The Only Real Way to Live

Drinking Costa Rican coffee out a mug from Hong Kong...... This can only mean a few things.... my heart longs to be traveling again and I live with Erin Zimmerman.  (She went to High School in Hong Kong so our house adorns lovely things from there)

I was speaking with Matt Hohler two days ago and he reminded me that we were just a few days away from our year anniversary of arriving in Honduras. What a sweet reminder that is.....

You may ask what I have been up too since it has been a long time (20 days since I last posted) well lets just say a lot. Here is a mini recap.....

 For the past three weekends I was up in the Mountains (a common phrase we use in Colorado to reference getting out of the city). I spent a weekend in Silverthorne near Lake Dillon on a staff retreat (I am on staff in the Athletic Department at Colorado Christian University) Gearing up for our new school year and preparing our athletic coaches for what is to come. Following that weekend I drove back up to spend the weekend in Vail with my friends. Leaving on Friday we rented a condo for the weekend, laid by the pool, grilled out, stayed up late playing games, rode the gondola at sunset, spotted moose and went out on the town for one of our last summer hurrahs. A short four days after that,  I left with the entire Athletic Staff and Athletes to spend the weekend in Buena Vista for our Annual Athletes Retreat. The weekend marks the beginning of a new school year and gives athletes the opportunity to get to know each other and bond before their seasons start. It was a beautiful weekend.....

So alas this weekend... and at this very moment I am sitting on my porch. Taking this Friday off and drinking my coffee, just as the sky turns blue at 6:31 am this morning. As I mentioned before my 20 things list is slowly getting checked off and one of them is reading the book, 1000 Gifts, with my mom. In light of reading this book I thought I would list a few things I am grateful for these days...... (mom and I are going to finish and discuss when I am back in Kentucky next week eekkk)

Grateful for.......

• This front porch, with a creaky rod iron railing and two plastic chairs that are sat on more than any other piece of furniture in our house.
• For four hour old babies, that look at the world with eyes of wonder
• For a dear friend who was strong and brave and brought that sweet little girl, Story Rose,  into the world
• For friends who decide to run half marathons with you and encourage you on long training runs.
• For plane flights that are able to bring my best friend from 1st grade to Colorado in October for one whole week ....... oh and did I mention she is running the half marathon too (yay Christie Lee)
• For babies in offices that crawl all over the floor and wont sit still on your lap while you try and get work done
• For neighbors who move in next door, who you share life with, a glass of wine and a beer on a Thursday night
• For chalky hands after an intense crossfit workout, that always amazes me I complete
• For yoga communities that I will be joining 
• For photos of new houses from my sister and parents
• For short timelines (1 week till I am back in Kentucky)
• For the promise that living where you are the best you can is the only way to really live at all
• For celebrations of life commitments, Kylie my roommate from Honduras engaged to ShepGoggles (His instagram name I think is funny), Stephanie Riley best friend since middle school engaged to be wed in Guatemala...... So much to look forward to next year.
• For crispy cool mornings 
• Sunrises on runs over Washington park
• Newly mopped hardwood floors 
• Sharing stories about Honduras with others
• Keeping stories to myself inside and reliving them
• For water bottle holders that make it possible to bike with a bottle of wine in tow
• Tears that fall at inappropriate times that take me straight back to that place down South called Honduras
• For talented friends that create art with oil and paints to capture one of my favorite places in the world.

Buena Vista, Colorado Driving past Collegiate Peaks to get coffee in town

Painting of Lago De Yojoa done by the very talented Vinnie Harriety 

Biking to Washington Park with Wine for Jess's Birthday

Vail Racquet Club, Colorado with friends

Late Night training runs with Headlamps in the dark. 

Myself, Stephanie and her now Fiance (Last October when they came to visit in Honduras) 

Born August 15, 2013 at 10:31 Story Rose O'Rourke

Newly Engaged to be wed, Kylie (Rooms from Honduras) and her fiance Shep

My view yesterday morning running from my house....

"You sound, so American"

"You sound so American!" Faye said.... I quickly replied, "You sound so English." Yesterday morning I had the joy of skyping with my dear former roommate Faye. We played a quick game of catch up, decided we waited entirely way too long to speak and that we should speak more frequently. She is back home in England currently deciding between Mexico and the Dominican Republic for her next teaching job. While she is deciding her next adventure, I sipped my tea and in a few moments time got in my car to commute to my new job. All the while my heart longed too for such a grand adventure as she, living simply and loving on kids abroad again.......

