De…Wait for it…lightful Zinkness

I just finished watching My Life In Ruins. Sure, a chick flick but my options are limited on a plane!

I enjoyed the movie because it brought to light something I have a hard time putting into words. Due to your intrigue in reading this, you get to see me try.

I often frown upon those that don’t value true experiences. How can expensive dinners, hundreds of shoes, and “status” provide a fulfilling life? It’s all dependent how we define experience. I need to take a step back and realize that is what makes certain people feel fulfilled. Me? Yes I spend my fair share on technology (I heart my iPhone) and I enjoy my fancy dinners here and there. What makes me happy are new experiences.

I rarely stick to one thing. I have picked up and dropped (not permanently, but for now) and revisited quite the number of hobbies: photography, playing guitar (this one didn’t go past buying the guitar), scrapbooking, knitting, when that didn’t go well: crocheting, reading every night, learning new languages (read: talking to myself in French), and many more I’m sure.

And the question is, why can’t I stick to one thing? Well first and foremost, I blame my ENFP-ness and short attention span; but it goes deeper than that. I don’t want to miss new experiences because I stick to only one “thing”. What if I was so determined to scrapbook that I never made myself my own (and only) crocheted scarf? I’ve realized I’ve picked each hobby based on my friend. A friend did it, I want to do it too. But it’s not a symptom of “what’s up with the Jones’?”. Instead, it’s seeing the passion in someone else’s eyes and voice, and wanting that! I want to share in the beauty of trying and learning and succeeding. Now success is here defined as experiencing something new, not taking a world renowned photo or knitting the world’s most amazing hat.

The only hobby I tend to stick to is photography. The reason is that it lets me capture other experiences, even though photography is an experience in itself. Talk about circular.

The movie reminded me why I love to travel. Because everyone has a favorite place for their own reason and I want to experience it through their word and my own eyes. I want to breathe the air and think, millions of people have done the same, and while some appreciate it more than others, it’s still amazing. It’s magical.

I know Houston isn’t the most beautiful city. But there is something impressive about big cities and the way they work as their own cultural ecosystem. The rodeo every year amazes me: while I enjoy the events, I am more entertained by it’s grandiose nature and ability to attract so many people. I love going downtown and knowing that other people are around me, regardless of what they are doing or why they are doing it. I have met amazing people and they are part of the experience, they help build the memories. Thanks to them, I’ve enjoyed museums and the theatre, bars and fine restaurants. I’ve been through a hurricane; sure, not an experience I enjoyed, but it provided a new perspective, regardless. It was amazing to see a city come together after it happened. That’s culture, that’s an experience.

I love to travel and visit new places. I love having locals take me to places they value enough to show me. I love to hear them tell stories and laugh or cry at the memories. My photography let’s me take a snapshot of that memory and relive it. I have photos that others took for me and seeing myself in the moment brings back the sounds, the smells, the conversations.

When I talk about Paris, I remember being 16 and being amazed by my surroundings and the tranquility. I remember my uncle teasing me when we saw a play, laughing at the fact that the main character was very attractive and i toatally had a crush. I was 16! I recall eating lasagna near the Champs Elysées.

When I went to Puerto Vallarta for Spring Break with friends, I remember reading and relaxing. Thy might sound boring but I remember putting down my book and looking out at the ocean and feeling so content. I remember waking up to the music softly coming through my window every morning. Lady In Red. If I Could Change The World.

When I went to Guatemala for my grandfather’s exhibition, I recall the irony of a volcano: so vicious when erupting, but so beautiful when at peace. I remember my dad’s poor horse barely making it up the path. I remember the last night, when we went out with my new husband, my uncle and cousin and we werrre 100% worry free. I can remember singing Hey There Delilah with my brother and sister, laughing everytime we couldn’t remember what the next verse was. And James’ laughter when we pulled up to the “gas station” which was a pump through a cement wall. Talk about old school. When we went to my grandfather’s exhibit, I remember seeing people flock to him, hoping to hear his words, his thoughts, his experiences. Then I giggled to myself: he is just my grandfather! To everyone else he is an amazing artist. I see that too, but secondary to family.

