My little old laptop has sat unused in my closet ever since London, when it just stopped powering on one day, until two weeks ago when I decided to take it in to the computer hospital to get fixed up. I left it there in the trusting hands of the computer tech, my eyes wide, feeling hopeful that I would one day again have a computer of my very own. I've been counting down the days, doing finger exercises, getting myself ready for all of the blogging, music downloading, picture organizing that lay ahead. I called on Friday and they said that it was almost ready, call back again tomorrow. So yesterday, I called again and spoke to my dear friend at Data Doctors, who asked me if I was sitting down, he had some bad news. My laptop was beyond repair. He said that he tried everything, there was nothing he could do.
He walked me through everything that he had worked on, and I have to give him credit, he was amazingly thoughtful and sympathetic, given the fact that we were discussing a piece of machinery. And then it happened, I actually started crying, right there on the phone with computer repair-man. I know it's totally ridiculous. I think though, there were larger emotions at play, and they seemed to manifest themselves towards my laptop at that moment. I've been working through some hard stuff lately, and somehow I thought this was going to be a step in the right direction for me, a step towards pulling some loose ends in my life together. I just feel like I keep hitting road blocks, and they all seem to be expensive road blocks, considering I just spent $200 to basically recycle my laptop. I'm not sure who was more upset though, me or Ross, when he realized that this meant that I would still have to borrow his now and then (he's not one for sharing...)
I started reading "The Geography of Bliss" last week. I guess you could call it a mix between a travel commentary and a discussion on the age-old question of happiness, and why some people seem to be happier than others. It's a great book so far, and if nothing else it is giving me a lot of food for thought.

A couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending a Thursday night gathering with 4 independent entrepreneurial women in the Boulder area. My friend Michelle had just put in her notice at Commarts and has struck out on her own as a freelance architect. Turning an ear to the constant comments she receives about the state of the economy and the overload of freelance architects in Boulder, she is trusting her instincts and following her dream. In our company that evening were three women who I felt somewhat in awe to be sharing a bottle of wine with. A Washington DC economist, a Denver developer, and a woman who has had too many impressive careers to be identified by any of them (it took her 4 hands to count the many hats she's worn during her working career, though they included job titles such as "politician and head of the board for this and that for the New York City Governor", "astrologist", "mother", "outward-bound leader" and most recently "highly sought-after business analyst and public speaker" for large and small companies nation-wide). Having just turned 67, she was a wealth of information and life-knowledge. I joked with Michelle on our way home that night that next time we see we're going to bring a little tape-recorder with us because everything she said was something I wanted to write down and remember. The most memorable concept for me that came up that evening was the idea of renewing and re-creating ourselves throughout our lives. "The universe abhors a vacuum," she said. Once we open ourselves up to the possibilities of other ways to live, other jobs, other relationships, it's amazing what we will encounter. She compared it to the trim-tab on a boat. The trim-tab is so small in comparison to the size of the boat, yet the tiniest adjustment to the trim tab and the direction of the entire boat changes. Such as it is in life also. As women, we are meant to create, to give life. Maybe that's why we get so enthralled in creative activities, in learning new skills. We (hopefully) are always re-creating ourselves as well. I think about my grandmothers in this aspect, one who returned to playing violin and joined an orchestra in her seventies. The other who is 83 and is the head of the historical society in her town. Even my mom, who has taken leadership positions in her church in the past few years. It makes me excited to think about all the things that I can, and might, do. To be aware of the ways in which I am evolving. How I may pack up one part of my life and start something new. Or how I may stay put, and build.
What a treat it was to meet these women and be a part of Michelle's life as she undergoes this transformation, this change of direction.

Morning View

I woke up to this lovely rainbow this morning... I think it'll be a good day

Look Familiar?

I got my haircut last week, and on a whim, I had her cut bangs. Now, everytime I look in the mirror I feel a little bit like I'm looking at my 5-year old self. What possessed me to do this, since the style was such a smash the first time around, I'm not sure.... needless to say, I'm adjusting...

Beatrice and Woodsley

The other night my fabulously stylish friend Tamara took me to the hippest new restaurant in Denver, Beatrice and Woodsley. Tam stumbled across this little gem while shopping for her cute new green shoes on S. Broadway - there's no sign outside because the owner wants you to feel like you had found this secret treasure deep in the woods (or deep in the heart of the "vintage section" of Denver).

The restaurant is based on a love story - the story of Beatrice, a California descendent of French wine family, and how she met her lumberjack, Woodsley. Now I know what you're thinking, barf, bad chick flick....and I would agree, except that the space is so whimsical and fantastic that you can't help but be swept up by its magic. The menu includes a fabulous array of French and Californian wine, delicious homemade appetizers and house-cured meats, and fun oldy-time cocktails. The lounge is made up of tree stumps for tables, chainsaws intersecting the bar, lanterns hanging from the ceiling, a rain-chain for water at the bathroom sink... the list goes on. All in all, it was a fantastic mid-week escape with good food, delicious wine, lots of eye candy, and rich conversation.

