all about all of us
What’s going on this year?
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
May we all be followed pursued sandwiched in surrounded by:
love
joy
harmony
laughter
truth
wholeness
abundance
strength
adventure
forgiveness
success
inspiration
creativity
beauty
compassion
love
May 2010 be our beautiful work of art.
I hope anyone reading this was able to welcome in the New Year around family, friends and loved ones.
Mom, thanks for making the trip. It was wonderful as always having you with us. I’m thinking that Taverna Agora may become a family spot…
Good things coming for all of us in 2008!
Are the holidays being good to you? Are you being good to the holidays? New Year 2008 is just about here. How will you bring it in? If that’s what you do, meaning do you see it as separate from all other days, or is a new year a flow from one day to the next for you – and nothing more? Interesting how some of us see welcoming in the new year as an invitation to get rip roaring drunk with a handful of friends, others travel to distant lands to be with strangers and take in life in another culture, some enjoy a Chinese meal with a few friends seen only at new year’s eve of every year, some spend new year’s eve meditating, either alone or with others, at a retreat, or a place of similar quietness, others dance the night away, some walk around a city simply observing and enjoying and return to their home to watch a movie, read a book, listen to music, have a glass of wine, others are paddling along the Amazon. Whatever you decide to do, may you do it wisely, and have fun doing it. May you enter the new year in a powerful way, and may love, harmony, happiness, health, compassion, understanding, forgiveness, abundance, fulfillment, success be yours. May you be outrageous some times, bold at other times, courageous always. May you be inspired and inspire, may beauty envelope you, and creativity have a hold on you. May you have many wonderful things to write about in your gratitude journal.
Happy, happy New Year 2008 to all of us!
Do you need a reminder that the holidays are coming? Just teasing.
Philadelphia is a sweet, doable city. And the information collected at this time as I’m trying to learn about this city is not necessarily written in stone. For instance, someone said there are no movie theaters in center city. But, as I walked on Sansom Street in route to Petulia’s Folly, I happened upon the Roxy Theatre. I was delighted to see this very small theatre looking like it has lots of character. It’s showing three different movies. I’m not up on movies lately, however, this I know – one stars Will Smith, the other is narrated by Sean Penn and is about war (and our government), and I’ve completely forgotten what the third is about. No one wanting to know what’s playing there would be too enlighted by this description, but it’s a hint of what’s playing. www.petuliasfolly.com www.gophila.com
I was in Manhattan this past weekend. It’s crowded there! The tree at Rockefeller Center is dressed beautifully in blue and stops people in their tracks. Saks Fifth Avenue is so congested it’s hard to meander up any aisle, and people stand patiently in line waiting to see the holiday windows. At La Bergamote, 169 Ninth Avenue in Chelsea, I enjoyed a cup of coffee and a duck rillette on the best crusty, non-doughy bread. And at le Gamin, 183 Ninth Avenue, Sumi and I ate tasty salads and delicious soup. I’ve never seen Chelsea Market as busy as it was this past weekend. On Sunday baby Sophie and I walked around Chelsea for one hour. I wanted her to see the world, but, alas, she fell asleep on our way to Integral Market at 227 West 13th Street. After buying onions and celery at the market, we stopped off at Integral Yoga Bookstore to pick up their January & February 2008 catalog. It’s looking good. Check it out at: www.iyiny.org
Later in the day I caught a bus in Chinatown for $10.00 for the trip back to Philadelphia. It took 50 minutes to get out of the city, and a little less than 2 hours to get to Philly. I’ve got to say that it’s a fast and pleasant ride. There’s no stopping, so, before you know it, you’re in Philadelphia’s Chinatown. Anyone unable to get a reservation anywhere in NYC and wanting to visit NYC should try Philadelphia. I say this because people commute daily from Philly to Manhattan. And, if you catch a bus in NYC around 88 East Broadway, you’ll be back and forth in no time at all. Additionally, you’ll be able to enjoy both cities. There are many hotels and B&B places in Philadelphia. Hopefully, they’ll be a lovely room waiting for you. www.Apexbus.com www.2000coach.com
www.hellophiladelphia.com
Tonight we got our Christmas tree from Cranberry Tree Farm. Michael is vacuuming the house right now so we can put it in the living room. Boy it is interesting how something like buying a big tree makes you get in the Christmas mood and feel the holidays are here. Just seeing the sales guy at the farm tie the tree up on the hood of the Jeep really made me happy.
