Try something new...

Ok so you know those times when you don't know what to eat and after going around asking each other what sounds good and 20 minutes later you still have t decided? 

Well that was how my evening started as I walked out of work with two friends today. And though we were all starving we wanted to go somewhere delicious and unique and just couldn't make up our minds. So thanks to "Urban Austin" magazines list of top 15 places to eat, and my random selection of number 7, we made the trek to Raman tatsu ya. A Raman bar, which I didn't even know was a thing!! I have to say I was excited to try something new, though a bit nervous when we stood in line looking at the menu and I didn't know half of the words. But I picked the #1, that's always the safest thing right!? And it was delicious! Who would have though that Raman noodles, scallions, mushrooms, and soup would be such a satisfying dinner?

So grab a local magazine, or google "things to do" in whatever city you live in or are visiting and find some places to try.   

And next you have have a dinner debacle  pick one off the list and enjoy the expierence! Wither it be top taco trucks, Raman bars, or cupcake bakeries it's an adventure to taste something new. 

Good Eats

Ok so this is day three and though most of my time has been spent working in have tried a couple new places and give both of them thumbs up!

The first is the fabulous Wienerschnitzel!!

When I asked what there best thing on the menu was I given a corn dog and chili dog. Both were quite good and Deffinately curbed my late night craving. But my favorite was a sticker on the window that said "Living Der Dream!!"

And because of her Dutch roots I must dedicate this chili dog to my lovely sister in law!!

The other place that I think will quickly become a favorite is Gloria's Latin cuisine 

Here I tried their steak fajita quesadilla. It was great because they brought all the ingredients to the table and you assemble the tastiest thing ever! 

I know this is just the start of the Tex Mex Capitol of Texas food tour but so far it's been great!

New Town...New Adventure

Hello everyone!
So I know its been awhile since my last post, but thanks to my special redheaded friend I am going to start writing again!

So whats new with me...
I am in Austin, Texas. Thats right the place known for football, live music, and fantastic southern accents. I just flew in today and as always when I travel there is so many funny things that happened along the way!

To start the morning off was a darling 3 hour flight from Columbus, OH to Houston. And can I just say there is officially nothing more awkward then sitting next to someone, so close that your arms touch, and not speaking for THREE HOURS!! I mean I get it if its an overnight flight, or if you don't really want to engage in mindless chit chat for a entire flight. But if someone sits next to you would it be too much to go through the whole "Good Morning!" and "is this for business or pleasure?" stuff? Because the truth of the matter is once you go the first hour without speaking its a bit too late to try and ease the awkwardness and start chatting mid-flight when you are trying to casually ask them to move so you can pee.

Anyway...after catching my connecting flight, collecting my luggage, and picking up my rental car (a huge white Minivan!!) I drove to my new digs in north Austin. The area is amazing! There is FANTASTIC stores and the whole atmosphere is very sophisticated and yet a bit funky.
I am so excited to start my time here and I want to post about the fun things I find out about this great city!

Austin Fun Facts:
- Traffic lights do not hang vertically from a wire...the are mounted horizontally to a pole.
-do not stop at Walmart for groceries unless you bring your own bag. They will pile all of your stuff at the end and then ask if you would like to purchse a bag.
-It is perfectly acceptable to wear furry Ugg boots and shorts in the same outfit

Frustration...and Thankfulness

Ok, so I am a firm believer in the fact that everyone has bad days. But can I tell you that today for me was one of the worst...at least work was. I felt that everything I touched turned to a HOT MESS! There is nothing quite like working so hard and having nothing to show for it. Now I am not trying to just vent my frustration on here but I wanted to dig a bit deeper. First off, let me tell you I LOVE the people in my life who are positive when I am not. I have always seen my role as being the encourager, I try to inspire people and make them smile. But when I cannot be that person...when I need that person, I have them. My awesome friends and family, co-workers and mentors. You guys can really pull me out of my funk and even though you feel like all your telling me is cliches its just knowing you have my back makes the difference. Second, as a bit of encouragement for those who have had a bad day... Its hard not to take thing personally and feel like you are the reason things aren't going right. But life has very rarely gone the way I have planed. Both good and bad. The beauty I have found in life is in the things I have not planed, the spontaneous road trips, unexpected friendships, and all the amazing stops on the journey as Gods leads me. 

So anyways,  I came home after my crappy work day and after a few minutes of self pity I set down to get some perspective. I opened my Bible, well my Bible app,  and was reading a little bit about a man named Abraham.  You see in Genesis God promised to a 100 year old man and a 90 year old woman that they would have a baby. A baby that would be the start of a Great nation that would be as countless as the stars. That the same nation would live in a land that is was currently occupied by powerful armies and kings. All of that came true. Abraham and Sarah had a baby, Isaac. Isaac and his son Jacob did become the start of the great nation of Israel. God came though on his promises. God made another promise and that is found in Jeremiah. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future."(29:11) Now, I am not trying to compare my little 21st century problems with Gods great covenant with the Israelites but the underlying message is the same. If I choose to believe in Gods promises, even when it seems impossible, or just not going that way right now, my faith may be tested but definitely will come out stronger. 

