eat veggies, drink wine

Rushing the sun

2011-10-19T23:04:00.002-04:00

Maya Tulum, Cabana No. 26

July 2011

Veggies: Nothing super-special lately ... need to work on that.

Wine: See above.

For one week in July, DP and I had the pleasure of living by the sea, practicing yoga for three and a half hours each day, eating delicious and lovingly prepared meals, and connecting with interesting, intelligent and kind people from across the globe at Barefoot Works' annual retreat in Tulum, Mexico. (And, I got to put a big old checkmark next to my very first Mondo Beyondo dream to come true.)

Every day was also full of reflection. I spent significant time sitting in my chair overlooking the ocean, thinking about how I want to live my life: generously, mindfully, joyfully. I also confronted some of the not-so-dreamy parts of my life, such as the energetic burdens I choose to carry on my shoulders and the way in which I demand others to conform to my schedule.

Case in point: Watching the sunrise is a must when I'm at the beach. As I was sitting in my chair one day before dawn, I began to feel distracted. I had a few things I wanted to do before the 7 am yoga class, and as I glanced back and forth between the horizon and my watch, I found myself rushing the sun. Yes, actually willing the sun to hurry up and rise so I could just get on with my day, on the schedule I imagined I needed to follow. I realized how very ridiculous this was, but I still struggled to enjoy the sun while forgetting about my to-do list. I wondered who else in the world might need to remind themselves of this when staring at a gorgeous ocean sunrise?

I held this thought during my morning yoga practice and returned to my room later to write this haiku*:

She who would rush the sun
is blind to
the unfolding beauty.

During the rest of the week, and as a goal for my back-to-the-real-world life, I decided to seek the unfolding beauty of each situation. What was I missing when I focused only on accomplishing tasks, getting from A to B, and adhering to my mostly made-up time schedule? I created a mantra -- "I delight in _____" -- to help me become more aware of what I was experiencing and noticing, and to also help me get back on track when I became caught up in the wrong things (e.g., "I delight in being angry about this traffic jam," or, from a situation today, "I delight in stepping into an ankle-deep puddle." Being able to laugh at myself and my thought process is definitely part of the unfolding beauty of any moment.

I'm far from achieving this goal (just ask DP), and it gets buried for weeks at a time (last week in particular, for some reason). Something tells me this will be a life-long challenge ... but there's unfolding beauty in that, too, right? I guess I'll need to travel to Maya Tulum every year to really remind myself.

*Once I decided to write a haiku about my experience, my mind started racing about the structure -- I couldn't remember how many syllables in each line, and I didn't have a computer or phone next to me to check. I almost gave up before I started. Then I realized that if it was my haiku, I could decide the structure. My apologies to the haiku purists.

Ten years, hundreds of memories

2011-06-12T21:16:00.000-04:00

Veggies: Oven-roasted cherry tomatoes doused in garlic, olive oil, mint, salt and pepper may be my new favorite party dish.

Wine: In between sips of sangria, Hangtime Pinot Noir is making me very happy.

Tomorrow, if all goes well, DP and I are buying our second house. (We still own our first house, but hopefully not for much longer.) As I started packing a few boxes today in anticipation of moving later this summer, I was unexpectedly hit with a wave of sadness. For those who interact with me on a frequent basis, you know that this move is long overdue, so you and I both are surprised by this flash of nostalgia. As I wrapped wine glasses in fat quarters (who knew that my ridiculous fabric stash could be oh-so-useful?), I thought about all the memories we've created in our first house:

-I still remember walking down the stairs on the first night we moved in -- so excited that NO ONE was going to be living above us any more! I cranked up the music extra loud in celebration.
-Getting Rusty, our scavenger mutt. The first morning we had him, he woke up at 6 or so, and I took him on a walk. When we got back to the house, we sat on the deck and looked at each other. I think both of us were thinking, "Oh sh*t, it's only 7 am. What do we do now?" After 10 years, we've figured out the routine. Eat, walk, sleep, play. Shuffle. Repeat.
-Speaking of walking Rusty, I have neighborhood dog-walking friends I'll miss. We know each other by our dogs' names. I have favorite routes that I've walked at dawn, dusk, and every time in between. I've seen houses and yards transform (in both good and bad ways), I've seen children grow up, I've seen people move in and out. It's amazing what I've learned about strangers walking past their houses on a regular basis.
-DP and I learned about the spectacular successes and failures of homeownership and home improvement. We've gone days without running water ... we've created spaces we've loved ... we've had showdowns over paint colors ... we've spent many evenings watching movies on our 1977 hand-me-down avocado green couch that will soon be replaced with a new pear green couch.
-Friendsgiving! (Don't worry, though -- our version of a non-traditional Thanksgiving with friends will continue into its seventh year in our new house.)

Fortunately, I adore our new house and know that we'll make thousands of fantastic memories there -- starting with tearing down room after room of 1960s wallpaper with my parents. I'm already envisioning morning yoga sessions on the patio, parties in the paneled basement, new dogs and dog-owners to meet, and reasonable home improvement projects (right, DP?) over the next 10+ years. Pictures to come!

Inspired by Italy to...

2011-04-03T17:05:00.000-04:00

make fresh pasta
take picnics
enjoy leisure time
walk arm-in-arm with friends
be more stylish ... own a few nice pieces of clothing and shoes, not a bunch of cheap things
bake bread
spend less time sitting at a computer
explore Cincinnati
travel more with DP
find ways to connect with more international visitors in Cincinnati
live in the moment; don't dwell
savor meals, whether alone or with others
eat simply; out of the garden, not from a box
bake Roman biscotti
wander

I had the great fortune of accompanying a group of UC students to Florence and Rome during spring break. I made this list during one of my last days in Italy, wanting to remember the ways in which I was inspired by my brief visit and knowing how difficult it would be to actually incorporate any one of these changes in my daily routine in the States.

Maybe you noticed that this is one of the only posts I've made that doesn't include a picture. There's a very specific reason for this: I didn't take a camera to Italy. DP and I have plenty of pictures from our travels in 1998, and I didn't think I could add much more to our collection. Plus, I have a love/hate relationship with cameras, especially while traveling. I often find that the need to take the perfect shot gets in my way of actually enjoying the moment, so I prefer to take mental snapshots. (Yes, there were definitely times I wished that I had a camera, but when I felt sad about it, I just bought some gelato. Problem solved!)

Final Reverb 10 posts, and Adventure 40/52: Baking for my neighbors

2011-01-01T14:52:00.001-05:00

Veggies: Last night's dinner of black bean burgers, sweet potato fries, and delicious cheeses from Findlay Market was a veggie-rific way to end the year.

Wine: Unsurprisingly, I drank champagne last night. Surprisingly, I didn't drink too much!

With the first post of 2011, I conclude the Reverb 10 challenge and the Year of 52 Adventures.

December 28 – Achieve. What’s the thing you most want to achieve next year? How do you imagine you’ll feel when you get it? Free? Happy? Complete? Blissful? Write that feeling down. Then, brainstorm 10 things you can do, or 10 new thoughts you can think, in order to experience that feeling today. (Author: Tara Sophia Mohr)

In 2011, I’d like to achieve genuine interest in greeting each new day, feeling excited and content about the opportunities that might arise. 10 things I can do to experience that feeling today:
-Laugh and smile more
-Make plans with DP and others for travel, social events, etc. that I can look forward to
-Make conversation with someone
-Practice yoga
-Continue organizing the house
-Get moving (rather than sit in front of this computer!)
-Compile a “to-try” list of intriguing recipes
-Get a massage
-Dance with abandon
-Sing

December 29 – Defining Moment. Describe a defining moment or series of events that has affected your life this year. (Author: Kathryn Fitzmaurice)

After a tiring spring weekend spent writing recommendation letters for many students applying to the same national award (one of them won – hooray!), DP and I went through with our plans of attending one of Xavier’s final Ethics/Religion and Society lectures of the year: An informal conversation with Wendell Berry and Wes Jackson and Gene Logsdon. (A podcast of the lecture is available, thanks to Citybeat … please do yourself a favor and listen.) Mr. Berry lamented the “TGIF” culture and encouraged us to find work that was also our leisure. He also joked about not liking screens—as in computer, phone, TV, or movie screens. However, he made one exception: screen doors are pretty okay.

I was so inspired by his ideas that I called in “well” that Monday morning so I could eat breakfast on my back deck while reflecting in my journal on how I might attempt to live according to those ideas. Although I’m still far from embodying a balanced existence, I have become more aware of when I’m feeling especially “TGIF”-ish and I have spent many additional hours since then reflecting on how I can realign my actions, priorities and attitude to live a more integrated and satisfying life.

December 30 – Gift. This month, gifts and gift-giving can seem inescapable. What’s the most memorable gift, tangible or emotional, you received this year? (Author: Holly Root)

While I do adore the Le Creuset Dutch oven that DP gave me this Christmas (it has a lifetime guarantee, he would like you all to know), I think my favorite gifts from this year have been intangible: people gifting me with their presence. As simple as DP agreeing to go on a walk with me, even when he has a ton of papers to grade; Mia and Krishna inviting me to tea at Essencha; my sister-in-law Amy inviting me to spend my birthday with her, followed by dinner with Marge and Marlene; Jaime being my yoga, surfing and Flying Pig training buddy; my parents welcoming us home for the holidays, with lots of meals over wine, walks with my Dad, and wall-paper removal; Carrie and Steve having us over for wine and great conversation on a late summer night; Colonel De schooling me on spices with great patience and joy Those are the first few that come to mind; I know there are many more from this year, and I look forward to more gifts of time and presence in 2011.

December 31 – Core Story. What central story is at the core of you, and how do you share it with the world? (Bonus: Consider your reflections from this month. Look through them to discover a thread you may not have noticed until today.) (Author: Molly O’Neill)

Prior to completing Reverb 10, the script in my head was “2010 sucked. I spent a lot of it feeling unhappy, angry, and tired. Good riddance!” As I honestly contemplate my experiences and lessons learned, I realize that I am incredibly fortunate, blessed, and hopeful—even during a year that felt far from my best. My core story: My optimistic nature cannot be squelched.

And now, the last adventure of 2010….
Adventure 40/52: Baking for my neighbor.
This adventure required the most courage and motivation of any others I've completed this year. It's not coincidental that I fulfilled it during the final hours of 2010; without question, I was avoiding it. In fact, I was avoiding it so much that I couldn’t even mention it in the December 20 reverb prompt. Let’s just say that this adventure (or rather, the reason behind this adventure) forced me to acknowledge some hard-to-face truths about myself. So, with a pounding but open heart, I knocked on my neighbor’s door to deliver a plate of cookies and a loaf of cranberry bread. This is the first of many, many things I need to do to become a better neighbor and community member, but it’s a start. And, while DP was a great support to me, one of my students was the true inspiration. Without our conversation a few weeks ago, I’m certain that I would have continued to blow off this much-needed adventure. Thank you, MR, for giving me courage from afar when I needed it most.

