Nice

I didn't know what to expect of people up here in South Dakota.  I honestly thought they'd be a bit gruff and not that friendly like in places on either Coast.  Thank goodness I was wrong!  Very wrong.

The South Dakotans are THE nicest people!  I mean, I thought southerners like Texans and Oklahomans were nice, and, truly they are, but the South Dakotans are getting my label as the nicest people for sure right now.

I realize it depends on who you come into contact with, like any place.  A fellow co-worker had the opposite thinking -- that people weren't that nice in SD, so there ya go...  Yet, my experience has been incredibly positive and that's what I'm basing the bestowal of my "nice" award.

Several people here have made friendly teases -- I was running along a 1-mile long loop and a gentleman called out, "You can't lap me!" to which I said after laughing, "Doin' it!"

Several people have made friendly conversations -- literally met this woman for 2 seconds asking her to let me into the workout room and we ended up chatting it up for a good 20 minutes about working out, South Dakota, things to do here, not missing out on Sturgis Bike Week, etc.  She was so bubbly and sweet!

Several people have taken me in -- coworkers know I know absolutely no one and nothing about the city so they've offered to do fun things with me or to let me tag along!  I  just went hiking with one today, who said if I needed anything at all to let her know (I know she really meant it), and am going to do yoga with another tomorrow :)

My Supervisor and her husband are allowing me to stay in their trailer and have made sure I have everything I need, while I'm just trying to not be a bother...

My co-worker has been so gracious to answer all my random questions and she still wants to go to Devil's Tower with me! -- I asked her where to get my car oil changed, where there's a pool, things to do, where to workout, where to get a massage ... it's quite a sporadic list and she's nicely answered them all.

From my limited time in the hospital, the nurses and doctors seem nice and that they do a good job for the patients.  I mean, a doctor spoke to me twice already AND knew that I was a Dietitian and what the heck I did (never happened at my last facility), so that's super refreshing.

Obviously, South Dakotans get the "nice" award as a group and some of those individuals I've encountered have come close to getting my "nice" award for an individual.  Maybe with more time they can snag it!

However, that individual award would have to go to one of my guy friends from Texas.  Several come to mind and they are THE nicest guys!  You know, the well-mannered, well-wishing, accommodating, warm-your-heart pleasant, and most helpful kind of guy.  One has lent me countless tools to finish my DIY projects and gave me little things at work like popcorn.  Another gave me a heater so I wouldn't freeze in my new apartment, gave me tickets to the Colonial, and sincerely wants to know how I'm doing.  The third gave me good music recommendations, introduced me to a running group, and just communicates well.  So, yes, he actually responds to your text with whether he can go to the event you invited him to or not or gets back to you explaining why it took so long to reply.  Isn't it crazy that that's not the norm these days?!

Now, I expect people to be nice and to do all those things that these two friends do and have done.  High expectations.  It's just unbelievably appalling that more people are not truly, genuinely nice, not wanting anything in return. 

Don't get me wrong, I know a lot of nice people.  Many I take for granted.  It's just that those gents stand out because they are that genuine "nice" all the time that I've known and been around them.  I'm also not the only one who thinks such things, which only strengthens the argument. 

Maybe I also like them and the South Dakotans so much because I strive to be that way; they are an excellent example of how I want and hope to come across.  Of course, I know I can by no means be that nice without God.  May I always be as nice: sincere, kind, delightful, helpful, friendly, gracious, and more!

Free as a Bird

Life is crazy fun right now, and I love it!  I'm stepping out into a new life adventure with my career by becoming a travel RD :)  There are a plethora of emotions, yet I'm nervous because things are somewhat unknown and I don't know how it will all go as I leave everything that's familiar.  Praise God that I adapt to change pretty well.  Then there's the fact that I'm obviously excited, because the job is something new and I think I'm going to like it a lot!  If nothing else, it will stretch me and make me better. 

 

Why be a travel RD?

I think above all reasons it's the timing.  I'm literally free as a bird!  The only thing holding me back would be myself.  I'm not married, I don't have a boyfriend at the moment, I don't have kids, I don't have a house, and I don't even have a pet (much to the astonishment of one of the Techs of the hospital I used to work for, ha!)!  It's just me and God, and He's got me.

 

"So, we're just going to become friends and then you're going to leave?" 

The surface level answer is yes; The underlying, important answer is, of course, no.  That all went down when I told a new friend about my new job.  Not to worry, I'll be back in town in three months time because I hope to make the city I currently live in my home-base for stability and to still see family and friends.

I definitely plan on seeing that friend again when I'm back in town but, like any friend, keeping tabs on each other while I'm gone would be nice.  If each of us makes an effort to keep the friendship then there's no doubt but, even still, it's okay.  I say that for different reasons.  One being that I feel as though you meet people for a reason whether small, like watching a basketball game together to cheer on your team or profound, like sharing your life story with someone when you first meet.  Maybe they're supposed to tell you something at just the right time when you are receptive.  A good example of this is when a guy told me, flat out, not to run at night for safety reasons and you know what?  I now drive somewhere where it is very safe if I want to run at night.  My family has suggested not to run at night to me before but when he said it, it just clicked.  An excellent example of meeting someone at the right moment – – and God's timing – – is when I was in Oslo.  I had actually messed up some scheduling and had to make other arrangements.  I knew absolutely no one and was starting to feel a little lonely, yet the next girl who checked into the hostel literally right after me was awesome.  We hit it off and had the most amazing day exploring the city together followed by an epic, last-minute concert!  So, no matter the amount of time I have somewhere, I try to make the most of it by doing fun things and inviting people along with for the ride!  No matter the amount of time I have with someone else, I want to make a positive impression because you never know what could come of it.

