I sort of took two weeks off of my project. Sort of. I took some pictures. But definitely not every day. And I definitely didn't post any of them.
But it was really nice and I enjoyed it.
The funny thing about the last few weeks is that I was so looking forward to a slow down in the pace of life. A little time to breathe. When the semester ended, I had hoped all things would slow down. In the month of December? Really? So in the midst of my slow down, I was surrounded by different kinds of to do lists... shopping, errands, driving, family, friends, obligations, traditions. You know the normal list.
But here I sit, on the other side of all of the holiday craziness. Some of the tasks I completed, but others went unfinished. This year I didn't do much baking on my own. Certainly no cake balls (bummer!). But my mom made sugar cookie dough and I made those cookies with my dad. How is that for a new tradition? That was a special moment. I didn't do very personalized, thoughtful gifts this year. But the gifts that I did give were out of a spirit of love and that is all that matters.
It was a good holiday season.
As we anticipate ringing in the new year, I am still reflecting on the year that is coming to an end...
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Day 61 - My 365, How do you measure a year?
Day 61:
Thursday, December 15, 2011
I don't know if it is because I'm lazy or not but today is another Pacey picture. You give him a box and he is ALL about it.
I went to yoga tonight after work. Hopefully I can start going more often now (ahh, the slow down). I had tried a different studio on Sunday (a room temperature studio) but tonight it was back to the hot yoga studio (funk yeah!). When I first started hot yoga, I wasn't sure if I would like it. Now, it doesn't seem to feel right if the room isn't at least 95 degrees. What a progression! Actually, I feel like my threshold for hot has changed in all my life (time to crank the water heater up!).
Who would have thought hot yoga could be so liberating?
Tonight was a good class even though it wasn't my favorite teacher. She kept talking about being fully present in the moment (ironic of course, since that is kind of my theme right now). She talked about how 'the now' is all we have. Accept your reality, she said. Be there. Be in the moment, whether it is busy or still. Be there and accept it. Know how it makes your body and mind and heart feel.
If you really accept your reality, only then can you really be in the moment. Ahhhhhhhh. It so often comes back to acceptance. Maybe this is a valid point. If you accept your reality for what it is, and really own it, then why would you need to be anywhere else? Besides you'll get there eventually... as it turns out, contemplation leads to action. Contemplate your moment, accept it, and then follow your desire to act. Who knows where it will lead?
Thursday, December 15, 2011
I don't know if it is because I'm lazy or not but today is another Pacey picture. You give him a box and he is ALL about it.
I went to yoga tonight after work. Hopefully I can start going more often now (ahh, the slow down). I had tried a different studio on Sunday (a room temperature studio) but tonight it was back to the hot yoga studio (funk yeah!). When I first started hot yoga, I wasn't sure if I would like it. Now, it doesn't seem to feel right if the room isn't at least 95 degrees. What a progression! Actually, I feel like my threshold for hot has changed in all my life (time to crank the water heater up!).
Who would have thought hot yoga could be so liberating?
Tonight was a good class even though it wasn't my favorite teacher. She kept talking about being fully present in the moment (ironic of course, since that is kind of my theme right now). She talked about how 'the now' is all we have. Accept your reality, she said. Be there. Be in the moment, whether it is busy or still. Be there and accept it. Know how it makes your body and mind and heart feel.
If you really accept your reality, only then can you really be in the moment. Ahhhhhhhh. It so often comes back to acceptance. Maybe this is a valid point. If you accept your reality for what it is, and really own it, then why would you need to be anywhere else? Besides you'll get there eventually... as it turns out, contemplation leads to action. Contemplate your moment, accept it, and then follow your desire to act. Who knows where it will lead?
Day 60 - My 365, How do you measure a year?
Day 60:
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
I'm obsessed with the lights! But I think I'm getting closer and closer to what I'm aiming for. I like this one (except for the spot in my camera but you almost can't see it in this photo).
Tonight was a little happy hour work party and we took our Christmas spirit to a new level with our sweaters. My boss wore a leopard print Santa hat and there was a specially written Christmas carol. We definitely brought our A-game holiday spirit to the party!