The Year of 40 Adventures has a decent ring to it. Sure, I wish that I’d finished 52 so I could become a card-carrying member of the club, but to be honest, I completed about 37 more than I would have without inspiration from Kimberly Hula and the adventuring community she developed. My achievement comes not from the number I completed, but rather from the new, active role I’ve taken in creating a more interesting life for myself. This may be the official end of the Year of 52 Adventures, but it’s just the beginning of a lifetime of adventures for me.

Have a great start to 2011!

More Reverb 10 responses...

2010-12-29T20:49:00.000-05:00

Another unique Christmas tree at the JL-DP household

Veggies: My parents were so kind to appreciate the Mediterranean feast I prepared while home for the holidays ... Spinach, Tomato and Feta couscous, Grape Leaves, Slow-Roasted Green Beans with Garlic and Tomatoes, and Black Olive hummus.

Wine: I think we consumed more bottles of wine than we had meals this week ... is that bad?

My plans to catch up with Reverb 10 prompts in 2 days were a bit too ambitious, especially when we spent most of the past week relaxing and celebrating the holidays at my parents' house. I did keep up with the prompts in my journal, but I was enjoying spending time away from the computer, so I didn't force myself to blog. Now that I'm back to work and my usual routine, I'm back to blogging. Part two of Reverb 10 is here ...

December 11 – 11 Things. What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life? (Author: Sam Davidson)

Not in any particular order:
-More “things”
-Unnecessary doubt
-Unnecessary fear
-Unnecessary anger
-Mindlessness
-Processed foods
-Comparisons
-External evaluations and expectations
-Apathy
-Repression
-Hopelessness

The big picture answer: I will eliminate these 11 things through mindful living. Obviously, I need to think about how I will be more mindful. By eliminating these 11 things, my life will be simpler, more satisfying, and more joyful.

December 12 – Body Integration. This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present?
(Author: Patrick Reynolds)

SURFING! Those few seconds when I paddled for the wave, felt the swell and popped up on my board to catch it was all about being alive and present.

December 13 – Action. When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step? (Author: Scott Belsky)

Holy cow, Scott Belsky – I was having a fine time dreaming and reflecting on the first 12 prompts, and now you’re telling me I have to actually DO something? You, my friend, are a genius—a cold, hard, reality-driven genius. Way to wake me up!

I’ve finally accepted the fact that the ocean isn’t going to appear in Ohio any time soon, so I need to start researching 1.) What ocean(s)/beach(es) would I like to spend significant time on? and 2.) How might I arrange my life and finances to allow for more time to spend in those places?

December 14 – Appreciate. What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it? (Author: Victoria Klein)

That I have a choice in most areas of my life, even when I feel completely stuck in a situation. If I can’t change what’s happening, then at least I can choose my perspective or attitude. I fully acknowledge the role that my privilege, my financial status, my support systems, my education, my spouse, and my mental/emotional capabilities play in giving me this choice, and I try to contribute time, money and energy to causes/organizations that assist in giving choices to others.

December 15 – 5 Minutes. Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010. (Author: Patti Digh)

My adventures. Laughing really hard (I know it was something DP said or did) and realizing it had been a long time since I’d laughed and smiled that much. Yoga for an Ocean Cure fundraisers. Surfing and time with friends/family at Carolina Beach. Road tripping to Indianapolis with DP. Talking dreams and real life with friends over tea. Discovering my back deck was a fantastic mini-yoga studio. Friendsgiving for the 6^th year. Mondo Beyondo. Seeing my HS BFF for the first time in 15 years. House for sale. Wondering about what’s next.

December 16 – Friendship. How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst? (Author: Martha Mihalick)

I’ve learned so many things from friends this year, but Sharon Tessandori of Barefoot Works Yoga changed my perspective on the importance of dreaming and the ability to make dreams come true. She’s the one who introduced me to Mondo Beyondo a few years ago, and when she made some of her Mondo Beyondo dreams happen this year, I was super-thrilled and completely inspired by her hard work and her courage. She’s also so incredibly supportive of others’ dreams and personal development, and she's just as willing to admit doubt and fear as she is to celebrate the joys in her life. She continues to remind me of the need to keep things real with myself and with others.

December 17 – Lesson Learned. What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward? (Author: Tara Weaver)

More so a re-discovery than something new: I am a seeker, full of curiosity about the world when I allow myself to be unfettered by others’ expectations. I see many possibilities to carry the spirit of the seeker with me in 2011. I only need to remind myself that I’m still the same girl who, as she grew up, knew in every cell of her body that an exciting and different life was waiting to be created.

December 18 – Try. What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn’t go for it? (Author: Kaileen Elise)

I am going to try group voice lessons, beginning in February, at CCM’s preparatory department. This will be my second attempt at voice lessons; I first took lessons in high school while I was in a show choir. (Yes, really.) My ultimate goal is for DP and me to be an acoustic duo—I have always wanted to be in a band! In 2010, I really wanted to learn how to salsa dance, or to take some type of dance lesson. That’s certainly still on the books for 2011.

December 19 – Healing. What healed you this year? Was it sudden, or a drip-by-drip evolution? How would you like to be healed in 2011? (Author: Leonie Allan)

In July, I started walking with my dog Rusty in the mornings before work, and that quiet but active time absolutely healed me and gave me energy at a time when I was seriously lacking. Healing in 2011? Best kept in my journal :)

December 20 – Beyond Avoidance. What should you have done this year but didn’t because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?) (Author: Jake Nickell)

I fully intended to engage in some skill-building exercises around conflict management. I dread conflict and try to avoid it at all costs ... so how surprising that I avoided dealing with this specific task all year?! I know if I learn some tools for handling conflict, both intra- and inter-personally, my life will improve. Because this will require some significant work, I don’t anticipate starting it before 2011, but I will add it to my 2011 to-do list. Friends, please hold me accountable to this!

December 21 – Future Self. Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?) (Author: Jenny Blake)

This response is best left in my journal … thanks for understanding J

December 22 – Travel. How did you travel in 2010? How and/or where would you like to travel next year? (Author: Tara Hunt)

2010 was the year of short, domestic trips for pure pleasure—Colorado with family, Indianapolis for a Jack Johnson concert with DP, and surfing with family and friend in Carolina Beach. 2011 already has international travel on the calendar (Florence and Rome, Italy, with a University Honors Program seminar), and I’d love to add an international surf trip and a Mondo Beyondo list adventure.

December 23 – New Name. Let’s meet again, for the first time. If you could introduce yourself to strangers by another name for just one day, what would it be and why? (Author: Becca Wilcott)

I have a seriously strong (and healthy, I think) attachment to my name. When I had the opportunity to change it when I married, I graciously but confidently declined. One aunt suggested that I hyphenate my first and last name (since nearly everyone calls me Jen Lile anyways) and add my husband’s last name. Maybe I’d try that, but I really can’t imagine wanting any other name than my own.

December 24 – Everything’s OK. What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright? And how will you incorporate that discovery into the year ahead? (Author: Kate Inglis)

One late summer evening, amid all kinds of neighborhood chaos and a desperate desire to move asap, I decided to say goodbye to the back deck. I’d stopped spending time there because I wanted to distance myself from my (now gone) neighbors, but that night I drowned out reality by listening to my favorite tunes on my iPod while I journaled and sipped wine by candlelight. The anger that I’d been feeling was replaced by an appreciation for this beautiful moment in this beautiful space. A month earlier, I never would have imagined feeling a sense of peace and appreciation as I sat on my deck, and I realized that those feelings had been waiting for me, covered by the anger, all along. One of my aspirational values—meaning, I value the concept but I don’t live by it right now—is to maintain “eye of the hurricane calm” in my life. I want to keep the memory of that night in mind as I head into 2011, a year that promises to be full of change and uncertainty.

December 25 – Photo – a present to yourself. Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words. Share the image, who shot it, where, and what it best reveals about you.
(Author: Tracey Clark)

DP took this photo of me (right) and my surfing and yoga pal Jaime after my first Yoga for an Ocean Cure workshop in the Norwood Community Center gymnasium. What it reveals: confidence, strength, and pure bliss about sharing yoga and Ocean Cure with others. Two more fundraising workshops followed. I fell 90% short of my very lofty goal … but I had no idea how fulfilling and amazing reaching 10% could be.

December 26 – Soul Food. What did you eat this year that you will never forget? What went into your mouth & touched your soul? (Author: Elise Marie Collins)

For someone who loves food so very much, I find myself at an embarrassing loss with this prompt. I’m searching my memory, trying to conjure up the one taste that rocked my world, and I’m completely drawing a blank. (In previous years, I’m positive it would have been a meal or dessert by my friend Mia.)

December 27 – Ordinary Joy. Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments. What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year? (Author: Brené Brown)

I like to be active, but I do love sitting on the couch with DP and watching a movie (or Glee, or Grey’s Anatomy, or Top Chef). Bonus when our dog Rusty climbs up to join us.

Final four reflections coming soon…

Adventure 39/52: Joining #reverb10

2010-12-19T21:29:00.010-05:00

Vintage tinsel tree fabulousness at the JL- DP household.

Wine: Dry spell!!! LeaderShape is an alcohol-free zone for students AND faculty.
Veggies: Made a big pot of Moroccan stew to clean out the fridge before leaving town for the holidays.

What does one do on a Sunday afternoon when suffering from a cold and dreading last minute holiday shopping? Join Reverb 10 to reflect on this year and manifest what's next, of course! I've been in an especially reflective mood lately, so playing catch up on the past 19 days of writing prompts is actually quite fun. Each day's prompt is posed by a different person and focuses on a particular theme (e.g., Community, Wonder, Party). Keep reading for Part I of Reverb 10 catch-up ...

Prompt 1 - One Word. Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?
 (Author: Gwen Bell)

2010: UNSETTLED

Personally and professionally, many things just didn't feel right to me this year. I was often mentally and emotionally drained, unsafe, distracted and angry ... quite a change from my typical optimistic and buoyant self.

2011: ADVENTURE

Although 2010 was technically the Year of 52 Adventures, I think it was my year of waking up to possibility. 2011 is when I will truly explore the boundaries of my comfort zone and begin building an adventurous life based on my beliefs and expectations. I will take some major leaps of faith, most of which will lead to positive changes in all areas of my life. I will start to see my entire life as an adventure, rather than lead a series of adventures within my life.

Prompt 2 - Writing. What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it? 

