Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts

Fall Goals

>> Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Fall has always been a time of change and new beginnings for as long as I can remember. It's always seemed odd to me that people set goals at the beginning of a new calendar year, right in the darkest and coldest time of year. Fall in Las Vegas is actually a great time weather-wise. The temperatures drop to the 70s and 80s and the days (as usual) are nice and sunny. It gets dark pretty early here because we are on the eastern edge of the time zone, but the trade off is the nearly perfect weather.

So in keeping with the idea of new beginnings, here are my goals for the next few months. I am trying to keep the goals fairly simple and attainable because sometimes I get expecting too much and then I just throw my hands up.

1. walk 3 to 5 miles, six days a week
2. use my juicer to make a delicious green drink every morning
3. dedicate at least one hour a week to taking photos
4. spend time creating jewelry and give myself full permission to mess up
5. start my Etsy store
6. do yoga 3 times a week
7. launch my new blog with NaBloPoMo (will link to it and all that good stuff)

Are there things you want to accomplish in the next few months? How do you keep yourself on track and accountable?

(In other important news, it looks like nature/scenery is barely eeking out the majority over good food/drinks in the very scientific Why do you love fall? poll. The race is still tight, though, and there are still 13 hours left to vote, so it's really anybody's game.)

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Random 5

>> Wednesday, September 10, 2008

- I have sold off the majority of my textbooks. I was thinking I might keep a couple, but let's be honest, am I really ever going to even crack the covers again? Not unless my degree is rescinded and I have to take business writing and English grammar all over again. *shudders*

- I am toward the middle of a book I am not enjoying too much. I'm considering letting it go, but my perfectionist self starts chiding me for not completing a task. This is something I need to work on.

- My mom has found a full-time job she seems to enjoy with decent pay. That is empowering and just lovely and I am very happy for her.

- After having a Twitter account for nine months or more, I am finally getting the hang of it and updating regularly. It is actually kind of fun.

- Between Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, GoodReads, e-mail, and all the blogs I read, I feel like I have crossed into the realm of social networking overload. It is a little out of control. My order of importance: e-mail, GoodReads, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Whew. Also, after becoming a social networking connoisseur of sorts, I am pretty sure I hate MySpace.

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Class of 2008

>> Thursday, August 21, 2008


She believed she could, so she did. ~ Suzanne Berry

Well, I am officially finished with college and will have my degree in 6-8 weeks. It is kind of funny, all these titles and distinctions we create for ourselves that we decide mean something.

I am proud of myself for getting through it. All of the papers, tests, group projects, and classroom responses have finally added up to something. I have battled my own internal demons. I've battled procrastination and my own anxiety and lack of self-confidence. I dealt with the insecurity I felt after I chose one path and ended up finding out that it was not for me. I lived without my own money for the amount of time that I needed to and relied on JP to get us through.

In hindsight, I know that I should have taken a year off between high school and college. I was completely burned out after high school. While I was home last month, I sat in the attic looking through a box filled with high school things, and I was amazed at how involved I was and how much I took on. It was no wonder to see why I was spent and in need of some time for myself that I wasn't brave enough to take.

But I think things happen the way they do for reasons we can't see on the surface. Getting through college some years later than I could have has given me confidence that I might not have had otherwise. I know that I could get through anything. What it means as far as my life's purpose? I'm not so sure. But it has been a ride.

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Breathe

>> Friday, August 1, 2008



"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." (Matthew 7: 24-29)

Having made a strong connection in recent months with Eckhart Tolle's writings, this particular passage resonates with me deeply. With school coming to a close soon, I feel like I am in a constant future-thinking state. I have the biggest project I've ever had to do awaiting me, and I'm having a difficult time not thinking beyond it. I am trying to remember to breathe. In reality, there is nothing I can change about the present and everything is right in my world at this moment. Always.

Academia is a very future-driven creation. In a way it has become my spiritual reminder to live for the present. I feel so much better when I can quiet my mind and just be. The present is the building block for the future, and if I don't nurture it and show reverence, my future will have a crumbling foundation.

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Home

>> Wednesday, July 23, 2008

I am finally settled back in Las Vegas after spending two weeks in Maryland. It sounds like a long time, but it was a whirlwind of activity. From cleaning out the attic and basement, to holding a yard sale, to helping my brother find a car, to getting my mom set up as well as I could -- there was not much time for fun. I didn't even take any pictures at all, a sure sign that I was overwhelmed.

