Taryn is still here

I’m still alive!

It’s been so long since I’ve written here, or anything at all that wasn’t work-related. I won’t mince words; life dropkicked me and decided to beat me into a pulp. Here’s a kick recap. In the last year:

  • Moved to Texas
  • Fell out of escrow on a home I was supposed to purchase
  • Leased an apartment in Texas
  • Realized my family had more issues than I’d care to admit
  • Went to therapy for said family issues
  • Still working on/coming to terms with family issues/life
  • Improved on setting boundaries– both personal and professional
  • Visited several alpaca farms
  • Made wonderful friends
  • Visited the beach often
  • Saw 3 NBA games live
  • Visited NASA in Houston
  • Went to Dallas to see my first NHL game
  • My parents got divorced
  • I fell and tore my MCL in my right knee
  • I reinjured the MCL in my left knee
  • Was bedridden for 8 weeks
  • Fired clients
  • Spent Christmas on my own and didn’t hate it

Even Still

Yes, this year was a dumpster-fire in a million ways to one. That said, I’d be lying if I didn’t also learn and experience things that will invariably shape my future. So why am I writing this? For one, if there’s anything I hope that people walk away from reading anything that I’ve written, it is the hope that:

  1. Your life is uniquely yours. No opinion on Reddit can change that or give you the correct wisdom to live it
  2. Live has challenges as it does contain cherished moments. Don’t let the hard stuff color over the beautiful stuff
  3. We are all human– and so are your parents/family. Give them grace, even when it doesn’t seem fair
  4. In your time of grief, let God grieve with you. Trust me when I say there are situations that will happen that go fair beyond human comprehension. Let Him carry the burden and you mourn alongside Him.

Grieve Well

I want to be clear in why I’m saying this, because I find that most people of the Christian faith don’t explicitly state this well. When it comes to building a relationship with God (if you so choose) the only way you can do so founationally is if you seek Him for yourself. What I mean is that you have to directly ask Him, you have to read the word to understand, and it’s a relationship that only you yourself can build and develop. Too many times, especially with young people, we want to hide behind pastors, preachers, teachers, etc. as if that will get us through. And, for some time it does seem sustainable. However, when your faith is rooted in people instead of Christ, when hard times hit, you will quickly see how easy people fall. That’s not a dig on people, it’s just the reality of man (myself included). We’re infallible and imperfect. Even with the best intentions we still hurt each other. For this reason (among many others), when life smacks you in the face, leaving you breathless, turn to God and He will not disappoint. I am not saying it’s easy, but I am saying in the time you spend with Him, there is healing. So I didn’t intend this to be a sermon on the mound of sorts. The reason I’m sharing this is because there are so many people struggling with many things looking to other people who are equally lost for answers. I hope in what I’m sharing brings peace to those who are seeking it.

Moving On

I am backlogged on so many stories. I’m excited in that I finally have more time to dedicate to sharing them here. So, while I’m not promising a schedule (though I am planning in the background), I will be blogging more, sharing the laughs– both painful and hilarious moments, and the things I’ve been getting up to while I was away. Cheers!

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The Has-Been

When I was a kid and through my earlier years in college, sports were a big part of my life. I started playing basketball in elementary school and developed a love for the game. There’s something about the competitiveness of the game that I’ve always loved. Being on the court– making quick, analytical decisions on whether to pass, shoot the jumper or take it to the hole– there’s nothing like it.  Continue reading “The Has-Been”

5 Recipes I am Dying to Try.

I love to cook. When I was 16, I tore my ACL and LCL playing basketball and was sidelined indefinitely. To pass the newly acquired time I had on my hands, I picked up cooking. Getting in the kitchen and experimenting with herbs, meats, veggies, and spices is something I enjoy immensely. I find it incredibly therapeutic. Granted I haven’t really been in the cooking spirit as of late, I have plans to change that soon!

I stumbled upon Forksoverknives and am obsessed with their recipes. I highly recommend checking out their site. They advocate for having a plant-based diet to help with many illnesses like heart disease. Though I really dig what they’re about, I don’t think I can give up meat forever (sorry cows, chickens, etc. you’re just too damn yummy). That said, I do want to incorporate more plant-based dishes into my repertoire.

Also,  I’ve finally checked out my Pinterest (there were cobwebs from all the inactivity) and have spotted some really tasty recipes that I can’t wait to test out in the kitchen. So without further ado, here are 5 things I’ve found on the interwebs that I’m going to try and whip up.

1. Parmesan Encrusted Zucchini 

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2. Roasted Garlic & Herb Mushroom Medley Recipe

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3. Caramelized Onion & Pepper Quesadillas

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4. Honey Ginger Roasted Carrots

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5. Balsamic Glazed Porter House Steaks with Black Olives & Mustard Tapenade

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Ok, just writing about this stuff is making me incredibly hungry! So these are a few of the things I am going to try. Hopefully if I don’t make too much of a mess of things, I’ll share with you guys how it all turns out. In the the spirit of the first day of fall, what are some of your go-to recipes? Let me know in the comments! 🙂