A Life Less Ordinary

Today was not my average day, and you know what? It was fantastic. I need to have more extraordinary days more often.

Work was, well, pretty much the same. It was busy, I worked nonstop from 8:30-5:30 with brief breaks to go to the ladies room, get a cup of coffee, and heat up my leftovers for lunch. Even working an extra half hour, I could have probably done another hour. This new position is nonstop. I am trying to still help out my old boss so his life doesn't get crazy, but I did that for a month, and now it's time for me to do my job. *fist pump*

Anyways, now for the good stuff. First, I brought my bike back from MA. So I got home late last night, did not even take it out of the car. I didn't carpool today so that when I got out of work I could go for a ride before heading home. Well, midday there was a crazy rainstorm and I got incredibly disappointed. I was looking forward to my ride! Luckily, by 5:30 when I left work, the sun was shining in that great late afternoon, late summer way. I drove to Rowayton, which is a small, coastal part of Norwalk next to Darien. Think the Powder Point or Standish part of Duxbury, or Minot to Scituate. It's just a nice area of town by the water, great scenery, small windy roads so cars can't go fast. Perfect.

I rode for about 30 minutes around an area I am familiar with. The air was warm and the breeze as I rode felt so good. It smelled like saltwater and New England bliss. My knees started hurting on a very long, gradual incline, but I stuck with it and made my way back around to where I was parked. I didn't want to push it too hard, but I had to push it just a little.

I drove home, picked up some groceries so I can try making breakfast shakes in the morning. Strawberries, low fat yogurt, flax seed, and banana. Should be interesting. I'll report back on that. So once I got home, I just went straight out back, pulled out the push-mower and mowed the lawn. It had been about 2 weeks since the last mowing, and considering how much rain we've gotten, it had to get done! The mower Sean got is very easy to push, it took hardly any effort, so I got done quickly. I was enjoying the early evening air, so I went to work trimming back the hedges and greenery that has been creeping out into our lawn-space. I didn't go too crazy, but I got some battle scars from a prickly vine that was growing over the bulkhead. I had no idea it was thorny and now my left arm looks like it's covered in track-marks. But I digress...

It was so peaceful and meditative to be outside. Our Italian neighbors were sitting out on the patio, and they were speaking fluent Italian to each other, and I just loved it. It had no idea what they were talking about, which was great because I just loved listening to the language and the sound of people enjoying being outside. Sometimes it's hard to feel like I can enjoy spending time outside because of the noise and bustle that comes with living not only in an urban setting, but a block from a hospital. But the background noise was relatively quiet, and it gave me 2 hours outside that I don't normally give myself.

After that, I strung up some outdoorsy lights I found at Christmas Tree Shops (one strand of seashells, one strand of lighthouses), so now when we have guests over we don't have to rush inside once the sun sets.

So, I didn't spend the night cleaning the house. I didn't cook dinner. I didn't plop on the couch in front of the Boob Tube (a phrase coined by my dad, as far as I know. The longer you sit in front of it, the bigger your boobs get...because you're getting fat.). I didn't sit in front of the computer (this blog post doesn't count). I was on my feet, moving around, breathing fresh air, and it felt really refreshing, invigorating, all those wonderful feelings!

Now, it's time to sit back and eat some food, something I haven't done yet since getting home. I already showered, I think it'll be an early night to bed.