I think it puts me back when I was a child and the wonderful feeling of Christmas and all the great things it brought. This year was special too because we took Sebastian to pick the tree out. Even though he had no clue what was going on he was thrilled to run through the trees displayed and watch people picking their trees out. We took some great photos of him for posterity. Something about his sweet innocence and true happiness just made the experience this year even better. I can only imagine next year when we pick a tree out when he is 2 and half years old, how exciting that will be. He even added the Christmas spirit to other tree shoppers. One guy who appeared in his 20s was there with his family and particularly seemed to enjoy watching Sebastian have his first tree experience. That is the wonderous thing about children.
Last year we didn’t do the whole tree thing because we were traveling up to NY to spend it with Michael’s family and we thought it would just sit here wasted. So technically this is Sebastian’s first tree and first Christmas in our home in NC. We are very excited and want to make it special. I know it really is for us since he has no idea what is going on. But he sure loves lights and seems to know there is definitely something different and special going on right now.
After the tree purchase we went straight to BJ wholesale club to buy lights to decorate the house and more ornaments. Sebastian was fascinated by the prelighted trees on display at the store. At this time in his life all he cares about is that there are neat lights everywhere. It is so interesting that simple lights just make him so happy. I really cherish this time because soon Christmas will be about what he wants from Santa – that will also be fun. www.bjs.com
Experiencing the setting up of Christmas time in our home and driving around and seeing lights displayed really reminds me of all the things I am grateful for… Health, Family, Job, Friends and that is really all that matters. In the family we all have decided to not exchange gifits for each other but instead buy for the children. I think this is such a great way to really appreciate the holidays instead of racing around trying to decide what is the best gift for all the people on your list.
The best gift we can give each other is time and love and patience. All these things we have and so my wish list is complete. Happy holidays to everyone!
Motherhood for me has been such an interesting journey and my son is only 18 months old as of yesterday Nov. 25th. I knew it would change me and change my life but I didn’t know it would add so many layers to my life.
Before Sebastian was born I thought I already had a full life. It was like a part of me awoke after he was born and they told me I had a baby boy in the hospital. I guess that part of me was always there but I just didn’t realize it or know it until Sebastian arrived.
For this reason alone I am so happy we decided to embark in the world of neverending worry, love, and concern, and hopes for our child and hopefully future children. That part of parenting is so mind boggling. All the worrying and hopes and concern you feel for your child it is just nuts. You worry if they are sleeping enough or eating enough or not enough. You worry if they are developing at a fast enough pace or if you should or shouldn’t be giving them certain foods. It is just neverending… I mean there is a whole book section on how to properly raise your child. Unfortunately there are differing opinions on how to raise your child and do things. That topic is a whole other blog in itself which I am sure I will get there one of these days.
Ok back to motherhood and how much I absolutely love it. The best part is the first time you see your baby in the morning. It is truly like Christmas every day when you see him for the first time.
I just can look at him for hours and think how spectacular he is and how cute and funny he is. I mean what a sense of humor our child has. He really just cracks me up.
I love thinking of all the wonderful experiences we are going to share all through the years of him growing up. It really is exciting. I can’t wait! I do have to remember to not wish today away.
For the days are long but the years are fast when raising children – such a true statement.
The one thing I love about my son is how sweet and comforting he is to me. He truly has saved me from myself in a way. He puts so much perspective in my life – keeps me grounded. I can’t say enough great things about being a mom.
When I hear my friends are expecting I am so excited for them to experience the most amazing joy in life… giving life. What a true gift it is, the best one I could have ever hoped or asked life to give me.
Just as Oprah www.oprah.com says, “This I know is true” I know being a mother is the most amazing job and experience this life has to offer and I am blessed to have it.
What is the meaning of blog anyways… ok this is my first post and I feel like I need to write something life altering. We have just finished a wonderful Thanksgiving in NC. I definitely ate way too much — need to look for redemption. I am hoping burn off the extra calories at my spin classes this week.
