Well of course I said I was back, but it's taken me several more months to actually come back here. I'd like to utilize this forum more, but I get distracted & caught up in the fact that there's really no rhyme or reason to this space. But whatever, right? Rhyme schmyme. Reason schmeason.

So instead of focusing on what I haven't been doing, here are a couple of things I have been doing.

Turning 40!

I was so ready to be done with the 30's...not the greatest decade.

I have high hopes for this next one.

And completing my trainer certification!

Apparently I'm official now although I feel I still need some additional hands-on work to really get out there & start making it happen.

And going to Germany!!

My mom & I went back to where it all began & had a great time.

I was born in Aschaffenburg Germany 40 years ago!

Otherwise, I'm actually still trying to get back into the swing of things since the trip (which was back in late June...it takes me awhile, what can I say?) Prior to & during the early parts of Germany, I was feeling pretty good. I was getting to the Park a couple of times a week to exercise (and then not crashing after) & maintaining a fairly brisk pace throughout the trip. But food was nutty on the trip (can you say Nutella & bread everyday for breakfast?) & my energy really started to lag midway through....and honestly, it's continued lagging ever since returning home...i.e. back to the dreaded workworld.

My attitude about this has been less than stellar, I have to admit, yet I'm seeing some light at the end of this dark tunnel. Perhaps a return to Austin is in my more-immediate future than once previously thought...stay tuned for more on that. A bit more waiting is in order, but my intentions have been set & the wheels are in motion. Patience isn't my strongest suit, but I'm mustering as much as I can while I wait it out. It also helps that, in my mind, I'm already planning my going away party! :)

xoxo!

pssst....coming back

a view along the Main River, Aschaffenburg Germany

For those who have visited & inquired about my whereabouts--thank you. I don't know who most of you Anonymous(es) are, but thank you for checking in.

I'm just back from a trip to Germany which has re-invigorated me & inspired me to get back to blogging...even in spite of the potential that "the stalker" may see/follow along. I will be posting pics & thoughts from my trip very soon (with over 1300 pictures to download/upload/detail, it's proving quite the undertaking to get them online in some descriptive way)...as well as thoughts on my upcoming 40th birthday & what I've been up to (or not up to as is probably more accurate) since I last posted in February. Stay tuned--if you dare!

xoxo!

s.p.i. & i

I know, I know...I've been MIA...again! I do that from time to time...disappear from the blogosphere. Oh well...tis what it tis, yes?

I've got lots to share, I'm sure, but I guess I 1) haven't been in much of a sharing mood, and 2) I've been busy + out of town. I just got back from South Padre Island (SPI)--that's the best beach Texas has to offer & it's pretty darn good.

Even better when you go with a group of women to connect (with each other), disconnect (from the daily grind), and reconnect (to yourself). I managed to do all of those things & it felt fantastic to do so.

I've been back a day & a half (first day back to work) and I'm slowly feeling my brain turn back on--and not the good, helpful brain way, but the gremlin brain of obsessive thinking that leads nowhere but eventual madness. I'm keeping it at bay & trying to hold onto the calm of a week watching waves roll endlessly into shore, sun shining gleefully down on shoulders and toes, and crying from laughing so hard/much with a group of grown women.

I think I most needed the girl-time (both with my BFF & new friends). I definitely also needed my happy place (the ocean--it heals like nothing else). And I needed perspective outside of my daily life to see my own reality for what it is. Oh and a tan--I needed one of those too! :)

I barely even captured any photos while there--only what I could snap on my phone really. I'm bummed about that, but that is the only thing...everything else was ab*sol*ute*ly perfect. I feel ready to tackle reality again & make it a more fulfilling one at that.

xoxo!

time traveler

Time Traveler

made by me for my British penpal of 20 yrs

I recently met a friend whom I'd known for 20 years, but never met. We became penpals in 1989 via an ad for "get your own penpal" in the back of Rolling Stone magazine. I think for $5 one could send off for a list of international friends--you could specify nationality, language, sex, age, etc. Looking back, it could have been a rather seedy endeavor, but from my naive high school senior perspective, it seemed harmless enough. What I really wanted was a German friend to practice language, but little did I know, it would produce a long-lasting friendship...and 20 yrs later, a great vacation to western England...and beyond!

me confused in Piccadilly...Aug '09

xoxo!