Pink Nation

Only was it this year that I realized what October meant to so many women across the nation, but the importance started creeping in last year. I was sitting on my couch one Sunday in early October watching the good ol' Colts when I  noticed something different--flashes of pink, little ribbons on their helmets and patched to their shoulders. I thought, "Oh, how nice, they are supporting Breast Cancer Awareness" and, "Colts' blue looks really good with pink."  I think I even made a Facebook status about it.

 You have to admit. They do look good together.

But the month of October and the awareness of breast cancer has taken hold of me this year. I'm not sure if it's because I've spent the past three months working with women to help support their girls and realize that anatomy  is an important part of what it means to be a woman...but not the only thing (that's a whole other blog entry).  

Or maybe it's that the nation is becoming more aware, therefore I am becoming more aware.  Like this super cute bracelet from Stella & Dot, 20% goes to Breast Cancer Awareness or Vera Bradley's day of giving 25% of all net product sales to Breast Cancer Research. You can look cute for a good cause, who doesn't love that?                                                                           

But most likely it's because I'm getting older and, of course, wiser. Cancer comes into our life and affects not only you but everyone around you.  I realize that some day I might be diagnosed with a cancer whether it be skin, breast, or any other type.  My own family members have fought to survive or are continuing to fight against the awful disease.  Another reason I'm so appreciative of Breast Cancer Awareness month is because I am so proud of women.  The strongest people I know are the women in my life. Both of my grandmothers have taught me what it means to work hard and to love hard, too.  My mother has done everything and anything and never stops. Everyone has a mother and grandmother, and  whether they are affected by breast cancer or not, everyone should be aware because we need to protect the women who have worked so hard to fight this disease. I am so proud of all the women who have fought/are fighting against breast cancer.

Ultimate Girl Power

Stranger Danger

All right.  If a person approaches you on your lunch break at the food court, don't believe a word they say, mace them, and scream, "FIRE" (because people don't help people encounter strangers).

Let me give you the whole story. It is four o'clock in the afternoon as I'm sitting down for my linner (lunch and dinner) of Chick-fil-A.  Half way into my Number 2 combo meal this well dressed, younger man approaches my table and asks if I work at the mall. I'm a dumbo and said yes.  Of course, we all know that yes to working at the mall means, "Sure have a seat and make conversation."  This dude pulls up a chair and starts rudely hitting on me...kind of..it was more like a series of fast-paced phrases that including my "boyfriend" kicking his butt for talking to me...awkward. I set him straight by telling him my "husband" would kick his butt. He continues these awkward comments thrown together with random mentions of  baseball team fundraiser/communications' class homework/supporting troops across seas by buying magazines, but he had a boss.  I don't know about you, but I was thoroughly confused.  The holes in his story/stories were even more transparent when he said he was UTSA 1st String Pitcher..Too bad I know the 1st String Pitcher's girlfriend, and he was not their starting pitcher.

Moral of this story.  Even if  you are grown woman don't talk to strangers. People are creeps and if something feels off about their story, something probably is. 

P.S I'm really proud of how many prepositions I used in my second sentence in the second paragraph.

Home is...

I have heard two quotes about home. "Home is where the heart is" and "Home is where your mom is".

What if these two things are in different states?

This weekend was full of ups and downs,which have given me a lot to think about.  I left Texas and Drew for the first time since we've been married. The first up was immediately followed by a down, Up-I left the ungodly hot weather Texas calls normal; Down-I left the love of my life in that ungodly heat (I truly felt that he should be beside me on the plane instead of the Norwegian man afraid of a little turbulence).  We have spent a year apart so I really didn't think it would be a big deal! But let me tell you something--marriage changes things and I'm not just talking about your last name either. This sounds super cheesy but I felt like I was leaving part of myself in Texas, even just over four months of marriage this happened. Crazy!

Critics hated Bride Wars. My friends hated Bride Wars. I LOVED Bride Wars, but not because of the plot line of two friends hating each other as they both plan their weddings.  I loved the moral of the story, that you can have a soul mate who has known you for a lifetime and still even after super drama is by your side.  I have been so blessed in my life to have sure a rare friend; I can't take credit for the start of this friendship, my mother and her mother planted a mustard seed.  This might seem completely tangential, it's not. The Midwest holds my heart in any different ways and this is one of them.  Over the years, especially as I've had many people come and go in my life, the appreciation of good friends deepens. Drew moved around a lot as a child and never really got to have a chance to build lifelong friends like I got to, and I realize the gift I have.  When after months of not seeing each other you can still be able to finish each other's sentences and order the exact same thing at a restaurant, you know that's pretty awesome.

These are my thoughts just within the first couple hours of my trip; I still have so much to say! Keep with me a little longer because the trip was really meant to celebrate 65 years of marriage. Holy cow! 65 years.....of marriage....with one person.  I am simply amazed by my grandparents. They have been through so much and not just in their relationship but as a generation. They have worked hard, and I'm so proud of them. This is probably the hardest and happiest part of the trip.  Leaving them, saying goodbye and not being sure if this is the last goodbye or not, kills me.   The time that I spend with them is so precious and the best parts of my trips home. 

The moral of this story is love with all your heart. Love your husband and miss him like you haven't seen him in months when really it's only been a few days. Love your friends as deeply as our own blood, bonds of friendship are the best gift given to you (because sometimes your family is a little crazy). But even if your family is a little crazy, they get you in ways no one else can. Plus they have the best inside jokes ( lil' brudder, did we have lunch?, get your own, and chicken shit basket) just to name a few.

Home is...home. You make your heart big enough to reach across the country because God blesses you with the ability to love; He is love. And God is a pretty bid dude. Trust your heart and trust in the Lord.

The First of Many

So here I am, blogging.  I guess I have blogged before, you know, Xanga and MySpace.  But for some reason this feels more...grown up, professional. I hope for this to be less about she said, he said of the drama of high school and more about the insights of life as I know it.  Although I believe my life is pretty mundane, I hope to share humorous, genuine, and maybe sometimes serious moments of my life that you, as my reader, will enjoy.

Happy Reading :)