My friends have been having kids for several years now. It used to bother me that most of my friends were a couple life stages ahead of me, but I’m more ok with that now (most days at least). I’ve always really liked kids… maybe it’s because I act like a kid most of the time anyways. When people I knew first started having kids, it was great. They were learning new things and I was holding cute kids. Nothing has changed in that aspect….my friends’ kids are still amazing, and cute, but my feelings towards them have changed over the past few years. Basically….these kids are making me soft.

I guess the first time I noticed this was around last year. Before I continue…..please know that I’ve always loved my friends’ kids and would do anything for them. I’m gonna highlight a couple specific kids to illustrate my point….but know….I absolutely love them all. Ok, so I’m privileged to hang out with a certain 3 kids just about all the time. My friend Leslie, just like all my other friends, has amazing kids and last year was her daughter, Sofia’s, 2nd birthday. It was a typical birthday with balloons and cupcakes and the chaos of small children being in the same room. There was one noticeable difference though. Every time Sofia would open a present she would say, “Susan!! Susan, look what I got!” And just like that, I was trying not to openly weep in public. That 2 year old had family and friends around….but she wanted me to see every present she got.

The examples of this have only gotten more frequent. The other day, Leslie told me that Judah, her oldest had his first loose tooth….and my first reaction was to cry and say, “No, it’s not time for that yet.” I was honored that a few days later he FaceTimed me to show that it had fallen out and the tooth fairy was on her way.

It happens with kids I don’t get to hang out with as much too. My friend Crissy has a daughter that is literally her mini me. I’ve known Crissy my whole life…and seeing that kid makes me so freaking happy. What is happening to me?? All I want to do is hug that kid because she is a little Crissy.

When my college roommate, Mindy, texted me a few months ago….somehow I knew before she even told me that she was pregnant. When pics of sonograms and sound bites of heartbeats followed, my eyes were welling up with tears once again. My heart literally ached the day my mom had to attend Mindy and Lindsay’s baby showers without me. I’m so excited for the new faces I get to meet this fall!!

The more I am around kids, the more I am amazed by the people who raise them. I get to spoil them and give them back when they cry. I can’t imagine shaping a human for the rest of their life. For the longest time, the only mom I ever really knew well was mine (who sets the bar impossibly high). Really observing my friends as moms has been incredible, probably because I understand just how blessed their kids are to have them. I know I’m making light of my newly discovered softness, but I’m really thankful to have all these kiddos around me. I’m thankful I get to experience the joy kids bring… and goodness how do you moms deal with these emotions all day as they grow up too fast?? Geez! I’m thankful that I have been blessed with friends beyond what I deserve. I hope this weekend you all feel extra special and know that I am amazed by how you keep little humans alive. I love all the moms in my life. Don’t worry Eleyse….you’re still on top. Happy Mother’s Day!

So last month my parents were in town. It was magical and amazing and everything you can imagine when Simon and Eleyse are in close vicinity. I was spoiled and happy and made an ugly scene when they had to leave again. Anyways, while they were here, Dad asked me a fun question that I thought warranted  a blog. He asked my 5 favorite places I’ve ever been and the 5 top places I wanted to go. Woah!! You wanna make this traveler happy….you ask her a question like that. So I stood there looking at a map of the world, thinking about all the amazing places I’ve been able to go, but also realizing that there is so, so much more to see. Here are my answers (for now at least):

The 5 Favorites Places I’ve Been:

1. Cape Town, South Africa: This was an easy one. It’s been my favorite place in the world for a long time. I know that it’s a bold statement….but it’s true. It’s the best place on earth. I felt like I was in a movie the whole time…..huge mountains that end in a crystal blue ocean filled with whales and penguins on the beach. Yall, I can’t even. I would live there in a second!!

2. Thailand: I know I was really confident in my first answer…..but if I’m honest this is a closer second than I let on. Thailand has it all….beautiful beaches, friendly people, elephants everywhere, and the food!! I don’t have the words to describe how good the food is. It’s such a relaxed and beautiful area.

3. Kenya: This is one of the first places I ever traveled, and it has held my heart for a really long time. I’ve been so blessed to travel back there multiple times. There are all these quotes about how Africa gets inside of you and never leaves, how you can never quite get all the African dust off your shoes. It is so true. East Africa is such a special place and the memories from there are priceless. The nature is one of a kind and those people are so friendly. It’s this special kind of friendly that you hope to be, but know you will never measure up to….the kind of friendly that I’ve learned to pick out all over the world. I’m pretty good at picking out a Kenyan and it’s all I can do to not jump up and hug them after I ask where they are from.

