5 months back. 9 months forward.

I have been back in the US for a month now. the five months of london adventures is complete. I have new friends, music, tastes, memories, etc. but New Mexico is home once again.

I have these friends that wash windows in town. On separate occasions I have heard many of them say how much they love their lives. To the Wal-Mart exec. life as a window-washer may seem really lame amongst other things, but to one of my friends it is his dream job. There isn't much stress. They work on days when the weather is nice and you'd want to be outside anyway. They manage their own hours so if they need to take off for a round of disc golf they go do it.

My friend Craig said he had the best year ever and I asked why, seeing as he had recently left a business as a partner in this great bike shop/import store. He said, "you know I just got really specific. I was specific with what I needed to make and what I wanted to do this past year." He went sky-diving, explored Banff and Vancouver. He said he didn't think he was as effective when he tried to multi-task and window-washing is perfect for that.

Charlie is great too. He bartends with me at Landlocked. When we swap shifts we do the small-talk "how was your day" sort of thing. He always says, in the most genuine way each time, "Leah, you know I'm really lucky because I can't complain about my life. I played a great round of disc golf with the guys yesterday. We washed windows for a few hours today. I really enjoy my life."

Have you heard the parable of the Mexican fisherman? It makes me wonder what all the push for money and status is for if we end up wanting the simplicity we had in the beginning. I am trying to figure out if I need to make a "career-move" or stay where I'm at for a bit. My heart jumps at adventure, experiencing another culture and eating new foods but does that mean these things need to be part of my career? Or do I find a job that accommodates those things as pastimes? Am I being a poor steward of my education if I don't work for some big company for a bit? Where will fulfillment be found? Is it more a matter of my own heart being content? If I were to get really specific about 2008 what would be involved?

- pay off CC bills from the expensive London sabbatical
- save money to put in an IRA or something like that
- learn about the "something like that" options - investments, etc.
- commit to mentoring one or two girls (maybe from LL or the high school)
- mountain bike more consistently (once a week at least. ugh)
- increase spanish skills - go to language school for min 3 weeks or take classes here
- go on an adventure with megan

Regulars...

A few of the regulars have asked to take me to dinner or drinks over my last week here. Tuesday night Paul, Gordon and Simon took Nikki, Kristina and I out to Italian. Paul is the one that sent me flowers a bit ago. These guys are great and will be missed.

L to R: Simon (brings in his son on the weekends), Gordon (Scottish man who makes me smile and loves his football) and Paul (bought me flowers because "You're far away from home and flowers can make a person's day." They did)

Last night I met up with Phil. People call him Shrek but he doesn't like it, though he does whisper "Donkey!" sometimes with his strong Scottish accent and its great! When he gets a bit tipsy he requests "cuddles" which is a hug over here. Big teddy-bear Phil:

This one is Paul, my manager, trying to be even shorter than he really is. Phil looks like a giant!

best day out

Sunday, after a long weekend for both of us, Kristina and I spent a day in the city together. She'd been wanting to see a couple exhibits at the Imperial War Museum and we decided to make a day of it. We saw the daffodils throughout Green Park, Buckingham Palace, shopped with hundreds of crazed women in Primark and drank good beer (kristina's fave - Steinlager from NZ and I tried a Strawberry Blonde) at a great pub. It was the best time I've had in London and wonderful to share it with Ktina.

our journey begins



Me in the daffodils - they're blooming everywhere. It almost reminds me of Siloam's little patches of wild daffodils in the spring.



It happened to be crazy-windy that day as well.


Alas, the Imperial War Museum!


One of the exhibits was "My boy Jack" about Rudyard Kipling's son. There's a made-for-TV movie about it, but to see the actual letters exchanged between a father and son during the war was moving. I like this quote from Rudyard. I hope all father's feel this way.

Flatmates

Kate and Jon have been great these past months. Jon reminds me of Darin Dueck + my and hannah's dive instructor in Honduras plus other stuff. Kate has been a gem to have around as well. She's a great girl and I've appreciated her insight and general conversation. We met up for drinks the other night at the Coach and Horses and took a few family photos.

flippin' omelet!

A few days ago I flipped an omelet and I was excited. I'm not a big flipper bc I fear I will launch the omelet off and ruin it in the process, but I tried and succeeded! The omelet itself is nothing to brag about, but the flipping was good.

Love Potion #31

One day in late January/early Feb of my senior year in high school I decided to leave town. I told my mom I needed to go for a week or so. I told the school I was doing "college visits" and I took off to California to visit my big sis, Liz. During the 12-13 hour trek west I stopped at a gas station in the middle of nowhere (literally the only one for 4 hours). It was coupled with a Baskin Robbins and I was then introduced to the best ice cream EVER - Love Potion #31. A seasonal favorite. Cupid’s White Chocolate and Raspberry ice creams swirled with a raspberry ribbon and loaded with raspberry-filled chocolate hearts and chocolate chips.

The other night Nikki and I went to see Juno and I was forced to abandon my anti-dairy and sweet fast (lasted a week) because I haven't been able to find this heavenly dessert for the past 3 years and the theater was selling it!!!!



absolute divinity.
Nikki said this was the most excited she's seen me since I got here - sad, I know.

Lillies!

This guy Paul (aka vodka and OJ) bought flowers for me the other day - lillies! They are beautiful and have bloomed quite nicely. They smell delicious and make me smile.