When your Friends are on Adventures...

 

Unfortunately the last thing I want to do after being on a computer all day is come home and be on the computer.  There is an odd relationship between being at work on the computer and being at home on the computer.  

 

The other day I went on my facebook and was bombarded by all the places my friends were.  There was evidence of my friends going to places that were adventurous to them.  Some of the evidence wasn't of a pretty statue or building, but them with all bags in hand in the airport.  There were also words expressing their joy, wonderment, and excitement.  

 

Please don't think that I am not excited for them.  I am. Truly. 

 

I am so excited.  I would love to be living the stories with them as they happen, rather than hearing them after the fact.  I would love to see these new places and see them interacting with the people and the place.

 

It’s one of those times where I wish I could multiply myself and be in a million places at once.  Or maybe just 10 places at once.  The truth is, there would not be enough of me to be in all the places I would want to be, or enough time in the day to do all the things I would want to do.  When opportunities are seen and the doors of possibilities are opened, the dreams get bigger.  There is much more room for those dreams to grow into bigger, better, and loftier ideas.

 

Needless to say, I am being disciplined not to look at airline websites.  I am weary to look at my bank account.  But I am excited to do a little travel dreaming.  And yes, I'm looking at the calendar and plotting my next destination.

 

A {few} of the people and places:

Devrie and Lauren are melting and loving in Haiti.  Anna is exploring Ecuador.  George just got back from Brazil.  Katie is in Thailand.  Kaiten went all over Africa.  Dominique just spent months in Kenya and is now planning to go back.  Jenny has been in East Asia all year and is going back.  Natalie is headed to El Salvador for a year.  Paige just soaked up the history of many cities in Europe and Tiffany is just about to take it by storm.  Oh and Hawaii, there's just too many to count.

 

Coffee Shop thinking

I’ve said it before and I will say it again, I love coffee shops. 

And you know what I love is that there is a coffee like beverage that is a part of almost every culture.  Ok, so some cultures its tea.  But when I think about some of the best conversations I’ve had with complete strangers have been the ones that take place in a coffee shop, at a park, or while riding public transportation. 

These days I’m loving the coffee shop because it is a place to stop, sit, talk, and think.

I recently moved back to the bay area.  That would be due to graduating and going with the assumption that living at home is the best option right now.  It’s been a transition, and it will continue to be.

I’m back on the central coast for brief weekend trips this summer.  And as I sat in one of my favorite college coffee shops I was sitting enjoying the surroundings.  There are the most beautiful paintings up on the wall. 

This particular shop has revolving art displays.  Some I have enjoyed, but others aren’t my favorite.  This one, I moved seats just to be able to look up and see two specific pieces.  We all know that in Europe I was the art junkie that went to museums and learned about the history and the times.  I could walk around art shows most days.  {I also like the outdoors}  I’m feeling inspired to ride a bike and find a huge oak, thanks to these paintings.  I love that something indoors can move you to be outdoors. 

I encourage you to go sit in a coffee shop soon.  No agenda.  Simply taking it as it comes.

Sports Weekend

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This was a weekend of sports…and yes another weekend of no camera.  How did that happen?

{The no camera, not the sports.}  I got a little sunburned at the first event.  I knew I should have put more sunscreen on.  I now have a nice red triangle from my v-neck.  Thankfully it doesn’t hurt, but it looks painful!  I was watching my sister’s first soccer game of the season.  Unfortunately, they didn’t win…but that only means they can get better!

After the game we ran into some friends and had fun chatting on the sidelines.  I got some love from a girl I babysit.  It’s so nice to feel loved.

This weekend I also had the opportunity to go to my first professional baseball game.  I grew up an hour south of San Francisco and this was the first time I’d been to a game.  I know it's a little sad.  {It helps when you know someone that has season tickets.}  And boy did I go to a good game!  I know the Giants and Dogers have a rivalry {we joke about it at home…in the safety of our home} but I did not realize that it is the oldest rivalry in the history of baseball.  Thank you Giants for winning, you made it an enjoyable game and ride home!

On the way to the game {an hour or more in the car} we listened to the 49er game.  I didn’t realize that they would show the game on screens at AT&T park before the baseball game.  It never occurred to me that baseball fans might be football fans as well.  Silly me.  It was a great day to be a fan from the Bay, the 49ers beat the Packers.

Even though I wouldn't be considered a loyal sports fan it was fun to celebrate with those that are devoted to their team. 

Who were you rooting for this weekend? 

 

My Other Name

Olive is my other name.
 

{Part of my inspiration}

Source: media-cache1.pinterest.com via Haleigh on Pinterest

 The name that I named myself this Labor Day weekend.  It’s hard to get accustomed to a new name.  It’s almost a new identity.  It’s odd to think that I am the same person...with a different name. I have very few nicknames.  Some that Ii shy away from...or more like run from. Some that I allow, only because I know the intentions behind them.  And some that I adore.  My sweet friend calls me belle. And I adore it. Or Haleigh belle. Or Haleigh girl {yes, where this web address originates}.

 

This was different. Sometimes these fake names stick. You have to choose carefully. Sometimes they are just for a season...a few short days.

I think besides naming myself {odd concept}, the worst part was responding.

 

"Olive, olive, olive!" shouts the little girl. Oh, that's me...brain, respond. That's me; I have to say something back!