So what am I thankful for? I am so overcome with thankfulness right now. For a God who keeps his promises. For people in my life who support me in what I do, even when I fail. And the opportunity to share my thoughts  with you, in hopes that this might help brighten your day in just a small way so you can be thankful too!

Also, please feel free to post you own frustration, as long as you also list something your thankful for!

The Start of the Season

Ok, so I know it has been a bit since my last post...like 6 months to be exact. So to catch you up on whats been going on in my life.

 I am back in good old Columbus, Ohio! New York City was great, I loved it and I returned for a visit in October, before SANDY messed it all up. I also spent the month of September in Cincinnati on Business. In June I became the Aunt to the cutest nephew in the world and my new best friend. And I started a new position with my company doing Management training. I guess thats the cliffs notes of the past few months and I am sure I will fill in more of the blanks as we go.

Well now that we have caught up on everything I wanted to share a bit about the start of the holiday season. 

At work today I was thinking about how this time of year brings on the stress. I know there are plans to be made, parties to attend, gifts to purchase, and family gatherings to deal with but the holidays are supposed to be the Most Wonderful time of the YEAR right?! In case I haven't mentioned it before, I work in retail. If anyone has EVER worked in the service industry, (and I am sure many of you have) you know that greeting people is a very basic part of your role...yet to get such rude reactions from people when you just say "Hi" or "How can I help you?" is actually kind of heartbreaking. Rejections come with the territory of working in sales but common curtesy and friendliness can literally turn my whole day around. So I am going to encourage you, be kind this holiday season, Look at people when you talk to them. Smile at people like your waitress, sales person, flight attendant, or customer service representative. Believe me, they will be more inclined to help you get what you want and you can really help spread the holiday cheer.   

A Real New Yorker...

So I had another day off and went out to explore a bit more of the city.  I was asked directions twice and I am pretty sure I pointed them in the right directions! I started heading north and went to Macy's at Herald Square. It really is the largest store ever!! Nine floors and I love how each brand creates its own little "store" inside. I think I have discovered something about myself while taking escalator after escalator, going up and up and passing by floors full of fun new fashion for the body and home. I realized that I walked right past most everything, giving it no more then a passing glance, that I truly thrive in Community. As I walk around New York each day part of it may be a security thing but I try to zone out everything around me except my path directly ahead. Keeping one hand on my cross body bag and one on my phone, I put my bright pink ear-buds in and walk away. However, once I enter the store I feel like I thrive. I am smiling, have no fear approaching people and starting a conversation.

I am bummed because I had wrote much more and then it didn't save... so this is all for now

Overflow

Hello World! Wow its been a little crazy this weekend and I have ht the point of exhaustion that almost overwhelmed me but then came this blessed day off and after sleeping for the better part of 11 hours I feel slightly more refreshed and soon I will head out to do some shopping. So to recap life here for the past few days...Friday I started my new job and lets just say that I am definitely not in Ohio anymore Todo. The people I work with have all been very nice and welcoming. They seem to like me and strangely have a fascination with my blue eyes :) The clients have all been friendly as well and what I have discovered is that confidence goes a long way with New Yorkers. Also they seen to love the fact that I am new to the city and LOVE giving me recommendations on places to see and eat, it gives us something to instantly connect with! Some fun things I have observed so far:

 (1) A lady on her knees in times square belting out "The Sun Will Come Out, Tomorrow" at the top of her lungs and then right when she gets to the chorus she stopped and was like "Oh crap! What are the words?" It was so funny! 

(2) My first street pee. Apparently in New York City it is completely socially acceptable to pop to a corner and relieve yourself. I am like seriously hold it for two seconds! 

(3) Witnessing the NY Giants winning the Super Bowl while standing in Times Square. That was just cool! :) 

Today, after my shopping splurges, I sat down at the Starbucks around the corner with my Iced Chi Latte and spent some quiet time with my Bible and Journal. Some of the thoughts I had I want to share with you! One of them is the idea of pollution. Our society is obsessed with going GREEN. We are careful to recycle and have hundreds of Organic products free of all pollutants. I was reading in Mark today when Jesus was talking with his disciples about how the pollutants he pays attention to are not the ones that we intake. We can not always control the things that are around us, the people we work with, the places we live, or the time that we have to spend doing life things. These things with out fail will pollute our lives at some point. Someone will rub us the wrong way, or goodness sakes be straight up mean. Frustrations of paying bills and my attitude can be affected. When this happens is when I display my character. Jesus said  the pollutants that come out of us are so much more important to him then the one that go in. The words, thoughts, and actions, the influence that we have on the world is something that we can control and since it is an overflow of our heart I strive to let that overflow reflect Christ. Well that's what I have for you today! Thanks for joining me on this journey and I will update you again soon:)