I flew out of Pittsburgh International and my experience was fantastic. The airport is so nice and has a great shopping mall. The gates are clearly marked. The signage both entering and exiting is so clear; getting lost is not an option. The flight out was on time and better yet, no one sat in the middle seat! If you don't fly regularly, you might not realize or appreciate how truly rare this is, especially in recent years. It has been years since I have been on a flight where no one took the middle seat (I fly Southwest, so the boarding is a bit different than other airlines). Every flight I've taken in the last two or three years has been full. I will try to fly into Pittsburgh again unless it is winter. The weather can be nasty there, but any other time of year would probably be fine.

As for the family situation, I feel like I am pretty much finished with my dad, who isn't really my anything anymore. I have lost respect for him and his decisions. At the same time, I do respect that they are his decisions to make. The universe will see that he gets back what he puts out there, whether you call it karma, cause and effect, doing unto others, etc. Paying him back is not up to me or anyone else, and the best thing I can do for myself is to let it go and trust life.

My mom is hanging in there. She is a strong woman, and she has handled things remarkably well. I know that she will be able to let the situation go and will thrive because of it. I miss her and my brother, but I am happy to be back home with JP, despite the hairdryer-esque weather.

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Snippets

>> Wednesday, July 2, 2008

* I went for a haircut today. It has been months since the last cut, and my hair was longer than it's been since I was about five years old. I could easily grab it from behind without bending my head back. I got about two inches taken off and some layers added. I have never before felt like I lost five pounds of hair. Next up: Feria brush-in highlights.

* I am very ready to stop having dreams about my dad -- dreams in which I am sobbing and trying to reason with my dad. I know it's my brain trying to solve a problem, but really, brain, could you let it go already?

* I am looking forward to going back to Maryland on Monday even though I know part of the time will be dealing with previously mentioned parental unit. I am ready to see some rain and go up to Swallow Falls for a picnic.

* I am also looking forward to Arizona for a day trip this weekend. I can't wait to take some pictures with the DSLR. I haven't been in AZ since January 2007. That doesn't seem possible. This didn't happen.

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Oh California

>> Friday, June 27, 2008


You can fall in love at first sight with a place as with a person. ~Alec Waugh


I have contracted the California bug. For a while, I thought about moving back East. Now that my very small family has been made smaller yet, I am questioning that idea. There is not a lot I find particularly desirable about the East Coast -- unbearable humid summers and depressing bone-chilling winters. The high expense and traffic can be found in California, but with the addition of nearly perfect weather and awesome beaches. Sure, there is always the risk of the stray earthquake or wildfire, but there is also the risk of a tornado or flooding back East.

I feel a strong connection to nature when I am in California, and I envision much more outdoor time than I get here in Las Vegas. It is rough to be holed up inside for five months until being outside is bearable.

I am ready to live somewhere that I feel a connection to mother Earth, somewhere my soul sings. A lot of things have to be put in motion before it can happen -- selling the house, finding jobs, saving up more money, etc. For now, while the economy is completely scraping bottom, we will probably stay put, but living in California is a fantastic future goal.

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turmoil

>> Thursday, May 22, 2008

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
- Reinhold Niebuhr


I just wanted to say that I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. I have enjoyed my time away from school so much for the past couple of weeks. It's been so nice not to be tethered to a computer. It's tough to believe that my next classes start Tuesday. JP and I are going to San Diego to take advantage of the long weekend. This has been a long time coming -- we haven't had a weekend away since going to San Diego last May (unless you count going to the East Coast for Christmas).

I have been going through some emotional turmoil myself. Seemingly out of the blue, my dad has decided that he doesn't love my mom anymore and wants a divorce. They have been married for 34 years. Unfortunately, there is no talking to my dad; he has gotten to be a really stubborn person. I guess what hurts me most is that he never said anything about his feelings until he felt ready to bail. I do not hate my dad, but I don't respect what he is choosing. I'm someone who is fairly logical and no matter how many ways I try to wrap my brain around it, I just don't understand it. I am working to getting myself to a place of acceptance. My mom is going to be out here next week for an extended stay so that she can gain some perspective and try to begin healing.

So that is where I am right now -- learning to take one day at a time and accept the things I cannot change.

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Ready to Escape

>> Friday, April 25, 2008

So here I am in all my stressed-out end of the semester cesspool goodness. I have four pretty major things to finish before I take my five exams. There is just not too much to say because my life is very uninteresting.

JP's family was out here visiting this past week. It was a good week but I got pretty much NO work finished. So I am going to be working twice as hard this weekend. I am oh so ready to be through with this semester, and I will be in two weeks. After that we are going to San Diego for the weekend. We've been really good about money and haven't gone anywhere for four months. I am ready to get out of Nevada for a little while and escape this school prison I feel like I've been in for the last three months.

And then... AND THEN... two more classes this summer and I will finally be finished with school. Hallelujah.

