cause it’s only what you make of it
Yeah, it’s only what you make of it
Yeah, it’s only what you make of it
And you make it so hard on yourself

You go looking for the darker side of anything
You know you’re gonna find it
You can hold on to it till it takes you under
Or you can let it go
No it ain’t all your fault
No it isn’t right
It ain’t always fair

But it’s only what you make of it
Yeah, it’s only what you make of it
Yeah, it’s only what you make of it
And you make it so hard on yourself

"Only What You Make of It"
Little Big Town

So, I can keep moaning and feeling sorry for myself about going back, or I can decide to make it great. It won't be easy, but if I do my part and use the time to experience Delhi and all of the beautiful parts of Indian culture rather than the difficulties of being away from my family I can make the next 4 months a wonderful experience.

Here's hoping I still remember this upbeat attitude 24 hours from now when I arrive at the Delhi airport.

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Home

It's difficult to explain just how wonderful it feels to be home. Sleeping in my own bed Thursday night was heavenly. Using my very own washing machine AND dryer was a luxury and getting behind the wheel was only a little bit scary.

The best part was going to Aurora Friday night to spend the weekend with my family. Hanging out with Sadie (my dog) was so fun. I know she doesn't see me a lot, but I swear she remembers me. Perhaps even better was seeing how much my niece Maggie has grown and how much more fun she is to be with now, she's more active and has the cutest laugh. I'll do about anything to make her giggle. I truly love spending time with my family, they make me laugh, they love me for exactly who I am and support what I do, even when they don't understand it.

Being home in Aurora, surrounded by the family is the place I feel safest in the world. It's a place where I can leave the stress of the world behind and just feel at peace.

Little Big Town had a song a couple of years ago that evokes the sense of peace I feel when I go home, "Bring it on Home"

You've got someone here
Wants to make it all right
Someone that loves you more
Than life right here
You've got willing arms that'll hold you tight
A hand to lead you on through the night right here
I know your heart can get
All tangled up inside
But don't you keep it to yourself

When your long day is over
And you can barely drag your feet
The weight of the world
Is on your shoulders
I know what you need
Bring it on home to me

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