White Mornings

There is something so surreal about waking up to a snow covered world. Driving to work the other morning was like driving through fairy land. The sun was just rising, the trees were all white, and the world seemed to be in a quiet peace. A truly beautiful, glorious start to the day.

I hope you have a beautiful start to your week.

It's OK

{Pemaquid, Maine. Summer 2010}
It's OK...
...that I'm still struggling with the fact that it's Thursday...My brain and to-do list were left behind somewhere around Monday.
...to realize you have somehow accumulated three different crock pots in the last two years...at least they are three different sizes?
...that you are so excited that it's almost March, you could do cartwheels! That means spring is right around the corner.
...that you were thisclose to passing out halfway through bikram yoga the the other morning. Note to self, make sure you hydrate and eat before you sit in a 105 degree room for an hour and a half.
...that you are still trying to figure out Photoshop after a week of fiddling with it.
...to dream Kate Middleton is your best friend and wake up thinking that it's still true. Our girls' weekend in the Caribbean last night was top notch.
...to think that New England has had enough precipitation in the last few weeks in the form of snow/sleet/rain to last us until summer.

What's in a Name?

What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.
~William Shakespeare

{My first header that I very proudly made. Taken watching the sunrise over the Mediterranean in Valencia, Spain after a night spent dancing with my friends.}
My blog name.
Made up on the couch one night after a glass and a half of vino, a mind full of dreams and ambition, and a determination to do something truly extraordinary with my life.
After college, I moved home to New England after four wonderful years in the land where the wind comes sweeping down the plain - Oklahoma {STATE! I already love you if you got that}. I was feeling slightly crushed that I hadn't landed my dream job, but still wildly determined to find my place in life. 
A few people I knew had started blogs as their creative outlets, and I thought maybe, just maybe, this was something that I too could use to express myself, pursue my passions, and spend a little time daydreaming about the life I knew I wanted for myself. I always wanted to take time to share the little things in life that make me happy, smile, or touch me in in profound way.
The word "extraordinary" has always been a favorite of mine. I remember my Great Aunt Betty using it to describe everything from life-chaning moments to the seemingly normal or little things in life. It wasn't until I was older that I realized just how marvelous and truly extraordinary those little things that I normally wouldn't think twice about really were. Life was made up of those little moments. Hugs and kisses from my parents, smiles from strangers, snuggling up with my dog when I was feeling down. Those brief moments I usually cherish just as much as the "big" events in life. 
Life is made up of extraordinary moments, whether we realize it or not. 
Sometimes it takes days, months or even years to realize what those defining moments may be. I know that I always want to pursue and extraordinary life that fills me with happiness, adventure and excitement. Chasing the Extraordinary was chosen because I never want to forget my passion, drive and desire to live a life that is truly spectacular. 

I hope you're having a wonderful week so far. To any new visitors, thanks so much for stopping by! :) 

Early Bird

{Sunrise over the Cape Cod canal last weekend.}

Happy Tuesday!

Wait, where did Monday go? 

Actually, where did my weekend go? You mean tomorrow's Wednesday?

I'm a little behind, as you can see. 

Maybe it has something to do with seeing a few too many sunrises in the last few days.

But then again, daybreak is my favorite part of the day. It makes me feel inspired and motivated and ready to take on whatever may come my way. It's funny how I've turned into an early bird after living most of my life as a night owl. In college, I thought nothing of regularly staying up till 2 AM, laughing with friends, writing papers, or socializing at the local watering holes. Now, I can barely keep my eyes open past ten each night. I consider it a victory to make it through prime time television. However, I usually pay for it the next morning when I'm craving that extra hour of sleep. 

At the ripe age of 25, I feel like I'm going on 80 some nights. Actually that paired with the fact that I look forward to my oatmeal and tea for breakfast each morning at work makes me feel more like 85. A snappy and hip 85, but still an old geezer.

Are you an early bird or a night owl?

