Auto-pilotness

Ok, I haven’t written an ooey-gooey post in awhile, so I think it’s time for one. You know the kind that just smells of pondering and philosophical questioning of the “bigger picture”…the endless “what ifs” and “whys” of daily existence. If you’ve ever been so completely consumed and/or focused on something that you totally forgot life exist beyond that focal point, then you can relate to what I’m about to say.

Every day for the past 14 years I’ve gone through life on “auto-pilot”…you know that feeling…you drive to work taking the exact same route but some days you don’t really remember driving there or what you passed along the way. Well, I kinda feel that way about spending all those years in school. The start of each fall, spring, and summer semester was like clockwork and it was so routine for me to get off work and head straight to night classes. Not to say that I didn’t actually LIVE during that time period, but even when I’d do something non-school related, I’d think about all my assignments or upcoming exams.

My vacation schedule revolved around Christmas break and Spring break. I remember many vacations where I spent more time on my laptop than on the beach. My grandfather died during my written doctoral exams and my grandmother died during my oral exams and I remember tapping away on my laptop within hours of their funerals. Nine years of marriage have come and gone and I’ve functioned more as a roommate than a wife. And, I’ve lost touch with some family members and friends along the way.

Well, I received my terminal degree this spring and now that “auto-pilotness” is lessening. As the fall semester rolled around a few weeks ago it felt awkward and I kept thinking I needed to complete registration forms, buy books, pay tuition, etc. My nights and weekends are now free and finally, after all these years, I get to do all the things I said I would do “when I finish school”. There are at least 5 or 6 things that immediately come to mind and most of them are fitness related (i.e., complete a half-ironman, cycle across America) or include traveling abroad (see a Grand Tour, participate in Oktoberfest).

So, what’s “next” in life for me…I’m not really sure. I’m slowly beginning to operate on a calendar year rather than an academic year. I’m spending less time on the laptop and more time with family and friends. I’ve whole-heartedly vowed to balance my personal and professional responsibilities. I’m traveling more and enjoying vacations. Of course, I still don’t have answers to all the “whys”, the “big picture” is still pretty blurry, and I don’t know exactly where “there” is. But, I know I must be headed somewhere to do something…and I need to make every effort to remember what I pass along the way. It’ll be interesting to see where life’s journey takes me “next”!

Thanks for checking in,
SK

Home @ last

Well, maybe I should say “house at last”. I’m finally back in Little Rock, but not for long. I’ve kept the friendly road/sky busy the last two months…first Iowa, then South Carolina, then Seattle. Next it’s off to Florida and then possibly back to South Carolina for work. Hey, at least I’m racking up some hotel and airline points!!! I’d like to thank a few peeps in each of these areas for making my travels just a little bit easier and fun:

Iowa: Linda and Lisa, you guys are the best. I’m not really a corn fan but your corn-infested state is a hoot to hang out in!
South Carolina: Erik, you rawk. Thanks for playing concierge and the bike ride and runs were an absolute blast. Oh, and you really do make the best apple martini in the world!
Seattle: Super Dave, you’re da man. You are the best airport shuttle and you definitely know your local pubs/brews. The organic blueberries were the best treat ever and the sushi was so yummy!

So, I told you my OCD would kick in when I got back to the condo. After a few all-nighters, I’d say about 70% of the boxes are unpacked! I’ve assembled, disassembled, pushed, pulled, lifted, and dropped a bunch of stuff in 4 days time. I can even get my car in the garage. And, I find this phenomenon absolutely amusing. I’ve got 14 YEARS of higher education…yes, that would be 4 college degrees…but I can’t hang a freaking picture in the center of the wall to save my life.

Let's see, I’m a statistician…one of math background…one that not only knows how to use calculators but also elaborate statistical software…I dig complex formulas and theoretical algorithms…and word problems were my thing in school. BUT, don't give me (a) 1 fireplace mantel that is 59 inches wide (b) 1 rod-iron centerpiece that is 38 inches total (two pieces at 19 inches each) and (c) 2 special hangers rated for 100 lbs that have 3 different lengths of nails and requires 6 holes total!!! It was a nightmare and I’m sure the fly on the wall was laughing his a$$ off. Just go ahead and throw in two trains traveling at the same speed and leaving at the same time: one from California and one from New York. I did pretty well though…all the wall art is hung and there are only 4 “extra” holes in the entire condo! I’m okay with that…really…I am.

And since the walls are now decorated and the boxes are disappearing, the new nest is beginning to feel a bit more familiar. Perhaps soon, I can say “HOME at last”. Until then, I’ve got some more unpacking to do~

Thanks for reading (and I know you’re secretly doing the math in your head)
SK

Empty Nest…Onto Seattle Now

So, after two weeks, I finally made it home from South Carolina. The Columbia area was nice until USC started back and all I got was smack talk about the Razorbacks and Lou. Seriously…how can South Carolinians give me a hard time for being a HAWG when their mascot is a GAMECOCK? Just know I’d rather be a pig than a cock any day. We’ll see who is talking smack on November 8th!!!

The past week was super, crazy busy as we sold our house and moved into a condo about 2 miles down the road. I literally packed the entire house in 3 days and we moved all 3100 sq ft the next 3 days. Basically, we just threw everything in the condo garage, so I’ll have plenty to do over the next few weeks. I’m in Seattle now for work so it will have to wait at least a week! I’m sure my OCD will kick in and I’ll have it all done in 2 days flat…it just killed me to leave the condo unorganized and cluttered!

In the midst of the move, we did a media segment for Safe Routes to School on KATV Channel 7’s Good Morning Arkansas. With school starting back, it’s a perfect time to promote active commuting. Stephannie (my SRTS program coordinator) and I are on a statewide mission to encourage children to walk and/or bike to school. In addition, we’d like for adults to walk and/or bike to work. There are numerous health benefits (both physiological and psychological) associated with active commuting…and you get to enjoy the great outdoors. How cool is that? We also launched our Arkansas SRTS website last week…check it out at http://www.arsaferoutes.org

Shawdawggie is east bound and down to Jacksonville. Thanks to Gustav, he left a day earlier than scheduled. He ran into a lot of evacuation traffic around Birmingham and Atlanta. At least we got to hang out at Moondawg’s house on Saturday night and several FGSG graced us with their presence. And, I’ll just go ahead and put it out there…a certain Cuzette made her famously delicious Kahlua fudge brownies with chocolate sauce and ice cream to join them. OMG…they were yummy and I think everyone had at least one of these “cheat treats”.

Well, as the saying goes, change is inevitable. We’ve flown from one nest to another and this one is partial empty for the time being. It’s been an emotional year thus far. So much has happened since January and no one really knows what will happen tomorrow much less this time next year. I think I’ve experienced every emotion possible….from being happy about completing my doctorate, to being sad about Chris living in another time zone, to being motivated to fight cancer, reduce obesity, and improve the health of our world, to being truly joyful that I have such great friends and family and that I wake up each day with the ability to walk, talk, see, smell, hear, laugh, love, and exist for a purpose. I’m riding my bike, I’m running, I’m coping with change, I’m living the dream…so

As ODWonn would say…all rides are good,
And as Geo would say…life is good,
And as I say…it’s all good in the hood!

Thanks for checking in ~ more to come later!

Sleepless in Seattle,
SK