Farmer's Market

Fresh produce, delicious baked goods, spices and beautiful flowers line the square around the Capitol every Saturday morning, and I have to say, this too is one of my Madison loves. I get so excited and wrapped up in everything that bartering would be pointless. Come visit me, and I'll show you how to spend lots of cash on locally grown, high quality, just baked, melt in your mouth wonders.  Things that make you go mmmm....

Another use for Duct Tape

Things that make you go hmm...

In some ways I feel as though recently I've found a piece of me thats been missing for some time.  Drive, motivation, competitiveness...  I've started hitting the pavement, and it's been refreshing!  So, in order to give myself a challenge I decided to sign up for a few races in the next couple months.  Which means that I need to hit the pavement harder, longer and quicker.  Getting back into shape takes patience and it hurts.  Oh how it hurts!  But there is one thing that's dampening my style...you see, people have always been in awe of my unique dance moves. Yes, they're literally jaw dropping.  So my question is, with my (hopefully) diminishing "assets" will my booty bounce groove ever be the same?

Mad Love

I really love Madison, yes I do!  And whether people have lived here for years and years or are newbies like me, it seems that most have the same sentiments!  One of the events I discovered right away was the Concerts on the Square.  The Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra plays a concert every Wednesday night for 6 weeks while the community sets up their blankets with picnics in tow and enjoys a free evening of beautiful music and weather.  Every week is themed with everything from Russian Ballet to Beatles Night to Frank Sinatra.  On Beatles night I was treated to VIP with some of my coworkers by a local hotel so not only did we get a fun performance, but we were right up front with white linens and a four course meal.  It always helps to know the right people!

On the same token, Opera in the Park, another free event that takes place once every summer became a favorite of mine as well.  Same idea, outdoor picnics and beautiful music.  Both of these events cater to young and old, and I cannot say enough about them!  What a fantastic way to introduce different cultural arts to the community in such a  fun way.  The second set of the opera came from memorable musicals so by the end of the night, glow sticks were out and young and old were merrily singing (and dancing!) along.

My Choice

I've written a lot about things I've done but not as much about what's going on with me.  Like the nitty gritty emotions, thoughts and feelings.  You know- the ooey gooey stuff.    For some reason it's been harder for me to shape words around my inner thoughts.  Discussions while camping and recent sermons have really hit on the importance of exposing ourselves.  Relationships aren't fed by only surface level conversations.  This is where my inner turmoil comes in.  Surface level is so easy.  Especially when I'm not 100% comfortable with people. It's the place that I can have a level of control over what people think about me.  I'm terrific at conforming to gain acceptance, and I'm really good at hiding the garbage.  This is not the me I want to be. 

Why is it not ok to let others know when I'm hurting? lonely? struggling? afraid?  Maybe it's pride. Maybe it's fear or control.  Most likely it's a combination.  Nonetheless I have an opportunity to change.  To allow vulnerability and be exposed.  I find it strange that a strength of mine is welcoming and encouraging others to open up with me.  There's no judgement or condemnation.  In fact, I feel honored that they trust me.  So why is it so hard for me to do the same?

It's funny that being in a new place without knowing anyone makes you self reflect more than normal.  Constantly putting myself out there and wondering if people are getting my sense of humor (ok, lets be honest, my sense of humor can be a stretch!) or wondering if they think I'm strange.  I long to live in the past, carry over my reputation from years of letting people know the real me. 

And here I am building a reputation again. exposing. vulnerable and yet excited.  Excited to see what the future has to bring.  Excited to be challenged and forced to lean more on God than myself.  Excited to meet new people that will encourage me and hold me accountable.  Excited to live.

For today, this is all I've got.

Gone Campin'

What a great weekend!  The church that I've been attending, Blackhawk, has a group called Access made up of young adults throughout the area.  This past weekend they organized a camping trip to Devils Lake.  It's been way too long since I've been camping and Devil's Lake is such a gem and it's only 35 minutes away!  About 40 of us spent the day hiking, competing in ultimate frisbee, beach volleyball, kickball, swimming in the clean lake, "sneaking" out to the beach to look at the stars, worshiping by the camp fire and making lots of new friends.  I feel really blessed.

Man of the Year

The funny thing is that they're all related to me....

Bjorn

Dad

Luke

The poor Bagnall women.  And they wonder why I'm not married yet... ;)