July 19, 2012

“Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.” –Jim Rohn

Today is my 27th birthday.

As I thought about what I wanted to say in this post I tried to think of my BEST birthday.  See, birthdays in my family were a BIG deal.  Any of my friends from childhood will tell you that I didn't just have "birthday day" I had "birthday month".  Now, this is clearly a result of my OCS (only child syndrome) but I LIVED for my birthday.  I can't help but smile as I reflect on the many parties, cakes, and memories that filled my childhood.  But BEST birthday?  I don't think I can narrow down to just one.  Certainly, every phase of my life so far has had highlights...

The Washington Dells - Noah's Ark Water Park had this GIANT wave pool.  I remember floating on tubes with my best friend and taking turns jumping off to see how long we could battle the waves.  I remember feeling like I might not make it... and then be rescued back to the safety of my tube once again.  Also, water shoes were perfectly acceptable at Noah's Ark, and I loved the squishy sound they made when you walked. 

Iowa City, Iowa.  Several amazing birthday's were spent here.  My favorite included a large pink boa, a tiara, and some of the most amazing girlfriends I could ask for.

July 19, 2007.  On this day I drove to Denver.  My little red Escort was packed to the brim.  I remember the windows down, blue skies, and music playing.  I remember thinking I was a "big kid" now.

July 19, 2010.  Somewhere between these two dates I met a wonderful man and fell in love.  On this birthday he got down on one knee and proposed to me.  I remember saying, "Are you serious?" over and over.  He tells me that he said yes, and I did to.

July 19, 2012.  I no longer have "birthday month."  In fact, this year my birthday almost snuck up on me.  Now, some may say it is because I chose to marry a man whose birthday is July 20 (hello midnight, it's no longer my birthday), but really I'm starting to think as I grow older time seems to go at warp speed.  And I guess, what I'm slowly learning to embrace, is that change is a constant with age. 

As a little girl I jumped off the safety of a tube into the waves.  I didn't stop to think about consequences or possible outcomes.  I think I was scared, but I know it was fun.

As a college student I moved away from home.  I lived on my own for the first time.  I wore pink boa's and tiaras and probably drank too much.  I think there were a lot of times I was scared, but I know it was fun.

As a young adult I moved across the country with my best friend.  I didn't have a job, I was now responsible for paying bills (please reference OCS above), and I didn't have a real plan.  I think I was scared, but I know it was fun.

As a twenty-something I met a boy, I forged a friendship, I fell in love.  I got a dog.  I got married.  I spent a lot of money I didn't have.  I got a job.  I got another job.  I got a job I really love.  I saved money for the first time in my life.  I took a lot of trips. I laughed... a lot.  I cried.  I made mistakes.  I changed.  I can confidently say I'm scared a lot of the time, but I know it is fun.

So on day 1 of 27, I choose to celebrate change and all that comes with it. I choose to celebrate life and all the blessings I've been given. I choose to move forward, embrace fear, and have fun.  And I hope you will do the same.

Cheers!


Until next time,
A

Love

"When you fall in love, it is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake, and then it subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because that is what love is. Love is not breathlesness, it is not excitement, it's not the desire to mate every second of the day, not lying awake at night imagining him kissing every part of your body. No, don't blush. I'm telling you some truths. This is just being in love, which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love, itself, is what is left over, when being in love has burned away. Doesn't sound very exciting does it?... but it is."

Knee High By the Fourth of July

"Funny how a melody, sounds like a memory. Like a soundtrack to a July Saturday night. Springsteen." -Springsteen, Eric Church

I was at the grocery store on Sunday afternoon with Matt stocking up on groceries for the week. We go to a store called Sunflower here in Denver. Sunflower considers itself a "Farmers Market" so usually the best deals are on in season foods. The fruit and veggies are always really great (and reasonably priced). I am always excited (yes, lame, I know) to see what new vegetables or fruits have came to the store over the last week. I enjoy trying new recipes and am always up to a new challenge (how many of YOU know how to accurately peel a pomegrante?) As I rounded the corner from the deli section I saw a large bin that was almost empty (empty usually eqauls something good) and then I saw the sign "Sweet Corn." Sweet Corn? On May 6th? I couldn't help but think back to my mom, and my uncles, and well, everyone in Iowa: "Sweet corn should be knee high by 4th of July." I looked over at the store patrons fighting over the last few ears of corn and smiled. I wonder if they have ever enjoyed corn that was picked fresh from the field that afternoon? I wonder if they have ever stopped at a stand on the side of the road and picked corn from the back of a pick-up truck?