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Updateyness-ish

>> Thursday, March 13, 2008

Hi Internets. I have been a busy bee for the past few weeks. For some reason the middle of the semester is a packed full of scholarly goodness. I have had five assignments and two group projects due. Thank goodness that next week is spring break. I am looking forward to six glorious days of thinking of things other than what is due next.

JP and I are still being money-conscious and that means being thrifty spenders and not going on overnight weekend trips. Really, though, that is ok because I have a lot to do around the house. I need to do a good spring cleaning, get my new recipes organized and started, and do lots of other odds and ends I just haven't had time to do recently.

I have been reading The Spectrum which is about the spectrum of choices we are able to make when it comes to our lives -- nutrition, meditation/de-stressing, exercise. It is a very comprehensive book and what I like most about it is that it is sound and based in science. I also like that it doesn't tell you what to do, but describes a variety of choices. Really, it is not about being forced to do things -- we are all making choices in our lives. Living (and staying!) at the healthy end of the spectrum is something I am choosing to learn how to do in the next few months. I will keep myself accountable on here.

The best news I have is that my camera is repaired and will get here tomorrow. I've missed it a lot! I cannot wait to get out with it next week.

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Random February Funk

>> Sunday, February 17, 2008

*I am completely swamped with school. Taking five classes really is a full-time job and things are not slowing down any time soon. This week is shaping up to be a very busy one because I have four writing assignments due.

*I have realized that when I am consumed with school, I become pretty uninteresting. I do not intend for this to happen, but it inevitably does. I keep thinking that I will be able to do all of these crafty projects in my spare time, but my spare time always gets spent on something else, my ever present nemesis.

*Also, my new camera has malfunctioned. I flipped it on and got a bright white LCD screen. It was working so beautifully up until now, and still seems to be able to take pictures. I am just unable to see them or the menu. So, I'm going to have to ship it back to get fixed and be camera-less for a while. Thank the universe for this happening while it is still covered under the year-long warranty.

*In addition, I do not think I will be participating in the new NaBlo format unless they come up with a theme that really inspires me. I am just not so sure I can do the list thing for a month -- and who really wants to read that many lists about me anyway? Hmmm? That would get old, people, TRUST ME.

*I really am going to endeavor to get some kind of craftiness going in my life, but I am being realistic about it and realizing that it might take me some time to get anywhere. I am feeling the February funk right now. How is your February shaping up?

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Snip

>> Saturday, February 9, 2008

Today I cut JP's hair. The man has HAIR. He seems to have his dad's hair gene and his dad is 73 with a full shock of salt-and-pepper colored hair. There is no chance of JP going bald unless he starts shaving his head.

He had usually gone to one of those quickie hair butcher cutter places like Great Clips or SuperCuts and spent about $12 about every two months. The quality of the cuts were pretty inconsistent. The last time he went was September and the random hair dresser didn't listen to him and did what she wanted, cutting his hair to about a quarter of an inch -- too short for my taste. Fortunately his hair grows back faster than anything, so by the time Christmas rolled around his hair was getting somewhat unruly. I told my mom, who always cuts my dad's hair, that she should give JP a haircut for Christmas.

That got her started on a Christmas gift idea: an easy-to-use color coded hair clipper. It really is a phenomenal invention. She helped me cut his hair after Christmas and then showed me how to scissor cut the front top part of it and I felt that I could really do the job.



This morning I finally got around to doing it all on my own. First, I used the light blue one-inch taper control around the back of his head and up to his crown. Then I trimmed around his ears, tapering the cut down to his lower hair line. Next, I cut the top and front of his hair. I stood to the side and lifted horizontal sections of his hair, trimming straight across to make the hair even. I cut just about a fourth of an inch at a time, checking my progress as I went and comparing it with the rest of his hair. Lastly, I shaved his neck and gave a final trim to the lower hairline.



For a long time I had wanted to give him a haircut, but I didn't feel I had the skills/tools necessary to do the job. It was really quite easy, especially with the clipper, and I am happy to be able to do this and not have to shell out $12 for nothing. Plus, I think I did a better job than 90% of them do anyway. Now only one of us has to shell out money for hair cuts. If only JP were a hair stylist we could really save some money ...

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Healing

>> Wednesday, February 6, 2008

JP's mom has developed an MRSA (staph) infection and is in the hospital. We are hoping the antibiotics work for her. Please send healing thoughts/prayers her way.

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Sicky sicky gag gag

>> Friday, January 25, 2008

January just has not been the month for me health-wise. I started off the month with a sore throat/stuffy nose combo that I seem to get every time I go back to the East Coast, likely from some unmannerly people letting their internal ick loose on the airplane. Then a week later, my mom, JP and I came down with a terrible stomach flu that lasted for about five days or so. And three days ago I got ANOTHER sore throat/runny nose combo.

