Mid-November?

Mid-November?! The last time I looked, it was June!!! I honestly can't remember what I have been doing since my trip to Florida in October; Everything has been just a whirlwind.

I can tell you that my fall and Halloween season was full of haunted houses/ trails, pumpkin fields, horror movies, and fun with friends.

A Birthday with the Family

Two weeks ago I ventured to (sunny) Ft. Lauderdale for my father's 60th Birthday. My sister (over at HelloSweetWorld) and I have not been together with my Dad for 2 years and 11 months, which is quiet a long time since we all used to live in Southwestern Virginia together.

It was a great weekend for me to get away having had a few crazy weeks. My father didn't know we were coming and was very surprised. We spent the weekend talking and catching up, going to the beach, and even had a nice dinner and an evening out for drinks. 

Dad

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL

For now, my travel season has stopped and I will be staying put in Lexington. I am looking forward to just being able to be home more and sleep late on the weekends. My roommate is super excited for Halloween, I've already been taken to haunted trails and more are in store, a Halloween party is on tap, so I'm sure it will still be an adventure. I'm looking forward to it.

Sticks and Stones and Words

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."

As an American child, most of us have been taught this phrase and repeat it to our 'mean friends' on the playground many times. Being an adult, I have to simply say that this saying simply does not ring true... for me at least. The past few weeks have been busy with work but I have also had very emotional and trying personal situations. These situations have taught me about a lot about myself as well as others in the areas of discernment, honesty, trust, self-worth, and negativity.

Let me start by saying, I am in no way, shape, or form, perfect. I am a human-being with needs and desires like everyone else and while I wish to always make the most admirable decisions, I indeed and give in to fleeting, temporary things. I will also say that when it comes to judgment, I generally beat myself up for things I do wrong, that I do not need the negativity or judgement from anyone else-- thanks to my amazing friends for pointing this out to me.

All that being said, I have been naive and genuine in trying to meet additional friends in Lexington and also trying to find companionship. Through all of this I have opened myself up to people who seem to be genuine people with kind hearts and similar interests, but can myself around critical very critical people. I have been pushed these past couple of weeks, feeling insecure and maximizing my emotions to a weakened point that I have not felt in about a year.

My lessons from this are invaluable. Discernment. I have got to open my eyes to red-flags and abnormal behavior and identify this in my life. It's not that I ignore them, but I need to limit myself and discern what is appropriate as well as what I can withstand emotionally. I have been through a lot in the past couple of years of my life, but have come out ahead of it all and refuse to be in that dark place again.

It's been a learning experience for me, in the least. I already feel stronger and, oddly enough, happier. Blogging about this experience is not easy, and not intended to be a call for help to my family and friends (I am fine), but encouragement to anyone else who comes across negativity in the world. Stand strong, and believe there more good in the world than bad... you just have to search for the strength within to wade through.

Busy Thoughts

To start, let me state the obvious and say that it has been over a month since I have blogged. The tail end of my summer has been full of trips, a heavy workload, local weekend festivities, and the overall dealings of day-to-day life. I've been to Michigan to visit a friend, Florida (Fort Myers to be exact) to hijack my parents' vacation, and put in countless hours of report writing/ compiling for projects at work.

Kalamazoo, MI

Picnic with the Pops in Lexington, KY 

View over Bowditch Point Park in Fort Myers Beach, FL

Things have slowed down a bit now and I have thoughts of days past and current that I am dealing with. I have recently become very aware of all I have accomplished in my 24 years on earth. I also am very aware of my dreams and desires for my life and realize I have a lot of ground to cover. The conflict lies in the fact that I would like to pursue a number of these dreams but doing so may not be the most 'responsible' or 'safe' by societal standards (and my family's).

My sixth anniversary of living in Lexington has come and gone and I find myself somewhat rooted here. My problem is I don't feel settled here, per se. I find myself desiring other things for my life and struggle with what exactly that is and making preparations to pursue other dreams. Thinking about pursuing dreams and settling down has left me with the difficulty of not growing complacent, bitter, or withdrawn from other activities I generally would enjoy because I am in Lexington.

It is hard to see what is on the horizon when you know you want a change of scenery or pace, but you have no idea where to start. I know I will figure out, but I struggle with my nature of planning it and having the stars perfectly aligned before I leap and sometimes we just have to go. 

Alas, time will tell what's in store and I'm going to keep on trucking now and "suck the fun out of this place" as a good friend phrased it. 

Life and Love

There's been a few things going on here and there, mostly work and spending time with my friends. I threw an engagement party for two of my very close friends whom are engaged to be married in less than a year. It was a little stressful getting commitments and everything arranged, but it went off without a hitch and I think we all enjoyed ourselves.

These friends are very dear to me and I can see the happiness they hold in each other and it just makes me warm. They are also in the process of moving away and it has brought a lot of mixed emotions for me. I have mentioned before that I do not feel settled here in Lexington, but I don't know where to go next. I know I want the hustle and bustle of a bigger city and really any of the top 20 metropolitan cities in the United States would suite me, but that's kind of a broad start.

Thinking about moving and throwing an engagement party has also made my realize my single-ness. I remember being a young boy dreaming of having that best friend to spend my life with and this still holds true today. I am at a place right now where I would like to have that relationship and that companion, but I have also been through some tumultuous relationships and enjoy my freedom.

It all goes to say that I am probably exactly where I should be at the moment. I am busy at work, not sure where to go next, and content on my own right now. It's funny how we constantly wish for something and then suddenly you realize, "Wow. I'm in a great place."

