tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33593516627705116332024-03-14T02:16:06.733-04:00gmrobidasGillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.comBlogger360125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-72791544492626797402023-11-23T05:30:00.001-05:002023-11-23T05:30:00.142-05:00Thankful For In 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgTMFY0xTxoPHTT3ofjp1YLLPdqaFnPw_dDqc3qPSsReMIG2s1bkmbkCof7dNPTwjeH60v91QNaYJgPKwIaA0AdoKgTJWdqI9rYjjB8mfswhPhv2QeVKxR2SD6WqhiOfaQOrkdCzMUgzd1nss6vZuIM1iPBS8Lpe4GDG6F1y5RZcQZqC2hveN7EkcTWw/s4032/IMG_8554.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgTMFY0xTxoPHTT3ofjp1YLLPdqaFnPw_dDqc3qPSsReMIG2s1bkmbkCof7dNPTwjeH60v91QNaYJgPKwIaA0AdoKgTJWdqI9rYjjB8mfswhPhv2QeVKxR2SD6WqhiOfaQOrkdCzMUgzd1nss6vZuIM1iPBS8Lpe4GDG6F1y5RZcQZqC2hveN7EkcTWw/w480-h640/IMG_8554.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>I'm back for my traditional (though inconsistent) Thanksgiving blog post. This year, we are excited about our second Thanksgiving married and our FIRST EVER holiday season spent at home, together, not during covid. :) When I came home from the ice show last year I knew I wanted to spend a full year at home before committing to another show contract. While I would definitely do one again, I will say I feel so grounded and <i>good </i>about stepping back for now. I feel like the whole world has opened up and I have so many new things I want to chase!</div><div>We are spending this Thanksgiving with my in-laws in New Jersey! I'm so excited about this cozy few days. This year, I'm particularly grateful for:</div><div><br /></div><div>- A cozy holiday season at home. </div><div><br /></div><div>- All the amazing travel we've managed to do this year! Including trips out of the country (a first for me) not once but twice!</div><div><br /></div><div>- So many weddings and fun friend events we got to take part in over the past year. </div><div><br /></div><div>- Some really incredible skating students, a work life that has really shaped into something I like, and lots of team coaching opportunities this season!</div><div><br /></div><div>- Living in a great town that is a perfect fit for us. </div><div><br /></div><div>- Going back to school (again). </div><div><br /></div><div>- Having a really good reading year. </div><div><br /></div><div>- Watching all my baby cousins grow up and start really creating their lives this year. </div><div><br /></div><div>- Weekly phone calls with a friend. </div><div><br /></div><div>- Teaching myself to sew again!</div><div><br /></div><div>- Morning dog walks together. </div><div><br /></div><div>- Having such a fun first year married. </div><div><br /></div><div>- Feeling myself settle into my adult self, my adult body, my adult vibe. </div><div><br /></div><div>- Knowing that there is so much to look forward to!</div><div><br /></div><div>Wishing a great start to the holiday season to your whole family.</div><div><br /></div><div>xoxo Gillian</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Read Thankful For In: <a href="https://gmrobidasblog.blogspot.com/2021/11/grateful-for-in-2021.html">2021,</a> <a href="https://gmrobidasblog.blogspot.com/2020/11/grateful-for-in-2020.html">2020,</a> and <a href="https://gmrobidasblog.blogspot.com/2015/11/thankful-for-in-2015.html">2015</a>.</i></div>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-42720326468751099882023-06-16T13:42:00.005-04:002023-06-16T13:42:46.425-04:00three little rituals in June<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCi246D5Y2PtUfNS6s_LIoN8qEyOB_tyTOJRrUFbr3VkYfDbCdMwSzAuO7-ID8gf3qJY866k4G4F5M1m3ksBTLK4NO_MGf7Hd8VThFnLdrE2ZkxC0mPHSYC6MZRQqHbpoUYxjKjPwRe04j-8DQnsAGypHzzMZRUR63R8rIY52cOC7LuECY4uqZJHn/s4032/IMG_6648.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCi246D5Y2PtUfNS6s_LIoN8qEyOB_tyTOJRrUFbr3VkYfDbCdMwSzAuO7-ID8gf3qJY866k4G4F5M1m3ksBTLK4NO_MGf7Hd8VThFnLdrE2ZkxC0mPHSYC6MZRQqHbpoUYxjKjPwRe04j-8DQnsAGypHzzMZRUR63R8rIY52cOC7LuECY4uqZJHn/w480-h640/IMG_6648.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><p>Coming off of a whirlwind week and heading into a busy weekend!! Just a quckie today. <a href="http://gmrobidasblog.blogspot.com/2023/04/three-little-rituals-in-april.html" style="font-style: italic;">Here are some additional favorite rituals if you're interested.</a></p><p><b>Weekly Trader Joes Salad Kits & Youtube.</b> Though with summer scheduling my life is slowing down a bit, this ritual saved my mental health. Chris works a regular overnight shift at the fire department each week. I used to feel lonely on those weeknights, often burnt out from working all weekend and just struggling to do my own routines and make a nice dinner without someone else prompting it. Once I let go of being "productive" or cooking something nice on those nights, everything got better. Now, I grab a salad kit from Trader Joe's on the way home from work, and eat the whole thing on the couch with a glass of wine while watching Youtube. It's the best night of the week. </p><p><b>Google Calendar & A Notebook.</b> While my Google calendar is how I live and breathe, I've also been using a notebook bullet journal style for a lot of planning. I wrote out a monthly spread, the have a page for each week. On each weekly spread I block of a section to put the days of the week and any large, unusual events on those days to visualize it, then I write lists of what I need to get done for the week. I have four categories: Career, Self, Relationships, and Habits. For me, this is the perfect combo of my love for paper planning plus the necessity of being too busy to not have a digital calendar!</p><p><b>Being religious about nightly chores.</b> I am not the best at doing chores in a timely manner. But, as everything has been so busy this spring I've gotten really good at making sure the kitchen is at least closed for the night. If I have more time and energy, I like to sweep, wipe the counters, do all of the dishes, and tidy things up. If I'm moving fast or am low energy, though, I just make sure the dishwasher is running and prep the coffee for the morning. Waking up to just that makes such a huge difference in the start of the day! I've even been starting to finish those chores up before we go out if I think it's going to be a late night. </p><p>Summer Fridays are basically holidays SO A VERY HAPPY FRIDAY TO YOU!! <3</p>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-35164591220777258002023-06-09T13:01:00.007-04:002023-06-09T13:01:58.435-04:00What I've Read 6 Months Into 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6QxNRawQPoiTeD3WOuwAs76AWfCm3sEh08rHowjB68lzKVNq74QhshyOzD2A04Mh3rup5yVlyQHrHpsCDP68-JTIRR7vspMfi2L5493tJpSHVXoYz6Wq_3_qh27DZEEv0RAFzOefd4BCVDR69yu7QxVMXgND2s4BUpR4gNOVpamwBYvLGAR9XfD_/s4032/IMG_6416.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6QxNRawQPoiTeD3WOuwAs76AWfCm3sEh08rHowjB68lzKVNq74QhshyOzD2A04Mh3rup5yVlyQHrHpsCDP68-JTIRR7vspMfi2L5493tJpSHVXoYz6Wq_3_qh27DZEEv0RAFzOefd4BCVDR69yu7QxVMXgND2s4BUpR4gNOVpamwBYvLGAR9XfD_/w480-h640/IMG_6416.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Popping in for a quick little list of what I've read so far in 2023! My reading goals for the year were, simply, to read actual books more. For the past few years, I've read approximately 20 books a year with the vast majority being audiobooks. While I love an audiobook, I wanted to reconnect with the enjoyment of laying on the couch and cracking open a real, paper book. I also wanted to tackle longer books and get back to reading fiction. I'm a self-help junkie, and while I always will love a book like that, I'm on a quest to reconnect with my ability to do things for pleasure and reading more fiction ties into that. My third goal (that I've been woefully lax about) was to third at least 12 books of poetry. Right now I'm at two (but two more than last year!). Here's the list:</span></div><p><i>Fifty Days of Solitude </i>by Doris Grumbach. This was shelved in poetry at my library even though it isn't really poetry, more like very literary, wandering mini essays. I loved it though! It's the kind of good reading you can't rush and was perfect for winter. </p><p><i>Five Tuesdays in Winter </i>by Lily King. I listened to this short story collection on audio and loved it. After every single story, I was sad it was over only to immediately get into the next story. Definitely a Lily King fan!</p><p><i>The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness</i> by Robert Waldinger. Another audio read I loved! One I'd recommend to anyone and am excited to return to in future years. </p><p><i>The Electricity of Every Living Thing: One Woman's Walk with Asperger's</i> by Katherine May. I loved Katherine May's <i>Wintering</i> and this first book of hers is also beautiful, especially as I navigate pursuing my ADHD diagnosis. </p><p><i>Bargain Bin Rom-Com</i> by Leena Norms. This is a proper poetry collection. I love Leena's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@leenanorms">Youtube channel</a> and getting to read her writing in a different medium was so fun! Definitely love. </p><p><i>Bad Vibes Only</i> by Nora McInerny. A quick, fun read. Not my favorite of the year and honestly as an essay collection I think it could have dived a bit deeper, many things seemed surface level. But fun and worth a read!</p><p><i>Spare</i> by Prince Harry. So weird to write the author name like that? Happy I read it, it was by far too long and I do have a lot of criticisms BUT this is a person's real story so like....I didn't read it for the literary value? I need to do a longer post about what I think but I loved<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT7W0kyEd30"> Lenna's video,</a> <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prince-harry-is-spare/id1533533467?i=1000594035286">this podcast episode</a>, as well as<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/05/15/j-r-moehringer-ghostwriter-prince-harry-memoir-spare"> this essay by the ghostwriter</a> to start. </p><p><i>How To Keep House While Drowning</i> by K.C. Davis. A great place to start and a valuable book! I'd recommend <a href="https://www.strugglecare.com/podcast-rss">KC's podcast </a>as well. </p><p><i>Writer's and Lovers </i>by Lily King. Lily King for the win! Her writing is just so immaculate and the characters just pull me right in. It reminded me a lot of Sue Miller's writing, so anyone who's into introspective, character-driven novels of with a throughline of women going through a life change? I can't get enough!</p><p><i>The Bandit Queens</i> by Parini Shroff. Favorite read of the year I think! The plot, characters, and pace of this book were so quick and engaging that I could not stop reading it. I read it on vacation over like four days and it was amazing. Laugh out loud funny, while also working with extremely hard-hitting topics like racism, classism, and domestic violence. I haven't stopped thinking about it and will be rushing to read whatever Shroff writes next. </p><p><i>Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match </i>by Sally Thorne. Cute, steamy, funny....not the best writing by any means and if it was any longer I think the dialogue would have made me unable to finish, but a cute vacation read if you want something brainless with a great sex scene. </p><p>My current reads: I am still plugging along through <i>Middlemarch</i>, and listening to the <a href="https://lithub.com/author/literarydisco/">literary disco</a> Middlemarch from 2020 alongside it. I'm also in the middle of <i>A Better Man (Chief Inspector Gamache)</i> by Louise Penny, <i>How To Love</i> by Thich Nhat Hanh, and <i>A Radical Guide For Women with ADHD </i>by Sari Solden. Also technically in the middle of <i>The Incredible Journey of Plants</i> by Stefano Mancuso, though I haven't picked that up in a while. I'm also listening to <i>Trespasses</i> by Louise Kennedy.</p><p>Once I work my way through at least a few more of those, I'm looking forward to picking of <i>The Marriage Portrait</i> by Maggie O'Farrell and <i>Radically Content</i> by Jamie Varon. What have you been reading?</p>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-77745139120508950982023-06-02T21:35:00.000-04:002023-06-02T21:35:48.664-04:00are we still trying for this balance thing?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQDRSDqf41XdmmFN-eRSNj0IZWr-_hisR7W65Z_c5k8FcvZDwj5x2XAtDxtd-xKMGf9M8IZAty6VyyBjsS1ftpQ5rJcdtFF4gb_Dp_HSkwdOwnd7f8MpHXBq2dveMzVmRhrjJZf-B0P2vQGH6xDMeW1I6VNWRtys0cW4NJJ9OUXCGD5V5glbAWm80/s4032/IMG_6418.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQDRSDqf41XdmmFN-eRSNj0IZWr-_hisR7W65Z_c5k8FcvZDwj5x2XAtDxtd-xKMGf9M8IZAty6VyyBjsS1ftpQ5rJcdtFF4gb_Dp_HSkwdOwnd7f8MpHXBq2dveMzVmRhrjJZf-B0P2vQGH6xDMeW1I6VNWRtys0cW4NJJ9OUXCGD5V5glbAWm80/w480-h640/IMG_6418.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>Tonight, I feel an odd mix of overwhelmed and content. I am excited and nervous for the coming busy workweek. I am proud of what I've accomplished as this work year wraps up, while also counting the hours until we're on a full summer schedule and my weekends truly open up. As the worlds top Chelsea Fagan fan, I know I've mentioned<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@faganchelsea/video/7198571894172372230"> her Tik Tok</a> on not being busy. Well--<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@faganchelsea/video/7235057173686996250">this is the follow up</a> and I honestly love that one even more. </div><div><br /></div>At this point on the internet I feel like we understand that the quintessential "work-life balance" is not really an equation anyone has ever solved. Self-care lists are just that--more lists and to-do's and things to leave undone. It seldom feels like we have enough choices about our work lives, our circumstances, to be able to make the changes we need for life to feel more manageable. This spring when life was feeling overwhelming, the phrase I kept saying to myself was <i>I need my life to be tenable. </i>Tenable!<i> Maintainable.</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div>That is tonight's cosmic question into the void: how do we make our lives maintainable? I love working. While the go-go-go schedule of late nights and early mornings and weekends is a little much, I also know myself and know I wouldn't be happy at a more typical 9-5. I love variety in my days and weeks. I love the different seasons of my work. I love being both out of the house and in the house. I love having so much personal autonomy. I love that I am the one in charge. </div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>And: I hate that it feels like I'm the only one keeping things afloat. I often feel overwhelmed. I dislike driving as much as I feel like I have to and I wish that work was easier to turn off. It feels like I am putting out fires all day--and that's exhausting. I want to feel like I'm building. </div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>This coming week marks the last huge event of the season, and I'll be in Boston just about every day next week. After that, it's Saturdays off and once July hits, Sundays off! This summer I am planning to help myself reset. I want to make time to learn and invest in the future, not just cram my schedule so I get a larger short-time paycheck. I will be home a little earlier in the evenings. I am going to try to do summer Fridays and only work a half day. I want to do "low dopamine mornings" and try to really curb my scrolling habits. I am going to try, try, try, to really stay on task and intentional with work and then put it away when I'm done. </div><div><br /></div><div>To be clear, life is pretty amazing. I go on walks every day. I've read 8 books so far this year. I see friends every week, and am religious about deep cleaning the apartment once a week. We just got back from a vacation to Mexico--and the fact that this outpouring of overwhelm is happening after a week on a beach should be perspective giving, but alas, not quite. I just want to ask, how much happiness is appropriate? How much contentment is...realistic? </div><div><br /></div><div>But instead: I would love to ask the age-old question--how do people do it? What is everyone's secrets? Is there a way to clean your house, read, work, go to school, have friends, while not feeling overwhelmed? What is a normal level of overwhelm? Is this really just a reframe, or do I actually need to burn my life down and build something--softer?</div><div><br /></div>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-70206062913110779312023-05-26T05:45:00.001-04:002023-05-26T05:45:00.141-04:00A Trip To Iowa For A Family GraduationJotting down and scheduling this post ahead of time, as when it's published I'll be away on a lovely trip for a friend's wedding (plus a vacation we tacked on to the end of it). May is a busy, travel-filled month for us. Here's a recap of our recent trip to Iowa to attend my cousin's college graduation!<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitd0t62GLdF92_jhVAZrtsfk6cnq9_hb76ovTA0eNKnL4yoaToO-phhKpKpxpSn0rN6sF0pfSvb41qVyaLzXTdt-JXG6ReL14GAsMbu9l0EwR-WhmDWx6A8rDW2YjYRZeSIg7n4jHp_qPyWBQG9K5LeBYXgSXbfQUsUFzD6uM0cnUWwau91_dxfLMx/s4032/IMG_5724.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitd0t62GLdF92_jhVAZrtsfk6cnq9_hb76ovTA0eNKnL4yoaToO-phhKpKpxpSn0rN6sF0pfSvb41qVyaLzXTdt-JXG6ReL14GAsMbu9l0EwR-WhmDWx6A8rDW2YjYRZeSIg7n4jHp_qPyWBQG9K5LeBYXgSXbfQUsUFzD6uM0cnUWwau91_dxfLMx/w480-h640/IMG_5724.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBI5R7CMoahpJVna-6b4utkHugzayFq2CtfUvf2yfvxYh8RJvcNYvVJq1onX-pRwVa-YTgr6cGmTBMn58dtT0b947qGyJlkttnwdbeLZb5j4LsIA26dSWVzNeoxKWE1KyZM_81y2FMAKt-yu3KpFC1v1idg86B8nht96LNsbH67Z6a0dufuShKjAap/s4032/IMG_5792.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBI5R7CMoahpJVna-6b4utkHugzayFq2CtfUvf2yfvxYh8RJvcNYvVJq1onX-pRwVa-YTgr6cGmTBMn58dtT0b947qGyJlkttnwdbeLZb5j4LsIA26dSWVzNeoxKWE1KyZM_81y2FMAKt-yu3KpFC1v1idg86B8nht96LNsbH67Z6a0dufuShKjAap/w480-h640/IMG_5792.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><div>We arrived on a Wednesday morning around 1:30pm after flying into Des Moines. Even though Chris and I travel a decent amount, we don't typically fly together. Often, he's visiting me or we're meeting up somewhere! So it always feels like a treat when we actually are on the same flight and sit together. </div><div><br /></div><div>After landing, we picked up our rental car. For some reason getting a completely ridiculous but fun Ford Bronco off of Turo was the same price as renting something far more boring from the airport, so <i>how could we not?</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbhyKNMzfCOe2TFKk8aWccNplhaRe81H9VIiQVL02EvZ0vMk1PIXe5cQlhzYb_f6MOkDmDIOmoyVtyZuxwGtmF9nuM7TQkLfFGbVxrVAnLkOKQm_ISGO3h8HlybRB2Jn40MPeeOue4Y74syls5BfJZqUUSaI0k1fi7RxvOINJaA18atRa6dVmCB6O/s3088/IMG_5729.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbhyKNMzfCOe2TFKk8aWccNplhaRe81H9VIiQVL02EvZ0vMk1PIXe5cQlhzYb_f6MOkDmDIOmoyVtyZuxwGtmF9nuM7TQkLfFGbVxrVAnLkOKQm_ISGO3h8HlybRB2Jn40MPeeOue4Y74syls5BfJZqUUSaI0k1fi7RxvOINJaA18atRa6dVmCB6O/w480-h640/IMG_5729.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOHxC8pM8ih0ljug-dKTgYTcMClergS1VJiDxodM9XHjnuvPKyCdpryG6cJ6j6GKQrfBM-qb4HTwWNDgd8dzfPrxboO1GUbSy4WWczT0IhOQCwfDs0RBLLJfMoYtxlmrlm0vuYljuxR0REhVsnQQwNPtCwjN0oi2xYFQVv0g9gSp3aipgUqLGuqFp/s4032/IMG_5731.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOHxC8pM8ih0ljug-dKTgYTcMClergS1VJiDxodM9XHjnuvPKyCdpryG6cJ6j6GKQrfBM-qb4HTwWNDgd8dzfPrxboO1GUbSy4WWczT0IhOQCwfDs0RBLLJfMoYtxlmrlm0vuYljuxR0REhVsnQQwNPtCwjN0oi2xYFQVv0g9gSp3aipgUqLGuqFp/w480-h640/IMG_5731.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We spent the rest of the day meeting up with my cousin Ena and her boyfriend at <a href="https://www.zombieburgerdm.com/">Zombie Burger</a>, then heading to my great Aunt Mary's house where we were going to stay for the weekend. We went for a walk, had a coffee run to <a href="https://readinginpublic.com/">Reading in Public </a>(which was so cute), and then dinner at ice cream at home. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPevIoV7TE3dAXG1ZVE2vVAzwSxqCO1sr0VHHV36GaIzBrfQwFAiaFGiIo2AqeZyPyYVMmq8oD2CrvRhOCnqdDt_j3P9R88pGh411_7cvlzAQin9JQf48CmMV51FLIW1CJL9jdBVItO5_DgkBjoDZROA00jN4g_KjPiSzUiDALIOliyv6LCsE0_t_/s4032/IMG_5736.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPevIoV7TE3dAXG1ZVE2vVAzwSxqCO1sr0VHHV36GaIzBrfQwFAiaFGiIo2AqeZyPyYVMmq8oD2CrvRhOCnqdDt_j3P9R88pGh411_7cvlzAQin9JQf48CmMV51FLIW1CJL9jdBVItO5_DgkBjoDZROA00jN4g_KjPiSzUiDALIOliyv6LCsE0_t_/w480-h640/IMG_5736.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>The next morning, we had a slightly lazy morning before heading out to pick up my mom and aunt from the airport and then getting brunch as a big group at <a href="https://www.thebreakfastclubusa.com/">The Breakfast Club.</a> After splitting up into a "nap" group and "explore" group, we headed out to the <a href="https://dmbotanicalgarden.com/">Des Moines Botanical Garden. </a>My Aunt Mary volunteers there and it was so fun for her to show us around! After that we explored the <a href="https://desmoinesartcenter.org/visit/pappajohn-sculpture-park/">Sculpture Park</a>, before Chris and I stole away just the two of us for a happy hour drink at <a href="https://www.exilebrewing.com/">Exile Brewing</a>. We followed that up with a coffee run to <a href="https://smokeyrow.com/">Smokey Row</a> before taking a family drive about an hour south for dinner in my cousin's college town. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMu5ld881oVfa4KDtcDmp7sIbbQKf6T11EADWZhrolZx78vT8ofXvtI0hNKHjX_USn787p2TU4dYBP6NTLF2Sldvf2ylW5YsnegEqpSFO814lcDPwHsx161kMUri316yjEMXRxcOdKZ2x72_iMJnTphD92I3R-zy4T5jHYvsgwl1bxJ5hq3RpgsJS_/s4032/IMG_5747.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMu5ld881oVfa4KDtcDmp7sIbbQKf6T11EADWZhrolZx78vT8ofXvtI0hNKHjX_USn787p2TU4dYBP6NTLF2Sldvf2ylW5YsnegEqpSFO814lcDPwHsx161kMUri316yjEMXRxcOdKZ2x72_iMJnTphD92I3R-zy4T5jHYvsgwl1bxJ5hq3RpgsJS_/w480-h640/IMG_5747.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCiSXq92RD5zltCGEHD6JTwg7zH0f4nJR-DQ-5mbXGNEpFTmdgY5xM1Tt1XrKXftLvsi-PSYWp7f4w5OsWKPxjmu3p533onVWJPX3v0OUoOVNJ3cZUzVvaySV-nUU5HMFkVcD8NKDykkD0aK5qZKjtxhD8UW2AAVmfdjXtn5RA5FOWByhgvE3Vb6B/s4032/IMG_5763.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCiSXq92RD5zltCGEHD6JTwg7zH0f4nJR-DQ-5mbXGNEpFTmdgY5xM1Tt1XrKXftLvsi-PSYWp7f4w5OsWKPxjmu3p533onVWJPX3v0OUoOVNJ3cZUzVvaySV-nUU5HMFkVcD8NKDykkD0aK5qZKjtxhD8UW2AAVmfdjXtn5RA5FOWByhgvE3Vb6B/w480-h640/IMG_5763.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHQU0oZaRba8UAfCZbQemngRINQXPksxfiUjfnX0poVU0Ohc2j04l9M2RXy9gIdBvtcklV1n3uWYE1D8IZJmd7ZHZJs6ojzk9Lf-uQiGH4__v6nwUPCq7-i8SPtklyd3e_Bii0P7b0AbuGpmy6xEXTDGDgfc14wZiXjtVBWNZH-dtA-LYOKAJfoEb/s4032/IMG_5761.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHQU0oZaRba8UAfCZbQemngRINQXPksxfiUjfnX0poVU0Ohc2j04l9M2RXy9gIdBvtcklV1n3uWYE1D8IZJmd7ZHZJs6ojzk9Lf-uQiGH4__v6nwUPCq7-i8SPtklyd3e_Bii0P7b0AbuGpmy6xEXTDGDgfc14wZiXjtVBWNZH-dtA-LYOKAJfoEb/w480-h640/IMG_5761.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89_Yl4W0FJvBL6F-a26BAvBsLvHx0TxIUhrKLcvatwcO8QD2HsEKMfCqnKk89CpuQZnLj9CLNcYb8hTiBYCR6fXCni6TvktVLwFhG5WgCXwzmnRkieE1Ksx810uVBtwGRPD5S08jO3ot-UM2JcrUAh5MlzNnuHaVDWTV55tXExC-SO3kmtWV6XQYg/s4032/IMG_5767.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89_Yl4W0FJvBL6F-a26BAvBsLvHx0TxIUhrKLcvatwcO8QD2HsEKMfCqnKk89CpuQZnLj9CLNcYb8hTiBYCR6fXCni6TvktVLwFhG5WgCXwzmnRkieE1Ksx810uVBtwGRPD5S08jO3ot-UM2JcrUAh5MlzNnuHaVDWTV55tXExC-SO3kmtWV6XQYg/w480-h640/IMG_5767.