Engagement Story

I can finally share with you our engagement story.  I wrote it the day after the enagement, but we lost the camera with the engagement photos.  And we all know no blog is complete without photos....so we found the camera, got the photos on the computer and I am sharing them with you now!

The Story:
    For Lent the Man and I have been praying the rosary once a day.  It's AMAZING.  It's better than yoga!  I sleep so well and I have NO worries...so with each decade of the rosary you offer a special intention (a decade is 10 Hail Marys - the 10 beads you see together on a rosary).  The Man and I often pray for those close to us, family, friends, marriages, single people, babies, pregnancies, work, weather, health, etc.  Everything you worry about during the day you can offer as a special intention.  We can kinda tell how our day went based off our special intentions.  So one day the Man prays for marriages and people getting married and engaged.  I'm sure he was praying from the heart and didn't realize his over thinking girlfriend was reading into his prayer.  Gosh, I'm awful!  But we keep praying, finish our rosary and talk about what our plans are for the weekend since he's coming to town.
    He wants to have a date night so we can get dressed up and eat sushi.  I tell him we have an engagement party to go to and my sister's birthday is that Friday so we might be celebrating that with her.  Not too sure if date night will work - more like Sunday date afternoon?  I'm usually the one making plans and he's always along for the ride and I love that.  But he's insisting we go out on a real date.  We're always doing a family thing or a friend thing and if we every spend time alone it's eating pizza in our sweats with a movie.  I agreed-we were due for a date night.
    He comes in LATE Thursday night.  So we wake up Friday, go out to breakfast (I have the morning off) and then I go into work at noon.  I'm gabbing to my receptionist that I think he's going to propose because he was dropping all these hints.  Turns out I left my phone at home so I need to have him bring it to me.  I call and catch him off guard.  I ask him what he's doing and he says he's at the store.  So I'm thinking...Oh really? The diamond store?  The florist?  Are you buying rose petals to lay all over the floor?  Are you buying champagne and doves and a harp player and, and, and!!!  Yes, I'm that girl.
    So 'that girl' comes home from work to an apartment that looks just like it did when I left.  I am so disappointed.  I'm thinking ok, maybe I read into this date night thing too much.  I always hear girls saying that before their husband proposed they were acting really weird and really nervous and the Man was just being his normal self.  So I start getting ready for our date night. 

He was taking pictures of me getting ready.  He's never done that before.
This was kinda weird so maybe I should have caught on

I am starting to hate getting dressed up just because our relationship is so relaxed it's almost awkward to be all fancy in front of him, it's just not us.  But I get dressed up and when he sees me his eyes light up and the look on his face is priceless, so I guess dressing up is totally worth it. 
     For Valentines Day we stood in front of my fireplace, put the timer on the camera and took pictures together.  It was a cute idea and I'm so happy we did it for our first Valentines Day.  We weren't dressed up on Valentines Day, so he wanted to take pictures this time since we were dressed up. 

     So after the pictures the man is like "Oh, I have a present for you" so of course I'm thinking Yay!  Engagement!!  Then he hands me a Victoria Secret bag and my excitement goes from a 10 to a -3.  Seriously Victoria Secret?  boo. This is a present for him, not me!  So I open the bag and it's a pair of jeans I had left in New Mexico with his brother over THANKSGIVING, that I finally got back!  I freakin love these jeans so I'm super happy and now ready for dinner.  If it's not going to happen it's not going to happen, but yay for him remembering I really wanted these jeans back asap. 

   Then he says "No, I got you a real present" and he hands me this crystal swan with a red rose and a red ribbon.  It's incredibly romantic (just like him) and it's very nice. 

 So I say "aww, this is sweet thank you babe" and then I look closer and I see IT.  There IT IS.  Everything goes quiet and I loose all peripheral vision.  I'm focused on one thing and one thing only.  My beautiful and perfect oval diamond ring!!!  When I look up he's on his knee asking for my hand in marriage.  I'm so happy!!!!  I tell him to take that ring off the ribbon and put it on my finger!  I didn't cry, probably because I was so caught off guard (and hungry) but it was the perfect engagement.  He totally knows my personality and knew that I was expecting something so tricking me was very clever of him. 

