ballet

my dance studio is the greatest.  there's nothing like taking shelter from a cold, winter monday in a bustling, eclectic environment.  i look forward to the classes and never check the clock like i do with other exercise activities.  my ballet teacher in particular rocks.  specifically because her playlist sounds like she stole my ipod.  yesterday's mix - nikki minaj, bon iver, the civil wars and outkast circa '99.  makes for a splendid break in the day.

(this is exactly what i look like post dance.)

travel

"travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer"


southeast asia 2009 - thailand, cambodia, laos, vietnam.  best 3k i ever charged to my credit card.  excellent few months abroad with cristy....great memories for the scrapbook of life.

(this entry inspired by texts from shelby edwards today.)

volunteer. live longer.

i recently came across an study in women's health magazine that said people who volunteer live longer.  whenever i volunteer- which is not enough - people always respond with kind words about my character, etc.  i've tried to explain that i absolutely get more out the experience than the people i'm "helping."  it's selfish to a degree.  i can't find the specific article i read this past weekend, but here is another to back up the study.  don't just take.  give back.  help others.  live long.  win. win.

contentment II : a poem

in keeping with this week's theme of finding contentment, i discovered the poem below. 

It was spring, but it was summer I wanted,
the warm days, and the great outdoors. 

It was summer, but it was fall I wanted,
the colorful leaves, and the cool, dry air.

It was autumn, but it was winter I wanted,
the beautiful snow, and the joy of the holiday season.

I was a child, but it was adulthood I wanted,
the freedom, and the respect.

I was twenty, but it was thirty I wanted,
to be mature, and sophisticated.

I was middle-aged, but it was thirty I wanted,
the youth, and the free spirit.

I was retired, but it was middle-age that I wanted,
the presence of mind, without limitations.

My life was over,
but I never got what I wanted.

Let's strive to live for today and get what we want.  

winter

for the first time in my life, i am truly enjoying the winter season.  perhaps because this past year has been quite busy or maybe i am just getting old, but i have an appreciation for the quieter months.  this week has been filled with cozy january festivities.  bundled up and met kelsey and diana at the dog park with bailey and turner.  spent an afternoon drinking terrapin stouts by the fire in a local tavern.  caught up on my movie game in preparation for the approaching awards season.  tearing through some great books.  daily hot tea and candles.  now heading to the mountains this weekend for some cabin wine nights with my girls.  a toast to finding delight in the cold.

florence and the machine

new flo album is splendid in it's entirety.  girl's got soul.  i always dig it.  my favorites are rotating.  "never let me go" has a spiritual tone that just makes this song explode with emotion even more than her others.  "spectrum" makes me want to go out on the town and dance.  "only if for a night" is good for runs.

oh and just for kicks- not on the album but i can completely relate to her in this video - except the part where she sings along and her voice sounds great...

contentment

i am always looking forward to something- the next event, purchase, vacation, promotion, concert, weekend.  like many people, i struggle with contentment.  i'm currently reading a book titled calm my anxious heart, to do just that.  came across this section today:

two women looked through the prison bars
one saw mud, the other saw stars.

i like that because it sounds pretty and simply states that the secret to contentment is how we choose to look at life.  i want to focus on the stars.

central america and 2012

i had high hopes of "thankyouliving takes costa rica."  alas, i direly needed a vacation that included a technology unplug.  i made a quick bullet point list so as not to forget the trip.  a few photo highlights below.  i will say costa rica turned out to be even better than i dreamed.  the people are gorgeous inside and out with a terrific sense of humor.  the land is lush and diverse ranging from active volcanoes to clean rainforests to hippie beach towns.  the food is delightfully healthy and tasty.  the beer is cold and the weather is beautiful.  perfect travel company: laid-back, new adventure seeker amanda and dance all night, photographer extraordinaire kelsey.  i typically want new new new in all areas of life but costa rica is one country that i would completely visit again.  perfect fresh start to 2012.

 (photo- arenal volcano)

  (monteverde rainforest suspension bridges)

(tamarindo sunset)

 (hot springs)

(imperial cheers)

this quote

i like people who have a sense of individuality. i love expression and anything awkward and imperfect, because that’s natural and that’s real.

— marc jacobs

holidays.costa rica.will return shortly.

happy new year!!