4. Italy: I traveled to Italy in high school and remember loving it, but probably didn’t appreciate it like I should. Last summer I went back and good grief…that place is incredible. There is so much history and even though I am no where near a history buff, I can still appreciate it. There are ancient cities as well as amazing natural landscapes….and pizza and gelato that will bring tears to your eyes. The people are friendly and beautiful (dark facial hair everywhere…hello!!!)

5. Greek Isles: Now this is the one area I’ve spent the least amount of time in, but that didn’t stop it from becoming my favorite. I LOVED Santorini and I’m itching to get back there as well as explore the rest of the islands. It is so laid back and beautiful….like every good coastal town should be. People get around by scooter and 4 wheeler. Ugh!! I would live there in a second as well.

As much as would love to just go back to these places over and over….there’s something about seeing great places that make you wanna see what else is out there. Yall, the world is awesome…and there are so many places to see, people to meet, and food to taste. I absolutely love it…..anyone know of  any travel writer, blogger, etc. jobs out there….cuz I’m all over that…seriously…let me know.

Top 5 Places I want to Go:

1. Australia/New Zealand: Ok I’m already cheating with these two. I realize that they are two different places, but I have too many places I want to go and if I ever get to one of these places…I’m going to the other…so justification! I mean Australia has beaches and animals and people who talk really cool. New Zealand has some of the best landscapes I’ve ever seen….go watch the Hobbit and you’ll understand.

2. Argentina: Believe it or not…I have never been to South America….or Central America for that matter. I choose Argentina because of Patagonia….obviously. Have you seen picture of that place?? Take a break and go do a google image search now….you’re welcome.  I talk a big game when it comes to hiking (I like it, but I just don’t do it a lot), but I’m becoming a mountain climber for that place….good grief it’s beautiful.

3. Zambia: I can’t stay away from Africa for too long…..and I’ve always wanted to see Victoria falls. It’s also home to the Zambezi river, which is one of 2 rivers in Africa that you can white water raft….I’ve rafted the other one (cue twinkle in Susan’s eye).

 4. Iceland: I know….this one sounds random….but once again, a quick google image search will help you understand. It is beautiful…the days last forever….and you can see the Northern Lights. Need I say more??

 5. Japan: My East Asia experience is pretty limited unfortunately, but Japan seems like such an interesting place, and different to anywhere I’ve been before. The fact that it is the birthplace of sushi only encourages me.

 Man this blog was fun to write, and the potential adventures are making me a little discontent at the moment. I’m thankful that I’ve been able to see so many amazing places. I’m thankful that there are so many more places to go see and learn about. This love of travel kinda snuck up on me when I wasn’t looking. I feel like the best things do though. I’ve actually got my next trip already planned and the coolest part is that it involves no where on the above lists…so these favorites could be changing very, very soon. I’ll let ya know…

Woah….I’m back less than a month of my last post?? Merry Christmas to all of you. I kinda go

back and forth as to whether Fall or Christmas is my favorite time of the year. It usually ends up being whichever one is actually happening…..and it doesn’t hurt that they are back to back. Yall, I love Christmas….everything about it. Now please know that I know the reason for Christmas and celebrate that above all, but I love every aspect about it….even the over commercialized parts…woops…you judging me??

I love the season and how people think about others and are generally happy. I love the music, the food, the ugly sweaters, the smells, and the family and friends you get to hang out with. I love Christmas!! The thing about the desert is they don’t really do Christmas. Sure, Western stores may have decorations, which I appreciate, but it’s pretty much business as usual here. I find myself wanting to be places like this…

Yall…..Europe knows how to do it!!! My heart wants to explode just looking at these pictures. And don’t worry, plans are already in the making for a Christmas markets of Europe tour. I might weep the whole time. So rather get jealous (or more jealous) of places like this, I knew I had to bring the Christmas cheer to the desert….and so here are my tips for making anywhere feel warm and cozy…and lined with twinkle lights.

1. Music……yall should have seen this one coming. I love music so of course I’ve collected some good Christmas albums along the way. Matt, Dave, and Ben are my favorites year round, so obviously I’m gonna play their Christmas music. They don’t know this yet, but one day we’re gonna be real life friends…you just wait.

2. Decorations! This is also a favorite. I love a good Christmas tree, and while I am a die hard real Christmas tree lover….the one I saw here was $300!! So I picked up the best looking artificial I could find…..even though I had to go back and exchange it because all the pieces weren’t included. So it doesn’t smell Christmasy, but it’s pretty cute.