Good times. :)
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
I'm obsessed with the lights! But I think I'm getting closer and closer to what I'm aiming for. I like this one (except for the spot in my camera but you almost can't see it in this photo).
Tonight was a little happy hour work party and we took our Christmas spirit to a new level with our sweaters. My boss wore a leopard print Santa hat and there was a specially written Christmas carol. We definitely brought our A-game holiday spirit to the party!
Good times. :)
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Day 59 - My 365, How do you measure a year?
Day 59:
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
This isn't quite what I'm going for. But it is closer. As long as I'm taking baby steps, then it is all good. It's all about growth. And the journey.
Well, kind of...
Except that I cannot get rid of the black speck in my camera. Seriously. Am I missing something here?
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
This isn't quite what I'm going for. But it is closer. As long as I'm taking baby steps, then it is all good. It's all about growth. And the journey.
Well, kind of...
Except that I cannot get rid of the black speck in my camera. Seriously. Am I missing something here?
Monday, December 12, 2011
Day 58 - My 365, How do you measure a year?
Day 58:
Monday, December 12, 2011
The semester is coming to an end. My students take their final on Tuesday (actually I'm writing this a day late so they are taking their final in just a few moments!). Then there will be grading of course. Lots of grading.
But then...
The slow down.
I've been thinking of all of the things I will do with this slower season of life. I'm most looking forward to reading more again and knitting!
I love books. I love to own them. I gather them and put them in an obscure order of priority for reading them. And then I switch the order because I get so excited about one. But there is always a stack of books waiting for me.
This is my stack... and I have a virtual stack in my Amazon wish list.
I'm going to start with 'The girl with the dragon tattoo' because that one has been in the pile since last Christmas. And because the movie comes out next week! So here I go - setting some crazy goal of finishing the book by Christmas.
Go big or go home, right?
I'm playing with my camera a little more and am looking forward to doing a little more of that during 'the slow down'. Above we have no flash (also no tripod so maybe kind of blurry) and below we have flash.
On the left you'll see, that my spot is back. Aaaghh! I can't get rid of it! I don't understand. I got rid of it. Why is it back? What is it? So now I need to go to the camera store and have them look at my macro lens AND my camera. I'm falling apart here.
Another part of the slow down... knitting. I can't wait! My first project is going to be fingerless gloves. I've been wanting to make a pair for awhile. I even have the yarn and pattern.
Ahhh, the slow down. This is going to be good.
Monday, December 12, 2011
The semester is coming to an end. My students take their final on Tuesday (actually I'm writing this a day late so they are taking their final in just a few moments!). Then there will be grading of course. Lots of grading.
But then...
The slow down.
I've been thinking of all of the things I will do with this slower season of life. I'm most looking forward to reading more again and knitting!
I love books. I love to own them. I gather them and put them in an obscure order of priority for reading them. And then I switch the order because I get so excited about one. But there is always a stack of books waiting for me.
This is my stack... and I have a virtual stack in my Amazon wish list.
I'm going to start with 'The girl with the dragon tattoo' because that one has been in the pile since last Christmas. And because the movie comes out next week! So here I go - setting some crazy goal of finishing the book by Christmas.
Go big or go home, right?
I'm playing with my camera a little more and am looking forward to doing a little more of that during 'the slow down'. Above we have no flash (also no tripod so maybe kind of blurry) and below we have flash.
On the left you'll see, that my spot is back. Aaaghh! I can't get rid of it! I don't understand. I got rid of it. Why is it back? What is it? So now I need to go to the camera store and have them look at my macro lens AND my camera. I'm falling apart here.
Another part of the slow down... knitting. I can't wait! My first project is going to be fingerless gloves. I've been wanting to make a pair for awhile. I even have the yarn and pattern.
Ahhh, the slow down. This is going to be good.
Day 57 - My 365, How do you measure a year?
Day 57:
Sunday, December 11, 2011
I am absolutely head-over-heals in love with this picture!
Courtesy of the iPhone.