Nobody can ever take away your roots. My roots are in Iowa. There are so many things I miss about the Midwest. I don't think you can appreciate miles and miles of corn (or soybeans) unless you hail from the Midwest. Each time I come home to visit I find myself staring out the windows of the car. How perfectly beautiful. How untouched. God has his hand in Iowa that is for sure.

Playing hide and go seek with the neighbor kids...not having to go home until the "Street Lights" turned on.

Playing Four Square in Elementary school. When there was still rocks at the bottom of the slides, not wood chips or other soft places to land.

Doing "penny drops" from the bars on the playground.

Gym class. Did you know that some kids in elementary school only have gym as a "track" now in school?

Jump rope for heart. Those large red balls that you'd sit on and bounce across the gym floor.

School "milk breaks", when you were always jealous of the kids that got chocolate milk... or if you were me, the kids that got orange juice.

Book fairs. Invent Iowa.

Being able to walk home from school.

Growth.

Degrassi Junior High being played during "Family and Consumer Sciences"... oh, how we have evloved from "Home-Ec"

Learing how to throw on the potters wheel. Having a teacher who inspired me.

Acting in a play.

Passing notes.

Going to Pella on class trip. Dancing among the tulips. Eating dutch letters.

Having my first boyfriend. Having my second boyfriend.

Having boyfriends.

Having a first love.

Having a best friend who loved me in spight of the boyfriends. Who loved my boyfriends. Who was there after the boyfriends.

Growth.

Running Living History Farms.

Going to Prom.

Going through hard times. Sitting at hospitals. Learning that family means everything.

Working at Dairy Queen.

Working at Ace Hardware.

Going to the Cabin. Going to the river. Going to Okoboji.

Having the kind of friends that dictate you to consider names like "Fearsome Foursome." Because it only seems right, and fitting, because they are family.

A perfect time where you don't really know what "responsibility" means, although you think you do.

Locker partners. Messy lockers. Cleaning out your locker at the end of the school year.

Senior skip day.

Graduation day.

Countless graduation parties. Other parties. Goodbye parties.

Driving away to college as my best friends stood in the driveway of the only house I've ever known.

Growth.

4th floor of Burge Hall.

Sorority rush.

Random roommate.

New roommate. Perfect.

Late nights. Pita Pit, Pancheros, Field House.

So Co and Lime.

New friends.

Kinnick Stadium. Best. Saturday's. Ever.

School.

Drama. Tears. Laughter.

Growth.

Too many Iowa T-shirts to name.

Ridgeland. Friends who would change my life.

Stratford. That red wall.

My grandmother passing. Making whoopie pies in the kitchen. Best friends letting me cry.

Night's at Charlie's with a forever friend.

Graduation day.

Graduation parties. Other parties. Goodbye parties.

The drive to Colorado.

Job interviews.

First bills arrive.

First call to mother to say, "Do you realize how much things COST?"

Growth.

July 19 will be my 27th birthday and will also mark 5 years in Colorado. For all consideration Colorado is now my home. I love it here. I love the weather, I love the people, I love the access to the outdoors. But I think it's easy to say a part of my heart remains in Iowa. Iowa - where thunderstorms can last all day, where rain falls in "sheets." Iowa- where you can catch lighting bugs in the middle of summer. Iowa- Where Saturday's in the Fall are reserved for Football. Iowa- Where "midwest values" are just "values." Iowa- where you can always go home.

And yes, Iowa - where the corn is knee high by the fourth of July.

Until next time,

Annalisa

Be Thankful

"I like to walk alone on country paths,
rice plants and wild grasses on both sides,
putting each foot down on the earth
in mindfulness, knowing
that I walk on the wondrous earth.
In such moments, existence is a miraculous
and mysterious reality.

