In honor of my 24th birthday, I've decided to make a list of 24 things I want to do while I'm 24. This list has been in the process for about 2 months now. There are BIG adventures, small pleasures and everything in between. Some are to be done with a big group of friends, some with family, some with strangers, some with individuals and some alone. Some can be accomplished in one day and others will require a longer commitment.
So here they are......drum roll please.
1.) Read the entire Bible
2.) Learn to drive a standard
3.) Send Christmas cards
4.) Start a book club
5.) Run a marathon (White Rock - Dec 13th)
6.) Subscribe to the Sunday Edition of a major newspaper
7.) Cherish the blessings of my grandparents and great-grandmother (Goal: Go to Olney at least once every six weeks)
8.) Africa - support a child, go on a mission trip, find a charity or GO
9.) Bungee Jump with Reece
10.) Be involved in a children's ministry
11.) Volunteer
12.) Host a wine party
13.) Napa Valley
14.) Learn to sew buttons & tie a tie
15.) Grad School Reunion
16.) Play Fantasy Football
17.) Become ambidextrous
18.) Create a "to die for" recipe book
19.) Visit Raegen in Costa Rica
20.) Study Spanish
21.) Find a career passion
22.) Plant flowers
23.) Make a travel map that marks places I've been and places I want to go.
24.) Say "yes" (don't know to what, to where or to who)
Definitely not all inclusive, but it's a great start for my 24th year.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
New York Love
Greeting readers! I know - long time, no post. But I'm back at least for tonight and I'm writing about something that I truly love: New York City.
It's addicting. The rhythm of the city that is: the constant on the go, something new, somewhere to be, something to experience. The fact that I have to leave seems unnatural and forced. As I walked down the 50th Street subway stop tonight, taking in the sights, sounds and scents of the city, I couldn't help but think this is where I feel most alive.
Tonight was a great night. One of those nights that you don't plan, but that you will always carry with you. Tracy, Jennifer and I went ventured to Spice Market to dinner where we shared laughs and life over wine, water and white rice. As I reflect back on this year, I realize what a blessing those girls have been in my life. I have learned from them and grown to cherish the time I have with them. They have shown me new perspectives and challenged the way I think, which makes me not only a stronger person, but a better person. I love Tracy because her background is completely different than mine. She supported herself through school and has faced situations that are beyond my imagination. She makes me realize how fortunate I am and I respect her for all the things that she has accomplished. I enjoy Jennifer because she tells me exactly the way it is. She sees me as I am, sheltered and all, and accepts me as is. These two friendships alone have made my year in New York memorable. Together they have seen me through each day, shared the pitfalls of work but also the laughs, plunged through adventures and ultimately developed friendships that I hope will last a life time. I will never be able to look back at my time in New York and not think of them. I can only hope that as our paths diverge into different directions, we will continue to be a part of each other's lives. They are friends that require no prerequisites - just me as I am is what they accept. And for that, I will be forever grateful.
So tonight, as I diagonally crossed 8th Ave dodging a yellow taxi cab back to my apartment, I thought about my move. Do I want to go? Not really. When I was a little girl, I watched a show on some cable channel where the girl froze time by pointing her two index fingers together. I would kill for that special power now and to be able to extend this stage of my life. I feel like myself in New York. Looking back over the past few months, I have had highs and lows, but I have grown as an individual. The thought of Dallas is bleak to me. Granted, there are many positives: my family, Jay, Kellie, many other good friends, a steady job, a great house with much cheaper rent, etc., but nevertheless, my heart seems to be filled with dread. I'm sure after a few months, I will adjust and be fine, but right now New York is all I want. The city is alive, and as I walk (or sprint walk) the streets, I just feel right. So tonight as I finish this blog and head to bed, I will dream of honking cars, bright lights, crowded streets and the sounds of subway trains passing below my feet - New York that is - the city that never sleeps, where dreams come true.
It's addicting. The rhythm of the city that is: the constant on the go, something new, somewhere to be, something to experience. The fact that I have to leave seems unnatural and forced. As I walked down the 50th Street subway stop tonight, taking in the sights, sounds and scents of the city, I couldn't help but think this is where I feel most alive.
