embrace it.

i'll leave this post simple. let me just say that i have a favorite word right now...as suggested by my title. "embrace". let me leave you to ponder the word, as you enjoy some weekend photos.

inevitable.

i have become my parents. not just my mother, not just my father - a combination of the two. the silly little quirks, sayings, habits...i see them in me. this is not a bad thing (and no, i am not just saying this because they are faithful readers of this blog). maybe others view these quirks as bad, not me. i smirk when i am reminded of my parents.

my boss and i have lately discussed our intrigue of children - more specifically, children as a product of their parents. its fascinating to see the unique combination of traits that a child acquires from their mother and father, and how different two children from the same parents can be. this child, for example:

i see so much of kate, yet so much of adam. he is young, so i hate to label him prematurely. then there's these two:

okay, maybe not the best picture - though not bad either. greta (the 7-year-old on the left): sweet, sensitive, shy at first, smart, school-loving (just to continue with my "s" theme). elizabeth (the 4-year-old on right): sneaky, funny, pushes the envelope (as much as a 4-year-old can), night owl, observant (especially of shoes). not necessarily "opposites", but just very different from each other.

these are the types of things that are analyzed by my boss and i on our lunch breaks, drives from project to project, and while working in the office.

last days of summer.

it technically is still summer, even though most of us have returned to our lives of work, school, and busyness. for many of us, summer is just a change in temperature and not a change in work hours. for the more fortunate (my sister, my brother-in-law) it means a 2 1/2 month vacation...paid. i took the advantage of the beautiful weather of today to go kayaking. unfortunately yet again, i didn't get kayaking as much as i would have liked - and i wouldn't consider my jamaica kayaking a good example. it became more of a rescue (me trying to rescue my mom and dad who tipped and then struggled to get back in their kayak) and then me being the rescuee (in trying to paddle myself with my mom in the water holding onto the back, we drifted into the rocks after making little progress). i have a scar to prove it.

back to my northeast new jersey roots, i took on the ramapo river/pompton lake. a peaceful afternoon. a few others had the same idea - men on their fishing boats, other kayakers, a few swimmers. not sure i would make that venture...swimming in those waters.

i'd like to go back to this very spot in a month or so, to see the change in colors. i will have to dress appropriately of course, but i think the experience will be worth it. some more photos for your enjoyment. the photo of the canadian geese in the water is not a reflection of my appreciation or admiration of the creature, rather a demonstration of how intimidating and scary these animals are when you are at the same level as them. don't they look huge? oh and just to note, the last one has nothing to do with kayaking. it is a photo of my grandmother's (mama) neighbors house. i went there to water her plants while she was away, and was pleasantly surprised by the wedding decorations of this peruvian household. (and in case you don't know me, i am not being sarcastic - i enjoy the difference in cultures).

moving out, moving in.

after three years (to this very weekend) of living in a house in a town neighboring my "hometown", i spent my labor day weekend moving back into my parents home. for some, such a move could be the epitome of failure. i've been too distracted to analyze it for myself yet. though events in life can never be defined so simply - there are always pro's along with the con's.

this weekend, strangely enough, had many reminders for me of college. maybe its the time of year - seeing all of the college kids go back to school. maybe its all of the moving i did - clothes, decor, appliances...in and out of boxes and plastic tubs. maybe its being separate from most of my new jersey family - most of them are vacationing in cape cod (no guys, this is by no means my way of making you feel guilty - i had my opportunity to join you). nonetheless, i have this strange "craving" for college life. i'm sure that if someone dropped me in the middle of a college campus, i'd quickly long for my life now as i know it. the grass is always greener on the other side.

what is so appealing about college, or the beginning of school? (sadly, i have moments of envy at my sister and brother-in-law returning to teach, and for greta and elizabeth to resume their education) i think it is that feeling of starting all over - a new year, a fresh start. the work world has showed me more of circular cycle. no real beginning or end. the new year (now referring to the transition from december 31st to january 1st) is too typical, characterized by resolutions and goals. i shall pick my own random date - to give me that sense of "going back to school", even though i never graduate or complete a level. july 30th. that was my first day on my new/current job. july 30th of every year can be a new work year, a fresh start.

an old picture, you'll have to forgive me. but because of the time of year (okay, not quite apple picking season), and because of my being reminded of college, a picture of me with two of my dear college house/roommates.