SUPER LATE

Yes, I know I haven't posted in a while.  Truthfully, I have had the time but didn't really know what I wanted to say.  I'm pretty sure by now you grow weary of my "OMG outdoors mentality"  Can't help it.  I'm a bit of a hippie at heart.  I love being outside with the sun on my skin wandering by boat or land.  I guess its the explorer in me. Anyways, this past week was pretty special, my parents had their 27th wedding anniversary.  I know what you are thinking: Dang, they are old.  You wouldn't be exactly wrong, but hey at least they still look good.  All joking aside, I am so amazed by them and their unyielding commitment to each other.  A lot of people can't stay married more than a few months (looking at you Kim Kardashian), but somehow they have managed to stay together.  They are vastly different.  My dad is like fire ready to go in guns blazing, while my mom is more peaceful like a river.  Despite all of their differences, they have never stopped loving and sacrificing for each other.  They are a huge inspiration to me and what I consider my model for marriage.  Thanks mom and dad for your example and unyielding love for one another and us.  I love you.

In other news,this past weekend was awesome.  First, it was a long weekend (yay, no work).  Second, I got to spend a vast majority of the weekend you guesses it outside.  Saturday I got to spend some time with my family out at my aunt's lake house.  Other than just general relaxing,  my aunt and I went kayaking around the lake together.  It was pretty great, especially since I don't get to see her as much.  Sunday, Rory and I went and played in the creek together near our house.  He loves the water, but only if his feet can still touch the ground.  We will need to work on that.  Monday(memorial day) was quite possibly the best day ever!  

Rory and I woke up early (we are pretty much up early everyday) and went for a hike together on Rainbow mountain.  It was really nice since it was just us exploring the trails.  Plus we got to watch the sunrise over the Valley.  The only negative was that since no one else had been there yet, I literally walked into every spider web on the trail....they are like ninjas.  Later that day, I got to go kayaking with Donnie.  We had to share a tandem kayak but it was really fun and relaxing.  And we got free shirts!  Overall, everything has been pretty great.  After college, I'm finally getting to do the things I enjoy doing without being stressed out.  I think that's the greatest thing about the real world, finding out what you are passionate about.  For me, it will always be the outdoors.  So get outside and enjoy the little things.

P.S.  If anyone would like to donate to the "Chelsea needs a kayak fund," please let me know.  I accept checks, cash, and money orders.  Peace.

Outdoors and More

This past week has been pretty great; the weekend especially.  Kat was able to come up and hang out this weekend.  Plus got to see some amazing friends as well when we went kayaking on the Flint River.  To say I have the kayaking bug is an extreme understatement.  As many as you know I have been wanting a kayak for awhile and after this weekend I have been doing more research and price gauging.  Sadly, it may be a little while before I can afford the kayak.  If anyone is willing to donate to the "Chelsea Kayak Fund", please make all checks payable to Chelsea Nazareitan.

On top of the kayaking trip this weekend, I was go to journey to Guntersville with Rory while we dropped Kat off.  We enjoy a jog around the lake as well as playing the water.  Needless to say, Rory was confused at first about the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks.  He enjoyed playing in the water like a typical lab.  The more and more I think about it I am so thankful for Rory.  Not only to have somebody to go on adventures with but someone to keep me sane.  Being at the apartment by myself would drive me bananas.  Which is why when the weather is decent, Rory and I are outside hiking, swimming, or walking around research park. 

To complete my awesome outdoorsy week, Rory and I hiked Rainbow mountain together.  Sure, I had to carry him a little and believe me carry an extra 60 pounds up the mountain is on easy task.  He did pretty well.  A bit more work and he will be ready for a greater distance.  If you haven't guessed I love the outdoors and all the freedom and peace that comes with it.

This next week, Kristin has talked me into working out in the morning.  We will see how long this lasts.  Anyways, get outside, find something you love, and enjoy the little things.  Peace.