Ciclovia

Every place I have lived in Lexington has been walking distance from my work and at most a miles walk. My recent move has taken me a mile further, totaling my distance from work to 2 miles. Given my record of morning punctuality, I cannot walk this distance and have taken up to biking to and from work. I. LOVE. IT. 

My Trusty Steed

I got my bike from a friend of mine, it's an old girls bike that doesn't have any gears and comes with it's fair share of quirks, but I've bonded with it quickly. I love riding it almost everywhere.

Not only is biking healthy, but its fun, sustainable, and just makes me feel better all around. Not to mention it is in my blood, being Dutch and all. I have committed to Clif Bar's 2 Mile Challenge and have really gotten into it, logging my rides, taking different routes, even biking to the grocery store.

     

BIKING FACTS

• 40% of U.S. trips are 2 miles or less
• 90% of those trips are by car
• 12 bicycles can be parked in the same space as 1 car

It's not all fun and games though. You have to be smart, conscious, and aware of everything going on around you. I have been laughed at numerous times, had names shouted at me, honked at, run off the shoulder by bus drivers, the list can go for pages. But I have enjoyed it and really miss it on the days that I cannot bike (because of work).

My Evening Commute

If you have a bike and live less than 2 miles from your destination, I challenge you to bike. It may be tough the first time of two, but it's worth it!

I'd Settle for a Slow Down

The past twenty days have been somewhat of a whirlwind. I have been settling into my house, adapting to a roommate and two very charismatic puppies, having work proposals rain down from the heavens, planning an engagement party, and travelling back and forth to Virginia to help my mother clean up the house.

New Roommates

Roanoke Star

Needless to say, updating my blog has been far from my priorities. I have been pondering how people do it with a family; it's just me and it is so crazy! The past few weeks have been very trying for me, pushing me to my limits creativity, brain power, and sleep. I have found myself wondering if I am in the right business or if I am just frustrated with growing up. During my teenage years I always worked and I dreamt of having a "grownup job" so I could pay my bills, but now I just long to sleep in past 9 a.m. I'm wondering if I have reached burnout where I am.... but I will figure out in time.

Alas, the working part of my summer has now slowed down and I am looking forward to my trip out to Los Angeles. Even though I am heading for a friend's wedding, I will have plenty of down time to explore the City of Angels and it's surroundings, enjoy all the restaurants (I'm kind of a foodie), and soak up some sun on the beach! I am very excited for some time off and relaxation. 

That's my adventure right now.... hope to blog about some fun things rather than just updates in the coming weeks.

Summer Solstice

Summer is here and I am really enjoying it! Today is the Summer Solstice in the eastern U.S. (or Midwestern, whichever you prefer). The days are sunny, warm, and long while the nights are cool and perfect for sitting outside. 

The summer always allows for beautiful days and amazing evening skies.

Go Solstice!

Moving Bungalows

It is moving time for me. I am not leaving Lexington, but moving from one neighborhood to the next and gaining a roommate (or 3 if you count the dogs).  I am moving to the Kenwick neighborhood which is full of smaller, craftsman style homes built in the early 1930s.

This weekend the Kenwick Neighborhood Association hosted a Bungalow Home Tour. A Bungalow is a smaller, usually one story house, that became very popular post-World War I.

Typical Bungalow in Kenwick

The homes on the tour were either unique in their décor, design, or materials used. Each owner had done a number of renovations and each had a different take on the Bungalow style. It was nice day to stroll through my new neighborhood and the tastes of different people.

This move marks the 6th year chapter of my time in Kentucky and also brings to light a lot of emotions for me. I have enjoyed living here but feel as if my time here is nearing a close. Sometimes I wake up and spend the day feeling jaded (for lack of a better word) towards Lexington and all I have been through here. This move could be a preface for bigger change for me, but that's all speculative now. 

New versus Old

UK Chandler Medical Center

My Alma Mater has been constructing a new medical center for the past few years. On Sunday, the University of Kentucky hosted an open house of part of the world class medical facility that will bring state of the art medical treatment to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

The first phase of the facility is opening this summer which includes a new parking structure, a new Emergency Department, and the Neuroscience, Trauma, and Surgical Services floors; all with a price tag of over $530 million. The facility is being constructed with the theme “Art / Science / Healing”, which is intended to incorporate elements of nature and art into the healing process.

New Pavilion at UK Chandler Medical Center

New Atrium Lobby

Photography Wall 

Ginkgo Sculpture

All in all, it is an impressive facility and I am proud to be a University of Kentucky Wildcat when I get to experience something like this.

Sunshine

The sun is starting to shine again and it just makes everything seem better.

This winter has been brutal and I just can't wait for warm sunny days.

Snow and Sunshine

It's been a winter wonderland around here this week. I know most of my family and friends have been slammed with snow this year. Here in Kentucky, our seasonal snow accumulation has reached 21.7 inches (our annual average is 16 inches)... and we still have to get through February!!!

I generally do not appreciate the snow. I prefer flip flops, sunglasses, a blanket in the park, and soaking up the rays; but this past snowfall I have seen in a different light. It snowed Thursday during the evening commute, making it pretty interesting. Friday we woke to a snow covered world with sunshine to accompany it.  

(My snow-covered street)

With everything covered in snow and the roads pretty treacherous, I left the car at home and walked to work. I generally hoof it in the summertime and drive in the winter because of the cold temperatures. The walk Friday was gorgeous with a fair amount of snow on the ground and a nice bright sun on everything. It made the cold more bearable to have the sun out on your face even in 11 degrees. I usually just gripe and moan through winter, but I am enjoying this one.

Who knows, maybe we'll even reach 30 inches of snow by the end of March.