But alas I started my new job. While most jobs during the first week would include long hours of training and boring introductory sessions, I can say mine was nothing of that. It was almost as though I walked right back into where things left off. I am on staff in the Athletic Department at Colorado Christian University, where I was formerly on student staff three years ago. It feels so good to be back in this office, back in the group of people I know quite well and in Colorado. My boss kindly told one of the baseball players who was giving me grief Tuesday, "Be nice to her, I waited four years to get her back." I smiled. I am so grateful for my job and for people that welcome me back with open arms.

As I have mentioned countless times before on my blog, I am in the process of completing my 20 things. I previously shared about my pie making but I can now partially check off #1 on my list. My mom and I have started reading the book, One Thousand Gifts. The book is an honest reflection on a "Dare to live Fully Right Where You Are." While I am driving to work my mom and I discuss the book. It has already proven to be a tremendous blessing. I am so glad I included this on my list of to dos.

One of my very favorite quotes from the book, I read just before I taught my first yoga class in Costa Rica....

"“Being in a hurry. Getting to the next thing without fully entering the thing in front of me. I cannot think of a single advantage I've ever gained from being in a hurry. But a thousand broken and missed things, tens of thousands, lie in the wake of all the rushing.... Through all that haste I thought I was making up time. It turns out I was throwing it away.”  ― Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

So while I am in no hurry for much of anything these days, I am soaking up every second of the day. Taking it as it comes and finding joy in even the most minute of things. I am grateful for a heart that remembers....... That smiles thinking about late nights dancing on the docks over the Caribbean ocean on the island of Utila during Semana Santa. (pictures below).

So Happy Friday to you today...... Here's to remembering and living through every moment..

As well my roommate made a video of our time in Honduras.... Click HERE TO WATCH.

Apple Pie Amazzzingness

I just got the sweetest message from our neighbor across the street...... "The apple pie was amazing. We haven't had apple pie that good in decades!"

So grateful for her kind words. If she only knew it was my first one too. I thought what better way to meet the neighbors, then offer them homemade apple pie. I am so glad that they enjoyed it. And even more flattered that they so kindly complimented it.

As for the Cherry Pie.....Unfortunately the oven after 20 minutes or so was acting funky so I had to take  the pie out.  Long story short, once the oven was good to go and I put the cherry pie back in the oven, the crust got soggy and gross so I had to dump it. (1/1 I will take it).

So that leaves now 3 pies left to do.... but it is less intimidating now, that my pie crust worked well. (Coconut Creme, Pumpkin, Pecan are left). So much fun, and even better to share.....

As for the rest of my weekend... This morning I woke up with no alarm clock..... made some tea and sat on the front porch eating my breakfast. I got a virtual tour of my sisters new house via computer and was able to see what an incredible job they have done. Thank you technology.

Shortly after throwing in a load of laundry, my roommate and I decided to go on a run..... Our half marathon training has begun, (much to my disgust), so we thought we would go for an easy 2 mile ish run. Running has proved to be a much harder adjustment for me living back at the mile high city. (lungs yikes). We got our music play lists all ready and took off, waving goodbye to our roommate as she and her boyfriend prepped for their bike ride. (I laughed at how active our house is before 10 am).

Erin and I ran to Wash Perk, a neighborhood coffee shop/community gathering place that has stacks of magazines, newspapers, pastries, gluten free goodies, homemade ice cream, watering station for dogs anything you could desire..... its one of my many happy places in Colorado. Erin and I read the paper sipped our drinks and walked back home with our drinks in hand.

I later spent my afternoon riding my bike to complete some errands (a self imposed no driving afternoon). The sun was out it was really nice.

While standing in the front yard tonight meeting my neighbors, a moment passed and it took me right back to Honduras. Their son, who I figured was about 8 or 9 years old road by me on his scooter. I took one look at his face and saw my class. While their kids rode around on their bikes I couldn't help but wish so deeply for just one day in my class again. Just a few minutes even.

So while I am enjoying being back in the States, transitioning as best I know how and soaking up each second reuniting with friends, my heart still longs for that crappy apartment/house that leaked, my roommates and drinking rum with powder mixers, and of course my rotten little class.

Here's to hopefully more successful pies in my future.... and soaking up the last bit of summer left. And never forgetting that place down South....

Preparing the Apple Pie... Recipe Here. Homemade Crust Here

Cheery above without the top crust layer. Below was it with the full crust laid across.

Erin and I before our morning run.

Colorado days...