Sarah said that Pacey looks pissed. I think he's just sleepy. He works hard, you know?
Again - LOVE this pic!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
I am absolutely head-over-heals in love with this picture!
Courtesy of the iPhone.
Sarah said that Pacey looks pissed. I think he's just sleepy. He works hard, you know?
Again - LOVE this pic!
Day 56 - My 365, How do you measure a year?
Day 56:
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Christmas lights.
Not quite the way that I want. I think I need to use my macro lens but it is making this awful clicking noise. Oy. I guess it's time to take it to the camera shop and hope they can fix it! I was playing around with this a little and will certainly do more of the lights.
Until I get it just the way I want.
Persistance pays. ;)
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Christmas lights.
Not quite the way that I want. I think I need to use my macro lens but it is making this awful clicking noise. Oy. I guess it's time to take it to the camera shop and hope they can fix it! I was playing around with this a little and will certainly do more of the lights.
Until I get it just the way I want.
Persistance pays. ;)
Day 55 - My 365, How do you measure a year?
Day 55:
Friday, December 9, 2011
Science day at a local middle school. Exhilarating. Exhausting. Epic? I guess so!
First accumulation of snow today too. Oh dear, it's here.
But is it here to stay? Nah, it's not quite cold enough.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Science day at a local middle school. Exhilarating. Exhausting. Epic? I guess so!
First accumulation of snow today too. Oh dear, it's here.
But is it here to stay? Nah, it's not quite cold enough.
Day 54 - My 365, How do you measure a year?
Day 54:
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Last day of classes! Wow, this semester flew by so quickly.
A little Christmas bling. ;)
And several more posts to go... I'm way behind here! I took my pictures but did not post. Oh the shame... ;)
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Last day of classes! Wow, this semester flew by so quickly.
A little Christmas bling. ;)
And several more posts to go... I'm way behind here! I took my pictures but did not post. Oh the shame... ;)
Day 53 - My 365, How do you measure a year?
Day 53:
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
There isn't a day 53 picture.
In it's place are the memories of a four and a half hour dinner with the women from my trip to Africa!
It was such a great night. In the moment. Long dinner. Talking, laughing, savoring.
Good times. No picture. :)
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
There isn't a day 53 picture.
In it's place are the memories of a four and a half hour dinner with the women from my trip to Africa!
It was such a great night. In the moment. Long dinner. Talking, laughing, savoring.
Good times. No picture. :)
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Day 52 - My 365, How do you measure a year?
Day 52:
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
This didn't work so well.... probably should have used my other lens. Hmm. Next time.
Can you see my reflection?
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
This didn't work so well.... probably should have used my other lens. Hmm. Next time.
Can you see my reflection?
Monday, December 5, 2011
Day 51 - My 365, How do you measure a year?
Day 51:
Monday, December 5, 2011
It seems like every year I struggle to get into the Christmas spirit. I assume it is because there is always so much else going on. It seems like November and December area always so hectic as it is... without the holidays! It's always a rat race, so much going on at work and in all of life.
I'm in the final push for the semester. Just over a week left. This morning was the last day of lab. One week left means two lectures to give. A final exam to give (and finish writing). And literally a ton of stuff to grade for my lab section and lecture. But it is the final push. So today at work, I sang 'the final countdown'. If life should be more like a musical, then shouldn't I sing a little more often? :)
So of course it is busy and hectic. It's December! It's the holidays! It's the end of the semester! I've got so much I need to do! So much I want to do!
But... I've been taking moments to slow down. To consider the season. I've been listening to Christmas music already and trying to get into the mood! It fits right into my new practice of being fully present in the moment.
This moment just happens to include sequins Christmas trees! Love!
Monday, December 5, 2011
It seems like every year I struggle to get into the Christmas spirit. I assume it is because there is always so much else going on. It seems like November and December area always so hectic as it is... without the holidays! It's always a rat race, so much going on at work and in all of life.