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QBN3YMDnYUAz-jiZXA77vMTNqfZy2nCY53jsdRE1VfMfzGK4XruCqx_vBDwg96mXuVHIOHPOjQB5eD-qo6OC7yWIyR-VbCzE_K4XoSt06z6-fW0G58oVOOaLBwv9ixzx_WB3OMwk8aEorQgIFOlgESzammdZUvGGLjefmSODFG-Yv6HVxxA3MDBS/s4032/IMG_5765.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QBN3YMDnYUAz-jiZXA77vMTNqfZy2nCY53jsdRE1VfMfzGK4XruCqx_vBDwg96mXuVHIOHPOjQB5eD-qo6OC7yWIyR-VbCzE_K4XoSt06z6-fW0G58oVOOaLBwv9ixzx_WB3OMwk8aEorQgIFOlgESzammdZUvGGLjefmSODFG-Yv6HVxxA3MDBS/w480-h640/IMG_5765.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>Friday morning Chris and I went out for breakfast just the two of us to <a href="https://www.lamiebakery.com/">La Mie Bakery</a>. The pastries were incredible! It was so hard to choose and honestly I wish I could have tried everything. We also ordered Cafe Au Laits which have been our go-to coffee order when we want something special but want it last longer than a latte. We picked up my mom and Aunt Mary for lunch at the local drugstore where I think every single customer knew Aunt Mary, and we each ordered a huge ice cream soda along with our sandwiches. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5fOkfElccllFRTkZJtUyMj3lB-DFBhEcp9_ATN0IzavMuWxJujM7yvXjhBx33wUGIE2HDy0qyZN7NTAnQpssXWXgRX6zFdktTAc3RijYYq3ZVYFAShIuK5lyQNY2T0rB50AYYsnHCt-N9SPiHtafTumVsYLkreGslG7PPO2kMLyPf-2TleEIBzLq/s4032/IMG_5825.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5fOkfElccllFRTkZJtUyMj3lB-DFBhEcp9_ATN0IzavMuWxJujM7yvXjhBx33wUGIE2HDy0qyZN7NTAnQpssXWXgRX6zFdktTAc3RijYYq3ZVYFAShIuK5lyQNY2T0rB50AYYsnHCt-N9SPiHtafTumVsYLkreGslG7PPO2kMLyPf-2TleEIBzLq/w480-h640/IMG_5825.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZTcvxVe9jfszvIdsPnT1WM3IbIEr3DFcUg6H6A-EED8YZ2UEJWccaXqlfzF0SGOMjh4VEW0qUrN-9rbBVi5d7R073YexZw27pgNo5NM5E_-3xjBJYUZDr7MJJcGs7_v_Ip1uDQO56YW9gxBc5WxLhVK-Y-2mZgnv23kzHPVTu3j7TqysD8hXSTJi/s4032/IMG_5832.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZTcvxVe9jfszvIdsPnT1WM3IbIEr3DFcUg6H6A-EED8YZ2UEJWccaXqlfzF0SGOMjh4VEW0qUrN-9rbBVi5d7R073YexZw27pgNo5NM5E_-3xjBJYUZDr7MJJcGs7_v_Ip1uDQO56YW9gxBc5WxLhVK-Y-2mZgnv23kzHPVTu3j7TqysD8hXSTJi/w480-h640/IMG_5832.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtyuUwq_eOJmDYTbOvAwsPPfnbPy60aT5-SGkJyL_C2XcFg6dv4CkmzHu4UgUXeqaijmqRBta3wASXrVp2seSXGikXop7O6EtPxE0trfmLcMwza_Xlnyv-48OvuV2_7zDZGznEidKGUv1jOy_DyGx9VzhrjecfYYvCiHmfhN03T8YfacMlVuQgTfI/s4032/IMG_5835.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtyuUwq_eOJmDYTbOvAwsPPfnbPy60aT5-SGkJyL_C2XcFg6dv4CkmzHu4UgUXeqaijmqRBta3wASXrVp2seSXGikXop7O6EtPxE0trfmLcMwza_Xlnyv-48OvuV2_7zDZGznEidKGUv1jOy_DyGx9VzhrjecfYYvCiHmfhN03T8YfacMlVuQgTfI/w640-h480/IMG_5835.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhLnfpvrn8mRTJ-ihpswSvZJ-8W_imF77YRAAEfPY24oNCy73vWL_eO0kn_kAoHUM2LCMxcI6F1f2XbWkbNkHtvOGUSW_dcHpQ25Nf5zljWf0zc7jUkp4FkOJrhV_cjfFhIrhZZUaxKJNtZpyjK1fsPPjZdAzZCjxwhAk2EEhzTq2ytxiYZuZNFQ_/s3088/IMG_5845.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhLnfpvrn8mRTJ-ihpswSvZJ-8W_imF77YRAAEfPY24oNCy73vWL_eO0kn_kAoHUM2LCMxcI6F1f2XbWkbNkHtvOGUSW_dcHpQ25Nf5zljWf0zc7jUkp4FkOJrhV_cjfFhIrhZZUaxKJNtZpyjK1fsPPjZdAzZCjxwhAk2EEhzTq2ytxiYZuZNFQ_/w480-h640/IMG_5845.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo cracks me up.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The rest of Friday included resting up before heading back down to my cousin's college town to grocery shop for a family BBQ, check into a motel for the night, grab dinner with some other family, and then go out with a bunch of college kids. It was a good time! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaESizzn1PbyOXsIRwibCG8HBE37lYfA8yD1qIYp0mNpebv3Am1brg0OSfqxC-qF0OCKZ7axN1l9QJXRVatxR92OPNSXaC1aOCaApjYpuZOOlGiW5JEmlrgtoCOX9ANkZMcbiGltJaRMpq55j4SXKti9jgHpqJcmnxq8qRmqljLklok6XQ2IN0LU-7/s4032/IMG_5843.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaESizzn1PbyOXsIRwibCG8HBE37lYfA8yD1qIYp0mNpebv3Am1brg0OSfqxC-qF0OCKZ7axN1l9QJXRVatxR92OPNSXaC1aOCaApjYpuZOOlGiW5JEmlrgtoCOX9ANkZMcbiGltJaRMpq55j4SXKti9jgHpqJcmnxq8qRmqljLklok6XQ2IN0LU-7/w480-h640/IMG_5843.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJxgQ7pXvdFc3EbIrMwTsl3eApjwUFwkNz0IB_RgooILCLE4HGBx-xfMUX_fimD-RpZhu8ztHKbj-UJVdEiQqZdasEws2w3NI75EfWJ3P27GjYfx1MlDZbpMHBHNr5rqUC62SxClRH9UkRDSuTflX6McDCHg63Dztt0Fk1kvzNxQ15vNi3ecpMWzo/s4032/IMG_5866.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJxgQ7pXvdFc3EbIrMwTsl3eApjwUFwkNz0IB_RgooILCLE4HGBx-xfMUX_fimD-RpZhu8ztHKbj-UJVdEiQqZdasEws2w3NI75EfWJ3P27GjYfx1MlDZbpMHBHNr5rqUC62SxClRH9UkRDSuTflX6McDCHg63Dztt0Fk1kvzNxQ15vNi3ecpMWzo/w480-h640/IMG_5866.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMra8q_MzHsQ43fXO3siFkkQIZqCegffnJSK8rOZTD6fqsBMShLJwZk-mGwiIhCsugfpyUdwMV52i_axs3fq8hy3vL24FA3zG6ipk7gy7hSFs9LC-9d1d9aDL-5jFwAKkG8NAuqpgQofjJKWrmjOngFxRtRUGjMYOXanMT-Z99SSZnD2gs8uXkyU8X/s4032/IMG_5861.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMra8q_MzHsQ43fXO3siFkkQIZqCegffnJSK8rOZTD6fqsBMShLJwZk-mGwiIhCsugfpyUdwMV52i_axs3fq8hy3vL24FA3zG6ipk7gy7hSFs9LC-9d1d9aDL-5jFwAKkG8NAuqpgQofjJKWrmjOngFxRtRUGjMYOXanMT-Z99SSZnD2gs8uXkyU8X/w480-h640/IMG_5861.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjxwxm2gOQfV91C73qs1fmOloTO_Cs92cpRjE_U_DGZ--uhEWVNqu9BINGfMWimnzlc8apUCI00EYdQLWZofhcNP1mvhngb_f23xKMDYi44-BSmH97vyy-0Scvcf72wVsfagej2ny757WgnR51cxc3Dv7rMUZgGieVKWBs4j2r6Ars1vQ9W4JgtCS/s4032/IMG_0881.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjxwxm2gOQfV91C73qs1fmOloTO_Cs92cpRjE_U_DGZ--uhEWVNqu9BINGfMWimnzlc8apUCI00EYdQLWZofhcNP1mvhngb_f23xKMDYi44-BSmH97vyy-0Scvcf72wVsfagej2ny757WgnR51cxc3Dv7rMUZgGieVKWBs4j2r6Ars1vQ9W4JgtCS/w480-h640/IMG_0881.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqiiXkhuZKj_OWnFUbASp4dr_E3VLY4yR1kWVT6Ld41D-LNKe6rNSKjbkX8vZ8hnDB45_ZT2XkYqUAw4EXdoK4Pr_JRMMHomlGjxB5J1xvrYIT2yWCJwR0vAeo5dS7OAcUfZa6fXmEun1zOF_4s8cXFRKZ_J3LDGHpHzuC6jyLwcHj3b56W6ibyUn/s4032/IMG_0897.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqiiXkhuZKj_OWnFUbASp4dr_E3VLY4yR1kWVT6Ld41D-LNKe6rNSKjbkX8vZ8hnDB45_ZT2XkYqUAw4EXdoK4Pr_JRMMHomlGjxB5J1xvrYIT2yWCJwR0vAeo5dS7OAcUfZa6fXmEun1zOF_4s8cXFRKZ_J3LDGHpHzuC6jyLwcHj3b56W6ibyUn/w480-h640/IMG_0897.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJxnHKgS4hfkgAxpvj9Q9Hy9jWMUFG3soCajCJLcCuOLXsQQbXQxLelg39Okx0uF0kx7Tw0NKSj01SvfK7uVZEN4vkDdzeEZZmr6YAF8Tak6rmdyW9GXUh_QsqPRRgB3XVbBiQK5JnCiqrhCeYPN1iNQGNMkmI_wDvoNUBV2NuWOBbI5gyUTBl42f/s4032/IMG_5882.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJxnHKgS4hfkgAxpvj9Q9Hy9jWMUFG3soCajCJLcCuOLXsQQbXQxLelg39Okx0uF0kx7Tw0NKSj01SvfK7uVZEN4vkDdzeEZZmr6YAF8Tak6rmdyW9GXUh_QsqPRRgB3XVbBiQK5JnCiqrhCeYPN1iNQGNMkmI_wDvoNUBV2NuWOBbI5gyUTBl42f/w480-h640/IMG_5882.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday morning we woke up in town and had a much-needed greasy breakfast sandwich at <a href="https://smokeyrow.com/">Smokey Row </a>while watching a downpour. We showed up early to graduation to save seats, then has a family BBQ while keeping an eye on a tornado watch. We even heard the tornado sirens going off a few towns over! A very midwestern moment. After a lovely day chilling with family and sitting outside, Chris, my cousin and I stopped at a tap room for a few last drinks before Chris and I drove back to Des Moines. Sunday morning we were up bright and early, on our flight, and sitting in our apartment by 1:30! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFkfajURJj-xeYNWsxuhpsepqW3b3SRj-jnV7E3gUu8yBs3WHC_PaiwOjyuKJb3vqIJrtw5A3TNrqZNOplSNGFpUh3mJJ7I0GgkJw7EdHk_cwerc8tAkUuoNhUPXMqhqkKat4cRIeEHHkrm10J-VrrGEMRFIu2yIWg-g9W7PWqKK8KgOiM9TtFff-/s4032/IMG_5898.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFkfajURJj-xeYNWsxuhpsepqW3b3SRj-jnV7E3gUu8yBs3WHC_PaiwOjyuKJb3vqIJrtw5A3TNrqZNOplSNGFpUh3mJJ7I0GgkJw7EdHk_cwerc8tAkUuoNhUPXMqhqkKat4cRIeEHHkrm10J-VrrGEMRFIu2yIWg-g9W7PWqKK8KgOiM9TtFff-/w480-h640/IMG_5898.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>All in all, a great few days with family and a wonderful little re-set while life at home and work was starting to feel chaotic. Looking forward to an even longer reset this week!</div></div>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-31415315067421771202023-05-19T22:35:00.005-04:002023-05-19T22:35:50.158-04:00the right aesthetics<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPQrG56FT0ueQauwg_dyiEkDTVrfNfuGnRmAt96_43oQUq5Y9SkQ72khUKruwXoPlq_jap6zwsevayyYNQuNvc3o2illn5FMEBCqkd4uPKSYm-GY5wlMwEQfMqE06FWQlV-Kzz3gjVV66rq2cVjJD70-fjgNVbweLvfnHgZhLKNdR1t3Uqcci_xn0/s4032/IMG_5625.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPQrG56FT0ueQauwg_dyiEkDTVrfNfuGnRmAt96_43oQUq5Y9SkQ72khUKruwXoPlq_jap6zwsevayyYNQuNvc3o2illn5FMEBCqkd4uPKSYm-GY5wlMwEQfMqE06FWQlV-Kzz3gjVV66rq2cVjJD70-fjgNVbweLvfnHgZhLKNdR1t3Uqcci_xn0/w480-h640/IMG_5625.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>Tonight I am sitting in bed, stubbornly refusing to allow defeat on my Friday writing streak. Just three weeks ago, I decided that I missed writing and was re-committing to posting something on this blog every single Friday. I am sitting in bed, overtired, trying to make that happen. </p><p>I didn't sleep enough last night, and my body is tired. My heart, though, feels almost unusually contented with the day. In my chest there is a distinct feeling of <i>brimming. </i>A persistent, if exhausted feeling of curiosity and the desire to mix things up and try something new. </p><p>I've been feeling burnt out--a little crispy. Spring is a busy work season that comes on the heels of the other busy work seasons, winter and the holidays. Tomorrow is my last Saturday of the summer working (!) and I could not be happier. I am teaching my typical Saturday mornings schedule, and then there are shows at both skating clubs I primarily teach at. It'll be a busy day involving two rinks and essentially being on from 8am to at least 5pm. But when we are done--oh! I'm finding a cute restaurant with Chris and having a drink and releasing myself into a bit more languidness. </p><p>Like seemingly the majority of younger-millennial women, my TikTok feed is filled with both *aesthetic* day in the life content and supposedly anti-aesthetic (bust still pretty cute...) lifestyle content. I eat it all up. I can't lie: I've been a lifestyle girlie from the beginning. When I first discovered blogs in late middle school, I would scroll to someone's first post and attempt to read the whole archive. In high school I wrote lengthy, existential emails to my favorite bloggers asking for advice that when boiled down came to: "how do I...live? Like, exist?" I do want to get ready with you. I do want to see what you eat in a day. I definitely want to see your 5-9 after your 9-5 and I love a dramatic anti-hustle culture audio over footage of your pretty productive day. I soak every bit of it in, and then I look around at my life and wonder how I could wrap this up in a bow. </p><p>I think I have a more positive view on all this than most. I tend to believe most people are simply creative and trying their best; that people are just as authentic online as they are in real life (a place I've find to be surprisingly inauthentic) and that everything is fake and posed and filtered and we need to accept that and move on. But the piece that does strike a chord, is the desperation of everyone to find a little more light, space, and joy amidst a day of fitting into all of the boxes. </p><p>A swipe of my thumb shows me younger and younger women buying flowers, making beautiful food, sitting on their apartment porches and reveling in the clink of ice against their metal straws. They pull their hair back and get to it, grinding through day jobs and side jobs while still pulling out their gratitude journals, taking a walk, making their beds. We can laugh at the pointlessness, the typical-ness, of a too-early morning routine that has you lighting the same candles as everybody else. We can wax poetic on how much of this we should believe, how they're too young to sound so war-worn and how maybe they would feel less overwhelmed if they put their phones down. </p><p>Or--in a world that was built without their voices; after a girlhood where their preferences and dreams were trivialized, then commodified, then sexualized; after the lie of "doing the right things" leading to any stability--we can honor the bravery in showing up with bells on any way. This is a fight for survival, and we're refusing to even look ruffled. </p>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-69407306201102780892023-05-12T12:26:00.004-04:002023-05-12T12:26:37.162-04:00An Ambitious Life<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8lnGeewBESrIjMcTRUIQjdBKaMI_2V1RrMtXv7ehSOx5Yx5s2upR0fCGmhvKJ4O0XI_fWL_NERUnfSVjr2D0nFXgvb8sNu-4Ry5XmtJ0U7G_qfzFcIbUHS6jVsvTPPk7-hjp2xZOo1BIoyNbjLbQohRhWChbbDCrsRRXg-VyHtuAtyxbZQ7Xaq7X/s4032/IMG_5753.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8lnGeewBESrIjMcTRUIQjdBKaMI_2V1RrMtXv7ehSOx5Yx5s2upR0fCGmhvKJ4O0XI_fWL_NERUnfSVjr2D0nFXgvb8sNu-4Ry5XmtJ0U7G_qfzFcIbUHS6jVsvTPPk7-hjp2xZOo1BIoyNbjLbQohRhWChbbDCrsRRXg-VyHtuAtyxbZQ7Xaq7X/w480-h640/IMG_5753.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aunt Mary showing us the topiaries she cares for at the botanical gardens. </td></tr></tbody></table><p>This week, we are traveling with family in Iowa for my cousins college graduation. We are staying with my Great-Aunt Mary in Des Moines, about an hour north of where my cousin went to school. Aunt Mary is 83, bikes 10 miles a day "whether she needs it or not," volunteers at the botanical garden and has stories from travels all over the world. Her and her husband had a great relationship, and lived together in their cute little cottage complete with a potting shed. Aunt Mary worked full time up to a few years ago, when she felt she was too busy with her hobbies and volunteering to continue working full time. She's been a widow for 20 years, and while she clearly misses her husband--and talks about him often--she has also led a vibrant life filled with international trips with friends, birthday lunches, and so many hobbies. </p><p>I've been thinking about ambition often. I've talked about how it feels like we are in the beginning of a whole new season. At times, I have felt lost with what I want work to look like and found it hard to claim anything I want in the future other than a vague sense of *vibes.* But there are so many ways to lead an ambitious life, and certainly, so much more to living well than having a big job. </p><p>As we enter this new season, I want to take myself seriously enough to pursue my work as a proper career, to set myself up in a situation that will allow me to do work that is meaningful and fulfilling and fits into the rest of my life. In doing so, however, I want to acknowledge the rest of my life. I want to put energy into decorating a cute apartment, starting our marriage off on the right foot, taking time to foster our friendships and to figure out our new roles in our families. I want to plan fun vacations and spend our free time exploring the places we'll live. I want to have go-to coffee shop orders that feel fun and whimsical, and read books while curled up on the couch in the summer. </p><p>My cousin, Ena, is graduating college. To oversimplify it, she is at a threshold of getting to make so many decisions about how the rest of her life will turn out. Move home? Go somewhere else? Which job to take? The meaner part of my spirit can be jealous of that clear, fresh start. I didn't leave home to go to college, I didn't have a clear first day at my new grown-up job, and I often feel behind because I never had a clear starting line. But I can give that fresh start to myself. At any moment, I can decide that we're moving, we're mixing things, we're changing our lives and upending everything to run faster towards the lives we desire. Lives that involved work but also lots and lots of play. </p><p>In so many ways it feels like my Aunt Mary defies ageing. She is fun and comfortable, she has a great sense of humor, she still has new experiences and still has new thoughts at 80. She marvels at the world. I want that in my future, but I also want that today. </p>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-76660844664695705212023-05-05T12:45:00.003-04:002023-05-05T12:45:33.503-04:00noticing<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULqrXHAgMPFYy8URc6rtOSCgVSpp_Xx6MwqhOQ2AzGQPRbfWuD8kLxDs2woJf0FSsOn1_MFF5PRKxcQIQtBkvZPbgqre9-xiysxgmueu4490lZJkAEqkINUKj6m0WnDK2TNxYsEzRE-9Tfok42ZGH_jfWOQlhVk9AB0HYDjATQPeMaZsmprP9o3Ut/s4032/IMG_5673.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULqrXHAgMPFYy8URc6rtOSCgVSpp_Xx6MwqhOQ2AzGQPRbfWuD8kLxDs2woJf0FSsOn1_MFF5PRKxcQIQtBkvZPbgqre9-xiysxgmueu4490lZJkAEqkINUKj6m0WnDK2TNxYsEzRE-9Tfok42ZGH_jfWOQlhVk9AB0HYDjATQPeMaZsmprP9o3Ut/w480-h640/IMG_5673.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>We are in that typical New England time of year where we oscillate between desperation that it is <i>still </i>so cold out, and unbridled joy when the sun feels like we're already in mid-summer. Neighbors we haven't seen in months are suddenly outside on their annual dog walks. New noises drift through open windows. I am getting excited to have some outdoor plants this year. We don't have any private outdoor space, just a little bit of gravel around our parking spot and then a large porch connected to the shared entrance to our building. I want to put some pots of flowers out (maybe zinnias? and marigolds?) and attempt some tomatoes as well. I am being patient, though. Most of the time, the first warm day hits and I plant everything too early, dooming myself to watch their slow and anticlimactic demise. Instead, I've been taking my dog walks past the houses with the best, most cared for gardens and front porches. Like my own personal groundhogs, I'm waiting for the first sign of freshly bought mulch or clay pots pulled from the garage, the first hopeful tray of grocery store pansies sitting in the driveway waiting to be repotted. These garden houses certainly know better than me, and I'm trying to notice and follow their lead. </p><p>I spend a lot of my time running around from one thing to the next, so much so that sometimes it's easy to miss that the underlying feeling of frustration underneath is my impatience that this is also a season of waiting. When I take the time to notice, I can see that both Chris and I have landed in a place we used to dream of. This June will mark five years since we've been together, and while that is such an incredibly small percentage of a life it is also a huge percentage of the time we've been adults. It feels like we've made it to the end of a chapter, and have checked off a lot of dreams: getting married, getting a dog, Chris working at a fire department, me skating in shows and coaching full time, an ambitious road trip honeymoon. I want to not just notice but to revel in these achievements, these things that felt so out of reach just five years ago when we whispered them to each other. But it's hard to revel in something when I am also finding myself anxious for the next step, itchy and restless and desperate for some direction so I can know who I am in the world. </p><p>I am noticing that I spent a lot of the beginning of my twenties in survival mode, desperate to become someone and changing rapidly as I discovered who that was supposed to be. My inner world has settled more now that I am 26, and I feel more capable of looking at the whole picture of the person that I am. There are so may pieces I am dissatisfied with; how I cry almost every time I say what I think, how I can get so angry and combative before I've even noticed myself starting to get frustrated. I'm proud of the person I've become, but I also think I'm not always a good friend. I would like to be more level headed. I would like to feel like more of a grown-up to myself. </p><p>This noticing sucks so much more than noticing when the first crocuses pushed through the snow, or when you can first smell the wet dirt in March. I hate it and I want to push it away. It's not a task that I can add to my monthly list, or an aesthetic little reset I can make a tiktok about. There is no quick fix. While I know it's good to look into the deeper recesses of yourself, I also just DON'T WANT TO and I really hate that in so many ways I am the problem. hi! It's me. </p><p>I am noticing what makes me uncomfortable and what makes me comfortable. I'm noticing the thousand ways each of those is good and each of those is bad. I am noticing that I am in a season where I need to listen a lot more than I usually do, and I'm noticing it's high time I challenged my gut reactions, old dreams, ways things have always been, and the inner dialogue that tells me if I'm behaving the way I want to. I am taking the time to notice what is next, to notice where I am going, instead of racing there and misunderstanding the path. Someday, I would love to turn 36. I would love to have decade-old friendships and feel like todays demons are well behind me. And I would love to be in-tune enough with myself and with the world to know when a season is coming, and to sense when it is time to plant. </p>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-63083830027709218602023-04-28T21:48:00.001-04:002023-04-28T21:48:11.023-04:00three little rituals in April<p> One the greatest joys of adulthood has to be finding your own rhythms and rituals. <i>Look at me! A person out in the world deciding my own preferences. </i>The absolute pleasure of identity-making (or at least identity exploring?). Here are some of my favorite rituals over the past month:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNue9qmRk7CWuvWRsL9Ji5QSI_GL53cOMdzq4B4sRtehpSjIiDhr76HiNzJe61tBSHkY-w6y5TKDZ8Qc5UKfAL6ZWRB9U_ZD4C-rH3speZlQOJ5IT5bM2t0uuE2dHbl9BuOMYVLCvSMlO9wulpS2Ocd3kK-p-K8ElHQmc8_iBrmAsCFFhfDP0EBqTb/s4032/IMG_5615.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNue9qmRk7CWuvWRsL9Ji5QSI_GL53cOMdzq4B4sRtehpSjIiDhr76HiNzJe61tBSHkY-w6y5TKDZ8Qc5UKfAL6ZWRB9U_ZD4C-rH3speZlQOJ5IT5bM2t0uuE2dHbl9BuOMYVLCvSMlO9wulpS2Ocd3kK-p-K8ElHQmc8_iBrmAsCFFhfDP0EBqTb/w480-h640/IMG_5615.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><p><b>A favorite walking route.</b> Most mornings, Chris and I take Bear for his morning walk together. While we have favorite routes we take often, Chris especially tends to mix things up each time. On days when Chris is out of the house for work, though, I have one favorite route that I always take Bear on for a solo morning walk. We go past my favorite garden house where we stop to drink from the dog bowl and see what's starting to grow, then past what I've decided is our future house to admire the porch. We go down a short stretch of a paved walking trail, then loop back past my friends house. Finally, we go past some flowering apple trees and a house with chickens. The perfect morning loop. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwMfxDQesyLrXF2CRpgE-pob7aaBLuJGfoWbSdouUyLyJVPiUbo1Uq41iX0EF2qFqmsLaN5WhwHBduQd7OjRTBibuoLW4-FkH3dEWWnD2rQ1lZeceukAbX-hcKxAiLPpcm5uoTzKfpkWe5_-UHPvINTxn9CxffwoplZbSxhOL1aKKI1dnEzyiTZ7_/s1800/25E59B9E-1B72-4D4B-8DFB-A1AC080253B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwMfxDQesyLrXF2CRpgE-pob7aaBLuJGfoWbSdouUyLyJVPiUbo1Uq41iX0EF2qFqmsLaN5WhwHBduQd7OjRTBibuoLW4-FkH3dEWWnD2rQ1lZeceukAbX-hcKxAiLPpcm5uoTzKfpkWe5_-UHPvINTxn9CxffwoplZbSxhOL1aKKI1dnEzyiTZ7_/w512-h640/25E59B9E-1B72-4D4B-8DFB-A1AC080253B5.