Starting to say goodbye

Well, today was my last day at the Regis Lowell campus. The rest of the week I will be at the DTC campus. I packed up my books and said my goodbyes. It didn't feel too final-after all, I will be teaching this summer. However, this is the closing of one journey and the beginning of another. I remember when I got the advising job. I had worked so hard at getting the advising job-I even bought a suit for my interviews. I got my own office and a pay raise; Mike sent me flowers my first week for my office. So much has happened in the years I was an advisor at Regis. I got a graduate certificate in adult learning; I started teaching. Mike and I went on great trips. And we faced the biggest challenge of our lives. I think it is appropriate that I am closing this chapter and starting something new. I don't know what it will look like. People keep asking me the first thing I will do when I wake up and don't have to go to work. I don't know yet...I have deliberately not planned much so I can start changing my routine. I do know I like to wake up at 7am. I do know I like to run/walk in the morning. I do know the boys are going to start getting more attention. But other than that...I will start creating my new path as I go. I look forward to writing about this journey.

Coming together

A really cool thing is happening across the United States over the summer. Father Matt Ruhl, a Jesuit priest from Kansas City, will be cycling across the United States to bring awareness to issues of poverty. Catholic Charities will be the recipients of funds being raised in Colorado, as well as the Samaritan House in Denver and the Stout Street Clinic.

My friend Mary is the head of the volunteer committee and I have been to two meetings. At first I was going to just be a volunteer one day, but I found myelf offering my time to help coordinate a pancake breakfast and a wine and cheese reception. I am really excited about this opportunity to be a part of something really cool and big! Now that I will have time on my hands this is definitely something I want to spend my time doing. I will be creating a Cycling for Change (C4C) Denver Facebook page and will post that link soon. If you want more information about his journey, visit www.cyclingforchange.org.

There will be about 15 cyclists in the group that will cycle across the US, and others are invited to join the cylclists for various parts of the route. They will be coming through Denver July 6th and 7th and the committee is planning a talk by Father Ruhl, a wine and cheese reception and a pancake breakfast at the Samaritan House. It will be a great two days and our hope is to bring long term awareness of poverty.

This fits nicely with what Lorrie and I are doing with the homeless women. We may make some connections from this as well. So, stay tuned as this comes together!

All is quiet...

I realized it has been 10 days since I posted. I don't have much new of anything to really blog about. I am on the 2 week countdown to my last day at work. I ran a 5K on Saturday. I enjoyed a lovely cup of chai tea with a friend at the Market on Sunday morning. I read. I watched a few episodes of My So Called Life, a blast from the high school past. Nothing too exciting is going on. I think I am waiting for all the exciting stuff to happen after May 28th. I feel like life will begin. I know, I know...life is occurring now. But I am anticipating my first day where I don't have to be at work or be anywhere for that matter. It is beginning to feel surreal. I want to make sure I soak up each day, drink each day up, and don't let one day go by un-noticed or un-appreciated.

So I patiently wait...

Fillin my life with some cool stuff

This morning I reflected on the cool stuff that I have been indulging in lately. Last night, Meg, Amy and I heard music by this small Baroque music ensemble called the Baroque Chamber Orchestra. They played Vivaldi's Four Seasons. It was lovely! All three of us loved the main violinist-she was so expressive in her playing. Being a smaller and more intimate classical ensemble, the concert was low key and very enjoyable.

Tonight I am celebrating my new freedom at the First Friday art walk on Tennyson Street with some friends, mainly people from Regis. Many of us have a friend in common who is showing in a photography exhibit, so there is about 20 people who are going to meet up and walk the galleries. I think it is a unique way to celebrate with friends all the while enjoying art and hopefully a glass of wine.

I am reading the book The Sparrow for book club and it is a unique read. I didn't think I would like it at first because it has an element of futuristic-sci fi kinda stuff; but so far I have really been enjoying it. And, our hostess will be making homemade tamales so that is something to look forward to!

I am having another painting done for above my mantle by my artist friend Kevin. I am giving him Mike's table saw and he is going to paint for me. This time the scene is from the trip Mike and I took to Carmel, California from San Francisco. I loved Carmel and just spending time in that little town was heavenly. This is the photo he will paint:



Finally, my friend Lorrie and I have been trying to figure out how to get funding for our art group each Sunday. We are meeting weekly to discuss where we think this can go, and what we think it might look like. My assignment is to come up with a personal vision for myself. I only have words so far..."authentic" "creative" "enjoy the moment" "be my best self" etc. Lorrie also gave me a book called Writing as a Way of Healing and so I will be diving into that read soon.

