Face In Space!

So I just submitted a picture to be included in the ST -133 launch on September 16.


My face will be going into Space for the aliens to drool over. Its just THAT good! :p

Happy Tuesday.

Autonomy

The day you embrace your own... and respect others right to theirs, is the day I have come to believe that you have hope in successful relationships. This means taking people exactly as they are.. without secret agendas to "fix them up" to meet your requirements. It means realizing no one owns anyone else. Your choices are your own... you do not automatically gain rights to make decisions for anyone else. Sometimes rediscovering connections and relationships later in life means that you can take an initial chemistry/spark and add life experiences to that. You just might find that something you enjoyed but didn't pursue is now exactly what you would have asked for if given the chance. Kinda funny how that works.

No relationship will ever be perfect. But I am more than happy to find myself in one that while not perfect, both individuals are under no disillusions. We are both working on things that increase our self sufficiency, independence, and ability to embrace the things that are most important in our lives.

We have very similar priorities and I love waking up each day and finding someone else able to enjoy the small things with me. Someone else who recognizes the steps I've taken in the last couple years and not only understands the journey, but actually finds it one of my most attractive features. THAT, my friends, is what makes me happier than anything. That I am embraced for the things that make me unique and different and ME.

Anticipation

Yesterday was a horrendous evening for me.

I have been pushing on an adrenaline high for the previous 3 weeks, first from a visit to see my lovely love and then a week in Cali doing some side work. The side work continued when I got back to Chicago as I compiled my findings for the final report, which got handed in Monday. Or so I thought.

Tuesday I get an email saying half the slides were missing. Never a good sign, and I know I should have checked it myself (heck, why else did I cc myself on the email) but in any case, I had to scramble to get my hands back on my laptop quickly and get that resolved.

So when I got home yesterday, all that momentum that had been pushing pushing for all this time has depleted. I had a weather migraine from the storms moving in, no appetite, and severe sleep deprivation.

Its amazing how much difference a day can make. Today... I found out Neverwhere was extended 4 weeks - I had a fantastic time at the show earlier this month, and can't wake to take Sam with me. That's the other half of the fantastic day.. I get to spend some quality time with my guy while he comes to visit in July - even to the point of getting to say Happy Birthday and make a Carrot Cake.

So much better way to end the evening.. and a cute shot because I don't often get to do these kinds of things. Us at my fav Tempe restaurant Phoenicia.

I'm an auntie!

Tyler Fox was born today...

Congrats Kyle and Kayla.. and kiss your sleep goodbye :)

Things happen for a reason

Sometimes I wonder what good can come out of some situations in our lives.

For one in particular, it seemed like the heartache that is all over the beginning of this blog was not worth the gain.

I'm reminded I'm wrong. I have gained a 2nd family because of crossing paths with people, and even if I am no longer attached to the person who made the initial encounter possible, they still consider me part of the family and welcome me with open arms.


These are the kinds of folks I'm proud to call my chosen family.

Decompressing

This week has been a whirlwind... lots of things, lots of emotions, lots of decisions.

Things have happened in the last two weeks that if you had asked me 2 months ago I'd see myself in this situation, I would have not an inkling. I'm being purposely vague for now because I don't want to jinx myself and because I sometimes need privacy even from myself to figure things out in the quiet spaces.

But all that being said... I have smiled more in the last 2 weeks than I have in months. I have rediscovered just how much I enjoy the field that I was actively in with my college education. I have had to have the guts to believe in my own skills enough to take a GIANT chance. That may or may not pan out... but at this point I really don't care. Just the experience to be through this last week has brought a lot of clarity to things in ways that make this month seem like a complete full circle to the year 2005.

When I look at what has made me the happiest over the last decade, its not money. Its not graduating college.

It's spending an afternoon on the porch making homemade ice cream.

Its walking in the middle of the forest and laughing because you can.

Its looking someone straight in the eyes and feeling a connection that years only strengthen, and not diminish.

Its trailing your fingers in the water while floating in the sun.

It's being in the moment.

Mexico 2010

These were some of my favorite parts of the Mexico Trip this year. There was a donkey track that took you from Cuzama into the brush/hacienda to 3 different Cenotes, where you could swim for as long as you wanted, then they would take you to the next one.

As you can see from the picture, taken from the top of the cenote entrance, the water was crystal clear, nice and semi warm, and there were roots growing in from the ground above.

This is the picture of the second cenote we hit, which was my favorite.

Back in the Groove

Before the beaches start charging tokens for the summer, I got my walking groove back on yesterday.


Absolutely cool but gorgeous weather... I love the color of the water and the sand in this picture.



For the rest of the pictures from this walk, check out my Picasa : http://picasaweb.google.com/amyfox/EvanstonAndAround?feat=directlink

Heading Back!

My parents surprised me with a ticket and doggy sitting yesterday. I'm headed back to the Valley just in time to wish my sister good luck and congrats for graduating from ASU, and now moving to Africa.

I think I found it

I've been one of the many having an exisential crisis over employment, where to live, how to live, what the hell am I doing with my life. Am I doing what I enjoy?

I moved from Arizona because I could not stand the overpopulation of the Phoenix valley, and the detrimental affects on my health. Even after all my travels and spending time in other places... I have always had a favorite spot for the high desert. It is like nothing else you will ever experience in your life.

I am not happy working in the non profit world and not tangibly feeling the difference I'm supposedly making. I can't sit in a desk for 40 hours a week. I want to do things with my hands, engage with people, teach them things.

I want to live within my own footprint and be surrounded by things that just stop and make you go WOW.

I think I want to live here: http://www.arcosanti.org/

I have always loved this place... I am not quite sure how this would all work. But this place is the fusion of my journey over the last 10 years - being involved in non profit, urban planning, sustainability, teaching, enjoyment of nature.

Daddy's Girl

man I am feeling so homesick this week. This is a tough week for it to be happening, I'm already feeling pulled different directions.

One of my favorite pictures of my dad and I, at my cousin Shane's wedding in Fountain Hills 5-6 years ago.





I'll always be a daddy's girl.

Sedona Sanctuary

Today... my body is stuck in this desk, and drudging through menial things.


My spirit.. my mind... are here




I took this picture one of the first times I drove to Sedona on my own... I would like my ashes spread here some day.

small things

Its always interesting to me what people remember, and what is deemed significant.

Monday, October 26, 2009.

Laundry and 2 Long Island Iced teas with dinner. This day changed my life forever.

Sometimes I wish I could have kept the events of this day going on indefinitely... it was such a good day.

Passing time

I really don't like to make promises to myself about trivial things. I have enough trouble being too hard on myself over other things.

This whole "growing up" thing. I don't get what I'm supposed to be doing. I guess I could probably say I've stopped being being so quick to change my surroundings. But how does one determine whether this is a good or bad thing anyway? Why does it even matter to begin with? As long as I am willing to take the consequences of whatever choices I make, then the choice itself is irrelevant.

I'm not crippled by the fear of choices anymore.

And a picture because I want to.

Mexico

There was a lot of good things on the vacation I just got back from.

Highlites were good friends, lots of things to see, SUNSHINE.

I feel like there's lots to say, but the words don't want to come out yet. I'm still working through my pictures.