Keepin Busy

My focus as of late has revolved mainly around three things. The first has been learning the ins and outs of my new job. The second has been creating a new social circle which in turn has helped me with the third focus which is getting to know Denver. I truly do love it here. Denver is all that I thought it could be and even more. With some of the emotional challenges I had in the beginning of my transition here, I never realized how amazingly happy I could be. I have been busy and neglecting the blog, so here is a short recap of some of my adventures as of late:

Mountain Biking on Green Mountain (Green Mountain is a decent park in the city that gives you a chance to be on a trail within a few minutes drive of your Denver homestead. There is a variety of single track trails, jeep roads and a bit of elevation gain which definitely challenged my Arizona lungs. The view of the Down Town Denver skyline was a bonus).




Hanging out Down Town Denver attempting to get into Keggs and Eggs with Chris and Kasandra. (Keggs and Eggs is an annual St. Patty's day/music event put on by local radio station 93.3 KTCL. It is a free show at a down town bar called Lodo's featuring several bands, some local, some not. This year featured "The Atari's", "The Flobots", "Under a Blood Red Sky" and a couple others. The show opens at 7:00 a.m. , so people line up the night before and camp out in line. We arrived at 5:30 a.m. and waited in line until about 9:45 when we realized we were not going to make it in the door. There must have been over 500 people in front of us in line. We gave up and headed to a near by bar that happily served green beer to those of us who didn't get into the show.)



Singing Karaoke with Denver Meet In




Riding the Cherry Creek Trail (A GREAT REASON TO LIVE IN DENVER! 40 miles of paved bike/running trail that weaves and loops around the City of Denver. I can be on the trail within a block of my apartment and ride just about anywhere. This particular day I rode into Down town where the Platte River meets Cherry Creek at Confluence Park right behind the Down Town REI store. I need a beater bike to take Down Town and not worry about if I lock it up).




Catching a live Wendy Woo Show (The Wendy Woo Trio is a part of the huge pop sound from the Denver music scene. Wendy grew up in Boulder and plays a mean acoustic guitar and has a voice that will hold you captivated her entire show. She plays all over Colorado and was even a part of the Lilith Fair).


Trying to get Denali out from under the bed (Denali flew from AZ to Denver last weekend to avoid being euthanized at the Phoenix humane society. He now resides under my bed and hopefully will come out and play soon. I have once again taken on the title of "pet owner").


And this is just to name a few things that have kept me busy!

On the Radar for this summer is the Mile High Music Festival which I CAN'T WAIT for! Check out the Lineup and get tickets or be jealous!
: )

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"I believe that friends are quiet angels who sit on our shoulders and lift our wings when we forget how to fly."
---Unknown

"Grandpa, tell me 'bout the good ole days"

Grandpa took me to swimming lessons every summer.
He teased me that I swam like a rock.
He taught me with kind love how to try harder.

Grandma taught me how to plant seeds in the garden,
and how to get rid of garden slugs with salt.
I loved eating her garden fresh tomatoes.

Grandpa hung up a swing for me,
from the pecan tree in his back yard.
I can still remember the joy I felt.

Grandma bought me new school clothes.
She got me to wear dresses.
I still don't like to wear dresses...
but I would wear them for her.

My grandparents made me feel special.
They loved me no matter what.
My grandparents helped make me who I am today.
I will miss them both dearly.




SING IT
"Did lovers really fall in love to stay
Stand beside each other come what may
was a promise really something people kept,
Not just something they would say
Did families really bow their heads to pray
daddies really never go away
Whoa oh Grandpa,
Tell me 'bout the good old days."
The Judds

finding my missing piece

I suppose this is a healing ritual, something all girls go through. This is my list of qualities I look for in a guy...

Honesty - a guy who tells the truth to me, his friends and his family
Dependability - Someone I can count on to do what he says he will do
Fun Loving - someone who knows how to have a good time and can make anything fun
Outdoorsy - enjoys being active in the outdoors
Adventurous - not afraid to try new things or go new places
Open minded - someone who respects differences in others and is not judgemental
Romantic - I like someone who opens the door for me and surprises me with flowers or cards or whatever : )
Active/athletic - someone who is active and pushes me to be active, but doesn't obsess about it
Gainfully Employed - I don't care too much about money, just want someone who isn't dependant on their parents or the government to survive
Intelligent - someone who can teach me something and who also realizes he can learn from others
Music lover - pretty self explanatory...if you play guitar that's big bonus points
Socially intelligent - can communicate and get along with almost anyone

I could think of lots of things that are extra credit on top of this...but these are the basics.

I am a pretty simple girl. I just wish I could find the missing piece to my puzzle.