3. Food! I bought cookie cutters the other day for the sugar cookies I plan to make in the next couple days…and I think there’s even plans for cheese biscuits on Christmas Eve (an ingenious Griffin family tradition). And I may have found a beat up advent calendar on Dec 10th….but I still made use of it. When all else fails….by an over-priced cupcake with a Christmas tree on top.

4. Find something where you are that reminds you of the change of season….anything. It actually does get pretty chilly here….like in the 60s. Let me tell you…around here those kinda temp make people (this girl) go out and buy emergency fleece coats because they are so cold….are you judging me again?!?! Anyways, when the cold temperatures hit, the men here where different colors (other than the usual white) and may even throw a vest on. It seems like such an insignificant change….but a little color and some winter clothes make me so happy.

Anyways, if you ever find yourself in a place that doesn’t burst with Christmas, hopefully these tips will make it feel a little more like home. Obviously Christmas is more than trees and food, but those things help me remember that this season is different. This season is when Hope came….and a weary world rejoices. Have the Happiest Christmas. And get ready Merica….I’m coming at ya next year!!

 

Ok so my birthday has always been on November 7….it’s one of those things that doesn’t change (wow Susan, thanks for teaching us new things). 2015 hasn’t exactly been by friend…so I was on mission to end it well. And of course….any good, fun seeking adventure for me involves a trip.

Me and the trusty travel buddy, Brittany, had gotten ourselves some Taylor Swift tickets. Now judge me all you want….I’ve been a fan since she had curly hair and I stand by it. Good…glad we got that out of the way. We were meeting in Singapore and heading to the concert on Nov. 8.

Well I got to the airport and checked in, and when I got on the plane, I had been upgraded to business class by surprise!

 Yall….I was one of 4 people in the whole section! I couldn’t believe it.  Somehow everyone knew it was my birthday! In just a few hours I would be eating Outback with Brittany…..or so I thought. After a little while of sitting on the plane, I noticed that they weren’t closing the cabin doors. Finally, they announced that the pilot was sick and we were unable to leave. What? I have to leave business class? Wait….what?? This airline told us to return to a certain gate and wait for instructions. Everyone did what they were told….but instructions never came. I’ve heard crazy travel stories, but they have never happened to me until now….happy birthday susan.

I finally tracked down someone from the airlines with the help of another passenger, but they said the next flight wasn’t until the next day….Taylor Swift day. What? Don’t cry Susan….you are too old for this….but it’s my birthday and I’ll cry if I want to!! (Sorry I had to….that was a softball of a joke….you can’t let those things pass you by)

Well, I decided to change airlines…Oman Air was the super hero of the day. Them, and the travel agent that got me on the flights. Well Oman Air, the travel agent, and Eleyse Griffin who patiently listened to my meltdown that may have included me saying “I hate everything” several times….it was a dark moment people. The new flights meant I would get to Singapore about 10hrs later than expected….which meant I would spend all of November 7 in an airport or on a plane. I decided then and there…waiting for the second time in the same airport (with the shakes from not eating or sleeping all night), that my birthday would be November 8 this year (then I went and bought a muffin to remedy the shakes).

It was a very long day and it didn’t go as planned….but I was super thankful I got to my destination. Brittany was waiting at the airport with a red velvet cupcake (she knows me well)….it was 12:02am on November 8- a good start to my birthday.

We slept for a few hours and played around Singapore then headed to the concert…

The joy is obvious. We had even better seats than we expected and Taylor Swift did not disappoint. Say what you want, the girl can put on a good show. And when the beginning beats of the first song started, I was about to burst….because somehow….I was allowed the grace of having a crazy happy moment with my friend. I was so thankful to be there and be happy, and to be giving the hard parts of this year a run for their money.

To top it off, when we got back to Brittany’s house, she had made the cake my mom usually makes for me every year….the surprises kept coming. Who do I think I am??? Needless to say November 8th was a great birthday.

So there was this girl I used to know. She was fun and loved life. If there was a ball game of any kind she was in the middle of it having the time of her life. She was focused and worked hard and didn’t let little mistakes get her down.

 I’ve been missing that girl lately. This year has been hard and instead of getting determined and bouncing back like I used to do, I’ve let the hardness and my mistakes get me down. It’s been a really weird time. It’s hard to describe this particular feeling of helplessness. It’s like being in a hole and realizing you’re in a hole, but having no idea how to get out of it….so you just kinda sit there.

