day twelve - silver linings

As a whole, it was really difficult to remain peppy and positive this week. Work was downright dreadful, school is already stressful, and parts of my personal life are the pits. BUT, every day has had a ray of sunshine or two and for that, I am grateful.

Today's (or should I say tonight's) silver lining came in the form of live country music. Billy Currington put on a kick-ass show, and even covered a few current pop hits to draw in the non-country on-lookers. Enjoyed with some girlfriends, ran into some newer friends and enjoyed a few heavy-handed adult beverages.

I'm so lucky that free or cheap music is so accessible around here. These tickets only set us back $5 each, and he definitely played a full set. Live music is truly one of the things that makes me happiest.

What also makes me happy are snuggly pups... I've got two waiting for me right now :)

day eleven - remembrance

September 11, 2001 is a day I will always remember. A day every American will always remember. 
Today I remember. And celebrate. And pray. And appreciate. And give back. And honor. And HOPE. 

"What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash."

day ten - exploration

It was another rough one at work. By the end of the day, I was itching to get OUT. I happened upon a very local state park online and invited my friend Megan to go exploring one of the trails with me and the mutt. Last week's gallivanting did nothing but clear my head, so I had high hopes for a measly hour in nature.

Long story short, less than an hour did just that. We walked out of the park just as the sun had finished setting and my load felt a bit lessened. Hopefully, I'll be able to maintain that clarity tomorrow.

I am, however, still pretty drained. Tomorrow is September 11, and also Patriot Day, so I intend to be up bright & early to do my service in remembrance.

day nine - dinner time

Work was not easy today, so I'm seriously glad I made plans with a girlfriend tonight. It was the first time I actually prepared a meal on purpose other than for my parents in this apartment. Twas nice and nerve-wracking at the same time.

Due to our extreme hunger and my unanticipated success in making a healthy version of chicken parm (ad libbed version of an Inspiralized recipe), I wasn't able to snap a picture of my delicious concoction. We ate, we drank, we laughed, we cried -- all in all, a really wonderful evening.

In other news, I was able to get a quick pic of this Brewsday's beer! May I present Blue Point's Pumpkin Ale!

I know... not the best picture yet again. I was in a serious hurry to drink it after today. Luckily, it was pretty darn good. While a rather standard pumpkin ale, it was not over-spiced and was easy down the hatch. I'd probably buy it again.

Instead of procrastinating and ignoring the fact that I have homework again, I'm going to go knock out a few assignments. There was a eternity-long hour today in which I was "disenrolled" (not a word) from my classes today. I was teetering on the edge of a panic attack. Luckily, I think all has been solved.

I may also paint before I go to bed. The feel of fall seems to get the creative juices flowing, and I think I need to do a little soul-searching in preparation for humpday.

day eight - back in the saddle again

...which would have actually been an appropriate title last week.

I had an energy at work today that I haven't had in quite some time. It appears that I really just needed to recharge my batteries, and my Colorado trip did just that. I'm already missing the clean, crisp air...

But back to the grind.

It seems like work is going to be difficult for the near future, but I'm hoping we'll be able to barrel through. I did some brainstorming today, caught up on things, and hopefully a team meeting tomorrow will get everyone on the same page for the onward and upward. Fingers crossed.

I went for a run after work, which not only reminded me how clearheaded it makes me, but also that I need to kick my ass into gear if I intend to run a half marathon next month. I'm already having nightmares about those hills...

Hit up TJ's and bought myself some flowers. Some days I think buying flowers for yourself is more gratifying than receiving them from someone else. Today was one of those days.

I proceeded to also buy myself some snazzy beers. Who knew you create your own six pack? Actually, I did, but I've never actually done it before tonight. Looking forward to cracking one of these bad boys open for new brew Tues. 

Thanks to my smart TV and my recently acquired access to internet/Netflix, Friday Night Lights has drawn me back in. Perhaps I'll watch just one more episode (...or two) and knock out some reading on Organization Theory and Design. 

day seven - old school/new school

I'm back on the East Coast!

Instead of wasting the day away in bed, I enjoyed a delightful brunch with two of my favorite people at one of my favorite restaurants. Headed home, unpacked, cleaned up a bit, and wrapped my head around the fact that tomorrow means work work work.

My friend Sarah and I had made plans a few weeks ago to meet up today to catch up. As we both had to mosey over to our respective parents' homes, we met up at our old stomping grounds. However, these sacred grounds aren't what they used to be; our old high school was demolished two years ago and replaced with a fancy new palace. Seriously, everything is bigger, brighter and better than what we graduated from 8 years ago.

We circled the new track several times, her (almost!) nine month little man in tow and her husband running circles around us.

The weather was faultless, and catching up/reminiscing with an old friend was just what I needed.

I wandered the rest of the new grounds by myself, trying to pump myself up for tomorrow as I'm heading back to school myself. I'm definitely nervous, a tad lazy, a bit more excited, and considerably determined.

Here goes nothin'.

day six - flowers & flights

Dale Chihuly, the man recognized as the studio glass movement revolutionary, had an astounding collection on exhibit at the Denver Botanic Gardens, so of course I wanted to visit. It is absolutely amazing what the man can do with glass.

And the Gardens did a wonderful job integrating the works with the plant life. The colors aren't nearly as bright and beautiful as they are in person... even on a cloudy day. 

The Gardens even grow their own produce, which has been a part of a CSA since 2010. It's so cool to see how many different working parts of the city of Denver come together to help the whole. 

In preparation for my flight, my cousin decided we needed an ice cream flight. Finally - sugar has caught up with booze. Some of the flavors even had alcohol mixed in. *Insert heart-eye emoji*

And now I'm sitting in Denver's airport waiting to board. Fingers crossed that my flight will depart on time and even arrive a little early. I've missed me some Salty Balty.