little surprises!

all photos by me. april 2009.

i've been the receipient of some lovely surprises this week...

ceej gave me this happy yellow tea cup...

and he sent me flowers yesterday as i was frantically finishing my little, but overwhelming thesis

i've finally finished that painful assignment

with the help of these pretty surprises

(one more paper to go!)

dancing, singing, & cupcake break

photo by me. january 2009. salt lake city.

i'm taking my morning break

from writing.

needed to feel light and fresh.

so i turned on my

"girls who like cupcakes"

ipod playlist.

the songs aren't new,

but they're good for

dancing and singing along.

here's the playlist:

01. "new soul" - yael naim

02. doralice - stan getz & joao gilberto

03. let's do it - ella fitzgerald

04. mushaboom - feist

05. la maigrelette - amelie-les-crayons

06. minor swing - stephane grapelli

07. april in paris - ella fitzgerald

08. so danco samba - stan getz & joao gilberto

09. paris - yael naim

10. the girl from ipanema - stan getz & joao gilberto

11. tarantella op. 18 - stephane grapelli

12. i feel it all - feist

13. a cause des garcons (tepr remix) - yelle

i think i need to make a part 2 to this playlist.

just looking to celebrate...

photo by ceej. march 2009. home in california.

okay, okay.

i was REALLY hoping to have

a cupcake or a cookie

in shouting for joy

on my last day of classes.

BUT

there isn't one or the other

in sight.

so i'm just looking at pretty photos

of yummy things.

i know a guy...

i know a VERY talented guy.

he takes photos that make me

remember a feeling i once had

even when i didn't even have it

in the first place.

not only does he take fantastic photos

but he writes with incredible wit and clarity.

have i mentioned that he also paints and draws

incredible images, people, and places?

best of all,

he can melt my heart.

a true artist indeed.

the photo above was taken by this guy...

you might have heard me speak of him before.

it's ceej.

and i'm not biased.

i think.

jump for joy!

photo by me. march 2008. bird refuge. mo, chris, ash, phil, ann.

today is the end of classes!

want to celebrate...

but i've got many papers to write

and 4 exams to study for.

ugh.

i am trying to celebrate a bit tonight

before i begin the non-stop

writing and studying.

manifesto monday: countryside drives

friday & saturday i drove to heber/midway with people i love!

we talked, laughed, and cried a bit.

ceej was in town.

i needed some calm.

so we drove.

have you ever seen this house in midway?

it's known as the "hobbit house"...

and you know how i LOVE hobbits!

(i married one!)

driving out of the city and into farm country

makes my heart and body sing.

i could drive for days with no destination

just happy with the scenery

and good conversation.

driving clears the mind

and brings solace.

this i believe.

conGRADulations!

hip, hip, hooray!

younger brother mikey graduated on friday!

he worked hard, a double-major:

music performance & linguistics.

started his new job today.

lucky guy!

couldn't resist after all...

photo by me. april 2009. u of u.

another favorite.

which one do you like best?

today's favorite:

photo by me. april 2009. u of u.

i can't stop taking photos of blossoms...

hope you don't mind looking.

i think i would have put up 20 more,

but i restrained myself.

have a wonderful stormy night!

around town...

all photos by me. april 2009. slc,ut. last evening was absolutely glorious, don't you think?

perfect temperature, with a bit of a fresh breeze

and a sunset that lighted my whole body.

stopped by a favorite little grocer...

and found these lovely ranunculus

(alas, they did not make it out the door with me)

i love these little houses

up on capitol hill.

wish i could have taken photos all night

starting to miss slc already.

happy spring day!

mother earth day...

photo by me. march 2008. bird refuge trip.

today is a day of awe.

i feel the earth moving in a

mysterious rhythm.

isn't it silence-demanding when

you see birds flying and swooping

while the grasses sway

and the wind dances?

what words can say

how much your heart swells

when you hear a babbling brook

or see the night sky dotted

with grand little lights?

thank you, mother earth

for your heartbeat.

i hope to be worthy of your grace.

obvious confession...

