Mind. Body. Spirit.

I was recently given a gift, and I gave a gift.  It's funny to me how the two intertwine, especially when they were quite separate.  The gift I was given was actually very unexpected but a big blessing, and I could only hope that the gift I gave was the same.  At the very least, I was super excited to give it -- it had an awesome theme, ha!

My car got fixed!  While it was sitting in Ohio, it was attempted to be broken into, so the lock was gone and the handlebar broken from the drivers door.  I drove to Iowa as I originally planned and left my car with friends.  By the time I had gotten back to pick up my car with half of my belongings in it, the husband surprised me by having fixed my door!  He kept saying there was no warrantee but I didn't care.  It was great. 

It's gifts like these that are unexpected but oh so nice!  It truly is better to give.  Now I don't have to worry about having my door unlocked (and my car or stuff actually taken) nor do I have to find a place to get it fixed at my next destination.  It's also these types of gifts that I feel like I don't know what to say or do in response.  I almost offered to pay for the parts but I ended up stopping myself and just accepting the gift.  He wanted to do it because he wanted to do it, and I should let him. 

His generosity, I feel, is two-fold: for one, it makes me appreciative and also makes me feel like doing something nice in the future for someone else, almost like paying it forward.  The other thing I gleaned from this is the fact that I did not deserve his generosity or ask him to do what he did for me, and yet he still did it.  It shows me that that is how God works.  If we got what we actually deserve or even what we actually ask for, it is sometimes not going to be good, not going to have a good result.  God knows this and because God loves us He doesn't give us what we ask for sometimes (but what we need) and He gave us the greatest gift of all, His Son.

As for the gift I gave, it's theme was this blog's title and had three separate gifts to represent each category along with a lot of words, haha!  It was fun to put together and I know it did not come from my little brain but from my little heart.  In the end, my friend didn't want to accept it.  His reasoning was easily disregarded in my book because he has no idea how much I spent on any of it.  That and there is another underlying reason from him that I'm also going to slightly disregard, ha!  Now I'm long gone, so he's kinda stuck with it.  Besides, read the above :)

Homeless but Not Hopeless

Since leaving West Virginia about three weeks ago, I don't have a "home" address.  I'm not even sure where to call home almost at this point.  Oklahoma...?  Texas...?  Where I'm headed...?  It's kind of sad.  Though, I've made a joke of it now with people by frankly saying I'm homeless with no explanation up front.  It's quite humorous.

I'm like a leaf blowing in the wind or a gypsy traipsing around the states.  Depending on the scenario, it's good, fun, hard, or all of the above.  An example of this would be packing up my stuff.  It's kind of fun because you're playing Tetris with all your stuff, trying to squeeze it in into every corner of the car or bag.  That's also hard.  You just don't know how much stuff you have or what limited space you have until you actually try to fit everything into a minuscule area.  But then, it's good -- you finally get everything to fit into said area and you're off!  The bonus is when you can actually see clearly out the back window; triple bonus when you can see out your back window and side mirrors!  ...I mean... this always happens.  Safety first!

Traveling so much has also definitely brought out some personal flaws, like trying to remember where the heck I put something to use or to give to someone else.  So frustrating.  Case in point, I set aside my Mother's Day card and a friend's birthday card and then forgot them both, so they were going to be majorly late.  Thankfully, my friend didn't mind and I was able to write a sweet note in the book I gave her instead.  My mom just said she'd rather hear my voice anyway and to save the card for next year, haha!

Back to the fact that I don't have a current address.  Sometimes I'm not sure what to tell people.  Do I give my parent's address?  Do I say I'm about to know my address in South Dakota and just hold tight?  Do I give them the address of the place I just left?  Depending on what is needed, all those have been used.  The parents have won out almost, I suppose,(Extra mail for you!  You're welcome.), otherwise it goes something like this... 

