positive until proven negative

Worry

Lately, I have noticed this creator of doubt and negativity make a presence in my life and in those around me.  

I'm trying to lean into the unknown.  I'm trying to believe in the goodness of life.

To acknowledge the pitfalls, but to really live in the blessings.

I'm not even saying "ignorance is bliss"... I'm saying why choose to believe in worry and defeat when we can choose hope and happiness?

Why not err on the side of happiness?

star wars party!

Theme party? Count me in.

I love themed festivities.

Drinking in the museum, after hours, without children, with science experiments?! 

Yes please.

Star Wars Party??

When I first heard Star Wars, I thought "no way" but the more we got into it, the more fun it seemed to be... and C and I (and our friends Audrey and Tyler) thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at the Star Wars party at the Science Museum of Oklahoma last Thursday!  

I dressed up like Princess Leia:

Thanks to Jessica for helping me create my costume!!  Total cost: $6... worth every penny.

When we first got there NOBODY was in costume.  C overheard somebody point to me and say "oh, there - there's one" haha.  I know nothing about Star Wars and I was one of the fanatic freaks... who would have known.  Haha

Then, we saw more fans.  Who's that?!

 Got harassed by some storm troopers:

 I found out that I helped turn the ewoks to the good side, Darth Vader is my father, I kissed my brother, and I put a chip in R2D2 - a very informative night.

Time for scientific fun!

Playing basketball using air tube things... sounds lame but it was pretty cool.

Laying on a bed of nails - they were legit sharp! T - did you steal your sister's chin?!?

Light saber fighting! (They make you put on those drunk goggles that make you lose your balance to increase the difficulty level haha)  

Smashing freeze dried foods and flowers.

Riding segways and hoover craft!

 

And they had a DJ so we danced the night away:

We had so much fun interacting with a lot of the people there, playing around the various exhibits, and just having a dorky good time.  

I'll end the post with this epic picture of C riding some kind of space ship. 

one new thing

C and I decided to do one new thing a week!

Whether big or small, its a really fun way to get us trying new things and spending fun time together.

It forces you to think outside of our typical routines and see things in a new open way.

Week 1: Hiking with our backpacks

 Sally and I got our new backpacks and C and I had never been on a hike together before!  It was a lovely time.

Week 2: Making bracelets

I don't have a picture of C's, but it is beautiful.  

I guess technically not something "new" as it was sort of a throwback to middle school, but I figure a 10+ year gap is sufficient for being something "new".  It was actually really therapeutic/calming.  I made another one for a friend and it turned out so even better than the first one! 

Week 3: Watching The Exorcist (eek!)

Recently before bed, C and I have been reading the Exorcist... sounds like a great pre-dream read right?  Surprisingly, no nightmares to date.  The book was really fun to read together... I got to try out a variety of demonic voices which is always fun.  We finished reading this week and watched the movie as our new thing.

Creeeepy.

This week: Star Wars party at the Science Museum

I - am - so - excited.

And I don't even like Star Wars.

Recently, a speaker at a conference I attended was talking about mental stimulation in retirement communities.  He said one of the most important parts was to "be a rookie every year".  To always be learning and growing and experiencing life in new ways.

Keep life fresh.

women in the woods

A few weeks ago, I became friends with a woman on a hike with the Backwoods Norman Hiking Club.

On Sunday, I joined her and a group of women on a training hike for an upcoming 3-day backpacking trip in the Ouachita Mountains in late March.

As we were introducing ourselves, somebody said that I looked like I knew what I was doing/had done this before.  It was such a simple comment, but the boost it gave me was tremendous.  In reality, I am very new to the world of backpacking, so the fact that I appear to know what I'm doing gives me confidence.

There is something powerful about being in a group of women.  We are all pretty diverse in our life experiences and interests - I really enjoyed getting to know them throughout the hike.  I decided to go on the 3-day trip with them in March and it was really uplifting how welcoming they all were, inviting me to join them on that adventure. 

 My outdoor adventures have already begun to connect me to people and experiences unforeseen... I can't wait to see what more the future holds.

its really happening

For a few months, I've been preparing for my upcoming adventure... reading a ton, buying things (get the gear!), etc - but when my backpack arrived in the mail, as soon as I put it on I got this completely overwhelming feeling of .... 

Am I really doing this? ...I'm really doing this! ... woah... this is really happening!

It surprised me how that one thing really made it all come together in my mind.

It happened again today when I purchased my ticket to San Diego... and I am sure it will continue to happen as the time comes nearer.

This is really happening. 

Sally got her backpack for her summer adventures recently too - I'm certain she had the same excited and overwhelmed emotional reaction. :)

Here are a few pictures of C, Sal, and I at Lake Thunderbird:

 

grad school

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