Things are good...and knowing that at the end of the month I will start having my time back to myself gives me hope that I will continue to fill my life with lots and lots of cool things.

Short Timer's Syndrome

I swore I wouldn't be affected. "Oh, it is no problem to give a month's notice because I know how short staffed we are." Of course, now, with 25 days to go, I am eating my words. Classes start next week so from when I got to work until when I left I was bombarded with "emergencies". No, not the kind that involve blood or anything..."my class was cancelled-now what do I do?" "When am I graduating?" "When can we meet to discuss my degree plan?" At one point in time, I enjoyed this, but that was about 250 fewer students ago. Sitting at 650 students to advise, I want a claim ticket device by my desk/phone/email to say "Take a number." The students don't yet know I am leaving...I am really hoping that we will have hired someone so that I can do the handoff by the 28th. Regis, though, is notorious for taking a long time in hiring people. Hopefully there will be a sense of urgency in filling my position.

It has been interesting how people react to why I am leaving. I am not going to a a new company or school. I am not going back to school (not yet, anyway). I am just taking some time off. There are two kinds of people who react to this news: The first are the supporters. They know what I have been through and truly support me in my decision. The second are the jealous ones. The ones who wish they could take time off. Those I hate to remind that I am taking the time off because my husband died. If Mike were still around, I wouldn't be doing this necessarily. Maybe I would be feeling restless to do something else, but I doubt I would be taking time off. We would be, however, taking lots and lots of fabulous vacations.

So, I endure the next month. I meet with students. I get to work on time. I care. Because, in 25 days, I will be waking up to a different and very promising reality.

Transport me to another place

Liz and I had no idea that when we planned our trip to San Antonio we would be leaving dreary April weather for sunny, warm and humid bliss. We went over the weekend and had a great time. I chose some pictures that captures not only the funky aspects of the city but also what the gorgeous weather has produced.

I gave my notice on Thursday of last week and I feel on top of the world! I thought I would eat my words or something; suddenly regretting that I gave notice the minute it came out of my mouth. Not so. I have been so very happy, dreaming of all the things I am going to do this summer. I don't think I will regret this decision at all. My last day will be May 28th to give them plenty of time to find a new advisor and train that person.

One thing I am looking forward to this summer is traveling. I am not going anyplace too far or too long so I can fit in a few little trips here and there. The one I am looking most forward to is to Oregon. I am going to stay in Portland and see Stacy and TJ, and then rent a car to go to McMinnville and see F & MM-two of my most favorite people. From there, I am going to drive the Oregon coast and stay in little B&Bs along the way. I just can't wait. It is the perfect combo of traveling alone, which I enjoy, and seeing people, which I also enjoy. It is going to definitely be a summer that will bring that much needed balance to my life.

Togie

I just had the most splendid weekend. I was in the mood for some quiet, R & R and self-pampering. I had enjoyed the hot springs lodge and spa in Saratoga and after determining it was going to be a good weekend weather wise made reservations. "Togie" as the locals call it takes a bit to get to in the winter season-after Memorial weekend the scenic highway opens up which shaves about an hour off the drive. The dogs and I needed a break from one another, so I happily, and they excitedly, entered the kennel where I know they have gotten much love and needed exercise. Yesterday I got in around 3pm, took a soak in the hot springs and then had an herbal body wrap. I was wrapped in a cocoon of sheets and towels soaked in herbs for detoxification for about 45 minutes. A heater was on in the room, so I laid peacefully and sweat out toxins and just breathed in the relaxation. I didn't fall asleep but rather into a meditative state, which was lovely. After the wrap, I took a shower and took a walk. This is the north Platte river and pictures of a sad attempt at a self portrait. I ate dinner at the lodge-a delightful meal of mushroom chorizo and a sweet potato soup. I soaked again in the hot springs and read...and read...and read...and finally went to sleep.

Today I got up, took a nice jog around the river and the town, soaked in the springs again, ate breakfast, and took a scenic drive up as far as I could on Hwy 130 (This is the highway closed at a certain point until Memorial weekend). Locals talked about the wild horses along that road, and I found them! They are so beautiful with long manes and tails. I then hit the highway home, stopping in Fort Collins for a late lunch with an old friend. The dogs are at the kennel until tomorrow, so the plan is to curl up in bed, read some more, and go to bed early, reveling in waking up without the stomp of Chester's paws demanding breakfast.