#2962 wait, there IS more

 

This weekend I was at the day spa getting a little self-care maintenance: brows groomed, a manicure, and a pedicure. I hadn't been to the spa since November, so I was due! I am fortunate to have an awesome aesthetician named Baily, who is not only a master aesthetician but also a competitive short-track speed skater. She's amazing! 

Since we haven't seen each other since November, we had some catching up to do. She was telling me about her boyfriend training to get a spot on the Olympic short-track team, how they are going to Montreal in October for a World Cup event to qualify for the Olympic team, and how excited she is about possibly going to Milan in February. She said she won't be on the team, but she'll go to support her boyfriend. Then she asked me what I've been doing this summer, and I said, "Just working." I did mention that I volunteer at RBGA and that I'm going on vacation in September, but my main reply was, "Just working."

As I was gazing at my pretty painted toenails the next day, I thought about our conversation, and I was annoyed with my dumb answer. I have been doing SO much more than just working. In fact, I'm am working fewer hours this summer than I have in the past. I do lots of stuff besides work! I could have told her that I've been to nine concerts so far this summer. I look at flowers and I talk to people from all over the U.S. and the world. I've read 12 books in the last three months. I spend good time with my dogs every day, taking them for walks and playing with the frisbee every morning. I'm holding down the fort at home while MT builds our real estate empire (lol) and takes time to pursue his dream of doing a major through hike. I write, draw, and paint. I plan, dream, and think deep thoughts. I go to the movies. I collect stickers. I take photos. I sit on the deck and practice the Italian art of dolce far niente. I am learning to speak French, Spanish, and Italian with Duolingo, practicing at least a little, and sometime a lot, every day. I have a 494 consecutive day streak in the app for goodness sake! I am healing my metabolism. I'm thinking about the next phase of my life. I am mostly filled with le joie de vivre. I AM WAY MORE THAN WHAT I DO TO COLLECT A PAYCHECK.

And you know what? The next time I see Baily at the end of August, I'm going to tell her all that stuff.