Happy New Year's Eve

December 31st. The time to reflect on the past year, make resolutions for the next one, and send well wishes to loved ones.

So much happened this past year, probably too much to recap here, especially since I had been out of blogging touch for almost two years now. And I have many resolutions for this next year, but I'll spare everyone from having to read the long list of goals. It's probably just better to share once I've actually accomplished them! So I'll end 2013 (and this very short blogging year) with this wish:

That 2014 brings you beauty, awe, and wonder, quality time with family and friends, abundance, hearty laughs, new adventures, and much love.

Quote-o-the-day

"Happiness takes as much practice as unhappiness does. It's by living that you live more. By waiting you wait more. Every waiting day makes your life a little less. Every lonely day makes you a little smaller. Every day you put off your life makes you less capable of living it."
-Sisterhood Everlasting, Ann Brashares

I didn't even know this book existed until a couple of weeks ago! The 5th (and most likely last) book in the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" series was published in 2011. I'm a couple of years late in picking it up, but as a fan of the previous books, I'm glad I finally made the discovery. It was a page-turning and tearful reading experience. It left me a little heartbroken for beloved characters. And it also stirred something in me that had settled into the background of a busy life...my love for reading! Well, I've always loved reading. But how much I read doesn't stay consistent. Sometimes I can devour several books in just a couple of weeks, and sometimes I go months and months without reading anything. During those breaks, it often takes some kind of spark to get me back into the habit, a good book that reminds me how much I enjoy it. And here it is!

We have a cute well-stocked little library in my hometown that I've been frequenting quite a bit. I'm lucky enough to have plenty of free time to read right now.

New beginnings

"Celebrate endings, for they precede new beginnings."

-Jonathan Lockwood Huie

October was a month full of goodbyes...to dear friends who are like my family, an organization that helped me grow up and into the person I am today, a job I had wanted for a long time and worked hard to get, hundreds of volunteers I cared so much about, a wonderful city I called home for 14 years...it was hard saying goodbye, but it was full of celebrations and heartwarming well wishes. Leaving so much behind was bittersweet, but now, I'm on a grand new adventure! Yes, adjusting feels strange and lonely at times, but that will fade away as I make new friends, find a rewarding job, and fill my time with fun activities and hobbies. So far, this next chapter has been amazing in so many ways. Here are a few things I've been up to...

Morning walks along the coast. It looks different every single day, sometimes it's calm, serene, and mystical. Some days it's bright and cheery and other times it can look so wild and rugged. I'm always in awe at the many ways this coast can reveal its beauty. And the wildlife, so much to see! Seabirds, otters, dolphins, whales, harbor seals, a large male elephant seal. I'm thankful I get to live here and witness these things every day.

Hiking, exploring and enjoying nature. This is one of the things we were looking forward to the most, having the outdoors so close and accessible! It's incredibly beautiful and there's so much to explore. We've only been hiking, so I can't wait to camp and backpack soon too.

Taking some time to breathe, slow down, relax and reflect. To sit and read with a cup of coffee. Try new recipes and cook hot delicious meals. To volunteer, get involved with the community, and learn new skills. To be crafty and create gifts. To take in this wonderful new life!

Quote-o-the-day

Now that she's back in the atmosphere
With drops of Jupiter in her hair
She acts like summer and walks like rain
Reminds me that there's time to change
-Drops of Jupiter, Train