Home, Day 2

I came home to possibly say goodbye to the place where I grew up, the house my family and I made memories in, with land to roam and a creek right behind my house where I fished, explored, and started to learn what I believe and am passionate about. My best friend lived right across a wooded area with a path cutting through the forest so we could walk to each others houses, and my neighbors played house with my sister and I. We made fairy houses, had hand stand competitions in the pool, played neighborhood kick the can, raised 3 dogs, went sledding down the huge hill in between our house and my grandmother's house, had our hearts broken, mended, and grew up.

It's bittersweet. I love it out West, but I grew up here, and while I like to pretend I belong out west, part of my heart will always be here.

I got to sit down with my grandmother tonight and found out my grandfather worked for the CCC when he was younger - this fact made my day. The Civilian Conservation Corps was the founding program that eventually lead to the MCC, Montana Conservation Corps, where I worked for 9 months and literally changed my life - lead to the SCC, Southwest Conservation Corps where Devin currently works, and other conservation corps'. It just makes sense to me, and while I never got a chance to really know him, how I like to believe that part of him lives on in me. Cheesy, maybe. Or maybe just hopeful. I was so young when he passed, and these stories and memories are all we have sometimes to keep people's lives alive, to remember them, celebrate them.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilian_Conservation_Corps

I'm holding back tears while writing this because I didn't think it would be this hard to be home and let go of this place... but it is.

I am trying to make my posts more concise and on point - not rattling away like I normally do. So that's all for now - Congrats to my sister who is celebrating her graduation from college tomorrow. Proud of her.

Hope you all have lots to celebrate these days and if not, please find something to celebrate - so cliche, but life's too short, go have fun, find your happy, even if you have to do it alone - you're never really alone, ever - that's something else I've learned this summer. That's what life is about, growing, learning, communicating, relationships - so go off into that great blue yonder and 'do', 'be', and 'live.'

Random Thoughts

1) I'd like to get another tattoo... not sure where... or what... or if I will... but want one.

  

2) Miss trail work - the creativity and technical aspects that go into it, the labor intensity of it, the pride you feel when you've transformed the land into something people will use for years and years, hopefully appreciate even though they may never understand how much work it took or all the sweat poured into it, but something made with your hands that will allow people to get out and enjoy nature and the environment - and I can hope that they will then care more and be concerned with keeping places wild, open and free. 

3) LOVE vintage clothing shopping and consignment shops - if I could live a different life, or maybe when I am older and want to retire, I'd start my own little vintage shop and buy and sell locally - would LOVE to travel west and buy Native American jewelry pieces and artwork directly from the artists and sell that as well. Fair trade style. I think it's important to recycle things - even though that does mean that someone had to have bought it new, right?

 

4) Looking forward to heading home Friday morning - had a huge bomb drop this past week, didn't turn out the way I'd imagined and hoped in my head, as I had hoped things would be different and change for the better - but who am I to say what is 'better?' - Anyways, expecting something isn't always good, and I hoped too much... but that's who I am. The point is, what I realized is that my thoughts on family have shifted. Blood ties only mean that someone is related to you biologically, which still mean something to me, but what means a great deal more is when someone wants to be there for you, and you want to be there for them - that's family. Who wants to be there. When it matters, and when it doesn't, in happy and bad times. Blood only goes so far, actions and words count a whole lot more - which is probably why I am so darn picky with who I let close to me, because I am so afraid of getting burned. Maybe not even afraid, just tired. 

5) I've been thinking a lot lately about what I want after I graduate and really, what I want period. I'm 26 - a lot of people are settling down, getting married, having children, buying houses. I feel a pull in many different directions. Part of me watches others getting married, reads magazines and sees all these beautiful symbols and trinkets for weddings, dresses, shoes - and wants those things. If I ever got married, I know what I'd want. But I'd be just as happy going to a court house than having some huge to do. One part of me wants that life. But the other so doesn't, and that's the part that's winning. The other part wants adventure, wants travel, and wants to keep exploring the world, and me. Call it selfish, but I feel like I have a calling to give back more - and then there comes the separate wants again. I've been applying for fundraising and development positions and enjoy that work, especially when the cause is something I believe in and am passionate about, but is that really what I want? I am going to school for International Human Rights and Humanitarian Assistance, and the other part of me wants to give 2 years, be a Peace Corps volunteer, and work abroad. I want to work on the ground, with people, helping them make the best decisions for their lives. I want to learn more about agriculture, food systems, humanitarian aid, water conservation, sustainable practices, fish farming, and visit Africa again - so many different things. I feel as though I do not fit the mold that society has set out for people my age, and maybe this is the new mold - not fitting into the old one. How do I compromise all this? I don't have an answer yet. Still trying to figure it all out. Trying to see what I really want, what would make me happy, and still allow me to serve... 

