Everyday together...

My sweet, wonderful, loving, kind, gentle, and fun puppy (mas o menos) died a few days before I left for London.  This was a very, very sad day for the Holt (and extended) family.  He was a month shy of his 16th birthday, so of course it wasn't unexpected.  He died with my mom petting him (getting pets was his goal in life) on the patio of the house on the Oregon Coast and I was on the phone.  I'm thankful that it was before I left for my trip, that I was able to be on the phone and a part of it, and that we didn't have to make a decision for him.

Here is our announcement:

He was a birthday present for me when I turned 11, but he quickly became a full fledged member of the Holt family loved by all, often acting like a little brother to her.  After I left home, he was a great companion for my empty nester parents.  Mom never really wanted a dog, but they shared a love of spending time outside dinking around so she became his favorite and he followed her everywhere!  Dad loved that we could take him on hikes- even carrying his own overnight bag!  I had the opportunity to have him with her for a summer in Chicago that she is very thankful for.

Casper really was the best dog.  He was quiet and relaxed in the home, enjoying our company.  When he was outside, he would love to run around and have fun (although he couldn't care less about a ball being thrown, which we didn't mind).  He had his quirks, but we loved him for it!  In the last couple of years, he has become a world traveler- going to Canada, Mexico, and almost all over the US.

Some favorite memories:

- Mom: "You got a dog that can't walk?!"  Casper was neutered right before we picked him up and he couldn't walk from the anesthesia, Mom was not impressed.

- Random guy on Bainbridge:"Well, hello Casper.  You always know it's spring when Casper gets his haircut."  Casper was such a good dog that he was able to run around the neighborhood and greet walkers.

- On hikes he would run ahead of us, then run back down to make sure we were still there, then run ahead again.

- I would be outside "shooting hoops" or whatever and Mom would let Casper out to be with her, but she would sometimes protest and Mom would say "Just let your little brother play with you for a bit."

- Casper will never waste an opportunity for a pet.  You could be standing there minding your own business and Casper would see your free hand and come nudge his nose under it and before you knew it, he was getting his pets!

- Mom and me: "Some people say their dogs can tell if you're not a good person, well we think if you don't like Casper, you're probably not a very good person."

- Cousin pictures around Casper with Mom's family at Christmas 2010.

We are thankful that he was a part of our family for so long and we hope he has been a blessing to you as well.

He was always Casper the friendly dog, now he can be Casper the friendly ghost!

As much as I love collages, Casper deserves his own VIDEO!  These are only the digital photos we have, none of the old film photos.

My (friend's) fancy house in London Town

Wow, what a week!!  I was sad to see the week that I thought would never end come to a close.  I like to sum up my week in England for Betsy's wedding by saying it was crazy- the majority being amazing crazy, but a few moments of crazy crazy.  I'm beyond happy that I was fortunate enough to be a part of this experience and don't regret one penny spent.  You know, money comes and goes, but friendships are forever for me.
I got to Betsy's "flat" (apartment) on Saturday afternoon, just over 24 hours after leaving my house in Alamosa.  Luckily I was able to sleep a bit on the plane as we had our first night of fun right away!  Oh man, it was so good to be back with my go-to girls for having fun in the city!  We really know how to have a good time no matter where we are or what we're doing.
We spent a lot of time with Betsy and Patrick's parents, who are all amazing people and became our parents for the week.  As for friends, it was mainly me and Cora (the maid of honor) and Patrick's 2 best friends, Andrey and Jim, for the week.  In between tourist activities, there was eating, drinking, dancing, and general merriment for all!  Destination weddings can be a little intense and crazy, but it was so great to really get to know the important people in the lives of the bride and groom.  All the wedding guests (about 25 people) spent the weekend together in a house in the countryside (you can be jealous here), we were one big happy family!  When we all said our good-byes on Sunday night, people were tearing up.  It really was a special time with only people who are important to the bride and groom (no random coworker you feel obligated to invite!).

I'm grateful to Betsy and Patrick for allowing me to crash at their place all week.  I'm grateful for their families' generosity and hospitality.  I'm grateful to my parents for helping me out.  I'm grateful for time spent getting to know friends better.  I'm grateful to know people that truly love.

Now, I have about 1,200 photos from the weekend, so I've made a few collages of various things....

I'm a tourist again!

Nights out with the girls!!

Nights in with the family!

The grounds of one of the most beautiful houses

The inside of the house

Having fun with the old house

Rehearsal Dinner

Wedding Day!!