I'm in the final push for the semester. Just over a week left. This morning was the last day of lab. One week left means two lectures to give. A final exam to give (and finish writing). And literally a ton of stuff to grade for my lab section and lecture. But it is the final push. So today at work, I sang 'the final countdown'. If life should be more like a musical, then shouldn't I sing a little more often? :)
So of course it is busy and hectic. It's December! It's the holidays! It's the end of the semester! I've got so much I need to do! So much I want to do!
But... I've been taking moments to slow down. To consider the season. I've been listening to Christmas music already and trying to get into the mood! It fits right into my new practice of being fully present in the moment.
This moment just happens to include sequins Christmas trees! Love!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Day 50 - My 365, How do you measure a year?
Day 50:
Sunday, December 4, 2011
I took 'How do you measure a year?' from a musical, one of my favorites! Tonight I saw Les Mis for the first time ever and I loved it.
If only all of life was a musical...
Dream the dream.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
I took 'How do you measure a year?' from a musical, one of my favorites! Tonight I saw Les Mis for the first time ever and I loved it.
If only all of life was a musical...
Dream the dream.
Day 49 - My 365, How do you measure a year?
Day 49:
Saturday, December 3, 2011
It was such a gloomy day... Kind of matched my mood. I was tired from my work holiday party last night and just wasn't feeling inspired to do much of anything. Unfortunately, I'm still in that season of life where I have much to do. And so I nurtured my desire to be lazy and stayed in sweat pants all day. But, I managed to get quite a bit done and accomplished!
Got a few Christmas things out finally! I have a feeling much of my December pictures will be decor-related. But I love taking pictures of Christmas lights. I want to learn how to get them better - how to get it to look like pictures I have seen before. And so, I'll practice!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
It was such a gloomy day... Kind of matched my mood. I was tired from my work holiday party last night and just wasn't feeling inspired to do much of anything. Unfortunately, I'm still in that season of life where I have much to do. And so I nurtured my desire to be lazy and stayed in sweat pants all day. But, I managed to get quite a bit done and accomplished!
Got a few Christmas things out finally! I have a feeling much of my December pictures will be decor-related. But I love taking pictures of Christmas lights. I want to learn how to get them better - how to get it to look like pictures I have seen before. And so, I'll practice!
Hopefully soon I can get back on schedule with my posts. The last week of classes is this week and then my students have their final on the following Tuesday! It's the final push!
Day 48 - My 365, How do you measure a year?
Day 48:
Friday, December 2, 2011
I'm glad to see this week end.
I'm lazy and using another picture of my December calendar...
I like this one though, the way it is off focus and the perspective. The number 2 pin goes up today.
Friday, December 2, 2011
I'm glad to see this week end.
I'm lazy and using another picture of my December calendar...
I like this one though, the way it is off focus and the perspective. The number 2 pin goes up today.
Day 47 - My 365, How do you measure a year?
Day 47:
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Exam day for my students so I drank my morning coffee from my lucky coffee cup. Here's hoping they do okay!
December 1. I've been doing this little calendar for as long as I can remember. My Grandma made it for me in 1982. It's one of my favorite holiday traditions. It reminds me of my childhood and the anticipation and it connects me with fond memories.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Exam day for my students so I drank my morning coffee from my lucky coffee cup. Here's hoping they do okay!
December 1. I've been doing this little calendar for as long as I can remember. My Grandma made it for me in 1982. It's one of my favorite holiday traditions. It reminds me of my childhood and the anticipation and it connects me with fond memories.
I got the spot off of my camera, wooohooo! :)
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Day 46 - My 365, How do you measure a year?
Day 46:
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
November is ending? Over? What?
Where does the time go?
I got distracted by my to-do list. I was really into getting things finished and crossed off. The next few days and couple of weeks are full of things that need to be done.
So I completely forgot to try to sort out the spot on my camera.
This is a new picture of the wall but the same old spot. Ugh.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
November is ending? Over? What?
Where does the time go?
I got distracted by my to-do list. I was really into getting things finished and crossed off. The next few days and couple of weeks are full of things that need to be done.
So I completely forgot to try to sort out the spot on my camera.
This is a new picture of the wall but the same old spot. Ugh.
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