About rkpaulus

Writer. Mom. Wife. Basketball coach. Lover or all things chocolate. Winner of bubble gum jar! Grace is my oxygen.

Waterfalls Wake the Wow in Me

After our chance encounter with the not so firey Katniss wannabe in the parking lot of Hooker Falls [hey, I don’t name them, I just come in search of waterfalls. :)]…we had a two hour window to hike to three falls and then begin our drive back to New York.

Hubby hands us each a hiking stick, a water bottle, and I throw a bag of trail mix and pretzels into my backpack. And we’re off, following a well marked trail to our third (50th, if you count all the rapids we kayaked over yesterday, but we’ll say 3rd that is officially named) waterfall of our Spring Break outdoorsy adventure.

I never used to like hiking. Walking I never minded. Hiking, however, involves ups and downs, unsteady terrain, potential sprained ankles and falls, and chances of getting lost. Then one day I hiked with a stick, and it revolutionized my thinking. On the steepest of hikes, I’ve even used two hiking sticks, and I’m sure this is why animals stay on all fours. The steadying factor makes all the difference in the world. And you get less tired when you have that third or fourth leg. Giving you time to focus on the beauty all around you since you’re less nervous about tripping and sliding down gravel pathways.

So, we are off, hiking toward the sound of rushing water that grows louder with each step. The girls race ahead with their dad while I bring up the rear with Sarah-Beara. Trekking up hill as the terrain increases in steepness only means one thing. We are almost there. The hill plateaus and now I can see the  top of the falls through the trees. And my heart quickens.  Like the day I first met my hubs. 

I realize even before we see the falls from the most open viewpoint that I love nothing like I love waterfalls. And all my senses are awake. I hear the stirring water as I approach. I now see the powerful roar of water pouring over the arch into the pool. I close my eyes to feel the spray of mist on my face as I draw nearer still. I stick my tongue out to taste the cool droplets that pop up with each splash. And I touch the frigid water with my finger tips as the water races over my skin with the desire to pull me in. This is my heaven on earth. I am in that place. That place of wow.

Hooker Falls. Looked it up and down and could not determine the origin of the name…  Continue reading

Thinks That Sparkle

 “Mommy, here’s a shiny one.” Sarah, my four year old, hands me a little silver speckled white rock from one hand while tossing the rock from the other into the river. “Mommy. That one’s not for throwing..it’s for you to keep.”
I held the rock out until the sun’s light made it look like I was holding a diamond. Then I put it safely in my pocket. Made me think? What gives a stone it’s worth? And why is that we love things that sparkle?
Last night, as we took a night hike around our North Mills campsite in North Carolina,  billions of stars dotted the moonless sky. Sarah, gripping tightly to her daddy’s hand, looked up and said, “Ooooh! The sky is too sparkly!”
“Do you like it?” Wasn’t sure why she chose the word too?
“Yes!” Must be a four year old thing. 

Katniss? Is that you?

A woman sporting a bow and arrow emerges from behind the bushes. The videographer steps backward, holding his camera steady as he moves away. 

“Katniss?!?” I scream without thinking. 

“Cut.” Videographer looks over at me, rolls his eyes, and shakes his head. 

“Sorry. I got a little excited when I saw the bow and arrow.” My bad?

That was not my line. The truth is, they never gave me any lines. Or any parts either. I wasn’t even an extra. And the girl… Looked nothing like Katniss Everdeen. 

How Do You Get There from Here?

  Some of us are born with an internal GPS of sorts. We have a natural sense of direction. And we backtrack like we’re a fugitive on the run, able to retrace steps and return home because we instinctively memorize landmarks, street signs, and pay attention to the ‘Do Not Enter’ warnings. 

