Why I love Bloggers

Today I caught up on some blogs.  It is amazing how relevant the blogs I follow are to my current life situation. 

A few examples:

Can You See the Future? written by a dear friend and mini-San Antonio celebrity, Nan Palmero
I love that Nan chose to share these words of inspiration with us.  I find myself encouraging others and was recently told by a friend: "I miss you, you inspire me to be a better version of myself".  I love Nan's title for this blog because while relationships (friends, family or business) are built on the past it is more important to build them FOR the future.  Please visit Nan's article and be inspired!!

Pumpkin Beer - warning, article title is a teaser!  This is written by another San Antonio friend, Choco Valdez.  It was nice to read that he and I share similar views about trying new things.  His main point is as follows: "Now, when someone asks me to try something new, like pumpkin beer, ... I jump at the chance to go because I know I will meet/see someone interesting, or get to experience something different."  I've written a blog about this point and it's nice to see that a) someone else feels the same way I do and b) I have people in my life who value the same things I do.  (kinda proves I'm not crazy)

I am a runner written by a woman I only know from Social Media outlets but she is a woman I find relating to on many different levels.  We have a mutual friends, she works at my past University, loves cooking and eating food and is a active member of my past San Antonio social media life.   This blog was an amazing read for me!  If you're a struggling runner like me, considering reading this blog and relating to her struggles and inspiration!

If you enjoy these reads please consider following my friends' blogs!

Reminder: Don't take anything for granted.

Yesterday at the Dallas Cowboys training camp we catered a meal to wounded Veterans.  These were guys in wheelchairs, missing arms and legs and still covered in fresh bandages.  One guy had 2 metal legs and looked like a robot from the waist down.  Another was covered from head to toe in a protective suit from what I assume was a burning accident.  He only had holes for his eyes, mouth and nose.  I had never seen these heros in person before.  It was the most humbling experience I've had in a long time. 
    One guy brought his 5 year old son with him.  The dad had lost his arm but his little boy was sitting next to him and you could just see the twinkle in his eye every time he looked at his dad the war hero.  Forget the Dallas Cowboys, my Daddy's home from overseas!  He didn't lose his life, just his arm.  We can still play catch and he'll see me grow up to be a football player or even a hero like him.  Wow...
     I've been in San Antonio for 6 years and I've respected the military men and women I see all over town but this experience was just what I needed before I leave to Dallas.  I will not have the opportunity to see this Dallas because there aren't any military bases.  But I will not forget the men and women who do serve my country and make sacrifices for my safety everyday.

I also just heard from my friend in Afganistan who told me the following story via facebook chat:
"today we had a major weather storm out here and we were out on mission.
so i wanted to finish first, which we did, but on the way back we saw a village near by was flooded
people everywhere and they ran to us asking for help cuz there were women and children stuck in houses and they had no way to get to them
so i made the decision to stay and help and we pulled out all the kids, infants, and women but one. we couldnt reach her in time
but they thanked us for trying our best and we took photos of the whole thing but my "bosses" only saw that my people were out of uniform
they didn't give my boys any credit for saving that village, all they said was where is his gloves, where is the eye protection, etc
we were in a flood the gloves were soaked and useless
the eye pro were fogging up and blinded us but they got mad cuz we didnt wear them"
It is unfortunate that leadership in every profession can be frustrating to deal with but the next time I hate on my boss for making me wear pantyhose, I'll think about how I'm just coordinating breakfast, lunch and dinners, not saving a village from a massage flood!
 
And (because good things come in 3's) I'm so happy my friend Tanya's brother is home safety from his active duty!!

My friend Ricky's Platoon

Living life to the fullest...and grateful for the freedom to do so!

-Rachel Kellar

Where did the time go?

I can't believe it's already June!  This year has FLOWN by!  I didn't blog much in May because I could barely sit still!  I was up in Dallas for family graduations, my sister's dance recital and a wedding. 

My friend Ally, Bride, Groom and Me!

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         When I was finally back in San Antonio I was focused on work.  June 4th and 5th I worked the 7 am breakfast until the 7 pm reception. To recover from my 24 hour working weekend I took a trip to Corpus Christi and went fishing in Port Aransas on the 10th and 11th. I didn't think I was a fan of fishing. Why sit around all day for the possibility of catching something (you don't know what, but something). As you can tell, I only participate when I know the end result is a sure thing. This is why I'm hesitant to gamble or play the stock market. This may also be why I am single and not on the career path I prepared for in college.

          The fishing trip was nice if you disregard the sea-sickness and the friendship that tragically ended. The 2 story fishing boat was air-borne at least 3 times and the rocky waters went on for an hour and a half! I didn't eat breakfast, so the only thing that came up was the champagne from the night before. Yea- eww!!
          And as for the friendship: I’ve come to realize as flattering as it is for someone to want to spend all their time with you, it can be draining and unhealthy. My mental, physical and emotional health were being sacrificed for the satisfaction of having someone who will "always be there".
         Always be there for what?
         Always be there for who?
The only person who needs to "always be there" for me is me. I don't say that in a selfish way, I say that because I'm not always there for me. I depend and let other people be there for me so that I don't hold all the responsibility. The person on this trip was always there for me but they would take a part of me with them, leaving me empty, drained, and lacking in self satisfaction and even self love (why love yourself when someone else can?)
          After the trip and after I guess "finding myself" in the Gulf of Mexico, I came back to San Antonio and finally felt at peace in my house. I had never really considered it "home" but after being on an island of awkwardness for three days, by Sunday I was able to relax in the comfort of the home I've created for myself. Which if I might add is FABULOUS!
         As I'm re-connecting with friends in town I'm choosing to only let in positive and healthy people. To only share my time (note: not give my time, but share it) with people who will make me a better person and friend. People who love me and I freely love in return.

Because really, at the end of the day, all you need is love.

-Rachel

I survived

This was my first Fiesta in San Antonio.  Scratch that, I've lived in San Antonio for 6 years and this is the first time I attended Fiesta for the fun (not for the volunteer work or as a St. Mary's student who must eat at Oyster Bake because the Cafeteria on campus is closed). 


So my first Fiesta and I survived!  Fiesta is on the weekends and the weekdays...I was a trooper and attended weekday events - AND showed up to work on time the next day.

The first weekend of Fiesta it rained, and I was conveniently in Dallas for a bachelorette party.  The neighbors at my house hosted a party, but I missed out. 

My House all Fiesta-ed

 However on Monday I did see the river parade beginning at my HBGCC office and then ended on my end of the river:

 

Tuesday I went to NIOSA with the boys....

 Only to be pinned with my FIRST Fiesta metal EVER by my good friend and fellow #snail...

NIOSA was exhausting...the crowds are ridiculous!  You go for food, drinks and music - but why? when it's you and 30,000 strangers.  I guess I'm a big loner, I'd rather eat, drink and listen to music with a few close friends in the privacy of my own home.  My fellow #snail had a private party in the 2nd story of an art gallery in the middle of NIOSA.  That made the evening 10x better.

I guess I took a break Wednesday, or at least I don't have the pictures to prove I did anything fun.... 

Thursday I attended the SA Current, Best of SA party, thanks to my good friend Choco.


I ran into a few friends and another #snail! 


Pretty fun night.  Lots of characters at the event

Friday I picked up my bff from St. Mary's who moved to Miami...it was Bachelorette party #2 this weekend.  Tons of fun with Maddie...with a little hiccup due to the King Williams fair in my front yard and me eventually losing the keys to my house.

So I guess this was more of a picture blog than a story, but for Fiesta #1, it was safe, satisfying and fun!!

Until next year...