I was talking on the phone with my Commander and he asked, "Now where is home?"  I paused and said I didn't have one.  I felt the brimming of a tear, which I repressed, and carried on in the conversation.  After a minute, he asked again, "Where is home?"  I said, "No, really.  I don't have a home right now.  I'm literally driving through Kentucky with half my belongings in my car, while the other half are in a storage unit in Texas."  That time he believed me and just remarked, "Oh yeah... because you travel so much."  Yes, exactly.  That thing called my crazy, fun life and, ultimately, my job.  Then he followed up with, "Are you driving and talking…?"  Uh, oh.  Guilty.  My Commander said I was in trouble but he was kidding, thankfully. 

Now here's the latest and greatest in regards to traveling and my job.  And, consequently, the answer to the question I've gotten several times:  When are you going to be done traveling?  

Well, kinda now.  I've decided to take another contract job in South Dakota and I'm very excited!  This one is much longer, however -- like unless something unpredictable happens, I'll be there at least a year.  My Mom is slightly dreading the fact that it's longer because she thinks her "elusive butterfly" of a daughter is going to get caught, to meet some guy and stay up there for forever.  I just find this funny. 

I've gotten different responses to the new job news, mainly positive ones, including congratulations.  Other  responses have been, "So, who's the guy?!"  Like there wouldn't be another reason to move to South Dakota, haha!  I assured her there was no guy and that there truly was a reason to move there: I'm moving and taking the job for me.

I think it will be quite refreshing to be in one place for an extended period of time, to say the least.  Actually, I think it is much needed.  I'm ready to be as settled as life will allow right now and we'll see what happens from there.  I say that because I don't actually know what will transpire and I still feel as though I have strong ties to Texas due to church, friends, and Army obligations.  Still, I know God is  leading me to be in SD for now, though I don't know exactly why. 

Anyway, the bonus is that I've been to SD before and really enjoyed my time amongst the state's beautiful landscape and the fun with friends, so I'm looking forward to returning.  Side note: if you've never visited, you should!  You could see me and Mount Rushmore :). Beyond that, I believe the job will be a great fit -- I'll be able to get more sports dietetic experience while also being more of an outpatient teacher, and I've heard the people I'll be working for and with are awesome.

So, I will have a home address again very soon!  Still, I know that I have a home with my family in Oklahoma, and, wherever I go, I will make a home for myself.  I also know that I can come back to any of the places I stayed or lived and feel at home.  A good example is the family in Iowa who let me crash at theirs and let me leave my car with them while I vacationed.  They make me feel loved and included, even if time is short.  Another is when I get to visit my best friend.  She lives in Oklahoma with her family and I typically see them there but ever so often I see them in Texas at her parent's house.  They are my adopted family, whom I love dearly.  It's always, always so wonderful to see them and catch up, while relaxing and eating yummy food.  I hope my home and family are like them one, fine day.  

For now, I'm thankful for my new upcoming home and hopeful for the future to be filled with God at work and seeing friends and family from all over at "home" :)

Musings While Traveling

Here are blurbs from my trip, in no particular order, as I took time to venture through 3 different states to complete my goal of seeing all 50 states before I turn 30 :)  Basically, you're getting a snapshot into my head as I travel about, followed by some favorite pictures I took along the way!

I suppose this trip is unique for several reasons but I don't recall having this song pop into my head since being a kid: "This land is your land.  This land is my land.  From California to the New York island.  From the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters.  This land was made for me and you!"  So true and fitting!  Been to all those places ;)

I get annoyed when my luggage gets pulled during checking.  I don't have anything crazy!  Plus, the things "caught" I would have thought wouldn't be and vice versa.  Then, I see why it's flagged and explain what and where it is but no, they have to unpack it all.  For the love!  "This is a well packed bag."  Thanks??  "Did the military teach you this packing?"  No. Give me my bag. 

I'm really liking the USOs!!  No, no.  Thank you for YOUR service.  They've definitely come in handy while waiting for a flight.  God bless America. 

Spending the day in the airport isn't on my list of things to do.  Shocking.  It just goes with flying non-rev, and it's definitely a love-hate kinda thing.  So, if I'm in the bathroom an abnormal amount of time, I'm either in the midst of whole30 or doing squats for exercise.  Keepin' it real. 

