It is about time for an update on the blog I would wager. My mind is often thinking about something, but I guess I don't always take the time to write some of those things down when I should. Today is one of those catch up days. While I was at work, I had this blog post forming in my head coming up with a title and everything. The few (or is it several now) weeks that have passed since my last post have made me realize some new lessons I am learning every day or ones I am being reminded of throughout daily life.
1. I'm a happy girl. You've heard me say before that every day is a good day, as I choose for it to be that way. One resident I work with tells me almost every other day that I am one happy kid. She'll catch me whistling, smiling, and dancing a bit while I run around. That just makes me smile more when she points these things out. I love to smile and be happy. A while ago a Martina McBride song popped into my head that I had not heard in years, and it is spot on wit how I feel.
2. We don't need holidays to have great family time. Several months ago, my cousin Alicia began instigating "family dinner nights" with her husband, my brother, and myself. We have gotten together about once a month since then, and we always have some fun conversations. This last time around I finally thought to take a photo of the four of us. Alicia and Andrew are due to be parents in August, by the way.
Below is a flashback photo to Sheldon, Alicia, and me at a family fishing trip.
Speaking of family time... I was staying in Newman Grove for about 5 days, I discussed with my mom that we should try to get a little Boschen girls' afternoon planned with Aunt Kristin and Granny B. Ended up spending a great afernoon at Duncan Lakes after a lunch outing at a great little place in Columbus. I am reminded that people (including myself) often say how we should get together more often, but it always seems hard (or maybe we're just lazy or stubborn) to try to make these gatherings happen. Still doesn't stop me from appreciating the memories that we do make and enjoying each others' company. Someone has to get the ball rolling. Even if you can't get everyone, simply get who you can. It is worth it.
Here is a photo of Aunt Kristin, Alicia, Granny B, and Mom from Seth and Kathryn's wedding, which took place June 2013
3. Boy do I love being outdoors. Spending an afternoon with my roommate and her family at their campsite at Louisville State Recreation Area reminded me one of my favorite parts of camping was simply sitting outdoors for part of the day. I don't always have to be out on a trail. I still like that part, too, of course. :-) Karena and I took some bikes out on one of the trails that evening I joined them after my shift at work had ended.
Some days I definitely wish I didn't have to work every other weekend right now, as I miss out on some of these opportunities to go camping, just spend a few days outdoors, and get away from town. Life goes on, though, and I make the best of the time I do get out there. So many great memories in my nearly 24 years of life have been spent on State Park ground.
4. There are some friends we meet in our lives that we may not always talk to see, but those times together can seem so easy and like not so much time has passed. My good friend Kyle had spent this past year as a volunteer with WorldTeach on the island of Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia. Hard to believe that a over a year ago I returned from the island of American Samoa and Kyle departed for Chuuk. I finally got to catch up with him a bit in person, which was pretty fun.
Here is a photo of Cassie, Kyle, and me from that quick June evening catch-up in Omaha:
5. There is nothing wrong with spending an entire day lost in another world. Reading allows us to take adventures from different points of view. One of my favorite series is titled "The Mortal Instruments" by Cassandra Clare. Like the nerd that I am, I pre-ordered the 6th and final installation to the series, which arrived on my doorstep on the day of its release. I read through the 700 pages in about 2 or 3 days.
Another fun part about reading is getting recommendations from others or sharing books I have read. I happened to get my mom hooked on the series by Clare. So good! These are the first three titles. She also wrote a pre-quel series which I have read, and she has a few other spin-offs in the works.
6, Fantasy fiction books are some of my favorites, but I also enjoy more memoir-type books from time to time. I am currently reading "Orange is the New Black", a memoir by Piper Kerman about her year in a women's prison. My roommate happened to be passed a copy of this book from her boyfriend's mom, and I had seen a friend from college had read and enjoyed it. I decided to pick it up, and I spent a few hours reading through it after work on Saturday. I am sure I will have it complete in the next few days or less. A good read thus far and interesting.
7. Just because you see the movie first doesn't mean you can't still read and enjoy the book. Yes, I agree the book is usually better, but I still enjoy some movie versions of books. While in Omaha last week, my friend Cassie happened to pull this book out of her purse and asked if I had read it yet. I had not, and she passed me her copy. I was currently in the middle of another book, so I set it on my shelf for another day.
Then, I headed to Newman Grove for a while, and I my mom and I were invited by my cousin Rebecca to join her and her mom (Aunt Paula) to see the movie "A Fault in Our Stars' at the theatre. We decided to go. It was a heartfelt movie that I enjoyed. Made me even more anxious to actually read the book and learn more detail on the story. I began reading it almost the minute I made it back to Syracuse (realistically, that's exaggerating a bit. haha). Nonetheless, I flew through that little novel in no time. Great book, and I also recommend the movie.
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8. Walking/ hiking along a nature trail is by far one of the most peaceful experiences for me. I could do it all day, but the heat does slow us down some times. My parents and I trekked out to Niobrara State Park on a Sunday while I was home for a while. We had a blast that weekend!
9. There are places you find yourself where some pretty vivid memories can be drawn out. I know we used to head up to Niobrara often for fishing and some camping. I can picture Grandpa Boschen on his little chair along the river with his fishing rod in hand, for instance. Also, when we talk about going to Niobrara I say "that's where that trail includes a wooden bridge over a train bridge, right?" Indeed. Here is that bridge. Driving around the park itself, not too many other places really struck back particular memories for me. More detailed memories from my parents, but it is nice to have some of those places. I was a little younger at the time, but definitely some great memories.
10. Simple and fresh picnics make me smile. We brought some sandwiches, fresh veggies, and some fruit. Mmm mmm. Good.
See that shelter up toward the right top of this photo? That's where we had our Sunday picnic at Niobrara State Park.
11. Trails include forks along the road. We hiked back a bit to check out one of the adirondack style camping sites, and then Dad said, "why don't you girls take this trail, and I'll pick you up wherever you come out." Weren't exactly sure where that would be, but he said he would keep circling til our paths crossed again.
Mom and I headed off, took some forks to the right, some to the left, popped out on the road once, but walked a bit down and hopped on another we had a good feeling where it may let out. At one point we crossed a second wooden bridge, and I joked "it's the same one", although definitely wasn't. Gotta love a little adventure and chatting along the way enjoying ourselves. We finally poppped out at the spot I had in mind, and not 3 minutes later, we heard a vehicle, and here it was Dad in the truck. He had made the hilly loop of the park 6 times, by the time we popped out about 35-40 minutes later.
Sweaty, a little sun burnt, but we enjoyed that hike.
Enjoy your journeys, and have a great week!
