while you were busy making other plans...

The other day I was sharing the story of how Dr. H and I met in college and slowly, over all 4 years, became best friends before we started dating. For some reason, telling the story got me thinking about how I was never "supposed" to go to GW and that even through my first few months there, the plan was to transfer to Georgetown. I never did (#HailtotheBuffandBlue) and perhaps that's the very moment in my life that made  marrying Dr. H my destiny. 

Being the planner that I am, it always strikes me when I realize that plans, while comforting, productive and often necessary, don't always determine where we're going to end up. No matter how specific we set out to be, how determined we are to chart a course, sometimes life unfolds in a way that we never could have expected. So maybe this weekend look back and find those moments of happenstance that brought forth your greatest victories (the friend who became your husband; the random introduction that led to your dream job; the "wrong turn" that led you the "right way") and just be like "thanks universe, that was pretty freakin awesome". 

Juggling Act.

I am the master of ceremonies as well.

Last week, as you likely noticed, I missed two consecutive blog posts (for the first time in my 2+ years of blogging). Last week I also ate spaghetti dinner at midnight, wore tights I pulled out of my hamper to work, had the craziest and most professionally fulfilling week of my career, ran a half marathon, chilled with Mickey Mouse and welcomed a new nephew. Last week I was a master juggler... sort of.

As I have written about many times before, (HERE, HERE) I am a person who frequently struggles with scheduling. I love to plan things, do things, see things, go places and take on projects (almost always) not out of obligation, but out of a genuine desire to live "a life full to the brim". But what happens when you're fortunate enough have so much good stuff on your plate, that you just can't possibly get it all done? How do you prioritize when you've already brushed the non-essential (cooking, sleeping?) and undesirable (laundry, cleaning?) aside and nevertheless have your hands full with things you desperately want to be your best at? I'm not sure anyone knows the answer to this question, but I'm hopeful that through trial and error I can at least find my own personal solution and make peace with the obnoxious reality that days are just 24 short hours long... Because while I was away from you all last week a LIST of potential post ideas came to me and I felt a renewed excitement for sharing in this merry little space. So even though my three ring circus act dropped the ball, it's refreshing to realize that all I need to do is scoop it up and juggle on...

Manic Monday.

Yup. That's about right.

My brain is not fully functional today. I started out feeling very empowered at SoulCycle:

A coveted Union Square ride!!

And since I have the day off from work, I was all "Ima hit up the Farmer's Market and cook Dr. H something amazing and fresh for dinner".

The plan was to cook up some chicken cutlets with a side of THIS:

my maiden voyage with cauliflower.

But then my girlfriend reminded me (thank goodness!) that we're signed up for a little pre-turkey/gravy/mashed potatoes burn sesh at Barry's Bootcamp tonight and I'm like "F. I totally forgot. The chicken is defrosted and my butt's already sore from spinning." Also, the "clean and organize my closet" project is not nearly complete:

So now I've got Tim Gunn screaming "make it work!!!" in the back of my mind as I push forward into the day's plans. Tomorrow I will likely be crippled, have an untouched head of cauliflower in my fridge and be back at my desk. But on the bright side, I'll be having guilt-free pumpkin pie on Thursday and my closet will finally be livable.  I might even be able to squeeze in painting those dining room chairs... SO, I'm off... Seize the manic Monday friends... holiday break is just around the corner:)

But are you going to work?

This is not real life (except the heels of course).

Lately I've been doing A LOT of thinking about what my life will look like as a parent. NO I am not becoming a parent any time soon and NO I'm not developing baby brain (still purely puppy focused thank you very much) but nearly three years into my "working life" (thanks for the delayed start law school!) I've been thinking a lot about my "career track". Poised to grow in whatever direction I please professionally (for which I am thankful and grateful every.single.day.) my career compass can't help but consider whatever direction I will want to go in once raising a child becomes part of the picture. We ladies are blessed with maternal instinct and unprecedented opportunities in the work force which is a bit of curse if you're a die-hard "planner" like myself.

Much like my pondering the right time to have a baby, I wonder (without any expectation of finding an answer) how to steer a career that will someday have stiff competition for my attention from a totally-awesome (duh) miniature family member. How do you plan for something that you cannot predict in time OR emotion? Do you throw caution to the wind and hope that when the occasion arises you'll know what to do, or is it better to start thinking ahead of time about what you want? It all feels very impossible to determine at the moment. For now I suppose, I will just keep enjoying the 9 to 5 hustle (9 to 5!?) and wonder what the future will hold for me and my merry minion.

P to the S: For more on balancing work and motherhood, check out Cup of Jo's recent (awesomely interesting) interview series with some super-powerful mamas.

FOMO

I must read and go and see and do!

Last night I announced to Dr. H that I am going to make a conscious effort to plan less in August. With July shaping up to be a travelling /celebrating /plans-on-top-of-plans whirlwind, I'm back to having a plan to plan less (oy!) because I need at least some of my summer to just chilllll baby! Living in NYC means that there's no shortage of tempting activities to participate in (concerts, free events (like all of THESE), shows, baseball games, dining al fresco) and we love to travel to see family and friends for long weekends while our work schedules are a bit lighter. BUT, all this fun has meant sacrificing things like relaxed nights cooking together or waking up on a Saturday and letting the day take shape organically (also, cleaning, laundry? naaahhh.) I'm always so torn between my love of "doing" and my desire to relax and just "be". 

How do you balance your adventures with "me time" (or "we time" as it may be)? Is it weird to try to try not to do things that you really kinda want to do (go to ALL of these and these for example)? I think it's essential for my energy (and sanity) to let some potential activities pass me by, but I have such Fear of Missing Out (aka "FOMO"; best acronym ever right!?) that it's tough to decline an invitation or skip a trip to somewhere that I know will be a great time. Maybe I can overcome my FOMO with a heavy dose of chill pills... I will let you know!

A plan to make NO plans!

The holidays are over, my hubby is home, I’m finally not sick and I am not going out of town. My plan for this weekend is to have NO plans... Ahhhh. Feels good. But...

I’m a do-er and a planner at heart. No plans means I have the freedom to MAKE plans and there are so many things to choose from!! I realllly need to clean out my closet (is doesn’t close). I want to go to for dim sum (it’s been over a month). That exhibit with the slide at the New Museum is closing soon (an indoor slide. for adults. seriously). I want to try out a new recipe and enjoy a nice bottle of wine (thank you Pinterest and wine of the month club!) There’s a jazz festival downtown!? (http://www.winterjazzfest.com/tickets.html) Is there ever such a thing as no plans? How can I do nothing when the world is filled with things to accomplish and experience and EAT!? I retract my statement. This weekend I have a plan to make perfect plans. I will strike a perfect balance between productive and fun. I will sleep late and accomplish something. Nothing is set in stone, I’ll do as I please. A plan to make vague plans?! Happy weekend merry readers!

P to the S: I went to see How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying on Broadway this week with new leads Darren Criss and Beau Bridges. The show is beyond fabulous... if you are a lover of musicals I’d rate it as a must see (while dreamy Gleek Darren Criss is in it if you can score a ticket:) xoxo.

Image via Pinterest