What do you do when you don't have to work? and all your friends are working? The following:

I have watched Sense and Sensibility (fantastic movie...to quote the movie "my heart is and always will be yours") while drinking tea, painting my nails and laying on the couch while it rained. Watched another ESPN 30 for 30.....Gone to Yoga in the mornings for a class and in the evenings Crossfit. Mopped our floors, did laundry, cleaned out boxes, read my book and drank endless cups of green tea.  Slept in, got up early. Cleaned my car.  I have walked at Washington Park, rode my bike to REI, met for coffee with dear friends and grilled out on the back porch.I also have been lucky to spend some time with my cousin David and his wife Samantha who just moved to Denver. They as well brought my second cousin, puppy Frank :) (Fingers crossed I will get to be pet sitting him when they head out of town.) The sunsets in Colorado have been incredible and it feels so nice to be back here...... (although I dearly miss my class).

But my last day of "Summer Break" as some have said to me ends today. I am excited to announce that on Monday I will be joining the Athletic Staff at Colorado Christian University. I will be working alongside the Athletic Director as an assistant. I am so grateful for the opportunity and to be back in sports.

But before reality begins I think today I may spend the day baking.... I am working on completing more of my 20 things.... I will be attempting two homemade pies.... Cherry and Apple. (Wish me luck, pray for me and I will let you know if I am successful).

Me on our front porch....

Below is the list if this is your first time visiting :) (Back story of my twenty things here)

20 THINGS In year 25 

1. Read One Thousand Gifts. (with my mom, more fun to read when you have someone to share things with).

3. Complete the Whole30 Challenge (Again)

4. Run a half Marathon October 20, 2013. 

5. Surf in Costa Rica (Disclaimer I surfed in Nicaragua). Close :)
6. Make cookies for my neighbors and deliver them. 

7. Visit an Orphanage at least once a month (whether I am in Honduras or anywhere)

December 1, 2012 San Pedro Sula,   December 8, 2012 Pena Blanca,  January 28, 2013 Pena Blanca,   February 10, 2013 Pena Blanca,   March  22, 2013 Pena Blanca,  April 1, 2013 Pena Blanca ,  June 4, 2013 Pena Blanca, .................(note I am struggling to find an orphanage in Denver that allows visitors and guests)

8. Go camping. Real camping not car camping. 

9. Make homemade sushi

10. Have a dance party

11. Pray everyday before I go to sleep

12. Go on a weekend trip with my sister away. A city, or even in our hometown. Just she and I

13. Ride my road bike for a 100 mile ride

14. Read four Jane Austen Novels (Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park) (Finished two... half way there)

15. Complete 30 days straight of yoga. Completed in January/February of this year

16. Officially kick my diet coke habit (lasted about 60 days in Honduras, got to let this one go.... I have now not had diet coke in now three weeks, which may seem like a small feat but if you lived with me you would know that this is a big deal.

17.  Learn to make pie crust, and make five homemade pies (Apple, Pumpkin, Coconut Creme, Cherry, Pecan) TODAY????

18. Drive a convertible (no stipulation on what kind of convertible)

19. Minimize my things, shrink my storage unit in Colorado, get rid of things. This is happening on Saturday June 13, 2013

20. Go Fly Fishing with my Dad.

Perhaps another year........

2. Get scuba certified in Utila (Honduran Bay Islands)(Not so sure this will happen, I decided to not get certified over spring break, but opted to relax and read my book) perhaps in the future.)

Happy Friday to you. Love Kristina

20 things in year 25

Last November I chose 20 things that wanted to complete in my 25th year of life... below is my update on my remaining things..... I have now signed up to run the Rock N Roll Half Marathon in Denver on October 20, 2013. Now I just need to lace up my shoes on this now yoga practicing body, that has not hit the pavement in (cough cough.... months).

Nothing really to update today except that I am  just feeling really grateful today. Even in the midst of so much unknown I am really overwhelmed by the many things that are happening and the so many things I have to look forward too. (Did I mention I land in Denver Colorado next Friday!) Not to mention I got to skype tonight with two of my very favorite people Matt Hohler and Jason Walker, while they are together in Ohio. Day maker right there. Beardy and all I miss them both very much. It was so fun to see two people I love very much together hanging out.....

