Marigolds and Mother Nature

Wow - I just wrote my first full-circle entry. I started the list one way and ended it in the same manner with a bunch of "stuff" in between.  It's almost like a Seinfeld episode. 

1. Serendipity means a "happy accident" or "pleasant surprise"; specifically, the accident of finding something good or useful without looking for it. This is a word I live in and thoroughly enjoy those serendipitous moments in life.
2. "And do not even sweat anything.  You are like family and we take care of family and those we love and care about." This was said to me today and made me tear up. I appreciate my friends so much.
3. This past spring I was so excited to plant some seeds and grow flowers outside of my office window.  They did pretty well until it got REALLY hot outside. Unfortunately they all died off after I had a couple of sunflowers brighten my days and then whither away.  Today I stepped outside and was so pleasantly surprised. The plants that I thought had died had survived and thrived without any help from me - only the help from Mother Nature. The seeds found their ways to the cracks between the tiles and took root.  Nature never ceases to surprise me with its ability to persevere.  I take this as a testament to the human spirit. No matter how bleak things may become, over time you'll survive and under the right conditions, you'll thrive. Seeing these flowers made my day and hopefully this picture of them will make yours.
4. I took about a week off from running and ran today.   I felt pretty good and motivated to do my long run on Thursday.  Long meaning 20 minute run. I love how the endorphins make me feel. 
5. Some days I feel like I am a freshman in college. You know.. not having a clue what I want to do with my life career wise. While they feel unsure of their path they take classes in the hopes to discover it. In my case, I'm working just because that's what I'm supposed to do until I discover my "path".  It's not a bad thing. Sometimes that's just what you have to do. I'm okay with not knowing what I want to do because I know what I love to do. Make sense?  Probably not...  bottom line - I love being creative and artsy and I'll keep pluggin' away until I experience a serendipitous moment. :0)

The Magnificent Metro and the Friends Along the Way

Today I commented on all of the people listing things they're thankful for.  It's a good exercise in gratitude.  It's kind of like the reason I do this blog - to find the positive things in life that I'm happy about or grateful for.  There are days where I am always trying to dig deep within to find a one or two more situations/items to list as a good thing.  It's especially hard if you haven't interacted with many people. Today I'm thankful for friends.

1. I had lunch with my friend Myra. It's always a good time. She's going to feed my dog while I'm away and I'm glad she doesn't mind.
2. Staying at my friend, Nicole's tonight so that my commute to Union Station is so easy in the morning. Shaving off an hour on the commute. I'm headed to NYC in the morning!  Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, here I come!
3. I love that Thai Crunch Salad at California Pizza Kitchen. I didn't realize that it had cucumbers in it though.... and despite the cucumbers, I still loved it. Now that's progress.
4. Sara brought me a brownie with sprinkles on it to my office this afternoon. That was really nice of her.
5. I loved that I rode the Metro today and I only had to wait about 4 minutes for the train to leave. That's pretty good timing - I guess it's pretty normal during the work week with lots of trains passing through. LOL  However, for me, it was something great that happened to me. :0)