 

Source: o-logy.com via Haleigh on Pinterest

 

{I just love her!}

 

But now that I am no longer at camp and with children who only know me as Olive my name hasn't kicked back in. I don't know what to do.

Hi, I'm...oh, that's right. I'm Haleigh.

I got introduced to someone as Haleigh and it almost sounded foreign. Why is that?

It reminds me that I have many names. And some of those names are my identity. They are the ones that count. That matter.

Someday it would be wonderful to be called Olive again, but for now I am so happy about my name.

 

Hi, my name is Haleigh and my identity is not in that name. I am a child of God, saved by the grace of Christ, and the daughter of a king. It is so nice to meet you!

Friday Letters

Oh Friday...I'm glad you're here

Dear week, you have gone so quickly.  Where did you run off to?

Dear biblestudy, you were wonderful last night.  Just what I needed.

Dear summer projects, you are no where near done, but I feel like summer is ending.

Dear kitchen, I've been inspired to create deliciousness in you again.  Be expecting me to stop by more often!

Dear school, I like learning, but do you have to start again?

Dear coffee, we have to figure out a balance.  I like you, but I don't want to be needy. 

I'm linking up with Ashley.  Go say "hi"!

At the Coast

I’m off with my family this week, spending time at the coast.  It is potentially our last family vacation for awhile, as just the 6 of us. 

We are going too far and will be cruising the central coast of California.  We are spending time on the beach, visiting Hearst Castle, and going for some hikes.  I’ll be {hopefully} reading a book or two, journaling, and resting.  And the bad news…the house we are renting has no internet access.

I may be popping in to say hello, but we shall see!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Those things called the Olympics

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A couple of weeks ago I disclosed that I don’t really watch much TV.  Yeah…when the Olympics are on that changes.  

I remember as a little girl being allowed to stay up late to watch the women’s gymnastics team.  Somehow in my little mind, I could someday be on that team.  Being the realistic adult that I now am, I know that that would never happen.  Again, I admit that I can’t do a cartwheel.  Many years of failed attempts and I have finally accepted that I won’t be a gymnast.  I’m impressed and awed by the stunts that they can do.  I think my favorite is the floor routine… {subject to change}

Then there is swimming.  Yes, for some reason, I the child who had trouble keeping my face in the water during swim lessons, decided I might be able to contend against the fastest swimmers in the world.  I love childhood dreams.  I have developed a love for swimming, but I am very humble in the fact that I do it for exercise {and the fact that one year of swim team made it so I don’t know how to do anything but swim laps in a pool} and for  the pure enjoyment of gliding through the water.

The Olympics are something that unites people and I love that!  I love that this year I discovered sports I’ve never heard of, or sports that I forget are a part of the games.  I love that cultures collide and people meet others from around the world. 

There are things that I don’t like and would love to change {or sometimes just want to smack the commentator or news anchor on the side of the head}.  But overall, that’s not what makes the Olympics exciting. 

I will say that sitting watching people makes me feel like a lazy bum.  And I will say that I would love to travel and see the people from all over the world meet in a spot for a common goal.  Isn’t that what makes the Olympics motivating the athletics and the travel?

What is your favorite summer Olympic sport?  And what team did you hope to be on {real or in your childhood dreams}?

Child's Play

Last week was full with kids. 

 I was little on overload by Sunday afternoon.

 I love kids, but I had not been around that many, of that age, for that long in a while.  Our church put on sports camp which is a sport filled VBS.  Kids are put on teams according to the sport they chose; cheerleading, soccer, or basketball.  I will be honest and say I don’t play basketball.  So the last two years I’ve been a substitute coach for soccer or cheer.  It is so very fun to love on kids {and then you get to send them home to their parentsJ}

I got to hang out with sweet Maddie during the day and then lots of elementary kids at sports camp and then 4 toddlers on Monday.  Tuesday Maddie and I hung out some more.  Later it was off to coaching a cheer team of five girls all going into kindergarten and first grade.  They were the youngest cheer team and the five year old needed undivided attention.  Wednesday was the youngest soccer team of rowdy boys.  Oh how I love first graders and the things they say!  Thursday I was back with the littles {toddlers}, although there was only one for me to give my full and undivided attention to.  On Friday it was back to the cheer squad and the adorable five year old. Sunday morning I was with the preschoolers for Sunday school.  Such a fun age, but tiring. 

It has been so nice to love on kids.  I didn’t know how much I’d missed little hands,

eyes full of wonder,

smiles of discover,

and a warm body in my lap. 

What have you been missing that you’d like back in your life?

Movable Feast

So I was trying to be on a roll this week. 

I prepped my posts, and tried to have pictures for every single one. 

But alas, yesterday, no post

And today, well we’re up and running…at 10am

And this is why I love grace

God knew I wouldn’t have any adventures to post if I posted them all this week! {hehe}

There are some cute kids coming up next week…But for now a picture overload for the weekend!

This is the best kept {not so} secret in San Jose.  Some great food being loaded up and moved around the Bay Area.  It comes in the form of food trucks, but it is called gourmet.  It is delicious! 

If you live in the area you should check it out or start one in your own area.  Here are some pictures I took when we went last week:

http://www.mvbl.org/

What did you honestly think when I put food truck and gourmet together in the same sentence?