We got back from Spain on Saturday night. Our honeymoon was wonderful, a total blast. Sean, in a habit learned from his mother, will often declare things “magnificent” or “stupendous.” When, on the last night of our trip, he stated that our honeymoon was “spectacular,” I did not tease him. It was.

Obvious post-Europe visit thoughts: so America is pretty isolated, huh? And Europeans are pretty lucky to have access to wildly different cultures by jumping on a high-speed train, short cheap flight, or quick moving ferry? I was and am jealous.

We managed to make it to a friend’s birthday party on Saturday night after we got back, despite the long day of travel and jet lag. We drank beer and wine, got caught up on Occupy activities, and looked at each other with knowing glances. The looks said, “These people are great, we are so lucky. These people are home.”

I. Declan chowing down on some crackers at the cottage. His eyes are just lovely.  II. Sara on the beach at Woodlawn State Park in Hamburg, New York. In previous summers we drove all the way down to Bennett Beach, which is nicer, but discovering Woodlawn has been great because it’s a 15-minute drive from our house. III. Sara and Kevin have been nicknamed Parks & Rec because they are always organizing games, sing-a-longs, and contests. Doesn’t matter if it’s at the beach, at a bar, or in the car. IV. Corn on the cob, chicken on the grill. Bridget and Michael at the cottage last weekend. V. Despite his water-logged diaper, Sam ran around the beach for hours. He finally had to be scooped up and wrapped in a towel.

Last year I decided that what I really wanted to do on my birthday was go for a hike in the Niagara gorge. It was so much fun and we even witnessed a helicopter rescue. According to my father, we assisted a helicopter rescue. And I guess he’s right. Anyway, this year we repeated the hike only stuck to the American side of the gorge. I. The men in my life: dad, brother Josh, Sean. They conspired and got me a birthday donut, complete with a candle in the middle. II. Some great friends who decided to tag along: Matt, Rachel, Kevin. III. Sister and brother. Josh thinks it’s hilarious to make terrible faces in photos. Side by side in this frame I think we look ridiculous. IV. Sara is caught in the crossfire of two redheads! V. My love and me.

The last twelve days of 2010 were pretty intense: a bridal shower for my dear friend Natalie, Brynn and Brian visited for a night, Nat and her Brian got married (I was in the wedding), my little brother spent Christmas Eve and day in the hospital (he’s out and better now), and then our friend and tenant Ray passed away unexpectedly. A real cocktail of joy, sorrow, perspective, and love.

I’m starting 2011 with immense respect and gratitude for my health, friendships, and family.

I’m deep into the final round of work for my Fall 2010 semester. I probably won’t get my head above water until this weekend, and that’s going to require some disciplined, focused work on my day off Thursday as well as Saturday and Sunday.

In my absence, I encourage you all to read my friend Lisa’s really inspiring blog post about her decision to create a life more in tune with her values and priorities. It’s very powerful and brave, and I wish I could meet her for coffee and conversation. I’ve been asking myself a lot of the same questions Lisa asked herself, and I have a somewhat related announcement coming in the next couple weeks.

For now, visit Lisa’s blog and sigh with me over that Blue Mountain Lake sunset.

I received some really lovely feedback about my last post, 30 Awesome Things About Breaking My Foot, and I just want to say thanks. A lot of people had very thoughtful and funny additions to my list. I think I’ll get it up to 50 by the time the cast comes off.

Speaking of casts, I got a new one on Monday morning at my doctor’s appointment. It’s called an “inline walker” and it looks like the leg of a Transformer. It also has this neat future that allows me to pump air into the cast so it tightens and holds my foot in place. It is basically a giant Reebok Pump. I think we can agree that anything combining the style of Transformers and the utility of Reebok Pumps is the pinnacle of high fashion.

Otherwise, it’s been a pretty good week. I had class on Monday and Tuesday nights and by the time I got home last night at 10pm I was ready to collapse. I am so looking forward to going home after work today, hallelujah. My little brother has been an amazing help this week: he picked me up from work and drove me home after class both days. He even carried my backpack in and got me situated in my classroom on Monday. What a guy.

