Weekend to Do

• write annotated bibliography for comparative analysis on Goethe's Faust vs. Kubrick's The Shining
• whip up some pumpkin pie martinis and sip while baking actual pumpkin pie
• indulge in baked french toast , mimosas, and jazz for Sunday brunch
• revel in the process of cooking Thanksgiving dinner and linger over the meal with a bottle of vino
• enjoy a fall walk with Molly holding hands with my husband

Identity Crisis

It's hard to write this... even though I know I don't have to hit publish. It's been a struggle -- for the last 4 months I have been the happiest I have ever been and the saddest I have ever been. And it's not something you can really talk to anyone about.

People ask all of the time how married life is. And it's fine. and the same. and it feels like a lot has changed when actually nothing has really changed. It's confusing. And there was that little blip in June that added some sadness, yet shed some new light on the direction we want to take in our lives together.

I have been researching a lot -- apparently 1 out of 10 brides can feel like this. And if you think about how many weddings per day around the world happen, this is a lot of brides. A part of me doesn't know if it's because of my identity crisis -- who am I as a new wife with a new last name and a reminder of my vows around my finger that glistens at me every time it caches the light? Or am I still dealing with the loss we experienced, still wondering about the what ifs, what it would be like today, what it could have been like tomorrow?

I haven't been the best bride -- I am all smiles and joy to strangers, friends and family, yet with my husband, I am an emotional roller coaster. I am thrilled to come home to him, yet feel lost while here. I laugh at his jokes while also feeling irked that he is making them. Like I said, I am the happiest I have ever been....and the saddest.

The sources I have researched all say the same thing -- I feel this way because my project I have been working on for two years is completed. A one day affair that took months of planing. Or because I took on the new last name, relinquishing who I was to become his wife. And I can see how both of these things are affecting me.

I thought about finding someone to talk to...then worried that it couldn't be a good sign four months in to find a therapist. I finally spoke to Rainman about all of this. And, though I was worried he would be defensive and take it personally,  he was so supportive and told me we would get through this. Hey...we got through Europe together right? Despite language barriers, late trains, bad hotel reviews, strange traffic signs, we were a team and enjoyed every little part of that journey. With that in mind, I know I can battle this thing that's causing me to be all over the place and is draining my energy.

So today, I thought about how maybe re-framing this whole scenario may help....instead of looking at the loss of Laura Brouwer, I have this great opportunity to create Laura Nelson.

What kind of person is Laura Nelson? What kind of wife is she? what kind of employee is she? what kind of mother could she potentially be? friend? family member? general member of society? It's going to take patience, some trial and error, and pushing myself in new directions, but I think Laura Nelson can be a pretty cool wife -- perhaps still stepping out of her sporty car in 5 inch heels when picking up her little one from soccer practice.

Flashback Friday

The things that made me smile big this week:

• Monday was a holiday. I finished my second assignment for The Faust Theme course I am currently studying online, followed by beer and mindless television vegging. It's all about balance my friends.
• I had a dentist appointment on Wednesday and the hygienist asked if I was using an electric tooth brush now (I'm not -- manual all the way) and commented that i had very little build up. Want to know what I am doing differently? That coconut oil pulling thing that is posted 8 million times on Pinterest. So....I think its working (toxins be gone!)!
• I met up with my best friend in high school for a glass of wine. We haven't sat down in probably 10 years and it turns out we now live down the street from one another. And even though it's been many, many, many years, it didn't feel like any time had gone by at all and we could pick up where we left off. 
• I am cutting more and more seconds off of my time per km while running. This week I am averaging 6:05 minutes per km. My goal is to get it down to 5:00 minutes. Totally achievable with less (or no) walking breaks... Also, I signed up for the Rock the House 5k again with a goal to run it in 25 minutes. Last year I ran it in 28:41:95 (chip time). I might be really pushing myself to cut almost 4 minutes off --- but, what's life without a stretch?

Not a bad week. Looking forward to the weekend :) TGIF!

Hello again, my old friend -- Mid Year Review

It's been a long, long, long time!

Here's whats been happening in my life:

• Kitty passed away from a long life of loving last December. We were all deeply saddened, but it hit my Oryx the hardest. His depression led him to stop eating and his liver failed. He passed away a few weeks later. My heart still breaks for him.
• I was offered a new position at work which I excitedly accepted. I am back in the marketing group, working on residential marketing strategies and managing the SEM side of things. It's been an awesome learning experience. I am currently working on achieving my Adwords Certification, as well I enrolled in a Marketing and Strategic Communications Certificate program for this fall.
• I am officially married. After a fabulous shower, stagette, and endless months of planning, I walked down the aisle on April 19th to my handsome husband. It seriously was the best day of my life. We had so much fun and its always nice having friends and family toast you with compliments.             You can check out pictures in a slideshow here: http://animoto.com/play/6YV0R0H2mWDb0QOBBhqoNw
• We left for our honeymoon in May, crossing the pond to tour Amsterdam and Hamburg. It was a fabulous adventure filled with so many laughs. From sipping coffee in castle courtyards to bottles of beer in bars, I am so happy we were able to start off our new life together with these memories. Rainman may also have a little bit of the travel bug now, so hopefully we will hit up a beach with cervazas soon.
• I was in a car accident, but thankfully I wasn't hurt. My sweet little corolla didn't make it though and was written off. I have now joined the Civic nation with a 2014 Honda Civic Sedan Touring. She's been pretty fun to drive around town in.
• Molly celebrated her 14th birthday. We are all pleasantly surprised that my little dog who was given 6 months in 2008 after her heart attack made it another 6 years. She is an old lady who still has quite a few puppy moments left in her now. I cherish every morning we face another day together.
• Rainman and I felt a void in the house so we recently adopted two kittens -- Dutch and Deutsch, our honeymoon namesakes. They have country roots, born in a barn. Slowly though, they are getting used to having humans around and its been a pretty fun week.

Looking forward to the second half of the year and all I have planned for it. New wife, new life :)