Sunrise Owls

Welcome to our Blog. Chris writing. In case you haven’t already heard, Lexi and I got married in April and we are ready for a big change in our life. We have decided to pull up our roots and move from Austin, TX to Colorado. This move in not so simple, you see, as we’ve dreamed of a grand honeymoon but corporate America does not allow this type of vacation. So we have strategically timed our move and departure from the workplace to allow for weeks of travel without worries of rent or PTO.

Our honeymoon is set to begin August 25 — we are traveling to Thailand to celebrate the beautiful life we have on this harmonious planet. To explore our surroundings and souls. To create new memories, find hidden waterfalls. And we want to share this experience with you.

As I write this, I am sitting here at my construction jobsite on a Saturday as I finalize the details of this renovation before school starts. My notice to resign has been submitted and my replacement is getting to up to speed to close this project out. It is hard to leave something you have worked so hard on for an extended period of time but I will carry the skills and lessons I’ve learned with me as I move on to another role.

A Meditation on Identity

Lexi here – I’ve had the fortune of taking a bit more time off than Chris with federal grants frozen, the main work I’d been doing at Burns & Mac for the past three years. We spend the majority of our time and energy at work so it’s only natural it becomes part of our identity. However, more and more as I would look around the office, my passion for policy was being replaced with growing cynicism about corporate profits and the appeasing nature of consulting.

I had also been letting stress cycles at work rob me of hobbies and a rich social network for a long time. This reprieve from a daily commute and desk chain has given me time not just to reflect but also to experiment. I have tried new skills, countless recipes, and explored the city in ways I did not have energy for before.

Highlights from this personal time include:

• Discovering a deep passion for herbalism through community sessions at a local medicine garden
• Compiling a resource on how food impacts female hormones in the midst of growing frustration about the underfunding (and active defunding) of women’s health research/care
• Checking out stacks of library books weekly, reminiscent of summer break growing up
• Getting back into community organizing with a local activism group

This freedom has been the ultimate gift from my husband and I am so lucky to have enjoyed this time, especially in the midst of our wedding, travels, and move. I’ve gained more empathy for those who define their days beyond a traditional job and learned a lot about my natural rhythms.

I firmly believe we each have a unique contribution to improve the (or at least our) world. With deep gratitude, my cup overflows again and I feel reconnected with my inner light. I can’t wait to dive into projects and another position with new energy after our adventure!

See You Soon 5280

On that note, we are packing up our lives in Austin on August 14 and can’t wait to see our Colorado friends & fam before catching our flight to the Land of Smiles. Love y’all!