----------

It never ceases to amaze me how many people read this blog and get onto me for not posting (sure, it's mostly family).  Anyways, to everyone who continues to actively read my ramblings thank you.  It didn't feel right posting last week.  It has been a rough couple of weeks for the Nazaretian family.  Dealing with loss is never easy and if more so if it someone close to you.  I never know what I could possibly say to ease the pain and maybe there isn't anything I can do except be there.  I'm not exactly a good comforter.  From the limited time, I knew MeeMaw, Betty Nazaretian, I knew how much she was cherished by her family.  She was a beloved grandmother, mother, spouse, and friend and her influence touched many people's lives.  No matter if we lose something they continue to affect our everyday lives based on the legacy they leave behind and I know that MeeMaw left behind an enormous legacy.  I think about Ryan and his kindness, love, and passion for his work and I can see her in him.  She was such an inspiration to him and a constant encouragement throughout his life.  While she will be missed, she will continue to live on in our hearts and memories.

 I remember Clinton always saying in youth group, on your tombstone you have a beginning and an ending date, but there is dash in between.  How would you want to live your life?  It seems to be a constant question:  Who am I?  What do I want to be?  Honestly, sometimes I feel like I don't even know myself; I'm just me.  Maybe this is what I will focus on this month: me.  Where have I been and where am I going?  I'm not going to figure it out overnight, but maybe this month I'm going to focus on being a better me (although am I pretty awesome already).  In other news, this week had some very exciting things happening.  Bruce and Hilary Groves welecomed a beautiful baby girl, Lily, into the world.  I got to keep Zoey while Hilary was in labor and man let me know you that was rough.  When you have to talk to customers all day and you have a 3 year old wanting you to play with her, it can be tough to be productive.  I also got to hold, Lily, and let me tell you I was super nervous; she was just so tiny.

Kind of creepy that one day, I'll have kids....I'm going to let you contemplate that.  They may be slightly destructive but hey at least they will look good :)  Anyways, starting next week Couch to 5K training begins again and I talked Kristin into doing it with me.  We will see how long we last...Get outside, enjoy life and remember live each day to the fullest.  Enjoy the little things.

Random babble

April 22

I know I missed last week, but it is ok, America, I'm back!  To make up my lack of post last week, I'm going to try and make this a longer one.  No promises.  Most days I have the attention span of a Rory and if you know what that means it about...oh wait is that a bird?  Anyways, the past week was extremely busy.  For one, I moved into my new apartment.  3 bedroom, 2 bath place; lots of space for Rory and me and visitors *cough,Starkville peeps,cough*  Most of the stuff I manged to moved in by myself.  I mean I know I'm super awesome and all but I'm not Superman so I had some great guys help me move the bigger stuff.  Extremely thankful for Bruce and David.  Now that I have this new place, it kind of makes me feel like starting over.  If you know me, you know I love HGTV.  Unfortunately, I have no sense of style or how to make my apartment more homey.  So as of right now, it's pretty much looking like a bachelor pad but you know clean.  Maybe part of it is I don't want to make decisions without Ryan but I think the biggest part is I have no idea where to begin.  I mean I'm on pinterest all the time (thanks Kristin) but I just can't make the jump.  Oh well,  maybe one day I'll nail something down.  Until then I have a couch and a tv so I'm set.  In the past week, I also got in a fender bender its ok the Element held strong...the other guy may need a new bumper.  You know those random quizzes on Buzzfeed that seem to spam your facebook wall?  Well for whatever reason I have been taking a lot of those mainly due to extreme boredom.  What have I learned?  Well, for one thing I am apparently am very hippie-ish.  Which is kind of random, if you know how I feel about justice and honor.  For one thing, I hold honor very high.  Honor to oneselves, honor to your family, etc.  I hold someone at their word, because "a man is only as good as his word."  So I guess the only thing that really makes me a hippie is my love for the outdoors and the freedom associated with it.  I love just laying down in the grass, feeling the sun on my face and I love standing on top of a mountain and gazing out for miles and just seeing the sun peak out over the valley.  I know this post doesn't really have a lot of substance, but maybe you'll get a little more insight into me.  I'm a law-loving hippie with a short attention span and maybe that's all I need to be for the moment.

Packing and junk

April 8th

I'm going to be up front with you guys this is going to be a rather short post.  I'm in the process of packing all my crap since I'll be moving into my new apartment on Friday.  We are talking about an upgrade! 3 bedroom apartment.  (Hint: This means I have a spare bedroom for people who want to come visit.....you know who you are!)  I'm so over packing/moving in general.  I have pretty much moved every year since graduating high school.  I'm most def ready to settle down a bit, which means waiting for Ryan to wrap up school before that happens.  Super excited about T.J. coming up here; going to whip him into shape.  Another workout buddy! Other than that, I have a new found love with board games.  Betrayal at the House on the Hill is so much fun, so going to be making some more board game purchases in the future.  Other than that, get outside, live life, and enjoy the little things.

