hey ya,

"If they say that nothing is forever, then what makes love the exception?"- Outcast

(shake it like a polaroid picture.)

dream big

"Every day is a new day. It is better to be lucky. But I would rather be exact. Then when the luck comes you are ready." - The Old Man and The Sea, Ernest Hemmingway

this must be the place

For the first time in a long time my jaw is unclenched. I am relaxed/ready for whatever is coming next.

Hawaii is an amazing place. White sandy beaches, waves and waterfalls. I highly recommend a trip to the Aloha State to everyone.

Kauai has a natural beauty that will not be ignored. There were a few moments where I stopped just to oooh and ahhhh over the greenery on the side of the highway (and this is on highways that I had driven on thousands upon thousands of times before.)

I ran through rain forests, chased chickens, ate fruit fresh off of trees, squished mud through my toes...

basically felt like I could live forever, and then suddenly reality felt a little more bearable.

Book your tickets immediately... learn, live, love.

sophie

Dog owners live longer. It's a scientific fact... Google it.

According to the Journal of the British Veterinary Association, studies done by psychologists have found that owning a dog can have a positive effect on your health. Research has shown that dogs help lower blood pressure, they help to deal with stress which helps with feeling better overall. I don't even need to mention the dogs that pull children from burning buildings or sniff out cancer.

On that note, meet Sophie...

Sophie was rescued from a local animal shelter. J^2 found her, a poster child for sad, sleepy, abandoned puppies. I wanted her to look at a happy, energetic Lab mix around the corner, but it was love at first sight for those two.
Sophie for me was a bunch of red flags. She was nervous and not very social. Even the shelter lady had her reservations, especially since the dog would be around children. Sophie was shy, cautious and not very responsive... Sophie was plain bummed out.

J^2 is always the optimist and gave the shy, nervous, anti-social pup a hug. J^2 was in love... I had serious doubts. Think about it, I said. We're getting a dog, she squealed.


Sophie, it took some time, but I warmed up to her. How could I not? She is sharp and smart. Sophie is a great walker, does not bark and came house trained. My two most favorite Sophie traits are, she waits for me to get home from work (so I can take her down to potty... but still, it's a nice feeling to have someone waiting up). And, Sophie has no concept of personal space, which is nice when I need a cuddle (and there are days when I really really need a cuddle).



I learned something from J^2 and this adorable little pup. If she had listened to my voice of reason, who knows what would have happened to Sophie. Thanks to her impulsiveness I also fell in love with the dog that is saving my life.

Sophie is a lesson that...


Sometimes life is just meant to be lived.