I'm a lucky girl.

I am a blessed person.  There is no way to get around it.  I really, truly am.  I know that I often say that things suck and that I am miserable or all in a tizzy about this or that, but when it comes down to it, I am a lucky, blessed, loved person.  Where does this all come from?  It comes from me reflecting on the summer I have had so far and where I was two years ago - even a year ago- compared to where I am now.

When I look back on the very first blogs, I am amazed at who I see and hope that person is gone forever.  I hope that I never again lose sight of who I am, the potential I have, and the direction in which I am going.  I have things to do and accomplish.  And I know I can do them all.  Okay, okay...but why the sudden rush of optimism and warm fuzziness?  Well, I have just had a really great couple of weeks and some really cool things have happened in the last few months.

First, there was Martine - a totally unexpected relationship that came out of nowhere.  I had no intentions of hosting any foreign exchange student, but I am so glad that I did because she has just made an impact on the clarification of my values, beliefs, morals...all of it.  I miss her like mad and can't wait to be able to share that kind of relationship with someone else some day.

And then there is the adventures that I have experienced over the last year and this summer.  John Mayer in DC.  A weekend in Gettysburg with my family.  The great bat escapade in my new apartment.  Moving to a new neighborhood with an unbelievable number of incredibly attractive men.  Last weekend in Wellsville with my best friends.  John Mayer again in a couple of weeks.  The Indigo Girls in l'il ole Geneva in September....starting classes again in a few weeks.  I just have so much on the horizon and I love it!  

So, let's put my feet on the ground and talk about it already!  This past weekend I got to spend time with my best friends of ten years...almost.  Even though I can't believe it has been almost that long it feels like they've been in my life always.  I can't believe the things they stand by me through...my craziness, my strange disappearances when I just decided it was time to go away for a few days (usually to Canada before anyone knew about Brian), my dysfunctional relationships and hair-brained ideas (like taking the LSAT's or going back for my doctorate).  Whatever it is.  No matter how ridiculous it is, they are there.  They listen, they care, they support, and they laugh.  For that I am such a lucky girl!  The memories that I have so far are insane - a chipmunk that just magically appears in a shower, running the Boilermaker and not being able to walk the next day, Cristin getting decked at PJ's or Katie on the ready to perform a restraint at JB's to keep Cristin from getting her ass kicked....Good times, girls!

So, yeah.  I spent the weekend in Allegany County with people I adore.  I got to see my friend Kristen, who now has twins - a boy and a girl- who are almost two and Katie who has Emily and Amelia and Cristin who now has Emma.  They are amazing kids!  Saturday night I got to spend time at the Bailey's and have incredibly delicious pork and a few beers, celebrating Colin passing his boards and I saw an old friend whom I had no idea he had such a man crush on my Johnny Mayer.  I think he would have a bromance with John if the opportunity arose.  I wish that I could have stayed later and enjoyed the music and bonfire.  I am sure I missed some good times!  Next time!

And Sunday Katie, Cristin, Emily, Amelia, and I went blueberry picking.  We had such an awesome time telling stories and talking about ridiculous memories and laughing and chasing after babies with "devil horns."  As much as I love blueberries, I love Katie and Cristin more.  Thank you for being my bestests even when we don't see each other for months.

All of my love girls!