photo by me. march 2008. spiral jetty trip...again.

i want to be an artist...

but you already knew that.

that's why this confession is so obvious.

besides, who doesn't want to be an artist?

this morning for my yoga practice

i got back to my modern dancing roots...

i undulated, twirled, and writhed.

i sketched a little too...something that has been so intimidating.

i'll be dusting off the ol' banjo

and rediscovering more old photos i've taken.

here's to jumping in head-first!

i am an artist.

and so are you.

create something real today!

it's true...

photo by me. march 2008. spiral jetty trip.

springtime can kill you!

jolie knows it. i know it. you know it.

despite the fact that there's a part of me

that dreads springtime

(because it only means the uncomfortable heat of summer)

i am happy about warm weather...the perfect 70s weather.

it's killin' me for sure.

after four months of

reading, analyzing, discussing, arguing

i'm ready for

the end!

they shouldn't tell you when finals week is...

that way, you don't kill yourself counting down the days.

it's torture.

dear sleep,

photo by annabel mehran

Dear Sleep,

I know I ignored you completely for 24 hours,

drove across Nevada last night without you.

I'm oh so very sorry...

this diziness is trying to take me down.

I promise to spend time with you tonight,

lots of time.

but it was all worth it...

because I've been seeing someone else-

someone who loves me,

and I love him.

loves.

Manifesto Monday (on Sunday): home

photo by me...our house

i got to spend a couple days all alone here in our apartment in sacramento while ceej went on a long-awaited ski trip up mt. shasta. most of the time i worked my brain out writing a research paper that is due in two days. ugh. i'm finding more and more that i like to read for pleasure and for stimulating discussions. writing to impress is never enjoyable. ever.

though i've been alone here, i've really felt good being here in our little home. it's good to be in a space that we've created together...our books line our shelves, cj's photos decorate the walls, my bike waits on the patio, i can see the bridge we walk on just outside my window, cj's notes scatter the desk, the nightstand, the floor, and the computer. this is our little home. i love it...even if it's not in my favorite city (it's already too hot here for my liking). i can't wait to move back for good one month from today. so, this is where i say: home is where the heart is--because my heart is with ceej!

this i believe.

picnics & surprises

last sunday ceej and i took some time to have an easter treat together.

we yummied our way through this berry tart...

read the tale of jemima puddle-duck (cj's gift to me)

and watched the clouds move, expand, and morph.

it was a good day.

today i'm in sacramento.
yesterday at 2:00 pm i decided, on a whim,
to jump in a car with friends who left early this morning and
who were headed out to join cj on a mountain expedition.
so i thought i'd come along
to give my love a kiss before his little trip.
he had no idea i was coming.
he was definitely surprised.
ate dinner with everyone & sent them on their way.
am patiently awaiting their safe return...
and more kisses.

on plants...

last week i found a nice little surprise on my nightstand...

this wonderful little rose bush

from my wise mother

who wanted to say thanks...

seems i am, of course, the one who

needs to say

THANK YOU

for being a wise and complete

mother.

have i told you my mom is a gardner?

she has lovely flower gardens,

and feeds the dear that live in her yard with

her vegetable garden.

enjoying the weather

been happy about the stormy in the salt lake valley this last week...

enjoy the relief of cool weather before the schorching summer comes!

easter festivities...

Easter was such a lovely day. So good to be with Ceej and family on a blue-sky day.

I spent my Friday coloring the eggs...love the traditional colors.

Eggs are personalized simply. Just like Celia Jane used to do it.

Here I am hiding the eggs out in the yard for the grandkids to hunt for.

This year's hunt was full of excitement...though there were only three grandkids...the rest of us aunts and uncles were more than happy to shadow them on their extravaganza.