See how hidden it is??

It's really hard to take a picture of a diamond.  flash vs. no flash

   We're both beaming from ear to ear and I'm looking for my phone so I can text and call everyone.  I want to tell my parents in person so I tell them the next day, but my friends were super happy, much happier than I thought they would be.  I was expecting "about time!" or "duh! we totally knew" but I got calls, texts, tears, screaming, and one even got drunk off excitement? (or loneliness) and called me 10 times since I couldn't answer at dinner.

He's trying to get an 'after' shot, but I'm on the phone!! 

Thanks for reading this story!!  I hope you enjoyed it!  I sure did!!

Now back to wedding planning!!

The Red Roof House

Since I posted about my Blue Roof House yesterday, I wanted to share with you another piece of real estate in the West Texas area I'm in love with.  This is my Red Roof House.  Technically it's not MINE, but it's my dream home.  It's been for sale for quite a while and I've been praying for a miracle, but God has other plans! 

I just saw online that it's *contract pending* and The Man has assured me he's not the one in contract.  So sad... 

All the information below is from the realtor's website: http://www.scottlandcompany.com/properties/rwdhideaway/index.shtml All Rights Reserved, etc.
So if you want to be a really great friend, feel free to put in a bid on it!  I'll let you stay in the master bedroom every time you visit!!

Stats:

316 acres more or less
House Built in 2006 (most homes in this area are MUCH older than this)

3,346 sq.ft. main area -  400 sq.ft. basement - 926 sq.ft. garage
Brick/Austin Stone exterior

I do wish it had SOME landscaping

The great room has a vaulted ceiling with cedar beams/panels and a double-sided fireplace which also opens to the study/formal living room.

The great room is also open to the kitchen which has granite counter-tops, natural wood cabinets with rustic appeal hardware and lighting, the island/bar with a granite top and a great pantry.

The high-end, stainless, appliances include a double oven, modern gas cook-top, dishwasher and built-in refrigerator.

There is also a formal dining room as well as a breakfast nook.

 The master suite has large windows with a great view.

The master bath has a separate shower and tub, granite counter-tops and a large walk-in closet.

The additional two bedrooms are also suites with great closet space.

There is a finished basement, separate utility room with a sink, lots of storage and an attached three car garage.

Basements are SUPER cool to this city girl!

Doors from the master suite and great room lead to the back patio which also includes an outdoor fireplace.

The home features gorgeous wood, brick tiled and carpet flooring, modern light fixtures, ceiling fans in most rooms, two geo-thermal heating/cooling systems, a new domestic well and septic system.

Utility/Laundry Room, so many Pinteresting ideas in my head for this space!

GREAT Foyer...Love love love!

Realtor says "It is very hard to find a property that has the aesthetic appeal of this one west of I-27."

SO true!

The home is situated so that most of the year there is no direct sun coming into the windows. Every room with a view of the striking landscape. The remainder of the property is expired CRP and native grass along the draw.

a Quonset barn with lean-to, cattle working pens and hydraulic chute.

I would totally turn this into a party barn

This property is surrounded by sprinkler irrigated farmland and has Base acres in Corn, Cotton and Wheat.

That's West Texas for ya

I would consider this a 'hill' in West Texas

The home with 21 acres may be purchased apart from the remainder of the property or the property may be purchased in whole.  $500,000 for 21 acres or $750,000 for all 316 acres.

I am in LOVE with this house....I hope I meet the new residents and become their best friends.  This is easily one of the best properties in this part of the state.

http://www.scottlandcompany.com/properties/rwdhideaway/index.shtml

<>This house is not mine to make memories in, YET.  But I'll keep praying!<>

source

Living Life to the fullest, with faith in God's timing.

My Favorite Bloggers

Time to share with you a few of my favorite blogs!!

Melissa from 320 Sycamore shares her AMAZING home renovations
Seriously, check out her Kitchen redo! 