Colorful Colorado

My third trip from Arizona to Denver was made with one of my best friends and all of my worldly possessions in a Budget Rent-a-truck. It was the longest drive so far due to the governor on the motor that regulated our top speed. But time flew by as we gabbed and sang along to the radio for most of the drive.


Living without most of my things for the last several months has made unpacking and opening boxes feel like Christmas. I have things I completely forgot I owned. I have also realized that most of the things I do own are things I don't need. Just for starters, I have gotten rid of at least half of my clothes. For the last 8 months I have lived out of a backpack and am overwhelmed now by the number of choices in clothing I have to wear. I have lots more trips to Good Will on my "TO DO" list.

The TOP 10 list of things I am the most excited about after 9 months of traveling and living out of a backpack:

10)Multiple pairs of socks and underwear that save me from weekly hand washing
9) TREK Fuel EX 6 mountain bike - I have an entire city to explore and bike paths are endless
8) My Guitar and music books
7) CD collection - I've missed my music!
6) Photos of my friends and family
5) My plants (which were so lovingly cared for by friends while I was away - my plants are like my pets).
4) A brand new refrigerator to call my own, stocked with healthy fruits and veggies!
3) A shower where I don't feel compelled to wear flip flops
2) My own bed and pillows that smell fresh and clean
1) My very first, very own lap top computer


QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.”-Socrates, Way of the Peaceful Warrior

70 degrees in February..and we're in Colorado!

On the day before Valentines Day I was holed up inside work for 14 and 1/2 hours. I went in at 4:00 a.m. and worked my fingers to the bone until 6:30 p.m. never seeing the light of day. We even ate lunch in short spurts without even venturing outside our small windowless kitchen. I was busy putting together beautiful fruit/floral arrangements complete with chocolate covered strawberries and attaching cute notes from one lover to another, all the while brewing about the fact that my life is now loverless. Who knew that outside, the most beautiful day in Denver since I have been here was taking place. The sun was shining and it managed to reach 70 degrees for a short amount of time. For those of you who don't know Denver...that is bikini weather here! Just the other day I went running when the high was 60 degrees and I saw boys in the park playing ultimate frisbee, flag football, even croquet shirtless...but I digress! Denver is beautiful, and has surprised me in so many ways, it's too bad I wasn't able to enjoy this pre-Valentine's Day sunny surprise. The following day I worked only 10 hours, but the beautiful weather turned into snowy streets and a brisk cold wind. I didn't mind being inside so much, but I still brewed about all the love notes I was reading. Luckily I have some very specail friends and family members who made my Valentine's day special with a few phone calls and cards. It's always friends and family who seem to pull me through tough times and for that I am SO thankful. I can't wait for more sunny beautiful days when i won't be working and will have time to get outside and do all the things I love. Hopefully this Sunday will be warm enough to get out and play a little pick-up ultimate frisbee.

Why people move to Denver....

Today the high temperature is supposed to be in the 50's here. I must be adapting because I went for a four mile run this morning in shorts! I need to find my camera charger so I can start uploading shots of this beautiful state I have moved to. Today on my trail run I saw I huge hawk perched atop a naked tree, two brilliantly beautiful blue birds, and a red tailed fox. As my trail ended and I joined the main road, I ran opposing cyclists climbing the huge hill I currently call home...those boys (and some girls) have the lungs of steel. They motivate me to get my rear in shape. Colorado is the fittest state in the nation and I think it's because everyone is feeding off of each other and motivating each other to get outside and play hard. I am anxious to be able to keep up and working on expanding my lung capacity.

I have two upcoming job interviews, one with the City of Denver, and one with the Highlands Ranch WestRidge Recreation Center. Once I start making money and have a solid insurance policy I'll be headed up to the mountains on days like these to work my way down the slopes. I'll be skiing in the winter and down hill mountain biking in the summer. I can't wait! For now I am inspired daily looking up at the beautiful snow capped peaks on my daily drive into town for my part time job. I know great times are ahead and I am settling in one piece at a time.



SING IT

Now he walks in quiet solitude the forest and the streams
Seeking grace in every step he takes
His sight has turned inside himself to try and understand
The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake

And the Colorado rocky mountain high
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
You can talk to God and listen to the casual reply
Rocky mountain high
John Denver

changes

“When patterns are broken, new worlds emerge.” by Tuli Kupferburg

Found a new place to live in Denver, although it won't be ready to move into until the 15th of February. Now I'm on the prowl for a new job. Things are starting to fall into place here in Denver. Tomorrow's forecast is a high of 19 degrees and 4-6 inches of snow. Here we go...