BEST. GIFT. EVER.

Recently my new friend Catherine of Simply Solo asked me to guest write on her blog.  She asked right before all the food poisoning, job loss and ex getting married hell broke loose so it sounded like a GREAT idea at the time.  I was super flattered because her blog is awesome.

But on the day my ex got married, I had to sit with an open Word document and face my demons.  What was I really, truly feeling?  

Despite not knowing WHAT the hell is ever going on in my life (haha!!!),  despite still feeling weak from being sick, my soul felt GOOD.  I  was overcome with love--  love for my life, love for this guy I loved for three years, love for my future... I wrote a blog for her called 'Adventure Is Out There.'  (I know I've got 12 blogs with the same title but I can't help it).

This catchphrase belongs to one of my heroes-- Ellie from the Disney Pixar movie 'Up.'   Her fearlessness and voraciousness for life is something I've taken on as a part of me.  The more I've enveloped this spirit, the more I transform from coward into 'Fearless Adventurer!!!' ...The more I watch my life change.

Of course as soon as I sent it and she posted it on her site, my world fell apart.  People seemed to really enjoy the blog and used words like 'inspiring' and 'brilliant.'  HA!!!  I, on the other hand, felt like the world's biggest fraud.  I didn't feel very inspiring or brilliant searching through crappy jobs on Craigslist, wondering how on earth you spin being fired in an interview.  But truly, those comments were SUCH  a gift at such a rough time... I was sooo encouraged and blown away.

After my Powerless blog, where I basically made the conscious decision to let go of every ounce of fear I had about being jobless and the effect it would have on my finances, things have made a turn for the better.  (Of course they did!!!)  My roommate offered to cover my rent until I can pay her back which is HORRIFYING but a major blessing.  I got a part-time job at an Irish/American restaurant which I've enjoyed thus far and I have another interview on Tuesday at a place in Boys Town where I'd REALLY like to work.  (Hello, gay boys?  LOVE!)

So while things are on the mend and my soul is recovering... it's still been a bit shaken...  a REALLY nuts month...

Then...


Then..

Freakin' Ipod.

She is the BEST.  She KILLS me.  She always writes the perfect thing in my birthday card.  She can sum up one of my long-winded blogs in two sentences.  And she's the SH*T at sending me random, inspirational things.  Remember this guy? 

I CAN'T STAND HER I LOVE HER SO MUCH!!!

So when she emails me under the subject heading 'It's A Major Award!' of course I'm going to be curious.  She writes:

No, it's not a leg lamp, but you should be receiving a little something in the mail later this week (I do mean little, so don't get all excited or anything;) and I just realized it won't tell you who it's from! It'll be coming from CA (Oakland, I think) from some random third party, but it's actually from me just 'cuz you're amazing and inspiring & all that s*** :)

Love you!
- Kelli



The fact that Ipod thinks I'm inspiring in itself makes me want to cry...  The idea that I've had ANY effect on ANYONE-- such as Catherine's blog-- makes me want to cry...

THEN TO GET THIS IN THE MAIL...  ????

THIS!!???

THIS!!???

OH MY GOSH, I HATE HER SHE'S SO AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You guys...

You guys...

That's no little gift...

  I was given the highest honor that can be bestowed...

The Ellie Badge.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW.

I lost... my... SH*T...

...even Betty Basil Plant cried...

In fact, I'm STILL crying...  I just can't even put into words what this badge means to me.



*sigh*

I love my 'Pod... And I love you.  And you know what?  It's most certainly true...

"ADVENTURE

IS OUT THERE!!!"

:)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)

Love,

MandiCrocker