Wanderlust

Yesterday I had a date with myself and went to the aquarium and...

Sun, 05 May 2013 09:48:56 -0400

Yesterday I had a date with myself and went to the aquarium and the botanic garden.

Photo

Sun, 05 May 2013 09:47:06 -0400

Photo

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 08:01:26 -0400

I’m writing this from the airplane on my way to D.C. Isn’t technology great? It’s nice to finally...

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 20:26:40 -0400

I’m writing this from the airplane on my way to D.C. Isn’t technology great?

It’s nice to finally be on my way to my new home. Even though we moved out of our apartment and left Colorado a week ago, being in Kansas hasn’t felt like moving. We spent lots of time in Kansas while we lived in the Springs. It seemed like more of an extended vacation.

Currently my brother, the two cats and I are 35,000 feet in the air. All things considered, the airport went pretty smoothly.

Hobbes is not happy, but the people around me think she’s cute (they’re right).

Going through security, we did have to take the cats out of their carrier so it could be x-rayed. They could probably have a better procedure. Me standing there in the open with a very freaked out Hobbes (and Andrew with Molly) isn’t ideal. Despite their resistance to go in the carrier this morning, they were very happy to be out back in their safe place.

Additionally, this is the first time my brother has flown. It’s been fun to be reminded of all the things you take for granted that people just know. He will definitely have stories in the future about his first plane ride toting around a cat.

Anthony got to D.C. Wednesday after leaving Sunday. He did spend a day in St. Louis visiting some friends.

I realize I’ve been an adult for awhile now, but this is the moment in my life where I think I really feel like I’m fully grown-up.

It’s time to blaze a new trail.

I’m homeless and unemployed. I’m also long overdue for an update about the moving...

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 23:17:45 -0400

I’m homeless and unemployed.

I’m also long overdue for an update about the moving process so far.

It didn’t always seem like it at the time, but I would almost dare to say the packing part was pretty easy (Anthony will tell you this is because I wasn’t there to help. It’s only half true).

The nice part about a military move is a company is contracted to come pack your things, load the on the truck, and haul them across the country for you. You can do it yourself if you want, but it’s typically not worth it.

This time last week we were sorting and organizing. Tossing garbage, making sure all the laundry was done, eating off paper plates, and piecing together the few items we were taking with us, either by car or plane.

The movers showed up mid-morning on Wednesday.

Providing them with a dozen donuts and some soda and water is really a very simple way to ensure you are packed efficiently and they take extra care with your valuables.

I made good friends with the packers, one in particular- Buddha. We visited about his daughter. He asked me about my plans for D.C. and what I liked about Colorado. We both had colds and discussed how bad our congestion was and what may be the cause.

Everything was wrapped up by about 4 Wednesday afternoon and we spent the next two nights with Vince (hi friend!).

Thursday night we had dinner with a big chunk of our friends from the Springs. Up to that point, I hadn’t really been sad but that was the moment of clarity when everything felt real.

But while Thursday night was sad, it was fleeting. The whole thing still seems like a bit of a fog to me.

This is the part of moving that’s kind of boring. The stuck in the middle part. The living out of a suitcase part.

Anthony is currently in transit east and I am doing a grand tour of my favorite people and places in Kansas, which I will share in more detail. It’s been a heavy trip. My heart is tired.

The last 6 days. Up until yesterday it all felt a little like a dream. And then I had to say...

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 11:06:08 -0400

The last 6 days.

Up until yesterday it all felt a little like a dream.

And then I had to say goodbye to my supervisor at work and it all came down really heavy on my chest.

No one likes goodbyes but I am inherently bad at them. I ugly cry. I get all mushy and sentimental. If I were living a musical, I’d sing a ballad.

So yesterday I said my first goodbye. And there are more to come tonight.

The moving company is also coming today to take a look at what we have to move and determine if they need one or two days to pack it all up. They come on Wednesday to start carrying it all away.

This weekend will consist of taking the last few things to Goodwill, getting rid of trash, separating the few items we don’t want them to pack, and getting the last few supplies we need for the move (a soft sided cat carrier, 5 gallon bags, some carpet cleaner).

I just keep reminding myself to keep breathing.

I’ve had every intention of turning this blog into something but I think I’ve finally...

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 10:01:00 -0400

I’ve had every intention of turning this blog into something but I think I’ve finally sorted out what is should be.

It’s really surreal to think that it’s been 14 months since we heard we’d be moving and now we have less than 10 days left in Colorado.

I hope that through this page and by sharing it with you, even though we’re leaving many of you behind for awhile, you can share in our adventure and hear the details of our journey and the process of settling in.

