Finding Peace...

The Cabin from the Road

I finished classes the week of Thanksgiving and have had some time on my hands! Honestly, I have enjoyed it.  I love my weekends and time off! I can always find something to do and that I enjoy, rarely do I find myself bored.  The activities are just sitting reading, watching TV, catching up with friends but I will always find something busy. When I heard about my 6 week long break I made a promise to myself to enjoy CO and what it has to offer!  The Peace Corps has made me a lot more content with life and my activities.  I do not always have to be running around like a chicken without a head, I can just be and I am OK with me! 

View from my reading spot

Anyways, last week I went up to a 'Cousin's' family home in the Mountains! Let me tell you, words cannot describe how gorgeous the view is during the Winter! We went for a Hike a little higher up from his cabin and sat down in this open patch of snow! I said "Now, this is the snow I enjoy! Untouched and covering the mountains!" 

It was the most relaxing two days of my life! He had to go to work so I just hung out in the cabin, drinking endless glasses of tea, reading hundreds of pages of my book, taking walks, and you cannot forget about taking a nap! It was just amazing and refreshing to just Be! The air was so fresh, life seemed to stop, and I had no agenda for the day! Besides the weather it reminded me of Sundays in Dominica which are my fav! I spent those two days laying on comfy couches, lost in my thoughts, and recharging my batteries! I am extremely fortunate and grateful for my Denver Family and these moments that they have given me!


I look forward to the next time I can head up to the Mountains and maybe going Skiing! Before that I must head back to MI to see my lovies....  

Red Wings!

Last Sunday, I went to the Red Wings Game with two of my friends! One being from Michigan and the other just being forced to cheer for the Wings! They ended up losing but it was still a lot of fun and amazing to see the Wings Play in CO against one of their longest rivals! :) 

Jennie, Myself, and Nate

Painting!

Last Saturday I became a PAINTER! My girls and I went to Canvas and Corkscrews! The ideal of Canvas and Corkscrews is each day the studio has a different painting and the instructor walks you through step by step of how to paint the picture. I had soo much fun even though I am not a painter! The studio provides all of the supplies, you just have to show up! Even though we were all doing the same painting it was very interesting to see how each one turned out just a little different!

I was very proud of my owl even though he is a little plumb! :) 

Thankful on a Snowy Day!

A pretty picture of CO taken from the Internet

On Thursday, the weather changed dramatically! It became cold and snowed on Thursday and now this morning! 

Anyways, I was walking to the Light Rail Stations on Thursday (about a 20-25min) and I was COLD! In my head I had a bad attitude about life and how I had to be walking right now, how I wish I had a car, and I just wanted to be home in my bed not out here where my hair is freezing! 

The negative thoughts got out of hand and I decided I was going to change my thought process because a negative thought process was not going to help the matter. 

This is what I was Thankful for while I was walking (Continued to repeat it in my head)...

My Keen Boots which I LOVE
(Mine are all brown!)

1. That I had a warm place to sleep and go to

2. My boots which were keeping my feet warm

3. That I DID NOT have to clean off my car this Morning 

(I truly hate doing that)

4. That I was not driving because I know my anxiety would of been through the roof

5. That I had kind of warm tea in my hand

Today it is snowy big flakes and I will be putting up some Christmas Decorations in my warm apartment which I am very Thankful for!

Turkey Day!

The Group in our Hats (Minus four)

Apps

I hope everyone had a marvelous Thanksgiving filled with your lovies, good food, and endless conversation. I personally know that is how my Thanksgiving went this year.  I celebrated my favorite Holiday with 13 of my nearest and dearest.  I could not of been more excited to host Thanksgiving because I just love this holiday.  To me it is about gathering with your favorites, eating yummy food, laughing until you cry, and sharing stories of the past.

More Apps

I would be lying if I said I did not think of my MI and Dominican family (truly my PCVers who I spent the Holidays with) but it was amazing to provide a 'home' for these 13 people who do not have roots in CO a place to eat Thanksgiving Dinner! I love hosting parties and it went soo well! I did not want it to be stressful or the vibe to be rough, rather I just wanted people to enjoy and that is what we did!

RALPH!

I made my first Turkey, Ralph! It was a teamwork effort for sure and he turned out pretty well. THANK YOU to Aunt Sue for walking me through how to clean Ralph and laughing with me as I totally grossed out! :)  I did not have any but my guest said it turned out very well.  One of them said it was a little dry so I told him to put some gravy on it! :) I do remember a moment right as we were about to eat and the whole group came together! There was a group of people in the living setting up the tables and a group in the kitchen making the stuffing, rolls, and craving the Turkey! I found myself with not a lot to do but just take a moment to be Thankful I have these amazing individuals in my life! 


This day will always hold a special place in my heart and I am excited for next year when we can do it all over again! :)

Family!

My Host Mom

My Volleyball Girls

FAMILY, it is such a strong word with an enormous amount of meaning and emotion.  But really what does Family mean, who is the one that defines it, who was the one who put such a powerful word in such a small box.  That 'who' is society that told told all us who we should and should not define as Family.  I am about to break the intense word out of its box and define 'Family' in my own terms.

My Denver Family

I am beyond blessed with the amount of family I have.  Now, I am not talking just about my blood family who I love to death and am continually amazed by the support and joy they bring me on every day.  I have family in two different countries, a handful of States, and a few cities in Michigan.  

My Rocks in Denver

PC Lovie

How does this all work, I will tell you how I define family! It is simple! Family to me is a place or group of people I can surrounded myself by and feel love/support, share a meal, and have a place to sleep! Basically, my basic needs will be met when I am with them.  I know it sounds simply and I may be selling myself short but I find I am doing the complete opposite. I am enriching my life with individuals I CHOSE to be around, who always have my best interest in mind, give me an ear to listen, and joy to share. 

That is my family, near and far I will always have family close!

Lions Game!

The Stadium during the open ceremony 

Aaron and in front of the Stadium

One of the Fans! 

Last Sunday I watched the Lions beat down on the Broncos! It was an amazing game and I was able to go with a follow Michigander! I am blessed and grateful beyond expression of the family who is continually showing selfless acts of kindness and gave up their seats so I could watch my lions!