Tonight was a great night. One of those nights that you don't plan, but that you will always carry with you. Tracy, Jennifer and I went ventured to Spice Market to dinner where we shared laughs and life over wine, water and white rice. As I reflect back on this year, I realize what a blessing those girls have been in my life. I have learned from them and grown to cherish the time I have with them. They have shown me new perspectives and challenged the way I think, which makes me not only a stronger person, but a better person. I love Tracy because her background is completely different than mine. She supported herself through school and has faced situations that are beyond my imagination. She makes me realize how fortunate I am and I respect her for all the things that she has accomplished. I enjoy Jennifer because she tells me exactly the way it is. She sees me as I am, sheltered and all, and accepts me as is. These two friendships alone have made my year in New York memorable. Together they have seen me through each day, shared the pitfalls of work but also the laughs, plunged through adventures and ultimately developed friendships that I hope will last a life time. I will never be able to look back at my time in New York and not think of them. I can only hope that as our paths diverge into different directions, we will continue to be a part of each other's lives. They are friends that require no prerequisites - just me as I am is what they accept. And for that, I will be forever grateful.
So tonight, as I diagonally crossed 8th Ave dodging a yellow taxi cab back to my apartment, I thought about my move. Do I want to go? Not really. When I was a little girl, I watched a show on some cable channel where the girl froze time by pointing her two index fingers together. I would kill for that special power now and to be able to extend this stage of my life. I feel like myself in New York. Looking back over the past few months, I have had highs and lows, but I have grown as an individual. The thought of Dallas is bleak to me. Granted, there are many positives: my family, Jay, Kellie, many other good friends, a steady job, a great house with much cheaper rent, etc., but nevertheless, my heart seems to be filled with dread. I'm sure after a few months, I will adjust and be fine, but right now New York is all I want. The city is alive, and as I walk (or sprint walk) the streets, I just feel right. So tonight as I finish this blog and head to bed, I will dream of honking cars, bright lights, crowded streets and the sounds of subway trains passing below my feet - New York that is - the city that never sleeps, where dreams come true.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Subway Stress
Every major world city has a subway system. I have been from Boston to Barcelona to Bejing and have mastered the subways, often in a foreign language. But, and a huge but here, then I came to New York City. The New York City subway is by far the most complex in the world not mention that it is antiquated and has a horrible stench. There are trains that are express, there are trains that are local, there are even trains that are express in the lower part of Manhattan but local after Midtown. It takes an adjustment period to truly learn the system. And by learning I mean flying by the stop I needed because I was on the express train and it's only a local stop. But after a month or two, it becomes managable.
Well, that is until today. My coworker Jennifer and I are regulars at the Saturday morning bootcamp across the Brooklyn Bridge. The instructor was being feature on the local Fox news this morning and need participants. She offered a free workout if we would commit to be there at 6:30, so of course we jumped at the chance. Jennifer and I were to meet at the 42nd Street Station on the Downtown platform for the A,C train at 5:50 to head over to Brooklyn for the workout. I, of course, arrive early. At 5:55 the first A train comes along but Jennifer is no where to be spotted on the platform. Weird, I think to myself. Jennifer, also a type A accountant like myself, is rarely late. I start pacing and also receiving weird looks from all the construction workers waiting on the train also. I mean seriously, who wears complete workout gear and is waiting for a train at 6:00 in the morning. In my mind I am formulating a list of where Jennifer might be. The next train finally arrives at 6:07 AM. I decide to get on without Jennifer while the list of possibilities of here whereabouts continues to grow in my head. And then I hear it, "Uptown train to Queens. Next stop 50th Street." OH MY GOSH!!! I, me, RILEY - I'm the idiot here. The doors are already closed and the train is moving forward. I look at the window and see the sign I was standing right beside the entire time I was waiting. It reads "Downtown Train --->." It was a literal Jeff Foxworthy moment - "Here's your sign."
I jumped out of the train as soon as the doors open at the 50th Street Station. It's a local stop, so I have to get out of the subway and cross on the street and pay an additional $2.00 for my downtown ride. Luckily, a C train comes relatively soon which is roughly 6:12. The entire ride I'm frantic and fidgeting constantly, once again receiving unwanted stares. I passionately HATE being late. It seemed like the longest subway ride of my life, but I finally arrived at the High Street Station in Brooklyn at 6:34 and took off in a dead sprint and almost knocked over two bicyclist that were unfortunate enough to be in my way. I arrived at the Fulton Ferry Landing winded to say the least at 6:38. The instructor looks at me and says, "Perfect timing Riley. We are just now getting started. Get right here and start with 25 push ups." I'm so wrapped up in being late that I forget there in a camera there. I look up and there is the camera right on me and my sweaty, frizzy-hair self . All I could think was "I sprinted for this!?!?"
