Mid-winter blahs (or pause?)

So I try to keep this blog as a positive space. I know that I haven't always done that, but for the most part I think it's important to recognize and share positive moments. Lately I feel like I've been stuck in nuetral, like I'm just floating along. Nothing good, nothing bad. I was trying to figure out how I can reinterpret this situation to make it more positive. Here's what I've come up with so far:

Life has definitely slowed down a little. I think it's good for me to learn how to deal with a slower pace, especially considering how frantic life has been at other times in the past.

I think that this slower pace has given me the chance to really consider and rededicate myself to what matters most in life. It's a little bit humbling to recognize that my priorities aren't always where they should be.

As always, the answer always seems to be have patience. I think I'm learning, slowly :)

New Years

I had a dream last night that I was talking on the phone to one of my blog friends. She told me I should blog more. I guess my subconcious is trying to hint at a potential New Year's resolution....


By the way, I love New Years. It's right after Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July on my list of favorite holidays. I know it's kind of cheesy and there are a lot of cynics out there, but I appreciate every opportunity I get to turn over a new leaf.

One of my biggest goals this year is to continue to befriend the handsome fellow (meet Steve) next to me in this photo. It's hard to see, but I promise you that we are there.

I have a feeling that 2011 is going to be a good year: graduating from college, finding a first "real" job, and spending time with friends and family are all on my radar. Right now it's nice to bask in the glow of optimism, because it sure seems like there's not a lot of that left in this world.

Cheers! Happy New Year Everyone! Here's hoping you have a great 2011.

Miracles

1-33 people were trapped for 69 days 2000 ft below the ground. All lived.

2-A woman changed her life and was able to get all criminal charges against her dismissed.

3-A girl was so excited about a math concept I taught that she told her sister about it as I was leaving.

4-I've talked to lots of friends and had a lot of mini miracles as I've applied for a competive program.

5-The Lord cares about little things, like keeping track of things that I lose.

6-Two individuals cut their salaries in half, even though they had families to support, to keep the vision of their non-profit organization alive.

God is a god of miracles. I am grateful for the miracles I've seen. What miracles have you seen lately?

On thursdays when I'm tired I sometimes whine.

Dear Friend,



I'll be honest, I'm tired of waiting for you. I've never been a paitient person to begin with. People say that you'll pop into my life when I least expect it. Does that mean I have to stop anticipating you? How can I when it feels like everyone, myself included, keeps wondering when you'll arrive? I'm tired of missing someone I don't even know yet. I'm tired of feeling jealous, then feeling guilty for feeling jealous. I feel like the little girl who didn't get invited to the secret club. Everyone else knows the password. The worst thing is that this whiny post isn't going to help me find you. If anything, it will make things worse.



Hope you are well.



Kristin

Good things

A friend sent me a text message with the simple question: "what's good?" At first I didn't know how to reply. A definition? Good is the opposite of bad. A scripture? An example?

I ended up making a list of good things: blueberry muffins, a hard workout, the Book of Mormon, and the occasional opera or poetry reading. My friend added sleep to the list. After this weekend I added NPR, wakeboarding on a beatiful day, siblings, and visiting an old friend.

What would you add to the good things list?

Rodeo

Yep, I've officially been to Wyoming now.

The bull riding was the main event, but the side show included counting Wranglers vs. Levis.

FYI: Wranglers were winning.

Bunch of city slickers who didn't wear either brand.

Life on the Ranch

So, I'm living/working on a cattle ranch in Colorado now. There is no cell service for twenty miles, which I actually don't mind. It's nice to get away from "it all". It's nice to think on the open high mountain meadows, and breathe air that smells like a camp fire after it rains. I'm going to try to update the blog more regularly (no promises).