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><p><b>The quietest Friday nights. </b>Currently, weekends have been jam-packed with my regular coaching work, plus shows and rehearsal schedules for both the company I skate on and the company I direct. This has led to Fridays being one of our chill-est nights. While I often go to happy hour on Wednesdays only to stumble back at 10pm, on Fridays, I get home from work and find Chris already starting dinner (often from the vegetarian cookbook we're working through). We chat together while one of us takes lead finishing dinner, have a drink, then curl up with our comfort food in the living room. We usually only watch one episode of something (recently: Beef, now: Ted Lasso and whenever the Bruins are playing). Then I shower, we clean up, we talk, read a little, and go to bed early. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiutOzDegxkYORZhL1yXA-aaK0C88VAKmjRCKEUrBBPu7LBVkkccZJxgWBteWmqXrRxZ7OV5B4qnXBuNolMve6JEPdvKR0silhruEBieZzRW06vcpiodKrPXst0cFJM_g98MHv0nC8qjsUZ_bGO_YSwJjt1JCLKzcrNNpMcX8i_zC49VBbyv76yhI/s4032/IMG_5450.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiutOzDegxkYORZhL1yXA-aaK0C88VAKmjRCKEUrBBPu7LBVkkccZJxgWBteWmqXrRxZ7OV5B4qnXBuNolMve6JEPdvKR0silhruEBieZzRW06vcpiodKrPXst0cFJM_g98MHv0nC8qjsUZ_bGO_YSwJjt1JCLKzcrNNpMcX8i_zC49VBbyv76yhI/w480-h640/IMG_5450.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><p><b>A reading break from the world. </b>Spring is a busy season for work, and I've been working hard to ensure that I keep myself grounded and happy even while running around. I'm proud to say it's been a little better this year. One of my new year's resolutions was to stop working when I get home at the end of the day, and I've stuck to that. I've now also started to add in some reading upon walking in the door some days. Ideally, it's a beautifully sunny day. The sun is still out. I grab a beer, then curl up on the couch for 20 or 30-minutes with a book. Sometimes, Chris joins with his own book or a video game. Ultimate reset. </p><p>Happy Friday! xo</p>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-50681769574814869322023-03-14T20:26:00.002-04:002023-03-14T20:26:38.938-04:00Winter 2023: A Scrapbook<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkZk3gxmFxHZB0VGjSbPtIp6wK-cwfXalPPK-sBtDgvryjZnsMJlZzQWNSgxef4UhNOVogQ4-XZyzKj_mhmfc9Cl0DX_vtrwFckGuZi3owhNUHjL_blmtvjxC3JA_Yu-uF1Rt9DcIdvPInF4-4kTIuWMQB6AjzefXVJbKk0Ar54dO0uYDhfRHOMk1/s4032/IMG_5016.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkZk3gxmFxHZB0VGjSbPtIp6wK-cwfXalPPK-sBtDgvryjZnsMJlZzQWNSgxef4UhNOVogQ4-XZyzKj_mhmfc9Cl0DX_vtrwFckGuZi3owhNUHjL_blmtvjxC3JA_Yu-uF1Rt9DcIdvPInF4-4kTIuWMQB6AjzefXVJbKk0Ar54dO0uYDhfRHOMk1/w480-h640/IMG_5016.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>Somehow, winter has come and gone and I am typing this while snuggled up on the couch on a relatively warm March evening. I am currently enjoying what I think must be the best part of any long-term partnership: Chris is currently making dinner, and has also explicitly said that he doesn't want me to help or to talk to him so he can cook while watching TV. The beginning of relationships are so fun, but I think my heart is partial to being able to give each other space without feelings being hurt. This is what a marriage of two introverts looks like, and I love it. </p><p>January and February have been jam-packed with activities and have been busy work wise, but somehow, I still feel like there's been a lot of time to just...exist? Throughout most of my adult life, I have considered myself a little better at working than at playing. From 18 until very recently, I've held down multiple jobs at once, had periods of life where I was training skating almost 20 hours a week, and been a student. I love the purpose that comes with being a "busy" person, and overall I think I'm more emotionally even when I keep my calendar relatively full. It is not good for me mentally, however, when that drive pushes me over the edge into anxious territory. I watched<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@faganchelsea/video/7198571894172372230"> this Tik Tok</a> from our light, our life, our love: Chelsea Fagan recently, and honestly have been thinking about it for weeks. I know I have internalized a sense of always needing to be busy, and I do struggle with my self worth when I do something as simple as take a day off because I'm sick. I want to be better at reframing the parts of my life that are self-imposed, instead of making myself a victim of my owl compulsion to do everything.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5kQSpkkdAYMtJEIU5zKhvqJRdU899nzvDvLGGQ3AA2Tut105P-2jSmZUxcAvv2qn3qH5cbCOWeKxBRLOH9IzEnAiyVo6iDQUUTNyQbpCNf0jVcuIElUrfkRZp1E4QWnAFXNcriRyE9XQHe3XkfBoTeGLZ6tj3YVUydQ4NZlhzlwqfQKHlZ61dCyN/s3088/IMG_4950.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5kQSpkkdAYMtJEIU5zKhvqJRdU899nzvDvLGGQ3AA2Tut105P-2jSmZUxcAvv2qn3qH5cbCOWeKxBRLOH9IzEnAiyVo6iDQUUTNyQbpCNf0jVcuIElUrfkRZp1E4QWnAFXNcriRyE9XQHe3XkfBoTeGLZ6tj3YVUydQ4NZlhzlwqfQKHlZ61dCyN/w480-h640/IMG_4950.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading off to Portland ME!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjye0bO9XOLkOblK4-WHv1_pnTe-qQCDi6eyrfwbbvmrGYdr-25xkMLYOqktKijR828T9DWZYskep-T9sMuLMxETMNgSnHPl2UWeAqGOsOBc-Ab8gePtDh3F5Uk3dMmbBmk6i1GGsyyknPRDg5aMnYqKDf5tKLEe_W_ABvE_E_hgfd_9BV7_PzTP47r/s4032/IMG_4959.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjye0bO9XOLkOblK4-WHv1_pnTe-qQCDi6eyrfwbbvmrGYdr-25xkMLYOqktKijR828T9DWZYskep-T9sMuLMxETMNgSnHPl2UWeAqGOsOBc-Ab8gePtDh3F5Uk3dMmbBmk6i1GGsyyknPRDg5aMnYqKDf5tKLEe_W_ABvE_E_hgfd_9BV7_PzTP47r/w480-h640/IMG_4959.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Used bookstore in Portland.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>One of my goals for the New Year was centered around working more intelligently, and no longer allowing the constant sense of "always being working" to keep messing with my personal life. I decided to set a hard limit on the admin side of coaching. Since the start of the year, I have a hard rule about not working when I get home from coaching (depending on the day, this could be as early as 6:30 or as late as 9pm). It's been life changing! At night, I have no agenda and just hang out with Chris and Bear, make dinner, watch movies, or read my book. In the morning, I wake up with a lot less dread because I gave myself time to unwind the night before, and I've been so much more focused at getting stuff done during the day because I don't have the option of figuring stuff out in the evening. It also makes me way more likely to see friends in the evening, because I have no sense of keeping the time available in case I need it for work (which I always did when it was an option). </p><p>I think this mindset of actually "leaving" work at the end of the day has been especially important for me right now. Over the past few months, I've been working through a lot of self doubt and inadequacy, and all the shame that comes with feeling those things while also "getting" to "live my dreams." Weird territory! So it's satisfying (and grounding) to feel so proud of my personal life at the moment. For perhaps the first time, I feel like my life is full of friends, adventures, satisfying relationships, hobbies, and quiet time to lay on the couch with the dog. I love my personal life right now. It is joyful and playful and creative and life giving. I am proud of the <i>years</i> it has taken for me to cultivate this, and I don't want to take it for granted. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYwAw2lYkQVhuGj9grOv5b2nZPDBrb527B3a-1EhLpWr7xvJWUG9JuI_PGPMOs4vy04pRh1WLEkvMM8kKO8K0vA-G9-QellJOtX-XH6WpNs6CqlU-JbYHnw2iNg76ibeEGoHzdeW1l-g0ygjR7g6ZEIt5Vf1XV4Fw9qA2s5K3CTdkDUXhKWorSoJX/s4032/IMG_5019.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYwAw2lYkQVhuGj9grOv5b2nZPDBrb527B3a-1EhLpWr7xvJWUG9JuI_PGPMOs4vy04pRh1WLEkvMM8kKO8K0vA-G9-QellJOtX-XH6WpNs6CqlU-JbYHnw2iNg76ibeEGoHzdeW1l-g0ygjR7g6ZEIt5Vf1XV4Fw9qA2s5K3CTdkDUXhKWorSoJX/w480-h640/IMG_5019.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saturday afternoon relaxation of choice: Youtube and a lunch beer.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNc5GvrP-Hq3dvRyMUAtZt7SA4l8eSJHzHQWuiOnS5-_syf7MxMkyuSwy90u0DuAiqwuBdcxCmk26WT4xuDtBLAbq2Iq_sb8sDneG_YGuG8fSV085JIJDURXFYCQMRaObS9DNiI7B-zNu7C9vybyhYI7YhDc7zGzvMMGN_WnI8-v9xxyx22viStW2/s4032/IMG_5057.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNc5GvrP-Hq3dvRyMUAtZt7SA4l8eSJHzHQWuiOnS5-_syf7MxMkyuSwy90u0DuAiqwuBdcxCmk26WT4xuDtBLAbq2Iq_sb8sDneG_YGuG8fSV085JIJDURXFYCQMRaObS9DNiI7B-zNu7C9vybyhYI7YhDc7zGzvMMGN_WnI8-v9xxyx22viStW2/w480-h640/IMG_5057.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWGhaG6bcHyAWwATxIW21zyei57RMvSeCk_aoXh2X0FkbKd8rWuVk6SxEkRs3RGviRlGo6MKdJMuT3-xv_iOvBOa-xmmsZiF9dlVFxt2QYvKCpsBB2UtS-vZmUA6GO-af9NvLwpY9yN8zpoiZJd8Y84Ut4ZTXtZkXjsn3COrrZgAJAdN2nl3RU_6d/s4032/IMG_5119.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWGhaG6bcHyAWwATxIW21zyei57RMvSeCk_aoXh2X0FkbKd8rWuVk6SxEkRs3RGviRlGo6MKdJMuT3-xv_iOvBOa-xmmsZiF9dlVFxt2QYvKCpsBB2UtS-vZmUA6GO-af9NvLwpY9yN8zpoiZJd8Y84Ut4ZTXtZkXjsn3COrrZgAJAdN2nl3RU_6d/w480-h640/IMG_5119.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tacos and beer on the coldest day of the yar.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We've made room for so many adventures over this winter: In January, Chris and I took the train up to Portland ME to go to bars and walk around bookstores. It snowed SO MUCH but we loved it even when we got chilled, and catching the train back home was so fun. Towards the end of the month we had friends over for what I called a Friendsgiving (even though we were well past the holidays, I served pasta, and the only remotely festive thing was a pumpkin cake). It was the most people we'd ever had in our apartment for a party and I LOVED it. This will be the year of parties. In the beginning of February, we also experienced a few days with below zero weather. While we mostly stayed in, we did sneak out for tacos and beer at one of our favorite walking-distance spots and sitting in the warm bar while we watched frost form on the windows was exhilarating. For Valentines Day, we decided to be a Proper Grown Married Couple and got reservations for the Saturday before at <a href="https://www.cavatapasandwinebar.com/">Cava in Portsmouth</a>, a *fancy* tapas place that we'd only been to once before. We sat at the bar and did their fixed menu option and really enjoyed it. </p><p>Also for Valentine's Day, I made Chris a homemade coffee cake. By a stroke of luck, I unlocked all my own nostalgia: <a href="https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/crumb-cake/">this recipe</a> tasted exactly like the Krusteaz mixes my mom would buy and make on Sunday mornings before church. Also in the homemade date category: February we experienced a Disney resurgence and watched so many movies, new and old. While <i>Turning Red</i> was probably my favorite of all the new watches, my favorite night was when we watched <i>Ratatouille </i>while eating homemade ratatouille, with crusty bread, a cheese board, and wine. Probably my favorite at-home date nights we've ever done. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxGmr3drCorhSd0d2PSqyoKmmC8buv2Z5tPbRtuS1WA-MBHCX92CXircywGpn-S3Q4dMpe67Laa_CABjFGLlGe5y9PGHd7cBvn6rX-C8gMuSfRIN1FdKDv0IvJHRL8LvjIRg7VuzopfjP90PbDBDQQ-iD2GenDNsTBI99K-qh4OPimLvv56qaNkKt/s1440/A57A4DB7-D2F2-4085-A5A7-E664BCA05A9D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxGmr3drCorhSd0d2PSqyoKmmC8buv2Z5tPbRtuS1WA-MBHCX92CXircywGpn-S3Q4dMpe67Laa_CABjFGLlGe5y9PGHd7cBvn6rX-C8gMuSfRIN1FdKDv0IvJHRL8LvjIRg7VuzopfjP90PbDBDQQ-iD2GenDNsTBI99K-qh4OPimLvv56qaNkKt/w640-h640/A57A4DB7-D2F2-4085-A5A7-E664BCA05A9D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ratatouille date night.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73SQa5e-2Fa8RKBa3WT_me8Zj-HNI-m1XG9FHHqBsBF0yRvT6a6c-tUQby2290da-GDOhIdLJKF1SPrw9MTivAAiDICtuhMz8Xih5wm7RvvAuQ_MZXXxSjgvIOACiIXWMNx-TsNXvQSJXF_rZ3iMRkDqgSmRhhRU7wjVBmv_fi2AEn93AUB9Eu0TO/s4032/IMG_5181.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73SQa5e-2Fa8RKBa3WT_me8Zj-HNI-m1XG9FHHqBsBF0yRvT6a6c-tUQby2290da-GDOhIdLJKF1SPrw9MTivAAiDICtuhMz8Xih5wm7RvvAuQ_MZXXxSjgvIOACiIXWMNx-TsNXvQSJXF_rZ3iMRkDqgSmRhhRU7wjVBmv_fi2AEn93AUB9Eu0TO/w480-h640/IMG_5181.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikb97ieyyc91OxUXWQvfj64qbC-QXWdlzhzm5ULaqXs6tphn70zP81AhZPxEiRIggbjx07zClw_EbRTAoaCbL2RrPXDact7gu1f3V1gsoluvNN2oIsEAEWr10CJq7Yf1Il8XJnBFFRXj6ZqjF0wHHQ2rqqrkPdVqsg3X6zbBKMLQCyVqEX5BA7xfET/s3088/IMG_5198.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikb97ieyyc91OxUXWQvfj64qbC-QXWdlzhzm5ULaqXs6tphn70zP81AhZPxEiRIggbjx07zClw_EbRTAoaCbL2RrPXDact7gu1f3V1gsoluvNN2oIsEAEWr10CJq7Yf1Il8XJnBFFRXj6ZqjF0wHHQ2rqqrkPdVqsg3X6zbBKMLQCyVqEX5BA7xfET/w480-h640/IMG_5198.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UNH Hockey Game</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Mid-February, I took a leap and got a wolf cut. I love it! And honestly feel like this is the most "myself" I've ever looked like. Styling bangs again is a trip but thankfully I'm much better than my 13 year old self was (scroll through the archive for proof, at your own risk). Other highlights of the month were seeing a comedy show at <a href="https://whym.beer/">WHYM brewery</a>, going to a UNH hockey game with friends, finding what we believe to be the best happy hour in town (it's <a href="https://thebricknh.com/">The Brick</a> on Wednesdays), and my first time night skiing in four years. To round out the winter, we saw <a href="https://www.couchtheband.com/">Couch</a> in Burlington VT with friends at<a href="https://liveatnectars.com/"> Nectar's,</a> a small bar and concert spot downtown and walking distance from their apartment.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul9zVtv1fO1Z_45bR38UtvsjX0vXqpuLBp033OFniSb8GwImzog7i635dI7qQbMSfCH-Jr0Oz3eOCCGc3TfojZoQS5xDnBRIxtJRw08j3GAgAvRZXvpIce8XHyznKoBbop2zIhALeN67XRAdf_iFkVsZmmrsP9-Gqbz6qm0_r2BGdTBKFM8UztmkX/s3088/IMG_5270.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul9zVtv1fO1Z_45bR38UtvsjX0vXqpuLBp033OFniSb8GwImzog7i635dI7qQbMSfCH-Jr0Oz3eOCCGc3TfojZoQS5xDnBRIxtJRw08j3GAgAvRZXvpIce8XHyznKoBbop2zIhALeN67XRAdf_iFkVsZmmrsP9-Gqbz6qm0_r2BGdTBKFM8UztmkX/w480-h640/IMG_5270.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pRy0QB9nejTCmg45TQyTyAOHEKGn1zexUu_QEHOzs6hPloPL2ZMOLXV-9sUYipWN9tLM5Dj5Dpd-9GuFiEFHoe00qgmPN1g7QcugYSG8f9UVJ3nJI7fjmlKL6AUu3D5yYcunbOMsq7ne-sXYBXin76gskJnNrYHfGilMjjAwV_TxJoJzdCQeU3Cg/s820/PXL_20230304_034647186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="618" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pRy0QB9nejTCmg45TQyTyAOHEKGn1zexUu_QEHOzs6hPloPL2ZMOLXV-9sUYipWN9tLM5Dj5Dpd-9GuFiEFHoe00qgmPN1g7QcugYSG8f9UVJ3nJI7fjmlKL6AUu3D5yYcunbOMsq7ne-sXYBXin76gskJnNrYHfGilMjjAwV_TxJoJzdCQeU3Cg/w482-h640/PXL_20230304_034647186.jpg" width="482" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seeing Couch in Burlington VT.</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>Overall, an epically full godsend of a Winter. I'm so grateful for my friends, my husband, our sweet Bear and Charlie, and the chance to be out here trying new things. Spring is looming and looking busy, so I'm excited for: soaking in and really noticing the sunshine and longer days, creating more at-home date nights, doing some fun travel, and getting outside more often. Thanks for being here! <3</p>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-60529054353129800502023-02-14T21:29:00.001-05:002023-02-14T21:29:09.620-05:00I can't move on until I say something about 2022<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQSpk1436bVzs0XVR0uvuO9QhWlHaxJdWnguDC25FYP_bJKnBh4eS0O1mtoSRHu63HLykLjOAz5zcWpENJ6MFXQfqqv2G-oTDxmSCmzcYWBjCc561z8xG9fYbdJgM6rpCFoUI2DPW76Rg-c-5Bs-HSr7delhDn3xhVOKFLX530sLomZn0_skOFZmY/s3088/IMG_5120.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQSpk1436bVzs0XVR0uvuO9QhWlHaxJdWnguDC25FYP_bJKnBh4eS0O1mtoSRHu63HLykLjOAz5zcWpENJ6MFXQfqqv2G-oTDxmSCmzcYWBjCc561z8xG9fYbdJgM6rpCFoUI2DPW76Rg-c-5Bs-HSr7delhDn3xhVOKFLX530sLomZn0_skOFZmY/w480-h640/IMG_5120.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>I've been working on a post that adequately sums up 2022--a year that was equally full of the most heartbreaking moments of my life, as well as the most joyful--and also explains every way in which I intend 2023 to be better. To be fair, I didn't intend for 2022 to be so challenging. January of last year, I was also journaling and planning blog posts and getting ready for a busy year of achievements, new hobbies, travel, better habits. But some years are just like that--unexpected avalanches of challenge and grief. I think it would be more fair if these moments were spread out, like mini snow squalls of unhappy things spread over a decade. I guess we have about as much control over that as the actual weather, though. </p><p>Amongst everything else, there is something about this year that has felt so solidly grown up, so adult. When something goes wrong, there is no one to <i>tell, </i>no one to <i>get. </i>I can (and do) tell people <i>about it, </i>but there's a big difference between retelling a story and leading with "help!". I also find myself using the word "adult" more than any other adults I know. Somehow, I am constantly looking for the grown-ups, trying to mimic their behavior and walk in their shoes in a way that definitely comes off less cute and more naïve than when actual children do it. I wonder if large, out-of-our-control circumstances is what helps people turn the corner from looking for the grown ups to being looked to. Alongside the anxiety and grief and weight of this year, I've also felt a perverse sense of pride, even of joy, in how we (my husband and I) are able to handle things. An unexpected move and six weeks living apart, my partner's concussion, loosing grandparents, and loosing someone who was basically my brother in law unexpectedly a week into our own honeymoon. The shitty circumstances remained shitty but I am still proud of how we reacted. We took actions, came home early from trips, were reliable and present and made ourselves voice our thoughts. We showed up--dressed appropriately, with tote bags of food and markers for guest books--and stayed afterwards to clean up, like the grown ups we apparently are. Is this really what we were looking forward to all these years?</p><p>Because everything about growing up is gray and nuanced, it would be unfair to write bout 2022 and only list the circumstances that were hard. This year also held a jam-packed, adventurous summer, making a lot of art I felt strongly about, moving to a new town and feeling like it is exactly where we wanted to be. This was the year I got to marry the man that stood by me and picked me up and made every hard circumstance of this past year doable. Our wedding was beautiful and fun and very us, and we cried the whole time. </p><p>My whole life, I have felt both incredibly excited and incredibly terrified to grow up. I was one of those kids that was always a bit too grown up; prim and proper and obedient, never overly excited and (predictably) too wrapped up in the approval of adults. I never felt like a kid, so imagine my confusion when I hit birthday after after birthday and instead of finally feeling "my age," I started feeling younger and younger. I became somehow more inept and confused, and way less impressed with my own capabilities. I have spent this first half of my 20's feeling remorse for all the ways I wasn't more wild when I was younger, feeling embarrassment for all the ways I haven't felt more grown up, and desperately throwing myself on the hamster wheels of "catching up" and "good enough."</p><p>Perhaps this year was a chance to stop and realize that life comes at you too fast to worry so much about being on top of it. Our lives are often messy, chaotic, unsatisfying; sometimes it's our fault, and often it's not. Life is just all the things, constantly. The parts of my life that often feel the most embarrassingly non-grown up didn't affect how I showed up with my family as we were grieving, or how Chris and I planned our wedding and life together. You don't have to be emotionally mature to clean the house, but you definitely do to attend funerals that really shouldn't be happening. Or host a huge party and not yell at anyone. </p><p>In the mundanity that's (luckily) filled our lives this fist part of 2023, I'm enjoying a sense of feeling grown up in more gentle ways. Throwing flyers in the recycling instead of on the table when I check the mail. Lighting a candle to make dinner. I am grateful to be enjoying these things. To not be worried if I'm too young or too old, but just to be who I am, where I am, carving out some space for myself amidst the noise. </p>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-89828214751934750082022-09-13T20:41:00.000-04:002022-09-13T20:41:00.989-04:00September Ambitions<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLiMAAcm5GqR5Gw_O4fQm9S115THRRSFPvp3u7s7ydU7hGbOiAMVb_MkEtlt-v_pKwqNJd5vm5LyiYj2XBeQOYEJ_bCVucM09buZ81xfzlZ2_lwrPBbUvlJlyaIQSM2_1-z9hbV4J6IP4YOJAk1swngoWOvuT_3Js3gnsg4WP-l9z3hbikFeItvTN/s4032/IMG_2555.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLiMAAcm5GqR5Gw_O4fQm9S115THRRSFPvp3u7s7ydU7hGbOiAMVb_MkEtlt-v_pKwqNJd5vm5LyiYj2XBeQOYEJ_bCVucM09buZ81xfzlZ2_lwrPBbUvlJlyaIQSM2_1-z9hbV4J6IP4YOJAk1swngoWOvuT_3Js3gnsg4WP-l9z3hbikFeItvTN/w480-h640/IMG_2555.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br />Though my to-do list overfloweth, this Tuesday has led me to a quiet night alone in our apartment, a sleepy dog that for once isn't threatening the neighbors, and a very large pour of wine because the bottle wasn't full enough to justify leaving it for another night. I've set my timer and allotted myself thirty minutes to indulge my blogging self for a bit. It's been a while! This marks my eighth post in all of 2022, and we find ourselves in the very beginning of September (though my calendar already says the 13th. weird). But a September feeling is certainly in the air...I'm starting to crave baking and cozy nights in, the only recently bought six-packs have all been pumpkin themed, and we find ourselves buckling down with a renewed focus to just get things done. <p></p><p>Specifically, Chris and I are now panic-planning the last details of our wedding, which is now a whopping 3.5 weeks away. I have a lot to say about planning a wedding, chiefly that I am excited, I've never been more ashamed of my procrastinator tendencies, this is going to be a hell of a party, I will certainly never do something like this ever again, and I cannot wait to get to the day and be wearing my awesome shoes and surrounded by friends and drinking a butternut squash martini and BE MARRIED!</p><p>The rest of this year is gearing up to be a whirlwind. Wedding weekend leads us into two weeks of road tripping for our honeymoon. Two days after we get home I fly out to an ice show through the rest of the year! Busy, busy, busy, but all I want to do right now is soak every single moment in. This year has gone by so fast and I just want to keep treasuring and holding all these moments. </p><p>Here are some of my September ambitions (and some bonus for the rest of the year). </p><p>>> Workout every single day before the wedding! Because otherwise I will go completely insane. We're dealing with things as they come up and making sure we're going in with some clarity. </p><p>>> Not running around for work, but instead focusing my time and attention on my core skaters. I want to make sure I leave everyone for a bit with goals checked off, strong programs choreographed, sub coaches updated, and everyone feeling good. </p><p>>> Walk into the week of the wedding with the most organized set of spreadsheets, week of timeline, and wedding binder I can manage. I've been a hot mess through most of this but we're going to nail that. </p><p>>> Send out Christmas cards! I love Christmas cards and sending out our first Christmas cards as a married couple is something I am looking forward to literally so much. Can't wait. </p><p>>> Make the best scrapbook of our honeymoon!