For Anthony, moving is old hat. He is not worked up in the least.

I, on the other hand, haven’t evermoved. Sure, I filled up my car and went to Winfield for four years and then I filled it up and came out here, and yes, those were pretty major milestones in my life but it’s not moving like THIS is moving. Catch my drift?

For now, I’d just like to address a few questions people have been asking us about the move. The coming weeks there will be more exciting stuff to share.

How are you getting your pets to D.C.? The topic of getting everyone to D.C. was something we discussed at length for a long time. Originally the plan was for all of us (Anthony, Zoey, Hobbes, Molly and myself) to pile in the Equinox and drive cross country, probably pulling a small Uhaul.

I finally came around to the realization that that was a pretty stupid idea.

The final plan is this- We leave Colorado the 29th and will go to Kansas and stay with my mom. Anthony will leave the 31st with Zoey and Drive across the country. I’m going to spend that week traveling around Kansas to see family and friends. Then on April 5, my brother and I are flying out of Denver with the cats to meet up with Anthony. All the pets will go straight into boarding until we find a place to live. Which brings me to….

Have you found where you’re going to live? Simply, no. When we moved to Colorado, we pretty much picked our apartment sight unseen and it worked out well for us. However, we won’t be doing that in D.C.

Our plan is to live within D.C. proper. Yes, yes, I know it’s expensive, apartments are tiny, it’s crowded and busy and dangerous.

However, we are two young 20-somethings with no kids and few obligations. Why would we not want to live where everything is happening? When will we have this chance again?

If it doesn’t work out, we can always move to suburbia after a year.

So- about those living quarters. We’ve been doing a lot of research about neighborhoods and apartments and have compiled a list of places we want to look. Anthony gets about 10 days off work for house hunting after I get there so that should be plenty of time.

And yes, we’ll be living in a hotel until we get an apartment to move into.

Have you found a job yet? Not yet, but I’m looking. Every job that looks like I might be qualified, I apply for it. I’m trying to stick to journalism or public affairs type jobs. I imagine the process will get easier once I have a local address, though I may have to waitress or something for a few months just so I have something to do.

So that’s that.

I hope you’ll come on this crazy journey with me and bear with me while I work out the kinks for how I want this blog to run.

I got a new laptop. I love my new MacBook Air. Adios Dell!

Sat, 24 Nov 2012 09:31:50 -0500

I got a new laptop. I love my new MacBook Air.

Adios Dell!

I remember one of my college English professors saying in class one day, “If you want to BE...

Sun, 26 Aug 2012 13:47:32 -0400

I remember one of my college English professors saying in class one day, “If you want to BE something, you have to DO something.”

This was said in a moment of frustration, angry that we, as creative writing students, spent so little time actually writing. It’s really too bad that by the time you appreciate whatever the hell it is you’re doing in college… it’s all over.

I have had a hard time with the blog because I want it to be too many things. Fill it with too many photographs and talk too much about how inferior I feel.

I want to share recipes and talk about long walks and encourage you to read these books and find all the right words to express how much I love everything.

But this blog should be something. It should have a common thread. Flashes of gold that keep it all tied together and my brain just doesn’t work that way.

I want to pour my heart out late at night pouring my heart onto the keyboard and filling my soul with coffee.

And at the same time I don’t really feel like I can share like that. I don’t feel like I can be that honest, even with an audience of no one.

84, Charing Cross Road

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 11:53:00 -0500

I struggle with an overwhelming shyness sometimes.

My friends argue with me about this all the time, claiming that I am anything but. My argument is- think back to when we first met. My levels of shyness vary at times but when first meeting people I’m usually a quiet observer until I determine what kind of person they are.

One of my goals for 2012 has been to put myself out there more and to make more friends.

Especially female friends. It’s been hard leaving college and not having new friends around every corner.

A week ago, through meetup.com I joined several meet up groups.

I’ve already been part of a group for 20 and 30 year olds for several months but I’ve only been to one gathering. It was kind of overwhelming really.

The two new groups I joined were Lively Laidback Ladies of Colorado Springs and Good Reads Over Coffee. Then I looked through the calendar for both groups and RSPV’d “Yes” to at least 2 activities from each.

First up is this coming Thursday for Good Reads Over Coffee.

The book-

84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

I picked it up from the bookstore Friday night and read it in a little over an hour once I got home.

The book is a collection of letters from Helene Hanff, a free-lance writer living in NYC post WWII, to a bookstore in London- located at 84, Charing Cross Road.

Through letters, Helene builds a deep friendship with the employees at the book store in London.

There’s so much more that I’d like to bring up, but I’m afraid it would ruin the story for those who are interested.