The Latest

The best part of having Fridays off is that I get to spend time at the used bookstore. Ok so maybe that's not the best part, but it's a perk, nonetheless. My latest little gem is the Namesake...I highly recommend it - it's one of those books that you want to read slower so that it lasts longer.

I'm getting really excited about going to New York. A week from tomorrow we'll be on our way!

Yellow Love

I love this room...

Friday

I made some really delicious cakes today. It was the Oldroyd summer birthday celebration tonight, and true-to-form, Ross and I were asked to bring the booze (my dad's only birthday request was to have gin & tonics). I was feeling creative though this morning, and decided to tackle a layer cake with fruit.

I had to make a bunch of them, since I only have 4" cake pans, and the first attempt turned out looking more like the leaning tower of pisa. But, I perservered and I think they turned out lovely...all until Ophie ate one off the counter while I was outside. That dog does love her carbs!





I ran errands with my mom this afternoon, found some incredible finds at Target, and played in the garden with Lia tonight (who by the way just learned how to wave and how delicious shoes can taste).

Return to Blog-land

Everyone keeps asking me whatever happened to my blog. Well, all I can say is, nothing. Nothing really happened, I just had nothing to write about. But, here you go. I'm gonna try again. Stay posted. Ross is shaking his head. He wants his computer back.

Ophie-Wan Kenobi

Mt. Audubon

Bright and early Saturday morning Sara, Steiner, Jono (Stein's bf from New Zealand) embarked on a quest to the top of Mt. Audobon. It was an awesome hike, super windy and cold to start, but once we reached the summit there were little rock huts to sit in to get out of the wind. Then the sun was out for us the whole way down.

Florida!

The beach















The Withlacoochee River


















Baby Lacoochee




Craft Time

Sunday Bloody Sunday

Okay so here's what happened. I know I said that I would blog by Sunday...last week. But that morning I woke up coughing, and didn't stop all day, so I took some cough syrup, and woke up Monday afternoon. Oops. but it's okay because turns out that there was some sort of epidemic that hit my office and there were only 6 people there (out of 20) all week, everyone else was home sick. And then Ophie cut her leg and we had to take her to the vet, where they charged us 30 dollars for a small bandage. And because of that Ross couldn't get his haircut, so he still looks like Harry in Movie 4 with a London mullet; but not just a London mullet, a real, crawling down the back of his neck mullet. Yeah, it's beautiful. So that's how it goes. But now life is getting back to normal again. Ophie still won't keep her bandage on, maybe she needs a cone. And Ross's hair still isn't cut, maybe he'll finally let me do it. Probably not.

I suck at blogging

Trace, I'm sorry....more to come I promise.

Today I got on the bus headed for Denver at 732. At 805 I stepped on and started walking uphill to work. As I pulled out my phone to check the time (yes that's right, my very own cell phone, I'm back in the 21st century) I learned that my boss is home sick today and I don't need to be at work. So, I turned around and jumped back on the bus for Boulder. My job is going well. I have learned tons, realized how slow I've become at autocad over the last year, and caught a glimpse of life in a design firm. Since my beginning as an interior designer I've worked for architects. I don't know why, I just have. And each time I am reminded that I do not want to be an architect. There is something missing there. Call me crazy but spending my day specifying gyp board and encasing I-beams just doesnt' do it for me. Almost every day I am caught with the profound realization that I am actually drawing something that someday someone will use. Someday, these monotonous guestroom drawings will actually be used by someone....someone staying at the hilton while they're in columbus, ohio will actually sleep in that room. very odd. Meanwhile, Ross has decided he is going to back to school for architecture. We're so cliche aren't we? the architect and the designer. I'm not complaining though, because just talking about it seems to make him happy. And that's all that matters.

the t-word

Yesterday my boss Melanie asked me if I was ready for this next transition in my life. I asked her if she's ever ready for transitions in her life because I can't think of a single one that I really felt "ready" for. Today was my last day working as a barista at Organica. I would say that maybe it was my last day working as a barista, but let's be honest, that would probably be too bold. I feel like I'm stepping slightly into the unknown here. I am leaving a full-time dependable coffee job for a part-time, not sure how long it's gonna last, design job. But, amidst all the unknown, I can't help but feel at peace about it all.
My time at Organica has been good. I can't complain about the way I've spent the last two months. And although Melanie, the therapist-turned-coffee-shop-owner, is now threatening to charge me for her advice, I plan to stay in touch with that part of my life. So here I am, at the brink of a transition....or still in the middle of a transition that has been going on since I stepped on the westbound plane out of London-just at another step in the process.

