26 days...

I have only 26 days. 26 days to begin my new life. 26 days to explore a new city. 26 days could seem long to some people, but it almost doesn’t seem like it is enough. I am going to floral design school. When I was growing up, I never knew what I was going to do for a living. I never had that poof moment where I knew exactly what I wanted to do and be. I worked for 5+ years in my mom’s shop. I enjoyed it but I was more shop keep than I was a designer. I am so over the moon excited to have a career, not a job. Fashion Bug was a job, floral design is a career. I also decided to take this time in Oregon to challenge myself. To take a step outside of my normal and throw myself into the unknown. This is unknown territory for sure. I am located in the downtown area. It is surrounded by many shops, coffee, and restaurants. You can walk pretty much any where you need to go. Many of the people are friendly, on my way to school I got lost and a nice man helped me get where I needed to go. I made fast friends with a girl in my class, who is giving me a ride to school tomorrow ( I had a horrible day in the rain). In this 26 days however, I also challenged myself to do something every day. For instance I went to a local theater tonight with rose ( my floral friend) and her husband. They were showing a preview of what they were going to be putting on this year at the theatre. They had snacks and cupcakes to lure people in to buy season tickets. I must say this was the best stage acting I have ever seen. It makes me wish I lived her e for the entertainment. We also went out to dinner and I had a beer with dinner, which if you know me, I usually only get dr.pepper, and I was presently surprised that I liked the beer and almost ordered another one. I was also surprised that in some cities all people are the same. As I came out of the theater a younger girl approached me and asked if I had a dollar to spare so she could get a room at a hostel for the night, because the shelter was full. I unfortunately had left my backpack in rose’s car or else I would have given her the 4 dollars in my purse.. As I waited outside for rose and her husband I watched this young girl ask ten other people if they had a dollar. Some dismissed her as soon as she approached; some listened to her story and then turned her down. Only one out of ten people gave her a dollar. In a city full of Honda elements, Toyota pruis’s, Ford mustangs and Cadillac escalade’s only one person could spare a dollar. In a city where the major is openly gay, everyone conserves energy and recycles, it seems only one person had a heart. It is a rainy night here in Portland, I will think about that girl all night, wondering if she got a room… Another thing that stayed with me is a line from the theater :“ I’m an angry American with an open mind. I am full of hate and envy but at the end, I am full of hope.” Can you make yourself a challenge, even in your own town? Can you make yourself do something outside of your comfort zone everyday for at least a month? I think you can!

Oh nephews....

If you ever get so lucky as to become an aunt, then you know my title by heart. Even when they are less than three months it is incredible the love you have for your nephew. As i went to see my darling little nephew Henry, i was so excited to see him i could barely wait. Work took forever, the pizza took way to long to cook, and traffic was just in the way. The moment my sister opened the door and i saw his beautiful face, i could cry all over again, like the day he was born. To me, Henry is perfect in every way, as most aunts and parents would say, but i truly feel it. From head to toe, there is perfection. His eyes could kill, his checks chubby, his body long and growing, and his heart out for all to see. How could you not love a baby right? Well the moment i was told i was going to be an aunt i had instant love for Henry. I am one of his aunts, and i feel so lucky to be. Last night he fell asleep on me for an hour and a half. As we laid there, i wondered what he was dreaming about, if he was dreaming. I wondered when i would tell him this story of when he fell asleep on my chest and stretched out and used me like a recliner.I could and would never trade that moment for anything. It is amazing how fulfilling being an aunt can make you feel. I can't wait to see what his life brings and to watch him grow from a boy to a man.