I believe that it is a book that any book lover should devote and hour to reading, although, I recommend getting it from a library or buying a used copy and not spending the full $13.

I am interested to hear the discussions that are brought up Thursday night.

I keep looking around this place, this city, staring at the mountains thinking ‘Fourteen...

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:27:46 -0500

I keep looking around this place, this city, staring at the mountains thinking ‘Fourteen months. That’s all that’s left.’

Anthony got official orders this week to Washington D.C.

April 1, 2013 we will be checking out of Colorado.

In my never ending quest to GO. DO. SEE., during all my daydreams of vacations I’d like to take, places I’d like to visit… I forget that I LIVE in a place that people dream of taking a vacation too.

Remember this helps me put my life back in perspective.

It feels like we have so much left to do here and fourteen months isn’t nearly enough time.

Hike to the top of Pikes Peak

White water raft

Snowboard (a lot)

Rock climbing (maybe)

White Sand Dunes

Continental Divide

Snow Shoeing

and on and on and on

My whole life has been divided into segments of time. Days until summer. Days until prom. Days until...

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:51:00 -0500

My whole life has been divided into segments of time.

Days until summer.

Days until prom.

Days until college.

Days until winter break.

Days until graduation.

Counting down days, and days, and days…

It’s terrifying the morning you wake up and ask yourself what you’re looking forward to… what you’re counting down to… and it’s nothing but a giant expanse of life.

It’s not about just making it another semester any more. There’s no three week break looming in the distance. There’s no end in sight. And it’s scary. (And probably why someone wrote the song Working for the Weekend.)

That’s not to say that I’m not enjoying life.

I like my job. I like the people I work with. I enjoy meeting new people all the time and getting to hear their stories but eventually you start to question what the purpose is.

Writing has made me a better listener. It’s taught me to liisten to the pauses, to recognize what’s not being said and ask about it.

But there has to be more right?

I’m still looking I guess, for what it is that drives me to get out of bed in the morning (besides a paycheck).

Sometimes I feel like I’ve lost touch with who I am.

The pains of growing up

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:05:40 -0500

I just filled out what feels like a thousand Christmas cards. 99% of them were easy.
Merry Christmas. Hope this finds you well.
The hardest to write, I found, were those to my English professors at SC.
I feel like I left so abruptly.
I feel like I never got the chance to say just how much I appreciate everything they did. Everything they showed me. They challenged me not to be complacent.
I know I’m only scratching the surface on the magnitude of my education. Only after many more years will I understand what it really meant.
How do you write that in a Christmas card?

You do it by just writing the card. Letting them know that despite your sudden disappearance- you were listening.

My upcoming reading list...

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 23:05:49 -0500

I’m working hard on cleaning up my diet. Not just what I’m eating but what’s IN what I’m eating. Example- Coffee creamer- not bad once in a while but OH! The hydrogenated oils I consume daily… More on that later.

Vegetarian/Vegan diets have been an interest of mine for a LONG time. I do have planned vegetarian days, and Anthony supports me in those but will never follow a strict vegetarian diet.

I would eventually like to be 100% vegetarian. It’s a process. It requires a lot of education in how to make sure you continue to get proper nutrients.

Up on my reading list…

The Omnivore’s Dilemma

and

In Defense of Food: An eater’s manifesto

Both by Michael Pollan

Eating my way through New Mexico

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:47:00 -0500

I have always had a restless soul, much to the dismay of my mother.

I can’t sit in one place for too long. Even the 18-plus years I spent in Goodland were filled with country drives and dreams of places far away that I would one day visit.

When I first told my mom I wanted to go to Europe for 2 weeks after high school graduation, she said no. She said no the second time. Probably the third too, but eventually I talked her into it. I’ve been to Europe three times now.

My mom doesn’t understand why I don’t save my money to pay for other things but for me, the experiences and memories are far more important than these “things” she thinks I should be saving for.

10 days ago I packed my bags for the most recent of Lea’s great adventures. My destination: New Mexico.

There is nothing better to me than the excitement of driving down a road you’ve never seen before. In fact, it’s one of my greatest arguments against flying. Sure, flying is convenient and sometimes the best way to go… but think of all the things below that you are missing.

Raton Pass at the Colorado-New Mexico border is one of the prettiest places I’ve ever seen. It comes out of nowhere. One minute, you’re driving flat highway with the mountains to the west and suddenly there’s a moose x-ing warning in front of you and you’re in the snowy mountains.

(Entering New Mexico)

(Final destination- Paige and Jacob’s!)

