Worlds Collide

Tonight my friend invited me over to watch a silly girly movie. We gathered at her home, she had invited some new people. I walk in, introduce myself. I notice someone, she looks oddly familiar, immediately she comments. I rack my brain but can't figure it out. We watch the movie, then chat, learn more about each other. One girl brought homemade pickled green beans picked from her garden. Another leftover holiday desserts. Simple.

Finally I ask familiar looking girl, did you go to college around here. Yes, she replies. UPS? Yup. We graduated the same year. We had Women and Global Inequality together my junior year. My favorite class in college with my favorite professor. Yes, that's why she looks familiar.

Funny how the universe brings us together. A dear friend I met via Twitter, invited another person she wanted to get to know more via Twitter. Our lives connect. The world is smaller than we think. Communities collide. Each day mine grows. The roots spreading farther and farther, making more connections. Sometimes intentional.

I'm thankful for my roots growing. They support me. Some older, stronger. Others still young, fresh, but equally important.

Friendship

Bright and early a text appeared on my phone, from D saying guess who just landed on US soil, I jumped for joy, she's back. A month ago she left for an epic trip to Australia. Hearing her voice on the phone was so familiar, I could talk to her for hours, just like that, no time had passed yet so much had happened in our lives.

A similar experience Sunday evening. Celebrating S's birthday, we shared mac n cheese, champagne & cupcakes, her favorites. Sitting on the couch conversing, S, Nora & N., I thought wow, I've really missed these ladies. I can see new people a thousand times, but there's nothing like a true friend. S busy with the election, N playing more soccer & nesting with J and me discovering a new world, our lives converging less and less, but that's ok, as N says. Two years ago, these ladies weren't in my life. I was struggling to find my place in Seattle, friends to call my own. Our friendship has grown. I'm extremely thankful for them. We share each others journey- jobs, boyfriends and passions.

I still continue to build my network. Food friends becoming real friends. Learning more about each others lives, sharing. Joking today with M that some are now even more real, we are Gchat friends, ha!

Thankful for the old and new. And yes, sometimes a bit of distance reminds us how much we do care.

waiting

I'm early for once, well actually instead of going home I decided to come straight to dinner spot. I can smell the pizza from the street. This is my life, sometimes I want to shake myself, is it real. How did I get so lucky.

I'm watching a little girl have a meltdown. All too often in my head I'm throwing the tantrum. On a side note, how cute they speak French! I digress. I need to learn to verbalize my feelings & emotions. Stand up for myself. Not a hard concept. Ardous. The wall prevents the words, instead they sputter, the fauwcet is dry.

Take more risks. Explore. Embrace. Live by my advice. Oh and continue to find myself.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Wasn't What I Was Looking For

They say you meet "someone" when you aren't looking necessarily, but what if it isn't a someone rather a new life. A few months ago I wrote about discontent, wanting change feeling a disconnect with the city. Something changed, honestly until recently I wasn't aware of this, instead it slowly developed. My seasonal affective problems of course are lessened with this absolutely beautiful summer filled with sunny days. Truthfully it wasn't the sun. I found passion in my life.

For the past two years my focus has been food, but not in a good way. I was depriving myself of something I loved. I focused on counting calories, food became the evil negative. If you asked me what my passions are, whole heartily I would answer first, food. Like Julia Child who when asked what she liked to do, she responded, "eat!" In May I joined Twitter again. Inspired by Karianne who connected to the social media/PR world, I decided to explore the food community. Little did I know how quickly this world would explode for me, finding others who shared the same zeal for all things food related. My days are filled with conversing with people who get excited about talking about pies (including the best leaf lard), where to find the best DimSum, the bounty of the season, foraging the farmers markets and eating out at restaurants. Food professionals, writers, bloggers and other enthusiasts like myself are constantly sharing stories, attending food related events (talking more about food!) and planning diners out together. Some are becoming true friends. I'm enamoured and most of all, content. I'm not looking externally for happiness. The creative side in me is being tapped again.

Not to say I still don't cherish my existing friends, although I see them less often, but I'm learning to realize that's OK. Managing my time is a bit harder. My community continues to build in Seattle and why would I want to leave this and start all over? I'm experiencing a new part of the city rather than observing from afar. As for dating, I am confident I fill find Mr. Right at the right time. No longer do I spend time online looking for that person, rather I want to find someone who experiences the world at large along with me. I appreciate those who have stood by me, challenged me and continue support me the past two years, allowing me to grow into who I am becoming. More and more I realize how different I am from the Lorraine who I used to know. I had to let some people in my life go, those who bring me down rather than up.

I look forward to what the future brings. If you asked me in October what I would be doing in a year, I probably wouldn't have predicted this. I went to a Halloween party for a reason, the palm reader was more right than I'll ever know. I kinda want to track him down and see what he has to say now.

thank you

First of all, I'm extremely happy because it's going to be sunny all week with a high of 92!!!

But most of all, the food blogging stuff is taking off, i'm having the time of my life, can't wait to see what it brings, really looking forward to upcoming months! Being mentioned today in a nationally known blog! Maybe I have to take what the palm reader said to heart, more to contribute, follow passions, and write! Check! Next, love?

Oh and I neeed to work out, my thighs are sore from the stairs at Coleman pool, alas I am hoping to do something active, might even swim again!

Looking forward to foodportunity wednesday!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

staycation

I just realized I had a green staycation, I barely drove at all, instead utilized my feet, ferry, bus and a few car rides with others. Walked on the ferry to bainbridge, then mostly walked around the island, and finally for my journey back, taking the bus home. Most of all, it was extremely affordable after a week of splurging eating out.

My hosts Devon & Chaz, completely and totally fabulous. It was honestly one of my real 4th of july's in a long time, complete with an old fashion parade, BBQ & fireworks! Today we went to the Bloedel reserve, which was spectacular. We saw two bald eagles, impressive gardens, magnificant views and the weather was beautiful, moments like this remind me of my faith and how thankful I am of our world. I'm looking forward to my next visit to the island, which must include mora's and blackbird.

I have a hard time coming back to reality, rather I wish my summer vacation would continue. Luckily the 18 is slowly making it's way back to Ballard.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

family

Family is what you make it, I realize this more and more, community is family. I had the honor of watching my best friend graduate from college, he's been through so much the past two years and has finally gotten the reward for all of his hard work. Most of all it makes me happy to see him make changes and following his dreams. Friday night we celebrated by making a special dinner and opening two nicer bottles of wine that we purchased over two years ago in walla walla. It was a bit surreal, interacting with his mom who never comes out, spening time together. The whole weekend was wonderful, celebrations, meeting people, it was community in action. I am very grateful for the amaxing people in my life. Congrats M!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]