The Last Year of My 30’s

turning 39 is certainly weird. I don’t feel 39. My 39 doesn’t look at all like what my parents looked like at 39. I didn’t think I was going to live past 30, so having cleared almost another decade seems even more surreal. I’ve certainly been plagued more with the questions of what am I doing? Is this how everyday of the rest of my life is going to go? Am I happy? Am I doomed to never figure out balance in my life and not feel a slave to clock and an inbox? Will I ever get to all of the ideas I have in my head, let alone the shared ones Craig and I have? Where do I want to call home? What do I need to be inspired and do the work that I love? Needless to […]

Family Christmas

Craig and I hosted Christmas this year, since we’re not sure if this will be our last year at this home or not. We love being able to share the place with everyone and throw a fun party. This year we had planned on family trickling through but everyone actually came all together and stayed late. We had fun trying to do karaoke with the Apple TV, and Chinese Grab bag presents was interesting as usual. As has become tradition over the past few years, we took a picture with all of the girl cousins together. I’m very privileged to get to call these ladies family.

Reflections on Progress

Anyone who truly knows me, knows I am one of the last people to ever trump (pun intended) out the gender card or give any preference to one side or the other. To be clear, I’m not doing that now, just making an observation on progress. I actually got a little teary eyed tonight during the convention speeches. Now don’t look away just yet. It was during the moment when Arizona declared their delegates and the 102 year old woman belted out the number for Hillary. I wouldn’t say I take it for granted, but I do forget sometimes how many amazing, strong and inspiring women have been in my life and have come before me in my own family. My ancestors pilgrimaged across the ocean to have freedom and landed somewhere near a rock in Plymouth MA. I grew […]

A real-life Robinson Crusoe

Incredibly cool. I could certainly go for his life path. A real-life Robinson Crusoe:   86-year-old Brendon Grimshaw has lived alone on a tiny island in the Seychelles since 1962. He bought it for £8000 and has spent those years introducing trees and 120 giant tortoises back to the island. (via ?interesting-links) Tags: video   (Via kottke.org)

Beautiful Time Lapse Photography

Joshua Tree Under the Milky Way from Henry Jun Wah Lee on Vimeo. I can’t remember where I found out about Henry Jun Wah Lee’s incredibly time lapse photography, but ever since I’ve been mesmerized viewing the videos. The video above of the Perseid meteor shower and the Milky Way as seen from Joshua Tree. When we were in New Hampshire we were able to see the Milky Way from the Kancamagus Highway like I hadn’t seen it in a very long time. Everyone should have the opportunity to see the Milky Way like that. The other video/time lapse I fell in love with is the Time Lapse Tour of Yosemite National Park. A place I would love to visit and hopefully will someday with my camera.

Groundhog Day

Craig and I were having a good discussion tonight about his take away from reading the book The Not So Big Life by Sarah Susanka. One thing he mentioned was the concept of your life being like a movie, and then having that feeling of why am I in this movie? If you’re answering with “I don’t know”, then it’s pretty clear something needs to change. Several years ago, that question went through my head quite often. I had considered what life would be like without me in it and just wanted a break. It seemed like the weight on my shoulders was too much to bear. I’m grateful to say things turned around and particularly this year I re-inspired myself to not lose another 10 years to doing for everything and everyone else. Because at the end of the […]

Tips To Avoid Creative Block

There are some great tips to avoid creative blocks over at Inspired Mag‘s website. The one I have the hardest problem with is #5 self-doubt. Which lead me to remember Leah’s post about Self-Employment: The First Six Months. She mentioned previously feeling guilty when a potential client would say they couldn’t afford her services. I’ve had that feeling many times, and foolishly buckled to bringing down my rate to something where it was no longer respecting my time and services. She summed it up best, “…let go of the guilt that I can’t help everyone.” The other tip in the article that I need to follow more is #3 Take a Walk and #6 Get Away for a Day or Two. Staying home and just not going out is not the same. My home is my office, and it’s filled […]