The One with the Full Belly and Soul

Whether it is indulging in a boat of sushi after stacking cell phones in the middle of the table so as to avoid tecnological temptations or laughing and sharing beers with new work mates as a welcome to their world, there is definite power in sharing table with others. 

There is a certain vulnerability when face to face with another human being. Stranger or not, it is a special thing to know that those sharing table with you have given of their precious time to engage in the experience. When sharing table, food is usually involved and that means a shared experience, at minimum, the length of a meal. As the food fills the belly so the company fills the soul. 

I was recently out dining with a good friend and her tiny miracle of a newborn babe. We felt very welcomed by the service our waiter provided. Through ongoing, although interrupted, conversation with him about the newborn babe and his recently born babe we felt a small connection to him. The positivity expressed about how surprisingly nice people can still be in our world and how quickly life changes made for a very unique and memorable experience of sharing table. The experience became even more special when we leaned our bill had been taken care of. Thanks Red Robin for the kind service. 

Over tables connections are linked and bonds are formed. The amount of time those bonds last matters not, because there is always a table waiting somewhere. 

The One with the Locked Locker

Today I spent the day subbing at my former high school which means there was a good deal of reminiscing. I thought about all the embarrassing things that happened in those days: tripping over a speed bump with my saxophone while marching through the parking lot as the band practiced for a parade, showing up to the wrong school on the first day of Freshman year (that particular story can be read here The One with the First Day of High School), and having to get the janitor to cut a lock off my locker. That story is the one I will share now...

My high school best friend and I shared a locker in the Band Room. For whatever reason we did not keep a lock on our shared locker; we did not even have a lock for it. I suppose we felt safe and boring enough to trust that no one would want to steal anything from us. I remember getting to History class one day and soon realizing that I did not have my book. After convincing my teacher to allow me to go fetch it I made my way to the Band Room. When I arrived to my locker I was completely confused. There was a lock on my locker. After looking into the surrounding lockers, they were barred and not steal doors so I could easily peer in, and seeing my things in the locked locker, I concluded that it was indeed my locker. I tugged on the lock thinking that maybe someone was playing a joke and put a fake lock on my locker. Nope. It was not unlocking. 

Feeling totally embarrassed, yet still in need of my History book, I went on a hunt for a janitor. Once I found the janitor it was even more embarrassing trying to explain why I needed the lock cut off. 

"No, I did not forget the combination."

"Yes, it really is my locker."

"Seriously, it has never had a lock on it. Now it does."

"C'mon, I really just need my History book."

"Thank you!"

How I finally convinced the janitor to let me into my own locker I do not remember, but I do remember the embarrassment. And I never did solve the mystery of where the lock came from. 

And now I keep everything locked. 

The One with Narnia Friendsgiving

Narnia may be a literary land of fantasy, but for me it is real life. The setting may not be an old wardrobe. There may be no White Witch. Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy may not be engaged in some epic battle. Even with those missing pieces though, my Narnia is every bit as fantastic.

Fantastic is Batman reading a Peanuts bedtime story to The Hulk. See that here... https://www.facebook.com/hilary.gallion/posts/10100942266298151

I was very happy to spend such a fun Friendsgiving with my Narnia community and I'm always thankful for the laughter we share. 

The One with Glenwood Springs

The train ride to Glenwood Springs was snowy and magical. 

All the scenery was simply beautiful and majestic. 

We arrived to a slight chill and then ate a scrumptious meal at a steakhouse inspired by a steak looking mountain. 

The gondola ride up the mountain was pretty spectacular too. 

At the top of the mountain we played, went through a maze, and sampled fudge. 

Time spent relaxing in the hot springs is a tradition I would like to continue. 

 

The One with the Airport Hug

Airports are such strange places filled with such strange people, especially when a stranger interrupts a special goodbye just to ask if she can hug your boyfriend. Was it because he was wearing a Royals jersey? Or was it because a hug from a stranger is apparently even more special because it is from someone you don't know? Whatever the reason, that's exactly what happened just a few days ago. Even with all my travels recently in faraway places, this happened in my own local airport. Welcome to the midwest, folks.

This stranger lady went on to explain her theory of hugging and it went a little something like this... If there was more hugging in the world there would be more love in the world and it would be such a different place. Hugs from someone you don't know are more special because they are not expected and sometimes the unexpected can be exceedingly profound. 

Although I also received a hug from the stranger lady and it was an awkward experience, it was memorable and this hugging theory is not completely unwarranted. 

Happy hugging!

The One with C'est la Vie

Deciding to leave my full-time job was the hard part, actually leaving was a little easier.

Now, it has been over a year that I made that decision and although countless other decisions have been made since, I am no closer to pinning down what I am doing with my life, at least not in the societal sense. Meaning society thinks I should have a career plan and a family plan, but here I am all like, "hey, life is an adventure and I'm having fun exploring the paths I want even if other people are exploring different ones."

When quitting my job I silently told myself that I would surely have a plan to enact by the time I had traveled to France (and back) for the wedding celebration of my sister.  Well, I embark on that journey to France at the end of the week and still have no idea what is next for my life. Maybe three weeks of travel, various language immersions and currencies, seeing old friends, making new friends, and simply being away from my safe place will be just the inspiration I need to make some decisions.

Until then, my only plan is to enjoy life, love those around me, and find beauty in seeing new places. In all honesty though, that is always my plan... It'll simply be time to expand that plan when I get back.C'est la vie...

The One with Alone Time

Between spending an unusual amount of time alone lately and just discovering that hitRECord is now on Netflix and watching the first episode, of which was regarding the number one and what it means, I feel compelled to write.

"I'm sick, I can't go out."

"It's too hot outside to do anything or go anywhere."

"I'm tired from work."

"I'm trying to save money before my trip."

These are all the statements I have found myself giving the last few weeks for why I choose to stay in for yet another day and another night. I recognize now, however, that these statements were actually my body and mind telling me to simply take some time to myself. Be lazy. Be restful. Be mindful.

After a few weeks of choosing much alone time I now find that when I do go out and spend time amongst the people, my people, I am more attentive to their stories and needs. I feel some of that is because I have spent so much time with my own thoughts that I am sincerely interested in hearing someone else's and also because I am anxious to hear anyone else's voice besides by own.

I like partaking in community and giving of myself and my time. It is what makes me feel like a good friend and like I am doing things that matter. That said, although my communal activities have been limited lately, I know just how important alone time is to then make time in community even more beneficial.

"I just need some time away to remember why I stay." - Joseph Gordon-Levitt, The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories, Vol. 2