There has been months of frustration….and recently I’ve started trying to think back on how I used to handle hard times. Thankfully, I haven’t had that many hard times in my life. Many people have it way worse…I get that. Some of my best times have been playing sports. What I learned in the those years really formed me, and those lessons still shape who I am and how I handle things. So in missing that girl, and being tired of sitting in the hole, I’ve started thinking about and trying to get her back….and here’s what I got so far:

1. Fundamentals!! To this day, if I start shooting a basketball and the shots aren’t going in….I do a quick shooting drill to help my form. I think about BEEF (balance, eyes, elbows, follow through)  every time I practice a free throws. It’s natural for me to work on the form of my set as soon as a volleyball touches my hand. Those things are natural because I did them millions of times growing up. I may have sighed or rolled my eyes when coach made me do yet another drill…but those things stuck with me…and I’m so thankful for that.
   So remember the fundamentals. Go back to the little things that used to come naturally….even if they seem silly or repetitive. The more you do them, the more naturally they become and one day you are going back to them without even thinking.

2. Teammates!! Yall, there are very special relationships within a team….relationships that may have never happened without putting on that uniform. They support you, and encourage you, call you out when you need a change, mourn the losses, and celebrate the wins. I don’t talk to my high school pitcher these days….but there’s a special bond between a pitcher and a catcher that will always be there. Me and Emily stared each other down for hours…and those were special times that aren’t easily forgotten.
  Remember you need teammates. The teams look different and let’s hope there’s not uniforms involved, but you need people around you. My tendency is to try to figure it out on my own these days. In the past, it was easy for my team to figure out when I was having an off day and needed help. It’s not that clear in real life. Sometimes you have to let people know when you need help.  It’s super scary….but the cool thing about life teammates is that they usually come through and yall are closer because of it.

3. Listen to the coach!! Here’s is another area of my life where I was blessed beyond what I deserved. My coaches were awesome and encouraging and wise and pushed me to become a better athlete (and person). Sometimes I just want one more locker room talk….because I know I’d run out of there, hit the top of the door jam and be ready for a fight. I would do anything they said. I know people are saying, “yeah but what if they told you to jump off a cliff?” Well if they told me it was for the betterment of the team…I’d probably do it. I trusted them. I trusted that even when they made me mad and pointed out my mistakes….we had the same goal. It’s scary to think about where I might have ended up without their lessons.
   So listen to the coach. Now obviously He is way more than a coach….but just go with the metaphor before it breaks down. Listen to Him. Trust Him. He’s probably gonna make you mad and tell you things you don’t wanna hear, but remember who He is….remember what He has done.

4. Hustle!! Let me tell you one of the scariest things to see at the beginning of a volleyball practice….4 orange cones. That’s right….they’re super small and can be easily crushed….but they could also make a whole team of girls pray that they wouldn’t show up. Those awesome coaches I just talked about would put those cones in the corners of the gym floor…and as I remember…they always had a sick twinkle in their eyes while they did it. Those cones meant we had to run 12 laps around the floor (on the outside of the cones….don’t you dare cut corners) in 5 minutes. To complete this task, jogging is not an option. For a non-runner like me it feels like sprinting towards your death. It took me a couple attempts, but I eventually I could get 12 in 5 on a regular basis. That’s just a small example of the suicides, sprints, wall sits, lunges, and mile runs that were part of practices. Honestly, hustling is the only thing that gets you anywhere and everyone knows that the team who wants it more and works harder for it….is usually the one that gets the win.
  Everything in this life takes hustle and hard work. These hard times kinda make me wanna sit and do nothing. They make me feel helpless and like I don’t know to how to navigate everyday life anymore, but here’s the thing about hustling…eventually it’s gonna get you where you need to be. It takes discipline to get after it every single day and keeping your eye on the ultimate goal. But seeing progress makes the hustling worth it. When I could last 5 sets in a volleyball game to make one last service point, 12 in 5 was worth it.

So going back to the basics, and remembering that high schooler I loved so much, has given me the plan to get some of her back. Here’s to seeing her again. Here’s to being so excited about the goal that you would do anything for it. Here’s to the teammates and coaches that help you along the way. And here’s to hustling towards whatever you want. Now get on that baseline and start running suicides.

Do you remember those moments as a kid where you were just having fun? The moments where nothing else mattered but playing outside all day.  Moments where you didn’t want the day to end. Moments that you call to mind every now and then, and they never fail to bring a smile to your face. Thankfully I have had quite a few of those moments in the past 30 years, and thankfully those moments keep coming.

 I remember being on a 4 wheeler all day long and getting so muddy that I had to wash off with a hose before I was allowed in the house.

There was the time when we discovered a game that combined bumper cars, lacrosse, and basketball….yes…it’s amazing as it sounds.

Genius people actually invented a place where there is wall to wall trampolines…yep…it’s really true.

Or that time when I was holding on for my life in a raft in the middle of the Nile river….and a few moments after this photo was taken I had to be rescued by a kayak!!