(Author: Leo Babauta)

I spend way too much time at home sitting in front of a computer, just like I've done all day at work. I check out some favorite blogs, then mindlessly look through Facebook and other sites and links I stumble upon. The blogs I read are about food, so I might be inspired to make something fun for dinner, but I'm not usually inspired to write my own posts. I don't want to eliminate reading blogs I enjoy, but I would like to cut down on the mindless browsing. I'll just need to set some specific time limits to ensure that I keep on task. The more time I allow myself to actively reflect (e.g. meditating after yoga, walking, cooking), the more likely I am to write. Maybe I engage in one of those activities immediately after work rather than falling into the trap of sitting down at my computer?

Prompt 3 - Moment 

Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors).

(Author: Ali Edwards)

Practicing yoga at sunrise on the rooftop deck of Mary Cottage in Carolina Beach. No mat, just the weathered boards underneath my bare feet. It was breezy, but warm enough to wear a tank-top and my pajama pants. The soundtrack was a mixture of squawking seagulls, breaking waves, and my ujjayi breathing. I felt so focused, content and grounded that I flowed effortlessly through a long series of standing balance poses. I gazed mostly at the horizon, where the orange-pink sky met the deep blue-black ocean, but I noticed the beach walkers, sunrise watchers, and surfers, especially as I sat in the Adirondack chair in meditation/appreciation after the asanas and got excited (or should I say stoked?!) about surfing later in the morning. I wondered if I could ever tire of starting off every day of my life like this, and I hoped that I'd someday get the chance to try.

Prompt 4 – Wonder.

How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?

(Author: Jeffrey Davis)

I joined the Year of 52 Adventures in January to breathe some life into what had begun to feel like a seriously boring existence. While I haven't completed an adventure every week, I have noticed a shift in how I approach most days ... wondering how I might say "yes" to an adventurous opportunity or invite more adventure into my life. Even when I have been frustrated and overwhelmed, I've been able to focus on the possibility and excitement of the next adventure.

Prompt 5 – Let Go.

What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why?

(Author: Alice Bradley)

Since receiving my 200-hour yoga teacher certification in 2006, I've taught at least one class a week, but in April I let go of teaching completely. Because my full-time job was taking so much time and energy, I didn't have much left to prepare for my class. I often felt stressed getting to class, and afterwards I often felt guilty that I wasn't giving my best to the students. When it was time to return after summer break, I listened to the resistance I was feeling about starting the class again and decided that I needed to create a clearing in this area of my life. I think in many ways my life feels better when I'm teaching, and I imagine that I'll get back to it at some point, but it feels right at this time to not teach.

Prompt 6 – Make.

What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?

(Author: Gretchen Rubin)

I made a Focaccia for a party last night. Main ingredients were purchased at Findlay Market on Friday ... organic Bosc pears and Vidalia onions from Madison's, Point Reyes's blue cheese from Silverglade's. All but a few pieces were devoured--success!

I have an idea for DP's handmade Christmas gift but I need some creativity and energy to make it happen. I also would like to sew a slipcover for a chair I inherited from my grandmother. I've had the fabric and the chair for years; now I just need the confidence and motivation to create the pattern and get started.

Prompt 7 – Community.

Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?

(Author: Cali Harris)

Here’s the honest and painful truth: 2010 was a community-less year for me. The yoga family to which I'd belonged didn't feel like a great fit anymore, DP and I spent most evenings and weekends on our own, and we couldn't find any places where we felt at home. 2011 must--and will--be better! I'm intrigued by the possibility of starting a dinner/idea-sharing community that a fellow Mondo Beyondo participant described. I'd like to build relationships with my neighbors, even though we may be moving soon. Last week I connected with a group of colleagues (all of us were serving as cluster facilitators at a campus-based LeaderShape session), and I'd like to continue the good conversations we started around concepts of integrity, inclusiveness, and positive change. I don't know that I'm interested in working on virtual/online community-building ... I feel a pull toward in-person community building.

Prompt 8 – Beautifully Different.

Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful.

(Author: Karen Walrond)

This is a tough one for me ...

I have two vintage tinsel trees and could easily buy 10 more if given the opportunity.

I'm a landlocked Ohioan who is obsessed with surfing.

I like to pay overdue fines to the public library.

I send New Year's or Valentine's Day postcards rather than holiday cards.

I haven't read the Harry Potter or Twilight series.

I don't have a Twitter account or a smart phone.

I can be easily talked into doing something silly, random or adventurous if you catch me at the right moment.

I enjoy doing cartwheels and headstands at random moments.

I don't think that any of those things make me beautiful, but who's to say? I do think I have a gift for listening to, encouraging and supporting others in a way that makes them light up. If you're reading this and you know me, I hope you agree.

Prompt 9 – Party.

What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans.

(Author: Shauna Reid)

A four-day vacation in Colorado with my husband and 8 of my in-laws rocked my socks off. After days of skiing and playing in the snow, we enjoyed our casual evenings around the kitchen island. Mixed drinks, games, conversations, shenanigans and laughter were abundant. To protect the guilty, I can't divulge much more than this, but the silliness and the camaraderie was exactly what I needed at this point of the year.

Prompt 10 – Wisdom.

What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?

(Author: Susannah Conway)

In a work situation, I decided to share how I was really feeling rather than pretend everything was okay, per my usual style. The response was empathy, concern and support, and I felt released from a huge and unnecessary burden I had been carrying. Enough said.

Stay tuned for Part II of the Reverb 10 catch-up tomorrow!

Adventures 28-38/52: Autumn round-up

2010-12-05T11:48:00.000-05:00

Trying to live according to the Christmas tree rules this season.

Veggies: The highlight of this raw-food weekend (see Adventure No. 38) was a holiday-colored salad of spinach, avocado and pomegranate seeds.

Wine: Shared a tasty bottle of Westside Red Troublemaker with my favorite wine-drinking amigos at The Wine Guy Bistro.

I know it would be WAY more fun to write adventures one at a time -- not to mention more fun for you to read them individually -- but it's another catch-up round for me. I fear I'll need to ask Year of 52 Adventures for an extension into January, but this being the season of hope and wonder, I may just find a way to complete14 adventures during the next 27 days. Here's what I've been up to for the past few months...

Adventure 28: Learning to knit.
Last year I agreed to serve as an advisor for the student organization Knit for the Needy. Group members meet weekly (and work on their own) to knit scarves, hats and gloves for people experiencing homelessness in Cincinnati. I adore the students who started the organization and appreciate its mission, but I just couldn't find the energy to stay on campus for their late evening meetings. This year, thanks to an earlier meeting time, I stopped being an absentee advisor and started knitting. I'm still working on my first scarf, and ... well, I can only get better. I think I'll donate my second scarf.

Adventure 29: Hosting a casual dinner party.
One item from my original list of potential adventures was hosting a four-course dinner party with recipes I'd never attempted. However, with more thought, I realized that it wasn't going to lead to the kind of relaxed and enjoyable evening I'd envisioned for myself or my guests. So, with mostly new recipes that could be served family style and an invitation to two new friends, I felt just enough challenge to make this an adventure. Maybe it was the huge pitcher of Sangria we drank, but I think the evening was a success.

Adventure 30: Taking a drumming class.
Working at UC has its benefits, especially when those benefits include a free class at the College-Conservatory of Music. For the past six weeks, I've been taking a Drumming for Stress Relief course with a fantastically diverse and interesting group of women from across the university. After a somewhat timid first week, we really found our drum circle groove and have been having a blast together. I've always been a little wary of drum circles--they seemed just a tad too hippie-ish for my taste--but I'm a convert now. I'm still going to skip the Patchouli, thank you very much.

Adventure 31: Going to an NFL game.
I'm sure there's something I care less about than professional football, but that one thing escapes me at the moment. However, when a generous friend offered to take me to the Bengals-Dolphins game in October, I was able to see some intriguing possibilities ... there's tailgating (I eat food! I drink beer!), there's cheering (I can stand up and yell, even if I don't understand why!), and there's Dhani Jones (I like Dhani after he gave a presentation to UC Honors students about social entrepreneurship and his Five Star Ties!) The clincher was a great forecast for game day; I would not claim to be anything other than a fair-weather football fan. The verdict? Football games are kind of fun. Good company, sunny skies and lots of cash for expensive stadium beers are a must. Thankfully, a victory is not.

Adventure 32: Dining solo at a restaurant.
I'm an introvert, so one would think I'm cool with eating alone. Not so. Even when DP and I are at a restaurant together, I get a little anxious when I'm the only one sitting at the table ... do I look at the other diners, do I continue eating, do I pretend like I'm deep in thought? Clearly, social awkwardness is a natural skill. I faced my solo dining fear straight on by confidently walking into Wine Guy Bistro and asking for a table for one. (No, my book did not need a seat.) My goal was to focus on the food and the personal time, and I was feeling so confident that I even asked for a serious modification to the one vegetarian dish on the menu (kindly and with no expectations, of course). I don't know that dining solo will be a frequent event, but I do feel more comfortable about taking myself out for a nice dinner once in awhile.

Adventure 33: Designing and mailing invitations to Friendsgiving.
In the tradition of Festivus, Friendsgiving is an annual celebration DP and I host for those who would like to give thanks without the marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes and family drama. I usually send an email invitation, but this year I wanted to go old-school and send a print invitation. I loved designing the simple postcard, and many people told me how much they enjoyed getting something in the mail besides catalogs and credit card offers.

Adventure 34: Restoring a cast iron pan.
If you've stopped reading, I don't blame you; this is not one of my most exciting adventures. I wish I could tell you a great back story, like it was my great-great-great grandmother's pan, or I bought it for a nickel at an antique fair. The truth? Several years ago, shortly after my mom bought it for me, I left it soaking in the sink for about five days too long. And it's been sitting, rusty and unusable, on a shelf in my kitchen ever since. When getting our house in order this summer, I nearly placed the pan in the box of things destined for Goodwill; but in the year of 52 Adventures, I saw rust as opportunity. With a scouring brush attachment on a power drill, muscle, grapeseed oil, and a hot oven, I was able to return the pan to its glory days. Sweet, boring success!

Adventure 35: Making a PostSecret.
Don't you love reading PostSecret? (If you've never visited, do yourself a favor and check it out!) Last week, after years of reading, I was motivated to create my own. After realizing that I had quite a few secrets to share--most of which are incredibly mundane--I settled on one of the more intriguing secrets that I thought would resonate with readers. I felt giddy and excited, clutching it in my hand as I took my usual walk through Mariemont. After I dropped it into one of the street mailboxes, I spent the rest of my walk imagining how many people might read the card as it traveled to Maryland, and of course I hope that many others will see it one Sunday on the website.

