celebrate the small things | April 24

What a week it's been!  A truly marvelous one with lots and lots to celebrate!

1) my cosmos flower bloomed!  I'm especially proud of this because it's the first flower I've ever grown from a seed :)

2) my baby white winged dove is learning to fly!  it's amazing, and so fun, to watch.
(for those of you that know, yes, there were two baby doves - but we had a pretty bad storm here last weekend - hail and all - during which both babies fell from the nest... only one survived).

3) Will's aunt Amy came to visit!
Always sooooo much fun!

4) Will's mother came to visit!
I totally loved playing tour guide and drove her (a real first) around to some of my fave places in Austin: County Line on the Lake/ the Oasis and dessert at Chey Zee's. Will was out of town so it was great to have a real girl's day!

5) i've saved the biggest and best 'til last; and for added suspense I'll start by saying that it's taken many months and many denied applications ... but I've finally got a job back in the finance industry (what I was doing before writing... yeah yeah contradictory I know!  I guess I'm blessed to be both right and left brain-abled or maybe I'm not at all, since writing hasn't worked out... anyway), I feel silly for fretting over those other total loser jobs!  This might be the job of my dreams.  It's for a super-chilled company that specializes in business lending and other finanical services to small businesses so I'm stoked not to work with individuals!  But it also stands out because it encourages personal growth, hones individual skill sets and has some of the nicest, happiest employees I've seen anywhere.
Added bonuses include:
- peeps my age
- close to home in a brilliant wooded area that feels more like a country retreat than an office
- catered lunches EVERYDAY
- super laid back dress code
 - 7.5 hr work days

Yep, I reckon I've hit the jackpot.  I hope every one else has had a week as brilliant as mine :)
Right now I'm off to celebrate and make this weekend count since I start work on Monday!

Cozumel, Mexico

It's hard to believe that just 14 days ago, I was on the paradise Island of Cozumel, Mexico!  This place will always hold a special spot in my heart, since it was the first bit of Mexican soil my feet ever touched.  I've always wanted to go to this part of the American continent - so rich in history and mysterious tales: the land of the Mayans, Aztecs and pirates!  Then there are the beaches... every bit as pristine as the ones I grew up near, in QLD Australia, but much more enticing because of the exotic flair and Caribbean association.

Cozumel exceed my expectations.  If it's part of the third world, you would never tell.  The streets are well kept and gloriously decorated in colourful paint and bright, blooming accents.  The locals zoom around upon scooters, waving and smiling - eager to give directions or help out.  Smells of barbecued meat waft deliciously through the air all around the city of San Miguel and coconuts grow beside fig trees as far as the eye can see.

I don't think I stopped smiling for a full minute all day!  From the second we left the port - wandered through San Miguel to our scooter rental shop - rode over to the San Gervasio ruins and explored every inch of the sight - to the afternoon spent on the beach at Punta Morena and then back by the port side.  It was a simply perfect day in paradise!  Several times I had to pinch myself in case I was dreaming and at one point during lunch (just after a real mariachi band serenaded us), Will and I looked at each other and burst out laughing at the fact that this is our life and that we get to have these kinds of experiences! #blessed

I would love to come back someday.  One day on Cozumel just isn't enough!  There's still so much to see, do and taste.  Viva Mexico!

poinsettias!  Just growing... in their natural climate.
I was blown away b/c I never knew!

'OMG! A BAR WITH SWINGS INSTEAD OF STOOLS!
We're soooo coming back to  drink Mexican beer while we swing!'
we said, in awe, as we walked by, en route to our scooter store.

This is what the road to San Gervasio looked like the entire way.
In case you can't tell, it's lined with fig trees <3

A sweet little yellow bird 

there were iguanas e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e. and no one told me they
climb trees!  I was proceeding with caution after that.

A hibiscus tree growing near the ruins 

Will, an iguana and Mayan ruins.

see the iguana here?  As if still paying homage to the
 sun god after all these centuries...

Look! I'm touching it! I've never felt so giddy.

an actual, ancient, well!

Our view for lunch at Punta Morena

My delicious pina colada in a coconut, with a face!

what else but ceviche with local mahi for lunch?... yum :)

I wasn't kidding about getting serenaded :)

You know it!! We swung the rest of the afternoon away
with ocean views, Mexican beer and happy hearts <3