I went digging for diamonds in Arkansas!  A guy had been there at the site almost 40 days (!) and found 5 little diamonds so I felt my chances were real slim and my excitement went downhill fast.  I lasted about 1.5 hours :/

I feel like my Dad and I bond over finding flights to get to my destination.  I love him. 

I think Utah (as in Salt Lake City) is my arch nemesis.  I might not make it there again due to weather ...and apparently too many people wanting to fly there for whatever reason!

Note to self: Do not live in Arkansas.  Allergies were immediate and quite terrible. 

It's okay to be last.  Sometimes you get a really sweet car. 😎

I said good job to myself.  I had to pack weeks before leaving and be prepared for desert heat and cold to the mountains to the beach with a sleeping bag and 1-person tent.  I did it all in a 64L backpack and small Kanken day pack.  If that weren't enough, I had forgotten some of the items I packed, so upon discovery, I was like "Alright! Good job packing!"

Camping ain't for sissies.  --Day 1 with friend. 

I'm really camping!  None of this glamping stuff.  I set up my own tent and was so proud :)  --Day 3 without friend. 

I've been frigid most nights I've been sleeping outside lately.  It rained today and hopefully won't tonight.  I think I'm prepared but if not I decided I could just jump in my car.  Then I was like no, I should sleep in the outhouse!  That thing was the cleanest one I've ever seen, didn't stink, and was warm.  Bingo.  (I didn't do it but it was plan C) --Day one too many without friend. 

I seriously saw a sign with Mussentuchit on it as if it were a destination.  Hahaha!!

While hiking or driving, don't forget to stop and look all around. There's so much beauty being missed otherwise! 

Surprisingly, I like camping for the fact that I have to go to bed when it gets dark and then get up when it's light.  I still get about nine hours of sleep and feel rested, and there aren't any distractions like TV to keep me up.  It also makes for a full, next day :) 

I ran into a Dad and his two, young boys (Eric, Trayton, and Ben) from Nebraska, who were delightful and were gracious enough to let me join them for a bit of their hike in Zion NP.  It was a nice break from being by myself.  So thankful!  Side note: Utah is such a beautiful state! And Zion NP is gorgeous and I did one of my most favorite hikes to date there (Angels Landing).  I will be back for sure!

People can knock on MREs all they want, but they came in handy this camping trip!

I like having my phone off, to be purposefully disconnected.  I like even more when I open it up after having it off awhile to hear my text message chime go off.  I've gotten some great texts.  They make me laugh, make me feel loved, or both.

Cruise control is a God-send.

A Fiat Spider124 is going to be my next car.  Fast and sporty :)

I was spending the day in SLC and decided I wanted to do something active like hike.  Even though that's what I'd been doing for the past few days for free, I paid 10 bucks to walk trails and take pictures of flowers.  Go figure. 

I don't understand people who purposely wait until the last minute to board their flight.  Like hello!  I want a seat and your lolly-gagging is making that take longer. 

"4 for $20!!  We want to go home!!"

- guy at farmers market stand

I shoulda been a racecar driver. 

"You WANT those guns."

- guy passing by in park as I'm lifting my bag for an arm workout 

You know you're in a really small town in the middle of basically nowhere Oregon when a store advertises selling firearms and groceries!

And then, when you think there's no service but you turn on your phone anyway, you get a text from a friend who is sweet and encouraging :)

Oregon has some of the prettiest scenery but some of the absolute rudest drivers.

I rode my bike all day around Portland.  I just love cities that I can do that in!  It is one of the best I have experienced for biking and was fun.  I also counted it as a day of training for my portion of an Ironman that me and friends want to do.

I love the beach!  I love the mountains!  I think I could live in Oregon.  Just wish the water were warmer and the drivers nicer. 

No one is at the campground but me.  I'm not sure if that's good or bad.  I do know that if I die tonight in Clearwater Falls, it won't be from mosquitoes.  I sprayed that tent like nobody's business!

