Monday, October 22, 2012

I love you Texas, but...

I spent the first 18 years of my life enjoying the masterpiece that is the country state of TEXAS. I spent the following four years in Maryland defending my native country state. Finally, I've spent the past year in Ohio trying to hold on to my country's state's southern roots.

Let's face it. Texas has clear blue skies, bluebonnets, and George W. Bush. We are surrounded by Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, and New Mexico, so it's not like we have any competition (yep, I said it). We have guns, horses, and 6th Street. We have the oil industry, and our grandfathers still wear their cowboy boots (well, at least mine does). We still say yes ma'am, no sir, and bless your heart. To Texans belong the Cowboys, Texans, Longhorns, Aggies, Red Raiders, Baylor Bears, Rangers, Mavericks, Rockets, Spurs, Dynamo, and of course, the Bearkats. We can bask in the sun most months of the year, and there is no such thing as state income tax. I know my fellow Texans would love for me to continue, but unfortunately, I might be frustrating (due to jealousy) others.

Oh! One more thing: I forgot about Whataburger. Texas has Whataburger! Moving on...

In my personal opinion, there is only one problem with Texas. I only discovered it when I moved to Maryland, but Ohio and Montreal have continued to remind me. You see, my Texas family often reminds me of what I'm missing out on living in Ohio. Well, here's one for you, familia de Tejas!

Fall. 

Enjoy your brown leaves pine needles, 80-90 degree weather in October, and sweating underneath your Halloween costume while I'm making use of my fall wardrobe!













Oops, I forgot Tex-Mex. I can't forget to mention that Texas also has Tex-Mex.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Some Flying and A Birthday

I haven't blogged in awhile, but it's a good thing. I probably would have blogged sooner, but I was busy celebrating Max's birthday and Canadian Thanksgiving last weekend. Last week, I was exhausted...

because I'm FINALLY training again!

Trust me; it has been a slow progression. We started at 15 minutes of training solely in a straight body position, and I'm continuing to work toward 100% activity. I still have minor pain, but my improvement has been significant! The doctor even said that I am ahead of schedule. It hasn't been easy, but my disc is finally getting better. 


LA left on Saturday to head back home to Vancouver where she will be waiting on an open contract for Amaluna! Good luck, LA!


Juan, LA, and I 



Juan, me, Manu (our coach), and LA on LA's last day!



It's extra large because it's extra funny. This is a picture from our final presentation in jeu (acting). LA, Dima, and I were people-eating plants on an island. I just realized how weird that must sound, but at the time, it seemed completely normal. I guess that's what happens when you join the circus.

People think that *I'm* crazy for joining the circus. Well, have fun sitting at your desk while I'm getting paid to put on a blue spandex jump suit. Who's crazy now?!


My first connected saltos! The aren't normally entered into through a tucked mount, but my back hasn't allowed me to do pike mounts yet. 99% of people who read this won't understand that, so I have no idea why I'm getting so specific. Moving on.


Layout salto. Yes, I almost kicked him.


This would be my first attempt at a double front.  *Keerrrrr-SPLAT.* Hilarious.
OK, moving on from circus life. Max came to visit from last Thursday through Wednesday. He was supposed to leave on Tuesday, but his plane had mechanical problems so we got an extra day together, two free taxi coupons, and 5,000 points with Delta! Lucky me.

We had the best time while he was here!

Saturday was filled with shopping and walking. Sunday we spent some time at the Old Port and St. Catherine Street.




Max and I at Place des Arts on Saturday.



The Marie-Reine-du-Monde



Inside the church was beautiful!



There was beautiful art inside that I just *know* my Aunt Kiki would have loved. The lighting was terrible though.


Sunday was gorg. Perfect fall weather and my hubby by my side! 



Max and I at the Old Port


My favorite building in Montreal. It's on the other side of the river from the Old Port, but it is so unique. It looks like a game of Jenga.


How incredible are those leaves?! Being a Texan, where everything goes from green to brown in one day, I have fallen in love with autumn. I don't even mind the cold weather (that much) anymore.

Side note: Max bought me those sunglasses and gave them to me when he got here! *spoiled*


For Max's 24th birthday, we walked around St. Denis, which is a street known for shopping and restaurants. Most of the restaurants are BYOB and they all have lovely terraces.


A little graffiti and a little diva.


My favorite picture with the birthday boy.


My 24 year-old husband! 


Dinner at Moutons Noirs


His birthday fell on Canadian Thanksgiving, so it was a three day weekend here in Canada. Thanksgiving is by no means what it is in the States, but we did find ourselves completely alone for our dinner in the restaurant. No one walked in or out, and we got the only booth in the restaurant. The food was SO yummy, and it will be a memory for me forever. And it wasn't even my birthday!


Calamari, wine, and bread.


Max's veggies, potatoes, and lamb 


My stuffed chicken

*Be back in five minutes. That made me hungry.*

...yup, that oatmeal just wasn't the same.

Anyways, Max and I had a great time together. Being apart has been really hard, but I'm so thankful for the memories that we have together in Montreal. I never expected to be 23, living in a different country than my husband, and in the circus. I can't put into words how grateful I am for a husband who encouraged me to go for my dreams. I don't know if I would have been brave enough by myself.

I have three weeks left in Montreal, and my parents are coming for my final week here! I can't wait to spend time with them and show them around the city. It will also be incredibly entertaining to bring them to work with me! I can't wait to see my analytical, extremely educated, Japanese father's face while he observes my normal work day.

It's funny how quickly phases in life pass by. In certain moments, time feels like it's on pause. We can feel like our feet are stuck in the muck. The truth is that time never stops and new phases always come around. Even though there are certain moments that I wouldn't mind being stuck in for awhile, it can be rejuvenating when time forces us to move on.

Although I still have three weeks left in Montreal, I know that life has the possibility to change greatly when I arrive back in Columbus. I could receive a contract and we could be moving to Las Vegas or I could be coaching my high school gymnastics team at Upper Arlington with new freshman. I could be looking for a career or putting all my focus on my husband's opportunities.

Whatever life brings us, we know we're blessed.

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21