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Monday, March 28, 2011

Trifecta of Goodness

They say good things come in three.  I think they say the same about bad things but let's not focus on that...
Now the number 3 isn't particularly exciting, not like the numbers 9 and 7 (which 3 is a multiple of 9 so I'll draw the association that far).

However, I am a big fan the word trifecta, the triangle to the strongest sturcture for engineering purposes, and have fond memories of a big wheel tricycle as a child. I do have a 3 o'clock snack every day, own three pairs of sapphire stud earrings and three white coats and three pairs of brown boots. It takes three keys to unlock my computer (Ctrl+Alt+Del), there three life saving words in case of disaster (Stop, Cover, Hold or Stop, Drop and Roll whichever your emergency necessitates.). There are 3 physical deminsions, 3 primary colors and Earth is the third planet from the sun.  So, for all purposes, three seemed like a good number to base a little project on.

The project is precipitated on the idea that we are surrounded by unrecognized beauty that  is otherwise overlooked until we take the time and energy to particpate.  I started this project to capture (and remember) all to goodness I am surrounded by and have in my life.  Things I see, places I go, things I eat, the people I enjoy spending time with.  Through series of 3 photo collages I've begun to see the world in a whole new way.  In a very good way. 

Here's what I've got so far:

1. Spring: Cherry Blossoms
2. Spring: Tulips, Pike Place Market
3. Le Panier, Pike Place Market
(Seattle, WA)

1. Baby Aidan all snuggled
2. Baby Aidan sleeping
3. Father meets Son
(Hachinohe, Japan)

1. Spring at Greenlake
2. Art Installation at Columbia City Light Rail Stop
3. Cupcakes at the Row House
(Seattle, WA)

1. Bottle/Candle/Bottle/Candle (repeat)
2. Serenade
3. Chicken Parm with Hot Italian Sausauge Sauce
(Home, Wallingford, WA)

1. Adele - 21, on repeat repeat repeat repeat
2. Good Bye To All That - Joan Didion, the essay that changed my NY life
3.) Mumford & Sons - Sign No More, on repeat
(Home, Wallingford, WA)

When I feel sad or lonely or discouraged or any other emotion less than enjoyable, I look at these and remember how very blessed I am. Surrounded by so much goodness.  

More trifecta of goodness to come. Stay tuned.

Empire State Of Mind

The last time I saw the BFF was over a year ago. (Remember when she stuck her finger in a sea creature and screamed like a sissy. I still laugh outloud thinking about it)
Well for the first time in years (maybe 4?) I’m headed back to New York City in less than 48 hours.  Back to the stomping grounds.  Back to the food, the shopping, the Met, the hustle and bustle, the theatre, the hot cocoa, the concrete jungle, the everything the makes New York so great to visit.  

BFF has to work one day but the others will be devoted to traipsing around the city, her shouting at me and us starting sentences with, “You remember when (insert something outrageous)….THAT WAS AWESOME!”  Then we’ll laugh our asses off until our faces hurt.    

In preparation I’ve been brainstorming. Here you go:

Possible FB Status Updates:

  • Haven’t seen the BFF in over a year, now she can shout at me in person instead of over the phone.  Hopefully she doesn’t still call me Melinda.
  • Haven’t seen the BFF in over a year, can we stand 4 days in each other’s presence?
  • Theatre, food, shopping, shenanigan, merriment, she still won’t get me into dumpster. 
  • How long will it take for the BFF  to “C’mon C’mon C’mon” me?  I’m guess the minute we exit the airport.
I.am.pumped.

Oh right, and did I mention the when I get back from New York I leave for Mexico with the BFF? Well, I do.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Aidan Elliot Marshall - 3.13.11

It's been quite the journey. 8.9 earthquake, tsunami, nuclear reactor meltdown threat, military evacuation, rationed resources, snow. Through it all my sister brought into this world a beautiful baby boy. He's not home yet, but I couldn't wait to post these:


2 days. Note the use of saran wrap.

Is that a yawn? Poor guy's exhausted.

Eyes open!

Meeting his son for the first time.

Holding Baby A.  Look at those hands...

Snuggles.

A beautiful family.

Welcome Aidan. I can't wait to squeeze you.

Love,
Auntie Miss C

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Peanut Butter

Many years ago, the BFF and I were discussing what it was I was looking for in a future spouse. Since she’s basically a dude, we sometime have trouble communicating/understanding each other when it comes to relationships.

When I couldn’t communicate to her my need to feel comforted without being judged, in my frustration I exclaim, “I just want to eat peanut butter out of the jar when I come home and have him not judge me!” It was a light bulb moment for her and since then as mocked me mercilessly for it. 

So today, after a long couple of weeks, emotionally and energy drained, I found myself at my desk, eating peanut butter out of the jar.  I texted her my current state (of eating peanut butter out of a jar). Her response:  I’d rather u do that than throw yourself at a slob.

She says it like I have a pattern or something. Maybe I do, maybe I don’t.  That’s between me and the jar of peanut butter.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Exhaustion = Vulnerability = This

Well, its been an roller coast 3 nights where I've slept very little and thought an awful lot. Between the earthquake/tsunami in Japan, late night talks with a friend, early morning rides to the airport, and my sister having a kid (more on this later), I've reach a new level of exhaustion making me uncharacteristically vulnerable.