Well, that is until today. My coworker Jennifer and I are regulars at the Saturday morning bootcamp across the Brooklyn Bridge. The instructor was being feature on the local Fox news this morning and need participants. She offered a free workout if we would commit to be there at 6:30, so of course we jumped at the chance. Jennifer and I were to meet at the 42nd Street Station on the Downtown platform for the A,C train at 5:50 to head over to Brooklyn for the workout. I, of course, arrive early. At 5:55 the first A train comes along but Jennifer is no where to be spotted on the platform. Weird, I think to myself. Jennifer, also a type A accountant like myself, is rarely late. I start pacing and also receiving weird looks from all the construction workers waiting on the train also. I mean seriously, who wears complete workout gear and is waiting for a train at 6:00 in the morning. In my mind I am formulating a list of where Jennifer might be. The next train finally arrives at 6:07 AM. I decide to get on without Jennifer while the list of possibilities of here whereabouts continues to grow in my head. And then I hear it, "Uptown train to Queens. Next stop 50th Street." OH MY GOSH!!! I, me, RILEY - I'm the idiot here. The doors are already closed and the train is moving forward. I look at the window and see the sign I was standing right beside the entire time I was waiting. It reads "Downtown Train --->." It was a literal Jeff Foxworthy moment - "Here's your sign."
I jumped out of the train as soon as the doors open at the 50th Street Station. It's a local stop, so I have to get out of the subway and cross on the street and pay an additional $2.00 for my downtown ride. Luckily, a C train comes relatively soon which is roughly 6:12. The entire ride I'm frantic and fidgeting constantly, once again receiving unwanted stares. I passionately HATE being late. It seemed like the longest subway ride of my life, but I finally arrived at the High Street Station in Brooklyn at 6:34 and took off in a dead sprint and almost knocked over two bicyclist that were unfortunate enough to be in my way. I arrived at the Fulton Ferry Landing winded to say the least at 6:38. The instructor looks at me and says, "Perfect timing Riley. We are just now getting started. Get right here and start with 25 push ups." I'm so wrapped up in being late that I forget there in a camera there. I look up and there is the camera right on me and my sweaty, frizzy-hair self . All I could think was "I sprinted for this!?!?"
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Hamptons - Take 1
To celebrate Memorial Day, a group of friends and I ventured out to a special place in the Hamptons called SeaCrest. It was fabulous to say the least and there are numerous stories that I could share but for now, just the one with the most bang - literally.
We got two rental cars from Budget Rental on the Upper East Side at 8 AM and hopped on FDR to escape the crazy pace of Manhattan. My car carried four lovely ladies. Everything is going great - we are driving in the HOV lane enjoying the radio and the wide open spaces of 495. We take the Hwy 27 with a feeling of ease due to the lack of traffic.
Around East Hampton, we hit it. The crawling traffic of five miles per hour going bumper to bumper. But no worries on the home front, we are out of the city and there is a super hot guy in a Range Rover behind us, shirtless with a great hair swoop. We are all swooning over here and toying with the idea of putting one of our phone numbers up in the window just like we did on junior high field trips. Life is good at this point.
But then we hear it. "What's that noise? The radio?"
"No, it can't be. Here turn it down."
"Ya'll that's the car."
"Riley, stick your head out and see if you see anything."
"OH MY GOSH! We have a FLAT!"
"WWHHAAATTT!?!?!"
We pull our tan Toyota Corolla rental to the side of the rode and find that we have not one, but two flat tires on the passenger side. LOVELY. Oh and Mr. Hottie with the great swoop well he drives by then pulls over on the other side of the road. "Ok, this might now turn out so bad after all," we say to each other. But just when it seems we might get to interact with the mysterious man in the Range Rover, he turns his car around and takes off. So much for being a knight in shining armor.