</p><p>>> Read so many library books!</p><p>>> Soak up every single moment with family, friends, and Chris over these hectic weeks.</p><p><br /></p>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-86696845763916861912022-08-06T12:54:00.004-04:002022-08-06T12:54:44.787-04:00Intentional Living: Less Aesthetic, and More Mess<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswMvruv8msZcttX24CO_jEmgMJ2fw_DuYwUD2irm-p9Hkb3QiDW2hjk7nbqO1rQjOE4M4TTPH5M9oafQuzzXTWTdEBrqEAwaogP2Ui_q5h9_Evq3-DbzD7SAIF76Jc0T7hhySc42KpJQYgNMI42s_qmD_7gzvpnU-RNElcNKOLXpzNANh_EtP6fT3/s4032/IMG_1205.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswMvruv8msZcttX24CO_jEmgMJ2fw_DuYwUD2irm-p9Hkb3QiDW2hjk7nbqO1rQjOE4M4TTPH5M9oafQuzzXTWTdEBrqEAwaogP2Ui_q5h9_Evq3-DbzD7SAIF76Jc0T7hhySc42KpJQYgNMI42s_qmD_7gzvpnU-RNElcNKOLXpzNANh_EtP6fT3/w480-h640/IMG_1205.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>#1: A fun, special weekend breakfast at home. Fun brunch vibes!</i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p>(Sharing this post along with some more fun ways I've been trying to "live intentionally" this summer).</p><p>A perpetual theme in my thinking, Youtube watching, journaling, and existential crisis-ing is my deep desire to be living an intentional life. </p><p>So much of life feels completely chaotic, and this year for me personally has been the most chaotic yet. In many ways, though, I'm incredibly grateful that this string of unfortunate events took place this year. For the first time in my entire life, I feel more equipped to handle it. Chris and I are stable, and good. We have strong friendships. We're both relatively comfortable at work, and have control over our work lives. We've started to feel like real adults, and with that our capacity to deal with challenges has grown larger. </p><p>Moving in with Chris was a milestone in my life for many reasons, but one of the most challenging aspects of it at the time was what a strong break it marked between me living my life the way I wanted to, and me living in a way that my upbringing expected. Growing up in not just a conservative Christian household, but also a fundamentalist-leaning homeschooling community, moving in with a boyfriend carried the weight of not just a life change but of moral failure. At the time, I was still doing my best to be a good Christian and form my life in that way. While I didn't believe moving in together was wrong, I also spent a lot of my emotional energy coming up with ways to defend myself. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CFQ5x0PN-adYqO5yJ3TYmArPMPS9tqb6RcMl3W3kC2QdC3zrgGPqJ5D9lLO6AJMvgFf4qlFNNqtLTXieq3F-8Np9MOQhDP9TZGv08cO2SjS9raA0eYCmkK_OUyue1Iccix5L7-czLuc_MzTyQEqYKqaWjv2QiVMi5uItMPb0JjeHTlJeTkZj8QOL/s4032/IMG_1259.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CFQ5x0PN-adYqO5yJ3TYmArPMPS9tqb6RcMl3W3kC2QdC3zrgGPqJ5D9lLO6AJMvgFf4qlFNNqtLTXieq3F-8Np9MOQhDP9TZGv08cO2SjS9raA0eYCmkK_OUyue1Iccix5L7-czLuc_MzTyQEqYKqaWjv2QiVMi5uItMPb0JjeHTlJeTkZj8QOL/w480-h640/IMG_1259.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>#2: Always having fresh flowers (once a bouquet starts to die, I pull the ones that still look good and make these mini bouquets).</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>While we hadn't tried to hide it (and actually, had explicitly told our close church friends before we moved in together), a pandemic meant that it took six months before most of the people in my home church "knew." A lot of people were upset. We received heartbroken texts, and went to dinner with one couple who told us everything we were doing wrong. Fast forward a year, and we were engaged and starting to plan a wedding. We reached out to a church I had been to get married, and received a double sided pdf in response. The letter held many bullet points (and interestingly, only one bible verse) and demanded an apology from me. It stung. I felt abandoned and alone by a church family I had tried for a really long time to please. </p><p>These scenarios, which all occurred within a year and a half of each other, were monumental shifts for me. They marked the first time in my life where I chose myself--my needs, wants, and desires--over the life that has being handed to me and expected of me. I grew up with a lot of expectations around me, as well as a lot of black and white thinking over what the "right" way to be was. Even when these expectations didn't seem to fit me (and to be honest, they often didn't), I tried my best to change myself for them rather than finding a different way. I did this as a kid of course, but I also did it as an adult...for way too long. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9niNwoTcnZEfgjt3rKqTEpE_OIIGO7xG3yWIUSuXSTorm8y5tsQMiO_XaJldgAvXGHAf4oq0X_8LpMupjCS7xQih9JI3x6GS_khfRjRU-nhA-gp7SFjKprQQUq1aoz171XdNNcQMygdwhx-jL7N38tjEJxp1VvvuU1rIdT5_T-4jt-hh32YHFt4n/s4032/IMG_1264.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9niNwoTcnZEfgjt3rKqTEpE_OIIGO7xG3yWIUSuXSTorm8y5tsQMiO_XaJldgAvXGHAf4oq0X_8LpMupjCS7xQih9JI3x6GS_khfRjRU-nhA-gp7SFjKprQQUq1aoz171XdNNcQMygdwhx-jL7N38tjEJxp1VvvuU1rIdT5_T-4jt-hh32YHFt4n/w480-h640/IMG_1264.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>#3: Cooking with both smaller portions of meat, as well as less days where we eat meat. This veggie stir fry has been a go-to this summer! Cheap, cleans out the fridge, and doesn't heat up the apartment. :)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The past few years have felt like crash-landing into an adult life where I actually have options. It's been exhausting, and to be honest, a little traumatizing. But while the last two years haven't exactly looked like a That Girl video waxing poetic abut the importance of routines, I can't imagine a way I could have lived these years more intentionally. In all the mess, this season of life meant me finally getting real about what kind of future I wanted. It was about me challenging old beliefs, and standing up to people and systems I had previously believed it a sin to question. For the first time in life, this season I embraced change and discovering new ways of looking at the world. We don't talk to talk about the mess, but I think the mess has way more to do with "living authentically" then we care to admit. </p><p>Perhaps our views on living intentionally need to shift. Perhaps it's less morning routines and fruit infused water and more hard conversations, setting boundaries, and challenging yourself in therapy. Maybe living intentionally is making scary, annoying, and even mundane choices. I love an aesthetic "Sunday Reset" vlog as much as the next person (and honestly, maybe more), but we all must realize deep down that changing your sheets don't actually change your life. The most important stuff isn't the pretty stuff. </p><p>As we've worked through everything the past few years, I have felt a lot of grief, a lot of anger, and a lot of disappointment. I've realized my self-esteem was based largely on what others think of me (a pretty unstable foundation). I have felt the inclination to hide from family, to hide from the world, just to avoid getting rejected. Carrying all of this has felt so heavy. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HrkGlKc79FxurByZkBFVxNMQ5m5VEAm2ZOTOqIB-slz90os0p2LoM1oewTl2zcRlsOin5VPqqJPJnIyYy6T39-MjDvTM7uoerSU-bTD8WfZZe3wa_N-KkMkmAGi1XZTUD5GY3_fUkEOuufkCRh4XkNSPNKOrcY75unsyvJa6YGs003Jerc8Zy8GG/s1800/CD8E12F3-0779-4FDD-8242-EC31D1BEBC97.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HrkGlKc79FxurByZkBFVxNMQ5m5VEAm2ZOTOqIB-slz90os0p2LoM1oewTl2zcRlsOin5VPqqJPJnIyYy6T39-MjDvTM7uoerSU-bTD8WfZZe3wa_N-KkMkmAGi1XZTUD5GY3_fUkEOuufkCRh4XkNSPNKOrcY75unsyvJa6YGs003Jerc8Zy8GG/w512-h640/CD8E12F3-0779-4FDD-8242-EC31D1BEBC97.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>#4: Taking a second to CHILL. I've been trying to be very aware about my energy lately, and turns out, after running around out in public for a few hours I am STRESSED and need to sit on the bed or the couch, have a fun drink, and just zone out or else my brain becomes mush. </i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>As the waves seem to settle, and a new season emerges, I'm preparing to feel a lot more satisfaction in this life we are living. We are only two months away from getting married! We are all moved in to our new apartment. Bear is behaving significantly better than he used to. We have fantastic friends that have stuck by us through all the sticky parts. And we're ready to live with a lot more JOY. </p><p>Because it's a huge gift to get the chance to build a life. Though it feels like I'm starting from scratch, it's a gift to have a fresh start and to get to explore all the ways I could be. The world is truly brand new: are we sleeping in on Sundays or going for a run? Happy hours with friends or brunches at home? Beer or wine on a Friday night? Trash tv or curled up with a book? Where do we get the news? When do we read the news? How do we budget? Who are our friends? What are we valuing in the world, when we aren't told what to value? How are we showing up for our communities, when we aren't told who to show up for? What do I think and want, when I finally get to tune out decades of other voices?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-KIzzZXRlHJ9NdF30cOQM907fpjH8AZJcTPzsgoJiWHO9JT9oj7ONyH3fDnqhFY15YuJ9EBh-UBBpJvsttUKr7bP4tLk86sfRL6rcjQRSfwkjq3Q8urIHUvJFvgeUDAHrVmBCQi_rXyGWL0Oikn8XOa9S3ZWVSo_A8F4qiwLVUu-JJRY6nuDzhrz/s1800/322772C3-A029-4B73-91CB-B2D6794E7997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-KIzzZXRlHJ9NdF30cOQM907fpjH8AZJcTPzsgoJiWHO9JT9oj7ONyH3fDnqhFY15YuJ9EBh-UBBpJvsttUKr7bP4tLk86sfRL6rcjQRSfwkjq3Q8urIHUvJFvgeUDAHrVmBCQi_rXyGWL0Oikn8XOa9S3ZWVSo_A8F4qiwLVUu-JJRY6nuDzhrz/w512-h640/322772C3-A029-4B73-91CB-B2D6794E7997.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>#5: Going on way more fun, little adventures that remind us we are ALIVE and DOING THINGS! Bonus points if they include friends, and double bonus points if they include something local we haven't done before (this was a Portland Sea Dogs game!).</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I'm excited to find out. I suppose if I had to have a quarter life crisis, I'm grateful for where this one led me. Here's to continued question asking, intention setting, deep thinking, and a lot more spontaneous fun in the next 3/4 of my life. </p>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-79865818287130332252022-05-28T12:37:00.004-04:002022-05-28T12:37:47.531-04:00big thoughts about community and living a real life (& photos from Burlington, VT)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBmmwMM8Qo7VT6lgp4UEILRyoaV2wKq0uLKBGqdKNIOA3BheFflCYFNzEwaCqhI-cDsLBi6UvqTc36jmlKh9d5Nw2La26LO_C2u_PQVKhHXe2YozIgAx-_etXecGzeWg3Mjkx4vJ0GCXDncwXJ-pfuiXBUAW1PSufffrs62YNclFNME7pDI93JXKn/s1800/5514D4E2-3307-4A94-84ED-F425E6F0E882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBmmwMM8Qo7VT6lgp4UEILRyoaV2wKq0uLKBGqdKNIOA3BheFflCYFNzEwaCqhI-cDsLBi6UvqTc36jmlKh9d5Nw2La26LO_C2u_PQVKhHXe2YozIgAx-_etXecGzeWg3Mjkx4vJ0GCXDncwXJ-pfuiXBUAW1PSufffrs62YNclFNME7pDI93JXKn/w512-h640/5514D4E2-3307-4A94-84ED-F425E6F0E882.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><p></p><p>Jesus. This spring. </p><p>Work has been great but literally so busy. I am only beginning to pull myself out of a very intense feeling of overwhelm...the kind of overwhelm where you have 300 unread emails and have to write down "text so and so back" to force yourself to do so. I have a ridiculous stack of random sticky notes and long lists that I've been carrying around with me from room to room, just attempting to make some sense of everything. It's not really worked! But we're getting there. And then....all the mess of the world this week. I don't have words for tragedy like this, but I also know not acknowledging it is worse. I don't know what to do about it, but I do know that we as a community must be less stagnant and passive about every important issue we face. Plenty of people who know more than me have pulled together great resource lists; <a href="https://cupofjo.com/2022/05/25/uvalde-school-shooting-what-to-do/">Cup of Jo is a good one. </a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7YxM5xoE0QoUu71hdIAiIbPkdHsByK5SrqL-rQcgs3rSGo4BJz0VcTA4QO2_5pU4T1105SY62zWpPA6fD3Ehd2BSswlUHPLJFRjEci3v9pq11HyooB2ioqdU6ef24-XI7VgF0fJ9-qzGkUO-pNcncaCvlX2HKgX9dldTeIlaeqUyYUiDRAbq10QP/s4032/IMG_0760.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7YxM5xoE0QoUu71hdIAiIbPkdHsByK5SrqL-rQcgs3rSGo4BJz0VcTA4QO2_5pU4T1105SY62zWpPA6fD3Ehd2BSswlUHPLJFRjEci3v9pq11HyooB2ioqdU6ef24-XI7VgF0fJ9-qzGkUO-pNcncaCvlX2HKgX9dldTeIlaeqUyYUiDRAbq10QP/w480-h640/IMG_0760.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDg_tNl_u6wyZjXVPc9RTXWKTdJ5NjimlP0b6t0208uMUwRMO_KBW4X6N-BaYK9WbwozOSa8exeJXWAFTPjELhJN0mr9NERUeEj7kzOFa8SmBfj2_s9hWrmtCpgw-e_9foqr2zSDm-2lVTSUxM8z1QxUASHRmMY_Ur44cf_cNa8w0-x2c5kni0saEA/s4032/IMG_0764.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDg_tNl_u6wyZjXVPc9RTXWKTdJ5NjimlP0b6t0208uMUwRMO_KBW4X6N-BaYK9WbwozOSa8exeJXWAFTPjELhJN0mr9NERUeEj7kzOFa8SmBfj2_s9hWrmtCpgw-e_9foqr2zSDm-2lVTSUxM8z1QxUASHRmMY_Ur44cf_cNa8w0-x2c5kni0saEA/w480-h640/IMG_0764.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><p>In our own families and households and friend groups and neighborhoods, we must all be more engaged and more human. More supportive. More caring. More discerning. More ready to take on the work of large changes, and more consistent with our practice of small changes. In this moment, I want to work on: being a better family member, specifically an "aunt" to Chris' very little cousin and a supporter of my own younger cousins; a more generous community member with my time and attention; being a more empathetic observer of my neighbor's lives; and more willing to sit with the news, research, and develop opinions about changes. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yRnjKyPxuN0XrEfDkHo6YhzdtG4ZKj89XywBysNFTfOwqxmm8tycX9yqxLxpiThnFgDITHhoX3c9W3r_U4wqJqua7UnEfrQyRdOeMCK3UVaXYVgmQ2WyXDSM5PIlGayZBZPbbTwPGD17kWtmN4FiuKskvnZyzSOkRHxzxmlyU4JTjN01_XpcGGrP/s1800/9B0F01E9-2B32-4C7A-95A7-2CD58F167240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yRnjKyPxuN0XrEfDkHo6YhzdtG4ZKj89XywBysNFTfOwqxmm8tycX9yqxLxpiThnFgDITHhoX3c9W3r_U4wqJqua7UnEfrQyRdOeMCK3UVaXYVgmQ2WyXDSM5PIlGayZBZPbbTwPGD17kWtmN4FiuKskvnZyzSOkRHxzxmlyU4JTjN01_XpcGGrP/w512-h640/9B0F01E9-2B32-4C7A-95A7-2CD58F167240.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WPUKuIiHgGR2ubQNri85BNTRk48Yk_vFSTXJsB6Iy92IxAYBi2HisIme-q_D0b0F-4Jo3haCeQAYw7pZqblu5I3aP3Lpzad6gvQbeNorm3qE4m2UvY-GYLDOHrQcxjtoePt8UjiBrQs2j_Vr_6ocOzW8EwUykUVRcbzrmFaggoVrAIYjKXZm_xrg/s3359/ACS_0138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3359" data-original-width="2322" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WPUKuIiHgGR2ubQNri85BNTRk48Yk_vFSTXJsB6Iy92IxAYBi2HisIme-q_D0b0F-4Jo3haCeQAYw7pZqblu5I3aP3Lpzad6gvQbeNorm3qE4m2UvY-GYLDOHrQcxjtoePt8UjiBrQs2j_Vr_6ocOzW8EwUykUVRcbzrmFaggoVrAIYjKXZm_xrg/w442-h640/ACS_0138.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><p>Even before this week, I've been thinking a lot about how I want to be careful not to disconnect from the world. Even the grief, even the pain: I want to bear witness to all, to feel the range of the human experience. One of the parts of our upcoming move we are most excited about is being back in town. Our current apartment is a perfectly nice, white-walled unit in a duplex. There is a neatly paved driveway filled with cars. There are fine, quiet neighbors. Someone cuts the grass every Friday. The whole town uses the exact same trash and recycling bins. We live in a cul-de-sac, with many nice, quiet houses. We don't know the neighbors...sometimes we pass someone when we walk the dog, but no one knows (or cares) who we are. When we first moved here, we were excited for more space. Isn't that what we're always searching for? The picket fence? The privacy? But as our move approaches, I am most excited for getting back to the messiness of buildings crammed together. I want to wake up to slammed doors late at night and loud, happy drunk voices in the street. I want to walk by people smoking on their front steps and past piles of free junk on the side of the road. I want to notice people working odd hours, and staying up too late on Tuesdays. I want to to see people existing outside of the apathetic suburbia molds. I want to feel the energy of the first really warm weekend and the quiet of misty Monday mornings. I want the hustle of digging everyone out after a snow storm and the ability to say "let's grab a drink" without grabbing the car keys. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4D_MPDwNNZKk-jzW3fwwThpnrBVklpFusEXLsXoEmWWTvekq1itJpKR9bhDbfNx7FQfsKPSuJRtLmhyJGvhIbBU0Rq4LkklI61MmcNbTSYo62azoP30kKt26bvVJSnnRInLS7uZ92SshGqv_3VUZrYMRZFcTJvfPfeBUQuUo4IyIk2J65ervRYy7c/s4032/IMG_0768.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4D_MPDwNNZKk-jzW3fwwThpnrBVklpFusEXLsXoEmWWTvekq1itJpKR9bhDbfNx7FQfsKPSuJRtLmhyJGvhIbBU0Rq4LkklI61MmcNbTSYo62azoP30kKt26bvVJSnnRInLS7uZ92SshGqv_3VUZrYMRZFcTJvfPfeBUQuUo4IyIk2J65ervRYy7c/w480-h640/IMG_0768.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlh9zhuccHkulHpWTNd0R-dQZzU8mQJbFkFb8QOO8QrQ78bQcu9PlsoonZms_aeURxe7Kgs8WYH_eO2jehJ0Y9krNaNMW340Sx4b0nyVezmXwviA_cCwYaiSw9IVO8-pWSx5dT5sCyKokGBYlJceS2uVZ-3clOIeVM5CKWtDg5FAjGUD_3faqN6n4/s3088/IMG_0771.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlh9zhuccHkulHpWTNd0R-dQZzU8mQJbFkFb8QOO8QrQ78bQcu9PlsoonZms_aeURxe7Kgs8WYH_eO2jehJ0Y9krNaNMW340Sx4b0nyVezmXwviA_cCwYaiSw9IVO8-pWSx5dT5sCyKokGBYlJceS2uVZ-3clOIeVM5CKWtDg5FAjGUD_3faqN6n4/w480-h640/IMG_0771.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><p>The truth is as much as I'd love a yard for kids and the ability to plant gardens wherever I pleased, the joy and community I really want to belong to doesn't seem to be here. I want to be throwing elbows with the people fighting for parking spaces and not taking tomorrow for granted. My people are the baristas and bartenders and artists that still hold onto their 9-5's, not the guy who's sat at the same desk for 30 years and thinks we could buy a house if only we stopped spending all our money on coffee.</p><p></p><p>My childhood was isolated. At times I loved it, and at times it felt wrong. There's a lot of gray area to be found between the good and the bad of a homeschooled, conservative Christian upbringing, and I was certainly firmly rooted in the gray. The one thing I always felt, though, was utterly disconnected to the world around me. My lack of trend following and pop culture knowledge was praised by adults, and scorned by peers. I took a lot of pride in not liking what everybody else seemed to. But I also felt a lot of shame for having no grasp on what "real life" felt like. Real life is what everyone else was living; I was caught aloof and uninvolved, like I was watching a goofy sitcom where the outcome didn't matter to me. Whatever my childhood was, it wasn't living. </p><p>As an adult, I often still feel behind. The difference now, though, is that I can choose to be more connected instead of continuing to hide away. I can choose to not just talk about compassion, joy, being thoughtful, being neighborly, but to really act in that way. To shape my own life into the way I want the world to feel. There is much to be done on a macro level enable us to live as more whole communities. But the pieces we can really control are the small things, that take place inside our own kitchens and churches and bars and front steps. I want to take this move as a chance to be putting that work first.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzySHRyfFtrcNoEgFTBquf0RqxK4KjlrPS-X_5r1rMdsCbT3ybo0K1Wr5K-Dzx91WObpfT8eub-KMEraPE3sNH0of1Q6jSYT3RWl33zegATMEyNGXUtbaO4S9BOeTG7vFy2O-mRMQQe2amtS_0NPjc_1-qZ1aVfOen8uwlTZiaGCyQ6dofmjkUZ5J-/s4032/IMG_0780.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzySHRyfFtrcNoEgFTBquf0RqxK4KjlrPS-X_5r1rMdsCbT3ybo0K1Wr5K-Dzx91WObpfT8eub-KMEraPE3sNH0of1Q6jSYT3RWl33zegATMEyNGXUtbaO4S9BOeTG7vFy2O-mRMQQe2amtS_0NPjc_1-qZ1aVfOen8uwlTZiaGCyQ6dofmjkUZ5J-/w480-h640/IMG_0780.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWpRratE67jKfFCxIPrZ2RRXuaKrFK304gYsoLrpT5aONT5R1OgSGqEZNLZ5cjajDpekQenHNXe26N6Hh0cvPL7EuYh6hSQoVRpgxuxOZzC0VCMI_SG-f819u0EI1DXVg2mJt9goLp54DFn7bgY7PEbBixSfqPCBPUGz2TS-f3f5LDEpnnuRzQPq5/s4032/IMG_0778.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWpRratE67jKfFCxIPrZ2RRXuaKrFK304gYsoLrpT5aONT5R1OgSGqEZNLZ5cjajDpekQenHNXe26N6Hh0cvPL7EuYh6hSQoVRpgxuxOZzC0VCMI_SG-f819u0EI1DXVg2mJt9goLp54DFn7bgY7PEbBixSfqPCBPUGz2TS-f3f5LDEpnnuRzQPq5/w480-h640/IMG_0778.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>All of these pictures are from our quick trip up to Burlington, VT in mid-May. Chris drove up from NJ, and I came up from NH. We got an Air Bnb downtown for two nights. It was a ridiculously hot weekend--in the 90's!--but we had so much fun walking around, going to our favorite used bookstore, and trying new sandwich and coffee places. We got to see my best friend and her boyfriend for a quick visit, and tried a very cool new-to-us restaurant called <a href="https://www.restaurantpoco.com/">Poco</a> which was so small, intimate, beautiful, and delicious. Our main reason for coming up was actually to get to see <a href="https://salvulcanocomedy.com/">Sal Vulcano's</a> show! I had bought Chris tickets back at Christmas and it ended up getting postponed, but we finally got to see him! So fun. This was our first time being in Burlington when it wasn't freezing cold, and we loved it. </p>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-56851187669654266082022-05-03T11:07:00.000-04:002022-05-03T11:07:05.967-04:0010 Things On A Tuesday in May<p> 1). Last we chatted, we were in the middle of <a href="http://gmrobidasblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/is-adult-life-just-complete-and-utter.html">utterly horrible chaos. </a>To be fair, we are still certainly in the midst. Last Thursday, though, I rushed to my third apartment showing (and just another of many that Chris has dutifully reached out to) and somehow, within hours we had a lease sitting in our inboxes. 20 minutes later we signed it. Yay! WOW. Jesus, what a relief. We can move in 6/1. Chris is currently still living in NJ with Bear. We still need to get out from under this apartment. But it now feels like there is a way to move forward. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPexOxqcM5YOInwBWWKD8TXAadMzoMir8R00wLkDZHFb48vfaTYrBLGhxKS1mWRK7HGhgCng8VNKpk7so0uYES6OlQa-Mbn5hDn7hg5wqKCRWCaaRfJALcy-gU-13T2Xz9sdHFRpGnGZ4XwRiVJixSCircbvBSOtgksViCxFckwiit49MfIiwFCtIc/s893/main%20character.