Michelle at The Vintage Apple is a elementary school teacher
in a low income school district and while her day is worse
than I could ever imagine (think of re-living those years in elementary school where everyone hates you) she seems to find the silver lining in her day!
She also just got married and has an amazing husband and a doggy!
My kind of lady!

I love Jamie's blog title because I'm pretty sure it has to do with a beautiful song I hear at tons of weddings.  Jamie puts tons of Pinteresting images up every Wednesday. I love the dresses she shares!  Also, because I love her blog design I revised my blog (once again) thanks to her designer!  It's really simple!

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Another blogger named Michelle...Has a beautiful family, a loving husband and is having some issues fitting in with her neighborhood stay at home mothers. 
She does alot of pinning also!

I might need to make this into a page on my blog....I have a TON of other favorites including some personal friends of mine!  Stay tuned!

Live Life to the Fullest....one inspiring blog at a time!

-Rachel

Juicy Juice

My office is hosting a 'Biggest Loser' competition.  $20 to enter and $1 for every pound you gain.  Talk about motivation!  So far I've lost 4 pounds (or 2.3%) and haven't had to pay anything more than the $20.  Thankfully the winner is chosen based on percentages so it's pretty fair.  

I wanted to share with you my secret weapon: Whole Living

Starts with juices - this Grapefruit, Carrot, Ginger - DELISH!

And this Apple, Beet and Mint juice - Tastes like beet more than apple

Next on my list to try Green Juice - broccoli, celery, cucumber, parsley

Just TRY a juice - I don't think you'll be disappointed!!

Working in Witness for Christ

Do you? Do you work in witness for Christ?

When you show up for your: job, work, career, “8-5” whatever you call it, who are you working for? Are you doing it for you? your boss? your bottom line? your clients? your customers? your family? your friends? your co-workers?


Do you ever consider working in witness for Christ? Do you treat your clients as if they were built in the image and likeness of God? Do you treat your boss that way? What about your co-workers?


Living a life of virtue doesn’t happen on Sunday mornings. It doesn’t happen on the weekends when you can do community service. It should happen every day. yes, even between the hours of 8am and 5pm. Are you a different person at work than you are at home or with your friends? If so, how stressful that must be! Having to maintain a certain persona with one group and another persona with a different group. What a waste of time and energy!!

Most people like happy people - at work, at home, out on the town…Happy people WIN! Think of your friends…who’s the one who’s always happy? Wouldn’t you rather be with him/her rather than the grouchy friend? Think of your family members - who’s more fun? Happy Aunt/Uncle or Miserable Aunt/Uncle? What about your co-workers? You’ve probably done your fair share of avoiding the office Debby Downer because no one likes a grouch! Are you a grouch? Do you think it could be effecting your work place? Your job advancement (or lack there of) could it be effecting your paycheck?? Your friendships? Your family?

Do you know how to fix this? LIVE A LIFE OF VIRTUE. Follow the Golden Rule. Work in witness for Christ. Know that you can do all things through Him and with Him. You can work together with your co-workers and be successful, but try adding Christ into the mix, pray about your next project or your next presentation. Find faith in yourself and others by living a life of Faith.

You have two choices to make every day - To be Happy or to be Sad. So…. Be Happy!!

I know, it’s so simple - too simple right? But it’s true. And you know it. So stop complicating things, chill out and put your faith and trust in God.

http://www.livinglifetothefullest.usana.com/

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understandings; in all of your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3, 4-5

Motivation

This is a great article filed under: 'Motivation'

http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/06/14/paul-defeated-his-cigarette-and-food-addictions-and-lost-80-pounds/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl13%7Csec3_lnk2%7C70723


This guy, Paul, loses 80 pounds with PX90! 
I could never do PX90 - I'm more of a yoga/jogging girl, but I'm so motivated by his success!!
I will definitely raise my treadmill speed up a little tonight as I think of Paul!

http://www.livinglifetothefullest.usana.com/

On the first day....

This was the beginning of a recent blog draft:
"So I am going to write. Maybe here, maybe there, maybe everywhere. For now, all I know is that my brain needs space, and this is the only way I know how to give it what it needs..."

