Enjoy the simple things in life

Life is still a mystery, but I realize beautiful things about life everyday and new things about myself at the same time.
As I am playing nanny for my (12 week old) niece for a short period of time, I look at her and can't imagine missing out on these special moments. Only knowing her for a  month I have seen her develop so much, holding her head up, engaging in eye contact, trying to communicate with coos and screams of excitement, vibrant smiles, and her interest in music. She is a miracle of life and who she becomes will be due to the miracle of love, and that, she is spoiled rotten with!
Many days I have no idea what to do with free time, since in my past life I never left time for that.... Then I remember that's partially what i was looking for. My newest hobby is cooking and baking. I always enjoyed it moderately but never really stepped outside of the box. Now I find myself searching the Internet and magazines for highly rated recipes. When I'm finished I always get the two best rewards, the accomplishment of successfully trying something new, and sharing it with others. Once and a while... there is a bonus of lots of laughs about how I totally screwed something up. Last but not least, don't let me down play my love for the dishwasher that I have never had.
I'm still living and loving learning. Over the next couple of months my life and experiences will change drastically and I can hardly wait to tell you all about them!

Settling down

After getting to enjoy all the things I was looking for in Colorado, family, friends and adventurous outdoor activities, the idea of this being some sort of vacation is starting to wear off and the reality of "my adventure" is setting in. For two weeks now, this soul searching adventure that I have started has not felt real. I still had an image of my house the way it was when I lived there, a job to return to and good friends awaiting my return for a long walk on the beach or a happy hour drink at the cliffs.
I know I made the right choice to break away from a place that I could no longer grow and develop or fulfill my curiosity of this world that has so much to offer, but the feelings of comfort and familiarity pull on my heart strings everyday. Although I will always say Colorado is my home, it is full of my childhood memories, it is where so many of my life long friends and family are, and nothing can replace the crisp mountain air and the beautiful seasons, but the coast is where I blossomed and created the person I wanted to be. I am still learning everyday who I am and what I want out of life, and I am so excited to continue as I travel. But the one thing I know is true, is that home is where ever you are at complete peace at the end of the day. It is not a specific location, it is not a job and it is not chasing a daydream, nor is it just the people your surrounded by. It is all four sides of your puzzle piece fitting together with the world around you. And that.... I know, does not happen easily.