Happy Monday to you.... Below is the 20 things list update (blue indicates it is complete). Cheers from my yoga shala to yours.....
(PS a post coming your way on strange poses we have been doing)

20 THINGS In year 25 

1. Read One Thousand Gifts. (with my mom, more fun to read when you have someone to share things with).

3. Complete the Whole30 Challenge (Again)

4. Run a half Marathon October 20, 2013. 

5. Surf in Costa Rica (Disclaimer I surfed in Nicaragua). Close :)
6. Make cookies for my neighbors and deliver them. 

7. Visit an Orphanage at least once a month (whether I am in Honduras or anywhere)

December 1, 2012 San Pedro Sula,   December 8, 2012 Pena Blanca,  January 28, 2013 Pena Blanca,   February 10, 2013 Pena Blanca,   March  22, 2013 Pena Blanca,  April 1, 2013 Pena Blanca ,  June 4, 2013 Pena Blanca

8. Go camping. Real camping not car camping. 

9. Make homemade sushi

10. Have a dance party

11. Pray everyday before I go to sleep

12. Go on a weekend trip with my sister away. A city, or even in our hometown. Just she and I

13. Ride my road bike for a 100 mile ride

14. Read four Jane Austen Novels (Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park) (Finished two... half way there)

15. Complete 30 days straight of yoga. Completed in January/February of this year

16. Officially kick my diet coke habit (lasted about 60 days in Honduras, got to let this one go.... I have now not had diet coke in now three weeks, which may seem like a small feat but if you lived with me you would know that this is a big deal.

17.  Learn to make pie crust, and make five homemade pies (Apple, Pumpkin, Coconut Creme, Cherry, Pecan)

18. Drive a convertible (no stipulation on what kind of convertible)

19. Minimize my things, shrink my storage unit in Colorado, get rid of things. This is happening on Saturday June 13, 2013

20. Go Fly Fishing with my Dad.

Perhaps another year........

2. Get scuba certified in Utila (Honduran Bay Islands)(Not so sure this will happen, I decided to not get certified over spring break, but opted to relax and read my book) perhaps in the future.)

Gentle Reminders. 20 Wishes Update

My kids were back. In full force. All personality. Lots of them much browner than before. Much like their teacher. (me) (Caribbean sun is good for anyone). To say I was running in the class to see them would be a lie. On top of feeling a bit homesick, and nostalgic because of the Louisville Cardinals, I would have loved to be home but not in my house in Pena Blanca but home home.....

All of my feelings aside the sweet faces of my kids sat in their desks and still need me. For only 10 more weeks left I am their teacher and in basketball terms, the ball is in my court and it's up to me to make the best of the rest of their second grade year. When you think about it..... Do you remember your second grade teacher? probably not. Maybe you remember a few things but most of us most likely do not. Will my kids remember me? Probably not.

But it none of that matters. What matters is that right now I am their teacher. I am responsible for building a foundation in them for education, for respect and most importantly for letting them know how much they matter in this great big world, how much the father loves them and that because he loved them first, I too love them....... So here's to loving my kids as best as I possibly can for the last ten weeks.....

As well I wanted to give an update on the 20 things I wanted to accomplish this coming year, my post here... more progress has been made... here is an updated list below... (although my roommate says I have not made much progress, I think it is a slow process.... remember I have until November, no need to accomplish it all at once)

Blue means it has been finished ;)

1. Read One Thousand Gifts. (with my mom, more fun to read when you have someone to share things with).

2. Get scuba certified in Utila (Honduran Bay Islands)(Not so sure this will happen, I decided to not get certified over spring break, but opted to relax and read my book) perhaps in the future.

3. Complete the Whole30 Challenge (Again)

4. Run a half Marathon 

5. Surf in Costa Rica

6. Make cookies for my neighbors and deliver them. (especially for the businesses in the building that we live in Honduras, The Chinese restaurant  the women's clothing store, the salon and the lawyers office. But see that I will most likely live in a few different places this coming year, I will repeat this one.)

7. Visit an Orphanage at least once a month (whether I am in Honduras or anywhere)

December 1, 2012 San Pedro Sula

December 8, 2012 Pena Blanca

January 28, 2013 Pena Blanca

February 10, 2013 Pena Blanca

March  22, 2013 Pena Blanca

April 1, 2013 Pena Blanca

8. Go camping. Real camping not car camping.

9. Make homemade sushi

10. Have a dance party.

11. Pray everyday before I go to sleep.

12. Go on a weekend trip with my sister away. A city, or even in our hometown. Just she and I.

13. Ride my road bike for a100 mile ride

14. Read four Jane Austen Novels (Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park)(Finished two... half way there)

15. Complete 30 days straight of yoga. 

16. Officially kick my diet coke habit (lasted about 60 days in Honduras, got to let this one go)Started now.... here we go. 

