Weeks End

It's Wednesday I know not anywhere near weeks end just right in the middle. I have a few hours of down time and I can't tell you how amazing it is! So I decided to do the post that I was supposed to do on Monday. Whoops.

Work, show practice, sleep, work, show practice, sleep, work, show practice....... until March 20th!

~ Ice show practices have begun. This year's theme is "Frozen, Let's Heat Things Up!" Come watch at the Eden Prairie Community Center It's more like the madness of show practices/long days have begun! One and a half more weeks. I can do this.

~ My early morning devotions is my only down moment in my day anymore and I can't tell you how much I LOVE them! I look forward to it even the night before ha ha

~ I have been wanting to make it to my favorite coffee house Spyhouse Coffee all winter. I finally made it after a students competition a couple of weekends ago. That place is always SO busy, I was just happy to find a place in the corner where I could sit for a bit.

~ This lounge in Lowertown St. Paul is so neat with it's exposed stone/brick walls it almost felt like we were in a crypt of St. Paul. I love the old character of this city. After my twelve hour day at the rink, last Saturday a friend and I went here for a late night drink and some eats. Okay maybe 8:30 pm isn't late to some people but it is to me!

Have a beautiful day

Ciao,

Rachel

Currently in March

As I sit and answer emails and write this post, it is snowing over St. Paul again and I love it. God knows how to make my heart smile:)

Because Ireland! (2013)

Wishing Giving up control and trusting in God was easier. Why is it so hard?! Seriously I haven't a clue what I'm doing here and He knows ALL, yet I want to be in control. Darn human nature, darn you sin! And I kinda wish my show programs for the upcoming figure skating show would choreograph themselves:)

Craving Pastries!!!! Particularly from the coffee house across the skyway from me:) = dangerous! 

Going To Iceland in June!!!!! Ahhh this has been talked about for a while now and it's officially happening! The tickets are bought and the planning and research has begun! Pinch me;)

Wearing Oh dear nothing exciting. Lipstick remember?! My wardrobe consists of scrubs and gym clothes. I always think that dressing up would be fun but when I have to do it multiple days in a row after about day two I'm like "I miss my scrubs, it's so much easier, I don't have to think about it and a ponytail or top knot looks great with scrubs!" ha ha  

Learning SO much this Lent. Mostly to truly let go and trust, and be more conscious of it every day every moment. Creating a relationship with God. I feel my Faith can become stale and Lent is a beautiful time to resurrect it so to say. I have realized I don't like to let go but when I do oh the amazing things that happen! Anxiety has crept into my life over the past year with this move, because so much is uncertain in my life. That has to GET OUT of my life! 

I hope you are having a good week!

Have a beautiful day

Ciao,

Rachel

Friday Finds

It has been none stop this week! I am getting so much done though and I love it! The sun was shining for a few hours yesterday and it was glorious! GLORIOUS! I was so happy until the clouds took over again:( It was a teasing of the beautiful spring that is just around the corner.

Some beautiful blooms from last summer to brighten your day:)

Little steps

It always amazes me how quickly life can be put into perspective. I was feeling discouraged at the beginning of the week about my schedule and the hunt for an apartment, I felt like everything was falling apart. The adorable condo that a friend and I decided to go ahead on was rented out a day before we put in our application. Someone at work with more seniority than me wanted to go down in FTE, therefore, I would no longer be eligible for a decrease in FTE to accommodate my figure skating students.

Positives and negatives of the city {3} in winter

I haven't done an update on this in a while. So, here we go! 

I can say the city isn't quite as fun in the winter time, I am still loving it here, though. I especially love it when there is a snow storm and I don't have to deal with the morning commute into work, the evening commute to the rink is another story but that is a bit more flexible. 

A couple of weekends ago the St. Paul Winter Carnival took place in the center of downtown, it is known for its ice sculptures, parades and this year and outdoor stage. A friend and I made it out for a fun evening of an outdoor concert in the park and drinks from the ice bar. 

February fitness

How is your February? I always feel like by this point here in Minnesota I am starting to get over the whole idea of winter and I need the SUN! It's slowly starting to set in, I will say that the beautiful snowfall has helped though:) It's hard to get myself motivated to get up and move when it's so gray outside all I want to do is stay in under a warm blanket and read a book or watch Netflix. The trails aren't exactly fit for running, at least not in my mind, some people are crazier than me believe it or not! So how do you stay fit and active during the winter months?! Here's a look at what I've been up to. 

Walking in a winter wonderland. There is nothing more peaceful than a snow-laden trail and listening to nature. Being out in God's beauty is so good for the soul even when it's freezing cold out:) There is beauty in the bare trees and the snow covered ground.

Snow globe

Two cappuccinos in and I am thinking, why haven't I taken more advantage of this little coffee house that is just across the skyway? 

Just in case you haven't gotten enough of the beautiful snow we had last week here in MN here are some shots of it all out at my parents beautiful place in rural MN!

Sun rises in the wide open country can't be beat in my opinion! 

Friday Finds

I'mHappy Friday!!! I am probably out playing in the snow!:)

The adorable little coffee shop accross my skyway, where I watched the crazy snow storm this week.

Currently // February

Well hello, February! So far you are winning, especially when it comes to snow! We had 10 inches of the fluffy stuff this week. I was as happy as a little kid watching it fall in a furry all day!

Winter wonderland

If someone called me to tell me I didn't have to work today I would be totally ok with that. It's the week of the National Figure skating championships  and this schedule is killing me! Up until midnight and up at 6! Ugh double shots every day! #worthit

I had some fun walking around outside this past weekend even though it was below zero! It was too gorgeous out with all of the snow and the bright sun.

The niece and nephew even got a few rides on the four wheeler!

New Year / 2016

This is my year people, it just is I can feel it. I feel settled and comfortable in my new city and ready to take on whatever adventures this year brings. After all, 6 is my lucky number!

I am the 6th child in my family, born on the 16th, in the year 86, I live in apt 1126, I was the 6th Sonography hired at my very first job in a brand new lab, I fell in love with the ice in 1996, I won Minnesota State when I was 16, I rolled a pair of 6's and won a free coffee (I almost never win anything that has to do with luck).

Anyway, enough of the crazy talk, as I look back at 2015 the first word that comes to mind is "change". I can hardly believe it at times just how much my life has changed in a year. The four and a half years I spent in Mankato felt like eternity while living through it, I wondered if my life was ever going to change, if that opportunity for change would ever present itself.

Weeks End

WOW, what a weekend! And hello COLD Minnesota?! 

Ryan Bradley (2011 National Champion)

~ First of all it's National skating month and the 2016 US National Figure Skating Championships are taking place only blocks away from where I live. I can hardly believe how Blessed I am!

~ One of my students competed in her very first figure skating competitions. I couldn't have been prouder, she was pretty scared at first but, in the end she did a fabulous job!

~ I had a fun visit at my sister and her families home! I always love being with them! We had a dance party to Sugar and Raffi. I even let my almost three-year-old niece paint my nails purple with sparkles:)

~ Today, the coldest day this winter so far, my phone read -6 degrees, I participated in a frozen 5k. As in an ice skating 5k. It was worth getting bundled up for. I had a really fun time skating with a fellow coach and a group of skaters from our club. I have the coolest job that has given me some pretty sweet opportunities in life. 15:04 min:sec. Some of us were a little competitive and had to do it for time. I love a good competitive spirit.

I hope you enjoyed your weekends!

Have a beautiful day
Ciao,
Rachel

Currently / January