I remember my first FileMaker conference in Orlando and having a great time before. We rode everything in Islands Of Adventure at least twice. She poured freezing water on me because I said it was hot. I remember trying to get her back. At the conference, I was amazed at being surrounded by people who do what I do, and how we shared that commonality but each had a different background, a different story.

Within a short time, I can remember all of these things and realize how they make me who I am. They may not seem significant, but each moment stuck for some reason. It’s the beauty of experience and willingness to take in what’s around me. Obviously there are so many more stories. That’s what makes each of us interesting: we have stories to contribute. I don’t care if you wear Walmart jeans or carry a Coach purse. I care about meeting you, hearing your stories, learning about your passions.

I look forward to more experiences, new people, new stories. I can’t plan life in detail, but I can guide my future toward constant exposure to what’s around me.

As I write this I’m on a pland to San Francisco for the FileMaker conference. I look forward to my second visit to the city, but this will be different then the last. No two experiences are ever identical. That makes it beautiful and worthwhile.

. . . About me, huh? well…. I have a love for variety and “new-ness”. I’m willing to try almost anything once, but that doesn’t guarantee twice. I have a short attention span but when focused, I’m usually passionately intrigued and put my all into it.

Over time, I’ve found a few loves. First and foremost, photography. I have a love for pictures, whether it’s the pure form of a photo or a photoshopped version. Each has it’s own value.

I have an interest in cooking. Now can I cook? Ask James. He’s skinny… but we’ll blame that on his genes. I think I’m okay at putting food on a plate. There’s nothing like watching Top Chef or Kitchen Nightmares. I love watching the prep, the cooking, the plating! Oh how cool is it when people say that the food needs more acidity or the contrast of this ingredient and that ingredient! I wish I had that palette.

I also have a love for literary awesomeness. Lyrical fluidity and verbal prowess rock my socks. I like proverbial phrases, local jargon, and ironic statements. I also like lists of three. Two is too few, four is crowded, and five is ambitious (Read: I wanted to leave it at a list of 2 but then I’ve broken my premise).

I also have an interest in planning and organizing the lives of others. Now organize myself, that’s too much. My desk is covered in books, papers, pens, chopsticks from my lunch, and a few water bottles. My brain doesn’t understand the Self function (Read: Nerd speak). BUT you need help planning an event or organizing a trip or researching some stuff (list of 3!), I’m the woman for the job! I love a good laugh and a good time. I like being socially commanding, but giving way to others when appropriate. I love to plan social events and have people over Chez Zink. We are known for get togethers and even competitions. We’re proud to say Chez Zink hosted Top Chef: League City this year.

I live for spontaneity and variety. Life can be easily made dull and I don’t have neither the attention span for dull nor the like for it. It the world worked my way, I would have a different job each day. And if you’ve read my chapter-length “About Me”, kudos to you. I wouldn’t have the attention span to read it Luckily each section was a different topic or I would have quit writing 3 sentences in!

Every so often I am reminded of how I regret not hanging out with Katie when she was alive. I don’t know what sparks it, but I get an uneasy feeling every so often. She was truly an amazing person and had I given my full attention to our friendship, I would have realized it.

I let little things get between our friendship. Things so miniscule that I now regret at a much larger scale. It was a sense of jealousy I think. It’s neither here nor there because all I know, is that it led to regret in hindsight.

So what did I learn from this? Don’t hold back. I’m quick to say that I don’t feel like going out or don’t want to hang out. I psych myself out of having fun with friends. With the realization that friends move away and people move on, I can’t risk losing time with them.

I have at least 2 or 3 busy weekends a month and it is totally worth it. It may cause some stress, but I always end up having a good time. By having these experiences, I live a fruitful life and a life filled with memories of friends and laughter. It is rarely what we do together but that we do something together. It is the amazement that I want to spend time with one or more, and they in turn want to do the same. It’s a beautiful ying and yang.

