Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Best of...

3-year anniversary finale (Leap Day doesn't count):

Overall, the posts from Tanzania have been the most viewed posts of all time. In particular, the Zanzibar post is the most popular - and this is due to some strange Google searches, I might add.



My favorite Tanzania post, though, is Wrapping up mainly because it is such a sweet memory to me.




Here's to more travels, more experiences to share, more life to live...

Monday, February 27, 2012

Bust a move

Rerun Day 8: 4/28/09 Not so dirty dancing

I need to get back in a routine that includes some sort of exercise.. maybe at the end of this week.. maybe next week.

I should at least go dancing soon. Anybody down??

These feet need to get to moving.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Sweet southern comfort

Rerun Day 7: 2/4/09 Southern "Pride"

When I began this blog, I was living in Newark, NJ. And it was often that people were stunned that I was from the South.

I appreciate being Southern. I like that it is totally legit to appreciate Ludacris and Kenny Chesney - and to know that it is wrong for any country singer to rap in the middle of an otherwise fine song. I like that it's understood that strangers can call you "honey," "sweetheart," and "baby" and not be offensive. I love the word "y'all" - it is so useful!

I like that I can appreciate different points of view and can understand adversity. I like that I can appreciate sending "thank you" cards and other sorts of politeness often overlooked.

But mostly, I like that Southern cuisine is so delicious, y'all. It doesn't have to be fried, but you know it tastes better that way.

Life progress = no longer living in New Jersey. (I have no pictures of Newark.) But, the proximity to NYC and DC was nice.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Defining adjustment

Rerun Day 6: 10/12/2009 Transition

Transitions, I think, are an ever present part of life. I am pretty sure that everyone I know, even peripherally, is in some sort of transition in their lives. It's important to recognize how hard it can be, but also to understand how beautiful it is. This is a challenge - balancing the newness, the struggles, the goodness, and the loss all at once.

Plus, fall is my favorite..

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Like mother, like daughter. Oh no!

Rerun Day 5: 12/5/10 Apple, Tree

I love that I have my mom's crooked smile. I love that I have my mom's cheese-ball sense of humor. I love that I have my mom's tireless determination.

I love my mom. But when I experience true, unadulterated "Phyllis moments," it terrifies me to no end.

All of Mom's children inherited her love of animals..

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Peace, y'all

Rerun Day4: 2/4/11 Peace with the world

One day I will learn from my experiences (and listen to my own advice) and appreciate them. And appreciate moments as they happen. Until then, peace y'all.



Peace up, A town down.

In the frame of adventure. Life.


(Post Secret)

Rerun Day 3: 4/8/09 Choose-Your-Own-Adventure

The truth is, choice has very little to do with the paths that our lives take. Free will is something created to help us cope with the unpredictably bizarre twists our destinies hold.

But at least it's always an adventure.

Where will these feet take me next...

Monday, February 20, 2012

Down in New Orleans (I wish I was..)

Reruns Day 2: 8/16/10 NOLA

Happy Mardi Gras. And Happy I-Get-to-Meet-Baby-Mayer-on-Saturday Day.

And also, if you've never browsed this blog or if we've never met, I <3 NOLA (and I love the LeMon-Mayers even more). NOLA is love with a side of soul and grits.

Quarter Life Crisis

What's the statute of limitations on a quarter life crisis? I hope three years isn't too long to be caught in this state of stuck-ness.

February marks my 3 year anniversary as a blogger. This is bizarre. In honor of what can only be classified as my longest-term commitment to date, I will be drawing my readers' attention (all 3 of you - maybe 3 of you?) to some old posts for the remainder of this month.

Some are posts that you have enjoyed most (based on feedback, stats, etc.). Some are my favorite posts. Some are posts that continue to strike a cord with me today. In fact, most of these, quite frankly, I could have written today (or tomorrow, or in a month from now probably). I think this calls to mind the cyclical nature of life (or, at least, of my life) - struggles repeat themselves, seasons come again each year, the basics of life stay the same. It's all been said, all been done - all we need is love..love, love, love.

Here you go (with pictures circa the time of the original post):

11/11/09 Why Georgia

As a rule, it's a pretty sad state of affairs to identify with any John Mayer song. But I must say, the lyrics of "Why Georgia" often resound in my mind. Maybe it's all the damn driving down 85. Maybe it's just being in your 20s and the soul-stirring/going your own way-ness. Regardless, I do often wonder about my, as of yet, verdictless life. I could have written this post a million times in the last three years. Am I living it right??????




"So what, so I've got smile on. It's hiding the quiet superstitions in my head. Don't believe me. Don't believe me. When I say, I've got it down."

Sunday, February 19, 2012

When singin' the Blues isn't an option



Known fact: The Blues = Amazing Musical Potential




Lesser known fact: The Blues = Good for the Economy = Bad for the Wallet (and for the Waistline)

Also, the blues are good for odd productivity – I cleaned out the car console and glove compartment yesterday. Ten years of auto-related receipts, tags, and proofs of insurance anyone???

And lastly, the Blues = an appreciation for Bridget Jones’ Diary as a not-so-secret guilty pleasure. Be honest, pairing a Hugh Grant-Colin Firth spar with “It’s Raining Men” is brilliant – pure brilliant. (Insert my love for all things Brit-cheesy here.)