That was 2010 me, overwhelmed and stressed; looking for an outlet in friends, family, the blogesphere....thinking writing was the only way I could vent.

And then came January 1, 2011.  The first day of the new year.  The first day of my new outlook on life.  The first day of the new decisions I will make everyday.  My decisions to not eat processed food.  My decisions to take part in stretching and cardio everyday.  Whether it be hot yoga and a dog walk or yoga in my bedroom and a 3 mile run.  My decision to calculate my finances daily.  The decision to live a healthy lifestyle and prevent reasons to vent.

1/1/11 was my day one.  It was my decision starter.  When's yours?

Living life to the fullest by living a full life

Savoring Every Moment

For a Christmas present my mother subscribed me to a magazine about a meaningful and balanced life.  This magazine provides monthly yoga poses, vegetarian recipes, inspirational stories and an insight into the variety of spiritual lifestyles.  For example I took a quiz on Modern Ayurveda and my Dosha.  I was a little bit of everything.   I take on Vata's "Big-Thinker" traits and Pitta's "conquer the world" mentality.  So which am I?  A Big thinker who can't conquer the world or a little thinker who's only going to conquer a miniature version of the world??  And while I feel a connection to the earth mother Kapha with my love of hiking, walking, running, and climbing in the outdoors, Kapha is also a compassionate lovebug which has never been a term used to describe me.

Because I'm not ready for an Ayurveda definition on my life right now, I decided to try another method in this magazine.  I've heard this next "fulfilled life" method before but I never had the guts or patience to try it.  So I headed out to lunch today, chose a local deli, ordered the salad bar, filled my plate and sat down.  I picked up my fork, looked at a piece of broccoli and thought to myself

"broccoli.....green, ..... raw, ......fuzzy....... broccoli"

I put the broccoli in my mouth and continued to think about that piece broccoli as I chewed.  I was being fully present in this one piece of broccoli full of nutrients, vitamins, and God's good green earth in my mouth. 

Swallow. 
Repeat.

"Garbanzo bean .....round, .....creamy, .....nutty, ........ small ...garbanzo bean"
etc, etc, throughout my entire meal, repeating even when a repeat vegetable was found on my fork.
The concept is to treasure and savor every piece of food in your mouth.  Actually use your taste buds for what they are made for and not as a scorched landing strip for food with a final destination to your stomach.  This new concept allows all the senses in your body to be engaged and appreciate what you're putting in your body by seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, tasting, and - wait for it......satisfying your body (and soul).

While I'm trying to find satisfaction in this moment at the restaurant, my evil twin is rolling her eyes and telling me that I am really very hungry and I should just chomp down on a fork full and get it over with.  She's telling me that I'll do this for the first plate, but I'm going back to the salad bar for seconds and I'm going to get that pasta salad with all the processed foods I shouldn't eat.  However, in the end, I finish my plate, I drink my tea and I walk away surprisingly satisfied. 

Satisfied with my meal, my self control and my commitment to an open lifestyle. 

-Rachel
Living Life to the Fullest and Savoring Every Moment!

Rise Up

"Surround yourself with people who fill your gaps. Let them do the stuff they’re better at so you can do the stuff you’re better at."

I read this quote in a blog and it reminded me of my life goal to "keep company with those you admire"

After moving to Dallas, being near my family and my dear friends I still feel like something is missing.  And it's not a boyfriend.  There's a piece of my life that should be full and it's not (again, it's not my "love tank" lol).  I have a job, a dog, a healthy lifestyle but --- it's on the tip of my tongue and I can not figure out what it is!!! 
Option a) volunteering. In college I was in a community service fraternity and a religious group that had service as a core element.  It was a part of my everyday life.  I'm ashamed to say, now it's just a part of my past
Option b) dancing.  I haven't been out dancing in FOREVER and I keep finding myself tapping my foot and swaying my shoulders when a good tune is in the air.  I love the teamwork that goes into a dance number!  Not to mention the adrenaline and endorphines that keep you wanting more!
Or Option c)  my independence.  In the past 6 mths I went from living in a 1 bedroom home with me and my dog to living in a 4 bedroom home with me, my dog, 4 family members, and 2 cats.  In a household that eats together, plays together and stays together, it's difficult to find time for myself.
So while I try to gain back my independence and pursue a passion of volunteering while dancing to my heart's content.....I will keep company with those who are happily independent, driven to volunteer and those who make GREAT dancing partners!  And (getting back to the quote) if I find that I'm no good at either of those things, I'll be sure to surround myself with people who are!