Adventure 36: Submitting my This I Believe statement to NPR.
I've shared the statement on my blog, and now it's on NPR's website. Woo-hoo! Sure, they publish everyone's, but still...

Adventure 37: Taking a hot yoga class.
I'm surprised by how long it's taken me to complete this adventure. Every time I'd decide on a class, I'd find some excuse for not going. I don't mind sweating, but I do tend to overheat fairly easily; I think that I was afraid I'd have to take a break and that might make me look "weak." (That truth is really painful to admit and sheds light on a troubling double standard I hold: I encourage yoga students to listen to their bodies, and I NEVER think that they're weak when they rest in child's pose or savasana--in fact, I think they're incredibly wise and strong. So why don't I feel that way when I'm practicing yoga?) I finally found the way to hold myself accountable to this adventure: I invited a new friend to join me, and I pre-paid for the class online. The class was fine; being in a hot room on a cold and snowy day was nice, but I didn't find the practice to be any more engaging or detoxifying than one in a 70-degree room. Glad I did it, and I might try another studio and teacher, but it didn't rock my yoga world.

Adventure 38: Completing a two-day raw food cleanse.
Using the word "completing" is very intentional, as I'm beginning day two of the cleanse. (I nearly gave up last night, after a very disappointing raw broccoli mash that tasted nothing like mashed potatoes, as the recipe suggested.) My initial goal was to follow a program--there are lots of 3-day cleanse books available--but I didn't have enough time or interest to research the pros and cons of each. Rather than limiting my intake of food, I decided to focus on eating raw, whole foods for my cleanse. Unfortunately, I'm rather food-obsessed, and the second I woke up yesterday, I started thinking about all the foods I "couldn't" eat this weekend. Not a good way to start. But I've worked my way through those thoughts--allowing myself a cup of coffee this morning helped--and I'm trying to focus on the opportunity to drink more green juices (they really are delicious if you find the right combination of greens and fruits) and to reset my eating habits/patterns after a few months of consistent overindulgence and mindlessness. I'll admit--knowing that warm soup awaits me on Monday is helping me through the day, too.

Creating life's report card

2010-10-27T20:37:00.000-04:00

Wedding toast, September 1999

Veggies: Used the last batch of garden tomatoes for tabouli this week
Wine: Catching up on Wine Merchant wines of the month ... the Cabernet was fine, but not good enough to bother running downstairs to get the name

I was the nerd who couldn't wait to receive her report card ... I'd rush home, proudly show it to my parents, and beg to go to Friendly's right after dinner to cash in on my free Reese's Pieces sundae in exchange for my latest term of straight As. After report cards came formal and not-so-formal performance evaluations during my many careers. I've celebrated and sobbed over the awards, criticisms, red-inked papers, 4.0s, promotions, and raises, believing that they affirmed that I had room for improvement in some areas, but that in general I was successful. That I was doing what I was supposed to be doing. That life was good.

In many recent discussions and personal reflections, I've been forced to consider the validity of external evaluations. Are they necessary? Do they accurately measure success (or failure)? Do they matter? I don't have any definitive answers yet, but I do know that I've been far too reliant lately on external evaluations, and that I've adopted some standardized measurements of success that just don't apply to my values. So what if I'm passing on a scale that means nothing to me?

If I can't escape our established grading/evaluation system, then I want to at least create my own report card, and I want to grade myself on my own criteria:

-Am I learning new things and meeting new people?

-Do I have meaningful relationships with a diverse group of people?

-Am I contributing time/energy/passion toward a cause I believe in?

-Does my daily life give me--or drain me of--energy? Is my daily schedule filled with obligations or opportunities?

-Am I spending work and personal time involved in projects that align with my values?

-Do I greet and close each day with as much love and excitement and humor and hope that I have in the picture of my wedding toast?

And those Reese's Pieces sundaes? I can easily let them go. There's always another bottle of wine to open...

Adventure 27/52: Dancing in a flash mob

2010-09-22T20:52:00.007-04:00

I have officially entered the second half of my year of 52 adventures, and I think this is an appropriately outrageous (for me) adventure to mark that milestone. May I present to you my debut as a flash mob dancer at University of Cincinnati's convocation ceremony for incoming students on Sunday, September 19, 2010:

I'm most visible toward the end of the video ... I'm the short, bespectacled dancer wearing a short-sleeved gray T-shirt, and at the end, you'll see me in my very best Mary Katherine Gallagher "Superstar" pose.

Dancing by myself or with friends makes me ridiculously giddy, but I was a little terrified about learning a routine and performing it in front of a few thousand people. However, after six hours of rehearsals with the group and a Saturday night of entertaining DP by practicing on my own, I was ready. I wasn't perfect, but I was 100% blissed out afterwards. And, as one of my fellow dancers noted, I am so ready to dazzle people the next time I'm out clubbing :)

Enjoy!

Adventure 26/52: Leaving a hope note for someone to find

2010-09-20T22:15:00.000-04:00

Veggies: Made a broccoli marinade last night that involved 10 garlic cloves and rum. I can't believe anyone talked to me today.

Wine: I'm not usually a Chardonnay drinker, but I like anything by Handley Cellars. It turned out to be a good call.

The purpose behind last week's Mondo Beyondo secret mission was simple: "There’s nothing like putting something good out into the world to give you the courage to believe it yourself." I was invited to leave an affirmation in a public place for someone else to find and enjoy.

However, for someone like me who gets caught up in the rules (e.g., what if I'm not allowed to put tape on this wall?!), the execution was not so simple. I was excited but nervous about where I'd place the notes (because I wanted to share two messages) and wasn't sure I'd be able to snap a picture afterwards in case I needed to make a quick getaway from the tape police. (I'm only partly kidding ... this is seriously what happens when your father is a judge.)

The first note, shown above, is from a Valentine's Day postcard DP and I sent a few years ago. Cincinnati readers might be able to spot the location. I hung the second note, shown below, near a few benches. I hope that someone eating lunch or taking a few moments to reflect will see it peeking through the leaves.

Just curious: Have you ever found/left a hope note?

Mondo Beyondo assignments

2010-09-09T22:45:00.006-04:00

Since August 30, I've been receiving emails each weekday morning from my Mondo Beyondo online course. I love checking my email after my walk with Rusty and seeing what the day's dreamy mission is before I head to work. The picture above is my bowl of affirmations to help with the exhilarating but slightly scary process of identify my deepest hopes and dreams.

I worked on two assignments tonight, since last night was spent with a jumbo margarita and lots of family celebrating my brother-in-law's 38th birthday and my sister-in-law's 37th wedding anniversary. (Yes, that means the mother of the bride was holding her 1-year-old child at her second-oldest daughter's wedding!)

I first made a list of the small but meaningful things I try to do daily to energize my soul. As instructed, I taped the list next to the mirror I use each morning. (The bowl holding the affirmations, the table on which the bowl is sitting, and the mirror are antique fair finds ... I LOVE buying things that have a history.) I've included a close-up of my list in case you're curious.

The second assignment I worked on tonight involved writing my biggest, pie-in-the-sky, unbelievably amazing dreams. Not sure I'll ever share that list in public ... it feels like a fun secret to hold close to my heart right now. How many dreams do you think involved the ocean and surfing? (Hint: Lots.)

Happy Friday!

Adventures 24 & 25/52: Road trip with DP and Veganizing my favorite summer cake

2010-09-09T20:34:00.011-04:00

"Love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart."

-Jack Johnson, Better Together

Veggies: Dinner tonight was an oven-roasted sweet potato eaten out of hand. Just about perfect in its simplicity.

Wine: Cocktail hour was courtesy of Le Lapin ... finishing up the Paso Robles Multiplicity I bought at last Thursday's wine tasting.

In my rush to post all of my summer adventures, I forgot to add one of the best ...

Adventure 24/52: 24 hours in Indianapolis with DP and Jack Johnson

In a whirlwind road trip to Indianapolis in July just for fun, DP and I had dinner with one of his former students at ZING, rocked in a mellow kind of way with Jack Johnson, enjoyed the downtown canal walk, felt the magic at Hinkle Fieldhouse, and got a big dose of LOVE at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The original plan was for a group road trip, but it turned out to be a fun 24-hour vacation for the two of us ... we'll definitely repeat in a different city sometime soon.

And returning to a more recent adventure...

Adventure 25/52: Veganizing my favorite summer cake

Lime Cream Torte. Sounds and looks fancy, but it's pretty simple to make. Especially because it uses boxed cake mix, which I realized was a little weird the last time I made it. If I'm going to the effort of whipping real cream for the frosting, why am I relying on Duncan Hines processed cake mix? That was the first spark in wanting to try a makeover on this Taste of Home recipe.

Before I go on, let me assure you that I believe in the sacredness and importance of dessert. At a restaurant, I'll take the chocolate raspberry cheesecake over a fruit cup any day. Sure, at home I'll satisfy my craving for something sweet with a slice of watermelon or a square of dark chocolate, but I wouldn't call either of those options dessert. Additionally, though I find myself leaning more toward a vegan diet these days, I don't like to use soy-based butter and whipped cream and egg replacers when I bake. So, this adventure was more about challenging myself to find less-processed options for making this tasty cake.

The final result definitely tasted more on the "healthy" end of the dessert spectrum than I would have liked, but for my first attempt at recreating a dessert recipe, it stood up to the challenge. I substituted coconut oil and flax seed for the butter and eggs called for in this key lime cake recipe, then I made a cashew-nut based "cream" frosting (using lime juice instead of water) thanks to directions from this lovely blog I discovered. (Note: you should really soak the cashews for 2 hours or more. I was too impatient and I think the texture of the cream was impacted.) I took it to a family gathering on Sunday, and this is all that's left:

Adventures 14-23/52: Summer fun

2010-08-25T19:55:00.006-04:00

Veggies: Not nearly as many garden-to-table meals as I'd hoped, but I've had plenty of delish tomatoes and cucumbers and squash over the past few months.

Wine: Celebrated Spain's World Cup win with Ercavio Tempranillo ... I think I'm in love.

Where has the summer gone? I'm still behind on adventuring, but not as much as my lack of recent postings might indicate. Here's a speed-round update of all that's happened:

14/52: Making a multi-step pizza dough recipe to enjoy during my personal candlelight dinner (pictured above) while DP was away for a golf weekend. Totally worth weighing all of the ingredients and waiting hours for the dough to rise.

15/52: Finishing my first quilt. I love its fabrics as well as its imperfections. What do you think?

16/52: Offering on a whim to quit my job (really, just work part-time.) This offer was respectfully declined and led to the discovery that the director of my program reads my blog ... he asked me if this was one of my adventures. I told him I didn't intend it to be, but it made sense to count it as one after the fact. Hi Raj!