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="412" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPexOxqcM5YOInwBWWKD8TXAadMzoMir8R00wLkDZHFb48vfaTYrBLGhxKS1mWRK7HGhgCng8VNKpk7so0uYES6OlQa-Mbn5hDn7hg5wqKCRWCaaRfJALcy-gU-13T2Xz9sdHFRpGnGZ4XwRiVJixSCircbvBSOtgksViCxFckwiit49MfIiwFCtIc/w354-h640/main%20character.PNG" width="354" /></a></div><p>2). This had been on my mind pre-crisis, but I've been thinking a lot about "Main Character Energy." A pretty nebulous topic, but in my head it consists of mornings spent reading and sunlit porches, a great pair of shoes and a bowl of garlic noodles, fun late nights with friends and early mornings spent running or thinking and just being. The photo above is a screen shot of my "Main Character Energy Spring '22" saved collection on Instagram. It has croissants from <a href="https://joythebaker.com/">Joy the Baker</a> (the queen of main character energy), a woman talking about relaxing on her porch after work, colorful framed art prints, a getaway cabin, and lots of talk of romanticizing your life. I'm ready for a change. </p><p>3). The <i>only </i>thing I don't like about this new apartment is that there is no outdoor space. We don't have a porch (or even our own staircase), no little spot to throw outdoor plants. I currently have a bunch of pansies outside as well as two peppers and two tomato plants. I'm thinking I will keep a pansie or two, and my veggies and put them in our one assigned parking spot and just park behind them? That's not crazy right?</p><p>4). To be fair there are other things I'm upset about: the cabinets are dark. It's in Dover, which will be so close to friends (fun!) but add a lot of time to my commute (sucky!). This house feels like a pretty basic apartment to me....none of the cute little cubbies or corners like some of the historical Portsmouth apartments I'd been looking at. But I realize I am being so picky!! It will be great. </p><p>5). Before we signed, our working plan had been to put all of our stuff in storage and then live in a motel or with my parents until we were able to find a place. So, I've been putting a lot of energy into purging everything we own. We are both pack rats; like it's bad. We have way too much stuff. And even though now we have a place, it will be smaller and we won't have as much storage space and I just don't want to feel crowded. I want to feel light! So I'm staying committed to getting rid of as much as possible. Those are two completely different purging questions: what can I move into the new space? And would I pay to store this somewhere? I'm loving the resolve that the second question is offering. </p><p>6). Connected to purging is my rediscovered passion for Buy Nothing groups. Honestly, Buy Nothing groups are probably the most pure and wonderful place on the internet, and certainly on Facebook. So far, I've gotten rid of: a few baby gates from when Bear was a puppy, a board game, a giant beer making kit we had gotten for Christmas, some old records we don't listen to, a bag of art supplies I don't like anymore, at least 20 books, and a bag of random old pots and containers for someone to make an outdoor music board for their kid! How fun is that?!</p><p>7). Outside of all this home chaos, work has actually been going really well. I am choreographing a few ensembles right now: two of my Artistry classes are each doing a number in their club show, we've started rehearsals for our first ever <a href="https://americanicetheatre.org/">American Ice Theatre</a> of NH Junior Company piece, and then I'm doing a very cute little Learn to Skate number for my group class. Busy busy! And so so fun. I should do a works in progress post soon. </p><p>8). With spring I've been fantasizing about a lot of the making I want to do. Here's my recipe list as it stands right now: <a href="https://joythebaker.com/2022/04/easy-ham-and-cheese-croissants/">ham and cheese croissants from Joy the Baker</a>, <a href="https://joythebaker.com/2012/03/chocolate-orange-cream-cheese-pound-cake/">chocolate orange and cream cheese pound cake from Joy the Baker</a> (maybe for Mother's Day gifts?), <a href="https://www.budgetbytes.com/greek-chicken-wraps/">these wraps from Budget Bytes</a> (I'm picturing lots of dinners in the park at our new apartment, to replace our porch-sits), <a href="https://www.dinneralovestory.com/fish-with-slaw/">fish from Dinner A Love Story</a> (I'm scared to cook anything other than chicken or ground beef so trying to get better), and lots of cocktails that use Aperol. On the non-kitchen side, I am planning to finally start <a href="https://www.elisejoy.com/shop/flowers-on-shelves-cross-stitch-kit">this cross stitch kit from Elise Joy</a>. I'm also dreaming of some sort of flower a day/one picture a day cross stitch to mark our first year married, and making a t-shirt quilt beach blanket from some old sentimental shirts. </p><p>9). For Christmas, I had gotten Chris tickets to see <a href="https://salvulcanocomedy.com/">Sal Valcano</a> when he was performing in Burlington, VT this winter. The weekend he was supposed to be there we had a snowstorm, so we still went to VT to see friends but his show got rescheduled to May. With all this moving stress, and finals, and so much work, and the fact that we're living in different states, I wasn't sure if we'd be able to go. But I think we need a break, so we're going for it. We booked an AirBnB for next Thursday and Friday night. Maybe Chris can board Bear in NJ and then meet me up there? Unsure of the details. But this is much needed; I'm excited!</p><p>10). <i>Books of the moment</i>: just finished listening to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17349222-this-is-the-story-of-a-happy-marriage?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=YhtxJO4575&rank=1">This Is The Story of A Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett</a> on audiobook. Loved it. My goal for May is to read my second paper book of the year and I'm planning to restart <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53041664-the-incredible-journey-of-plants">The Incredible Journey of Plants by Stefano Mancuso</a>. <i>Shows of the moment: </i>Chris and I had been watching Inventing Anna on Netflix, and I'm planning to start Dairy Girls soon. I continue to watch every single piece of content <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/thefinancialdiet">The Financial Diet</a> puts out. <i>Listens of the moment: </i><a href="https://www.elisejoy.com/podcast">Elise Joy's podcast</a> is back and I've been finding this season very grounding and inspiring!</p><p>That's the update friends! I'm reminding myself that life is short: even if we are lucky, we still only get about 4,000 weeks to careen through our lives. Even in the midst of the upsetting, turbulent times, I want to remember to not waste a week by forgetting the moments of joy, meaning, fun, and connection. Spring is here, and we're moving forward!</p>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-31053238127075170472022-04-21T08:38:00.000-04:002022-04-21T08:38:02.535-04:00Is Adult Life Just Complete And Utter Chaos?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfxEVhjPrruv0T7SKWCsVGieH1mEJGIPrSoTrntAmbWeJqOl8hQkcpzvbRG798ZQHl5f0-H6kZN8AbLOjmmMSYWLV_VsBSggJxTUzTgdaAsxQkWGN5RitzRNsjcnILbU4hpiEWsw3CDAK_hm7eaDtxpOni6-LR3D5CKPG0DwwfIr7ZGNxKQv78yum/s4032/IMG_0480.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfxEVhjPrruv0T7SKWCsVGieH1mEJGIPrSoTrntAmbWeJqOl8hQkcpzvbRG798ZQHl5f0-H6kZN8AbLOjmmMSYWLV_VsBSggJxTUzTgdaAsxQkWGN5RitzRNsjcnILbU4hpiEWsw3CDAK_hm7eaDtxpOni6-LR3D5CKPG0DwwfIr7ZGNxKQv78yum/w480-h640/IMG_0480.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>My heart is pounding, I unwisely poured myself a second cup of coffee, my shoulders haven't relaxed since Monday, and I am racing with nervous energy that simultaneously shouts "do all the things NOW!!" and "just stare at the wall and dissociate for a bit."</p><p>We're in a bit of a family crisis at the moment. Our dog, Bear, got out of the house Monday afternoon and bit our next door neighbor. He is okay, thankfully--bruised and broke skin, but everything was surface level and there shouldn't be any long term issues. Chris brought him to the emergency room immediately afterwards to get checked out. We emailed our landlords and told them about the situation the second we got the neighbor home. That night they let us know that Bear is no longer welcome here, and we had three days to get him off the property. </p><p>We are not getting evicted...Bear just isn't allowed to live her any more. Which makes complete sense. I cannot describe how utterly <i>shitty </i>it feels to be the neighbor with the problem dog. We both feel so ashamed. And so upset. And very overwhelmed by how to move forward. Our neighbor has been literally <i>too kind</i> to us, considering. We're grateful for him. And we're grateful for landlords who are also not kicking <i>us </i>out. That gives us some flexibility. </p><p>Monday night was horrible and I rage cried for hours. I called my friend, and my mom. Tuesday morning I grieved a little but overall felt way more clear-headed. I was unfocused all day and then stayed up until 1:30am writing an 8-page research paper that I had, of course, procrastinated on (here's a lesson I probably won't learn: don't procrastinate because emergencies happen and surprise!! you still can't drop any balls!!). Wednesday we made a thousand plans for a thousand different scenarios, and let ourselves just chill and spend time together. Today (Thursday) we went on one last of our perfect, family coffee walks and then Chris left for New Jersey with Bear. He'll stay there with his parents for at least two weeks, while we make more of a game plan and explore some options. Today I will finish this blog post, work out, eat real meals, and go to work. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_RYuGBYJOQyRlfK6mljWIVcZAEf5u_G3imBpoHCAor6oqxEGuAPT0-QfHUWKyGLx3CeDCXswGV4i0AiPJ9oo7gq4ajWl_sh4hVHVUwfCoIIzI37u0AibRzOs9KOEtC1Hh3CFLpwACSm9mV2g0zooqtywfvcEUPlrVD3DEvEi78Qeyvrsr7nowIlv/s4032/IMG_0613.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_RYuGBYJOQyRlfK6mljWIVcZAEf5u_G3imBpoHCAor6oqxEGuAPT0-QfHUWKyGLx3CeDCXswGV4i0AiPJ9oo7gq4ajWl_sh4hVHVUwfCoIIzI37u0AibRzOs9KOEtC1Hh3CFLpwACSm9mV2g0zooqtywfvcEUPlrVD3DEvEi78Qeyvrsr7nowIlv/w480-h640/IMG_0613.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bookshelf Chris just finished. </td></tr></tbody></table><p>The plan right now is not to rehome Bear. He's still young (he's just two), and in my heart of hearts I do feel like there is room to make progress and work towards making him less reactive. Rehoming him in this moment seems irresponsible--like we are just walking away from our problems and putting him in a stressful situation that likely will result in him getting more aggressive. So we need to try. Of course, this mostly hinges on us being able to find another living situation. We have to be upfront with new possible landlords, and it's scary to feel like no one will want us with Bear's history. I don't know what we will do if we can't find a place to live, but we 're going to give us some time to search before we worry about that. If we are able to move, we will be able to break our lease once a new tenant is found for our current apartment. It will just be continuing to pay rent until the next renter can start (which is pretty generous given that our lease continues until August). </p><p>I am scared about the increased training we will need to undertake with Bear, to ensure that we can be good owners to him for the future. I'm scared we won't be able to handle it, or that it won't work and we'll still have to consider getting rid of him. I honestly do not think my heart could take getting rid of him. I've been very slow to get used to owning a dog, but now that we are two years in I really would be heart broken without him and I don't want to do that. Still, I worry about what this means our future lives will look like: what will happen when we have kids? Will we ever be able to have friends over, throw parties? </p><p>I am very sad to be leaving this apartment. I really love it here. I love the space, I love the location. I love that it's clean. I love that we have laundry in the basement. I love that it feels like a real home. I love that it's the place I started to feel really grounded in my grown up rhythms: clean sheets every Sunday, the weekly meal plan stuck to the fridge, extra bedding stored for guests in the closets, long walks with Chris and Bear every morning and afternoon. We were really coming into our own here. I was loving this season of life. </p><p>I was looking forward to a lot in this home: I just bought pansies and tomato plants to cover the porches in summer-fueled life. Chris' parents were supposed to visit in two weeks, and I was scheming last-minute decorating projects before they saw the place for the first time. I wanted to host a Mother's Day Lunch, and a Memorial Day cookout. Chris just finished a bookshelf he designed himself, to fit exactly under the big living room window. I have a pile of frames waiting to be hung above our bed. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZzGBz9kIPs0Y-aaARe7CBHWQ1iftOJ64EyRTiytwjZJzqVPby2oUkjMPHSpPG0J8_6AIf9XloYEa6tTR0atDZoGxIKiGaYig7_6Hs1WshQbd9RlQK1jZ9uu_Yk051MyIvBwRMe6Od_U2yHJFsnRay6jWeAaWvdonKyHux8-VBTjQUKOINxmqeXiQ/s4032/IMG_0589.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZzGBz9kIPs0Y-aaARe7CBHWQ1iftOJ64EyRTiytwjZJzqVPby2oUkjMPHSpPG0J8_6AIf9XloYEa6tTR0atDZoGxIKiGaYig7_6Hs1WshQbd9RlQK1jZ9uu_Yk051MyIvBwRMe6Od_U2yHJFsnRay6jWeAaWvdonKyHux8-VBTjQUKOINxmqeXiQ/w480-h640/IMG_0589.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjDxoWVBa1qlhgmQ63NuDmkpYbNLrCLlUoe0eh5RusDC5OoXHjFkc3fpuSOxWsQW54WRg08S_DhxAyk5M7KFZIdclz3FaE6aoK05KybwyiY5W07XwVbt47_IL3TfZYtb_K0NmjhQ9syjQUqbhhZYQhWN4PjpJbpw7nbtqjw9BS6cHvNHBcTUymlB1/s3088/IMG_0606.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjDxoWVBa1qlhgmQ63NuDmkpYbNLrCLlUoe0eh5RusDC5OoXHjFkc3fpuSOxWsQW54WRg08S_DhxAyk5M7KFZIdclz3FaE6aoK05KybwyiY5W07XwVbt47_IL3TfZYtb_K0NmjhQ9syjQUqbhhZYQhWN4PjpJbpw7nbtqjw9BS6cHvNHBcTUymlB1/w480-h640/IMG_0606.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrFIhb1z7H30nrkp9ECZKNwoxXyxzwX-WcEL_WEQvNzJb2q98XzkcYj1B8RV1s4DLqfTLy2NhUMKpQIBDiwddHyVee-xi8KeP9UlvRhC48srNimSoktg-ORGaak-q6OL9zhpGGinl5javhrb3gcyCduWThkLMl9KOxqsv7g4qP2xxMOVcW9FUZu3W/s3088/IMG_0605.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrFIhb1z7H30nrkp9ECZKNwoxXyxzwX-WcEL_WEQvNzJb2q98XzkcYj1B8RV1s4DLqfTLy2NhUMKpQIBDiwddHyVee-xi8KeP9UlvRhC48srNimSoktg-ORGaak-q6OL9zhpGGinl5javhrb3gcyCduWThkLMl9KOxqsv7g4qP2xxMOVcW9FUZu3W/w480-h640/IMG_0605.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chaotic Easter snaps. </td></tr></tbody></table><p>This past weekend was Easter, and it was such a good one. I was utterly <i>blissed out. </i>In the morning we walked Bear and then made a special Easter brunch for the two of us: mimosas, french press cafe au laits, cinnamon rolls, and fruit salad. I made appetizers and homemade rolls to bring to my parents for a big family lunch. We talked about how this was really the first holiday since we've moved in together where everything felt so <i>right: </i>we didn't overcommit, but also set aside time for fun holiday things; there was no tension with my parents; we weren't stressed about Bear. It felt like we were finally figuring out what our adult lives could look like.</p><p>And instead, and instead, and instead. What a shitty turn of events. </p><p>We can only focus on what we can control, and right now that is: being proactive about looking for places. Being honest with friends and family and asking for help. Being on top of our finances so we're prepared for whatever needs to happen. Taking care of ourselves. Honestly though, part of me wants to just burn it all down: go full send and just move to New Orleans, or just bop from Air BnB to Air Bnb and see the country. Sneak away to a new city and live in a tight, sunny little loft. I think you only get one shot to really burn down your life and start over; maybe this could be it?</p><p>This feels like the start of a formative moment; a challenge that will shape us. I'm proud to say we feel really together and are each proud of how the other is handling things. Maybe in a few years we'll look back and this will just be a crazy, chaotic adventure. It sucks right now though. </p><p>Is this just what adulthood is? Continuous, utter chaos?</p>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-91461907515223135552022-02-04T10:05:00.002-05:002022-02-04T10:05:09.059-05:00baking & making in january<p> Even with being back to full-time coaching, starting the semester, and generally readjusting to life at home, January still managed to hold lots of creative kitchen time. I love cooking and baking. I love the actual act of making food, I love the meaning we derive from food, but I also love the care aspect of food. Nothing makes me feel more capable than when there's a fridge full of good leftovers for lunch, or dinner in the slow cooker ready to go after a late night of coaching. I love the coziness of it all; it's a hug to my little family and a hug to myself. Anyway, here's what I've been making:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3VgNr-ycHXkUWdu7tzD4oKjb18FxgEcXX_Osgrgnt5AxPyiFk5YPAyGwbBiBQHLq4foBHDTNmEoVfG6m-itc1rt5pBnOcAT0TbvxIsSYQDUvfkpbmMFdJQ13p3WSmR34yrW2LO4N-rf6PPUQzvmBY-N1b67rbsJ-ppxtronQW3u0pTfpA4WBUpbI3=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3VgNr-ycHXkUWdu7tzD4oKjb18FxgEcXX_Osgrgnt5AxPyiFk5YPAyGwbBiBQHLq4foBHDTNmEoVfG6m-itc1rt5pBnOcAT0TbvxIsSYQDUvfkpbmMFdJQ13p3WSmR34yrW2LO4N-rf6PPUQzvmBY-N1b67rbsJ-ppxtronQW3u0pTfpA4WBUpbI3=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>The weekend we got home from FL, I made this pie from <a href="https://www.thebakehousenola.com/shop-all/p/joy-the-baker-magazine-fallwinter">last year's Joy the Baker holiday magazine</a> to bring to my parent's for family Christmas. Her recipe calls for pears; I used apples instead. Someone remind me next year to buy all the cranberries and keep them in the freezer, it's really not fair that they're only out for the holidays. She uses tapioca granules in this recipe and it lends such a cool flavor and texture. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdqzhlWUrf0HH6QmGRDBIaUo4XP-W23A-l8Y3lRgYxBYhGRaYIYkFRxCOl7owuXnr523bN2SZw9wHEh7VTry5vFNmaxvsdb89wyNkZD81gCqTj7y7SnkOjmOL6YbmKyL7a5M8DixfHYzbu-vxUOLxG2oxbkfyRJStfi4RgNq6u1UDQ3pZQo1dYTF-Q=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdqzhlWUrf0HH6QmGRDBIaUo4XP-W23A-l8Y3lRgYxBYhGRaYIYkFRxCOl7owuXnr523bN2SZw9wHEh7VTry5vFNmaxvsdb89wyNkZD81gCqTj7y7SnkOjmOL6YbmKyL7a5M8DixfHYzbu-vxUOLxG2oxbkfyRJStfi4RgNq6u1UDQ3pZQo1dYTF-Q=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>The same night we got home (<a href="http://gmrobidasblog.blogspot.com/2022/01/about-last-week-6-7-where-we-almost-get.html">after that horrible drive)</a> I made this <a href="https://www.budgetbytes.com/chicken-stew/">creamy chicken stew from Budget Bytes.</a> We are a Budget Bytes home....I make at least one of her recipes every week. This was perfect, comforting, and exactly the welcome home we needed. Will definitely make again soon. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuYfoxKN2Lhs_C3y4uYQOezPi9jd_7Vm3W2jDTWhPo2HIcsVKsvUEBkbNo4F-wDYRsUilxt_1hsv0s-a2xF4HidadPoFbjiASYc930g6rgJOn8LKDMGFVcKqBbr38QSZpnod2-qtVIITGzV1zGViDfyQ8uhNwjDnQ6JfDRjHqIqWw4nytKbQx4kkYw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuYfoxKN2Lhs_C3y4uYQOezPi9jd_7Vm3W2jDTWhPo2HIcsVKsvUEBkbNo4F-wDYRsUilxt_1hsv0s-a2xF4HidadPoFbjiASYc930g6rgJOn8LKDMGFVcKqBbr38QSZpnod2-qtVIITGzV1zGViDfyQ8uhNwjDnQ6JfDRjHqIqWw4nytKbQx4kkYw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>On a random Tuesday afternoon before heading to the rink, I made two quiches. Quiches are probably my favorite thing to make ahead for dinner. I baked both in the afternoon, the pie shaped one was for dinner that night and then the square one went in the freezer. This quiche managed to be the most like my mom's: lots of bacon, frozen spinach, and cheddar. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiehYDTz4UizVbpdKrruckmyPb58NH6qWfW6phtWwDVpWweCt7fR-sJv9W3g2MYV3T7vlwnVc9thjY7nCqUoEwYdKGuBZt514h-h8HySF4HYmffRNJZiAhO7SLENEJe3Ttp2Y9YZuSM3F7UEg9p1v18CI_m8DMY7CGlnu5jrRR7S26UEbiS0J82dTdq=s4048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4048" data-original-width="3036" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiehYDTz4UizVbpdKrruckmyPb58NH6qWfW6phtWwDVpWweCt7fR-sJv9W3g2MYV3T7vlwnVc9thjY7nCqUoEwYdKGuBZt514h-h8HySF4HYmffRNJZiAhO7SLENEJe3Ttp2Y9YZuSM3F7UEg9p1v18CI_m8DMY7CGlnu5jrRR7S26UEbiS0J82dTdq=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNS1e-avQzd-dkEjHoJFLBcyHMNdX82e1S5A-bfLIN9gf3FYwBU1A2R5vTaGQm2hXdp7cxu8Lr2ZPkMIblB-C4bZ97O5v0sBBKguiYbdBmdX-cKUEAM6qLSWV5anvUSKqc0Cs2BBvv1mzdYPb5o2QMV4qlpS3aME691JTWDqDzZd-KjF-Q5rGLFIEN=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNS1e-avQzd-dkEjHoJFLBcyHMNdX82e1S5A-bfLIN9gf3FYwBU1A2R5vTaGQm2hXdp7cxu8Lr2ZPkMIblB-C4bZ97O5v0sBBKguiYbdBmdX-cKUEAM6qLSWV5anvUSKqc0Cs2BBvv1mzdYPb5o2QMV4qlpS3aME691JTWDqDzZd-KjF-Q5rGLFIEN=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Cut to what I'm most proud of....this Irish Soda Bread!! I used <a href="https://joythebaker.com/2020/09/olive-and-feta-irish-soda-bread/">this recipe from Joy the Baker</a>, but omitted her feta and olives and opted for traditional raisins instead. It baked off so well and I was soooo impressed! It's such a quick and easy bread, and to be honest in my mind it feels versatile enough to make on the regular? Maybe a little heavy, but I'm debating starting to make more of our own bread and I think something like this would be on regular rotation. I'm in love, clearly. