While looking for something particular...

Cara's (Dallas) birthday was yesterday! So the two C/Kara's and I went to dinner and then to another place for dessert. Cara (Dallas) has been wanting to try this new Italian restaurant that's smack in the middle of our neighborhood...totally cute...family style, really cozy and quaint. So we went...and it was awesome! Great food and wine...good catch up conversation (I hadn't even seen much of my roommate through out this week...both of us were pretty busy). So it was nice to catch up and drink wine and eat yummy food! Then we decided to go to another place for dessert. Kara (Iowa/ roomie) remembered this place in an area called Highlands Ranch, which is slightly north of us. So we headed on up. We were driving around and she was having a hard time remembering exactly where it was, but could picture it and what was around it. I was in the back actually enjoying our little scenic tour. I had never ventured into this area before and was trying to remember little shops and restaurants that I want to go back and visit. It was actually quite nice driving and visiting and laughing about I can't even remember what. But at some point, when she was getting frustrated, I said out loud to Kara, "doesn't it drive you nuts when you know exactly what you're looking for and you can't quite figure out how to get there?" (thinking this might ease any anxiousness about being the lost driver). And right after I said that, I thought well, THAT could be applied to a number of situations! I remembered what I said because I wanted to see where the evening took us and see if I could equate it to the bigger picture that popped in my head. And of course it did. We ended up at this wonderful little place called Duo, which was also quaintly located in the middle of the neighborhood, which I just love because it's local and quiet, and not so overwhelming. We loved the dessert and all agreed that we had to come back for a meal at some point. Kara wasn't sure if it was even the place she was originally thinking, although she thought it might have been. When I reflected on that phrase and where the path we took led us, I remembered (and this is SO something I need to remember as one who is looking to give up some unnecessary control and rather find more balance in my life) that sometimes, straying off the narrow planned path can lead to some extraordinary things. So I'm writing this as a reminder that even if I think I know what I'm looking for and I'm "having a hard time getting there" it's the journey and process that's the fun part and eventually, it will lead to exactly where I need to be.

Ultra Quick Update...

* moved into my new place (hints the reason I haven't written in a while)

* had strep last weekend, so the move is still mildly in progress

* over Iowa...still am not fully connecting with him and I'm beginning to lose interest...must break it off soon

* SO excited about going to Dallas for Thanksgiving to be with my family (except Andy, who will be doing lighting work that weekend with Michael Franti

* still hoping Michael Franti will remember me dancing with him on stage this summer and will want to make out

* school is good but busy...still working on finding balance between work and play

* darkening my hair on Saturday to get ready for Drew to cut it over the holiday

That's all for now! 

A Prayer

Dear God,

Thank you for this beautiful day!  Thank you for allowing me to be alive, happy, and healthy.  Thank you for letting me live in a place where I can see mountains every day.  Watch over my family and friends as they walk through today.  Keep each one of them safe and happy.  Help them to stay present today in their individual lives.

Watch over our country today, God.  Help us remember that you have already chosen the man who will lead us next.  Whoever is your choice, help us support him, even if he is not the man that WE wanted.  Help us come together as a national community rather than attack each other's thoughts.  That is what they merely are...thoughts.  Help this man stay humble and true to the people he is serving and help him to make good decisions for us.

In love and light...