Camping in the Mountains

This past weekend was hot, dirty but enjoyable. We had a good time filled with laughter (they shared stories about when they lived in Connecticut), peace and beauty of the mountain scenery. Some of us fished (I did not) and the rest played games and took mid-day naps.

Though the worst part about weekend vacations is the feeling that you need a vacation from that vacation. Setting up two tents, a canopy, four chairs, two tables as well as figuring out how to layout the sleeping quarters was exhausting! Like I mentioned before, the peace and quiet and being away from the busyness of life was worth the effort.

We were one of the few people at 11 Mile State Park Camping Grounds that pitched tents. Most had RVs as you can see in the pictures. I wonder what it would be like camping in one of those. Though to me, it's not real camping since you have basically a small house. I would, however, love to rent an RV and travel the United States someday. In regards to real camping, the only thing I do not like it is the lack of running water/bathrooms. I'm not sure which is worse, finding a remote spot in the woods and digging a hole or using an outhouse. You have no idea how overjoyed I was about coming home and closing the bathroom door.

Camping in the Rockies is amazing and I encourage you to give it a whirl some day!

Only in the Country....

So for the past few weeks there has been a Poultry Swap. Yes, you read correctly. When I first read the sign, I honestly thought I needed to get closer. Nope. When I was 100% sure of what I saw, I backed away. I know exactly why they are swapping poultry to begin with and I had no intention of being involved.

I realize I love chicken and turkey, but it doesn't mean that I actually want to know how it gets into the freezer all nice and neat. There are just somethings I prefer not to know.

New Things Just Across the Prairie

It's been awhile....I know. My apologies. So let's just jump in here.

Officially, I'm moving to Denver for a new job starting in August! Everything has been falling into place and I thank God that I wasn't like Abraham jumping the gun trying to have a child. While I can't say I'm happy that it took so long to find something worthwhile, I'm stoked that it came! For awhile, I thought it never would and I'd be doomed to spend my post college years working a job that a high school student could do. Thankfully, that's not the case.

So, like I said everything has been falling into place quite nicely. I have a new job and an apartment with almost three weeks to spare. Can't be more happy right now. The position is with a nonprofit called Reading Partners and I knew from the first interview that this was a place where I could make a difference while using the talents given me that I've developed and enjoyed using. I'm just glad we both were on the same page throughout the entire process. The area I will be living in is a quiet neighborhood that's less than a mile from just about everything a city can offer a 20-something -- including food since I can't go more than four hours without sustenance! (Sugar doesn't count though I wish it did). Plus it's only a 20 minute bus ride to work! I know I'm going to love it there!

I honestly can't wait to see what else God has in store in Denver and I'm looking forward to growing, meeting new people and exploring!

Castle Dinner

Last week, a friend of mine Sabrina took me to this castle for a presentation by Wycliffe Association, a Bible translation organization. The story behind this building is fascinating and quite baffling. The founder of Colorado Springs built this for his bride, but when he brought her here after the wedding, she hated it! Why, you may ask? I have no idea. Who would hate living in a castle? Especially one with great views of the Garden of the Gods and the Rocky Mountains!?!? Since she hated it so much, she moved back to where she grew up, New York. 

I have to talk about the food served at the conference because there isn't a word to describe it. First off was tomato soup. I'm not talking Campbell's. I'm talking tomato soup with cream, garlic, rye bread and cream cheese. The first taste, both Sabrina and I looked at each other with wide eyes. "This is so good! I need the recipe!" The meal only got better because steak -- tender, juicy, cooked just right-- was next along with crisp broccoli and an interesting shaped potato. When I say interesting I mean not your typical potato but instead in a square with cheddar cheese on top. The "potato" was the only item that didn't meet the standards of the soup or steak. For dessert.....CHEESECAKE! Those who know me understand and probably shake their heads at my love for this dessert. I can never say no to cheesecake. 

So another adventure in Colorado completed. Dined inside a real castle!

Blizzard Crash

So some of you may have already heard about a car accident I was involved in. Up until that point, I had never had an accident of any kind (other than the ones you have when you're two years old). There are many adjectives I could use to describe my feelings before and after. When I had woken up that morning, I had no idea I would never get to work.

The sadness, sick-to-my-stomach feelings I had that morning are still with me. The day after, I really didn't want to drive but I needed to. I know my co-workers would have understood if I decided to take that day off, but it just didn't feel right knowing that there were no physical aliments resulting from the crash. When I drive past the spot, I can't look. Tears threaten to spill. Fists clench. I breathe slowly and don't look in the rear-view mirror.