17/52: Repurposing old hiking socks into an iPod arm band (aka, Socking it to the Apple man or, I've already spent $200+ on an iPod, I don't need to spend $30 more on something that's going to get sweaty holding it).

18/52: Inviting a new friend to dinner to discuss leaps of faith, cooking for a career and living a purposeful life.

19/52: Admitting—out loud and with tears—that I can’t do it all. And finally believing it. And finally letting myself be okay with it.

20/52: Moving my relationship status with (not on) Facebook to “it’s complicated.” I ignored it for a few days and found out that it seems to be creating rather than filling some void in my life. I'm not deactivating my account just yet, but I'm still reflecting on other ways to meaningfully connect with people.

21/52: Putting our house up for sale, in anticipation of another adventure.

22/52: Becoming a morning walker, even before I have a sip of coffee. I never thought I’d be a person who wakes up early to exercise, but I'm three weeks into the routine and feel too good to stop--until the mornings get colder and darker, at least.

23/52: Registering for the Mondo Beyondo online class to begin exploring my dreams and reclaiming my happy place in life.

I sense lots of adventure possibilities in the next few months, and my goal is to better about blogging ... so stay tuned!

12/52: Calling my state senators & 13/52: Running the Flying Pig Half-Marathon

2010-06-12T07:13:00.006-04:00

After finishing the 2009 Girls on the Run 5K with many other tiara-wearing runners (who were 25-30 years younger than me, I admit)

Veggies: A whole lot of eating out these past few weeks--Vegetable Biryani at Ambar, Veggie & Tofu stir-fry bowl at Cilantro, Veggie burrito at Chipotle
Wine: It's Sangria season! (As if I don't drink it year-round.)

I'm clearly so very behind on my year of 52 adventures, but considering all the other things I could be behind on--taxes, mortgage payments, reading for a class, etc.--I'm pretty fortunate that my penalty is devoting some serious time in the coming months to making up adventures! Here are two adventures from the past I've not yet shared...

Calling my state senators
As I was walking toward yet another food booth at University of Cincinnati's much-anticipated annual International Festival, I was stopped by someone who asked if I had a few minutes to talk about clean energy. Of course I did, even in our pre-BP disaster days. What I did not anticipate is that this someone really wanted for me to talk to my senators, not to her, about clean energy. She asked if I would be willing to call both of them, and I agreed without hesitation. I'm embarrassed to admit that I have a phone phobia, and though I would have walked back to my office really WANTING to call my senators, I really would not have done so. She was a seasoned organizer and knew that most of the people she talked to would make that same empty promise, so she then asked if I wanted to use my phone or hers. BUSTED! I didn't have my phone with me, so, yes, I would need to use her phone. I'd like to tell you that I had long, thoughtful conversations on clean energy with both of the people I called, but I read a short script and they thanked me for my call before hanging up. Did I make a difference? Who knows. Am I slightly less petrified to call my state senators about important issues? Yes.

Running the 2010 Flying Pig Half-Marathon
After two years of participating in the Pig on a four-person relay team, I thought it was time to step things up. However, I did not step up my training until two months before the half-marathon. (I'm sorry, Hal Higdon ... I really wanted to follow your sensible half-marathon training schedule that hung faithfully on my refrigerator door, but terrible weather and lingering sickness got in the way.) Thanks to a slightly more disciplined running friend, I spent most Friday nights in March and April wine-free so I could wake up early on Saturday mornings to train. We decided to use interval training: we ran 9 minutes and walked 3 minutes. This worked so well that we ran the half-marathon in intervals too. (Walking was a huge concession for me at first -- I ran cross-country growing up, and though I was never fast, I comforted myself with the thought that at least I never walked during a race. However, I'm a convert now and plan to continue running intervals even for shorter races. That 3-minute recovery time is too fabulous to give up.) I didn't break any records with my 2 hour 36 minute finish, but I can work to improve my time in next year's half.

This I Believe...

2010-05-01T10:38:00.012-04:00

Living with zoom and boom!

One of my roles at work is teaching a one-credit hour introduction to University Honors. Last year we revised the course assignments to include writing a "This I Believe" statement (based on the NPR series) and I couldn't resist creating my own.

I was a sophomore in college when I realized that I wasn’t invisible, even though I’d felt like it most of the previous year. When I realized I had a voice, a purpose, and an ability to contribute to the world around me. When I realized that I mattered.

This realization happened after I facilitated my first presentation as a peer leader for S.T.A.R.T., which stands for Students Talking About Real Topics. I’d felt really comfortable in front of the group of first-year students and pretty excited that they’d seemed interested in the topic. When I walked to the back of the room, where Molly, S.T.A.R.T.’s advisor, had been observing me, she grabbed both of my hands, looked straight into my eyes, and asked me what I was planning to do with this talent of mine. In a few seconds, and with a few words, my life was changed. The way I spent the rest of my college career and the way in which I lead my life today is a direct result of that moment. Was I the best presenter Molly had even seen? Doubtful. But I’m certain she wasn’t patronizing me. She was simply—and powerfully—acknowledging my presence and my contribution. She was acknowledging my mattering to the world.

I believe that everyone matters, and that it's my responsibility to make sure that each person I encounter knows that he or she matters. The beauty, as well as the challenge, is that this belief can be applied to anyone, anywhere. I’m conveying a sense of mattering when I’m giving a standing ovation to Broadway performers, looking into a stranger’s eyes and saying hello as I pass her on the street, and listening to my husband’s stories over dinner. This is easy to do when I’m living in the present and enjoying all that’s around me. It’s an almost unbearable obligation when I’m wrapped up in my own thoughts, feeling afraid or hurt or angry, or dealing with someone I don’t particularly like. It’s never-ending work—exhausting at times for an introvert like me—and I fail at it every single day. But it’s far too important to give up, and each interaction provides a new opportunity to succeed.

I also devote lots of personal time and energy to reminding myself that I matter. I do this by trying to live with “zoom and boom” (a favorite phrase, from Rob Brezny) and by celebrating my alive-ness every day. I’m dedicated to building a self that provides good company to those around me, and good company to me when I’m alone.

I pay attention to my dreams and follow through with them as much as I can … for, as Terri Trespicio wrote, “What would our lives look like without our dreams? Predictable, plain, joyless? Our aspirations—the things we hope for, work toward, imagine—give color and context, shape and vision to our days.” Most recently, I decided to fulfill a lifelong desire to learn how to surf, despite the fact that I live in landlocked Ohio. I didn’t do this to be practical, I did it to feel alive. And guess what? It worked! It mattered!

My belief inspires and guides my professional life as well. It’s no coincidence that I chose to spend my time as a full-time academic advisor and a part-time yoga instructor. Whether I’m listening to a student who’s struggling to identify the best major or I’m helping a student discover the power of connecting his breath and movement on the yoga mat, my overarching goal is to support students in their realization of how and why they matter. Because they do. And you do. We all do.

Adventure 11/52: Entering a short short story contest

2010-04-25T17:47:00.020-04:00

Writing in my journal + listening to the crash of ocean waves = bliss

Veggies: Spring salads are in full force ... nothing beats fresh herbs and greens.

Wine: After drinking Bud Select from a keg last night, a glass of Cotes du Rhone is quite welcome as I type this post.

For the first half of my life, I can remember giving only one answer to the question of what I wanted to be when I grew up: A writer.

I'm not sure how this came to be, other than the fact that I was painfully shy as a child and writing was the one activity in which I felt inexplicably confident. I was first "published" in the third grade. My poem was a simple stanza on the benefits of being me, and it lacked any hint of irony or sarcasm. (This still fills me with pride, no matter how embarrassing the content.) As a 10-year-old, keeping a journal was second-nature, and like many teenagers, I channelled my angst and confusion into poetry which remains, thankfully, unpublished. At 16, I didn't hesitate to enter my local newspaper's Halloween horror story contest and was the youngest, by far, of the three winners. I experienced a minor set-back in my dream career when I watched "All the President's Men" and realized that my intended college major of journalism didn't seem to be a good match with my introverted nature. In a panic, I ended up majoring in Public Relations, for which I was equally unsuited, but its curriculum left much time to continue writing, through elective classes and my involvement in student organizations.

However, this once-pleasurable activity soon became a source of frustration. Accustomed to praise and support for my writing, I was ill-prepared for the critiques I received from professors and peers. One of the most painful experiences of my life was listening to faculty advisors and fellow executive board members of the campus literary magazine bash my blind submissions for its upcoming edition. I had plenty of company in the reject pile, but that was of little comfort after what I'd heard.

My frustration turned into fear after graduation, when I landed a job at a publishing company. One of my responsibilities was writing sales copy for new books, and I spent days agonizing over every word choice, every headline. The critiques continued, and the stakes were even higher; bad copy equalled poor sales. Leaving after two-and-a-half years of constant doubt was a relief, and I made peace with the fact that writing professionally was no longer a dream, nor even a possibility, for me.

Fast forward 10+ years. I've never stopped journalling--though some periods of my life are better documented than others--and my multiple careers have included some decent writing opportunities. I feel somewhat vindicated that my husband, a college English instructor, shares one of my essays in his composition classes each semester. (He's a completely unbiased critic, of course.) I started a blog to test the writing waters again, and it's helped me to rediscover the joy I once felt for writing.

With that cathartic and long-winded introduction, I present to you Adventure #11: I submitted a short short story in an unnamed University's literary contest. The goal? Not to win or to be published, but to open myself to criticism and rejection without letting it destroy my confidence or my renewed passion for writing.

Adventure 10/52: Slow i n g d o w n

2010-04-12T21:30:00.011-04:00

Wish I could always be in vacation mode...

Veggies: Post-run green juices are rocking my world lately.

Wine: I am such a slacker. My wines of the month have been available for a week now, but I'm at home sipping on some cheap Spanish red.

So, I haul a$$. There's just no other way to say it. Doesn't matter if I have a destination or not, I walk like I needed to be there FIVE MINUTES AGO, people. Outta my way!

If I had to pinpoint where this all started, my guess is college. Far from overprotective parents, I could finally walk places after dark, all by my lonesome. Since I'm five feet tall on a good day, I realized I needed to adopt a don't-mess-with-me glare and accompanying pace. It also helped me get to my 8 am Calculus class, give or take a few minutes.

A few weeks ago I realized that this mad rush is not limited to my gait ... it's taken over my entire life. It's not unusual for me to drive 20 miles over the speed limit on my way to work. I practically attack the keyboard when I'm typing emails. I often find myself taking the first chance to end a conversation, in person and on the phone. This is a rather embarrassing discovery for a yogini to make. It's not like I can't be mindful and move through life with intention, but it's sadly just not my default mode.

