it was fun.

i'm sure that when i initially pulled this picture off the internet and drag-and-dropped it into my "port of ships" file on my desktop, it was meant to reference different events and memories from a different time. seemingly a lifetime ago.

well, today is the here and now and i still wouldn't trade them -- or the so many fantastic times i've had since.

i am a very lucky girl.

to singledom.

life is a funny thing. a year ago today, i experienced a blindside of a breakup. it shook me at my core, and forced me to re-think what i thought i was doing with my life. little did i know that it is exactly what i needed.

since my freshman year of college, i had never been truly alone. there was always a boyfriend, kinda-sorta boyfriend, someone i was "seeing," and most certainly,

someone i could run to when the going got tough, rely on for late night phone calls and cute instant messages. (yes, i'm reminiscing about AIM... flashback, i know.) even in relationship interludes, i had people i'd go back to, safety

nets that i would take advantage of out of a fear of being alone.

a year ago, i was not left with an option. and it was hard. there were a few really hard weeks. there had been no conversation, no trying to work things out, and quite frankly, no clear reason. it was just over. and he was gone. from that initial mentioning of the "b word" to moved out in essentially a week. all of a sudden, i was alone. and i didn't have a safety net, because he had always assured me that i would never need one, ever again.

now, i can not sit here and say that i have been the epitome of the independent, single woman through the past year. i have pursued relationships, taken advantage of friendships, and i have hurt. i have hated being alone. hated sleeping by myself after nearly three years of sharing a bed. hated not having a lap i can rest my head on, or someone to sit around a read with. it has been hard not having someone hold my hand before scary new cancer adventures, and after three years of cancer adventures together, it was terrifying heading into surgery without the person that was always there to kiss my forehead when i woke up.

obviously i have survived. and i will continue to do so. i have moved on in many ways. to think of the last year, the breakup seems to be eons ago. i have done so much on my own, and so much more with the support of my family and friends.

i was able to conquer the night before surgery. i was able to spend my summer at bearskin doing my dream job without conflict. i've been able to spend my money guilt-free. i've been able to watch as much stupid tv as i feel entitled to. i've been able to blast country music as loud as desired without judgement or complaints. i have more closet space.

so there. i can do it.

though, i still only use half of the bed.

maybe one day i'll scoot over to the boy's side of the bed, but hey -- maybe not.

i think that's ok too.

sidenote: not sure when this blog got so emo and personal, versus just me posting cute things that i want to buy. i'll have to work on that. apologies.

put on your floaties.

full.

i am a big fan of perspective.

often times life will indeed throw you the occasional curve ball, and we have got to try our best to work it all out.

is life always perfect? no. HELL no. but we will do our best to make it as grand as possible.

and let's be honest -- who wants a half-empty glass anyway?

that just sounds like left-overs.

chin up.

warning.

homegirl got herself dumped last night, so while i'm going to try and

keep the emo crap off of my precious blog, i cannot make any promises.

(please reference previous post for prime example of what the future may hold.)

the finish line.

smile at strangers.

i don't want to become one of those bloggers that simply posts images found on other websites and blogs, but to be perfectly honest, i kind of can't help myself. when i find things i love, i drag them into a file on my desktop that i frequently visit, causing me to smile.

so, now i will share. it is also a good quickie blogging option for a 8-hour-day "part-time" job gal like myself.

this is truly how i feel. and what i try and do every day. i may forget to dress my best as i run out the door to work, but the rest i make sure i do. everything from making eye contact with, greeting and thanking my bus driver to making sure that i am attentive i can be at work and home, and letting my mom know how much i love her, i try my best to live by these rules. i would say that it's a pretty good list to live by.

also, i think that you should listen to a guilty pleasure song on a daily basis.

an instant pick-me-up.

(because of my casual system, i have absolutely no idea where so many of these images come from,

meaning that i can not properly credit the artists. i apologize to all for that.)

sneak some zucchini onto your neighbor's porch day.

yes, it is a holiday, and yes, it is today.

i'll be leaving this yummy treat that i found on Martha Stewart's website, on my neighbors' porches:

• found on martha stewart.
• Zucchini Fritters
  
• 1 pound (about 2 medium) zucchini
  

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest (1 lemon) plus
• 1 lemon, cut into 8 wedges (optional)
• 10 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley, stems removed and leaves finely chopped, plus more sprigs for garnish (optional)
• 1 medium clove garlic, peeled and minced
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 to 4 tablespoons olive oil

1. Using the large holes of a box grater, grate zucchini into a medium bowl. Add the salt, lemon zest, chopped parsley, garlic, pepper, and eggs. Mix well to combine. Slowly add flour, stirring so no lumps form.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat until the oil sizzles when you drop a small amount of zucchini mixture into the pan. Carefully drop about 2 tablespoons zucchini mixture into pan; repeat, spacing fritters a few inches apart.
3. Cook fritters until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Lower heat to medium. Turn fritters, and continue cooking until golden, 2 to 3 minutes more. Transfer fritters to a plate; set aside in a warm place. Cook remaining zucchini mixture, adding more oil to pan if necessary. Garnish with parsley sprigs and lemon wedges, if desired; serve.

risk.

walk on the wild side today. just because you can.

bright side.

and if you're lucky, you'll learn from each and every one of them.