We have too much going on at this moment to be heartbroken, so we decided to leave the discussion of Mr. Lacking Southern Manners for another time (aka bedtime chat). We have a situation at hand that needs our attention PRONTO. Two flat tires and one spare - not going to work. We have the other rental LOOP us (oh the joys of an iPhone) because we had been separated at some point on the journey. At least this vehicle (a Pontiac that was nicknamed the GTO by the end of the trip) had three boys and surely one of them could change a tire.
Let me say this. Before the GTO arrived, we, as in the four girls, sat on the side of the road obviously needing help while NO ONE, no not a SINGLE car stopped to help us. Cars just idled on by gawking at us. This would NOT happen in Texas.
Finally the GTO arrives and we decide will use the spare from their car also. We run into a problem with the first five minutes of the tire change. The spare given to us in the Corolla will not fit. What kind of rental place is Budget? I mean seriously? There is no need in wasting time anymore. We go up to the closest house and find a sweet lady who was very helpful. She helped sort out everything with the tow trucks and let us leave the car there rather than make us wait from one to three hours for the Budget Roadside Assistance. In her graciousness, she redeemed her fellow Northeasterners from my opinion of being rude and unhelpful.
So here we are. There is a plan in place for the Corolla, but what about it's passengers. Well we weren't left with much of a choice. We all cram and I mean CRAM into the GTO. Did I mention I was claustrophobic? Nice, very nice.
We successfully make it to lovely SeaCrest about 45 minutes later. We head straight for the beach. Needless to say we need some space to stretch out!
Oh road trips...always an adventure in some form or fashion! :)
We got two rental cars from Budget Rental on the Upper East Side at 8 AM and hopped on FDR to escape the crazy pace of Manhattan. My car carried four lovely ladies. Everything is going great - we are driving in the HOV lane enjoying the radio and the wide open spaces of 495. We take the Hwy 27 with a feeling of ease due to the lack of traffic.
Around East Hampton, we hit it. The crawling traffic of five miles per hour going bumper to bumper. But no worries on the home front, we are out of the city and there is a super hot guy in a Range Rover behind us, shirtless with a great hair swoop. We are all swooning over here and toying with the idea of putting one of our phone numbers up in the window just like we did on junior high field trips. Life is good at this point.
But then we hear it. "What's that noise? The radio?"
"No, it can't be. Here turn it down."
"Ya'll that's the car."
"Riley, stick your head out and see if you see anything."
"OH MY GOSH! We have a FLAT!"
"WWHHAAATTT!?!?!"
We pull our tan Toyota Corolla rental to the side of the rode and find that we have not one, but two flat tires on the passenger side. LOVELY. Oh and Mr. Hottie with the great swoop well he drives by then pulls over on the other side of the road. "Ok, this might now turn out so bad after all," we say to each other. But just when it seems we might get to interact with the mysterious man in the Range Rover, he turns his car around and takes off. So much for being a knight in shining armor.
We have too much going on at this moment to be heartbroken, so we decided to leave the discussion of Mr. Lacking Southern Manners for another time (aka bedtime chat). We have a situation at hand that needs our attention PRONTO. Two flat tires and one spare - not going to work. We have the other rental LOOP us (oh the joys of an iPhone) because we had been separated at some point on the journey. At least this vehicle (a Pontiac that was nicknamed the GTO by the end of the trip) had three boys and surely one of them could change a tire.
Let me say this. Before the GTO arrived, we, as in the four girls, sat on the side of the road obviously needing help while NO ONE, no not a SINGLE car stopped to help us. Cars just idled on by gawking at us. This would NOT happen in Texas.
Finally the GTO arrives and we decide will use the spare from their car also. We run into a problem with the first five minutes of the tire change. The spare given to us in the Corolla will not fit. What kind of rental place is Budget? I mean seriously? There is no need in wasting time anymore. We go up to the closest house and find a sweet lady who was very helpful. She helped sort out everything with the tow trucks and let us leave the car there rather than make us wait from one to three hours for the Budget Roadside Assistance. In her graciousness, she redeemed her fellow Northeasterners from my opinion of being rude and unhelpful.
So here we are. There is a plan in place for the Corolla, but what about it's passengers. Well we weren't left with much of a choice. We all cram and I mean CRAM into the GTO. Did I mention I was claustrophobic? Nice, very nice.