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEionRJHlwwP6lEsnY41hAak9wwK8-1sJ1eZ1R40JkTErB39royJ7c1XV3DN6EUya-VgikUjxVqzTMZ4Q7i0L9FOKuSUB8LiISscQVkB8uD9j8_v6x75A2lx7anRNhkVEZNfvjkakCxls6Mq1Zxev-FUccGkReaAwU83nAZwRDMyC8O62R_g470vqKF2=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEionRJHlwwP6lEsnY41hAak9wwK8-1sJ1eZ1R40JkTErB39royJ7c1XV3DN6EUya-VgikUjxVqzTMZ4Q7i0L9FOKuSUB8LiISscQVkB8uD9j8_v6x75A2lx7anRNhkVEZNfvjkakCxls6Mq1Zxev-FUccGkReaAwU83nAZwRDMyC8O62R_g470vqKF2=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>Another thing we've made almost every three days so far has been applesauce!!! This is probably my favorite winter make. We make it in the Instant Pot and roughly use <a href="https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/blog/instant-pot-applesauce">this recipe,</a> but the amounts change every time and I'm convinced you can't ruin it. It has no added sugar, just apples and cinnamon. We eat the applesauce hot on it's own, with oatmeal, and on yogurt and cottage cheese. We've even been using it to substitute eggs in baking. I've got Chris hooked on it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEha84dQLIBDfA6Ab2McBS0IdDVveDzWJoA7boc9VXRRzX8lflD6p-JwIVdiN61VVVKNXxUNkkN7bQUpSTC8cfDgtvjGZwC_patYmXtHm15c2b0EF5fU3feh1F1Vn2CjUPwfFXReeM96kl8lfuBG6JqMGSz1DIztiAJIDEwjJxeYA0wzuwm-TU670aEq=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEha84dQLIBDfA6Ab2McBS0IdDVveDzWJoA7boc9VXRRzX8lflD6p-JwIVdiN61VVVKNXxUNkkN7bQUpSTC8cfDgtvjGZwC_patYmXtHm15c2b0EF5fU3feh1F1Vn2CjUPwfFXReeM96kl8lfuBG6JqMGSz1DIztiAJIDEwjJxeYA0wzuwm-TU670aEq=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>Full disclosure: I didn't make this cornbread (Chris did) and I obvi didn't grow the grapefruit. But! I have rediscovered eating grapefruit for breakfast, with just a sprinkle of brown sugar. And grilled cornbread muffins with jam win every. single. time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjefaF4Yu9DY27MVa3hWMfn8_jPEZt8i-36NMImuS9Mr0DrJzSFgBIUvwgAG0j5jVQCpM7fkBkDmMcSLSedwztLO8g6_a8JR3X1sWoIbN7fPZtdPSVAxEiyB6_HZuVTedusEQuEqzAVjNHM7XXq0Ze2iDb_gJP2KZJcbFyWDvvGpiXHsKHRlRrojpuZ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjefaF4Yu9DY27MVa3hWMfn8_jPEZt8i-36NMImuS9Mr0DrJzSFgBIUvwgAG0j5jVQCpM7fkBkDmMcSLSedwztLO8g6_a8JR3X1sWoIbN7fPZtdPSVAxEiyB6_HZuVTedusEQuEqzAVjNHM7XXq0Ze2iDb_gJP2KZJcbFyWDvvGpiXHsKHRlRrojpuZ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>And okay, one make of the non-kitchen variety. I'm still working (slowly, and definitely not diligently) on the <a href="https://www.elisejoy.com/shop/uduka1yom1ri58pf0dk605x841ibfr">cross-stitch kit I got from Elise Joy</a>. I LOVE it, the kit is so well put together and fun. It's a Christmas scene of trees and other decor on shelves, and I bought her next one in the series <a href="https://www.elisejoy.com/shop/flowers-on-shelves-cross-stitch-kit">"Flowers on Shelves"</a> as well. Once I finish this tree, I think I'm going to put this away until next holiday season, and start working on the flowers one. Overall I am loving cross-stitch! This may be a craft happy I actually keep up with. </p><p>Other things keeping me creating this month have been work and the wedding! I am running an artistry movement class at a local figure skating club and loving it. It's 30-minutes a week of whatever I want to do; we've been doing lots of edge class style stuff, learning combos, and learning different forms of energy. I'm also choreographing a short program for <a href="https://www.colonialfsc.com/toi">Colonial FSC's Theater on Ice team</a> which has been a literal dream come true. I'm loving it and can't wait to show you! The wedding is also taking a lot of creative energy, but I've been enjoying it overall. I'll save details for another post. :)</p><p>A large part of my goals for 2022 were centered around tending to myself as a whole person, including my creative self. And to properly "tend" that creative self, it's not just about <i>doing the thing, </i>it's about <i>practicing </i>the thing. I am trying to channel more experimental playtime into my every day: taking time on the ice to experiment, letting myself make bad first drafts, just starting, trying new hobbies, doing things I'm bad at. This is where we learn!!</p><p>Happy Friday! xoxo</p>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-4367183193863296932022-01-18T21:00:00.008-05:002022-01-18T21:04:03.006-05:00About Last Week, 6 & 7: where we almost get stuck in VA<p> Missed last week's post, so a lot to catch up to today. Getting back to being home has somehow been both quiet and hectic. Grateful, though, to be home and snuggling in for the winter.</p><p><b>Monday, 1-3-22.</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgz63MH4sMXuZ3iHCFP7do6e0Oc1nXprVeYCm8VkWt9nXqRHJ3iryuc1bbU--8aFpnLQldun-rohicaSWXCEQfE_wTLlKKm8OjSBmY5YMM3IoMHPRFxCz4eSZDbNTiDZoSls5iMNCXmAkVfNnEqttFqSw0XlwwhzMXGqDNqhNBIk8a7PZYANwZoxDCe=s3088" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2320" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgz63MH4sMXuZ3iHCFP7do6e0Oc1nXprVeYCm8VkWt9nXqRHJ3iryuc1bbU--8aFpnLQldun-rohicaSWXCEQfE_wTLlKKm8OjSBmY5YMM3IoMHPRFxCz4eSZDbNTiDZoSls5iMNCXmAkVfNnEqttFqSw0XlwwhzMXGqDNqhNBIk8a7PZYANwZoxDCe=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiS38MKbrs9fvU_pRHU1O0nUNfrwxmS082BVQtkqtH7YglMSG7jHICw-4KmLGFSavwEqoiKR6KoooK0zNoS83DR3DModKwdY4128iyp6lIz2G9zPnCpDKIIvGnpnWLbSyBGrE7F3hueNjPIm14XFVFBKvP7gnEL2M3XaedQhM2abRg_AE5nB-JeDDgg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiS38MKbrs9fvU_pRHU1O0nUNfrwxmS082BVQtkqtH7YglMSG7jHICw-4KmLGFSavwEqoiKR6KoooK0zNoS83DR3DModKwdY4128iyp6lIz2G9zPnCpDKIIvGnpnWLbSyBGrE7F3hueNjPIm14XFVFBKvP7gnEL2M3XaedQhM2abRg_AE5nB-JeDDgg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>This particular Monday morning we woke up bright and early in my hotel room in Orlando. The show closed the night before, and we set off straight away for home. We stopped in Richmond, VA, for the night. It was snowing out! There honestly wasn't a ton of snow, but the roads were really bad maintained and everyone was all over the road. Most of the bars and restaurants were closed early, but we wound up at a burger and beer place that had really fun trivia. We were completely annihilated. After being so cooped up due to protect the cast from more covid exposures, it felt good to be out and about for a little date night. This was one of those nights where I felt so young, and free, and happy to be out in the world.</p><p><b>Tuesday, 1-4-22</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipPndz0FH0YVKAfDZmsi4ehw71-52Fo9TsyKrg30KzLAT8IMJL0QI3n8Mp5xCmK3D3qkrocMfachXSmPJIC5U7X8XRPILEKno7ymM-hlXhxXh5B3bTNEHc38tg7CDNTpsIJtL3JNxrUYNdSjkrlQgii2nyHXHyzRX3Jhair8PE1-AXEXjjBjmsxv39=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipPndz0FH0YVKAfDZmsi4ehw71-52Fo9TsyKrg30KzLAT8IMJL0QI3n8Mp5xCmK3D3qkrocMfachXSmPJIC5U7X8XRPILEKno7ymM-hlXhxXh5B3bTNEHc38tg7CDNTpsIJtL3JNxrUYNdSjkrlQgii2nyHXHyzRX3Jhair8PE1-AXEXjjBjmsxv39=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />The next morning had us up and at 'em again. The night before, we had heard about conditions on 95 being so bad that the highway shut down. Crazy, we thought! The next morning we got up and jumped on 95 right away, because <i>surely </i>12 hours later it would be taken care of? Wrong. Almost immediately we were in stand-still traffic from the night before. Cars had been stuck on 95, in the freezing cold, over night. We were very close to an ambulance turn-around, and Chris took it and got us off the highway. Thank goodness for that...we would have been stuck all day. <p></p><p>The rest of the day was a lot of really sketchy driving, eating "car tuna melts" (crackers, cheese, and tuna packets), making fun of VA drivers, and generally just accepting that we were going to be stuck in VA. It took us 14 hours to get from Richmond to NJ. We ended up staying the night with Chris' parents there. A crazy day!</p><p><b>Wednesday, 1-5-22</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpS1-DIIGQoxm8HoGtNBpQCeao7TTjsbCOviDR23TJhibm4rb1BVMgJ9qUwIC4lt0TEcnMhpcP-CEYKQLefEnvO-5oVAYADiu8GbLR3YN7DkiKCt_zAOKxrJyNal_Iie54NrharJjXR1Ib_RIwJv7HqQ0aFqNFewRliecPhDEs48F5mf9Xk1GXJSRf=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpS1-DIIGQoxm8HoGtNBpQCeao7TTjsbCOviDR23TJhibm4rb1BVMgJ9qUwIC4lt0TEcnMhpcP-CEYKQLefEnvO-5oVAYADiu8GbLR3YN7DkiKCt_zAOKxrJyNal_Iie54NrharJjXR1Ib_RIwJv7HqQ0aFqNFewRliecPhDEs48F5mf9Xk1GXJSRf=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxhu4qW0NU-_ruEoOgx_gCXH5Ux54r95yyfe5pDXW_Jc92YO0cu9q06Ldba8KiSYQ7qnUh4cDWhw3c0Mygk2LMspB9PC1591KWdFjy5HnOlJq5JdaZrrctOaVAgN67NHqyhQyfpo5a3ae58G_knO5KGOzAtLzmuoycbn_LD8lrqnIlH0a5F7qmZdtb=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxhu4qW0NU-_ruEoOgx_gCXH5Ux54r95yyfe5pDXW_Jc92YO0cu9q06Ldba8KiSYQ7qnUh4cDWhw3c0Mygk2LMspB9PC1591KWdFjy5HnOlJq5JdaZrrctOaVAgN67NHqyhQyfpo5a3ae58G_knO5KGOzAtLzmuoycbn_LD8lrqnIlH0a5F7qmZdtb=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>Wednesday got us home! It rained all day, and I drove the rest of the way from NJ to NH (7ish hours) while Chris worked. We got home and after unpacking the car, Chris went to grab Bear! I ambitiously made chicken stew for dinner. We snuggled and ate food in our own kitchen, watched TV and went to bed early. A truly fantastic end to a stressful roadtrip. <b><br /></b><p></p><p><b>Thursday, 1-6-22</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUQat--FeA0OEsZCHcTkPguzBJLL5dU5IGnSo3h9fzEpS2-wIRlm8ghHg9XDzsdhH_ckkKwzsXxfUNg_8BwfOBk4ux4PO0MAd9Kp7y456AAT869PZZpVVMMURLieh5rX50QX6t1InyZO1T50fZYS4LvxU-ZfxEZZJaQljUqwbMDiZC6ZtdbI7YswZv=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUQat--FeA0OEsZCHcTkPguzBJLL5dU5IGnSo3h9fzEpS2-wIRlm8ghHg9XDzsdhH_ckkKwzsXxfUNg_8BwfOBk4ux4PO0MAd9Kp7y456AAT869PZZpVVMMURLieh5rX50QX6t1InyZO1T50fZYS4LvxU-ZfxEZZJaQljUqwbMDiZC6ZtdbI7YswZv=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixlh2XFyGqPUgBCc7AxB92SwiJ-dm6a1UIL6pjc1DyfZbvEZ4lIwngCJ1jaZvachA6iIQcHfM7c6ZdZA5FFRY09XQeOxVT0wt3Nx_nckGCuJ-2RywT6pSupVvoIdrDXr-T2A6pGlOk1YNr7wqOEslvGIuRAMXsCVYPDUnc3Z49TFjFCZBz7WE1-Cx5=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixlh2XFyGqPUgBCc7AxB92SwiJ-dm6a1UIL6pjc1DyfZbvEZ4lIwngCJ1jaZvachA6iIQcHfM7c6ZdZA5FFRY09XQeOxVT0wt3Nx_nckGCuJ-2RywT6pSupVvoIdrDXr-T2A6pGlOk1YNr7wqOEslvGIuRAMXsCVYPDUnc3Z49TFjFCZBz7WE1-Cx5=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCedlBvv1d20tF6Pd-Ts2V0nlu3CyAD4UtU4g67oBXob6Ac0y2XCoy0J0NTrxpu3vdKE9DtNxi93vZ96qea7LVApxJOWE78w4aANN7jjEVy_skEj8cOS88M3IO4OqdLC6IVPTgUfeii3aPPOBxc_QZHVbnI_fLSJJvMTNoEiIyW9SBA_tNCpRPPV6y=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCedlBvv1d20tF6Pd-Ts2V0nlu3CyAD4UtU4g67oBXob6Ac0y2XCoy0J0NTrxpu3vdKE9DtNxi93vZ96qea7LVApxJOWE78w4aANN7jjEVy_skEj8cOS88M3IO4OqdLC6IVPTgUfeii3aPPOBxc_QZHVbnI_fLSJJvMTNoEiIyW9SBA_tNCpRPPV6y=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />A true delight to come home to was that Chris had decorated before he came down to FL! Felt so cozy. I honestly spent most of the day doing nothing; I was so so tired! But I also cleaned and unpacked, and then Chris and I exchanged the rest of our Christmas presents at night. We had held back on bringing gifts to FL because it was just too much to pack, so it was fun to finally have our own little Christmas. Chris loved his new apron and has been putting it on if he so much as stands in the kitchen. <p></p><p><b>Friday, 1-7-22</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifKUAyrnnDMYrMLWNYebLQRUV3YirWAf9OkGe4GSUNhVJvsDqc9tpp5HxIUiaiiHBZghSOtnss6nZF6YYdYTlV4JxoJzB9MRcfNKTdORwo8I74pUVHFEl691yGLbTexWW5x3LGYWdVkacF9vTjl-rH_y5DPqJQN7JwbUTUYgKbJuxc1FVlMaZpnMtG=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifKUAyrnnDMYrMLWNYebLQRUV3YirWAf9OkGe4GSUNhVJvsDqc9tpp5HxIUiaiiHBZghSOtnss6nZF6YYdYTlV4JxoJzB9MRcfNKTdORwo8I74pUVHFEl691yGLbTexWW5x3LGYWdVkacF9vTjl-rH_y5DPqJQN7JwbUTUYgKbJuxc1FVlMaZpnMtG=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />Friday I attempted to catch-up on some work stuff, got my nails done for the first time in my entire life, and made a pie for family Christmas with my parents! That night, after wading through freshly fallen snow I climbed into the passenger seat of Chris' car. I was wearing my big black coat. There were Christmas presents in the back of the car. And I had a still-warm pie, wrapped in a towel, on my lap. You know those moments when you convince yourself you are actually you parents? That was one of them for me. <p></p><p><b>Saturday, 1-8-22</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieXF_hTFVlZRq9tT-mCI0yrwbsziWk0edFp4ygo2dWkJWWvlLYQ40Rje5cqIJqE0084qnSpLHcT9GJrHtk7mjahjyv5bFPljoB8JTs70vKncxS30T8ImyzY_NAMcugpZgDrU-zB2q5B-ZXJkMJW-a-hTQdTuPkV6aL4iko4kwvpCFddHXb9B5J9zUM=s6720" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6720" data-original-width="4480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieXF_hTFVlZRq9tT-mCI0yrwbsziWk0edFp4ygo2dWkJWWvlLYQ40Rje5cqIJqE0084qnSpLHcT9GJrHtk7mjahjyv5bFPljoB8JTs70vKncxS30T8ImyzY_NAMcugpZgDrU-zB2q5B-ZXJkMJW-a-hTQdTuPkV6aL4iko4kwvpCFddHXb9B5J9zUM=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><br />Saturday was my first day back to work coaching AND WE ALSO GOT OUR ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS TAKEN!!!!!! We lucked out on the snow and the whole day in general. I'll definitely be sharing more soon, I cannot get enough! We used <a href="https://bluelocket.com/">Blue Locket Photography. </a><p></p><p><b>Sunday, 1-9-22</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7fm9cKzRCKlG7tjDoxaIjI3YovDXQd21QbnhK6qAYFngGVrpmwZeMtBH7ZFm2xjiRpwIU0ECRE_4bLjyh7Zf9nifDrE_24JTgqwyXg0vrZl6AszMj4W3OzUbv4JbG6Qb_0huKJvisAE4ZiR2yhsYd1FDzFLWp-_A-sfwwK1y1TOeJyAOeWiZnZzUJ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7fm9cKzRCKlG7tjDoxaIjI3YovDXQd21QbnhK6qAYFngGVrpmwZeMtBH7ZFm2xjiRpwIU0ECRE_4bLjyh7Zf9nifDrE_24JTgqwyXg0vrZl6AszMj4W3OzUbv4JbG6Qb_0huKJvisAE4ZiR2yhsYd1FDzFLWp-_A-sfwwK1y1TOeJyAOeWiZnZzUJ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />A cold cold day! Morning walk with Bear, then just some chores before heading out to teach Theater on Ice. Chris worked that night so it was just me and Bear. <p></p><p><b>Monday, 1-10-22</b></p><p>No pictures and I couldn't tell you much of what I did. Time at home. Putting Christmas decor away. Starting lessons at a local after school program!</p><p><b>Tuesday, 1-11-22</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDAxTdgqB1dYUQkRt7QeUA9WcTu8Zf2A0AVp-V9o1EAVHWEVu6qOhxIE3Aa5ckitztZKg3lTgw6pjiHiuOG9k-prPp2OdA1a8qPF9IW7fmXeE8erA52CqLxG9lFj15T1ZwXXcI-W1v5Zo-NFkBpO3V5jB5DsX2k-3n3LOJoVV64PTS2_2tx34kOEbd=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDAxTdgqB1dYUQkRt7QeUA9WcTu8Zf2A0AVp-V9o1EAVHWEVu6qOhxIE3Aa5ckitztZKg3lTgw6pjiHiuOG9k-prPp2OdA1a8qPF9IW7fmXeE8erA52CqLxG9lFj15T1ZwXXcI-W1v5Zo-NFkBpO3V5jB5DsX2k-3n3LOJoVV64PTS2_2tx34kOEbd=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />Got to see a lot of my private students again! A real highlight of the day was making these quiches though. I made them around lunch so that when dinner came, everything was done!<p></p><p><b>Wednesday, 1-12-22</b></p><p>Other than teaching hockey in the evening, I didn't do a whole lot. Tuesday night ended up being kind of *emotional* so I slept in, Chris brought me coffee and breakfast in bed, and I read my book for 40 minutes before starting my day. A God-send of a re-set, honestly. </p><p><b>Thursday, 1-13-22</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdIE3XuVAq2_LlhrD7VCohkNs0DWp_PvYxgxj_RAjtiiZsvMSqYy2sTFxveqzIcYQRLd7HZ_0e3NRGhFY9NKnw-2d4ubPCKN52-2LlUe1RszKvzmpDkXyLe3Cf6RLdL5amSbdbeSMwvLoJifnrjLDOHLCsoW5-ImcxeEyxwVTH4SJe7grgAViyaXq7=s1024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdIE3XuVAq2_LlhrD7VCohkNs0DWp_PvYxgxj_RAjtiiZsvMSqYy2sTFxveqzIcYQRLd7HZ_0e3NRGhFY9NKnw-2d4ubPCKN52-2LlUe1RszKvzmpDkXyLe3Cf6RLdL5amSbdbeSMwvLoJifnrjLDOHLCsoW5-ImcxeEyxwVTH4SJe7grgAViyaXq7=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thursday night I actually skated in a little show with Ice Dance International! Just a small holiday party at a local outdoor rink. We skated a trio-piece that I had done last year, so when the girl who skated this year couldn't make it they asked me to step in. It turned out to be a fantastic night of skating and then catching up with friends over drinks. A great time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><b>Friday, 1-14-22</b><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDUbM5pmG8MvXGwWqC7l097qISX1BW52bME6kfBDK9RXIwL0erTtgfBqhmdM5wmMW3SLRBgj-Al3QvbYWYoNMzpgHyKIW-MpDkWvYDOhJ6UJCnIP2kLwIjz9kx8BegsgaCa_Ng5G4-N0sR5GrnWfOYlRhwIMEU7bfb9bP8f-16QFpBnL_WKuTFqJ3I=s893" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="670" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDUbM5pmG8MvXGwWqC7l097qISX1BW52bME6kfBDK9RXIwL0erTtgfBqhmdM5wmMW3SLRBgj-Al3QvbYWYoNMzpgHyKIW-MpDkWvYDOhJ6UJCnIP2kLwIjz9kx8BegsgaCa_Ng5G4-N0sR5GrnWfOYlRhwIMEU7bfb9bP8f-16QFpBnL_WKuTFqJ3I=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />On Friday night we met up with a friend of ours for happy hour drinks, and then Chris and I went to a UNH hockey game. I'd actually never been before, and we had a really great time. It made weirdly nostalgic for college...which is weird, since I've never been. Not in the typical college experience way, anyways. But it made me sort of sad that 18 year-old Gillian hadn't thought a little harder about whether or not she wanted to go to a 4-year school right away. Looking back, it would have been fun. <p></p><p><b>Saturday, 1-15-22</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNKcP0RcMBI_Zjehp22WiO_rEoC0AY-fqBQtt4brE6_gb--SApjZBpFDI3to-iw3m14oLrT3zs4qd1_2_mKe6LCHIXwfpuVO9W46-7J_Z05G3JpHKOpw6SpcsW_FBHAR4z5-fr1JkqNGVFKNVFR2ygbJG1Oef5T0Nqp9JJQ6r3KEHcULGYFFw3UN7r=s4048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4048" data-original-width="3036" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNKcP0RcMBI_Zjehp22WiO_rEoC0AY-fqBQtt4brE6_gb--SApjZBpFDI3to-iw3m14oLrT3zs4qd1_2_mKe6LCHIXwfpuVO9W46-7J_Z05G3JpHKOpw6SpcsW_FBHAR4z5-fr1JkqNGVFKNVFR2ygbJG1Oef5T0Nqp9JJQ6r3KEHcULGYFFw3UN7r=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />Saturday I coached and got some wedding things done, but most importantly I made this incredible Irish Soda Bread. Can't believe I'd never made it before! I am fully addicted now and prepared to make it every week until I die. <p></p><p><b>Sunday, 1-16-22</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimKosAsm2KTYRBBdBcn1YTLgN4siGL3b9LskzU0K1Z7U3JEnEQL66LD9HGPvwysc4s_QhY5LkB9fXXBFj-DpfgKWo6rTixiu0SyukJiqTkuqMDZgJ-WJMaiZbOVkVUSL9tG2IrQx4y4nijVt3TDJFPHytocQDty3A14S0ddMw0u-qsniWwOScjcx5o=s3088" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimKosAsm2KTYRBBdBcn1YTLgN4siGL3b9LskzU0K1Z7U3JEnEQL66LD9HGPvwysc4s_QhY5LkB9fXXBFj-DpfgKWo6rTixiu0SyukJiqTkuqMDZgJ-WJMaiZbOVkVUSL9tG2IrQx4y4nijVt3TDJFPHytocQDty3A14S0ddMw0u-qsniWwOScjcx5o=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />Sunday was a back-to-normal full coaching day. A music-filled drive. A hot shower. Seinfeld with breakfast. Good chats over dinner. Flannel sheets on the bed. <p></p><p>Whew. Looking back, what a good two weeks. So so full. But also fun, and with lots of quiet moments and friend moments. More of that. More of all those real things that make up a life. </p><p>Hope your current week is off to a good start. <3</p>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-23151139055906935892022-01-03T11:09:00.000-05:002022-01-03T11:09:24.862-05:00About Last Week #5<p> This ALW is coming to you from somewhere on I-95 in Georgia, on our way home from SeaWorld! Last night was closing night of Winter Wonderland on Ice, and today we are on our way home. To be honest, I am sad to no longer be doing an ice show but am also extremely happy to be home for a bit. I miss Bear! And my local friends. And my kitchen, and my normal daily rhythm. This contract (my sixth!) really showed me that I am excited and ready to do more shows, but I am also happy to get to spend at least a few more months at home before running off to the circus again. </p><p>MONDAY, 12.27.21</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQ9khuhcEzKt_rL7clRelykE5TG74VvDiWOrxdVWmrkPmsRyq9RxEOBRYw4ap-q32qoly3jcyRTTqvJdfv1dpeZybUdZHdS09ShxdfkzicvoTWpKF1-d7kyOsGSBeFl_ifmA0YPYutcf22lX82nVw3FnHfJm4r8ftLu5e5vZ5RGTm_lV_PN_fPrfZS=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQ9khuhcEzKt_rL7clRelykE5TG74VvDiWOrxdVWmrkPmsRyq9RxEOBRYw4ap-q32qoly3jcyRTTqvJdfv1dpeZybUdZHdS09ShxdfkzicvoTWpKF1-d7kyOsGSBeFl_ifmA0YPYutcf22lX82nVw3FnHfJm4r8ftLu5e5vZ5RGTm_lV_PN_fPrfZS=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>Monday morning I picked up Chris from the bus station. He had spent Christmas down in Ft. Lauderdale (I got to visit for a fast 12 hours Christmas Eve through Christmas morning!) with family, and then he took the bus up to Orlando to me. We stopped by Trader Joe's for some essentials and then spent the rest of the day organizing and prepping some food before we both headed into the park for the show. We actually had to go in early for a fast re-block last minute, so to be honest the night was fun but a little stressy. This was his first time seeing the show this whole contract!</p><p>TUESDAY, 12.28.21</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmL2F-SdPWvj8DSiXzOeVK8yJKJPXXgLzHTsabQlP0-fK8eVAu8hoaqUhknZjhqxJSmISI-Y2av0uksVaErn-f_QmW3UZK7Kal1okWiWqPtQKOhnPQKLKHeJXcRfTR_VE7W9_2_qD4KvjywmsJ2ZgTPwL8z27IR_rtopX8f4_jjH_Q9TswgNWGmJo1=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmL2F-SdPWvj8DSiXzOeVK8yJKJPXXgLzHTsabQlP0-fK8eVAu8hoaqUhknZjhqxJSmISI-Y2av0uksVaErn-f_QmW3UZK7Kal1okWiWqPtQKOhnPQKLKHeJXcRfTR_VE7W9_2_qD4KvjywmsJ2ZgTPwL8z27IR_rtopX8f4_jjH_Q9TswgNWGmJo1=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Tuesday was another pretty chill day. We had a covid scare in the cast so we all essentially hunkered down and didn't socialize much outside of the show for the rest of the week. I'm actually pretty happy Chris was able to be here, otherwise this would have been a pretty lonely and even more sad time. We did so well this whole contract! It was sad to be dealing wit covid issues right at the end.</p><p>WEDNESDAY, 12.29.21</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyxbGPfJ8KECJrHaT8Lzt2gvpEhmpxlrInzZEQ4mJ8VEegJIxJiI3CLVemTaLfxbPTAYRr-IpM-6IxsSbNGy91jGBje4yqvtP3rX1VGi7qAgzdZOXaZZqtb62AVhBSh5hePjnm28q6byfls2Cz-dQ48lU2DNycRR2854NMbMvuokVb5nMfFzrAVrHC=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyxbGPfJ8KECJrHaT8Lzt2gvpEhmpxlrInzZEQ4mJ8VEegJIxJiI3CLVemTaLfxbPTAYRr-IpM-6IxsSbNGy91jGBje4yqvtP3rX1VGi7qAgzdZOXaZZqtb62AVhBSh5hePjnm28q6byfls2Cz-dQ48lU2DNycRR2854NMbMvuokVb5nMfFzrAVrHC=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>Covid tests were actually pretty hard to find in FL. We spent 4.5 hours Wednesday morning waiting at a drive-up testing site for a rapid. Even with the long wait though, the place was really efficient and well run. Just lots of people waiting too! We got our results emailed by the time we got back to the hotel and we were both negative. Definitely a big relief. Chris' parents came up from Ft. Lauderdale, and they got to see the shows that night and hang in the park for a few hours. </p><p>THURSDAY, 12.30.21</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7a_pFWBUkheBOBA2OB2X53yuyvt6ygRH5i7kXPC6uJbnkwm-wC6A043kUKLFc4Q9aM6CyWp6h6xwMmMj7IcJf8h5oZoMuaJ2KvlVla80C0ZBa05G103uLGS76nM4Pen7TcnIHHN5eeJfQ9xc7U_3O3MBd_lZeJmDfGxxiM8Q9TN3uEePPaC3Eu_WZ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7a_pFWBUkheBOBA2OB2X53yuyvt6ygRH5i7kXPC6uJbnkwm-wC6A043kUKLFc4Q9aM6CyWp6h6xwMmMj7IcJf8h5oZoMuaJ2KvlVla80C0ZBa05G103uLGS76nM4Pen7TcnIHHN5eeJfQ9xc7U_3O3MBd_lZeJmDfGxxiM8Q9TN3uEePPaC3Eu_WZ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQHrYhux6boP-AUIFsMS-bJeskbXXr1G7NPgV2pqRsHcp_pDWuMZmNnKbHC9uUjs8m7fCFXGXOxe7d-zkCRt9PHBKPC4PYvQXNiTIHW3zUGyJdWOD5CtxBAw5fWSWUkbrdxMmNIDjlMihoxSiFc5L7PZyKz6hVupT6UqiaszxkNuislMIm7rD8HmyF=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQHrYhux6boP-AUIFsMS-bJeskbXXr1G7NPgV2pqRsHcp_pDWuMZmNnKbHC9uUjs8m7fCFXGXOxe7d-zkCRt9PHBKPC4PYvQXNiTIHW3zUGyJdWOD5CtxBAw5fWSWUkbrdxMmNIDjlMihoxSiFc5L7PZyKz6hVupT6UqiaszxkNuislMIm7rD8HmyF=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>After a slow morning in the hotel to ourselves we got into the park early with Chris' parents, around 12:30. We spent the day seeing all the animals and riding Atlantis (a must!), and just look at that baby manatee! So sweet. I love how they almost hold onto the rocks with their little flippers. Then off I went to work and they got to see the shows that night!</p><p>FRIDAY, 12.31.21</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5MDjKP6VdJ2zle1IjIU6b3HXNlJsiHLMRDabPsFaAVztmHrzaoNNPBHbtyxMnuXSVLRHE0vAAuMadaFgqEXC_P25bb5kCKRSJJod9jHNpXHHhmb3b4DaGE4lHSHvu1WLmlRMECQ4KxzUxHTlwr6OqF6Hd30cFSf-Gf6VNPOUOAGGhJ2Q-McPoabN8=s1656" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1656" data-original-width="1242" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5MDjKP6VdJ2zle1IjIU6b3HXNlJsiHLMRDabPsFaAVztmHrzaoNNPBHbtyxMnuXSVLRHE0vAAuMadaFgqEXC_P25bb5kCKRSJJod9jHNpXHHhmb3b4DaGE4lHSHvu1WLmlRMECQ4KxzUxHTlwr6OqF6Hd30cFSf-Gf6VNPOUOAGGhJ2Q-McPoabN8=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6gALfWd_Q1N4feiLXU28zk0oiqEs9NTmCVaag8jmGwRGBn1qttxXYpdiTJZgh1aSbLWCYZLU0TnIMRPf5-MfLll3tf3lzvsiIy2OvqNDS--DjXqjbAhxJoLhBNFSnLV10oqqjrdpO7s_Jm8fNuIC_1D511n6EX3lzwNajOl2r7YYFuONeFUSXBIGw=s830" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="622" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6gALfWd_Q1N4feiLXU28zk0oiqEs9NTmCVaag8jmGwRGBn1qttxXYpdiTJZgh1aSbLWCYZLU0TnIMRPf5-MfLll3tf3lzvsiIy2OvqNDS--DjXqjbAhxJoLhBNFSnLV10oqqjrdpO7s_Jm8fNuIC_1D511n6EX3lzwNajOl2r7YYFuONeFUSXBIGw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Friday was New Year's Eve, which is honestly a pretty eventful day at WWOI. First off, we do three shows instead of two, and the last one ends right before midnight when they do a countdown and fireworks right after the show. Plus, NYE means glitter shows! Each show we add a new layer of glitter. Plus, last minute some of my second cousins were able to come and I am so glad they got to enjoy the park on such a high-energy day!