In an effort to reset my internal speedometer, I spent a few weeks in slow mode. (Because just a few days would be rushing things, right?!) I intentionally picked the slowest grocery line, walked behind the slowest person possible on the path from the parking garage to my office, lingered over a discussion, and drove the speed limit. When I remembered, and when I felt like I could do so without losing my mind.

This was by far the toughest adventure I've undertaken, and probably my least successful one in terms of accomplishing my goal. I did make some important observations:

-Because I'm so used to rushing, I place myself in situations that force me to continue in that pattern ... I sleep in, I leave my office a few minutes after I should for a meeting, I leave my house later than I should to get somewhere ... the list goes on.

-Even so, most of my rushing is habitual rather than necessary. Do I really have to speed-walk to the kitchenette to wash my apple for lunch?

-That pop-up window in Outlook that alerts me to new email is PURE EVIL! The best outcome of this adventure is that I finally took a few minutes to figure out how to turn it off. I still see the little envelope icon when new email comes in, but it's less distracting.

I'd like to say this adventure has a happy ending, but it's too early to say. At least I'm more aware of when I'm rushing, and feel a little more inclined to stop myself when it's unnecessary. I even called in well this morning so I could take a walk with my dog, practice yoga, and sit outside to journal. Maybe there is hope for me.

Adventure 9/52: Documenting Birthday No. 37

2010-03-22T21:05:00.050-04:00

Veggies: So many good meals this week, at restaurants and at home. My favorite dose of veggies this week was my birthday dinner at Pera Mediterranean ... nothing beats a Middle Eastern appetizer plate.

Wine: Finally ended the drought with a splurge-worthy Cabernet on my birthday -- and I'm now a happy member of The Wine Merchant's wine of the month club, thanks to a thoughtful birthday gift from my faithful blog reader and fantastic husband DP.

I've always been curious about people who share so much of their lives online. Why does one choose to move--or completely remove--the line between public and private? My introverted tendencies exist in the electronic world, too, where I'm far more likely to read about someone's life than share details of my own. My motives for starting this blog remain a little cloudy, but I'm fairly clear about my posting boundaries. For this particular adventure, I'm veering into the online spotlight (and venturing into the possibility of boring readers to death) by documenting a day in my life ... a day that happened to be my 37th birthday.

Like most days, it started with an early wake-up call from my dog Rusty. You can't tell from this picture, but he approaches every day like he's certain it's going to be the best one of his life. I know--he's a dog, and that's what dogs do. But I do adore starting each day with him jumping on his hind legs at the bottom of the steps. I'm far from a morning person, so it takes all my effort to try to match his enthusiasm. Some days--like today--are easier than others.

Because I took the day off work, I was able to spend some much-needed time on my yoga mat without feeling rushed. (FYI: The morning practice I blogged about last year has completely disintegrated. Sadly, this is now a special treat.) Listened to my favorite beach-inspired tunes from Michael Franti, Phish, G. Love, and Jack Johnson while practicing my favorite poses--mostly long, flowing standing sequences with lots of balancing.

Not being a morning person =

never eating breakfast before work.

So, I chose to eat a proper sit-down meal on this unrushed day. (Notice the new swanky napkins!) Thanks to a surprise birthday package of granola from this thoughtful friend, I had a delicious start to my day. Rusty seemed to agree that it was much better than his usual breakfast.

(I know this picture has the potential to gross out those of you who don't have pets. Or who don't have pets who eat leftovers from your plates. I promise, I wash my dishes really, really well.)

The weather for my March birthday is almost always cold and rainy. Except for this year. Notice the flip-flopped feet at the top of this blog? Maybe I was stretching it a little bit (I often wear flip-flops well into November), but it was definitely one of the warmest, sunniest days of the year. No way was I going to let this opportunity get by.

I'll spare you the exciting details of renewing my license and registration, as well as the picture of my new license. But I will share my tip for taking a good license picture: don't shower or even brush your hair. It's pointless to try to look nice. When you set the bar low, you're bound to think that you don't look nearly as bad as you thought you would.

A few months ago, my lovely sister-in-law with extra vacation time asked if I'd want to take the day off to spend some time with her. Fantastic idea! (You'd never guess from her smiling face that she'd just dropped a big flat of seedlings she's growing for our family garden.) Amy likes to dance, drink, cook, eat, shop at thrift stores, and take long walks/hikes. We are a match made in sister-in-law heaven. So very lucky to enjoy part of the day with her... it of course included most of the above... as well as a noontime March Madness viewing of Xavier beating Minnesota.

Exhausting work, this loafing around, so I recharged with my favorite variation of Viparita Karani -- legs-on-the-couch pose. Rusty was more than happy to lie down with me.

My traditional birthday evening festivities include dinner with DP, my mother-in-law and another lovely sister-in-law. (After growing up with NO sisters, I am so fortunate to have 10 sisters-in-law). Being part of such a large family now, it's a luxury to have an intimate dinner like this ... I always look forward to it. As always, the company was fantastic, and the meal was delicious too.

The funniest part of the night? Stopping by the newly-renovated hole in the wall bar (Firehouse Tavern, formerly Engine House Inn) down the street from DP's mom's house. There's a long family history with the bar and it seemed fitting to visit it on its opening night. We talked and laughed and enjoyed a nightcap (or two).

{Holy cow ... the day was fun, but documenting it here was not. I enjoyed taking pictures–I felt like I was on a mission–but adding them into my blog was exhausting because I’m not all that tech-savvy, and that diminished my desire to reflect on the day. So, adventure completed, lesson learned. Creating this post took nearly as long as living the day. And there's no doubt that living my life is far more important to me than telling others about it on my blog. So here's to the beginning and the end of living my life--at least in such great detail--online.}

Adventure 8/52: Spinning my wheels but not getting anywhere

2010-03-16T20:23:00.006-04:00

Veggies: Used up some fresh and frozen veggies for a tasty frittata tonight

Wine: Serious, serious drought. I need some inspiration, wino-friends!

I have something against treadmills. Why would I run or walk in the same excruciatingly boring spot when I have the option of exploring all the sights, sounds and smells of a neighborhood? So my interest in taking a spinning class was kind of random. Different machine, same problem, right?

Not really, as I learned on Monday night. Add black lights, pounding music and an instructor yelling at me to stand on my pedals and run every few minutes, and there's no room for boredom. Only time for sweating and wondering how badly my be-hind was going to hurt afterwards. (FYI: No amount of seat padding helps.)

It felt like a return to my step aerobic roots. (Thankfully, pictures of those days are non-existent.) No talk of connecting breath and movement, no spirituality -- just an intense, heart-thumping hour. Immediately afterwards, I felt wired in a not-so-great way. For the past few years I've been using exercise as a way to calm my mind, not to continue the chaos of my work day. The constant stimulation of the class was anything but relaxing. But by the time I was home, I felt energized in a positive way. This was definitely not the typical Monday night energy level I'd been used to for the past six months. While I can't imagine I'll make spinning a part of my weekly routine, I can see myself taking a class when I need an energy boost (or after a serious chow-down).

Adventure 7/52: Freeloading and skiing in Colorado

2010-03-14T12:17:00.008-04:00

This picture was taken seconds after I fell, face-first, into a thigh-high snow bank after saying to my snow-shoe companions, "Let's see if these snow shoes really work." Answer: No. So, I turned over and made a snow angel :)

Veggies: Getting them back into my life again ... many salads to celebrate the warmer temperatures.

Wine: Strange dry spell recently. Colorado involved beer and "yummy" drinks (delicious concoctions involving flavored vodkas and juices).

This is a 2-for-1 adventure (but I’m counting it as No. 7 only): Adventure 7a was acting upon my sister-in-law’s invitation to stay at her sister’s house in Colorado. For a non-assertive person like myself, following up on an invitation like that is pretty out-of-character adventurous. I tend to convince myself that when people offer things or invite me places, they don’t really mean it and secretly hope I’ll forget as soon as the words pop out of their mouths. I decided to take her invitation at face value and asked if it was possible to stay there for a few days during DP's spring break. So glad I did – the house, the scenery and the company (8 other family members joined us!) was just the R&R I needed after a stressful few months at work.

Adventure 7b was attempting to downhill ski again. I love all kinds of outdoor activities, but downhill skiing is far from my favorite. (Maybe it has something to do with the time I plowed straight down the middle of a hill at lightening speed and gave my ski a kiss at the bottom. Hello, fat lip!) Watching the winter Olympics and relentless hounding by skiing family members finally convinced me to join them for one day.

After a disappointing lesson in which I think became a worse skier for its two-hour duration, I hit the bunny hill hardcore with my nephew, a first-timer. By the end of the day, we were ready to hit a green trail with the other skiers. DP was kind and slowed down to my pace, and the scenery was gorgeous. But after making it to the bottom sans dramatic crash, I was ready to take off my skis and have a spiked hot chocolate. And I happily opted for a hike when others went skiing the next day. I’m glad I tried to ski again, but I now know, without any doubt, that my heart is in the ocean waves rather than on the slopes. I'm still dreaming about my next surfing adventure...

Adventures 5 & 6/52: Using duct-tape and sewing thread for interesting purposes

2010-02-23T20:43:00.011-05:00

Veggies: Pizza and M&Ms count as veggies, right?

Wine: Drinking almost an entire bottle of Estate White from Lamoreaux Landing on the eve of a snow day was tasty, but should not be repeated anytime soon.

Work has SO gotten in the way of adventuring (and living in general) during the past month, but I am committed to keeping up. Here are the latest:

5/52: Being duct-taped to a window for an educational purpose (?)

I’m an academic advisor, so I’m used to students asking questions of me. Many of their questions are the same, and many of my answers are the same. Two Fridays ago, however, I experienced a significant break in the monotony … I was asked by two first-year students I advise to consider being duct-taped to a window for educational hijinks (that is, Engineering Week festivities). And my answer was quite unexpected too. After a quick glance at the 52 Adventures logo that’s next to my computer screen, I said yes.

So, on the following snowy Monday morning, I arrived at Zimmer Hall, ready for my taping. Along with 18 other people, I was taped to a window, quite strategically. I was one of three people who actually stayed taped to the window for any amount of time, and I managed to hang in for a few minutes before not-so-gracefully falling face-first into my kind teammates’ arms. Because extra points are given when any foolish faculty or staff member can be talked into an activity, my team won enough for a first place finish. Hoo-ray!

6/52: Sewing swanky cloth napkins for every day meals

I’ll admit it: I’m a hypocritical kind of tree-hugger who uses 20 times her weight in paper towels and napkins each year. It’s embarrassing. But how can I be expected to stop when IKEA makes such cute printed napkins?