Friday night, Paige and Jacob took me to Charlie’s Back Door, which may or may not have the world’s best margarita. Even if the margarita isn’t actually the “world’s best”, the first one does come free with dinner. Sounds like the best to me.

Charlie’s Back Door is the only other place I have ever seen a meat filled soppapilla entre. It was not as good as the ones back home, but it was still a delight.

Saturday morning, the three of us woke early and headed north to Santa Fe. We spent the morning watching a cooking demonstration at the Santa Fe School of Cooking. The chef prepared an OUTSTANDING Southwest Style brunch, complete with quiche, chorizo, blue corn pancakes, and huevos rancheros.

(Delicious Menu!)

The food was delicious, and even though they provided us the recipes, I’ll never be able to recreate that meal.

(Forgot to take a photo before I took some bites)

I also learned more about different varieties of chilies than I will ever be able to remember.

Speaking of chilies… Two things- Green Chile Wine and Green Chile beer. If you ever find yourself in New Mexico- buy it. Drink it. Savor it. Buy more to take home with you. I love wine and Green Chile Wine is some of the best I’ve ever had.

(Green Chile Wine. Yummy. Maybe a little drunk)

Paige also introduced me to the world of juicing. After a trip to the grocery store, we unloaded green apples, carrots, kale, beets, and ginger root and began to chop and feed the juicer.

(Yummy juice concoction.)

The result was delicious. At first the flavor was odd… a little tart, the texture was a little rough. But it was also sweet (a result of the apples). It was at this point I became hooked on juicing. If only I had an extra $300 for a juicer…

After eating my way through New Mexico, it was time to go home on Sunday.

(Paige and I, going out for some beers)

Santa Fe is an hour north of Albuquerque. I pulled off in search of some lunch. (Wendy’s. Not exactly authentic southwest cuisine…)

I left a little piece of my heart in Santa Fe as I was leaving, sorry I didn’t have more time to stay and explore by myself.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:44:43 -0500

When my aunt died, it was a shock to everyone.

She was going to the hospital for a follow-up appointment after her knee surgery. She fell right outside the entrance. She hit her head. Maybe she had a stroke, maybe she had an aneurism… I don’t remember the details. What I do know is she fell, went into a coma and never came out.

My Uncle Bob lost his best friend of nearly 60 years. My family lost their great story teller. The one who kept us all connected to the past. The last lifeline I feel like I had to my dad.

There is nothing emptier than the hopelessness you feel when someone is dying and there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it.

I have several friends right now who are losing their mothers, grandmother, cousins. Friends who have lost children. I think about the empathy others have shown them. There’s nothing you can say to make someone feel better about their loss but the empathy people show is outstanding.

Death is one of few universal truths. Everyone knows what loss feels like, the stages of grief.

While everyone of us feels empathetic, I think we tend to isolate those who are suffering. No one wants the constant reminder that anytime it could be them.

She isn’t dying now but any time my grandmother could die.

I’m doing my best to not show sympathy, but empathy. To let my friends know that if there is anything I can do to help, I will do it. To let them know that I understand and not to isolate them.

Did kickboxing for the first time (in a class setting) tonight. 60 minute class=650 calories...

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:36:30 -0500

Did kickboxing for the first time (in a class setting) tonight.

60 minute class=650 calories burned?! Heck Yes!

I was seriously moving it!

I took an adventure to New Mexico this weekend. I have lots to...

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:16:45 -0500

I took an adventure to New Mexico this weekend. I have lots to share about the trip, but for now, this song my friend Paige introduced me to along the way.

It’s almost impossible to believe that’s it’s...

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:59:00 -0500

It’s almost impossible to believe that’s it’s almost already been three months since our honeymoon.

Married life changes everything.

Just when you think that you can’t care more about a person, you do. Just when you think you love someone as much as you can, a little bit more love gets poured into your heart.

For every person who was excited about Anthony and I getting married, there were skeptics.

“You’re so young.”

“Why not wait?”

“How do you know you’re ready?”

I’ll tell you how I know.

He’s been my best friend for almost eight years now.

We’ve had bad times along with the good, and during the really bad times when we weren’t talking, life was unbearable.

So, what’s better than spending the rest of your life going on adventures with your best friend?

Last Saturday I watched the first snowflakes of the season fall on the other side of the window. At...

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 10:57:56 -0400

Last Saturday I watched the first snowflakes of the season fall on the other side of the window.

At first they didn’t stick to the ground. But as they came down fatter, fluffier, heavier they started weighing down on the orange and brown leaves, covering housetops, and eventually sticking to the ground.

It was the perfect day to make Cinnamon Sugar Pull-Apart Pumpkin Bread.

Yes, it is as delicious as it looks.