</span></div><p style="text-align: left;">Most of my cast mates at their significant others and partners at the show, and it was so fun having a little wives club out in the audience. Some night highlights were: running through the park last minute to buy everyone pretzels so they didn't have to leave their seats, getting to go out for photos with my cousins, running out for opening positions of the midnight show and watching a cast-mate have an epic fall in the dark haha, turning around to see everyone with crazy Christmas lights in the audience, and getting to have a New Year's kiss with Chris in my skates, right outside of the tunnel. A fantastic day, all around. </p><p style="text-align: left;">SATURDAY 1.1.21</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxs0QFLmQBAdxTKHpylYf1Ue6IWae-ig9nezxkdCAxfiF9MwGEY6JQDYWwBptStDzLhi7C5EEmOP-aanOscB5saKb89RPUr5frXcTk9B4H4SfMvzNJtrBu5YM90KLGWVeZJnnp6e8yJhxHhnfNrK-YvGODOyRsO9D8XXGdBo7D3JEspNJ0Lwv5HLC2=s3088" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2320" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxs0QFLmQBAdxTKHpylYf1Ue6IWae-ig9nezxkdCAxfiF9MwGEY6JQDYWwBptStDzLhi7C5EEmOP-aanOscB5saKb89RPUr5frXcTk9B4H4SfMvzNJtrBu5YM90KLGWVeZJnnp6e8yJhxHhnfNrK-YvGODOyRsO9D8XXGdBo7D3JEspNJ0Lwv5HLC2=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">Saturday was a quiet day....everyone was still tired after NYE and we were still dealing with covid stuff. Chris and I bopped into the park (fully masked and sanitized, even with our negative tests) early to see the dolphin show, but otherwise it was just a workday. Hard to see in this photo but the way I pouf my hair for the show really shows off the little gray streak I'm starting to get!</p><p>SUNDAY 1.2.21</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9BQTuR8BkYHOwoBlxnVlJGLvPRxureeW57OSoeUB25R-c95DSje4TUnkndHb5Ank2hzqfuy1ucP_Rgw8dts5dMfiG4fmA-9WRCYjVBGmte10wBRHIoF8as4gny-38opI8hLFFmNTVtE1ZORm7m-sFYPOM8IlEVdjWm0uDzQlH1zxC4AC2HbYKaBID=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9BQTuR8BkYHOwoBlxnVlJGLvPRxureeW57OSoeUB25R-c95DSje4TUnkndHb5Ank2hzqfuy1ucP_Rgw8dts5dMfiG4fmA-9WRCYjVBGmte10wBRHIoF8as4gny-38opI8hLFFmNTVtE1ZORm7m-sFYPOM8IlEVdjWm0uDzQlH1zxC4AC2HbYKaBID=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJkpSU3XAyd2X6suSNO7jbozk01hQDjakLR2hgzGgBHNX28d8_bhY4vMjBCA41yVWgFnf7MtxS0oeGD_-OmiVFmejbq89FR30fnz_ype97xoUhrRSeapJT6Qd9lieGaQenq0uqGOEikdGURrkMfDAmw7E2hnxF5NkGRVHWtxfJJ5UflVpwzYIIdMOL=s2208" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1206" data-original-width="2208" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJkpSU3XAyd2X6suSNO7jbozk01hQDjakLR2hgzGgBHNX28d8_bhY4vMjBCA41yVWgFnf7MtxS0oeGD_-OmiVFmejbq89FR30fnz_ype97xoUhrRSeapJT6Qd9lieGaQenq0uqGOEikdGURrkMfDAmw7E2hnxF5NkGRVHWtxfJJ5UflVpwzYIIdMOL=w640-h350" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Sunday we closed! A busy day of packing, lots of bittersweet goodbyes, a walrus stuffed animal from Chris, and a bloopers video showing afterwards at the hotel. Then a late bedtime and up early to get back home...phew. Another contract in the books!</p><p>There were lots of special moments in this cast and with this show, but for right now I am excited to be heading back home and heading into the new year with lots of fresh starts. This week I'll share more thoughts from the year, and also a wrap up and photo dump from this show. Lots of thoughts to share! In the meantime, hope everyone's first Monday of 2022 is off to a great start. :)</p>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-6544190538516353962021-12-27T12:06:00.004-05:002021-12-27T12:06:44.901-05:00About Last Week #4<p> I am sitting here on the Monday after Christmas, lots to do, my room a mess, and the period cramps setting in. We officially have only ONE WEEK left of this contract! It has completely flown by. Later today, I will be picking Chris about at the bus up from Ft. Lauderdale (he spent Christmas with his family down there), and he will be with me trough our last show week! Definitely looking forward to some more family time, some snuggles, and some gentle planning for the new year. </p><p><b><i>MONDAY 12.20.21</i></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9qvOM47VUUxvwENLZvgyJ9XPgoGJz59ebzs8bb77Zs0u2UH9yGc3qs9-7oGzA8cgg6_o8F9xAbs09ZJ5MKDUlwABHT0yT6s3EjS-QH3hj_Gq2OCRK_PKp2mnED5KRb5kD-tw2AhEASOdYjcOtvS3UpMhZxznNoJrlpTaMu3YEq0f5UfppGoRoRj3C=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9qvOM47VUUxvwENLZvgyJ9XPgoGJz59ebzs8bb77Zs0u2UH9yGc3qs9-7oGzA8cgg6_o8F9xAbs09ZJ5MKDUlwABHT0yT6s3EjS-QH3hj_Gq2OCRK_PKp2mnED5KRb5kD-tw2AhEASOdYjcOtvS3UpMhZxznNoJrlpTaMu3YEq0f5UfppGoRoRj3C=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />Monday morning I went to Sofritos, our favorite local spot, with Kelsie and Connor. We messed around in the super touristy gift shop next to it for a bit, and then I dropped them off at the airport! That night I went into work and did two shows, both of which actually ended up getting rained out. We were still at the venue all day though. Afterwards, I curled up at home with some tea and did some blogging. :)<p></p><p><b><i>TUESDAY 12.21.21</i></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDFxNmplG36PiOGWTaSF8wNjvjPeSLZXLzPuw-A9WcdUpRFrEjYnijjgcJbCxZliDzbjaMtis5GSVNhn13dJiLX4Y2KK1weOnVusKgSD8B310rOL-MYgo3zD4RdLgOmzNv-qRFCzY1eUxAI4pCiR5ZqO1N1JEBW_BkDewJ6DOtFrKAxKj5-tFplUlY=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDFxNmplG36PiOGWTaSF8wNjvjPeSLZXLzPuw-A9WcdUpRFrEjYnijjgcJbCxZliDzbjaMtis5GSVNhn13dJiLX4Y2KK1weOnVusKgSD8B310rOL-MYgo3zD4RdLgOmzNv-qRFCzY1eUxAI4pCiR5ZqO1N1JEBW_BkDewJ6DOtFrKAxKj5-tFplUlY=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />Tuesday morning I had public skate, and we got all the way into the venue in the pouring rain before they canceled it! We were drenched, but happy to not have to be there all day. We went home and I spent the rest of the day watching You've Got Mail, and starting this embroidery kit! I am in love! Can't wait to work on it some more. After that it was just some meal prepping, and then back to the venue for our shows (the rain stopped). <p></p><p><b><i>WEDNESDAY 12.22.21</i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUOjMknTFwd0A_xHkA84x4_2R0b7ggMUybIGmgIfu3WCxfN4SroTQZplkdI8VlpNPHCgNBldHVl17FsYYSAPTT6OguDSYIiNtCi_hbb7Fu16BTPQqBBXEJGxZQyMr06MVk8aLHg3gcYxHN7Cyr2osPO0PxwwQNPFiOEqYoN6GfoVWWXpBvo5nvD7Ik=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUOjMknTFwd0A_xHkA84x4_2R0b7ggMUybIGmgIfu3WCxfN4SroTQZplkdI8VlpNPHCgNBldHVl17FsYYSAPTT6OguDSYIiNtCi_hbb7Fu16BTPQqBBXEJGxZQyMr06MVk8aLHg3gcYxHN7Cyr2osPO0PxwwQNPFiOEqYoN6GfoVWWXpBvo5nvD7Ik=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>Wednesday I was crazy tired...went into shows obviously, but honestly I didn't do much else. Just couldn't get out of my way for the whole day, and I felt pretty off. </p><p><b><i>THURSDAY 12.23.21</i></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjo9koIfU7KSm7OYACbyRAKxoIHax1KR__e42XXVdFwDNsJmbTgfbl0zRNZwM2Tah27Q3erBmRCfPZDeGVpMFJZoC3HpLRfpzqLXHjSLgOLT4-S8fexNOivg1jyV4JEJgAK6-hFJBZ7fCFuGYnoeJzxooORuOtZzaGOCEKjjJzcEW4uSqrmrXyWwwsA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjo9koIfU7KSm7OYACbyRAKxoIHax1KR__e42XXVdFwDNsJmbTgfbl0zRNZwM2Tah27Q3erBmRCfPZDeGVpMFJZoC3HpLRfpzqLXHjSLgOLT4-S8fexNOivg1jyV4JEJgAK6-hFJBZ7fCFuGYnoeJzxooORuOtZzaGOCEKjjJzcEW4uSqrmrXyWwwsA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia2YaCb5puJGCx-ODSD25brnKu9azX01pXVk9nmZ2v06_fX-4v-GHIjS1ERRv9cdUIlA2ztzxwI5wfJCPWBcv53neAjvAwJd_4hN5qaUOIPvzTSEogVuP7jvoMbf31UBHjEzef7O1oji50PrEid3rSmULN2cjN7LXOEC0QuBq_PgjNS6uy1S1tPBEh=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia2YaCb5puJGCx-ODSD25brnKu9azX01pXVk9nmZ2v06_fX-4v-GHIjS1ERRv9cdUIlA2ztzxwI5wfJCPWBcv53neAjvAwJd_4hN5qaUOIPvzTSEogVuP7jvoMbf31UBHjEzef7O1oji50PrEid3rSmULN2cjN7LXOEC0QuBq_PgjNS6uy1S1tPBEh=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>Thursday was a complete whirlwind! I was busy all day going shopping for last minute Christmas treats, ordering last minute gifts, and prepping for a busy Christmas weekend. I got home from shows at 10:30pm, and immediately got to work making three batches of fudge, and a batch of white trash haha. I literally stayed up until 3am, making fudge and listening to podcasts and getting a little wine drunk in the middle of it all. For fudge I made: chocolate and toffee, peanut butter molasses, and white chocolate raspberry. So, so fun....maybe I'll post the recipes so I remember what I did next year! I love to come up with new ones every year. </p><p><b><i>FRIDAY 12.24.21</i></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge1E9mrRlGH0_cwGY_4WeGyMhwODCuev7bJ8keGSOccMXSLPU5bv_tEV-OsBT4QyPkF9OL1QdISkXYvynoSr1fumTBvN-Tw0-n-HBFkj_r61duk5WP3xZrdRIEEppeeDrMFrK1-Hvd-LNluKHgdOyaPfWmPW2En89DbaNW7vKzrzpUlp6w70hMRfMU=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge1E9mrRlGH0_cwGY_4WeGyMhwODCuev7bJ8keGSOccMXSLPU5bv_tEV-OsBT4QyPkF9OL1QdISkXYvynoSr1fumTBvN-Tw0-n-HBFkj_r61duk5WP3xZrdRIEEppeeDrMFrK1-Hvd-LNluKHgdOyaPfWmPW2En89DbaNW7vKzrzpUlp6w70hMRfMU=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhww2rIsnSaB7QFjBnVNpzyEAl0GJ-rg3s0CA8PE9WjTds1f3wo6PW8gKINTJI841pbWF6n_PdRFdV_TP6reNkNNp_tHQxela2zOVHCOFNbMAsffiO1iHj5oi8jDHE5zkwwRV_i8yC1vkcfjlF_0yB--2KadfXAGpZ6oPyA7Iq3iAsq_noobqwX84P=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhww2rIsnSaB7QFjBnVNpzyEAl0GJ-rg3s0CA8PE9WjTds1f3wo6PW8gKINTJI841pbWF6n_PdRFdV_TP6reNkNNp_tHQxela2zOVHCOFNbMAsffiO1iHj5oi8jDHE5zkwwRV_i8yC1vkcfjlF_0yB--2KadfXAGpZ6oPyA7Iq3iAsq_noobqwX84P=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />Friday was Christmas Eve! I was up and moving pretty early because I had public skate. I worked public skate from 9:45am-3:30pm, then raced back to the hotel to package up my fudge and back for the night. I made six little fudge boxes: one for the cast, one for some close friends, one for Chris' parents, one for the hotel desk, on for the hotel housekeeping, and one for costuming. These little Christmas tins were 98 cents each at Walmart, and I couldn't help myself. So so cute!!<p></p><p>So after packing up the fudge, I zipped back to work for two shows. Then I went back to the hotel, showered, and hopped in the car for a 3-hour drive to Ft. Lauderdale to see Chris! Phew haha. I got in to his hotel at 2am; definitely a long day but any chance to spend Christmas morning with family is a no-brainer in my book. </p><p><b><i>SATURDAY 12.26.21</i></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtVWCXPCGBtYXC-iYnHAgyLfYqSM2AkAoA5vEusHBxXyxXTnOaHUINoIfHQ9KqGSPAtybLJjGI16xNeHdnK3-6gCDlI5iITuaAb2A0dJxfqS22hkLV4wgtQ168Omi9umd3qoDLyXqADEhf-ttw7Waq-5TvG5_d6A2ovNvVbm2Fp5D39ghVE9a14xrP=s3244" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2177" data-original-width="3244" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtVWCXPCGBtYXC-iYnHAgyLfYqSM2AkAoA5vEusHBxXyxXTnOaHUINoIfHQ9KqGSPAtybLJjGI16xNeHdnK3-6gCDlI5iITuaAb2A0dJxfqS22hkLV4wgtQ168Omi9umd3qoDLyXqADEhf-ttw7Waq-5TvG5_d6A2ovNvVbm2Fp5D39ghVE9a14xrP=w640-h430" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgF6Vnza8SoJjF7juXy81p0N4d71Dpzr4jDhA-SKDU0t767sw4oECSYFeNRHf2cggRuvw3HPI--998DULlTX1udhBc3poKf5zlsBalcpyhuLJtYPn3FaDuM8ly7lWeTErzUAijWWVocAAONvO5c5bfEoGYVmbcQkC42jZ1ThCklJeo-v8h7MQY9XH9_=s903" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="677" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgF6Vnza8SoJjF7juXy81p0N4d71Dpzr4jDhA-SKDU0t767sw4oECSYFeNRHf2cggRuvw3HPI--998DULlTX1udhBc3poKf5zlsBalcpyhuLJtYPn3FaDuM8ly7lWeTErzUAijWWVocAAONvO5c5bfEoGYVmbcQkC42jZ1ThCklJeo-v8h7MQY9XH9_=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />Christmas day! Woke up in Ft. Lauderdale with Chris. :) We immediately went on a Starbucks run, then opened our stockings together. Afterwards we hung out with his parents, grandmother, and cousins on the rooftop of the hotel. It was a wonderful, relaxed family morning. I left early at about 1pm to zip back up to the show. I was SO TIRED on the drive...had to stop partway through to grab a coffee because I was convinced I was going to fall asleep. But it was also an easy drive, no traffic, some great podcasts, and I just felt so happy! I got back to Orlando at 4pm and zipped right over to the show. We had a super fun secret santa gift exchange at notes, then our typical two shows. That night we had an epic hotel party (I didn't go to bed until 6:30am...whoops!). Being together as a cast is always the best part of any ice show!<p></p><p><b><i>SUNDAY 12.27.21</i></b></p><p>Sunday was chill, and I have no pictures haha. I slept in pretty late, then had a relaxing afternoon to myself before heading in to work. Two good shows! Then a shower and to bed, where I got very distracted by watching videos of people cleaning their dishwashers on Instagram. I can literally not wait to go home and check our dishwasher filter. I'm taking time off from work once I get back, and I am stoked to finally get to deep clean everything!!!!</p><p>This week between Christmas and New Year's is always one of my favorites. Hope everyone has a good one!</p><p>xoxo Gillian</p>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-9103527566122494452021-12-23T10:05:00.000-05:002021-12-23T10:05:01.640-05:0025?!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJSnScRzwPS0K1wgdEQRo5ht1fwSRFws0CiCUVimPnjq3d683nb8lAC1bgIUjJgbwpLBIXQwWPNYvCHxBbo3K3HY465-E0YBMhjpeQ4oiVd6z88Yx9S3p7ZHRUz9ktTNPkVE5KeZY9M42oanm-gE3QAu5xA6CbnFyqMRl-DNqqNQh9N8Cdb8Z-k1KA=s903" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="677" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJSnScRzwPS0K1wgdEQRo5ht1fwSRFws0CiCUVimPnjq3d683nb8lAC1bgIUjJgbwpLBIXQwWPNYvCHxBbo3K3HY465-E0YBMhjpeQ4oiVd6z88Yx9S3p7ZHRUz9ktTNPkVE5KeZY9M42oanm-gE3QAu5xA6CbnFyqMRl-DNqqNQh9N8Cdb8Z-k1KA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>Last week, I turned 25! So weird. So fun! But honestly, crazy. There is something really interesting about being, inarguably, in your "-mid-20's." 25 seems to hold some kind of grown-up gravitas that 24 just didn't. </p><p>I love getting older. I can truthfully say, even a pandemic later, that every year has been better than the last. I would never want to go back in time to live at a previous age: with each year that passes, I feel myself becoming more like the "me" I'd really like to be. Bumps and all, I am 1000% happier <i>with </i>myself, than I have ever been. I don't just mean "happy"--there are definitely days/weeks/seasons/years where I am depressed, or just not bright and positive. I mean happier with who I really am, as a person. Like I like myself. That's a new feeling! And one I hope just keeps getting better with age. </p><p>Today at 25, I barely recognize myself. The past two years have held the most growth of possibly any other time in my life. I feel unrecognizable to my 22 year-old self...let alone my 20 or 15 year old selves. The past year held so many wonderful things and so many hard things. I am grateful for all the people that were a part of it, and let me lean on them. But also: I am very proud of myself. I am proud of who I am entering 25. There is not a single moment, of a single day, that I am not astounded by my good fortune in life turning out this way. Someway, somehow, I've ended up in a life story that I think is pretty cool, and as a person that I think is pretty cool, too. It's humbling. </p><p>I was listening to a podcast recently and they were talking about how often we are sold this narrative of "Successful people are successful because they are ambitious, work hard, and refuse to give up!" In reality, however, there are lots of talented people involved in any art form or any industry....and not all of them are on the top or "successful" in our narrow definition of the word. Being "successful" requires ambition, hard work, a refusal to give up,<i> and a lot of chance, luck, and circumstance.</i> It's not going to shake out the same way for everyone. </p><p>But what do we do with that information, as ambitious people? For me, I'm choosing to find a lot of freedom in it. I can own both my successes and my failures, but I also don't have to beat myself up for either of them. Sometimes I will fail because of my own short-coming, and sometimes I will fail because of a circumstance. They are both okay. They are both great! They both are opportunities for growth. </p><p>At 25, I want to move forward into allowing myself more space for that concept. More space to be ambitious and ask for the things I want, as well as more space to be honest about what really doesn't feel good for me. I want to show up and challenge myself towards growing into the type of creative I want to be, while also knowing that who I am as a whole person <i>today</i> also holds incredibly value. At 25 I want creative projects, work, school, learning, studying, building, as well as deeply nurtured friendships, a precious marriage, time for books and crafts, dinner in the oven, long hikes with Bear, art on the walls, and flower gardens. Time, space, and openness of heart and mind towards all the things that make life worth living. I want that elusive "balance", or perhaps more accurately, the ebb and flow. </p><p>I am setting this time aside to be proud of how far I've come, and to hold some hope that there is still so much time for a thousand more crazy, wonderful things. Here are a few things I am proud of myself for, in the past 25 years:</p><p><br /></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Taking a real look at my skating self when I turned 18, and acknowledging that if shows were something I wanted to do, I'd have to make some changes. 18 year-old me knew nothing, had no connections, had no money, but honestly was pretty ballsy. I switched coaches, joined different teams, trained 6 days a week, watched countless videos, and talked to everyone, all while working full-time with a part-time job on the side. 3 years later I got a show! And was a fundamentally different skater. Honestly, I'm amazed I did this. </li></ul><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Always having a very clear gut feeling about whoever I was dating at the time, that I trusted. Even when I was with certain people longer than I "should" have been, I always knew what was and wasn't going to be a good situation. I trusted that feeling when it meant not being with people, and I trusted it when I met Chris!</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Moving out! <a href="http://gmrobidasblog.blogspot.com/2021/01/one-year-of-shacking-up.html">Moving out was a really, really scary experience for me.</a> It was emotionally heavy and anxiety-inducing to tell my parents what I was doing. But it was also the single best decision I've possibly ever made, and really led me to feel so much more myself and therefore just so much happier. Forever grateful for making that happen. :)</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Being a really good paraeducator. I don't think I talked about it on the blog much, but I worked as a para at high school for two years. It was so hard, and I was only 19 when I started there. My student was pretty high need. But I dug really deep, took lots of feedback, and I know I did a really good job. That job was an awesome experience, and sometimes I get nostalgic about it. </li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Running 4 miles last summer haha. I know that is nothing for some people, but I used to not like running, and have always struggled with pacing and distance. Running 4 decent miles was huge! As well as the fact that I am finally at a point where I really enjoy and crave running. </li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Starting to coach full-time. I fell into coaching a lot post-COVID, and then this spring I made the leap to make coaching and skating my full-time thing. Very, very proud of this, and honestly never expected it. </li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Being pretty great in the kitchen. Growing up with a mom that was <i>always </i>baking and cooking definitely helped, but over the past two years I've also experimented with lots of new recipes, and read quite a few blogs and books on food. I feel pretty confident to try basically anything, and to know that I can salvage most things. I love to cook, I love to bake, and I love the canning I've been able to do. Part of it just feels innate, and I really love that. </li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Having a really strong relationship with Chris. I'm proud of how neither of us played any games when we started dating, how we've both always been honest about what we wanted and needed, the way we talk about things that aren't working, and how much fun we have together. I'm very proud of just the healthiness of it. </li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Outgrowing old opinions. I used to be a far more judgmental person than I am today, and I had a lot of black and white thinking. I would love to write more about this at some point, but for now: I am proud of moving myself past that. I'm proud of how even when I was in the midst of it, I was open enough to entertain other ways of thinking, and how that listening eventually led me to re-evaluate some strongly held beliefs. I'm definitely a kinder person today, because of it. </li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I'm proud of being more fun that I was growing up. Hear me out: I used to be really uptight. I am still very uptight! But I'm much better at relaxing and letting myself enjoy things now. Life's a lot better that way!</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I'm proud of finishing MCT, the choreography training by <a href="https://americanicetheatre.org/">American Ice Theatre.</a> Another thing I haven't talked about a lot, but I'm really proud of not only taking the course but the work that I put into it. I'm especially proud of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iawQDCsdjMU&t=27s">my final piece. </a></li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Having good taste in beer! I am weirdly delighted in my decent but rudimentary knowledge of beer, and I'm proud of how much I like it and like to talk about and seek out new ones. </li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Going to therapy! Even leading up to March of 2020 I was feeling so, so low, and the pandemic really exacerbated it. I am so glad I started going to therapy early on. It's been life altering and so, so helpful (if any part of you thinks you should go...you should go!).