So what I want to talk about at this wee hour is relationships. Well, break ups in particular. 

Whenever I go through a break up, I have an irresistible urge to clean, sort and organize.  And let's just say today I did A LOT of laundry. 

During my self-prescribed 24 hours of wallowing, I have has some time to think and gathered the following tidbits that resonated with my mildly bruised heart/ego.

I keep reading these feeling inspired, hopeful and reassured. 

From Skinny Bitch:

"Recognize that anything worth having is worth fighting for: Good health, vitality, more energy, more confidence, better sex, great abs, a tight ass – you either want them or you don’t….Certainly your health and body and you are more important than anything else in your life. You are worthless to your colleagues, friends and family if you do not value yourself to take excellent care of you. Yes you have to put yourself before your friends, parents, boyfriend, husband, and even your children. It won’t make you a bad daughter or wife or mother; it will make you less stressful, more confident, interesting, beautiful, patient, tolerant and fun person to be around. Your bright shining light will give everyone around you the permission and inspiration to shine more brightly. Love yourself enough to do whatever it takes to be the best you you can be."

"...Fix other areas of your life. After all, there’s no point in being gorgeous if your life is a mess. End your co‐dependent relationship, quit your dead end job, and ditch your toxic friends. Make a list of goals and start chipping away at them. THIS IS YOUR LIFE! Live it to the fullest with reckless abandon. Seize the day. And do it again tomorrow. Live. Get your dream job. Search for your dream man. Fear nothing. Try everything. Be excited. You’ll never get yesterday back, but today is yours for the taking. Make it great."

And from this article:

"The truth is that every relationship you have is a direct reflection of the relationship you have with yourself. If you don't have unconditional love and respect for yourself, there is no way that you can expect it from someone else, which is quite often why you will settle for less."

I have faith that one day I'll be enough for someone.  That someone will feel inclined to believe that I'm worth sticking around for.  Someone that encourages, loves and inspires me.  I have no doubt he exists.  And until we meet, I'll go ahead an keep working on improving the one relationship that isn't going anywhere: the one with myself.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Overheard in the Office

When you work with medical professionals, it’s not uncommon to hear:
To my about-to-give-birth-cube-neighbor who is 3 cm dilated:
·         “How’s that cervix doing?”

Also, they have an opinion about everything:
To me:
·         “I’m surprised with how you’re built you don’t have knee problems…”

I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!!!

Doctors, what do they know anyway?

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Motivation

I’ve recently lost a few pounds and in the process ignited some crazy earth-friendly-tree saving-resource-reducing-clean-eating flame. It’s been about a month since I’ve eaten out, bought lunch, or eaten a meal that I haven’t cooked.  Its been really great, my stomach has never felt better and my clothes are fitting better and better. I've roamed the internet gathering quite the collections of recipes that will feed the flame and hopefully in the process keep my stomach strong, my jeans loose and energy up.

However, I’ve decided that if I’m going to keep this up, I need to find the motivation to do it. 

So what’s my motivation? And like a true American, I am motivated by the opportunity to buy things. Specifically, cute things. Cute followed distantly by functional (have you seen my shoe collection?).

So in order to continue this healthy eating trend, I have combed the interwebs for cute, yet functional, lunch boxes.  Here's what I ended up with:


Stackable bento boxes, microwave and dishwasher safe with ice pack lids and dividers.
Reusable sandwich/snack bags
In not 1...
but 4 different styles.
(WHAT?! You got a discount the more you bought!)
Also these fun sporks that were on close out that my aunt introduced me to and love.


Watch out world.  I've got a lunch and I'm packin'.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Women

In honor of International Women’s Day, Random House’s twitter feed asked followers who is their favorite female author and why. Because 140 characters can’t do this topic justice, I will take the next couple thousand characters on this tiny slice of the interweb to declare my picks.

As an author in general, whose works I admire the most, I would say Jhumpa Lahiri (Interpreter of Maladies, The Namesake, Unaccustomed Earth)

However, my favorite book happens to be written by a female author: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith. I didn’t read it until later in my literary life and believe you shouldn’t wait a moment longer. The first three paragraphs of this review sums it up. 

In the running:

Mary Doria Russell for The Sparrow – Classified as science fiction but really a discussion about human condition, religion, and so much more. Don’t let the catergory deter you. 

Sylvia Plath for The Bell Jar – Beautiful, but a real downer. 

Also in honor of today, I’d like to express my gratitude to the many women who my life, past and present, I look to as examples, for support and being all around kick ass.  My mom, aunts, sister, friends, co-workers, best friend, roommates and and women I have yet to meet who strive to makee this world a better place.  In gratitude, I tip my hat.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Ready


I have 4 pages of blogging material to post but I just can't bring myself to finalize any of the material.  I feel uninspired and have felt for the last few weeks. 

I really just want to say:

I'm ready for April: NY, LA, Tokyo and a nephew. I'm ready for spring: sun, long walks after work, and picnics in the park. I'm ready to bike rides in the country side, fresh picked flowers and farmers markets.
I'm ready to feel the sun on my skin and drive the open road with music up and sun roof open. I'm ready for new, ready for different.

Really, I'm just ready to not be here. 

So, Universe, just lettin' you know, I'm ready.