Thankful Tuesday

I'm big on counting my blessings. All the little details that make everyday special. Particularly with this deployment I have learned to embrace a lot of the little happiness of the monotony of everyday.

1. This week I got to Skype with C. It started off with a ton of different technical issues from his end and we almost gave up, but then we tried one more time and it worked! It was one of those cliche moments where both of us just burst into happy tears. It was absolutely incredible.

2. I have been working hard at Crossfit, and I'm grateful for a healthy body. I'm excited to work hard and see how much my body will change throughout this process.

3. I'm so thankful for this weather! It's starting to get chilly in the mornings so when I walk to class it's the slightest bit too cold without a sweater but we haven't completely gotten rid of the summer warmth that creeps up by 10. It's the best of both worlds.

4. I love emails from C. Sure they aren't as quick as I would like (But lets face it, I would want him to reply instantly and then never stop) but it's been so exciting getting emails from him describing this new place. Something about seeing the person you love adapting well is so gratifying no?

5. I'm excited for looking forward to the weekend. It's my best friend's 21st birthday and we can't wait. Getting dress up, sipping on wine (or in her case, Coca-Cola and rum) and seeing our sorority sisters. It's perfect.

6. I'm always grateful for this person, but I'm particular grateful that my Mom made me Tomato and Squash soup for the week. She makes it from scratch and it's what good dreams are made of. Haha.

7. Last but certainly not least, I'm grateful that time keeps doing its thing. We are already 10 days-ish into deployment! A week into this semester. Things are certainly moving forward.

What blessing are you counting this week?

on crossfit

I am two "On-Ramp" classes into Crossfit thus far. Holy moly, this stuff  is hard. I mean after my first work-out which was only about eight minutes long, I was sore. I mean walking up hills and stairs was pretty darn painful. In these On-Ramp classes, I'm learning the proper Olympic weight lifting techniques and other Crossfit movements. (Which mind you are also gymnastic based) I have literally never been able to do a handstand in my entire life. Apparently though, I should be able to in a few months... along with "Hand Stand push-ups." What?! I have two more classes this week before I can do the regular WODs.
Okay, so I realize this sounds like I am never going to make it to the WODs but I am truly enjoying the burn. Don't get me wrong, this is definitely not easy but at the same time it's so challenging that it keeps me motivated to get better. I can already feel my body changing, but maybe I'm just psyching myself out about it. But this Crossfit business is a keeper.
After I come home from Crossfit I generally just follow it with a green smoothie with coconut water. I will share a recipe soon. These aren't nearly as gross as they sound.I even got my 13 year old sister to try them and she loved it. Anyway, back to Crossfit. All the ladies here at this box have some of the most killer bodies that I have ever seen. Isn't that motivation enough to keep going? C has been looking at the WODs from this box and doing the same workouts so we can email each other about these workouts. It's so fun.
I can't wait to share more of my Crossfit journey with you all.

a rainy day

This summer has been overwhelmingly rainy here in Georgia. I remember when I was visiting C in Texas and how despite the hot weather I was grateful I got away from the monsoon we have been experiencing in Georgia! Although yesterday it seemed like the entire universe was participating in how dull I felt, between missing C's phone call and just simply missing him I was pretty bummed. But I made sure to not sit at my parent's house and wallow, SO I decided during my "Desperate Housewives" marathon that something needed to be done to shake off this funk. Monday marks the beginning of my last fall semester as an undergrad student, so naturally I went back-to-school shopping at target. Retail therapy anyone? I could literally write an entire dissertation on the awesomeness that is target. 

 Something is perfectly right about the world when it rains and you have a floral raincoat isn't it? I've been looking for pretty raincoats for a long time (this one is my sisters.) Seriously tell me if you guys know where to find one.

I adore these pictures above, because they one of the few super clear ones of my engagement right. On the day C proposed (Aug 9, 2013) he took me this cute little place in town called "Mug Me" where you can paint your own pottery and they stick it in the kiln for you. He said, "How fun would it be to have our little mugs while I'm gone?!" So I went with it. The owner at Mug Me, who was also a teacher of C's while he was in college was gracious enough to write the date at the bottom of the mugs since he quietly confessed to her his proposal plans for the night. I've painted other pottery here before, but this one was my absolute favorite! His mug turned out much better than mine, even though during the process I teased him. They didn't come back in time for him to take with him on his deployment, but I plan to pour my tea into his mug. It's the little things. 

Little moments are the best things aren't they? Walking in the rain, floral raincoats and C's mug for tea. 

deployment bucket list

One of the biggest thing I've learned from the army is learning to take every situation with a spoonful of sugar. C always teases me about my unceasing optimism but it really is a blessing. I'm also a big list maker. I love crossing off little tasks off my to-do lists so I thought what better way to get through this deployment than make a little to accomplish list.

1. Eat clean. I've been meaning to go mostly vegan for years now. I'm going to try my hand at this over the next nine months. I hope to share a few recipes on this little thing.

2. C is getting my crossfit. It's something I've wanted to get into for a very long time. Recently a crossfit gym has opened up in my little college town. We are planning to do the same WODs each day, obviously for him while he's in another continent. ;)

3. It's my last year of undergrad...going for all A's!

4. C and I bought Project Life so I plan to keep up with that.

5. Save money.

6. Read atleast three books.

7. Run some sort of a competitive race.

8. Stay optimistic and positive.

9. Focus on adventure.

Hoping for a swift and positive deployment.

on deployment

The season is upon us. Deployment. I remember when we first started dating almost four years ago, I wouldn't even say that word out loud. My girlfriends would always tease me about my dread of the word but somehow I got over that through the years. We overcame many obstacles over the years being in a long distance relationship and when we finally officially commissioned lo and behold he got stationed across the country. Once we got in the groove of things we got word that he was up for deployment for 9 months. 

This may sound silly but I already have various little white boards in my apartment with a countdown that reads "274ish days till deployment is OVER!" C has been my rock through all this, and we know that we got this. 274ish days is a long time but at the same time its a minor bump through the rest of our lives. When I get to wishing through times like this, I wonder if I would really like to end up with a man with a tradition 8-5 job? But then I remember all the things I am because of the army, I mean I am a stronger woman and our relationship has stood trials that most civilian relationships don't face. C wouldn't be the man he is without the Army. So I've realized that I wouldn't have it ANY other way. 

I have a long list of things I want to accomplish before C is home again, for good, for a while. I'll share my deployment bucket list soon. My moto through these next 274ish days is that I can't do this but I'm going to do it anyway. Missing the person you love is something that isn't the easiest thing in the world but I've learned that perception is everything. Mind over matter. Constantly. 

Here's to a swift 9 months of separation. And a lifetime of togetherness. 

-Nisha