Day Two

We tend to do things in tandem these days.

It's the season of embracing everything Chicago... so why not run the Chicago Half...? I was inspired by none other than my roomie Betsy... just one of the many ways she encourages and motivates me! So far we have about 4 other girls on our team - and yes, we plan to make Race Day shirts :) Team name suggestions accepted...

Something I love about training is that it's such a focus on the process, and helps me see that little-by-little any goal is reachable. When I think on the scale of 2 1/2 hrs of running (okay, so I run slow...) it seems overwhelming and unattainable. I have to breakdown the steps, focus on today's new run, and then I am [slowly] able to work to the end. 

I think it's good practice for life. It's so much more about the day-to-day choices and investments than any big event.

So, Day Two of training is a success... only 2 months and 13 days to go!

June Bliss

Dear Summer,

Please don't end.

Thank you.

Your Favorite Summer Lover,

Rebecca Win

Art Institute: Free 1st/2nd Wednesdays

froyo all the time.

wicker park art walk.

early sat am. local farmer's market.

 southport brown line.

Smoothie Summer.

It's my new thing. Don't judge until you try.

Avocado smoothie.

1 ripe avocado, halved/pitted

1 c milk

1/2 cup vanilla yogurt

3 T honey

8 ice cubes

So many hobbies to develop this summer.

One more for the list.

Twenty-Five-ish.

Okay, not quite there yet.

But - secret's out - I've been known to pre-age myself about 6 months into the new birthday year... I can't help it! I like to pre-process things and I feel closer to 25 than 24... Especially with summer here and free time to dream about here and there and everywhere.

Some people are number people, some people aren't. I don't consider myself particularly concerned with age, but twenty-five has always been somewhat of a landmark in my mind. (Though a clearer landmark is gently getting pushed to 30...)

What did I expect 25 to be all about?

Well, this.
City living. Roomie loving. Adventure having. Full-time teaching (just signed my very first contract...!).
Investing, planting, digging deep.

When I think about twenty-five, I think about a re-commitment to learning and growth. I think about responding to new challenges in the me formed from past-seasons. I think about decision-making rooted in the Identity He has given me.

Twenty-four has been (still is...) so special - the words are: Trust and deepened Faith in this year. A year ago I returned post-Europe life not knowing where I would land or what I would do. The response was to say No to another year in Spain and Yes to a part-time job offer as a Preschool Assistant. Why? I didn't know. Not at that time. But now I do. I can see the steps of faith He was teaching me to take and I see where that Yes has led... How He knows the desires of this little heart of mine and does not hold back a single thing.

I know twenty-five will bring more Yes's, some No's... and will be a time of growing-up, learning, and adventure. But until then, I'll do my best to live the twenty-four.

Aug 7 2010. celebrating 24 with can!

Soul Paths

"The least strained and 

most natural ways of the soul 

are the most beautiful; 

the best occupations are the least forced." 

::Michel de Montaigne

I love the idea of following the natural way of your soul...
I am thankful that it has led me to teaching.
And that it feels unforced.
Listening to natural inclinations is so important.
Where does your soul lead today?

{image via paptertissue}

Downtown Sound

Music Mondays are finally here!

I will be picnic'ing to the tunes of these fellows tonight in Pritzker Pavilion.

And all for free. Does it get better?!

Being Here.

Chagall windows... Art Institute. Free Wednesdays. Get there.

When I think about what I want to do and where I want to be, it is an overwhelming feeling of Here. It is hard to sit with this foreign realization... to want to dig roots, to invest, to know that Here is where I am and I wouldn't choose anywhere else. We can go forever seeking something else... somewhere else... someone else... convinced it will bring us closer to who we are or what we want. 

This morning, it seems real... I seek nothing else. This summer brings freedom and delight... spare time and playtime - something magical happens in Chicago in these three months ahead. It is too often my habit to plan for something exotic and unusual in all this free time of mine... but this summer all I want is to enjoy life alongside the friendships I'm forming in this city, to serve in an area that stretches and challenges me, to take action and make choices that are life-giving. To know the heart and soul of this city that I finally call home.