Then, there’s some of us who have two left hands. We tell the driver, “Turn right.” Then when the car begins to veer in one direction, we begin screaming, “No! No! My other right!” And the GPS is our best friend. We program it just to hear her cool British accent. Even when we’re heading to work. The same three minute drive we do daily. Just to be on the safe side. Continue reading

For Freeeeeeeeeeeeeee… An Easter-ish Story

“Where did you get that?” Mom would ask when we came home from school with something we didn’t take from home that morning. 
“The teacher gave it to us. It was free!”
“Beta, there’s nothing free in this world.” 
I heard this my whole life. For the most part, I have to agree. People rarely give you something entirely for free. But…. Continue reading

My Easter Playlist

And you thought Christmas Carols were important? Personally, as much as I love a holiday jingle as much as the next person, songs that tell the story of Easter [the original one without the bunny—ftr], are the tunes that move me into this week and remind me daily why I live.

Let me back up a moment.

I’ve always loved music. From the time when I first laid on my stomach on my front porch, facing my radio almost daily after school in fifth grade and adjusted the antennae for maximum static reduction. Music has been almost as important as oxygen to me, and my iPod more dear to me than chocolate. Well, a close tie. Okay, we can have that debate another day.

I have a song associated with all my memories, especially the highlights, milestones, and low points in my life. Toni Braxton came in handy when some boy broke my heart and when you’re a teen, it feels like you can’t breathe when that happens. Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” embraced me when I started dreaming about my part in changing the world and making a difference. And the late Whitney Houston helped me through many a day when I asked, “How Will I know if he really loves me,” because I was one of those girls who was always falling in love, but never quite moving past the crush across the room phase.

So it only made sense that when I began to seriously pursue a faith that answered life’s deepest questions, certain songs helped me to understand the picture of a love that wouldn’t let me go. A God that loved me just the way I am. And Grace that offered to enter the darkest parts of me and tell me, it’s okay. I’m okay. We could get through this life. Together.

So instead of telling you why I love Easter or the story of my faith…I thought I’d take you on a short audible journey through the music that has gone past my ears and trickled into my heart. To tell me that I am Forgiven. Accepted. And Loved.

Enjoy! Continue reading

My Friend Who Likes To Shoot People…

And places, and things. 

Meet one of my photography friends. I have quite a few friends who own cool cameras. And love to look, point, and shoot. And the more pictures they take, the more amazing the photos they produce.  So without distracting your eyes any further with words. Take a look and enjoy this Photo Blog subtitled: 

“Signs of Spring” 

by a photographer who loves what he does. 

Meet Alvim Gimarino. He began his photo journey with a little Kodak film camera his dad shared with him, but in high school received a Canon Rebel XS after seeing an Andre Agazzi commercial where one of his favorite athletes used the same camera.

My Love-Hate Relationship with Hunger Games

Photo Credit: HungerGames.com

After watching Hunger Games on an IMAX screen last night, I must admit. I love the movies. Nothing like seeing an amazing story come to life on the big screen. And for once, a book translated into the movie did not disappoint. From the dingy details of District Twelve to the neon colors bouncing off the cinema walls when Peeta and Katniss arrive in the Capitol. From the green hues of Gale and Katniss’ beloved forest to the dome of the hunger games. The setting came alive. Just as I had imagined it.
The characters were cast near perfectly. I did imagine Haymitch a little chunkier, but Woody Harrelson’s acted brilliantly. He might be my favorite after last night. Continue reading

A Backwards Sunny Jig Across the Finish!

[Introducing Guest Blogger Santhosh “Call me Sunny” Paulus…A.K.A. hubby, hubs, hubster, Sunshine, hotty hubs…you get the picture. With a few minor edits by the wifey.]

 

Beautiful Day for a Run!

Have you ever been so excited about something that you woke up earlier than your alarm clock is set for? Maybe it was because you couldn’t wait to do something or you were nervous about it. Well, Saturday March 24th was one of those days for me.


Woke up at 5:35A.M. and I forced myself to go back to sleep, but by 5:50, the birds outside my bedroom window were so loud, I just got out of bed. I was excited, and I had no idea how the day would turn out.  Continue reading