Friday's Letters

{Flathead Lake, Montana - August 2012}

Dear Belize: Only four short months until I will be basking in the sunshine on your sandy shores. Dear little brother: I am so excited that you are coming home this weekend. After six weeks in the Caribbean I'm sure you can't wait for the arctic temperatures up here :) Dear Cape Cod: I can't wait to spend some QT with you this weekend. It's been far too long. Dear Oklahoma: I can't wait to be back in the land where the wind comes sweeping down the plains in less than two weeks. Dear life: You have been pretty kick @$$ lately. It amazes me everyday how blessed I am. I can't wait to being the new adventures ahead of me!

It's OK

{Gorgeous White Birch trees while snowshoeing through Vermont.}
It's OK...
...that your heart stops beating every time your phone rings or your "you've got mail" notice sounds. Waiting for news on how you will be spending the next two years of your life can cause momentary heart failure followed by a surge of adrenaline.
...that no matter how much you try, you still can't stand the taste/smell/sight of onions.
...to think dinner full of laughter with your girlfriends is the best medicine.
...that you want to marry Josh Groban.
...that despite your best efforts, you always fall asleep halfway though Modern Family.
...that all the colorful, spring clothes really intensify your already terrible case of spring fever.
..to still burn Christmas scented candles because, let's face it, winter in New England is still going strong.
Thanks for visiting! I hope you have a wonderful Thursday!

Hold the Phone

Love. 

Searching for love.

One of the most frustrating, gut-wrenching experiences. It leads to all sorts of anxiety, anticipation, and disappointment {that is until we find the one}. 

A few weeks ago I read this NYT discussion about how Facebook, Twitter, and social media in general is too accessible, and it is inhibiting our awareness of the numerous romantic opportunities we encounter each day. 

Say what?!

Example in the discussion: In check-out line, a guy is unabashedly staring with interest at a girl in line. What does she do? She whips out her iPhone and posts a pity party FB status about her lack of boyfriend.

 ...for every moment that you're checking your Twitter feed, or your so-called friends' updates on Facebook, you're missing another opportunity to connect with somebody in real life … which could be another opportunity to fall in love.
~David Wygant

As a single girl who isn't necessarily on the hunt for Mr. Right, but wouldn't object to meeting him, I was appalled to read this. What kind of girl would rather tweet than throw a couple of flirtatious looks in the direction of a guy who is clearly interested?

Oh, crap. That's me.

Sometimes. Every so often. Occasionally.

I admit it. I use technology as a way to try to avoid awkward conversations. I use it as a defense mechanism to ward off people that might engage me in {dare I say it} conversation if I did not appear otherwise preoccupied. I am guilty of this tactic. Most of us are. We cling to technology like Linus clung to his blanket in every Peanuts comic strip.

But why?!?!?!

A good question. One for which I don't have a good, or even decent, answer. All I can think is that society today would rather retreat to technology than face real-world, real-people problems, encounters, and emotions. 

I posted a video earlier this week showing several unsuspecting strangers forced into conversation and ultimately a common friendship and camaraderie. Their initial awkward exchanges were quickly turned into disbelief that they had common interests, experiences, and even missing teeth. Though none of these turned into romantic encounters, they came out of the situation probably a happier mood than when they first began speaking. I know I always appreciate the casual conversation and well wishes for a good day from a complete stranger at Starbucks. Who knows when that informal comment about the weather or disbelief that the Red Sox lost again could turn into something lasting. We will never know if we don't seek out and take advantage of getting to know our fellow coffee drinkers, grocery shoppers, etc. 

We just have no idea that these friendly, possibly even romantic, rendezvous are even on our radar. Instead of taking the plunge, stepping up and growing a pair, we retreat to the comfort of staring at a LCD screen, scrolling through status updates and creeping on the new baby photos of some girl that was in your high school homeroom freshman year. 

I, for one, don't want to be handicapped by technology.

I want to cherish the small moments in life and give others a reason to smile because it might be the only smile they have all day. This morning, I think I'll even strike up a conversation with the same man who stops for coffee at exactly the same moment I do each day. 

Let's get out there and make a new {maybe momentary} friend today.