#bereal

One of the greatest things about "growing up" is getting to know yourself better.

With each passing year, I become more confident in my abilities, more aware of my short-comings, more thankful for my friends and more certain of my opinions.

At 28, there's no need for make-believe.  Pretending that you're okay when you're not is just silly.  So let's get real:

We all have hard days, and even hard weeks.  Everyone gets frustrated.  Sometimes we cry.

And that's okay.

When the going gets hard, admit it.  Process in whatever way you need to [personally, I'm a verbal processor...much to the chagrin of some of my sweet friends...!] and wallow for a minute, if necessary.  Then find a way to pick yourself back up again.

Like...

Remind yourself what the Lord thinks about you.

Go outside.

Breathe.

Do yoga.

Spend time with people you love.

Laugh.  Really hard.

Listen to some awesome music.  And sing along.

Drive with the windows down.

Stop counting calories for a sec and eat something yummy.

Go dancing.

Escape into a good book or movie.

I have a wonderful life and 98% of the time, I'm fabulously grateful for it.  But I have sucky days when I just need a hug and a vat of chocolate.  I think it's empowering to admit that.  I'm human, and the Lord created me to have emotions and needs.  

Join me...& let's attempt to be real.

An empire state of mind.

I never in a million years thought I would find myself in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Let alone in Tulsa, Oklahoma for eight years.

But here I am and I couldn't be more grateful.

I've built a great life here: I have a rewarding career with wonderful students and fabulous co-workers, a small business, a creative outlet, amazing friends, a wonderful church and a host of lovely memories.

But.

I'm antsy.
And filled with something big that's dying to get out and explore the world beyond these safe walls.

So...I will teach for one more year in Tulsa.

Next summer, I will be moving to New York City to embark upon the adventure of a lifetime.  

My plan isn't a whole lot more intricate than that and for those of you who know this Type A kid, that's a big deal.

The details will come in time ;)

Some may call it a quarter-life crisis [that was a little generous--I'm totally not 25 anymore!], but I call it "Why the heck not?!"  

I'm still [sort of] young and the world is my oyster, which is simultaneously exciting and terrifying and bitter-sweet.

So.  I will treasure the time I have left here in Tulsa...and daydream & plan about the life to come in that magical place.