</li></ul><div>25 is the year I'll get married! And maybe run a 10k? Do a new ice show? Move somewhere new? I'll definitely go for winter hikes and keep focusing on coaching, choreograph some fun stuff and make lots of food. It's going to be a good year. :)</div></div><p></p>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-63225296212847905052021-12-20T23:50:00.004-05:002021-12-20T23:50:52.096-05:00About Last Week #3<p> This past week was all over the place: last days off of the run, my birthday, closing out the semester of school, a holiday party, and friends visiting! Lots of good stuff. I also had a cold which was less fun, and honestly just felt a little off most of the week...but nothing a little quality time with friends and some self care didn't fix. </p><p><b>Monday, 12.13.21</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_1LZRhlA42ugEUmbTxuW4Msoqt5HqgkLvIg7WiOEgbDcEtII9BhpWPtZqdlElgNzugK-L_HESE_nhxWDnXMMEgjDhJriq7IYrP-hci-qv4yZK41xTJTGlLPvN3Zfr_N4l8yxEYBNGlzCTVHxlftek6Fs3Pkf3KLLAAaKu9kdsEwu4GNZIoO5BYKjp=s222" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="222" data-original-width="166" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_1LZRhlA42ugEUmbTxuW4Msoqt5HqgkLvIg7WiOEgbDcEtII9BhpWPtZqdlElgNzugK-L_HESE_nhxWDnXMMEgjDhJriq7IYrP-hci-qv4yZK41xTJTGlLPvN3Zfr_N4l8yxEYBNGlzCTVHxlftek6Fs3Pkf3KLLAAaKu9kdsEwu4GNZIoO5BYKjp=w479-h640" width="479" /></a></div><p>Honest, Monday was a blur. I feel like I barely remember what I did! We had the day off, and I had my last day of class for one of my remote classes. Then I spent the evening in the pool and ordered pizza with a cast mate. Somehow I didn't take a single photo all day...but enjoy this one Chris sent me of Bear!</p><p><b>Tuesday, 12.14.21</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPrx5yUtEMIRvY63O-EDgNeH1FLjAaAmWg7oJtiC2YriUvxFimgG9nGlCZfmx9J44eunqxD3WDzhFC3atXmJieay-TuiIUyNULXFQ3cwuX78tkY-GgXilhG6S4WuvVSKT7xQNQp2Ws7w_Pz4QpFNkr1rWHmTJz1Ae05uyzAd4b7R0UXPnH9lajyjge=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPrx5yUtEMIRvY63O-EDgNeH1FLjAaAmWg7oJtiC2YriUvxFimgG9nGlCZfmx9J44eunqxD3WDzhFC3atXmJieay-TuiIUyNULXFQ3cwuX78tkY-GgXilhG6S4WuvVSKT7xQNQp2Ws7w_Pz4QpFNkr1rWHmTJz1Ae05uyzAd4b7R0UXPnH9lajyjge=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEoK_e_KUHCra6VfFsSt6sSugirMowabMWoc0POj1oTdP1_s67cryYXZxn_ob90r8a2EJeal7Rz6vQQ-sYSyrbi7wpfrf-G4m9Fed9ESiJM4CDoIm4PsPPwXaKquIw7zktNBk16Isj87nj4EJvYiNFFoGdvjzI4kvIlYfe-fhO-Py8aRViRXXCVSyB=s1001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEoK_e_KUHCra6VfFsSt6sSugirMowabMWoc0POj1oTdP1_s67cryYXZxn_ob90r8a2EJeal7Rz6vQQ-sYSyrbi7wpfrf-G4m9Fed9ESiJM4CDoIm4PsPPwXaKquIw7zktNBk16Isj87nj4EJvYiNFFoGdvjzI4kvIlYfe-fhO-Py8aRViRXXCVSyB=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>On Tuesday we had a party at one of my local cast-mates house! It was SO FUN! We all got dressed up and had a great time. Everyone made and brought food, I made barbecue chicken in my Instant pot to top baked potatoes with, and I also made some cookies at their house. </p><p><b>Wednesday, 12.15.21</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDvXMZQ669UJGlYc8fJ28S-dEQoGZalu4kNUSkYGqD5o1p7rPgv5CZnNhXDZ-hsP0y1wTzMFgfQscx-PviRQsurOIU2JzmRvagK1jrDHIuVS3m8R3DzdeOqIwgIjPQomujOd6KtiuZfjHOok-wxCxkBnHYNuTLHpOfv2zRD95n3NhVse_bU2M4-rtR=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDvXMZQ669UJGlYc8fJ28S-dEQoGZalu4kNUSkYGqD5o1p7rPgv5CZnNhXDZ-hsP0y1wTzMFgfQscx-PviRQsurOIU2JzmRvagK1jrDHIuVS3m8R3DzdeOqIwgIjPQomujOd6KtiuZfjHOok-wxCxkBnHYNuTLHpOfv2zRD95n3NhVse_bU2M4-rtR=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>Wednesday was a bit of a recovery day from the night before! I took my very last final, cleaned my room and read my book, then had a good long soak in the hot tub and worked out. That night Chris and I had a wonderfully long video chat. We don't video call very often, and even though we talk every day we don't always have time for long calls. It felt like a cozy date night!</p><p><b>Thursday, 12.16.21</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKpMIf9oGuaWn28FYIo32fPBpR9-PZBjcypUsCWTF1opyfaCvFYNQS8iF6DMIfBZGBYID8-LUvfPoHPUMX5CEXoqflBKBw6Vx84XJAXtOVsfqamN77IlikMda_zVaRjguZHmOJhXR-sHYoLkBKUF-oIF9JBMh67dUEgAMvIsA6ZwPEh9y5SxpVuH9t=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKpMIf9oGuaWn28FYIo32fPBpR9-PZBjcypUsCWTF1opyfaCvFYNQS8iF6DMIfBZGBYID8-LUvfPoHPUMX5CEXoqflBKBw6Vx84XJAXtOVsfqamN77IlikMda_zVaRjguZHmOJhXR-sHYoLkBKUF-oIF9JBMh67dUEgAMvIsA6ZwPEh9y5SxpVuH9t=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>Thursday was my 25th birthday! I kept it pretty chill though. I went to a wax appointment in the morning, and then a Target run to get some Christmas stuff. I treated myself to two new pairs of earrings! Then I worked the public skate session at work, and hung out with my friend, Emily, for the evening. A perfect, low-key day. </p><p><b>Friday, 12.17.21</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNOPzz_yyp-1itH19enN5CyXeMMEh01lYWMv0S-uhL5EXsYwACOBGGWYcRMn-c2ElZn_yuy-fcT2meYpU2YxvNe1rN3UmnVUKGxsVAQg0DoMSQfdvpdMadTJR3KLPZOFTFq_n5KvYbayUYth99p6KmXcSFc3VJ9vRopcZ0wS4erXwC_Hl5eDc2O1p-=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNOPzz_yyp-1itH19enN5CyXeMMEh01lYWMv0S-uhL5EXsYwACOBGGWYcRMn-c2ElZn_yuy-fcT2meYpU2YxvNe1rN3UmnVUKGxsVAQg0DoMSQfdvpdMadTJR3KLPZOFTFq_n5KvYbayUYth99p6KmXcSFc3VJ9vRopcZ0wS4erXwC_Hl5eDc2O1p-=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I don't know what was the matter with me, but Friday morning I just felt...bad? Tired, and definitely with a bit of a head cold. I also felt kind of anxious and depressed, just melancholy and generally off. Did my best to pull myself together and clean the room, but I honestly didn't do much outside of getting myself to work. After shows, though, I showered and went to the airport to pick up my friend Kelsie and her boyfriend!<p><b>Saturday, 12.18.21</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKwMJRhyMVZF2YM8RJZ2sB0_MvvWns-yfTBX3MTCQnQEDgQijXmVeyNa_98sxCTFT1JjSbve-3UG5LTIRFUf-aRnAl-NwpkYgNuuayC6ZuUbO6Oe4VGuB6kObDbyTEnTWpcQ3kIoRpKGKjrX_w9e8cbjssQiXtftWA0EkQmPQW2fi1vq0JdSjvnbR5=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKwMJRhyMVZF2YM8RJZ2sB0_MvvWns-yfTBX3MTCQnQEDgQijXmVeyNa_98sxCTFT1JjSbve-3UG5LTIRFUf-aRnAl-NwpkYgNuuayC6ZuUbO6Oe4VGuB6kObDbyTEnTWpcQ3kIoRpKGKjrX_w9e8cbjssQiXtftWA0EkQmPQW2fi1vq0JdSjvnbR5=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJVcROiysPPo8kP8iiVelX_gVGuY85-PhPK_1oK8q7LYwDNKsip1pSVo741wMA5fHR33F6yOW7f03VrR8FW3ubjh-ttMx9kzczivMuJmNuA6BweaDp_NBsYN7Que7IzD58W24GqODKxAQcN8A_sLU8mPtuYfu00_g5xsL125NVxqcqTpeM__5o1tDx=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJVcROiysPPo8kP8iiVelX_gVGuY85-PhPK_1oK8q7LYwDNKsip1pSVo741wMA5fHR33F6yOW7f03VrR8FW3ubjh-ttMx9kzczivMuJmNuA6BweaDp_NBsYN7Que7IzD58W24GqODKxAQcN8A_sLU8mPtuYfu00_g5xsL125NVxqcqTpeM__5o1tDx=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Saturday we spent the day in the park together, and they got to see the show! So fun. :) I've honestly never had a non-skater friend visit me at a contract before, and it was such a treat to get this time together since we don't see each other enough, even when I am home!</p><p><b>Sunday, 12.19.21</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDdD5yv07W-37e8I9QymDQ8n_E6Ryi7X47NbAF3yHcDOOa3V_OzbPAXnJ5YboZ17Q7c_1_c1FY3z1KxuB4iraCCjr4YEoic_wL6nkqQ8-_rhUpePZrwPN7cuA5ay6noanWm_1PYykLjpGpX-gtpTPTOLCMT48w_Sh8jsJ3anBlDPkS-XHhRQEHe2m3=s3088" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2320" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDdD5yv07W-37e8I9QymDQ8n_E6Ryi7X47NbAF3yHcDOOa3V_OzbPAXnJ5YboZ17Q7c_1_c1FY3z1KxuB4iraCCjr4YEoic_wL6nkqQ8-_rhUpePZrwPN7cuA5ay6noanWm_1PYykLjpGpX-gtpTPTOLCMT48w_Sh8jsJ3anBlDPkS-XHhRQEHe2m3=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3y0a7M8u9WkgbsjR3f_YtiQmADmciKJ-1xRo3K__dA6-ibnti-DuDkacYG32AzBAOZSvoCo_v_xIpM2cvoW6_s_J6RDOND6JFtdruifXVBZBQRn5xags4CDONYr-StJKKtsJCLl2UzenLTXtOOwkr31-AfdP8bkfP7CsLDecnkjSdiaDusQf9TYf6=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3y0a7M8u9WkgbsjR3f_YtiQmADmciKJ-1xRo3K__dA6-ibnti-DuDkacYG32AzBAOZSvoCo_v_xIpM2cvoW6_s_J6RDOND6JFtdruifXVBZBQRn5xags4CDONYr-StJKKtsJCLl2UzenLTXtOOwkr31-AfdP8bkfP7CsLDecnkjSdiaDusQf9TYf6=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Sunday morning Kelsie and I went to Celebration (Disney's residential neighborhood) to grab breakfast at their diner! They also had a farmer's market going on in their market square, so we got to explore that as well. It was a perfect morning of chatting and eating great friend and just relaxing together! We headed back to the hotel in the afternoon, where I dropped her off and headed in to work myself. </p><p>Overall, this was such a fun week with so much good social time. We are in the last two weeks of this contract! It has gone by so quickly; much quicker than in years past. I'm honestly not ready for it to end!</p>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-82097700705366683112021-12-13T14:42:00.004-05:002021-12-13T14:42:27.684-05:00About Last Week #2<p> Proud of myself for showing up for week #2 of this little series, haha. Here is to attainable goals! Last week featured lots of wrapping up of the semester, shows, and some family visits. A good time! </p><p><i><b>MONDAY, 12.6.21</b></i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LmPWx7sH6YY/Ybed54KbUlI/AAAAAAAA_9o/58y2g6CCBXYZ4o1LLEHkd_zhlvVVUBUvQCPcBGAsYHg/s1334/IMG_8766.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LmPWx7sH6YY/Ybed54KbUlI/AAAAAAAA_9o/58y2g6CCBXYZ4o1LLEHkd_zhlvVVUBUvQCPcBGAsYHg/w360-h640/IMG_8766.PNG" width="360" /></a></div><br />We had Monday through Thursday off last week, so I spent the day focusing on getting as much homework done as possible. Chris sent me this adorable snapchat. That night I sat in the hot tub, and then what was going to be a chill cast hotel room hangout turned into QUITE the night of Margaritas, ridiculous games, and lots of laughing. A good time. <p></p><p><b><i>TUESDAY, 12.7.21</i></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V8JY0ojeAIQ/YbeewtD70GI/AAAAAAAA_-A/kyb5i5QVp3EbanfOx5GkJT-jOmEn1R4kgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_8768.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V8JY0ojeAIQ/YbeewtD70GI/AAAAAAAA_-A/kyb5i5QVp3EbanfOx5GkJT-jOmEn1R4kgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_8768.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br />Not gonna lie, I was not feeling my best Tuesday morning haha. But a slow start led to a productive day working on a huge paper I needed to write! I took a lot of my writing to the pool, and then finished the night with a glorious bubble bath. <p></p><p><b><i>WEDNESDAY, 12.8.21</i></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Me4Lu-VwuFo/YbefJJO3nzI/AAAAAAAA_-I/0Ly-rWhLjTIaVPu7I46AO_fxF5YJY3piwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_8778.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Me4Lu-VwuFo/YbefJJO3nzI/AAAAAAAA_-I/0Ly-rWhLjTIaVPu7I46AO_fxF5YJY3piwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_8778.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br />Sometimes I struggle to eat enough while I'm away from home or busy, so I've been making sure to have lots of snacks. These little crackers from Trader Joe's are the perfect thing to much on when I just need something. Wednesday morning I got up early and went skating at the real rink. I worked on my Bronze ice dances with some friends from the cast! Then I went to the grocery store, and came home to more homework. Wednesday night we had a cast BBQ at the grills outside the hotel!<p></p><p><b><i>THURSDAY, 12.9.21</i></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nMSEjY8O8og/Ybef1r0mvRI/AAAAAAAA_-k/N8FkKKleD_UwyN6loYxafT5KPoUNdHTgACPcBGAsYHg/s3088/IMG_8788.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2320" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nMSEjY8O8og/Ybef1r0mvRI/AAAAAAAA_-k/N8FkKKleD_UwyN6loYxafT5KPoUNdHTgACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_8788.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br />Thursday I was on the <i>grind</i> for school from 9am until 11pm. The big due date was submitting my creative non-fiction portfolio, which when completed was 45 pages long! I spent all day writing, then put on makeup and real clothes to film me reading some excerpts from it. Got it done!<p></p><p><b><i>FRIDAY, 12.10.21</i></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JP5M9Bmotno/YbeggBixA5I/AAAAAAAA_-s/3U0fhDYZqwcfNzHemcuG6Fu3LlXcaBtzwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_8792.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JP5M9Bmotno/YbeggBixA5I/AAAAAAAA_-s/3U0fhDYZqwcfNzHemcuG6Fu3LlXcaBtzwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_8792.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br />I had a ton to do Friday: we were back to shows, we had a re-block rehearsal in the afternoon, and my parents were flying in. I needed to do lots of HW but honestly I was so drained from Thursday that I gave myself time Friday morning to just watch Seinfeld and slowly drink my coffee. It was divine. I did get a few things done, but overall I let myself take Friday slow!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HjpUHYsb0BI/Ybeg7GGOx8I/AAAAAAAA_-4/RBjhEZ9Optc_iq8PI4acKBpamhphF-zIgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_8813.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HjpUHYsb0BI/Ybeg7GGOx8I/AAAAAAAA_-4/RBjhEZ9Optc_iq8PI4acKBpamhphF-zIgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_8813.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>My parents were here on Saturday! After a slow morning we spent the day at Seaworld, then they saw both shows. After shows we went out to dinner at Yardhouse. </p><p><b><i>Sunday, 12.12.21</i></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--t6EBbHdesw/YbehOmm2jLI/AAAAAAAA__A/4hw0YVkphcs7Te6uCqQofiWm4MfnVKYUQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_8829.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--t6EBbHdesw/YbehOmm2jLI/AAAAAAAA__A/4hw0YVkphcs7Te6uCqQofiWm4MfnVKYUQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_8829.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br />Sunday morning my parents and I made pancakes and then hung out by the pool. Around 12:30 we left for me to drive them to the airport, and then I went to work. This has been where 99% of my schoolwork as been done since I got here: at the venue between shows, on the floor, sitting on a show towel, laptop in hand (and snacks close by).<p></p><p>This coming week we have more days off, a cast holiday party, and officially my LAST DAY of the semester (finally!). I'm excited to do some good relaxing, spend time outside, and crank through the last bit of school. Then my birthday is Thursday, and then we're in shows from Friday all the way until January 2nd! My best friend also comes to visit this coming weekend, so I'm looking forward to that. </p><p>Happy Monday, everyone! xoxo</p>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-29128382524266016382021-12-07T14:08:00.002-05:002021-12-07T14:08:24.309-05:00About Last Week #1<p>Gonna try a new little thing! I've always wanted to be more consistent at capturing "real-life" on the blog. For me personally, I love looking back on posts with lots of photos. I don't scrapbook or anything, so Instagram and this blog is a huge way that I reminisce! Here's what last week looked like, a photo a day. </p><p><b><i>MONDAY </i></b><i>11.29.21</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t6mMFZrwGvQ/Ya-mW0q5r_I/AAAAAAAA_ww/-CYrLOtFbdQ3l3PCJpWfx2dfqvVbA485gCPcBGAsYHg/s3088/IMG_8690.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2320" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t6mMFZrwGvQ/Ya-mW0q5r_I/AAAAAAAA_ww/-CYrLOtFbdQ3l3PCJpWfx2dfqvVbA485gCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_8690.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><b><i>MONDAY </i></b><i>11.29.21</i><div><i><br /></i><div>The semester is wrapping up, and Monday I tackled some larger final projects so I could fully relax while Chris visited! I also painted my nails for the first time in a long time and I am obsessed! Why don't I do this more?!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NDJMpXeodYM/Ya-tLuxOFnI/AAAAAAAA_xE/uekNjLLrE2sNlK8qRi37qIMMuT6NTjNrACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_8702.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NDJMpXeodYM/Ya-tLuxOFnI/AAAAAAAA_xE/uekNjLLrE2sNlK8qRi37qIMMuT6NTjNrACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_8702.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><p><i><b>TUESDAY</b> 11.30.21</i></p><p>Spent the morning doing homework and working out and then picked up my baby at the airport! This was the shortest 36-hours visit but it was so fun and so resetting. :) Tuesday we just hung out at the hotel, sat with some of the cast around the fire pit, and I made a new pasta recipe from the <a href="https://joythebaker.com/">Joy The Baker</a> Holiday magazine!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_cEzFj_DXRg/Ya-tvPIZRHI/AAAAAAAA_xM/EGE9pTfCSjoz1F_NUMcVwecx4nAAa05sgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_8695.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_cEzFj_DXRg/Ya-tvPIZRHI/AAAAAAAA_xM/EGE9pTfCSjoz1F_NUMcVwecx4nAAa05sgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_8695.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M_1rtes6M6M/Ya-uRjHipQI/AAAAAAAA_xY/mHwrb5rzUnc00_yzkn1W4mHSDvC_opoxgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_8705.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M_1rtes6M6M/Ya-uRjHipQI/AAAAAAAA_xY/mHwrb5rzUnc00_yzkn1W4mHSDvC_opoxgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_8705.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><i><b><p><i><b><br /></b></i></p>WEDNESDAY</b> 12.1.21</i><p></p><p>Wednesday started with breakfast at our absolute favorite Orlando place, <a href="https://www.sofritocafe.com/">Sofritos!</a> We discovered it when I did Sea World in 2019 and it's become our go-to. :) Amazing coffee, and I always get the arepas! Later we did some Christmas shopping, then shut down Disney Springs haha. </p><p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1eR-Z5IjZW8/Ya-uokk5J7I/AAAAAAAA_xg/Yvkv8cJqOtEcdAdgP9nfTz5iqmFcqMmxQCPcBGAsYHg/s1334/82776121-149C-4BBE-9923-58F44A1F9AA8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1eR-Z5IjZW8/Ya-uokk5J7I/AAAAAAAA_xg/Yvkv8cJqOtEcdAdgP9nfTz5iqmFcqMmxQCPcBGAsYHg/w360-h640/82776121-149C-4BBE-9923-58F44A1F9AA8.jpg" width="360" /></a></i></div><i><b><p><i><b><br /></b></i></p>THURSDAY </b>12.2.21</i><p></p><p>Chris left for the airport early in the morning. :( I went back to sleep, then had a lazy morning before working Public Skate at SeaWorld, and skating a show for a special staff event that night. </p><p><i><b>FRIDAY</b> 12.3.21</i></p><p>No photos. It was kind of a stressful workday, and I struggled to get as much homework done as I'd been planning.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mS1rxJMlkYE/Ya-vTcGIDQI/AAAAAAAA_xo/alKN8GWfLxQd1X3rRcf_Yg9EakrTA0w5QCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_8758.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mS1rxJMlkYE/Ya-vTcGIDQI/AAAAAAAA_xo/alKN8GWfLxQd1X3rRcf_Yg9EakrTA0w5QCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_8758.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><p><i><b>SATURDAY</b> 12.4.21</i></p><p>Had a great little skate on ensemble ice, with a beautiful sunset! Lots of homework and then two shows in the evening.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-89Be0T8zR6s/Ya-vvr5m1PI/AAAAAAAA_xw/hFIKDqgWVNkcupznjAS4AsHJDy0dNFSTgCPcBGAsYHg/s1334/IMG_8761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-89Be0T8zR6s/Ya-vvr5m1PI/AAAAAAAA_xw/hFIKDqgWVNkcupznjAS4AsHJDy0dNFSTgCPcBGAsYHg/w360-h640/IMG_8761.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><p><i><b>SUNDAY</b> 12.5.21</i></p></div>A very busy day! Got up at 6:30am to do a few hours of homework before getting to the venue, worked at Public Skate 9:45-3:30, then skated ensemble ice at 4:30, and then the whirlwind of notes, makeup, pre-setting, two shows, plus staying up late to submit a big final! Quite a day, but I treated myself to a Starbucks coffee partway through!</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Tuesday! These are the days xoxo.</div>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359351662770511633.post-62592530150877083282021-11-28T00:10:00.002-05:002021-11-28T00:10:48.376-05:00Grateful For in 2021<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KV-k1t-ZMUI/YaMOebin6HI/AAAAAAAA_Lg/64OtmWzCsnQp19xb2IGRokSgSIEFb-rSgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_8407.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KV-k1t-ZMUI/YaMOebin6HI/AAAAAAAA_Lg/64OtmWzCsnQp19xb2IGRokSgSIEFb-rSgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_8407.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><p>This Thanksgiving was so good, and also kinda hard. I am back performing in Winter Wonderland on Ice at Sea World! I am right in the middle of finals for school. This is our first (and last!) Thanksgiving engaged! I had a wonderful morning watching the parade and sipping coffee quietly in my PJ's. I had a good cry. I watched a friend's dog. I did some yoga. I went to work. I felt sad and lonely and anxious between shows, and wasn't sure if I could muster. We got back to the hotel at 10:30, and we had a fantastic Thanksgiving cast party in my hotel room. There were Apple Cider Margaritas, a cheese board, and pancakes! A truly wonderful time. All in all, so grateful for the day (even the hard parts). </p><p>My overwhelming feeling as we enter the holidays this year is just awe. I am in awe of this incredible life, and the fact that I get to live it. I am honored that I do feel like I'm making my middle-school self proud. I am dizzied by how much life has changed in two years, not to mention five years! I am so, so grateful to feel myself inching closer to the brave, kind, put together, fun type of person I want to be. What an honor to grow older! What an honor to grow deeper. </p><p>I am still so much in process, but I am grateful to be in the process. Coming out of this year in particular, here is what I'm grateful for:</p><p>I am proud & grateful for the boundaries I have set with family.</p><p>I am proud & grateful for getting a dog, and learning I actually love dogs. </p><p>I am proud & grateful for the relationship Chris and I have built, and the ways we prioritize each other.</p><p>I am proud & grateful for how much Chris and I value growing outside of each other.</p><p>I am proud & grateful that I went back to school, and am still in school, even when it's hard.</p><p>I am proud & grateful to still be skating, and to know that this is what I really, really want.</p><p>I am proud & grateful for learning how to cook over the past two years.</p><p>I am proud & grateful for how much easier it is this contract to sit quietly by myself.</p><p>I am proud & grateful for the friendships I have from so many different places.</p><p>I am proud & grateful for our adventurous Instagram-able life.</p><p>I am proud & grateful for our cozy, private, slow-cooker life. </p><p>I am proud & grateful for how I'm learning to be more nuanced in every area of my life. </p><p>Hope you're all cozy & safe & cared for & having a wonderful start to your holiday season. </p><p>xoxo Gillian</p><p><i><a href="http://gmrobidasblog.blogspot.com/2020/11/grateful-for-in-2020.html">Grateful for in 2020</a>, <a href="http://gmrobidasblog.blogspot.com/2015/11/thankful-for-in-2015.html">Grateful for in 2015.</a></i></p>Gillian http://www.blogger.com/profile/02113933614705116337noreply@blogger.com0