Any takers?

-Rachel
Living life to the fullest, surround by people I admire

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

It's not a Need it's a Network

I'd like to point out that I am still very good friends with many of my ex-boyfriends.  I choose to do this for the following reasons:
     a) they are someone you let into a private part of your life....You wouldn't want someone to share that private side of you out of spite
     b) they are very talented and good men who I am honored to know personally
and
     c) you never know when you might need something. 
One is a chef, one is a clothing designer, another is in politics, one in real estate, another does alot with the church and yea, there are some who are just there - but I'm sure they'll do something GREAT in the future.  You never know....

For example, the other day I went out to dinner to my ex's restaurant.  He said business was slow, so I invited a girlfriend and we went out to eat there.  It was nice to see him, he gave us an appetizer sample along with a dessert sampler, and the food was delicious! 

A few weeks later I bought a chicken for $4.00.  I could have bought 2 chicken breasts for $7.00 but an entire chicken (which comes with 2 breasts, right?) for $4.00?!  My mother didn't raise an idiot.  I understand you are paying for the convenience of the 2 breast being cut, skinned and packaged but I don't have a deadline for dinner time.  I can sacrifice a few more minutes in the kitchen for the $3.00 I saved. 

Photo courtesy of: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1024418

So I bring home my whole chicken and I realize - I have an entire chicken in my refrigerator!! And I have no idea how to go about cooking it.  I should obviously use some type of fat (oil, butter) and some seasoning, probably some herbs because I like herbs.  But at what oven temperature?  For how long?  Do I cover it or leave it open for the heat to seep in?  Come in ex-boyfriend who is a chef!  "Hey, how's is going.  Thanks for everything you did at dinner the other day.  It was a great seeing you.  I'd like to repay the favor by inviting you over for dinner on one condition 1) you teach me how to cook a whole chicken and what to do with all the extra pieces to make it last."

You may be happy to hear I successfully cooked a chicken and enjoyed a thigh and a leg with a healthy sweet potato.  I will be having chicken stir-fry tonight with the breast meat and some rice and veggies.  I also created a broth from the roasting product including the bones, so I'll enjoy chicken soup sometime this week and probably save some for a later date when comfort food is needed.  My friend also wins on this because now I can/will rave about his restaurant and the fact that he can do private cooking lessons.

Moral of the story: you never know when you might need to reference your past.  And when you do, don't think of it as a need, think of it as a networking opportunity. 

Living Life to the Fullest - with my network of friends!!

-Rachel

If you bring an accountant a muffin.....

A couple weeks ago I came into work starving! I could not concentrate on my work and I needed something to eat immediately!  I raided the break room to no success and the rumbling in my stomach could be heard down the hall!  An accountant heard my agony (I'm so dramatic!) and offered me her muffin.  She had stopped by a near-by deli and bought a breakfast sandwich and a muffin.  She had eaten the sandwich, but wasn't going to eat the muffin.  I accepted and gobbled that muffin up!  p.s. This was also my first time to eat a muffin with butter - umm YUM.

Yesterday, I was in a great mood and arrived extra early for work.  I decided to stop by a deli to purchase a muffin to repay the accountant.  I walked in to the office feeling good about returning the favor.  I waited for her to walk by my office and surprised her with the repayment muffin.  She was very grateful.  However, everyone else in my office was upset I didn't offer them a muffin or bring them anything. 

Moral of the story: If you bring an accountant a muffin, bring enough for the entire office!

Photo courtesy of: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/589153

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!

.

         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...