Here are 2 special photos I want to share:

We made up a game on the Billiard table called Skuddle... um, best. game. EVER!!

Patrick's dad, Tata... maybe the best dance of my life?  Sooo fun!!

By the Way

Ahhh... it's been so long!  I'm sorry!

This week I'll be working on a few blogs, I promise!  There is a lot to share from the past month (especially the last week I spent in London) and you will be kept in the loop.

Thanks for checking in and please come back soon for some fun photos and deep thoughts!

Out on the open water

It's been one year since I've arrived in the valley.  wow.  I realized, through my great recordkeeping on my iCal, that it was almost exactly 2 years ago that I decided I need to leave Chicago.  I remember going out to brunch with a large group after church and I sat there thinking "Oh my goodness, I am bored out of my mind... if I don't leave soon, will I ever be able to??"  I can't remember what we were talking about or even where we were, but it gave me the revelation that this is not the place or life for me.

While I'm not changing the world, it's good to know that I'm doing some good for at least one community.  And, that even my free time isn't so selfish.  It's all about community.  It has been a good year, hard, but good.  The San Luis Valley really is a beautiful place (even if it doesn't look like it!) that is filled with people who are often ignored by others, but supported in this community.  I love that I already know about half the people out here and work often bumps into personal life.

Since it's the end of one year for me, that means it's the end and beginning of another term!  Ben left last week, he was a great member of the house, he will be missed!  We have two new volunteers with us now: Asha and Sarah.  Asha came in the beginning of July, she's from Indiana and went to Grinnel College in Iowa, and she's working at Tu Casa (support for women in abusive relationships).  Sarah came at the end of July, she's from Fresno, CA, and went to UC Berkley, she's working at PALS (a program for at risk youth, where Chloe worked).  I think it's going to be a good year.

That also means... a year till I try to move back to Seattle!!

Photos from the last few weeks...

Like a bee rushing to a bowl of honey

Last week was World Breastfeeding Week!  I don't know if you know, but breastfeeding support, education, and advocacy are some of my passions.  We here in the valley participated in "The Big Latch On" on Saturday Aug 6 at 10:30am, joining women around the world.  We had a decent turnout for the valley- 9 people latching on and others standing in support!  I'm part of the breastfeeding coalition that put the even together.

As someone who doesn't have kids, I'm a big fan of the surgeon general's report about how much of the discontinuation of breastfeeding is from lack of support outside the home.  While I can't relate personally to the trails and struggles (or the joys and connection), I know the benefits and have seen enough barriers to want to speak out we should tear down these walls and support women who breastfeed.  My ultimate goal is to see breastfeeding as normal.  I wrote this article for the "Valley Courier" last week and I was a little annoyed by the headline that they gave "Breastfeeding is natural," while this is true, it also puts it into the hippy category that it shouldn't be.  So, here are my thoughts that I shared with the entire valley...

Breastfeeding happens. Breastfeeding is normal. We are all part of the breastfeeding community, directly or indirectly. We all need to support each other to make breastfeeding the norm for all babies. While mom to mom and provider to mom support is so important, the support that women get outside the home and clinic can have just as much of an impact. It is not mothers alone that make breastfeeding possible, but the community (friends, family, work, neighbors) that can sustain the continuation of breastfeeding.

I’m not the typical breastfeeding advocate and that’s a good thing. I don’t have kids and I don’t even remember my experience as a breastfed baby (although I am proud that I was breastfed). However, I believe people have the right to all the information regarding health and to carry out the decisions that they make based on this information.

If we make women uncomfortable and add extra barriers to breastfeeding in public, the woman has a lower chance of continuing to feed her baby the nutrients it needs to grow and be healthy. This can look different for everyone. Just as you might need to pick up a snack when you’re unexpectedly hungry in the afternoon, a baby might need to eat randomly during the day. Every mom will have different levels of comfort with what they want to do in public, but every mom should have the opportunity to feed her child as needed.

Ultimately, it is my goal to see breastfeeding as so normal in everyday life that no one makes it a big deal when breastfeeding happens. I don’t mean to downplay the significance and beauty of breastfeeding, but I want to celebrate the normalcy of the breastfeeding mom. She’s not alone, she’s not trying something new and different, but she’s in a community that supports babies and a healthy start to life for everyone.

And, wherever you see this sign, you know that breastfeeding is supported!

World Go Round

15 years ago today, my life became a whole lot better. On Aug 3, 1996, I saw the band No Doubt for the first time ever. It was at EndFest '96 (is that still going on??). On July 19, 2009, my life was basically completed when I had the chance to meet them at my 13th concert in 13 years (5 states and 2 countries)!