Sometimes I just need a hug.  I had one of those moments along with the thought that I needed to talk to my best friend.  (Sometimes you just need a Mom hug and I've found out I'll get one of those a lot sooner than I thought!)  As soon as I got reception, I planned on texting my bestie, and you know what?  A text from her came through.  It's like we're on the same wavelength.  I love when that happens :)

I was driving and the thought crossed my mind, "why are there are so many cars right now?!"  Then I realized that one, I was driving through a "big" city (Bend) and two, I've literally been around absolutely no one for the past few days.  Needless to say, I felt claustrophobic.

Friends see friends.  I drove a ways to see a sweet friend in Washington.  We bonded in TX 3 years ago over Jesus, bikes, and broken body parts, haha!  The visit was much to short but worth it :)

So, it almost goes without saying, while on vacation, you witness some weird things (like a guy playing a harmonic in his car) and you do some gross things (like blow your nose using a sock instead of tissue), yet you do some of the greatest things (like test your fear of heights and your willpower to be alone and quiet) and you make some spectacular memories to reflect on after leaving your time of reprieve (like taking in the majestic views from legit hikes). 

As you can see, my trip has provided a little bit of everything!  Highs and lows.  Joys and failures.  Laughter and almost tears.  Smiles and confusion like "what the...?!"  New experiences and lack of showers.  Seeing sweet friends after years and chatting with family and friends.  Time alone and time with God.  All of which I'm so, so thankful. 

And the fun isn't over just yet!  It's now beach and condo time with friends :)

50 Before 30

I made a list with my best friend called 30 before 30.  Naturally, it was a list of 30 things to do or see before I turn 30 years old.  Sounded great when I was writing it, but I soon discovered that those 30 things would not all be happening.

I had about two years to complete the list.  Frankly, the timetable does not matter.  Not when you've put down to run the Boston Marathon.  This one was a stretch, to say the least, since, as of right now, I don't even know if I'll run another marathon in my life and I'm okay with that.  Other, more feasible goals included reading a certain number of books, which I exceeded; visiting New Zealand, which I got very close to accomplishing but it basically didn't happen because of scheduling; go to a Coldplay concert, which was epic; ride a motorcycle and see Mount Rushmore, both of which happened in SD; and visit friends in other states, which has been done a lot with all my traveling lately -- seeing dear ones in Massachusetts, Vermont, Missouri, Iowa, and more.  So, I didn't get them all crossed off but don't worry, I still plan on doing everything, just not before I'm 30. 

I've had a change in plan, seeing as how my 30 year of life is coming up this August and I've been going from state to state so often.  I've now decided to do 50 before 30.  Yep, that's right!  Same concept, different kind of list. 

I'm going to attempt to see all 50 states before I turn 30.  Boom. 

Now some question what it takes to count a state as "seen" or "visited."  One friend's family say that if you use the bathroom in the state, then you have visited.  You can check it off the list.  Haha!  I feel you have to go and have the day there or partake in an event.  For instance, Justin Bieber is a talented artist and I like his music. (I don't care what you say.)  I needed to do something in North Dakota to check it off the list.  So, yeah, that concert happened. 

This new goal of 50 before 30 came about because, well, I'm pretty positive I can do it.  It's always been on my life bucket list but why not do it before I'm 30?!  I also sorta keep track of which states I've been to and I realized I only have three more to visit before I have all 50.  Thus was born the "I have to do this!  This would be so cool." mentality.  

Seriously.  I scrapped my trip to Iceland so I would have enough time to get to the last three states needed -- Arkansas, Oregon, and Utah.  I can go to Iceland some other time, maybe when friends can join too.  Besides, there was an added bonus of seeing good friends before I ventured out on my new adventure :)  

I planned my route, re-routed a lot based on stuff like my friend joining me and crashing a wedding, looked at flights, etc.  My backpack is about to burst.  I have no real agenda, other than to step foot in each state.  I can do whatever I want.

I'm pretty pumped and I'm ready to do a lot of hiking and camping :)  My friend, who I haven't seen in far too long, will join me for a couple of days but I'm mainly going solo.  At the end of it, I'll hopefully be joining some more friends at a beach so I'll have a nice, long vacation with the best of both worlds, beach and mountains.

