Bear...

Oh where to begin, where to begin. Friday night I went out to meet up with some friends at a local bar. A girlfriend of mine, P., had a friend in town for the weekend. She had told me we would get along since we were so much alike.

Sometimes you wonder whether or not that's actually going to happen. For me, I think that's because I am so different depending on which group of people I am with. I like to say I am either an audience member observing, or I'm the actor on stage performing. It just depends.

So I wasn't entirely sure whether or not this guy would actually be as much like me as she thought.

When I first met him, I really couldn't help but smile. He gives off this energy that's confident yet not cocky. He's just really sure of who he is as a person, and it's attractive.

The only thing was, I thought he was interested in someone else. Not that that bothered me, because I always figure what is meant to happen will happen. It just meant I wasn't going to get in the way.

And instead, I would dance as much as possible that night,  letting go of all my worries and troubles of the day. And in case I haven't mentioned before, I love to dance. Love love love to dance.

I danced for a while, went back to the group, talked a little more to the guy that was in town, and then tried to get everyone to dance with me. I had been told this new guy loved to dance, about just as much as me. So if anything we would enjoy a good dance break together.

It was fun being out on the dance floor, and after a while the party sort of split up, people going their own ways.

At that point, I was ready to go home...seeing as though it was well past my 10pm bedtime. But my friend P. convinced me to stay saying her friend was interested in me.

I never really believe it when someone says that, but it was worth it to stick around and see if maybe he truly was.

I found him, and we started talking and i couldn't help but be drawn to his character. He's so genuinely nice, that I again found myself smiling, a lot.

He left for a minute and my friend P. said she knew we would get along and the great thing about him, was that he was 28 and getting divorced too.

I couldn't believe it...he came back to the table and P. told him about my situation and how we were in the same boat.

I've never felt so relieved and comforted knowing there was someone else who would completely understand what I have been going through.

And thus began a whirlwind of a weekend in which I fell for this guy, whom I will refer to as Bear from this point forward.

Bear and I, we are very much alike. And now he's back home many miles away, but I'm hoping there will be more to this story...there is already so much more I haven't shared.

But I do believe he is in my life for a reason, whatever that reason may be I will find out.

Days Like Today...

There is nothing more that I love than spending time with my friends and family. Take today for example, I woke up early and trained with my two girlfriends in the park.

At 7:15 in the morning, the park is peaceful, beautiful, and absolutely perfect to do a workout in. Following that I went home spent some time with my dogs, talked with my mom, then headed on my way to my sister's to play with my niece.

In all honesty, there is nothing that makes me happier than days like today. These are the days I look forward to. These are the days that keep me smiling. I hope you all have days like these that do the same.

Derek...

Sometimes I hear a song, watch a movie, read a book, and am totally inspired. To go on an adventure, turn my life around, try something new, approach life differently.

This week was no different. My brother in law introduced me to a show created by Ricky Gervais...Derek. And really the show is about kindness. Someone who is so pure and kind and does not have a bad bone in his body. I found myself crying during some of the episodes.

It's pretty amazing when something, like a TV show,can touch you in a way you didn't even expect.

I know I am a kind person, but this show inspired me to be even better, to be kinder, and to continue to be happy. I believe kindness and happiness are the meaning of life. 

Got in the Way...

Honestly, I have been meaning to write a post for some time now. And then life, as it does, got in the way.

It was those little moments that turn into one amazing memory called life that got in the way.

A letter from a dear friend in Ireland.

A date with someone I met at the Speed Dating event.

Going to a singles mixer.

A Friday night Fit Club, meeting new friends and being inspired to be the best version of me, which is something I have said continuously throughout the year.

A night out for a friend's birthday.

Dancing the night away.

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day...wearing green, drinking green, eating green.

Having brunch with two friends.

Working out...personal training appointments.

Work.

Talking with my best friend who lives too far away for my liking.

Seeing a friend for the first time since she left for a 7 month world traveling extravaganza.

Enjoying seeing friends from high school.

Going to the movies and seeing my best friend's husband's name in the credits.

Snuggling my 4 dogs.

Taking naps on my days off.

Finding out that my cousin's wife got into two great film schools. 

Seeing my niece's first dance recital.

You see it's all these simple little moments that got in the way. These little moments that will turn into one great big memory; that have made me look at life and think to myself how incredibly lucky I am. And how much I love my life.

Speed Dating...

I feel like it's been a while since I have posted something, but in reality it's only been a week. It could be possibly because I feel so much has gone on this last week, I almost don't know where to begin.

First, the 28th would have been my anniversary, but needless to say the day went by and I didn't feel all that sad. There were moments, of course, but overall it was a very uneventful day. In other words it was perfect.

Secondly, last night I went to a speed dating event. My girlfriend asked me a couple months ago to go with her, and well, at that time March 4th seemed so far away. But as it always does, time catches up and there it was, the day of our speed dating event.

I have to say the experience was something I had never, ever, encountered before. It was all surreal. The ladies sit on one side of the table and the guys have to go table to table. You have anywhere from 3-6 minutes with a "date" which means you have 3-6 minutes to learn all you can about someone.

At the end of the event, you choose your top guys and if you choose a guy who has also chosen you for his top pick, well then you have a match and you are given contact information. It just so happens I had 4 matches. And apparently, according to the dating service, I was popular amongst the guys, and they have asked me to join their Preferred Dater Club. Which either they send that to everyone, or I have just been asked to join the popular crowd...in any case the first thing that came through my mind when I saw my matches was as follows:

Hmmm, ok #1, was he the one who told me I looked like a body builder, or was he the one who roller blades for fun because his spiritual leader told him he needed to get more in touch with his body. Was #2  the guy who asked me if I ever tried guinea pig, because he loves to eat while in Peru as well as rabbit.  #3 he's got to be the one with a pet bunny, who's owned a total of 8 bunnies over the years. #4 could be the guy who started the date as if it were a business transaction or possibly the one who talked way too close for comfort. And any of them could have been the one who asked me what my favorite swear word was.

Yup....all of that happened. And even more. I do wish I could have videoed the whole experience as it was quite amusing and draw dropping. Would I do it again...probably not. But it was definitely worth it to do once in my life. I can also say I have completed another goal for 2013. Dating more. In fact, I had a total of 12 dates. So mission completed.