About a month ago my Uncle Hank was in town and he questioned why I had stopped blogging. I didn't have a good excuse except that I had nothing to blog about. But as soon as those words were voiced I heard my sixth grade lit teacher telling me that we all have something to write about, we just have to accept that and decide to write. So here I am, I'm trying to decide.

On the road...

Just a quick update....
Our trip is going amazingly! We spent a week in Spain with our friends from London, visiting Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada, and Barcelona. For the most part everything went without complication...besides a cancelled night train that put us on a 12 hour train ride to Barcelona during the day, and a dirty hostel that left us less than excited about spending the next five weeks in hostels (details when we get home). Ross and I split from the rest of the group yesterday and made our way to Italy....another 25 hours straight on the train, we were excited to get here. We are in Cinque Terre right now, 5 small villages on the Italian Riviera. It is a lesser known vacation destination and it is AMAZING!! Today we hiked the five villages, climb rocks, dipped our feet in the mediterranean...unbeleivable. We found a small room up a thousand stairs that has views into the apartment next door and the italian rooftops....its great. and we bought a bottle of chianti for 3 euro. i love italy.
tomorrow we are off to sorrento. another long train day, but it wil be broken up by a stop in pisa.

Hope that keeps everyone up to date a little on our travels. It is wonderful to hear from you whenever we get the chance to check email!

and we're off

Believe it or not I actually packed up my life. For the next five weeks everything I own is fitting on my back. 4 shirts. 5 weeks. It could get interesting.
Ross and I leave tomorrow. Five of weeks of holiday. It's pretty amazing.

The abbreviated version of our trip:
19 April - 26 April Spain
27 April - 3 May Italy
4 May - 18 May Egypt
18 May - 23 May Greece
24 May Colorado

I will try to update the blog as much as possible, but internet time could be scarce in parts. Until then.....

that time already?

I can't really believe that I'm writing this blog. It's hard for me to imagine that my time in London is almost over. My last day of work is on Thursday. My second cousin Charissa is studying in Northern Ireland this semester and will be visiting London this weekend. I'm looking forward to having an excuse to revisit my favorite sights one more time. As my stay in London is drawing to a close I'm finding myself reflecting on the past six months. It's sort of bittersweet right now. I really do like life here, and I think that with a few small improvements I could really get used to being here for an extending amount of time. Alas, I knew from the beginning that there would come an end, and though I am sad to leave I am excited to travel, and excited to see what comes next in life. It doesn't help that I've been reading "Notes from a Small Island," a travel memoir by Bill Bryson. It's the story of Bryson, an American who takes a trip around England as a sort of farewell to the country he's lived in for 20 years, before returning to the states. Reading his reflections on his love affair with Britain makes me feel a bit nostalgic myself, and yes, I do realize that 6 months is nothing compared to two decades. But still, he has inspired me. And so, bear with me because this may take a few posts, but I'm attempting to put my own "leaving thoughts" down on paper.

On Saturday night Ross and I went out to dinner at a Japanese restaurant near Piccadilly Circus. We got into a discussion about London moments...those tiny aha-moments when you realize that this is actually your life. I get these realizations often, especially here. I'll be on a bus and hear a kid behind me say something to his mum in a tiny little english accent. Or I'll be walking home and find a quaint street that I never knew existed. On our way home from the restaurant that night we took a shortcut to the bus stop and walked through Trafalgar Square. The fountains were lit and Big Ben was glowing in the distance. Almost simultaneously, we both said, "yeah, this is one of those moments."

After doing some keen mapquest investigating I've come to find out that I walk .9 miles to work, one way. From my flat to the grocery store/tube stop is another mile. So, on any given day when I walk to and from work, and to and from the store or to the tube (which actually is most days of the week), I walk 4 miles. That's not to mention lunch, bad planning when we walk from the tube home, then back to the store, then to the movie theatre, or any other combination of locations. I love walking around the city. Sure it's cold and windy, and rainy sometimes. But it allows a lot time during the day to think, or listen to music, or just breathe fresh air-well as fresh as it gets in smog city. I keep hoping that I'll keep walking this much when I get home, but for some reason hiking down Baselline just doesn't sound as appealing as Kensington High Street.

I always laugh a little about how I have to describe Colorado - "it's somewhere between Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon" British are fascinated by the idea of visiting America and taking a road trip - the idea of driving in one direction for more than five hours without hitting water sounds so glamorous to them. My boss Charles told me that he has a dream of renting an rv and driving across the states. He told me that he expects a traditional American backyard barbeque when he comes.

I have learned to make a really good cup of tea. Even Ross will agree.

Um, yes, that's right, those are his and her jackets......seriously REI should be paying us to be models. It's a little bit ridiculous sometimes.
Last night my boss invited Ross and I over for dinner. It was a small gesture - take away curry shared with him and his two sons - but I felt very privileged by it.