Honestly, the US is so diverse and beautiful that I could happily go back to any state and find something fun or relaxing.  And there are several states I definitely want to go back to because one little day trip is not enough and especially because I have many friends across the country now.  Can't wait to see what happens as time unfolds but maybe a life goal should be to see all 50 states every 30 years!  

Such a Tease

You only tease people you like, right?  Well then, I'm really liked.  Haha!  At least it feels that way, sometimes.

"Sure, I'm a pretty girl, up in a pretty world" and tend to just "sit still, look pretty" and take it (Name that tune!)  basically because I don't know what else to do in the moment. 

But seriously, my grandfather teases me all the time; my brother did as well growing up.  I'm used to it, you could say.  It can be good.  Teasing can build bonds, be flirty, lighten the mood, show affection, and can actually be really funny and fun.

Just last week during my army training, I was teased hardcore by my fellow Reservists.  One of my favorites had me laughing, rolling my eyes, shaking my head, feeling the love, and trying desperately to have a witty comeback. 

On the one hand, I don't mind teasing because it's usually mutual and because I do think people tease others when they like them and are just trying to be playful, doing it in a fun-loving manner not mean or spiteful or with ill-intent.  On the other hand, I do mind because occasionally I don't have thick enough skin and I don't ever seem to have a good comeback!  Ugh. 

My outlook is to not tease people about what makes us different, since I think being your own unique person is awesome.  I actually want to learn from people who are different than me or like different things than me.  I suppose I tease to flirt or because the person was teasing me first. 

Honestly, I'm nice and want others to be nice to me, and I think they will be.  That might be mistake number one.  I take people at their word and think very realistically for the most part, mistake number two.  So, I assume what people say is in line with the truth, unless it's blatantly obvious that it's not.  A guy friend started a statement saying along the lines of, "Well, when I was a teenage girl…"  I just laughed and playfully pushed him while rolling my eyes because he was being a goober.  It's times like this when I can absolutely tell that someone is teasing in an innocent way that I don't mind at all. 

The same friend had to say "I'm messing with you" several times.  I learned but had relapses.  See mistake number one.  Though at one point, I did get him back with a prank :)  Gotta love it. 

However, sometimes people tease too much.  It's downright mean and possibly venturing into passive aggressiveness.  Not cool.  I'm positive I've done this at some point but the example that comes to mind is when it was done to me.  A friend said he had a souvenir for me.  I was excited because I like stuff like that but then I was also puzzled because I had no idea what the heck he would have.  Well, come to find out, he was completely kidding, having absolutely nothing for me.  Boo.  Unfortunately, it didn't stop there because he made me feel silly for believing him and "hadn't learned anything about him."  See mistake number two. 

But yes, I did learn.  Not only did I learn to "not believe anything that comes out of his mouth" but I also learned he is surprisingly quite the dichotomy.  He is the nerd I thought he was in the things he enjoys -- aren't we all nerds deep down?! -- such as liking video games and cats a lot (like a lot) but then he also likes to workout/powerlift and is actually funny.  Can that really all be found in the same person?  He's usually not shy to state his opinion and is wrong sometimes (no, sorry, I don't think you have all your nutrition figured out, for instance) yet does a good job of leading, getting things done.  Once I got past some of the teasing, I noticed streaks of genuine niceness like the time he gave me a straight up compliment and another time he recognized/appreciated something I had done to help out.  Then, when he's not putting up a defensive front, I saw his ability to intelligently talk about a range of topics.  I realized I didn't know him very well before training but was thankful he and others were there to make it more bearable and just determined people come into your life at a certain time for a reason.  Overall, I think I observed many things in him and learned he's basically nothing like me, it seems, except possibly for liking Indian food and needing Jesus.  No one is immune from needing God in their life. 

In the end, it's those things that make us nerdy, or rather just ourselves, that are the best!  Take time to get to know others and appreciate the things they offer.  You don't know how long they'll be in your life, and you just might learn something.  And don't forget to give them a good-natured teasing.