Rain pants, macaroons, and friendly encounters

So not sure what exactly people blog about. I wanted to make this more of a regular thing but I don't have anything profound to say. I tried to jot down things that I should write about but sometimes lists just stress me out.

But just five minutes ago I ate a cranberry macaroon and thought, "Wow, there is some gooooood stuff in my life right now and I should share this with others". Now that I'm writing I'm questioning whether or not anyone really even reads this but if you do here are the greatest things that happened to me today:

1. I met a new student in my program to catch him up to speed (because he did not attend the summer session). We had a great conversation about saving the world. It was fuel for my week...or maybe just until tomorrow when I have ANOTHER great conversation because great discussions seem to be a new trend in my life.

2. I rode my bike in the pouring rain...to hot yoga at 6:30 in the morning...then to campus for coffee with the aforementioned colleague..and then I bought RAIN PANTS!! My bike ride home was amazing. I look a bit ridiculous but it feels very cool to know that I am helping out my environment by not driving my car, I'm getting exercise, and I'm not letting any amount of precipitation get in my way.

3. Hot vinyasa flow yoga. I had to give this its own bullet because it's incredible. Incredibly challenging - it's HOT HOT HOT and fast-paced but I leave feeling invigorated, cleansed,and strong (Ok, I also feel a bit light-headed at this point but my instructor assures me that as my body adapts to this rigorous activity I will feel less of this). Try it if you can. It's the best.

4. Great food. The concept of having time to appreciate my food is new to me - but I'm going to try and remember this when I feel like I have no time. It really makes a difference. I've baked bread (some attempts have been more successful than others), cooked some great meals, and have shared some great meals with new friends.

So, that's all I've got. Perhaps not proper blogging content, but that's all I got.

Bucket List under Attack!

So, I've started a bucket list. It's still a work in progress, a living document if you will, but I was re-inspired to get it done.

Here's the story:
I met this incredible woman who is bar tending on a beach in Rhode Island with a friend of mine. She is very sick, with a very rare disease, and doctors are saying she may only have a few more years. When she was 14 she made a bucket list (before MTV made that show and before anyone was talking about these sorts of things). Since then she's done a LOT! Traveled the world and just really lived life to the fullest. One of the items on her list was to work on the beach for the summer, so three summers ago she got this gig bar tending and now she does it every summer - and until recently this meant she was commuting two hours each way! There is a surgery that she can get that will help delay her death but it's expensive, there's a long recovery time, and she'll need the surgery again every few years and still it may not work. She's currently thinking she's going to forgo the surgery and just make the time she has left. She recently ran into a long-lost love (another incredible story!) and he is dropping everything and then are going to travel together and try and get through her list.

Needless to say I was crying when her story was finished... and feeling guilty about all that I take for granted and complain about. I need to get it together and make the most of my time too!

Which gets to why my list is under attack - SHARK ATTACK!!! Literally.
So, there are lots of things on my list, places I want to go and see and whatnot but the top three right now are:

1) Learn to drive a stick-shift. Anyone want to volunteer their car and time to teaching me?

2) Speak Spanish fluently. Meaning I can get a job in a Spanish-speaking country and be a functional, contributing member of whatever organization for which I work.

and

3) Learn to surf. Not anything too crazy - just stand up, balance on the board, and ride a wave. That's it.

I've been excited because Rhode Island could be a great place for this goal. The waves aren't too big, it's nearby, lessons aren't too expensive and most importantly sharks aren't really a concern. Or so I thought. I am VERY VERY VERY afraid of sharks. Maybe irrational but it is what it is.

A new friend from my grad program just send me this:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/07/chatham_closes.html


What the what?! I know Chatham is not Rhode Island but they are close and there are not supposed to be sharks up here...especially Great White Sharks!!!! Such a dilemma...

Return to the Homeland

After four wonderful years in Houston, I have made the long haul back up to New England and have settled into my new home in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

I LOVE it! I ride my bike everywhere (or walk). The weather is amazing (for now). My baby brother is living in Boston (although he's not really a baby - more like 22, has a job, and doesn't need me at all - except to borrow my car). And I keep meeting amazing people.

Here are some pics of my new place for those who are curious - you really need to visit to truly understand the magic of this place.

The Next Chapter

So it has been nearly a year since I last posted anything on this blog and I've gotten a few requests to keep it updated - especially now that I am about to begin a new chapter of my life. After four years as a teacher, I am going to be returning to the classroom beginning July 25th as a student! This school year I will attending Harvard Graduate School of Education for my Ed. M in International Education Policy. Eeeee!!!!

I will be moving to Boston in July, where I will attempt to update my blog with what I am doing and learning... :)