Its only money

In the process of moving, I must have left my car unlocked and someone helped themselves to so money that I had in there (Yup, I learned my lesson - no more leaving money in the car!). Its funny because there was other stuff in my car as well - some jewelry, my passport, etc. but all they took was the cash. While I feel violated - I also feel thankful that they just took the money and left the valuable stuff. In terms of money - the cash was probably more valuable then what they didn't take, but its replaceable, the other stuff- well that would have been a nightmare and while not valuable - I'd have hated to have had my stuff stolen as most of it has memories attached and was given to me by special people who have touched my life. And at least with the car being unlocked all my windows are still in there. For me its a reminder that not all people are to be trusted. Also, I'm lucky because I can say - its only money and move on to always double-check the locks. Its sad that this is this is the world me live it, but then again I think its always been that way.

I'm going to hope that this was someone who was really down on their luck and need money for food and rent. Also, Karma's a pain and what goes around comes around.

This of course happens in the middle of my quest to let go of things, reduce, and simply. I guess I needed to let go of some money and be reminded that I am truly blessed because I have enough to let go. In the future, I'd like to be in-charge of the letting go and the picking who it goes to though.

A year

Okay - sooo its been a long time since my last post so a quick catch-up timeline of the high points of the last two years:

Feb 28, 2010 - completed my first Marathon in under 6 hours and had a blast though it was rough at points.

May 7, 2010 - graduated with my MPH in Epidemiology (no picture because I didn't go to the graduation ceremonies because I was to burned out from trying to finish everything so I could graduate on time).

August 28, 2010 - Arrived in Augusta, Maine to start work with the state (I'd never been to Maine, so why not just move there for a while - that was my thought behind the move!)


Okay so we're all caught up and back to the present in July 2011.

Almost a year ago I move from Florida to Maine. While I knew it was going to be a cold, dark, long winter, I still wasn't prepared. I did make it, though not always as gracefully as I'd have preferred.

I did learn may may things:

- how to shovel my car out of 18" of snow (okay - maybe it was only 12, but it seemed like 18" to this southern gal)
- that downhill skiing is awesome and scary and needs to be done repeatedly!
- when you're ice climbing you must trust the ice tools and crampons to work and keep you stuck on the ice
- that good friends/roommates are recommended for survival, but are required in my case (I love you all!)
- that sliding down hill backwards in my car is NOT fun (it was controlled so nothing was damaged and no one was hurt, but still!)

And most notably - that I was not made to thrive through cold, New England winters.

While I called a truce with winter and Mother Nature, a Maine winter really isn't something that I enjoyed or wanted to repeat - therefore Arizona here I come!!


I will miss all the wonderful people that I have met here, but I'll be back - maybe for a ski trip or a cool week on a Maine lake. I'm like a bad penny - I always turn up!

Training for the next big thing

So I'm going to start training for a Marathon the end of August with a friend from school. One night over a glass of wine we were talking about how we both wanted to run a marathon so we pledged to start training the end of Aug when school starts again and to run the Tampa marathon the end of Feb. Hopefully as our training runs get longer the weather will get cooler and the humidity will let up. One can dream, right?

What makes a person want to run a marathon? I'm not really sure, but I love finding my limits and pushing beyond them, but this will hopefully keep me on track with my work outs in the fall and spring and give me a goal. So armed with a book, a few websites, work-out clothes from the salvation army, and the knowledge that if I can walk 62.1 miles in 19:39, then with some training I should be able to complete a marathon. Its not about speed, its about enduring and completing what you start. There is something addictive about challenging yourself and rising to that challenge. If I can make it, anyone can. Its just a bit of training and mind over matter, sunshine and light breezes:-)

You know you're frugal when....

.... You contact a Peace Corps volunteer living a 45 minute hike up a mountain in rural Panama (no power, internet, etc) to sleep on her couch. And yes that person would be me, and yes I'm actually really excited about it. I figure that it will be a throw-back to TMI trips. There will also be some local festival going on while I am there so it should be interesting. I mean, life is all about the journey! Trust me pictures will follow in about 6 weeks. Oh, for all of my 3 readers, I'll be in Panama from July 27- Aug 6, then in Costa Rica from Aug 6 to Aug 18. I need a break from the US and from school.

Speaking of school, this is my last week of my third semester and I'm finished the majority of my classes!! I only have 6 more classes plus an internship and special project (no idea what that is, but I'll figure it out at some point!). I feel like I have so much more to learn and not near enough classes to learn it all in, but that's what the job after Grad School is for!

New Toy

I'm still a total kid at heart because I still loving getting toys. This time it was a lovely pair of rollerblades. I haven't been on blades in at least 9 years, but blading is like biking, once you know how it just comes back. I'm lucky that there are several nice, paved trails close to my house where I can safely blade. And yes, I do wear a helmet and am thinking about getting wrist guards just to be on the safe side since I am very klutzy. In true frugal style I got them for $90 off with free shipping and no tax. Gotta love internet shopping!! I also have to say that my new blades are much better then those I had as a kid. This are pretty much like high-top tennis shoes on wheels with a bit of ankle support vs. the plastic boot thingy I as a kid.

Reflections on Easter

So my Easter church going has been a bit random this year. I did Ash Wednesday at an Episcopal Church, Palm Sunday was at the First Reformed Church, Good Friday was back at the Episcopal church and Easter Sunday was spend at the community church I've been going to the past few months. I think that the Good Friday service was the one that stuck out the most to me this Easter season. John 18 and 19 were read telling the story of Good Friday and liturgy was delivered reflecting on those chapters. I am always amazed that each Easter I learn something new about the Crucifixion. This Easter it was the fact that Jesus condemned to death twice, one by the Jews and once by the Romans and that both sentences were carried out. The Jews condemned him to death by flogging for blaspheme and the Romans crucified Him for claiming to be King of the Jews. This is my 20-somethinged time hearing the passion of Christ, yet it was the first time I've ever heard someone point out that the flogging was in fact a death sentence and not just a punishment. And yet again I am humbled and amazed at what my Savior did for me out of love.

A few of my Favorite things

Sunny days

Baby possiums

Lizards and geckos

Cadburry mimi milk chocolate eggs

Mangos

Bike rides in the woods

Friday nights at home

Mac and Cheese with tuna and mixed veggies

Laying on the beach with a good book

Friends