Friday, April 30, 2010

On the Road to Dirty Thiry...May 1 is coming!!!!


Just one day left till Thirtydom!!! Since I can remember, thirty was always the grown-up age to BE, and I've been so anxious to finally hit it....it's almost here!!! I first posted this a few weeks ago, and have been slowly adding. It's finally done!

30 Quirky Promises to Keep
  1. Call Mom more often.
  2. Let my friends and family know how much I love them.
  3. Eat more cupcakes.
  4. Get involved in the stock market.
  5. Master making a signature martini.
  6. Floss. Daily.
  7. Live in the present (more often).
  8. Take better pictures.
  9. Give really big hugs.
  10. Indulge in girly products (I gave them up a few months ago as I was trying to be more environmentally sound. I feel deprived now.)
  11. Lay out a new hairdo every 3 months. Or 3 years (hey, I've sported natural curls since 1998. Change is tough!)
  12. Become acquainted with and develop a historical appreciation for a very specific kind of music.
  13. Spend more time with friends.
  14. Do something to make my heart flip and skip.
  15. Ask more questions.
  16. Wear less makeup.
  17. Go to the library frequently.
  18. Read the Bible.
  19. Buy a Karmann Ghia (or at least save up for one).
  20. Stop at more bakeries and farmer's markets to taste more savory delights.
  21. Trust more and plan less.
  22. Get carried away in the music.
  23. Take everything less personally.
  24. Dress prettier.
  25. Walk lighter.
  26. Really take my time when I pray.
  27. Take spring drives, summer swims, fall walks, and winter runs. In this order for 2010.
  28. Pet more dogs (the small ones, for now).
  29. Carry a lighter load (literally - empty out my purse each morning -I've had the sorest shoulder for the past 2 weeks).
  30. Enjoy the quirks of everyone around.

Ciao for now!

a

Garth Trinidad - My Musical Host and Selector


A few years ago, I was introduced to the delectable talent of Sir Garth Trinidad, resident DJ at KCRW in Santa Monica. You can always catch his latest show here.

One of my daily goals is to be exposed to new musical artists and expression, and GT never fails. I'm listening to his show from last night now, it's SLAMMIN! Take a look at the playlist.
Ciao for now!
a

#8 Worldboarding Memory - Paris


Getting to know the world that we live in is no easy feat. It would be great to have stockpiles of loot, a private jet, and a tour guide who knows the nooks and crannies of every corner of the world to show us its beautiful jewels.

While my Worldboarding Memories are typically about the place, I wanted to stretch this one to unpack some ideas on how to better incorporate travel into living.

I've got only a few suggestions, but I'm anxious to hear yours!

  1. Study abroad - I studied in Spain, Uganda, and Mexico - a good amount of my college years (that's why I'm only now just crawling out of the debt that the time abroad amassed). But in the end, it was so worth it. Just wish I had found more scholarships to support it:)
  2. Pursue a job/career that involves intenational matters - I've been climbing the international philanthropic career ladder since 2006, and found a position that entails meetings on both sides of the Atlantic (this job has taken me to Toronto, Dublin, San Antonio, and Riga so far, which suits me just fine)!
  3. Find conferences relevant to your work - Back in 2008, I submitted a paper to be presented at ISTR's conference in Barcelona. It got accepted, and I got funding to go. For the research junkies, check out the paper here.
  4. Save up and hop aboard - This is really hard for me. To plan a trip solely on the merit of the trip alone (and not work related) happens rarely on this end. My last trip like this was to Los Angeles last September. I'll have to put this into effect more often.
  5. Find a last minute deal and just go - Every Wednesday, I get a message from Travel Zoo with the Top 20 deals of the week. I haven't used this one yet (I'm such a stickler for planning). But maybe I'll put aside a few bucks, check some sites, and grab a ticket.....

How about you? What are some ways to creatively exercise your passport? Would love to hear about your travels and adventures!

ciao for now!

a

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Off day remedies

Usually, I don't have to reach too far for the happy.....



But for the past few days, something's been off. It could be the jetlag, the adjustment of office dwelling, or the news that my Grandma was just placed into a nursing home.

Whatever the source of my disruption to an otherwise incredible and cheerful life, I've got to get being me.

Here's my to-do list for the evening to get back to happy:

  1. Workout or run
  2. Talk to my Mom
  3. Journal
  4. Hug Polar Bear
  5. Enjoy a fun colored - drink
  6. Check flight costs to any random city in the US
  7. Apply Heat Rub to my sore left shoulder
  8. Look at happy blogs
  9. Do some stretching exercises
  10. Write to my friend Karolina in Italy.

I think this will help - will let you know.

Ciao for now!

a

if i were a rich girl and other hypothetical musings

I just caught the questionaire bug from A Cup of Sunshine, added some twists and turns, and here we go. Filling it out made me almost as happy as a plate of warm biscuits!



If I was a month, I’d be September.
If I was a day of the week, I’d be Saturday.
If I was a time of day, I’d be 6:30 AM sharp.
If I was a planet, I’d be Saturn.
If I was a sea animal, I’d be a seal.

If I was a direction, I’d be circular.
If I was a piece of furniture, I'd be a chaise.
If I was a liquid, I’d be lemonade.
If I was a gemstone, I’d be an emerald.
If I was a tree, I’d be a palmetto.

If I was a tool, I’d be a complicated wine-bottle opener.
If I was a flower, I’d be birds of paradise.
If I was a kind of weather, I’d be hot and humid.
If I was a musical instrument, I’d be an xylophone.
If I was a color, I’d be tangerine orange.

If I was an emotion, I’d be hope.
If I was a fruit, I’d be a quince.
If I was a sound, I’d be an opera.
If I was an element, I’d be fire.
If I was a car, I’d be a champagne colored 1967 Karmann Ghia.

If I was a food, I’d be from the sea, hard to eat, but quite meaty.
If I was a place, I’d be a coastal tropical rain forest.
If I was a material, I’d be suede.
If I was a taste, I’d be ginger.
If I was a scent, I’d be the scent of green tea.

Rouched, Flare 3/4 length jacket...FASHIONISTAS, WHERE CAN I FIND IT!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

HELP!!!! I'm going crazy looking for this coat! I've seen versions of it on just a few women, and I may have added a characteristic or two in my head that make it extra special, and I really, really, really want to add this piece to my jacket bank.

I can't find the actual photo of the jacket, but here are some ideas of what it looks like:

It's this SHAPE:
The rouching is right (though the collar could be bigger) and the draping bubble at the bottom of the coat make it so playful!
It's this FLARE at the bottom, kinda like a dress:

I'm open to most colors and added accents.
Here are a few, like added rouching, a really noticeable lining, and drawstrings.




If you have any ideas of stores, boutiques, or online sites where I can find this treasure, please do let me know!

ciao for now!
a

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Latvian singing, dancing, and fire celebrations!

On my recent adventure in Latvia, our group enjoyed a unique and special peek into a Latvian cultural and musical art from. We met with a group of traditional singers and musicians and had a fire ceremony!

I'll try to describe...........


  1. A man and woman (representing masculine and feminine energy) had to to build a fire. The group decided to pick a pair that made the event possible. They selected Normunds Cercins (Board member of the Valmiera Area Community Foundation) and me!

  2. So then we had to build a fire.

  3. And poof!



  4. Then we had to throw salt and water into the fire (you can tell I was scared of the fire coming up to waist level - it was HOT!!!!)


  5. If the fire kept burning, then our wishes would be granted. To tell the truth, I don't quite remember what I wished for, but I'm sure it was the same things I pray for. and the fire kept burning:)

ciao for now!

a


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