I think I definitely have an obsessive personality. I tend to get very addictive. I have definitely developed an addiction to spinning classes at O2 Fitness. That is a smaller gym in Raleigh, NC www.o2fitnessclubs.com I think what makes the classes fun are the other people in the class with you and the instructor. I definitely have my favorite teachers – Chrissy & Brandon are awesome. I love Casey’s music and Hadara is great too on Tues. Ok, back to my obsessive (addictive) personality. I even went as far as to buy special cycling shoes that actually lock you on to the bike. When I went to the Biking store www.trekraleigh.com the sales guy asked me what type of bike I had and I said that I didn’t. So I am the nutty customer that buys shoes for a bike that doesn’t go anywhere. I am sure since I started classes this past January, I have probably biked at least 1000 miles or more. I mean when I go out of town I miss class and get stressed if I have to miss class. With that being said I am not going this evening since it is the last night my mother in law is going to be in town and we are spending time together. I am thinking I will feel guilty but I am thinking that it will be ok…. At least my spinning addiction has gotten me back into shape since the baby. That process is in a whole other blog post.
At least to my benefit this addictive behavior does not include drinking or drugs or smoking. Ironic it tends to be good things for me.
This past weekend I discovered you can play Boggle online with other people…. totally addictive. You definitely must try… if you think you are a good Boggler, think again, once you go to the site www.weboggle.shackworks.com you will see how crazy good these people are. You can also sign in with interesting usernames. Some people are political with their names and others are just down right funny… one that I remember to be funny was “Dumpling Running Man”. I challenge you to try the site out. Beware though… I was stuck playing until 3 am Thanksgiving day evening because I was on a mission to be #1… still not there yet. I feel this draw to play when I get near a computer… It is amazing that I am actually on a computer and doing something else.
Ok so there are two examples of my crazy addictive behavior. I am curious if anyone else shares my afflictions. – Alicia
Through the years I’ve known people who, for different reasons, spent the holidays alone. Alone meaning not with family and/or friends, but alone traveling to the islands, or alone taking courses. They’re not necessarily alone, only if they want to be. They’re in the midst of unfamiliar faces and they’re having a great time.
I’m looking at Kripalu’s November/December holiday listings. Kripalu center for yoga & health stockbridge, massachusetts 800.741.7353 kripalu.org is far from being just about yoga. On the 23rd November is a Thanksgiving Retreat and Renewal with a listing of programs. Keep in mind that no one goes hungry at Kripalu. When I was there last summer, I took a tour of their kitchen. Suffice it to say that everything coming out of their kitchen is scrumptious (kripalu.org/recipecorner). If you were to attend “thanksgiving at kripalu. . . ” and “make this a special year.” you could arrive a few days before the program, if you can, to enjoy the beauty of nature, have a look at what’s going on in all the rooms, retreat to the sunroom or cafe, take in a discussion, listen to some music, visit the store, walk the grounds, meditate in one of the many rooms, etc., and, of course, there’s yoga.
In December are end-of-year holidays, and, this from the catalog: “At Kripalu you’ll find kindred spirits and a supportive environment for turning within. All of the programs on the following pages offer you the opportunity to savor this special time of the year and move into the new year with renewed energy.” The catalog looks enticing. Where will the holidays find you?
More and more people are talking about spending a Christmas that is not centered around gift-giving and stress. For one thing, the old way is too tiring. The joy we’re supposed to feel at this time of the year is being replaced with feelings of inadequacy-of not being able to live up to a Christmas Day “they” talk about from October to December. Every year it’s revved up to a new level. By the time we do all the things “they” say is a part of the Christmas spirit, we’re overwhelmed and exhausted. By the time Christmas Day arrives we’ve lost all sense of its meaning. Let’s make Christmas what we want it to be – what we think it should be – and in the process guard our sanity.
It’s almost here. Are you ready for the feast? We’re blessed to be able to celebrate in any form we choose. I read The New York Times once a week. That’s enough to know the happenings. Then I look for other ways to gather information about the world. Again I say we’re blessed. Some families are traditional and enjoy celebrating in the same way every year. For others the holiday is never the same. Some don’t have family, and for them there is a smorgasbord of possibilities waiting. Should you find yourself alone this year, don’t be lonely, go out, find happy places, mingle, celebrate with strangers. Or, if you choose, be with nature. Another, altogether different way to celebrate is to stay home and be in the silence of the day. Whether celebrating with family, friends, acquaintances, strangers, nature, or in the silence, it’s a time to say thank you throughout the day for Life and for all that Life offers. Life, it’s fascinating; it’s challenging and often beautiful. How will you do on 23 November 2006?
“If the only prayer you say in your whole life is “thank you,” that would suffice.” -Meister Eckhart
“The most difficult thing – but an essential one – is to love life, to love it even while one suffers, because life is all. Life is God, and to love life means to love God.” – Tolstoy, WAR AND PEACE