Happy

Help, even if they never know it's you...

Mindy

I was in California this past weekend and while I got to experience some firsts, like visiting Sea World and wine country in Temecula, I have to admit that the best part of my trip was catching up with my friend with whom I was visiting. There is just such a sense of calm and peace when I'm around her. She's a no-nonsense, drama free kind of person who takes on the world head-on. She doesn't pretend that life is easy, but she doesn't make it any harder for herself either. 

Mindy, for me, makes life better by just being who she is. She's active and, aside from random ice-cream shop visits, makes relatively healthy choices that are inspiring for those around her. She doesn't lecture, she doesn't tell you "don't eat that", she just leads by example. And quite frankly, she probably doesn't care what others do around her. She's focused on doing what's best for her.

It's always hard for me to leave at the end of a Mindy-trip. She probably doesn't know that unless she's reading this, but it's true. Of course I will miss the perfect San Diego weather when I head home and all the fun things that California has to offer, but most of all, it's her. She's a great sounding board, she listens and offers educated and heart felt advice - she's just easy to be around. She's inspiring, and who doesn't want, need, and love that? I only hope that I offer a fraction of what I see in her to others. Everyone needs a friend like Mindy, and I'm thankful to have found mine! 

See-world!

Today I got to mark another item off of my bucket-list, I went to Sea World in San Diego - thanks Mindy! While I know there are many opposing views to frequenting such a place, the fact is, I still believe institutions such as Sea World and AZA accredited zoos do far more good, than harm. I believe without places like this, the human interest and education about animals who share our world would be almost non-existent. We are a very ethnocentric culture and have basically crapped all over other cultures and the creatures that co-habitat this planet.  Who would know the plight of wild animals if not for childhood school field trips to the zoo? Science class? The controversy caused by movies such as Black Fish and PETA back lash?  

While I don't discount some of the issues that opposing views share, having volunteered at a local zoo for a few years, I learned a lot about the goals, animal husbandry skills, and the requirements for an establishment to earn AZA accreditation and it is truly intense. While one may argue the captivity of animals, one cannot argue the level of care these creatures are given while in the care of AZA establishments, or the education of future generations that visiting them provides. 

I sadly realize that I will continue to see some of my favorite animals move from the endangered to extinction list, but have hope through interactive and educational shows like those at Sea World and zoos in general, that perhaps future generations will be inspired to value the Earth's creatures and make progressive changes to save them for the ages to come. I highly recommend seeing all that Sea World has to offer, go see sea for yourself!

           

Cram

Nothing like trying to cram 24 hours of work into an 8 hour day in order to prepare for a long weekend getaway!

Annual

I have officially been at my new dog training job for one year! It's been an amazing experience so far and I am so very grateful for the opportunities that having an awesome boss allows! Check us out at Two-Paws Up!

Flowers

 

Verdict

This weekend I went on my first camping trip of any kind. I wasn't sure if I'd like it after hearing horror stories and reference to murder cases, but I consider myself an outdoorsy gal and a general good sport - so what's the worst that could happen? I can usually make the best of a situation. Right?

Yep, that's exactly right. The definitive answer when asked if I would ever go camping again is a solid, YES! While I will admit that I found camping to be a lot of work, I also found a lot of enjoyment in being off the grid and out of touch with the outside world. Camping is most successful with a great partner and friends who help round out the rough edges.

PS) Thanks Eric for being such a patient fishing instructor! (Wow, Eric and "patient" in the same sentence?) 

Rain

Today's camping adventure called for an all day boating and swimming excursion, but it rained the whole time. So what did we do? We went boating and swimming of course! If you're going to be wet, you might as well enjoy the reason behind it! Thanks to Jodi for letting me borrow a "suit" so I could happily get wet in the lake swimming, versus just being rained on!

 

Prep

This is what prepping for a first time (for me) camping trip looks like. Think I over did it? In addition to what I think was a two hour grocery shopping trip (by the way, I've never bought this many groceries in one sitting before in my LIFE!) I made camp-burrito breakfast burritos! Can't wait to get my camp on and taste them!

          

Go Fish

I bought this Sunday.

I'm using it tomorrow.

Can't wait!

Tuesday

Waking up to a sunshiny morning...

A Hawks Stanley Cup win...

And this little guy...

Friend-chips

A month later, here's what's on my mind...

Social media, or rather how people choose to use it, has shaken up the hierarchy of those closest to me and I'm finding out that as time goes on, I'm actually okay with this. While I was initially hurt (and still am quite frankly) by changes in people's behavior, I am letting the friend-chips "fall where they may" and am allowing the reorganization of relationships to happen as they will. 

Silence and inaction are deafening and hurtful beyond words. People who actively ignore parts of my life are sending a clear and loud message. By doing so, you're letting me know that you don't support me. Period. On the contrary, I appreciate those who may have differences of opinions, but still acknowledge all aspects of my life and more so, those who have taken the time to actually reach out and listen. You have been golden.

Life is hard, and it's harder when you feel judged for decisions made. I would bet that not one person reading this has gotten where they are today without some type of "controversy" in their life. Maybe during your decision making processes, people voiced their "dislikes" and for that I'm truly sorry you had to go through it. Maybe even I was on the wrong side of your support group. But what that, and this, has taught me is to keep an open mind and show love and support to the people in my life, unconditionally. Decisions can change in a blink of an eye, friendship and relationships shouldn't.