My most recent crazy fun, I’m a kid again, moment came while I was vacationing with a friend in Dubai. We decided to ride dune buggies in the desert…..and it was as awesome as it sounded. We each hopped on one of these….

 Yep, it was incredible. Basically, we each had our own dune buggy and we followed a leader around the desert. My favorite part was when we were riding along the top of a dune and I saw the leader disappear and then Brittany would disappear, and I knew I was getting ready for fly down the dune. It was a great roller coaster ride in the middle of the desert. Multiple times I caught myself laughing out loud out of pure joy. I would quickly close my mouth because of all the dust…..but you get the picture. After it was all over, Brittany and I climbed out of the buggy, high fived, and we haven’t stopped talking about how awesome it was.

Here’s to many more pure joy moments

If you are tired of people talking about Paleo…you do not have to read this blog, promise. I’ve been tired of people talking about Paleo for a while now. These days my rebellious heart (or my pride) keeps me away from bandwagons….or at least I try to stay away from them. Don’t get me wrong…I have tried my fair share or fad diets….but I always hated it. I have never been the skinny girl, and years of trying and failing have kept me just plain frustrated. I told myself just eat everything in moderation and you’ll be fine, but if you have ever seen me around a plate of cookies or cupcakes or ice cream or chips and salsa, me and moderation barely know each other at all.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago when I finally got disgusted enough with myself to give Paleo the good ole college try. I don’t really know what finally flipped the switch….I just got too tired and mad at how I looked and felt (I understand that there are insecurity issues there…but let’s save that for another day).  I started out with this book….

This was just cheap on amazon…so I read through it. It gives a really simple overview of why eating this way is important and helpful, and gives lists of good foods and bad foods, and then gives lots of recipes to try. I read it in like 20min guys….not a big deal…and then I took the plunge.

I began eating only meat, fruits, veggies, and nuts (excluding peanuts…which still makes me a little sad). Yall….I’m telling you the truth…within 3 days I felt 200% better. Take it from a fat kid who loves food….I felt amazing and was truly surprised by it. And I’ve felt good ever since I started it. Truth. Truth! Now this thing takes planning (which is NOT my strong suit), and sometimes I have to eat grilled chicken out of Tupperware while everyone else busts open a pizza box, but it. is. OK.  Annnd, me being me….I’ve cheated a couple times (what can I say, it happens) and guess what happened….I got totally sick. It’s amazing how your body reacts to bad food….once you’ve started pumping it with good food. Plus, its major motivation not to cheat.

Sooo, I’m super new at this…and still looooove a good cupcake, but here are a few things I’ve learned:

This is my best friend. You just throw healthy food in…leave for hours….and it’s cooked when you get back. What a magical concept.

This is almond flour….and it’s what you need to make bread-like things without using grains (which are a Paleo no-no). It makes really good muffins and banana bread, and makes you feel like you’re still normal.

Dates. Praise Him for dates. I’ve always thought they were normal and fine, but after cutting sugar, these things taste like straight up candy….and I get really happy about it. Also, they’re everywhere here in the desert, so the sweet tooth can go to bed at night.

I am in no way an expert in this, probably never will be, but if I can stay at this almost a month and still have motivation to keep going…..I promise ANYONE can do it. Take it from the girl who’s inner fat kid won’t quit….I promise you can do it.

All that said, if this new flavor ever makes it to my part of the desert, you better believe I’m letting the fat kid out to play and just dealing with the stomach ache:

All throughout high school (and maybe middle school), I took allergy medication every day. You bored with this blog yet? Real life stuff people. It just became one of those routine things that I didn’t really think about.

That all changed when I went to college. With all my new found freedom….I forgot to take my allergy meds. I know, responsibility at its best. Thankfully, it didn’t matter that I forgot them….because I didn’t have any more allergy symptoms!! No more sneezing and sinus pressure. Call it what you want, but I mainly contribute it to being in Wilmington, NC, which I firmly believe is one of the best places on earth.

The interesting/funny thing was that as soon as I went back home….I would start sneezing. It got to be comical to me at least. I would go home and within an hour I would sneeze a couple times, and my mom, being the great person she is….would walk into the room with a glass of water and an allergy pill. This pattern continued after college to the present…whenever I went home….the allergy meds started back as well.  The super funny joke that I came up with was that I was allergic to my own house. Oddly enough, my mom never thought it was that funny.

Fast forward to me living in this new little part of the desert. Over the past few months….I’ve gotten repetitive colds and more sinus headaches than ever before. After 30 years of life…and nursing school, I finally decided to try the ole allergy meds again (education at its finest). Start breathing easy mom….I’m allergic to another place besides the house!