Josh’s generosity brings me to the reason why I wanted to write this post: I have another addition to my list.

Breaking my foot is awesome because it’s filled me with gratitude. I don’t mean to be dramatic here, I know that at the end of the day I only broke my foot and there are people way, way worse off, but when you are even temporarily immobilized or hurt, every little gesture or moment of help is huge. A stranger holding the door open for me, a fellow City Hall employee who works with the “other side” offering to carry my backpack to the car, that nice guy at Wegmans who picked up my crutch when it toppled over. There have been some really big, sweet gestures too: Josh’s gift of his time and precious gas money, my mom coming over to clean my entire apartment, friends and family making me food or offering to come over to keep me company. I can’t even name them all.

I am so full of thanks right now that even though it stems from an unfortunate injury, it feels like a huge gift.

Rainbow power! (Photo courtesy of Anna)

On Friday, I experienced a post-illness high that made me feel like a rocket scientist. Despite the fact that I went into cough fits every time I laughed or breathed, the brain power that came from feeling mildly more clear-headed was remarkable. I went home and cleaned out my closet, and then ventured out into the world to Karen’s apartment.

The rest of my weekend was restful and restorative: school work and reading, good talks with Maura, some more house work, a pre-birthday party for Crash at my mom’s house followed by a viewing of home videos from the 1990s followed by The Social Network. Today I went on a hike with Sean, Sara, Kevin, and Anna in East Aurora. Afterwards we got fancy coffee drinks and bought random goodies at Vidler’s. My loot included two delicious-smelling votive candles, new buttons for my coat, and a shiny green thermos.

On Thursday I’m headed to Washington, DC for Melissa’s wedding (the last stop of the Autumn Wedding Tour 2010) with Karen and Natalie. Tomorrow I start the Fall Dream Lab over at MondoBeyondo.org. This fall continues to be busy but also fun. Very, very fun.

My beautiful friends on Friday afternoon, standing in the same spot at which they were married Saturday. Their ceremony was one of the most powerful, joyful exchanges I’ve witnessed. So perfect, so them–I couldn’t stop crying. Congratulations and much love!

Anyway, I’ve got a list of random tidbits I wanted to write about on the blog and since I’ve already revealed my lack of spunk tonight, I will indulge my laziness with bullet points:

• Andrea Scher and Jen Lemen have just begun the first fall session of their awesome online class, Mondo Beyondo, and there’s still room. I took the class last October, and continue to return to the lessons they wrote and the discoveries I made during the five weeks. I highly recommend Mondo Beyondo for any man or woman craving more space for reflection and courage to dream.
• My friend Courtney’s book cover has been released and it is hella gorgeous. I can’t wait to get my copy of Fall for Anything in December and press my face up against its loveliness. And then, of course, read it. Yay Courts!
• Speaking of books, I just finished the second installment of the Parasol Protectorate Series, Changeless (do not click lest ye be spoiled). My friend Candice gave me her copy of the first book, Soulless, a couple months ago and I finally read it this month. The books are ridiculous fun, and a great combination of science fiction/fantasy, romance, and mystery. They also introduced me to the Steampunk genre, about which I knew next to nothing. The third book, Blameless, comes out tomorrow and Candice and I have a date tomorrow evening to go buy it!
• Kim’s recent post over at What Claudia Wore reminded me of the genius of her blog and made me feel cool for being her friend. Do you like how braggy I am about these cool friends of mine? Yeah? Well I should be because THEY ARE AWESOME.

The next several weeks of my life are going to be very busy. I’ve detailed this to practically everyone I know but since I haven’t written about it on the internet, the circle ain’t complete. The good news is that I’m going to be busy for awesome reasons (three out-of-town weddings in four weeks) and will get to see a lot of people (and places) I love. Yay! The stressful part is that I have a lot to balance at school and work between now and then, and some folks will probably think I’ve dropped off the face of the earth. To those who may search here for answers in the near future: I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth, just busy getting my school and celebration on!

And what’s the first stop on the Whirlwind Express? Kansas City! Kansas City here I come! (<— It occurs to me this might not be a song and if it’s not, I am totally pulling a “my mom.”)