winter blues

This morning, fall and winter (as they are one season in s. cal) happened. I woke up early, unable to sleep, and looked out the window. I brushed up against it and felt a chill. The parking lot of my building was dark and wet, and it was only 7 a.m.

The day is promising rain, and I half expected the lot to be flooded (rain, what's that!) in anticipation of this new season.

Dark and wet was fine with me.


I dragged myself to the bathroom where I popped some allergy medicine and irrigated my sinuses. Actually, since I did that last night, I could breathe this morning. But- this is my winter habit- so I did it again.

I then brought laundry into my closet to put away and noticed my winter boots. I thought they would be nice to wear to my climbing session this morning. Wait, I can't climb in those! They'd look so cute with my jeans and new sweatshirt and fall bag though!

Ugh- ok- maybe flip flops, or vans, for another day or so.

My tea pot is going-

iTunes has picked out some depressing Irish folk music and Tori Amos (seriously, winter depression?)

I have a strange craving for hot cocoa, and an ever stranger craving for nothing else. Maybe soup, but other than that- no food is coming into my system.



Are we that closely related to a brown bear, or even a house cat? I notice that the winter brings my cat to eat less, shed less, and cuddle with me more. Whether its our simple need for body heat, comfort in an uncomfortable season, or to just use our fat storage, I can clearly see winter patterns. I have been praying for this all summer, yet, a short wave of depression came over me this morning upon finally receiving.

finally writing!

I wrote nine pages tonight- that's nine pages toward about 20, or so, which, typed, should be back at about nine (ok maybe 13ish)- of my Thailand story. I am putting some twists on it, but overall- its looking pretty good. My friend Alison and I got together at a coffee shop and started our writing. After so long- my shoulder started to cramp and I started to write off the lines. The disadvantage of not doing it on my computer: I have to re-write (type) it. The advantages: an extra chance to do edits, and, unless I don't have to worry about the file crashing.


We were discussing time management, and my days are starting to become consumed with reading and writing. Wait, isn't this how I wanted it?

excitement

I cannot wait to finish out the rest of 2008.

So far:

This weekend, Santa Barbara (Zoo, Farmers Market, etc) We are planning on feeding farm animals, lorikeets, and giraffes at the zoo- and buying fresh strawberries at the farmers market. I brought my ice cream maker so we can make strawberry sorbet.

Sunday Sept. 21 is Global Mala in LA. A one day yoga conference/project/practice/presentation ETC. Yay!

Between Sept and Oct I will sign up for yoga teacher training, finally.


October 26th is my Dad's bday, so the sis and I are planning a trip up to Sacramento area for that weekend.


November 22, I am seeing Coldplay in Park City Utah with my friend Pitu who moved there recently from So Cal but is originally from Brasil (that's how Brasilians spell it, k?) We are hanging from Thurs-Sunday and doing Utah-ish stuff like snowboarding or hiking. And- apparently there's a great club for Thursday night.


December 6th, around there, Steph and I will be in Costa Rica.


So much excitement I can't wait! With all this going on- I promised myself I would be on a debt diet so I don't go into debt with my travels. This means great things for me- please pray I stay strong on my debt diet, my friend skills, my relationships in general, and my personal diet which is still HUGE in my life.

My weekend

Bien's 26th bday game day :)
Ketchup, on Sunset, with the bff
Sprinkles in LA with my high school best friend
the Habit, with Essie
camping
Was packed- extraordinary- special- unique- fulfilling- fattening <3

camping

(photo credit: Faisal)

I spent the last two nights camping in Big Bear with Faisal, Jesse, and Jesse's dad Doug. I had such a good time (despite being sick) and can't wait to do it again- except this time with an air mattress. We are leaving to visit my sister Esther in Santa Barbara tomorrow morning. Pray for a safe trip!

Baptism Slide Show

http://www.balboaphotography.com/Slideshows/Baptism208/


My Baptism, Feb 08

East Coast picture book

Here's some photos from my trip back east....



exhibit at the top of the Met




Andy Warhol





"no pictures please"






My next art project. Seriously?!



if you like pina coladas....




Back in the day when we were young/ we're not kids anymore/ but some days we sit and wish we were kids again..... I remember way back when KJ and me in Grand Central



Steve is on the right. Friends for about ten years




My old back yard




My grandparents


Sigh....I miss it