It's hard to describe my love of ND to people who don't have a favorite band, or a band that has influenced them in such a way (although it’s so great to meet people who can relate). I fell in love with them when I was 10 years old in 5th grade. I actually remember the first time I heard "Just a Girl". Now, my dad can’t remember a lot about last week, but he always reminds me that when we heard “Just a Girl” on the radio for the first time, he turned it up and I was indifferent. This is not to say that I didn’t like it, I remember thinking I did, but I have to admit I didn’t go crazy the first time I heard it. However, I finally got the “Tragic Kingdom” CD and have never been the same.  There have been few bigger influences in my life than this band, and yes there have been bigger influences. I'm not saying they are some great band (although I do love their music), but my love comes more from what they have meant to me over the years.

Now, I know that some of you may think that this band is just some dumb pop group, but I see otherwise. Their lyrics are truly from the heart. That is probably my favorite thing about them- I can totally relate to what they sing about, it's like therapy. Their music is fun and charged. They are great live- so full of energy. The video “Live From the Tragic Kingdom” and "Rock Steady Live" really capture their live sets, I recommend checking them out. Their style has changed since they started it, but that's another thing about them- they mix so much together.  I like to think that it's them evolving as a band. In the end, I don’t think that you have to like their music, just please don’t think they are just another pop group. Also, while I like Gwen Stefani, I’m a No Doubt fan first and foremost.

Meeting No Doubt was definitely one of the biggest moments in my life. It’s just crazy to think that something I wanted soooo badly, but thought was sooooo out of reach, actually happened. It was just great to be able to say my two cents about what they mean to me and to tell it to them personally- ah, I still can’t believe it happened.....

Wanna realize something crazy? They haven’t released a new album in almost 10 years! I get nervous, but excited, every time I hear new music from them.

Now, for the LIST... my top 15 favorite No Doubt songs. This was hard, like really hard. They aren't in an order, except for "Just a Girl" is #1.

1. Just a Girl- Tragic Kingdom
2. Total Hate '95- Beacon Street Collection
3. Let's Get Back- No Doubt
4. Staring Problem- Return of Saturn
5. Rock Steady- Rock Steday
6. Bathwater- Return of Saturn
7. Panic- Everything in Time  (not on YouTube, but such a good song!)
8. Don't Speak- Tragic Kingdom
9. Don't Let me down- Rock Steady
10. Simple Kind of Life- Return of Saturn
11. Leftovers- Everything in Time
12. You Can Do It- Tragic Kingdom
13. Running- Rock Steady
14. Sometimes- No Doubt
15. Open the Gate- Beacon Street Collection

Honorable mentions: Move On, It's My Life, In My Head, Artificial Sweetner... ok, I'll stop.

My top favorite ND shows were
1.  July 19, 2009: with Brenna, Lisa, and my mom... meeting them!!
2.  November 9, 2002: Portland on my ND weekend senior year of high school- so fun!
3.  August 3, 1996: Kitsap Fairgrounds, first time!
4. May 24, 1997: first show at the Gorge!

Lastly, I do want to show my objectivity: While “Just a Girl” is my favorite song of all time, I think their song “World Go Round” is one of the worst songs of all time.

P.S. Most of this post was taken from an "entertaining" speech I did my senior year of high school for a class!  Not much has changed, I'm a pretty loyal person.

Return of Saturn

I spent a few days in Chicago, my second home, this last weekend.  What a trip!  Seriously, it was pretty surreal.  It seems like a lifetime ago or a whole other life that was home.  It made me realize how much I've changed- although, I did get reminded that I haven't changed too much as I walked around Anthropologie, just didn't bring out my wallet.  It was confirmation that I'm not supposed to live there, but I'm thankful that I had the chance to live there.  Chicago is where I "grew up" and basically became an adult.  I'm glad I had my big city experience and know that I can do it!

Through some crazy times, I had some great chats with friends out there!  It was good to talk with people who have known me longer than a year and are at a similar stage in life (AKA didn't just graduate college or retire!).  

Of course, the real reason I went out there was to celebrate the wedding of probably 2 of the nicest people: Stephanie Thies and Brian Geier!  Oh, it was lovely.  I'm so glad I was able to join in the fun!  Here are some highlights...

Here are 2 pictures that sum up three of my favorite things in Chicago:  Friends, brunch, and crazy nights out!  Good times were most definitely had!

Please note: this is a joke, I found this bottle on the floor and
thought it would be funny to use in a picture... I was right!