6) Just watched a movie with Bryce Dallas Howard, the actress from Lady in the Water - I think she's fantastic, and underrated, but the movie, The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond, was all right... eh. I also have a new crush on Emma Stone - I just think she seems genuine and down to earth, just like my all time favorite, Julia Roberts. Hopefully, when my sister gets famous I can meet them all. Haha. This makes me think of the documentary, I Am - everyone should see it. Famous people shouldn't be looked at as any different, and we put them on such a pedestal, when we shouldn't. They're just people, like us, human. We can all do just as much good as they can, and stand for the same things. Maybe not get as much attention, but O well. It's one of the best films I've ever seen. So is 180 South - a must see. One of my other bucket list items: to visit Patagonia. I think that's something I am going to work on, creating a comprehensive bucket list. I have so much to do, I feel, and not enough resources to do it all. I look at the great adventurers, and they found ways - so I believe I will too. Somehow. 

7) I decided I am going to blog more - think it's important to share feelings, ideas, beliefs, emotions... think it brings people together, starts conversations, sometimes with people you haven't heard from in a long time, or that you haven't ever talked to. I think that's important. Communication is key in this rapidly changing world. One of my biggest beliefs. 

Anyways - those are my thoughts for the day - a lot, I know. My brain's constantly reeling and working. Rented Soul Surfer too - excited to watch it. On my own for the night, Devin's off on an overnight visiting crews. Very proud of him - he's enjoying this job and doing so well. I think it's awesome when someone can be happy and like the work they perform, even love it. It was so nice during our hike the other day when he showed me all the trail structures - pretty much what I talked about in number 2. Made me miss MCC and the crew him and I lead - O' and if any of my former MCC'ers read this - I have listened to Preacher Man and our Wild Bill Jams multiple times recently. LOVE it, so upbeat, and you all know that I belt out to Preacher Man - woot woot!

Have a Good Night All 

Simple & Sweet Gestures

Just wanted to share a quick thought:

Sometimes the most simple things can be the kindest and sweetest things. Gestures that may seem totally unimportant and actions that don't take a lot of effort - may be the greatest thing in a person's day, and may literally make their whole day.

Yesterday, my boyfriend, Devin, brought me a card after he got home from work... it was the sweetest thing. A really cute card, with a lovely, heartfelt note - just because. He let me know how important and appreciated I am. That meant the world.

 Yesterday, also, my friend back in Denver, Em, posted one of my favorite cards on my FB profile... was so nice. Miss that girl.

Today, the guy at the Grease Monkey was talking to me about all the things that my car needs now that it's surpassed 60,000 miles... awesome. Love spending money - well, on other things - but it's pretty important for my car, since this one needs to last me till I can land a real, money-making job and get a less gas guzzling monster. Anyways, he was super nice and when I went to get into my car, there was a bright pink carnation on the dash board. Now, I don't know if all ladies are treated so well, but I love flowers, and the gesture, was sweet and thoughtful.



I find that when someone doesn't smile back when I smile at them, I get irked. But dammit, I'll keep smiling - cause one smile can brighten someones day. So can conversations - you learn so much by just chatting with people and sometimes, it turns into so much more. Friendships, networking, or just a good memory.

It's the little things that give me hope. Fingers crossed for allll the jobs I've applied for. Am going to try to blog more... been feeling inspired to do so lately. And have been inspired to continue delving into 'who I am and what I want.' It's a process... and hopefully it takes a lifetime :)

Sending love all over ---

Ooo and lastly, I stole 2 dog treats from Grease Monkey, and Rio and Maggie were quite happy I did - see, even pups appreciate things!