In a moment of intense shame, I googled how to make my own cloth napkins and came upon this fantastic tutorial. Then I found some really cheap fabric and ridiculously expensive ribbon to make my own, just in time for a lovely Valentine’s Day dinner. Sadly, that’s the last time I’ve really needed a napkin at home--too much eating on the run or standing up in the kitchen. But I look forward to many future meals with my fancy, eco-friendly napkins. There is a dinner party adventure coming up this year, after all …

Adventure 4/52: Holding a beach-inspired yoga fundraiser for Ocean Cure

2010-02-01T22:41:00.007-05:00

You will recognize your own path when you come upon it, because you will suddenly have all the energy and imagination you will ever need.
-Jerry Gillies

Veggies: Finally tried a strip-mall Indian restaurant by our house, which passed my vegetable biryani test.

Wine: Broke into our Finger Lakes white wines ... Lamoreaux Landing's Gewurtraminer was just as good as we remembered.

This is an adventure with a history and a purpose and a future … my most exciting one to date.

It all started with a long-awaited adventure in August 2009. After years of saying I wanted to learn how to surf, I decided that I was really going to learn how to surf. (You know how sometimes you get so obsessed with a dream that you forget that all it takes is, um, just doing it?) I chose Indo Jax Surf School, based in Wilmington, NC, because of its commitment to providing charity surf camps through its non-profit, Ocean Cure. I was happy that my tuition for the week-long camp would support future charity camps.

After an amazing week of surfing with some fantastic instructors, I returned to Ohio knowing that I wanted to contribute more than just my week's tuition. I felt inspired and excited and called to act. After brainstorming with the director about how a land-locked Ohioan could help, I decided that I would attempt to raise enough money to fund at least one charity camp in 2010 by holding beach-inspired yoga classes in Ohio and Kentucky. I’d never attempted anything like this before.

My first class happened on Sunday (Jan. 31) in Cincinnati. It was a small but enthusiastic group of yogis. We grooved to Michael Franti, Xavier Rudd and Jack Johnson, then had some snacks and watched a video about Ocean Cure. Though I didn’t raise nearly as much as I’d hoped, I was glad that I’d tried it, I knew how I could improve future fundraisers (promotion is crucial), and I was giddy that I’d actually DONE something. For the past few years I’ve been searching a cause I’m passionate about, and nothing has ever “stuck.” There are plenty of organizations I appreciate, but until now, none had inspired me to act.

So, this weekend I’m holding a second fundraiser at Barefoot Works Yoga Studio in Lexington, KY, then my third one at the Tuscarawas County YMCA in Dover, OH. I’m starting to talk to the director of Ocean Cure about bringing a group of college students to NC for an alternative spring break—learning how to surf in the morning, then assisting with charity surf camps or other projects for Ocean Cure in the afternoon. I see so much potential for future collaborations, and I am just as giddy about that as I was about learning how to surf.

Speaking of which … if you are inspired to add learning how to surf onto your list of adventures, you should check out Indo Jax Surf School. You'll be in great hands with fellow adventurers.

Adventure 3/52: Taking my husband on a date

2010-01-23T14:46:00.015-05:00

On a fun date--my sister-in-law's 70s-themed birthday bash--a few years ago

Veggies: Still doing my best to eat more grains and greens. Latest tasty concoction was a mixed green salad with barley, sweet potatoes and sauteed portobello mushrooms.

Wine: A late Christmas present--a bottle of Sterling Vineyard Shiraz --was enjoyed immensely this week.

Inspired by fellow adventurers, one of whom went on a date every night last week and another who completed homework about love for his upcoming marriage, I invited my husband (DP) on a date as soon as I arrived home on Friday night. Why is this an adventure? For a few reasons:

1. I have been utterly overwhelmed by my job this week. My natural introverted tendency is to remove myself from the world on Friday nights, so offering to do anything besides put on my PJs and sulk was a major accomplishment.

2. I have been the grumpiest, most annoyed, and likely most annoying, partner on the planet this week. Which actually made our date more of an adventure for DP, who probably accepted my invitation out of fear about what might happen if he declined.

3. DP and I have not gone out, alone, in a very long time. See point number 1 for insight on why this is so.

My first suggestion was to try a new restaurant, but since I was trying to be super-spontaneous as well, we decided to get tickets for the 8 pm performance of Spring Awakening. The theatre is next to one of our favorite spots, so we nixed a new place and headed downtown for a pre-show appetizer and beer. We held hands as we walked from the car, we laughed as he played air drum during some of the more rockin' numbers (I usually just want to die of embarrassment but I was steadfast in my adventurous spirit), and, not wanting the night to end early, we headed to a somewhat new-to-us pub for appetizer and beer #2. We talked, we cracked up, we enjoyed each others' company. And I felt hopeful that by the end of the year, a Friday night like that will feel commonplace rather than adventurous.

Adventures 1 & 2/52: Joining the Year of 52 Adventures blog and Walking to the Library

2010-01-09T11:02:00.007-05:00

Veggies: Best meal of the week was last night's Healthy Macaroni and Cheese -- I'd forgotten how good it is.

Wine: Happily began the restocking process for my home wine bar, which was seriously depleted during the holidays, with the 4 delicious reds from Argentina and Australia that I loved at the snow-isn't-going-to-stop-us-from-drinking wine tasting at UC on Thursday.

I am absolutely smitten with and inspired by the idea of declaring 2010 the year of 52 adventures. I've never been a fan of resolutions, and I definitely want more adventure in my life. So, today, I officially accepted this assignment by joining the blog as an author (Adventure #1), and decided to get moving on Adventure #2.

I'm often dashing to the library with overdue books, trying to stuff them into the drop box minutes before opening time to avoid accruing even more fees. I actually like paying the small fines for books, but when I borrow movies I try to meet the due date-- $2/day adds up quickly. So, this morning I needed to return Rachel Getting Married (still not sure what I think of it) by 10 am. On a typical day, I'd hop in my car and drive down the street to the Madisonville Library. But I didn't feel like swiping the snow off my car. And I have never, ever walked to the library in my nearly 9 years of living 1.1 miles away from it. It seemed like an adventure waiting to happen.

With a backpack full of books and a movie, I pulled on my boots, put my dog Rusty on his leash, and headed out in the snow. On my way, I peered into the occasional glass storefronts, noticed the snow-covered Madisonville Community Garden plot tucked in between two buildings, and stopped nearly every 10 steps for Rusty to smell something new. (I'm less patient with his hound dog tendencies on our usual walks, but in honor of this adventure, I let him sniff away. I love watching him poke his nose into the snow, sometimes up to his eyes. He's so adorable!) I also entertained thoughts of future adventures that involved turning some of the boarded-up, abandoned buildings into yoga studios or restaurants.

I've said many times that I'd love to live in a neighborhood where I can walk to most places I need to go. The reality is that I can walk to a number of places from my house, but out of habit or concern about time, I usually climb into my car. I hope that this adventure is the start of many more intentional walks, which can help me feel more connected to my community and also add some interest to an ordinary errand like going to the library.

Looking forward to Adventure #3, whatever that may be...

Hello, new year!

2009-12-31T18:33:00.008-05:00

Veggies: In between the toffee and caramels and cookies and Chex mix, I have managed to eat a few veggies. New favorite salad = spinach, avocado, tomatoes, olives, Craisins and spiced pecans with a splash of balsamic vinegar.

Wine: My Discovering Wine class is over, but I haven't stopped. Favorites from the holiday season include Alamos Bonarda and Seifried Reisling.

I didn't expect to be blogging on New Year's Eve, but that's what happens when a cold robs you of your ability to talk to others for more than 10 seconds without sneezing. I don't even feel like drinking champagne--and I really believe that every day is a perfect occasion to drink champagne. Boo, cold. But I'm fortunate enough to be spending the evening with my slightly less sick love, DP ... we're going to watch some silly movies like Superbad and The Hangover, thanks to a friend who's dropping them off for us. Rusty and a tissue box will be nearby, too.

Before I settle onto the couch for the night, I'm taking a moment to reflect on what I'm most excited about doing in 2010 (besides kicking this flipping cold):

-Resolving to Evolve on the second day of the year with an inspiring yogini!

-Leading three beach-inspired yoga workshops to benefit Ocean Cure

-Eating more locally grown foods, from our family's second attempt at a community garden this summer and from Findlay Market

-Eating healthier, whole foods and learning how to successfully bake my own breads with inspiration from these newly found blogs.

-Spending a few days in Colorado with fantastic in-laws who will hopefully accept my interest in cross-country rather than downhill skiing

-Surfing, somehow and somewhere yet to be determined

-Running my first half marathon in May

-Serving as a cluster facilitator at a national session of LeaderShape (application is submitted and fingers are crossed)

-Celebrating anniversary number 11 with DP -- perhaps with an exciting travel component :)

I'm sure I'm missing a million things, but I'll continue to update/post throughout the year. Please drink a glass of champagne for me tonight, and have a fabulous start to 2010. Cheers!

Open the bottle already!

2009-11-12T19:58:00.008-05:00

Veggies: Just relived the Jamaican curry and greens from this summer, with fantastic results

Wine: Finally opened the 2003 Fattoria Le Terrazze from a years-ago wine tasting

Even as a teen, I was haunted by a story my dad told me about a distant relative. Said few-times-removed uncle was a tad curmudgeonly. And stingy. For reasons unknown--and completely out of character--he purchased a case of expensive bubbly that sat and sat in his basement. Friends and family often prodded him to open a bottle or two on celebratory occasions, but he always refused. So, you can guess how this story ends, right? Yep. All the bottles were consumed, with immense enjoyment, immediately following his funeral.

Who wants to be that guy? Not me. I have a pretty obnoxious house rule that often extends beyond the boundaries of my own four walls in which I'm obligated to have at least a taste of whatever bottle of wine is opened in my presence. I can't help myself. I'm both greedy and generous when it comes to wine. I want everyone--including me--to enjoy the bottle.

I like to keep my small home wine bar well-stocked at all times, but it's looking pretty bare these days. Which is why I kept noticing a bottle I'd purchased at a UC wine tasting several years ago, usually hidden under four or five other bottles in that particular rack. It's rare that I keep a bottle of wine that long, but honestly, I was kind of freaked out about it. This was not a sipping wine. This was a full-barnyard, we've-got-the-funk kind of bottle. I couldn't resist buying it, but I had no idea when, and with what, I was ever going to drink it. Last Friday, I decided that it didn't matter if I didn't have the perfect food pairing ... I was going to open it. I took one sip before pouring my glass back into the bottle, which then promptly went in the refrigerator. What the hell was I thinking? All of these years, just waiting to taste it, and I was disappointed. I hadn't prepared exactly the right meal. It wasn't the right time. I should have waited until I had a better plan.