17.  Learn to make pie crust, and make five homemade pies (Apple, Pumpkin, Coconut Creme, Cherry, Pecan)

18. Drive a convertible (no stipulation on what kind of convertible)

19. Minimize my things, shrink my storage unit in Colorado, get rid of things.

20. Go Fly Fishing with my Dad.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

As well, I went to visit my buddy at the orphanage yesterday... still thinking how I can fit him in my suitcase... :) I just kept saying to Kylie, how could you have ever left them? Who could do that? Who could leave them? We both without an explanation sat in the gravel while the kids played with the rocks... Although I do not know their parents nor do I know their story, that led them to bring their children to this orphanage, I trust in a God that writes even grander stories than we could write even for ourselves.... what comfort we have in that.

This is him asking for my camera.... so he could take a picture...... that smile brings me to tears.

His sister... her eyelashes... my goodness...

Top 20 Checking Off

1. Read One Thousand Gifts. (with my mom, more fun to read when you have someone to share things with).

2. Get scuba certified in Utila (Honduran Bay Islands)

3. Complete the Whole30 Challenge (Again)

4. Run a half Marathon

5. Surf in Costa Rica

6. Make cookies for my neighbors and deliver them. (especially for the businesses in the building that we live in Honduras, The Chinese restaurant  the women's clothing store, the salon and the lawyers office. But see that I will most likely live in a few different places this coming year, I will repeat this one.)

7. Visit an Orphanage at least once a month (whether I am in Honduras or anywhere)

December 8, 2012

January

February

March

April 

May

June

July 

August

September

October

November

8. Go camping. Real camping not car camping.

9. Make homemade sushi

10. Have a dance party.

11. Pray everday before I go to sleep.

12. Go on a weekend trip with my sister away. A city, or even in our hometown. Just she and I.

13. Ride my road bike for a100 mile ride

14. Read four Jane Austen Novels (Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park)

15. Complete 30 days straight of yoga. 

16. Officially kick my diet coke habit (lasted about 60 days in honduras, got to let this one go)

17.  Learn to make pie crust, and make five homemade pies (Apple, Pumpkin, Coconut Creme, Cherry, Pecan)

18. Drive a convertible (no stipulation on what kind of convertible)

19. Minimize my things, shrink my storage unit in Colorado, get rid of things.

20. Go Fly Fishing with my Dad.

20 Wishes.

Stole this idea from here It is the idea that you create twenty wishes for yourself for the next year. I do not like the idea of limiting these things to the first of the year but would rather have it start on any random day. So here it is. (a bit tough to make a list when you are not sure what or where you will be in the next year but nonetheless ....I have created this list to complete in One year from today. December 4, 2012-December 3, 2013. Enjoy.....

1. Read One Thousand Gifts. (with my mom, more fun to read when you have someone to share things with).

2. Get scuba certified in Utila (Honduran Bay Islands)

3. Complete the Whole30 Challenge (Again)

4. Run a half Marathon

5. Surf in Costa Rica

6. Make cookies for my neighbors and deliver them. (especially for the businesses in the building that we live in Honduras, The Chinese restaurant  the women's clothing store, the salon and the lawyers office. But see that I will most likely live in a few different places this coming year, I will repeat this one.)

7. Visit an Orphanage at least once a month (whether I am in Honduras or anywhere)

8. Go camping. Real camping not car camping.

9. Make homemade sushi

10. Have a dance party.

11. Pray everday before I go to sleep.

12. Go on a weekend trip with my sister away. A city, or even in our hometown. Just she and I.

13. Ride my road bike for a100 mile ride

14. Read four Jane Austen Novels (Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park)

15. Complete 30 days straight of yoga. 

16. Officially kick my diet coke habit (lasted about 60 days in honduras, got to let this one go)

17.  Learn to make pie crust, and make five homemade pies (Apple, Pumpkin, Coconut Creme, Cherry, Pecan)

18. Drive a convertible (no stipulation on what kind of convertible)

19. Minimize my things, shrink my storage unit in Colorado, get rid of things.

20. Go Fly Fishing with my Dad.

Hope this finds you enjoying your Tuesday. Grateful to be in this place. To be surrounded by all that I have, to hold the sweet babies faces on Saturday and knowing that I am going home to my family next Sunday. As well the Scherms are officially moving back to Louisville this coming year. My parents are thrilled to be back in Kentuck (my sister and I as well). 

If I could add another number, number 21 it would be to Love well. To love everyone well, to respect others for who they are.

Happy Tuesday to you.... 

PS: Loving this song... thank you British roommates for sharing Ed Sheeran http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhHyZFiE5fQ