the weather outside is weather

Lately, I've found myself indulging in fifteen minute walks. I used to take these walks all the time when we had Shadow, but they got left by the wayside when we had to put him to sleep. It felt weird taking walks solo, and I honestly become intimidated by all those runners around my neighbourhood who would jog in freezing weather in workout gear while I trudge through the snow in ten layers of clothing. 

In the past two weeks, though, I've kind of ignored the runners and just focused on one step in front of the other, clearing my head, and enjoying being outside even if the weather outside is weather (oh Paul Rudd, how I love thee in Forgetting Sarah Marshall ... and now that I'm starting How I Met Your Mother I'm rediscovering Jason Segel, too). 

These little walks make me feel kiddish again and bring me back to those years where I would crave being outside; even before I had neighbourhood friends, I would pretend to be an athlete named "Aimee" (which was my favourite name in the world) on my rollerblades or Tony Hawk's protege on a skateboard, whizzing around the block. Those were the days where you would skin your knee and cry, but then admire the battle wound. 

As the years go by, it's almost as if those moments get lost in disarray and replaced by everything needing to have a purpose; that voice in my head would keep saying, "What's the point of going outside for a walk when there's so many other things to do on your to-do list?" In defense, I respond, "Why can't you just enjoy something simply because you enjoy it?" 

When I see bloggers like Krissy become suddenly inspired to write a novel, seeing Kat's determination to tackle her 2012 goals, Kym's awesomeness in creating a clothing line and having it soar, seeing Tiara's art on a pendant, seeing my sister Margarita (who just had her birthday - Happy Birthday!) looking absolutely fab as a soon-to-be mom of two children, and looking at Katy's set of rules inspires me to indulge in those things that make me happy, follow my dreams, and constantly better myself. 

And fortunately, I have a few supporters.

Even though I loved sitting in the theatre watching Sherlock Holmes 2 and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (both phenomenal films, by the way), two of my favourite memories from these past two weeks were walking around the bayfront with a friend when the skating rink was a bit too watery followed by checking out a local coffee shop and, just yesterday, going on a random walk with The Boy. We had planned on an all-out road trip but instead hit up a local hiking area with a waterfall across the street and enjoyed looking at bunny tracks and amusing ourselves by seeing which parts of a lake were frozen or not.

Walking in a winter wonderland ...

Being a pair of "hoodlums" (and calling him Pippi Longstocking because of the strings).

Moments like taking a little stroll really bring about those simple smiles for me; and I really want to make this year one of indulging in those simple smiles. 

What are those simple things that make you happy?

What's one thing you've lost sight of but want to rediscover?

Hope you had a great weekend & have a happy start to your week :)