Surprisingly, my friend agreed.

One of the coolest and most recent changes in my life has been joining a local dragon boat team.  I bet you’re like what? You’re not alone; it’s been most people’s reaction.  My group is completely amazing.  They just welcomed me in and after a few basics handed me a paddle and we were off.

Result of first practice:

1. Arms of PAIN! (that’s cause I was not doing it right)

2. Can we do it again (after I regain use of my arms!!!)

I’ll write more later.  Just wanted to let you all know I am alive, well and excited to be on the coolest team on the planet!

Anyhoo… I got out of work early to hang with her and as I’m telling her to to get ready the following exchange took place.  Mom was half watching a quiz show.  I ended up laughing so much I couldn’t finish…

Mom to Me: What’s the antonym of antonym?

Me to Mom: A synonym?

Mom to Me: A cinnamon!

**End Dialogue**

Me laughing so much I cried.

For some reason she can’t say synonym.  I’m a horrible child.  I keep trying to get her to say it just so I can laugh again.  Mom, thank you for the laughs! I’m so glad you’re my mom.  I love you, every day.

Happy Birthday!

Yes, I'm this cute!

So I’ve a new family member. He’s a two month old cute, cuddly, razor-sharp toothed rolly-polly black labrador mix.

I got him yesterday and named him: Asher Barkley. Barkley was my boyfriend’s contribution. I figure he’ll grow into having a double name and besides, I’ll need something formal to call out when he’s up to no good.

I’ll add a photo soon as I can’t get the phone app to upload it.

I decided to tell some of my students that I would be leaving. It’s harder then I thought – especially when they ask, “why?” and I just want to reply: it’s better for me.

Two have been gracious enough to congratulate me and wish me well. I’m impressed to note their maturity: they were (my) children just yesterday it seems. I’m hoping the rest of my goodbyes will go as well.

I’ve spent the rest of the morning filing and clearing out my desk. I left only the few things I thought to be useful for whomever takes my place. I know, how considerate…

My birthday (and last day at this job) is less then 2 weeks away! I can hardly believe it! *wiggles*

I guess it will take me a bit longer then I anticipated to get back into writing out my thoughts.  The last few months I’ve been so… quiet.

I’m excited with a hint of anxiousness. That’s normal though – a first time for everything (re: being normal).

That said, I read August is “Happiness Happens Month,” and I am certainly happy about the new prospects ahead. It’s also my birthday month, that alone equates to happiness in my books.

I’ve found an app for my phone to blog with, so perhaps I can make time for these random musings.

Til then… be well.

How do you smize?

So I asked my friend, how she smiles without smiling… (her pictures are gorgeous) and she said, “it’s called: smize.” What’s this? A smize? She explains it’s smiling with your eyes. So I tried – she laughed. It’s hard! Maybe I’m over thinking it; I kept wanting to “smouth.”

All my life, people have told me “smile. Smile when you say that. Are you smiling?” (YES! Take the frickin picture, already!)… and then I found the smize – my life will never be the same.

So my question: how do you smize?

to love every, every moment

Originally uploaded by t!nk

Recently, I found out a close family member of mine used to cut herself. She’s since put a tat over the area, but the scars are still slightly visible. When I asked her why? She simply told me, “it made me feel better.”

I can understand the idea of experiencing a kind of pain to distract you from another. However, I struggle with the fact that people you consider close would rather go through hard pains alone; maybe to save the person you care about from the burdens you experience, but isn’t that what care is? Through good and bad…

I’m no sunshine soldier.

For you I wrote love on my arms.

Sometimes I feel so helpless and insignificant in this world. Not to say that I don’t think I am of value – it’s not that. I mean that I feel the bigness of things and how my impact upon them, at that moment, feels so very small. It doesn’t stop me from hoping and trying.

You’ve told me so many bad things. So many very bad things and in that darkness I’m looking for moments of light. There had to be, moments. I have this feeling that you want to let go, but it’s been your security for so long that you are too afraid to. You’ve given me the key, but have your finger on the lock. You want me to know… more.

I want to know more.

You are my treasure. I love you.