People usually consider walking on water
or in thin air a miracle.
But I think the real miracle
is not to walk either on water or in thin air,
but to walk on earth.
Every day we are engaged in a miracle
which we don't even recognize:
a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves,
the black, curious eyes of a child--
our own two eyes.
All is a miracle."
Thich Nhat Hanh, "Miracle of Mindfulness"


I seem to start all blog posts with, "Wow, it's been awhile." Today is much the same. Over the last few months I have thought often of logging in and updating the blog with my life... and then as soon as the thought comes, it goes. Life has been moving quickly for me in the last year. I planned a wedding, got married, went on a honeymoon, and returned to work. It seems my job is pulling me in several directions each day. And I like that. Although, it seems as of late there are more long days at work than short ones and for some reason time seems to go at a faster pace. Don't get me wrong, I love my work. I've realized in the last couple of years that I have a strong desire to succeed, to grow, to make something of myself. I've never felt more driven in my life -- working towards a goal, surpassing a goal, and setting a new one. That being said, this morning I had an experience that made me stop and realize how blessed I truly am. And while the drive to succeed and live in the fast lane will probably always be a little bit of who I am, I know that when I get going too fast God will always bring me back to what is most important. And so I feel compled to write, to share, to hopefully encourage others to realize what your true blessings are.


So many times I say, "Wow, I wish we had a bigger house" or "We can't fit in this house!" or "I'm going to go crazy if we don't move to a bigger house!" The fact of the matter is we have a house. This morning I walked outside to see two women rifling through our recycling bin and taking out cans. One of the women looked at me and said, "I'm so sorry." and it just broke my heart. A couple of years ago Matt and I went two months without any paychecks... we both were transitioning from our jobs (which happened to be at the same company) and it was a tough time. We jokingly refer to it now as "The summer of no paychecks" and remember about having to ask family for help, putting rent on our credit cards, and eating a lot of peanut butter and jelly and ramen noodles. And then I think of us, two years later, having conversations about our life now. Both very lucky to be employed with great jobs, returning from an amazing vacation, being able to pay rent with ease and afford dinners out and time with friends. And yet sometimes, selfishly, I still find myself saying, "When we make THIS much money we'll be able to do this"... and this morning seeing those women slammed me back to reality. Even in the "summer of no paychecks" we had each other, we had our home, we were able to go to the grocery store and put food on the table, we had family, we had friends. Today was a true testament to me about giving back. There are so many people who do not have what we have. I'm sure the same can be said for many of you. Take a moment to appreciate all that you have, and if able, make a point to give back. There is so many little things that really would make a huge differnce in someones life.

Slow down, reflect, be thankful.



Until next time,

AL

Love: Post 1

From my journal:

August 23, 2007

I've met a boy. His name is Matt. I'm still sorta on the fence about the whole situation. He is an awesome person and I love spending time with him. He is also a lot different than me. We are truly coming from different places - and we approach things in different ways as well. But I feel a connection there I know I wouldn't pursue if I didn't think it could go somewhere, but I honestly didn't think I would meet someone so quickly after my move. Obviously it is nice to get to know someone and have some instant stability - but on the other hand I know I can't handle being hurt right now so I am hesitant to put myself out there - fully anyway.

He really is awesome. I don't think I've ever had someone treat me with the kindness and respect that he gives me. And he has these eyes that I was to stare into. And he has the greatest laugh. And I love when I say something that makes him smile. He has a way, already, of putting my mind at ease- and I love when he grabs my hand or puts his arm across my back. I love when he says "hey pretty lady."

I know I am falling into "like" with him. I know I need to explore it more and see what really is going on. I wonder where this will go.


*~*

And that was just the begining. What a wonderful journey.

Becoming a Big Kid: My Bucket List

"Every man dies - not every man really lives"


On July 19 of this year I will turn 26 years old, I will have lived in Colorado for 4 years, and I will be 18 days away from getting married. When I moved to Denver I was fresh off what I now realized was a very comfortable life. I remember calling my mother during month three or four and saying, "Do you KNOW how much they charge you for cell phone service?!!" Paying all my own bills was only one of the realities of becoming a "big kid." I moved here thinking I knew it all. I thought I had "grown up" in college and I was an "adult" and I no longer needed advice or wisdom or anyone telling me how things should or were going to be. The realization now? I'm still a kid. I'm still growing. I'm still learning. I'm still adapting. And I don't think that will ever change, at least I hope not. I want to be able to keep that young eyed version of myself alive... where every new experience is better than the last and the more you learn the more you appreciate who you are and where you've been. Today I am feeling blessed that I have a wonderful family, amazing friends, and the perfect partner in Matt to continue to learn and grow with me.