April

April 2

I know what you are wondering what is the theme for this month.  Truth is I haven't really thought about one.  Sure I could do something like "it's spring and stuff, let's go outside" but I already do that.  I mean going running with my dog after work (I use the term running very VERY loosely) and workout at the gym.  Maybe this month won't have a theme, maybe it will just be a "wing it" month.  New in the life of Chelsea Nazaretian:

1. Finally changed my name to Chelsea Nazaretian (such a hassle, still trying to get everything switched over)
2. Burpee Challenge started - Shout out to Megan (Bobble) Anderson on this one
3. Redoing couch to 5k training

And I guess that's pretty much it.  Except this past weekend Kristin and I went to comic con where we "met" Matt Smith, my 11th doctor.  Never been to a comic con before so it was most def a new experience.  I loved walking around all the booths, looking at the cosplays, and most importantly being surrounded by my fellow nerds and not being the nerdiest of the all.  I'm going to have to go to another one.  It's looking like I may get my stalker on in ATL, since Nathan Fillion will be there plus some awesome characters from the Walking Dead.  I guess another goal of this month, is to do more hikes.  There are several trails around Huntsville I have yet to explore.  Zip-lining and kayaking are on up there on my list as well.  I love being outdoors.  I guess it's kind of hard to describe, but when I'm hiking or running it's just extremely freeing.  It's just me and in a sense its very calming.  I push myself and explore new places and just to be released from the stresses of the week.  So get out and enjoy the warmer weather.  Try something new and find someone to enjoy the journey with.

For Suzanne

This week has quite possibly been one of the hardest ones I have had to endure.  This week, I have had to say goodbye for the last time to one of the greatest women I have ever known.  She was like a second mother to me, always full of encouragement, advice, and laughter.  She fought and endured and was a perfect example of what a Godly woman should be.  She was always willing to sit and down and listen to every thing you had to say and offer up encouragement.  But rather than focus on loss, I want to celebrate life.  So this post, I decided to share some of my favorite memories of Suzanne Higgs and celebrate her life.

Pretty much since I can remember, Suzanne was always the devious one with always trying to play matchmaker.  Granted most of the time she knew who I had my eye on at the time, but she was always trying to set me up with one of the boys from church.  Let's see there was John, Joe, and Michael that she encouraged me towards, most likely within the same week.  She was always one to give relationship advice and you could always approach her with whatever probley you happened to have.

Suzanne constantly planned parties, whether it be for Halloween, Christmas, or even a celebration of her own creation the mother-daughter banquet.  Every year, up until I moved away, I would help her in all her prep work along side Amanda and Chelsea.  Amanda and I would have music playing and were constantly belting Broadway songs at the top of our lungs and Suzanne would just laugh at our antics and dramatic flair.  She would also gives us hints on how to flirt with the servers.  (I'm telling you always playing matchmaker!)

I think quite possibly one of my favorite memories is when we would go out on "Chicklets" outings (basically the GA's group).  Suzanne setup anywhere to photo scavenger hunts to dares that had to be preformed in public places.  Her scavenger hunts always had the goofiest pictures we had to take.  I think the funniest one we had to do was "Take a picture with a hot guy".  Of course she was in my group and I got talked into walking up to a "hot guy" and ask him if he would take his picture with us.  If anything it helped me get over my shyness, cause I was in it to win it!  As for the dares in public places....I think we were in high school where we randomly had to draw a piece of paper out a hat which held our dare.  They were always hilarious like acting like a small child in the children's section, or standing in front of some awkward books and bust out into song  .

There are so many memories I have of Suzanne I can't even begin to express them all.  If there was any one thing she taught me, was to live each day to the fullest and have a day filled with love and laughter.  And that's exactly how she lived her life; making each and every moment count.  We said goodbye to an amazing woman today, but heaven gained a magnificent angel.  Suzanne, I love you and will miss you.  Save me a seat in the altos section; I'll be seeing you again.