A few days later, I realized that I was going to end up wasting this highly anticipated bottle of wine if I didn't just drink it. So, with a few hunks of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (a guilty pleasure for me these days, being nearly vegan and all), I tried it again. Lovely. Grabbed a handful cashews. Fantastic! And that's how I've been enjoying every sip of this wine for the past few nights.

I'm enjoying that last glass as I type. Simply. Without fanfare. No need to wait for a special moment. I've created it myself. So, for those of you who might be present at my wake: You have full permission to enjoy a drink as you toast me. But, you're going to have to bring your own bottle ... I'm afraid there won't be anything left :)

*Trust me, this really works: An opened bottle of red wine keeps better if you store it in the refrigerator. When you're ready for a glass, pour it into a microwave-safe container and nuke for 15 seconds. Thanks to Mike from The Naked Vine for that great tip.

Finding time for yoga

2009-10-25T20:43:00.001-04:00

Veggies: Loving fall ... butternut squash, sweet potatoes and veggie chili make me happy

Wine: Six new wines a week, thanks to my "Discovering Wine" class at Cincinnati State

What do you always say you can't do or don't have time for?

Body + Soul magazine

Whenever I tell people I teach yoga, they often assume that I spend hours on the mat each day. The reality is that most dedicated yoga students spend more time on their personal practice than I do. I know that I'm a better teacher--not to mention a better human being--when I practice yoga, but for years I could never seem to find the time. I thought that turning a basement room into a mini yoga studio would do the trick. But I still rushed past my yoga mat each day, feeling slightly guilty and resentful, wondering when that time to practice would ever materialize.

During my beach/surfing vacation in August, I was inspired to answer the question above from an article in Body + Soul. Near the top of the list I wrote, "Meditating and practicing yoga every day." But instead of writing it out of obligation, I wrote it because I could see how my days could be improved if yoga were a part of them. So when I woke up on that first Monday morning after my vacation, I chose to practice yoga. And I've made that choice every weekday since I've returned. Some days, my practice is a quick five minutes of sun salutations; other days, it's slightly longer and includes some back bends and seated postures. The only "must" in my practice is fitting in Warrior 2 ... if I can't surf the waves, I'll at least pretend on my mat.

After two months of choosing to practice each weekday, I no longer wonder when I'll find time for yoga. The time is there, and my desire is there ... starting my day with yoga now seems as natural and necessary as every other morning task I complete before heading to work. I'm not magically in a great mood after I step off the mat, and I'm still finding it challenging to spend 8+ hours at a desk each day. But my body is stronger, my mind is clearer, and my ability to find time for the important things in my life is affirmed. I can't believe how simple the choice is, and how simple it has always been.

From good to great

2009-09-13T14:33:00.000-04:00

Veggies: Eggplant from the garden, vegan panini from Angelina's and a big salad with veggies from Findlay Market this weekend

Wine: Devil's Corner 2008 Pinot Noir from Tasmania ... seriously delicious

A favorite Sunday morning ritual is to visit PostSecret as I drink my first cup of coffee. My emotions run from surprise and sadness to disbelief and curiosity as I read the postcards.

Today, I felt a connection with the image shown above. I don't know the creator's inspiration for the postcard ... I'm wondering if he/she experienced a heartbreaking loss or voluntarily gave up something precious? It seems that no matter what or who caused good to slip away, it eventually led to something better, greater, happier.

Let me be clear: Life--both personally and professionally--is unbelievably good. Ridiculously, amazingly, undeservedly good. However, I've been reflecting on whether the good in my life is good enough. Is great out there, only visible after I let go of good? And what if I say goodbye to good and realize, in hindsight, that it really was great? I'm not trying to be cryptic about any particular situation--and DP, don't worry, I know our marriage is great. But there's a certain restlessness in my contentment that needs further examination, and this postcard is my starting point. Thanks to whoever created it ... I hope your "great things" are still great.

*The image above appeared in the 9.13.09 edition of PostSecret (http://postsecret.blogspot.com)

Living the dream

2009-08-29T23:10:00.000-04:00

Veggies: Not as much as fruit, at least in the past week

Wine: Can you say sangria? (See "Veggies" entry)

What would our lives look like without our dreams? Predictable, plain, joyless? Our aspirations--the things we hope for, work toward, imagine--give color and context, shape and vision to our days. They nudge us, haunt us, call us toward the roles we want to lead and the people we want to be. Dreams exist somewhere between fantasy and ambition, between "what if" and "what's next."

Terri Trespicio, Body + Soul (August 2006)

This past week, I had the great pleasure and opportunity to fulfill a dream I've held since childhood: Learning how to surf. It was an amazing thrill to feel the wave underneath my board, making me feel weightless and strong and happy and at peace. I'm inspired in ways I can't explain and can't believe right now. I've been journaling like crazy, trying to capture everything so I don't let the pattern of everyday life return so quickly. I'm still not sure exactly how living this dream has changed my life ... but it has, and it does, and it will continue to.

Funny story: My friend Jaime and I were the "longtime students" in this AP article about tropical storm Danny.

Do you have imagination?

2009-07-19T22:32:00.001-04:00

Veggies: Such deliciousness lately ... from a bean, tofu and veggie burrito at Allyn's to a homemade Jamaican meal.

Wine: Not so much -- my drink of choice lately has been Christian Moerlein OTR

Last year as I was pulling weeds from my front yard flower bed, one of the girls in my neighborhood came over to ask if I had imagination. I was caught off-guard--usually the kids ask me if I have candy, or a daughter, or an extra pair of gloves so they can help me weed--and my auto-response was to scrunch up my face and ask her "Do I have WHAT?"

"Do you have imagination?" she asked a little impatiently, as if this were a common inquiry. Well, of course, I said with a smile, now that I fully appreciated her unexpected question. She went on to talk about what she imagined was happening in the sky when she heard thunder. As she walked off to play with the other neighborhood kids, I admired her fearlessness to imagine out loud and wished I did the same more often.

I like to think of myself as a daydreamer, but I probably need to cultivate that skill a little more ... sometimes I hang out in reality a little too often. Regardless, when I'm relaxing in my favorite chair at home or talking a walk or run in the neighborhood, I enjoy indulging in my dreams du jour. They run from the somewhat practical, such as building an outdoor meditation/yoga/ lounge space in my backyard, to the completely outlandish, such as giving up all of my possessions, moving DP and Rusty to the beach, and becoming a surfer girl.

My latest daydream is probably more on the outlandish end of the continuum. As DP and I were driving past Will's Pony Keg on Plainville Ave., about half a mile from our house, I noticed a for sale sign hanging on its white siding. Maybe it was because I'd spent the afternoon experimenting with Jamaican recipes and admiring the cookbook's pictures of roadside restaurant shacks, or maybe because I was fried after four orientation sessions last week, but what I said next made perfect sense: "THAT'S what we should do -- buy the stand and turn it into a street restaurant!" I immediately began imagining myself going to a farmer's market every morning, buying whatever's fresh, effortlessly but thoughtfully whipping up some simple dishes, and chatting with the chowhounds as they enjoyed my latest creations. No set menu, no pretense -- just simple, delicious food.

Owning a small restaurant or B&B has been a dream of mine for the past few years. (In fact, when DP and I returned from our European adventure 11 years ago, I seriously contemplated going to culinary school rather than getting my master's degree in college student personnel.) Despite this strong interest, I've never worked one minute in a restaurant kitchen. I've not even spent a summer waiting tables. So the restaurant/food business remains entirely romanticized in my mind. And, for now, I'm happy to keep that illusion.

I stopped by Will's tonight to snap a few shots, and as I continued my walk through Madisonville and Mariemont, I thought about what kind of bar stools I'd buy for the sidewalk counter, what kind of people might stop by to eat, and what I might make each day. I was entertained with thoughts of summer evenings at the to-be-named stand, serving curried sweet potato stew with mustard greens and tomato sandwiches with quick-fried cabbage.

Yep, I've got imagination. Do you?

The Tao of Sheila

2009-06-25T19:36:00.000-04:00

Veggies: Lots of great salads recently, thanks to lettuce grown by friends and local farmers

Wine: Nursing the last few sips of Kung Fu Girl riesling ... so sad to see that bottle end

In May, DP (my husband) and I spent five days in New York state. If you enjoy food, wine and nature--in any order --you must get to Ithaca and the Finger Lakes for your next vacation. Unless your next vacation is in January. Then, okay, maybe wait until spring.

We headed home with 14 bottles of wine, possibly one or two extra pounds (despite lots of walking and hiking), a desire to continue our self-imposed technology black-out--which, as you might guess, didn't last too long--and the memory of a delicious intersection of food, kindness and Sheila.

Sheila served our last--and best--meal in New York. If The Stonecat Cafe were 7 hours closer to us, we'd be there every week... for the food as much as the pleasure of being in Sheila's presence. Stonecat doesn't demand "proper attire," but it's the kind of place that makes you want to look your best, out of respect for the food. So, when DP and I wandered in, with nearly two days of wine-tasting and camping grime not-so-successfully covered by baseball hats, we felt embarrassed as we took our seats among the more recently showered guests.

That embarrassment melted into euphoria over the course of our two-hour meal, thanks to Sheila. From the moment she greeted us with a genuine, radiant smile and a snark-free compliment on my UC Bearcats hat, we knew we were in good company. No doubt she was a skilled server, but her true skill--from my perspective--was her ability to be present.

From laughing with us about the younger restaurant staff's adventures in cold-water surfing on Seneca Lake ("Alcohol is their wetsuit," she explained) to gently brushing off a tiny spider that had landed on a diner's forehead as she was placing her order, Sheila gave every moment her complete attention. When she spoke with us, we knew she was really with us. And as she moved from table to table to kitchen and back, she effortlessly maintained a natural smile (as seen in the picture above). At the end of the night, when we thanked Sheila for sharing her joyful personality with us, she told us that she's always been a happy person. We weren't at all surprised.

From my practice and study of yoga, I know that contentment can be found through the challenging work of living in the present, no matter what that moment entails. Meeting Sheila was a beautiful, powerful reminder of that possibility, and, more than a month later, she has continued to inspire me. The next time we eat at Stonecat (oh yes, there will be a next time), I hope to experience the tao of Sheila once again.

2009-05-15T19:29:00.000-04:00

Veggies: very few; it's been a sparse eating day

Wine: Rumball Sparking Shiraz -- yum. Would be even better if I had strawberries and potato chips on hand.

Never thought I'd be a blogger, but here I am. Anything sounds fun after a glass of wine on an empty stomach, right?

Not sure whether the focus will be food, wine, yoga, higher education, or life in general. I'm so inspired by my friends' blogs that I know mine won't compare. However, I'll give it my best shot!