So while my pockets are not as padded as I would like, I know that most of my money goes to my lifestyle that does not rely on expensive objects (well except iPhones) but on priceless experiences. It is all the trips we take and events we attend that make my life fulfilling. Very few of these experiences are done alone because I spend enough time in my own head. I would rather spend the time with others who have a similar appreciation of life and experiences.

Katie, I will always regret not building our friendship. You were a beautiful person in so many ways. You have taught me a lesson far greater than I can put into words. You will always be missed and loved. May angels have led you in and may you be in a safe and loving place. 5 years and counting but we will never forget you and your beautiful smile.

So the past few weeks I’ve been focusing on my unhealthy habits.  Now I’d like to think my husband and I do a decent job of eating healthy.  There were a few places for improvement though.

• I’m eating breakfast every day.
• I’m watching my calories, carbs, fat, and protein.
• I’m drinking lots and lots more water.
• I’m biking.

Breakfast:

My least favorite part of the day is the morning.  So I avoid breakfast because 1. I’m too annoyed to make it, and 2. I’m not a big eggs and bacon kind of girl…. or cereal and a banana… or whatever else is standard breakfast. I recently found the most amazing sammich (which I only make half of because it’s high in calories… too high)

• 2 eggs scrambled
• 4 slices of turkey breast
• 1 slice of Muenster cheese (I take this out once in a while… sparkpeople.com says it has too much unhealthy things for the morning)
• 2 slices of whole grain bread… like the real stuff… feels dense when you bite into it kind of stuff

It’s a simple sammich that tastes delicious! Oh I’m missing the least healthy part… a pat of butter to pan-fry the sandwich once assembled.  It’s just enough to toast the bread and give the bread a hint of flavor.  It’s definitely not greasy.

Watching What I Eat:

I’m not watching it because I’m overweight but it would be nice to know what’s going into my body.  I’m doing it so that over time, I don’t have to watch what I’m eating because I’ll know what I’m eating.  Thanks to sparknotes.com, I’m keeping up with the foods I’m eating, so I know what’s in them.  I’m starting to learn I know nothing about food, other than it usually tastes good   I’m not punishing myself by eating just greens all day.  I’m still eating chicken and steak and ‘tatoes (no one can take those away).  I figure if I keep track I can see where my downfalls are, and I can see what I should eat less of.

Drinking Water:

Another bane to my existance.  Water and I, we’re not two peas in a pod.  In fact, water is something I use for showering and washing dishes.  Apparently I’ve heard some *crazy* rumor that we should have 8 glasses of water a day? Pshh.

Okay maybe there’s some truth to that.  I’m not sure 8 is the magic number, but “a lot” is the magic measurement.  I keep a plastic water bottle around me at all times so when I feel slightly parched, I have water there.  Usually, I would sit in my office and feel thirsty but have nothing around me so I would just do nothing about it.  By making water convenient, I drink it.  And I’m cutting out soda too.  Now if I go out and feel like cheating a bit, I’ll have one; but overall, I’m keeping as far from soda as possible.  I’ll continue to drink tea in the mornings here and there, but the caffeine in there is a lot less than in soda or coffee.

Biking:

James bought a bike and I take it out every week.  I’d like to increase my biking schedule but I need to figure out when would be best for me to do it.  My proud moment was biking 12.5 miles one morning.  For me, that’s a huge accomplishment.  I had lunch with a friend today and I biked there (1.5 miles).  Sure it’s not far, but better than driving and healthy for the soul!  I really enjoy it because I don’t feel worn out afterward.  I know I haven’t pushed myself to the limit yet and I look forward to increasing my biking stamina over time.  I’ve already told Alex I’m on a mission to bike in the MS 150 one year.  It may not be next year, but I’m hoping in 2 years I’ll be able to.  I really need to work on my tolerance.

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So anywho – for some people I’m sure all of this seem easy, and for others I bet it seems hard.  Either way, I’m proud of where I’m going and what I’m doing.  It makes me feel better about myself and I’m learning a lot about what my body needs and what I give my body.  I figure if I can figure this stuff when I’m 25, I’ll be in pretty decent shape at 30, and 35, and 40….

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