It took me three weeks to get ready to go. I googled, texted friends, and traipsed through sporting goods stores to find the best things. I got the warmest, the lightest, the easiest, the most waterproof. I learned about “warm when wet”, solar-powered power banks, and exactly how much protein can be found in different…
Living is a Choice
I am back in the District. I’ve resisted typing that sentence so greatly that this blog post has been tough for me to force into fruition. I am back in the District and I am not sure how I feel about it. I’m going to tell you how we got here, but I first want…
A Simple Life
What does that even mean? I hear the phrase often as tribute to an era gone by or as a measure of future successes. Oh, what a simple life. Oh, to live a simple life. Here’s the thing: I’m not buying it. I don’t want it. The phrase itself has never seemed appealing to me…it…
Missing the Tulips
I recently read a short poem by Emily Perl Kingsley. The poem, Welcome to Holland, describes a scenario where you plan and plan and plan to go Italy. You buy books and study the language and you just get really ready to go to Italy. But then, the plane lands and you realize you’re in…
My One Shot
I’ve always struggled to be at peace when things don’t go the way I want them to…I mean, I feel like that’s pretty average. We all want things to go the way we want them to and aren’t particularly happy about it when they don’t. Matters of the heart are no different. Following a particularly…
Taking My Own Advice
A few weeks ago, my high school cheerleading coach reached out to me and asked if I would be willing to speak to her seniors on career day. This presented me with an instant dilemma. While I feel absolutely unqualified to provide any kind of life guidance, I will also do anything Mrs. Carr asks…
A Snapshot of Me
I’ve been “noodling” on something since my trip back to the University of Oklahoma and while I don’t think I have it all figured out, I might be closer. Showing off my beloved OU to Liz a few weeks ago was SUCH a joyous experience to me. From the library to the stadium to my…
Being a Nomad is Professional Development
When I announced that I was putting my life in storage to travel for a while, many people had questions about what that meant for my career. Some assumed that I had quit my job and others thought I must have gotten a different one, but the truth is that my employer was on board…
I Wasn’t Ready
My therapist likes to remind me that I cannot control the thoughts, feelings, or actions of other people. Alright, I have no idea if she likes reminding me of that, but she does it enough that I certainly hope she enjoys it. It’s a critical reminder for me as I generally believe that I can…
Where I Don’t Need a Map
I use Google Maps a lot. Actually, that’s an understatement. I use Google Maps always. Even if attempting a two-mile trek in the District, I will grab my phone, open up Google, type in the destination, and let Google do the thinking. Yes, I usually know how to get where I’m going, but I can’t…