 

Why not go for it? 

I don't know what's going to unfold in the next day, month, year...  But I'm ready!  I'm in a healthy state in all aspects and am confident.  Who knows?! Maybe...

I'll love it.

I'll find where I want to live next or realize that I should stay in Texas.

I'll find that I don't like it and move onto the next thing.

a guy will pull hard on my heartstrings... and something will come of it.

I will get that pet. 

I'll do all sorts of awesomeness all over the States. 

my professional skills will go through the roof.

I'll make a lot of new friends and keep old ones close. 

my Faith in God will become stronger. 

 

Fearless. Free. Humble. Excited. Blessed. Loved. Adventurous. Peaceful.

Living the abundant life God has given me :)

India

The medical trip I was so fortunate to go on came up again yesterday, so the good memories came flooding back!  It also reminded me that I never did get those thank you cards out to my supporters.  Whoops!  If I had, here’s what it would have said:

The trip to India was just incredible!!  There’s too much to say about God’s goodness, protection, love, provision, and joy among many things displayed during the trip.  Some major factors that made my time in India so impactful include

1)  the team – 21 different individuals made the medical and dental teams, each with a specific job.  We got along so well!  Everyone was willing to serve and not argue.  It was absolutely refreshing.  I was on the dental team as an assistant, which was awesome because I go to see a completely different profession and got to know my Godly team members well.

2)  the team we partnered with – they fed us, transported us, and lodged us when necessary.  They interpreted for us as well and just made things seamless, which was due to a lot of work before we even set foot in country.  Seeing their work and vision along with their hearts for their own people was encouraging and special.

3)  the Indian people – each person we were able to provide services for (a little under 3,200 people in 7 different villages in 3.5 days!) were so very appreciative.  For dental, the Indians were brave.  All the long days were definitely worth it when you saw the look of gratitude and relief on their faces.

4)  you – I was blown away by who supported me (with finances and prayers) and how much people gave.  It was definitely a faith-builder to become fully funded to go!  I am so humbled and grateful to have gone and all thanks in part to you!

A lot of memories were made, new friendships forged, and a lot of personal and spiritual growth happened.  I have no doubt more will come from the trip in the future as God uses it and me!  

Aunts

I have some of the best aunts! I realized this while enjoying their company, and the company of the rest of my family, last Christmas.  Each one is amazing and brings a different perspective for me to glean from.  Not only that, they have raised some pretty great kids, whom I enjoy and am proud to call my cousins, and, more directly, they've also helped to mold me.

Whether trying to get my grandmother to sit down and enjoy the holiday meal, bringing a delicious dish to share, laughing at the family craziness, or just simply being present at family gatherings and special occasions, my aunts have been a consistent and positive presence in my life.  All of them have had different influences on me, all of which are positive.  One aunt in particular helped by being more of a mom, since my real mom had to be away from the family for a time with my older brother for his transplant.  I distinctly remember my aunt helping me and my other brother with homework, cooking us meals, and letting us watch TV and eat snacks. She definitely won "the cool aunt" award for that interim time!

Still to this day, all my aunts engage me by asking how I'm doing, checking in on work and life, and by just having good, adult conversations -- since we can more now! We talk about work (the good, bad, and ugly), about travel (always good and so fun!), and about the past (remember when Uncle ____ did ____?!), and they don't bug me about dating (hallelujah)! They are pretty great.

I actually decided awhile back that I was going to try and reach "cool aunt" status when the time came. You know, be the aunt who buys awesome gifts or goes on sweet trips with the nieces and nephews.  I mean, I'd basically just like to not be the "crazy aunt" that you wonder about.

Now that I've thought about it, I have some big shoes to fill or, rather, some super examples to go off of, and I practice with my best friend's little girls right now.  I think I'm doing alright :)  ...At least they love me ("When's Miss Jessie goin' be here?") and I adore them!  I suppose the real test will be when my nephew (!) arrives late this August!!  Yep, that's right.  The time has come, and I'm so excited!!

That Moment

 

Whether good, bad, funny, or ugly, we all have moments. They come and go so quickly. Do you relish them? Do you notice them? Do you think of them later?

I've pretty much had each moment listed below in the past few months of this crazy year. With more to come!

That moment when you...

hear the alarm go off

think of that clever comeback

smile and laugh at yourself

stood up for yourself

feel smug

see a friend after a long time apart

know someone's got your back

see a super cute guy

feel invincible

feel a fart coming but there's no escape

remember something after getting warm and comfy in bed

remember you left the laundry in the washer

see something ridiculous

think "did that really just happen?!"

shoot the breeze with unlikely people

win

eat deliciousness

quench your dying thirst

That moment when you cross the finish line

meet your goal

wear new shoes

go barefoot

get a call or text from a crush/love

finish a "catch up" phone call

almost get into a wreck

realize your friend isn't so innocent

run in the rain

let loose in the dance floor like no one is watching

speed over a bump and your stomach lurches

That moment when you want to give up

laugh so hard you cry

think it's all for nothing

realize you're liked

are surrounded by those whom you love and enjoy

realize things could be worse

That moment when you stop caring what others think

are truly yourself

need a hug

wish you were smarter

hear a tragic story

pass the test

hear another person you know is battling cancer

feel left out


That moment when you realize you miss writing. ...so I'm writing again :)