NEW BABY!!

J & S had their baby boy, April 10 and I just received a link to some pictures. Jack is one adorable baby--you MUST check out the link: Baby B

CONGRATS!

My friend's wife participated in the Boston Marathon a few weekends ago and finished with an impressive time of 3:59:20--that's a pace of 9:08! GO STEPH!!

Gimmelwald

I've been given the task of planning the Switzerland part of our vacation--meaning I get to choose the towns, villages, hotels, etc. we stay in! I'm excited to plan it but a little nervous because I really want everyone to have a great time. One of the stops on our Swiss trip will definitely be the small village of Gimmelwald, about an hour south of Lucerne, to see the Eiger. It's accessible via train and is so completely charming that I'm falling in love with it simply through the pictures!

Decisions and The Inability to Make Them

My horoscope according to Yahoo today:
Being focused on achieving a goal is important in life, but is your current goal really attainable? Reassess your current hopes for the future and make sure than none of them are too unrealistic. Yes, you have to challenge yourself and push yourself to do better, but at a certain point you could be setting yourself up for failure. Pull back a little. Instead of climbing that mountain today, how about you just ask yourself to get to the second highest peak? You can tackle the highest one later.
It's funny because I don't really know what my hopes for the future are, so how can I reassess them? And I definitely don't want to set myself up for failure, so I guess I need to kick my butt in gear and make some decisions!
I receive another horoscope from Daily Om and today's was titled "Ending Indecisiveness." Well, isn't that appropriate?? I understand that the root of indecisiveness is a lack of confidence that causes me to second-guess myself until I begin to feel that my judgment is no longer sound. I need to step back and attempt to regain some clairty and the ability to rationally analyze the situation before determining the superior option. Key word in that sentence is "rationally." I tend to think with my heart, which in some instances is perfect and good, but other times it can lead me down a very unfortunate path.
I hope to use this as a catalyst for prayer and meditation to really discover where I want to go, what I want to do, how I want to live.

Leonardo's Notebook By Mattheus Mei: Check It!#links

Check out the new YACs in Columbia over at Mattheus Mei's blog and come out and join us on Wednesday, June 4!

Leonardo's Notebook By Mattheus Mei: Check It!#links

storypeople again

"Tied together by stuff too difficult to explain to someone new"

storypeople

"thinks about moving to someplace else where everything is different enough to be fun again."

Walking Away

One of my favorite memories of the summer after my sophomore year of college is living with one of my best friends in the world. We had this funky little apartment we subletted with another girl (HAMP!) and then eventually moved into a little house just outside of Five Points. At that time, we discovered the joy of Ben Harper's Live From Mars album and there's one particular song on there that resonates with me, especially today.

Last night was one of the worst nights I've had in a very, very long time. The song from Live From Mars is "Walk Away" and the lyrics describe everything perfectly:

Oh no, Here comes that sun again

that means another day without you my friend.

And it hurts me to look into the mirror at myself

And it hurts even more to have to be with somebody else

And it's so hard to do

And so easy to say

But sometimes, sometimes you have to walk away.

Walk away.

With so many people to love in my life

Tell me, why do I worry about one

But you put the happy in my ness

You put the good times into my fun

And it's so hard to do

And so easy to say

But sometimes, sometimes you have to walk away.

Walk away--and head for the door.

We've tried the goodbye so many days

We walk in the same direction so that we could never stray

They say if you love somebody

Then you have got to set them free

But I would rather be locked to you

Than live in this pain and misery.

They say time will make this go away

But its time that is taking my tomorrows and

turned them into yesterdays

And once again that rising sun is dropping on down

And once again, you my friend are nowhere to be found

And it's so hard to do

And so easy to say

But sometimes, sometimes you have to walk away.

Walk away.

Turn and head for the door...

Germany Here I Come!

So Nauru and I bought our tickets today to Europe!!! We're flying directly from Washington, DC to Frankfurt, Germany. Always wanting to see Germany, I'm so excited! From there, we're headed most likely to Brussels and then south to Zurich and then Lucern. He's not forgotten my request to see the Eiger, so we'll have to work that in somehow. I am so excited!!

Part of this adventure is getting to DC. Normally, I would fly, but in checking the flights, they are only about $100 less than our flight to Europe--how crazy is that!?! So, I am going to take the train from Columbia to DC. It's an 11 hour trip, but having talked to a few people, they say it's not so bad. You can get up and walk around, head to the dining car, etc. I think it will be fun. I'll arrive at Union Station on Saturday afternoon and spend the next two nights in DC before departing for Germany. One down side to the train ride--I have to be at the station at 3:30 A.M. Not fun--but that's okay.

I simply cannot wait! I love traveling and being with someone will be an experience I've not had in quite awhile. Last time I had companions was last June in Puerto Rico! This will definitely be different and I am ecstatic. I feel so lucky to have this opportunity--especially with all the "c" stuff.

I feel so fortunate, so undeserving at times, for all the blessings in my life. I've been dealt my fair share of hardships and struggles, but I cannot waste my time focusing on that. I am so thankful and indebted for the wondrous things that have come my way. It's almost as if this trip comes as a celebration of the past 18 months--a way to remember what happened, but also to joyfully anticipate the new chapter of my life.

Daily Horoscope

Your emotions may be a bit vulnerable today, dear Pisces, and it may be hard to find shelter from the storm. Your umbrella is feeling a bit too drafty and water seems to be leaking in from the top. Comfort yourself by coming to center and enjoying a quiet evening at home. Don't let other people's unsolved problems infect your space. Differentiate between issues that have to do with you and issues that are simply beyond your control.

Now, to heed that advice!

What Keeps Me Goin...

As noted before, I do not enjoy running yet I am addicted to it. Occasionally (okay, more than occasionally) I lose motivation and need to reinvigorate myself. On that note, I had a very generous secret admirer let me run wild (no pun intended) on the Adidas website. I have some delightful treats coming my way in 4-7 business days including a pair of new shorts, new capri running pants, two tanks and two awesome sports bras. Oh I am excited! And I finally broke down and purchased the arm band for my iPod. Now I don't have to hold it awkwardly or wear weird looking (read, yoga) pants that have pockets.
Kili and I are headed to the river this Saturday morning to participate in the pre-Heart and Sole's 5K. No cost, no times recorded--just a look ahead at the route and the opportunity to run 3 miles. Should be a good time, even if it is at 7:00 in the morning. Ugh.