Another personal update

Things are going well on the personal front.  I have rented an apartment in a trendy part of town where lots of singles live.  It's also about 2 miles away from work (so I can take the bus and frequently walk home!) and very close to amazing running.  I have several friends who live less than half a mile away from my new place, so I am very excited about my upcoming life!

Perhaps the best part of my new apartment (pictures in a few weeks!) is that I am allowed, and it is big enough, for me to keep my three remaining parrots and my lizard!  So, Max, Calypso, Beeps, and Andreas will be staying with me.  (Thomas said he'd like to keep Max but he won't fight me for her.  I am keeping her!)  This is fantastic news as when Thomas broke the news about his infidelity, I feared the worst and thought I might need to rehome almost everyone.

It's a little over 100 years old, so it has gorgeous wood floors, built-in bookshelves, and lots of other charming accents.  I can't wait!

This past week, I completed my first original painting.  It was inspired by a picture that a friend took: trees silhouetted against a sunset.

First, I painted the sunset:

And then I added the trees:

I have no talent, but painting is so much fun!  I highly recommend it to everyone!  It is so peaceful to put paint to the canvas.  I put on some music or a lecture and I paint away.

The parrots are nearby on perches, watching me.

Max had recently taken a bath:

Since Max was on his cage, Beeps flew over to a stand:

Calypso was out, too, but I didn't take a picture of him.

I never would have thought that this is the turn my life would have taken, but I am looking at it as an opportunity to explore new interests, reconnect with friends and family, make new friends, and really live life to the fullest.  What other hobbies or interests might I pick up?  Who knows?

I can get into my new apartment on March 17.  I'm not sure when I will fully move in as I don't start my new job until April 16.  I know I keep saying this, but I plan to update the blog more regularly now that life is settling into a new routine.  I have a painting almost done that I hope to showcase tomorrow!

Personal update

On a personal note, I am doing really well.  I continue to connect more with friends and family.  Usually, I forget to take pictures!  Last week, I went to a coffee shop to see my friend play in a band:

The next night, we went to a painting evening.  We had a teacher who showed us how to reproduce a famous painting.  In this case, we did Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss."  It's not an exact reproduction, but more of an homage.  My friend's was the best of the bunch; mine was just in good fun, but now it's hanging on my wall:

This got me really interested in painting.  I always wished that I was an artist, like so many of my friends (Mary, Shannon, I'm looking at you!)  This got me very excited, so I have decided to take up a new hobby.  Today online, I purchased several canvases, brushes, paint, and a palate, and I look forward to painting.  Hopefully next week!

This ordeal has taught me that who knows what life is going to throw my way, but that I will be OK, no matter what happens.  The parrots and I had a fun dance party tonight and we are looking forward to tomorrow!  I have been terrible at catching up on blogs, but I hope to do so soon, and you are all in my thoughts!!!