“-Wait a minute. Nice boys don’t kiss like that.

-Oh, yes, they f*?!ing do.”

Give me a nice British boy with a cute British accent any day. Wouldn’t this make anyone smile?

Heads up: In honor of 3 years (!!) of blogging, a week of re-runs (with commentary) awaits you tomorrow…

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Layers

Preparing for my walk this morning, I applied five layers – five – and yesterday morning I topped it off with a hat and scarf. Reminiscing on my time in Scotland and New Jersey, I felt a little silly wearing all these layers for a quick walk around the neighborhood. The winters I spent in actual frigid parts of the world required such layering on a daily basis.

After a few months of taking hours each day dressing for the weather (ok, this is an exaggeration), frustration for wearing so many clothes set in. Going to the bathroom is more of a chore when you have on hose and leggings and pants! Once, on my weekly weekend excursions to NYC, I defied the weather and wore only a long sleeved shirt and my coat – ha!; it was a gloriously chilly victory.

In these frosty parts of the world, you notice that there is a different definition for what is warm. While I was studying in Edinburgh, I met a Scottish friend in a café on a day in April. The weather was not near as cold as it had been and even I was only wearing a jacket (and a camisole and a long sleeved shirt . . . and a scarf), but I noticed many a Scot dressed in tank tops and skirts and other skin-baring clothes. I asked my friend if, in fact, people simply got used to the cold eventually. She said that, no, they realized it was still nippy out, but that since shop owners put the clothes in the shops, why not wear them! Well, I suppose that is a reasonable enough response.

Likewise, I realize that this morning was not actually a 5-layer-cold kind of day, but I have the clothes – why not wear them? Also, at 6 o’clock, it felt like a 5-layer-cold kind of day. I was tempted to bring my blanket along for the walk as well.

As a side note, I’d like to be in Edinburgh today. (And always.)

Friday, February 10, 2012

This one's for the girls?

This morning I yelled at my uterus.

By the way, this message comes to you as a friend-approved post. Here’s the disclaimer: if you are male, you may have no reason to continue reading unless you simply want some female insight. (Maybe the disclaimer should have come before the opening statement?)

Anyway, in response to the screaming pain that my uterus was inflicting on me this morning, I yelled at her. Something like this:

“Ugh! Uterus, you are the most painful, disgusting and, as of yet, useless organ that I possess. You are lucky that society places such importance on you. If my appendix gave me this much trouble every month I would have it removed immediately!”

She continues to yell at me. Maybe she’s upset that I’m not putting her to good use. I can appreciate her desire to feel needed, but I still choose to ignore her pleas.

We both need chocolate to soothe our pain.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Soft Rock: Killing Me Softly

Thank you, Lite FM, for simultaneously making my day and making me feel like an oldie.

I'm not sure when the Fugees became "soft rock" or when I started stopping at the soft rock station (on the regular) when scanning the radio. Nevertheless, I have been humming "Killing me softly" for at least 2 hours now and that makes me smile.

For your listening pleasure:

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Re-thinking the Golden Rule, etc.

(A note for Dad - yes, this post is long winded, you may skip it if you'd like.)

I was standing in the shower last night – it was one of those days when I couldn’t remember if I’d rinsed out the conditioner or not – and I had a brilliant thought. Actually, no, I‘m totally making that up. Wouldn’t it be nice if you were the kind of person who had brilliant thoughts in the midst of fatigue?

I am certainly the kind of person who sometimes can’t remember if she rinsed the conditioner, who forgets to look in the mirror before leaving the house on occasion, or who tries to remember if she put on deodorant from time to time (I almost always remember that I did, almost always). But any thoughtful thoughts that I have (rarely-if-ever brilliant) stem from much too purposeful and lengthy contemplation.

I did have a thought yesterday. It came as I was thinking about (drum roll) the future. I decided that I need to become less judgmental of myself. This thought isn’t that earth shattering, you say? There’s more. I need to be less judgmental of myself, not only because this will free me to be who I will become and accept whoever that may be, but also because I believe it will allow me to accept (and love) others more often/better/more deeply. Consider these notions:

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

One should seek for others the happiness one desires for himself.

All of these principles, from a range of traditions, presume this: that you are content with yourself, want what is best for yourself, and desire happiness for yourself. Then, understanding these things for yourself, you can apply such good will, service, and compassion towards others. Accepting yourself (loving yourself) is not selfish; it’s necessary, especially if you desire to, or simply as a leader/teacher/mother/aunt/friend/person-other-people-see, will influence others. Love yourself, and then you will know how to love others.

This is the goal: Understand that this is me. Here I am. Acceptance. Release judgment. Whoa.

And since I am adding this as my 10th goal for the year, I will share with you my new favorite blog (except for yours, of course) – To Do List. There are other crazy list-ers out there! I am not alone.

(Welcome to my therapy session, y’all. If you want to keep me accountable to this, I’d very much appreciate it.)


Pretty little thing, sometimes you gotta look up
Let the world see all the beauty that you’re made of
‘Cause the way you hang your head nobody can tell
You’re my Virginia bluebell
¬-Miranda Lambert