My Dad

 

 

 
Just wanted to share a story, because my blog is titled 'With Hope' - life should be about inspiring others by actions, living and sharing hope that things will change and be better, and that there is always hope.

My Dad just called and told me about how there were 2 men fishing behind our house at the creek, but on the other side. Neither of the men had fishing poles and were using fishing line like lassos to toss the bobber out and fish that way. Their technique he said was impressive and genius. My parents are in the process of getting our house ready to move soon, which is bittersweet. I won't go into all the emotions, or why the move is happening - but it's a fact now, and one that I will have to somehow get a grip on before I go home for 2 weeks in August. I say this because like many houses and homes, people start getting clutter, and acquire a lot of 'stuff' they don't use and don't need. (I never want this to happen to me... my goal as of right now is to only own and have what can fit in my car... minus a few pieces of furniture that mean a lot to me) Anyways, back to the story, my Dad went in the garage and found an old, but good spinning reel and rod and when my parents went out to do errands they walked down the other side of the creek, which is a park, and the men were gone. My Dad then realized they must have parked down by the old iron gate bridge at the other end of the creek and further down, and not where my parents parked off of the main road - details - so he figured if they kept going maybe the men just moved a little further downstream towards 'Snake Island,' where him and his brothers used to catch snakes when they were growing up. Sure enough, the men were fishing further down and the one had a big sun fish on his line. My Dad said Hey, this is for you, and the man with the fish said I don't need it and they both laughed because my Dad said, I can see that, you catch more fish than me! But then the other man came and took the pole and thanked my Dad for the gift.

It's these simple, small gestures that I hear about and inspire me. It's not the first time my Dad has done such things. He'll sometimes pay for someone else's meal and let it be anonymous, give money to people on the street - I get this mentality from him. One day, I'd like to be able to help people by giving them money, every one of them. While I know people don't always agree with this - I look at it like this... I think it takes an incredible amount of bravery to hold a sign and ask for help, and I think it is a huge shot to a person's pride when they feel the need to do that. I think any way that I can let people know I do care is an important action.

Those men back the creek had a system, and they were fine - but my Dad gave them a fishing pole because we don't use all the poles we have, and he wanted to share. Sharing and giving is something I think needs to happen more these days, and realizing we are all human. We all make mistakes. But we can help one another and bring one another up. By giving the men a fishing pole, he just allows them a different way to do what they were already doing, and giving them a gift they may not have wanted to give themselves. Those are the best kinds of gifts.

I think the line between helping and hurting can be a fine one, and I haven't yet determined what 'good helping' really means. I do know that letting someone help themselves, and helping them to do that is extremely important. Listening to what people need and maybe helping in the way that allows those people to make their own decisions and help themselves - that's what I mean.

Who knows what 1 fishing pole will do to those men's lives, but I can hope that it made their day and that, my Dad's action let them know that someone cares, even if they didn't need it, but just the action of giving. If we all started doing that, in those small ways - holding doors, letting someone pull out in front of us when we're driving, putting a quarter in an almost expired parking meter - the world would be a better place.

* DuRaNgO *

So I have been living in Durango since June 1st, with a family, Devin and Rio and me - Overall, it's been good. I've had a good deal of 'me' time, volunteered at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, traveled to Silverton and Ouray with Devin's Mom and Aunt, went on many walks with Rio, hiked with her, and finally, after at least 10+ years, rode a horse today. I've explored the town, been to Bayfield, Pagosa Springs, Ignacio, Mancos and Cortez - driven through some - still have a lot to do. I'd like to venture to Mesa Verde, go to Crede, the Trimble Hot Springs (hopefully happening this week), see Farmington, visit the Ute Native American Museum in Ignacio... the list goes on. The photo below was taken on the Kennebec/Sliderock Trail that Rio and I hiked the other day - 6 miles - and the buildings are an old abandoned mine... pretty neat.

If you check out my Facebook page you'll see more adventure photos from the summer :)

I've had a lot on my mind lately... being away from family and 'home', what's next for me, Peace Corps, missing girl friends, and feel pretty alone down here - things have definitely changed. 

That is the one constant in life that can always be counted on though, right? Things will change. For better and for worse - and for me, I think that's part of what growing up is all about. 

