Poo

I always forget what happens after a relaxing vacation.

Reality.

I came home all ready for conquering the world.  I cleaned up the new place and finally had most of the stuff in order.  I clean the old one today and get everything completely out of there.  But as I was checking my grades for my newest Buddhism paper, it was a big slap in the face.  60%.  The lowest D.

I'm not attempting to brag, but in all classes my papers receive nothing but A's.  So with this grade added to the 67% I received on my first Biochemistry test, I pretty much feel like a big pile of poo.

But, I refuse to let it get to me much more.  I will go home, scrub down the old place and say goodbye.  Then I will buy a sage stick and get rid of all negative energy.  And move on.

If only I wasn't so tired from waking up extra early...

Charmed Living

I’ve realized how much I enjoy a certain type of self-help books.  They aren’t necessarily how to get what you want or how to get over your controlling self, but more how to enjoy yourself and stop getting stuck in the negative, stressful rut that Western civilization seems to be obsessed with.

My most current read was while I spent a rejuvenating weekend at my grandparents cabin.  “Living a Charmed Life” by Victoria Moran gives fifty short essays on different ways to alter your thinking, change your habits and live a “charmed” life (whatever that may be).  I love Victoria for her spirituality and openness.  She is not suggesting perfection, nor is she offering salvation.  But for those who are already spiritual she shows how to further that relationship with the Higher Being and “share the light.”  Yes, maybe a little kum bai yah, but encouraging nonetheless.

I appreciate her practical suggestions as well.  Getting up early to meditate and take the time to slowly get ready, eat breakfast and drink your morning coffee (or Teecinno) is a far better way to start the day than a rushed shower and piece of toast out the door.  Regular exercise including 20-30 minutes cardio, the same of strength training and 10 minutes of stretching gives about an hour at the gym for 5-6 days a week.  For some reason, this suggestion doesn’t seem as terrible as an hour of cardio every day.  Perhaps it’s due to the fact that I hate doing the same thing for too long (this coming from the girl who refuses to quilt simply because it’s too big a project).  And then there are ideas such as the Law of Expectation.  Expect that you’ll get/do/be something and you will.  Very “positive thinking” but hey, it’s much better than being a negative nelly.  Although according to this law, if you think something negative you’ll get it.

Perhaps it’s the encouragement that life can be better if we choose to do something about it that draws me to these books.  I’m an action-based individual.  I do things.  This is just another way to make it better, even if it does mean adding a little "magic."

It's a birthday weekend!

It's Erik's 22nd birthday today.  Happy Birthday!  Uploader isn't working right now, but I'll post pictures of the cake when it works :).

Last year we were crawling in the bushes... (way too much for a 21 run).

I will be in the woods.

And experiencing Folk Life Festival in Seattle, Wa.  I havent been for 18 years and am looking forward to going with my family.  Again.  My little brothers are about the same age I and my sister were when we went.

Not to mention, a break.  While I got a terrible grade on my first biochemistry test, I refuse to work on anything this weekend.  It shall be fantastic.

Have a lovely memorial day weekend!

My Construction Zone

So we are finally about moved into the new apartment.  A few odds and ends remain in the old apartment (which is right next door) and we still need to clean it up, but mostly we're done moving.  It's just that the darn place is a mess.  School gets in the way of organizing, decorating and deep cleaning.  Needless to say,  I'm currently living in the middle of a construction zone.

I'm pretty sure I should just plaster my doors with this sign.

I painted my bookshelves a lovely blue, but then the big one broke.  It's now in pieces on the balcony.

However, we bought this fantastic grill and had a bbq last weekend, which was fabulous!  It rained cats and dogs, but we had a good time anyway.  

And now we have enough room that this gigantic desk can fit in our apartment!  Erik really wanted one so we made it work.  Even though the entertainment center kind of leans forward due to the waves of the old floors, it still works.

I promise I will post actual pictures once the house gets in order.  But between work and school, there just hasn't been enough time to dedicate to making sure everything is sorted and put away.  Next weekend though, that will be the day!

Cheers!

Be Present

‎"This cycle of reactivity is called suffering. The task of our practice is to transform such reactivity and the greed, hatred, and delusion that fuel it. It is to realize that it is possible to experience pain without suffering, without passing on the pain to ourselves or others.” 

—From Donald Rothberg, "Present Moment, Urgent Moment" (“Tricycle” magazine, Fall 2004)