I’m currently sitting in the airport waiting for my flight back to Boston to board, although since it has been delayed three times now I have some time to write a little update. This serves as the first installation of a series I will write every month going forward called  “Life Lately” to give you an update on all things SMDC.

ONE. Jax

It has officially been two months since I got Jax, and I am thrilled at how well he has adjusted! At first I will be the first to admit it was a little weird having a dog plopped into my apartment and life. He definitely didn’t feel like “my dog” right away and it pained me to think about where he spent the last year of his life before I adopted him from the Humane Society. It took about a month before I felt like he was my dog and I am sure it was an adjustment for him too because he had to learn to trust me too.

Now, he has learned a few commands and knows his routine. He loves to sleep by my head and steal the pillows at night. He raids the laundry basket ALL THE TIME which I think is hilarious, but I know is bad. He has also gotten so much better with other dogs and going to the dog beach is his favorite thing to do! My neighbors got a dog, Scout, a couple weeks ago and Jax loves to play with her!

TWO. New City, New Friends

Something I was really nervous about when initially moving to Tampa permanently was not making friends. During my last semester, I remember sitting at a table with a group of friends in class talking about where everyone was going after graduation. Some were going home, some were staying close to school, and some were going to new cities where they didn’t know a soul. I posed the questions: ‘How will you meet new people? Where do you go to do that? Won’t you be busy with your new career?’ I at least have Zachary here and some friends that live outside the city, but I knew that I wanted to make new connections and expand my horizons. I was extremely nervous once it came time to move because I was sure that I would never meet any new friends. If you don’t know me personally, then I should add that I can be a bit reserved and it takes me time to warm up to people. What I didn’t realize is that although I may be more reserved, there would be people with whom I would cross paths with that are more outgoing than me and possibly in a similar situation. Through the gym, the dog park, my apartment building, and the blogger community I have pleasantly surprised myself with how fast I was able to make friends in only a few months of being in a new city.

If you are moving to a new city or starting at a new school don’t forget that you are not the only one who is in that position and there are probably people there who are looking for a friend like you! (Sidenote: I switched school a couple times when I was younger and I distinctly remember how miserable third grade was at a new school. I transferred to a private school from public school and the class size was much smaller. The kids in my new class had been together for years and had a close bond. No one wanted to welcome me into their clique and I remember eating lunch alone or sitting alone at recess. The one positive thing I will never forget from that year was a girl named Hannah who noticed me eating alone and told me she wanted to be my friend. She sat with me at recess for the rest of the year and introduced me to her friends.)* If you take away anything from this post it is that you should be the Hannah in your community! Maybe I was so nervous to move to Tampa because I was afraid of a repeat of third grade? #youcantsitwithus

THREE. Good Eats

Zachary and I spend most of our free time, when we’re not at the dog beach, eating at all of the restaurants where we live. Some of them even have “Yappy hour” for us dog lovers…

Above: Piquant Hyde Park at Yappy Hour; Below: Copperfish Tampa

FOUR. Reflection

I love most aspects of blogging such as writing and especially the community, but there’s one part that I definitely have a love-hate relationship with. And that’s photos of myself. Some days I am so excited to take outfit pictures or find the perfect Instagram photo ops, but other days I hate all the photos we take. I think that Bess sums it up best in this post. 

I find that I am my toughest critic and part of the issue is that I am SUCH a perfectionist! I still haven’t mastered the art of loving how I look everyday or in every photo, but I’m trying to devote my attention to more important things. I try to place less emphasis on what I look like in photos and more emphasis on how I feel that day. I try to start every day with a positive outlook because I want to be happy every day. I want those around me to be happy every day and I want to be a source of that happiness. I can’t do that when I am distracted by my own negativity.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

If you’re feeling down on yourself know that you’re not the only one, and that I battle with this every day. Some times I find the best resolution is to take a break from social media, or unplug, which results in being M.I.A. for a bit, although you’ll find you are able to be more present in real life! What are some ways that help you to be positive?

Sending Sunshine,

Sara

 

*Third grade wasn’t that traumatic, if you were concerned, but I’ll never forget that year or Hannah’s kindness!