I ask myself, why did God allow me to crash? My mom mentioned maybe I would have gotten into a worse crash if I hadn't crashed when I did (which was less than 3 minutes away from my house). Maybe if my steering wheel was operating properly I would have gone into the ditch on the left side of the road and been seriously hurt. Maybe for some reason I wasn't supposed to be a work  today. I may never know the answer to this and as a believer in God works everything for good to those who love Him, there must be a legit reason for this. I just wish I knew now.

Wishing that it never happened won't change the fact that it did. I must dust myself off and learn from this. Looking back, there really isn't any way I could have avoided this. Even if I had gone slower, once I hit that ice, I had no control. I remember feeling dumbfounded at it all because I've been in similar weather conditions and hit ice and managed to hit a snow bank or I stopped just a hair before the car in front of me. I honestly don't know why He didn't save me from this crash, however I do thank Him for keeping me safe. I had asked Him seconds before, "Please keep me safe" and in reality He did....just not in the car's perspective.

Hopefully, I will know soon whether or not the car will be fixed or if we have to figure out how to get a new one. As far as why the accident happened in the first place, I won't know until my summons in July. There are still some things that haven't come to light about the other person.

Blizzards in April should not be happening. Blizzards in general in CO never-mind the tiny town of Falcon are horrible. I must have moved to the wrong state. Granted, the East has had its share of spring storms. We keep saying, "Spring is around the corner........right??!?!?" Already, it's been a crazy year and it's only month 4! We shall see what the rest brings. Whatever state/country you're in -- it's a roller-coaster. Just gotta go for the ride.

All in all, it was a scary experience I hope to never repeat but in the event that it does, I know I have Someone protecting me. Thank you all for praying and being a friend! :D

Will Spring Come?

Across the country, snow has made another appearance and this time it's after the First Day of Spring. In Colorado, bright and early Wednesday morning, we were hit by a blizzard. Seriously. A....real....huge.....blizzard!!!! Just getting out of the house was a chore because the wind blew us sideways. I couldn't even see the car.

Being from Connecticut originally, I'm used to snow, ice and cold but wind hitting you so hard that you can't see where you're going? Nope. Can't say I've experienced that. Driving to work in that....oh...my...word. I can't thank God enough for that red truck in front of me. Honestly, I couldn't see anything else! Not the road, not any of the other cars, not the trees, not ANYTHING. Scariest drive of my life. I'm more certain than ever that God himself or more likely one of the angels drives for me.

Thankfully work closed early and I got to the car around 2:30pm. I had texted Gina in order to let her know that I was on my way home. But before I could even start the car, I got a text back saying, "Wait." I sat there with my mind going in a million different directions. Ok...should I stay in the parking lot for who knows how long? Should I go into the mall and shop? Should I find some place to go? Just by glancing around the lot and the street closest, I could see the mess. The wind was blowing the snow around making the snowflakes dance a tango/foxtrot/salsa/cha-cha all at once. The streets themselves were covered in slush and ice. I guess I'm not going anywhere for awhile......

I had driven my boss and coworker home just around the corner and then stopped to figure out what to do. Wound up going back to my boss's house and stayed there until the roads opened up again.

It wasn't a bad trip home, until about a mile or two before arriving. I started seeing cars stranded alongside of the road. Not just a few. ALOT! I had lost count but it had to be close to 30 cars stuck in the snow. When I had arrived around 7:15 at that point on the journey home, the road was still ice not pavement. Looking at it you'd probably think the road was a bobsled track, no joke.

Home sweet home at almost 8pm that night. I had left my boss's house at 6:45. Normally, it would take me 20 minutes. Yea..... Please let this be the last snow.

Uh, no. We are getting more Friday night. YIKES!

Super Bowl!

So....in case you haven't heard. WE WON THE SUPER BOWL! Denver Broncos against the Carolina Panthers 24 to 10 :D Never been this excited over a football game. Seriously. Though, they all played a good game aside from Aqib Talib who didn't seem to know how to keep his cool and play like a professional last night. Peyton Manning being 39 years old showed the world that an "old" man still has game!

Apart from the game itself, the commercials are probably one of the highlights and sometimes one of the low-lights. The Doritos ones are always full of laughs, but the mini cooper commercial this year was enlightening.

You can watch it here and comment what you think.

Personally, I found this to be a good reminder not to let others tell you who you are or what you can be. For years, I've heard "You can't," but it wasn't until college where I realize there was a lot I could do. Looking back, I've made quite a list of accomplishments and have continued to pursue my dreams despite challenges. Like Serena, with the right support and mindset no matter the circumstances, you and I define ourselves.

I define myself as a creative writer, storyteller and designer with a love for American Sign Language. How do you define yourself?