I had a fun time taking photos of the kids...they made it oh so easy.

oh, what joy a basket full of goodies, and a pretty spring dress to twirl in!

the boys couldn't stop laughing as they battled Uncle CJ

who do you think won? well...Uncle CJ plays fair--which means he didn't play "weak"--he beat those kids until they laughed to the death.

couldn't have had a better easter!

writing, reading, researching, note-taking, etc

photo by me...down by the river

spent yesterday doing homework at the park...

will be spending every minute this week in the library or in class.

i'll be back here on Friday

with A LOT to report.

happy rainy days!!!!

happy easter weekend!

photo by me.

hope you have fun

dying eggs

then hiding them

then finding them

(maybe eating them)

take photos of your pretty new dress

while holding your old easter basket

next to the blossoming apricot tree

enjoy the flowers beginning to emerge from the earth

notice the warmer breezes

and raindrops on your bare arms

breathe in the earth-scented air

and

"think to yourself...what a wonderful world!"

(p.s. ceej flies in tonight for 2 days and 3 nights!)

why we like easter...

ceej can't resist cadbury...

neither can celia jane

(notice they both have initials C.J.)

since ceej got to have a treat i thought i'd get one too...

my new favorite:

chocolate marshmallow lollipop!

you can only get them here.

summer book list (one)...

since i'll be graduating and able to read whatever i want

i've started to make a summer book list...

these books are just the beginning

can't wait for a summer full of leisurely reading!

thursday night thoughts...

photo via coulombic's photostream

tonight i need a place to record my recent changing attitudes and feelings--i give in more and more to change--i seem to do it more often these days (if you haven't noticed!). honestly, how can we not change when we receive new information every moment, and have enlightening experiences everyday? well, here's what i've been considering:

first. i am no longer vegan. as i study and learn more about ayurveda i understand that the essence of ghee is the essence of the sun. i see how lovely the tradition is in honoring humans, animals, and the earth. i am learning much about myself and my body--physically, mentally, and spiritually. my days are becoming slower, more deliberate, and stress-free, which is amazing for a anxious perfectionist like me. ayurveda is a gift.

second. i am slowly changing my idea of what a dream house is. mine is getting smaller, and more isolated. it will now be built by me and ceej (with help from necessary pro's) out of re-used materials (as opposed to new or even "recycled"). it will be a place where we and future kids will be able to experience the earth: notice the growing seasons, the stars as the earth spins, and the phase of the moon. less is becoming more to me.

third. i have now given myself permission to get only one master's degree rather than three. less is more. now i feel most comfortable getting a master's in ayurveda and sanskrit (it's ONE degree). 

i'm sure i will continue to change my mind...but this direction of simplicity is the direction i hope to stick with. i won't be perfect along the way. and all your tempting and seductive blog posts about the latest house design and the latest fashion trends will continue to tease me. but i hope i'll continue to work on being a more responsible human being...wanting less and less.

discussion nights...

this is the lovely ashley's little place...

for the past six years

we've gathered once a week

to discuss...anything and everything

some of my favorite nights have been:

slow food movement

the israeli-palestinian conflict

presidential powers

healing dialogues

vegetarianism

big box swindle

urban sprawl

art nights

dance nights

i thought ash's book collection was wonderful...

so i took a picture


don't you think she has a beautiful place?
i sure do!

here's her inspiration board

thanks, ash, for bringing us

all together to learn more

about each other

and our world!

(if any of you want to join us...email me)

in one little month...

one month from today

i graduate!

for commencement i get to listen to

david mccullough.

after nine years of

anthropology, international studies, photography, art history, and english

i am finally graduating with a degree in

history.

can't

wait.

call out the wellies!

photo by me, down by the river next to our home in california. (p.s. i'm noticing that the color of my photos changes from computer to computer...i'll have to fix that)

what do i love more than rain?

thunder storms!!

the national weather service is forecasting rain and t-storms tomorrow

and rain for the rest of the week!

so get out your wellies for splashing in puddles...

not to mention their rubbery protection from possible lightning strikes (right?!)

hooray for storms!

(sorry that ceej had to ride his bike home in a down-poor...but now he's warm and dry!)

2nd spring...

i feel really lucky...

i get two springs this year...

the first: spring break, california
the second: today, utah

so happy for all 4 seasons!
photos by me: mckinley park, spring break '09