January 2023: I went snowshoeing and cross-country skiing with friends, once each. I completed a 50 mile walking challenge #somuchwalking, even though it was REALLY cold. I took Ezra up to Mission Ridge a few times. I made tacos for my family.
February 2023: We had a day that was warm enough to play disc golf. Ezra got new "chains" in addition to his braces and the adjustment to that was pretty painful. I hiked up Icicle River road with a friend and ate a veggie dog. I dropped off Tim at SeaTac and missed him for three weeks. I visited a friend in Portland, ate a Voodoo Donut, and took a city lights helicopter tour. 😯
I only have 13 photos on Instagram for two months. It's been a rough start to the year. It seems like the beginning of every year is difficult. Maybe I should experiment by spending January and February in the southern hemisphere sometime!
It's time for a quick #40before40 update since I have less than two months until my birthday.
18. Walk 40 miles in two weeks [✓over Christmas break]
19. Night ski on Mission Ridge chair two terrain [new this year]
20. Ride Amtrak Coast Starlight [with the observation car]
21. Ride in a helicopter for the first time [Portland city lights tour]
22. End my teaching career
#22 wasn't on my list from the beginning. It's not something fun to do before I turn 40, but it does seem like a mid-life thing to do. I decided to choose Elementary Education as a degree program when I was 18 years old. There are a lot of things humans probably shouldn't have to decide so early in life. Without oversharing, I'll just say that my degree has been useful and I'm so grateful for the years I spent homeschooling and for some of my classroom experiences. I'm glad I've been able to be so close to Peter and Ezra for the last five years, in the same building with them. It's time for a change, even though plenty of tears have been shed over this. I needed to make a hard decision, and that's what I did. Maybe #40 on my list will end up being "find a new dream job". If not, I'll just try to handle my mid-life crisis gracefully.
I'm so thankful for this blog. I often read through my posts, re-living the moments and appreciating this space for self-reflection. I don't always feel very grounded when life is stressful, and I'm hoping to soon find my place in this world and dig in with more passion and certainty.
Thank you for listening.
Here's to more adventures coming soon #springbreakinsingapore and more items to check off my list!! I've booked an ATV tour in Malaysia that I'm really excited about!! Stay tuned!! Cheers to a happier rest of 2023!