I'm still trying to figure out my own path, and it seems that whatever road I am on, is not the road that many travel. While my boyfriend and I got a dog together, I still have this craving for adventure, traveling, seeing people and places, exploring... not settling down, and not being comfortable. But then there's the other part of me that sorta wants that - and they have been butting heads lately. 

I don't want to go into much detail, mostly because I am still unsure of the whole blog thing - while I want it to be like a journal, there are a lot of things I want to say, but won't. Many things that are stressful, that I have no control over - and it breaks my heart. 

I think this summer, overall, has been a much needed break for me. I never knew if or when I'd ride again, and I did today. I have been forced to become more independent and deal with being alone. I've gone, done, and seen some pretty neat things and places, and met some great people along the way. I needed a break.

Come September 12th classes will have started again and I'll be in my last quarter of graduate school. wooot. I can't wait for whatever is next. Fingers crossed that something happens, because that's been my job this summer: job searching, and re-learning Spanish to be able to pass the language exam and graduate.

Last thing I want to say - as the years have gone by, I can say that I have met some amazing people, many that I miss, all the time. But you realize when you move away what you're grateful for, you appreciate the memories, and hold onto them. Distance brings being thankful, forgiveness, and a chance to move on - even when the move may not have been the bravest thing. 

Anyways - thanks for reading if you got this far. Hope at least some of this made sense. Maybe one day I'll open up more and really share --- one day. 

Thankful on this Mother's Day

Missing my mom today, but I know she is having a good/fun day with my sis and Dad - they were headed to LBI a few hours ago. So jealous. Love and miss the beach.

So very thankful for all the love in my life - I think that's important to remember, because people often forget. Somewhere, someone loves you. I believe that. And if it's not love, than it's caring, and compassion - I really don't believe you are every, truly, alone. Maybe I just think that because it's comforting, or maybe I think it because I don't ever want anyone to feel alone or not wanted, so want to be someone who lets people know that I'll be there for you.

My blog has been kinda sad/down lately. I blame it on all the stress I have - between school, all the papers and reading, and then feeling disconnected to people, and to the greater world - feeling helpless is more like it. But even with those feelings, I'm pushing through.

Had an amazing brunch with Sheila, Devin's mom (my boyfriend) - while we should have been cooking for her on Mother's Day, we all pitched in. Made crispy potatoes, cheesy eggs, bacon, and had freshly cut strawberries. SO GOOD. And then I came home and kept picking at the chocolate muffin I bought at Sunflower Market yesterday. I needed some chocolate... typical. But it was so nice to sit outside, enjoy the weather, have really nice conversations, laugh a little, drink bullinis (sp?), and enjoy each other. We brought her a lovely bunch of flowers, such pretty, vibrant colors, and she liked them a lot.

So now I'm home, in this mess of an apartment (moving out on June 1, subletting, and sheesh, we have too much STUFF!) and need to get started on work again. But, the skies are blue, and the weather is beautiful, warm, and perfect for sittin' outside and reading some. So, off I go, for now - again, will write more later - still have to talk about last class last Weds. - always things left unsaid, at least for now :) Sending love all over and hoping everyone is doing well!

Thank Yous

One of the things I believe is that people need to be thanked even for the smallest things. I know I expect a lot of people, but it's because I expect a lot of myself. At most times, my expectations of myself are ridiculously high, and in turn, I catch myself putting those same expectations on others. Flaw of mine. But that gets me back to thank yous... I adore little notes and cards and really think it's a kind and seemingly lost gesture these days. Think about it - what if everyone wrote one thank you a day to someone, wouldn't that make the world a little more thankful and maybe compassionate? Just a thought on this Saturday morning.

Wishing I could be home to spend some time with my mom this weekend. Been missing home a lot. I think that's normal when you really start to realize you're a grown up. Life has changed and things will never be the same again. Friendships are strained, people go their own ways, but there is such beauty in those adventures and new beginnings. My best girl friend and her husband just became homeowners and are so excited! I'm excited for them as the process has been frustrating and long. Makes me continue to think about my life, where I am, and what I want. So not in that place. Actually quite opposite. Have been thinking of applying to Peace Corps and have already started...

Short Update - More later about this week...