So many things have happened in the last four years and while my usual M.O. in blogworld would be to look back and remember those moments (sentimental me), today I want to talk about what I envision and hope for the future. A lot of life has happened and even more life is left to live. I hope I can take advantage of it:

Annalisa's Bucket List 4/15/2011

-Get Married! I cannot wait to marry Matt and start a new life with him.
-Travel. First stops: Africa, Croatia, Italy, and Denmark.
-Live by the ocean: I envision a beach cottage with wood floors that always seem to have sand on them no matter how much you sweep.
-Open a ceramics studio: a life long dream.
-Run a marathon
-Ride the cable cars in San Francisco
-Drink wine at a vineyard in Napa Valley
-Drive along the 101, in a convertible, with the top down
-Take more creative writing classes
-Write short stories
-Write a book
-Ride in a hot air balloon
-Ride a camel AND an elephant (not at the same time)
-See the Northern Lights
-Zipline through the rainforest
-Give someone a total and pleasant surprise
-Take my parents on vacation abroad
-Swim with dolphins
-Own a home
-Own our DREAM home
-plant a garden
-Continue our love of cooking
-Visit all of the big art museums around the world
-Kiss in the rain
-Explore a castle
-Get a picture in a red telephone booth in London
-Learn how to sail
-See a play on Broadway or see many plays on Broadway
-Have a successful career
-Be recognized for having a successful career
-Be invited to speak somewhere about said career
-Have babies, see Matt be a dad
-Be a good parent, make family a priority, strive to be like my parents
-Build a tree fort
-Achieve debt freedom
-Take my best friend on a trip of her dreams
-Live in another country
-Take a gondola along the Venice canals in Italy
-Go to Mardi Gras
-Learn to surf
-Stay in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora
-See Niagara Falls lit up at night
-Walk into an airport and buy a same day ticket for somewhere appealing
-Continue to see live music
-Say yes to change and accept new opportunities


What's on your bucket list?

Until next time,
A

Little Moments

Today I woke up to snow. A heavy, wet, pile of snow. While my dog loved running around the backyard burrowing his head beneath the drifts looking for his beloved red ball I sort of resented it. Not watching Cooper but the idea of what snow brings. Traffic. Slow, miserable, icy, traffic. I immediately found myself in a bad mood just thinking about it (I wasn't even on the road yet!!). While getting ready I talked myself off of the ledge and told myself I was going to be optimistic about my day. I filled my travel mug full of delicious coffee (okay and like 1/3 cream because, after all, I was HAVING a bad day) and got in my car to come to work. By the time I arrived (1.5 hours and 2 country cd's later) I was much more positive (thank you caffeine and zac brown). I walked into my office, responded to work emails, and dutifully checked all of my social media sites and blogs. What killed me was apparently everyone else was having a bad day today too. I found the "glass half full" mentality slowly starting to fade as I read about everyone elses troubles and struggles. It was then that I realized I really haven't blogged in awhile. Every time I have a moment to post I don't seem to have anything to write about, at least anything worth reading. But today while reading peoples facebook posts, twitter updates, and blog entries I realized my "today" is actually pretty great. And then I almost felt bad for feeling good! How crazy is that? So I realized that I need to blog about the little moments. I need to celebrate those daily things things that may not seem very important to note because all together they are what make my life really great. From now on each post will include a "little moment" that I truly treasure.

Today's "Little Moment": The green light on the coffee maker. Green, in case you non-caffeine addicted friends don't know, means "on". It means the coffee is hot! It means you are about to receive a jolt of pure energy. In my case it means I have an amazing fiance who makes coffee for me each day. Yes, he is up before me and yes, he drinks coffee too but the feeling I get when I walk into the kitchen after he has already left for work and see that green light makes me feel as if he just left a silent "Have a good day" for me to enjoy.

So today I urge everyone to think of one of their "little moments." I guess this means I should go play with my dog in all that snow...once I get home from sitting in traffic, of course.

Until next time,

A