What's Up Wednesday

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme geared toward readers and writers, allowing us to touch base with blog friends and let them know what's up.  Should you wish to join, check out Jaime's lovely blog and sign up with the link widget at the bottom of her post.

WHAT I'M READING

Reading? What is this thing you call "reading"? Honestly, I have been so busy that picking up a book this week, just wasn't a possibility. It's sad really, because reading is one of the things I enjoy most. And it is also one thing, that calms me when I am feeling stressed or overwhelmed. However, I am choosing to look at it as a small, short-term sacrifice. Here's why:

I'm currently working 3 jobs right now. Yes, you heard me right. Three! There is a reason for this madness. I am working at transitioning out of my first job (a.k.a. Evil Day Job) in six months time. *breathes into paper bag* Actually, I am quite excited about it. Well, let's say equal parts trepidation and excitement. For about 7 years now, I have been working to build my EcoTourism side business, into a viable "we can live on this" kind of thing. It's a huge risk, I know. I'm giving up a steady salary, benefits and all the rest that comes with a "real" job. But it is a risk that I am going to take, because if this mad idea works, it will ultimately lead to a much happier, more self-fulfilled little me. Wish me luck! *crosses fingers and toes*

WHAT I'M WRITING

Even with everything else going on. I have managed to stick to my writing goals this week. Even though I literally fell asleep on my laptop one night. Boy Chris, who gets major points for being extra supportive this week, actually tried to carry me to bed. Which resulted in a "put me down" debate of epic and sleepy proportions. 

But I am still on target to finish my rewrites by the end of the month and then I get to go back to writing on my new MS in all it's wonderful, shiny glory. I haven't been this excited about a project in a while and I can't wait to show the first draft to someone. It's completely different than anything I've ever written, but there is just something about this one. I can't put my finger on it, but I have a good feeling about it. Somehow it just feels more "me". Like I didn't hold anything back and truly let my little freak flag fly. 

WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO

That picture pretty much sums up my entire week. We paddled for 11 hours on Saturday! It was an absolute blast! But oh my, I was so sore by Sunday that moving really should have been "optional". 

That picture was taken at my absolute favorite time of the day. At low tide in the evenings, the wind dies down. The water becomes glassy and a stillness descends over the ocean. It is the hush of the day winding down. The birds fly back to their roosts. Dolphins fish in the shallows. And my heartbeat drops to match tide. It is almost magical in its beauty. 

At night, lying in bed, I still feel that quiet roll of the ocean beneath me. It brings me beautiful dreams in blues and greens.

WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW

I am usually not one for inspirational quotes. Perhaps decades of sitting in offices staring at banal Successories posters, cured me of my desire for "inspirational" quotations. But I was recently glancing through a collection of poetry and one line stuck out at me again. It pretty much sums up what I am trying to achieve this year (and breaking my back in the process). So I printed it out, and hung it on my office wall. I look at it every morning. And even if I am too sore to move, too tired to write, too stressed out to have a normal thought, it reminds me of why I am doing what I am doing. And hopefully, why it will all be worth it.

"What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

- Mary Oliver