We successfully make it to lovely SeaCrest about 45 minutes later. We head straight for the beach. Needless to say we need some space to stretch out!
Oh road trips...always an adventure in some form or fashion! :)
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Enough
Lately, I have been overwhelmed with the feeling of not being enough - inadequacy actually. At work, the projects are stacked on my desk. It seems as soon as I start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, two more urgent and time consuming items need my attention. There are friends back in Texas that I have kept in touch with well enough. There are friendships here that I haven't given enough of my time and efforts. And in one recent relationship, I came up short in numerous areas.
Last week, the preacher at my church talked about receiving identity in Christ rather than striving to achieve identify as the world does. I know that I am striving to achieve my identity and hence, my enough problem. But how do you receive identity? Insert Sunday School answer here - "Well Riley through faith of course." Ok yes, but really how? On a day to day, hour by hour, minute by minute basis, what do I do differently?
I have had this question bouncing around my head and heart since Sunday. This morning in my quiet time, I came across this verse. "My grace is enough; it's all you need." 2 Corinthians 12:9 MSG.
There is nothing that I can do but trust in God and His amazing grace and that will be more than enough in any and all areas of my life.
Last week, the preacher at my church talked about receiving identity in Christ rather than striving to achieve identify as the world does. I know that I am striving to achieve my identity and hence, my enough problem. But how do you receive identity? Insert Sunday School answer here - "Well Riley through faith of course." Ok yes, but really how? On a day to day, hour by hour, minute by minute basis, what do I do differently?
I have had this question bouncing around my head and heart since Sunday. This morning in my quiet time, I came across this verse. "My grace is enough; it's all you need." 2 Corinthians 12:9 MSG.
There is nothing that I can do but trust in God and His amazing grace and that will be more than enough in any and all areas of my life.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
To My Crazy Aunt Kathy On Her 51st Birthday
Today is a great day because 51 years ago on this day, my grandparents received their first bundle of joy - my aunt Kathy. I believe that everyone should experience the joy of having an aunt like Kathy. She is a full of surprises and there is NEVER a dull moment when she is around. There is always a good chance that she will go flying off the handle especially when her cell phone (which is set on the loudest volume option) receives a call from work. Although she loves her "peeps," there is always some sort of drama at the "home" (she works at an assisted living home).
Kathy is a passionate person, something that I have always envied about her. She loves our family especially her boys, Rue, Reece and Drew, but who could blame her; they are pretty spectacular. She loves baseball and often reminds me that there are few things more beautiful than a perfectly executed double play. She loves to read and due to this her daily vocabulary includes words like "impeccable" and "immaculate" just to name a few. She loves Baylor - "Bear Air" is good for the lungs but hard on the heart. She loves politics and will be a true Democrat until the day she dies. She loves animals and her home houses a zoo of "animales." She claims that dogs are life's purest source of joy and one of her life goals is for me to also embrace this truth. She loves old people because they are a great source of wisdom. She loves the 7 AM hour of the day and has passed that love on to me.
I love Kathy. It's a guaranteed good time whenever she is around. She is and always will be an important person in my life. I can't imagine my life without her. I'm not going to lie, our family get togethers would not be near as colorful without her stirring things up and voicing her opinion. I look forward to many more years of "laughing loud, laughing long and laughing often" with her.
So Kathy, Happy Birthday! And remember "earthly bodies" are overrated.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Saturday....
I desperately needed a relaxing Saturday and that is exactly what I got today (please remember that everyone views relaxing differently). I started out the morning with a bootcamp workout across the Brooklyn Bridge. It's a great way to get the day started and the blood moving. Next, I venture to Harlem with NY Cares for some basketball with kids and other volunteers. I love kids and basketball so it was the perfect mixture. After lunch, I met some friends in Central Park for an afternoon of quality conversation and good laughs. The afternoon also provided me the chance to catch up with two of my close friends back in Texas.
This day was just what I needed. It reassured me that even though I don't know what my future holds, that day by day God gives me exactly what I need. Not only that, he fills my life with amazing people and wonderful moments. I am BLESSED.
This day was just what I needed. It reassured me that even though I don't know what my future holds, that day by day God gives me exactly what I need. Not only that, he fills my life with amazing people and wonderful moments. I am BLESSED.
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