This is really very rare for me because I am someone who washes my hands about ten times a day and uses hand sanitizer when I touch just about ANYTHING out in public -- doorknobs, restaurant menus, money, etc. I am very diligent about it and I believe it has kept me from getting sick many times.

But this month has thrown me for a loop. Yesterday the sore throat had turned into a gagging cough and I just could not get to sleep last night, even with a cough drop firmly planted in my cheek. So I was up till four in the morning until the utter exhaustion I was feeling took control and let me sleep. Today I am feeling somewhat better, but if I can't get to sleep again tonight, I am going to down a healthy dose of Nyquil. Here's hoping February is a much more healthful month!

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26

>> Friday, January 18, 2008

It is no secret to those who know me: today I am 26 years old. It feels strange to roll the number around my mouth. It sounds sophisticated and grown up.

But this is where I am. It is funny to think of what a far-off age this used to sound to me but now to realize how it actually feels. I am still the same person with an ever-increasing number attached to myself that does not really define me at all. I never want to be one of those women who feels embarrassed about her age. I want to be proud of where I have been, where I am going, and where I am now.

26 will be a good year for me. I will finish school, find a new job, work on photography, try my hand at various crafts, visit interesting places, and meet new people. This will be the year I start to step out of my shell and create the life I want for myself.

I finally feel like I am becoming a woman, more comfortable in my skin and more comfortable with myself. I just might end up liking this 26 thing.

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Better

>> Monday, January 14, 2008

I am finally back on my feet again after losing a week of my life and five pounds (so it's not ALL bad). Thanks for your well-wishes! It was a slow process and one I hope I don't have to face again any time soon.

Poor JP got the stomach flu not long after I had it. Also, my mom got it and was laid up with me for the week as well. She was going to leave tomorrow, but we asked her to stay a bit longer since the last one was such a waste. So a trip to Death Valley will likely happen this weekend. I am very much looking forward to it and can't believe we haven't visited there before.

I am really looking forward to getting back to updating this blog with regular and (I hope) interesting content now that I am all better! Stay tuned.

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Home

>> Monday, December 31, 2007

JP and I are FINALLY back in Las Vegas after spending eight days on the East Coast visiting family. It was a very good Christmas week. And we brought my mom back with us.

The flight back was super long -- five hours and twenty minutes. I think it might have ended up being more. There were also a lot of bawling children because, let's face it, no one really wants to be on a plane for five hours late at night. It was a pretty uneventful flight, though, and the portable DVD player definitely helps the time pass.

Mom and I just went to the market and spent an hour stocking up the fridge with food. Tonight we are going to have appetizers and then we are going to go watch from afar the fireworks they shoot off from the casinos.

I am really happy to have my mom here and to have her see Las Vegas when it's not 100+ degrees like it's been all the other times she's visited. Anyway, I'd better go help her cook!

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Darkness

>> Tuesday, December 18, 2007


This has been a dark time of year for me for as long as I can remember. My energy is very low and my inspiration/motivation plummets right along with it. The early sunsets and all the holiday demands really don't help things. I'd really just like to crawl into bed for the next few months. A candle in the darkness symbolizes the faith I have that I will be able to come out the other side of this rough time of year. Things start to look up as the days get longer!

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Presents

>> Tuesday, December 4, 2007

It is so strange not to have to post everyday. I feel like I have gone through detox!

I do not look forward to all the materialism that comes with Christmas. It is one thing when you are young and dependent on your parents for everything, but it is another when you are an adult and can go out and get what you want yourself. It was different when I wanted something and couldn't afford it and then had to wait for it till Christmas rolled around. And now, having to have a list for two moms is just really too much. Plus, I don't want anymore stuff. I HATE stuff!

I am, though, glad that I have my camera now and can get some gifts that will help me build my photography skills. At least they will be useful gifts and won't just sit on a shelf or stay tucked up in a closet somewhere.

Really, I just like to spend time with people and eat good food. The presents are just sticky fluff that get in the way and causes too much stress.

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43 Places

>> Tuesday, November 27, 2007

I am really getting the travel bug. This tends to happen when I haven't gone somewhere different for a while. We did have our day in Zion which was nice, but I am itching for a weekend away.

After knocking off a few things on my 43 Things list, today I finished creating my 43 Places list, which is actually only 32 places so far. Some of them are reasonable trips. But some places are extravagant Europe-y places, and with the dollar going lower than a ten-year-old playing limbo, I don't see that happening anytime soon. Oh well. At least it is nice to dream about the places on my list!

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