Fred makes lemonade

Fred had big plans for his spring break. Until it snowed. He pouted for a day or two.

He wouldn't even go outside, until today. The sun is shining, but there is still a lot of snow in the yard, preventing him from sunbathing. Sunbathing is his favorite hobby. He was quite frustrated.

But Fred is a very resourceful beagle. He wasn't going to let a little snow get in the way of his spring break plans.

Can I get you anything Fred? Some lemonade perhaps?

I have good news, and I have bad news...

The good news is that I'm not totally devastated, since my hubby and I decided about three weeks ago that going to grad school isn't the direction we want to go in the next year after all. The bad news is that Vermont College "regretfully" REJECTED me!

Sad.

I'm actually fine with it, aside from a serious feeling of inadequacy and mediocrity. But I'm really surprised at how not-devastated I am right now. Much more not-devastated than say, when I didn't make the final cut for the Broncos Cheerleaders. That was devastation, people. Not really because I just really wanted to be a cheerleader, but for the sheer rejection of it all. I made it through all the dance cuts, all the way to the final interviews. I got all dressed up, studied the rules of football (which I quite promptly forgot post-rejection), and went down to the interviews. When they read the final list, I wasn't on it. They said I just wasn't cheerleaderish enough, which if you've ever met me, you're probably saying, "Duh!"

Now, eight years later or so, I know it was never meant to be. Sure I have a degree in Dance, but I'm admittedly not cheerleaderish. I probably would have been really unhappy- and annoyed- the whole season. But of course, the opportunity to turn down the offer would have been much easier on the ego. Then again, I wouldn't have turned it down at the time, and my life would have gone down a totally different path. It just wasn't meant to be, and the universe delivered that message.

I know, you're still reeling from the fact that I tried out for the Bronco Cheerleaders. Get over it. I was 21. Let's get back to my most recent rejection.

My only regret in choosing not to go to grad school next year, when I made the decision three weeks ago, was turning down a great opportunity. But now, I don't have to worry about that I guess. It just wasn't meant to be, and the universe delivered that message.

Ah, well. Onward and upward. Thanks to everyone for your awesome support and encouragement. You're *sniff* the best!

Spring

I know, I know...where the hell have I been?!

Well, sadly the computer is still not back. So I've been sans laptop for almost a month. If you'd told me ahead of time that would be the case, I think I may have had a meltdown. It's amazing what can be endured adding a little bit at time. But, good news: the computer comes home tonight! It is back in Denver, ready to be picked up. Everything must now be reloaded, but my baby will at least be back at home.

I must also admit, I've been a little lost in my thoughts as well. Spring always has this effect on me. This season of new beginnings is always an inspiring time, full of possibility and new growth, an opportunity for reflection and clarity.

My bulbs are beginning to sprout and bloom. I think I love my bulbs over all my other flowers because of their sheer perseverance and optimism. All winter they sit in wait, until the time is right to push through the solid soil that blocks their view of the sun. They leave their protective skin behind, forging ahead with a fresh, pale green. That struggle through the dark, lonely space of winter is rewarded with the sweet warmth of the new season, a bright sun that helps them grow into a beautiful bloom. They flourish rooted by their past, encouraged by their future. That future will inevitably bring the cold bluster of fall and winter that will send the plant back underground. Yet each year the bulb breaks through the scarred brittle skin of the past, into a new beginning, willing to take the risk.

How can you not be inspired by such a time? I feel things changing, even more than in past springs. A thousand opportunities lay ahead of me. I'm not really sure what the next year holds, but rooted by my past and encouraged by the warm spring sun, we'll see what unfurls.

Home again, home again, jiggity jog

The trip was perfect. I mean look at it; how could it be anything but?


The only non-perfect thing: upon unpacking and setting up shop for a week, my computer goes into hard drive failure. Oh yes, we lugged it all the way there and back and didn't have the pleasure of using it once. It was just a 5 pound accessory worn through the international concourses between here and Cabo.

But all was not lost, we had our iPhones (the thing in my life that shot to the top of the 10 things I can't live without list within 12 hours of owning it), and a handy Internet cafe, thanks to our ridiculously unbelievable resort. Seriously, I won't even go into explaining how perfect this place was. Thanks again to Harvey, Jess and the boys for inviting us along for the fabulous trip!

Soooo, my computer is in the shop for a bit. I can't promise much between now and it's return home, as I barely won this time on my husband's computer in a fierce arm wrestling match. And also, I'm back training in the double digits for my second half marathon on April 5th. So any spare energy may be spent gorging myself with Easter candy and french fries. I work out for all the wrong reasons. I admit it.

Anyway, enjoy the extra hour of sunlight (yea!) and I'll check in with you soon...