What is this place?

The title is a random quote that my mom said when we were traveling in Northern England looking for our hotel. It is now a great family inside joke, when ever we don't understand something, we just have to say "what is this place?" with a somewhat bewildered air and everyone laughs.

But often I wish in life that I could say that. When I look around and nothing seems familiar and I don't know how I got to where I am, "what is this place?" covers the feelings more eloquently than any ranting on stages of life. And yes, I am no longer talking about strict location.

Today I learned an important lesson, pay attention, its vital to life.

Anger is poisinous.

Like a sucking, parasitic life force, it kills joy and love and leaves destruction and hurt in its wreckage. That seems a bit extreme but I saw the true ravages of this in person. It begins with something that seems innocent, "I'm upset" you think, something small has upset me, but its not a big deal, I can get over it. But you don't. It festers, and then the next day, the surface gets thinner, the things that upset you get smaller and smaller until you could blow up at anything. A single word, a different way of saying things can set you off. And its not like this happens overnight, it takes at least a wekk to accumulate until you're system is infiltrated with this bitterness.

Allowing ourselves the succumb to the earliest sign is where we go wrong. We must force ourselves to not give into the "upset" stage. Because upset is just a nicer way of saying "angry." Don't give yourself the opportunity to fester, because in the end ALWAYS leads to unhappiness.

And what to replace it with? Love. The once word that is more wonderful than all other combined. Root out the anger, replace it with love and allow it to blossom without shoving on the "upset."

Morning Rituals

Oh this week, so far it has been....interesting. Like what we say when we want to describe someone we know and don't want to blatantly call them weird. Just as I don't want to call this week bad, just not necessarily good. And part of the reason that I realized that it isn't good (so far, I'm working on changing that!) is because I have had to skip my morning rituals.

These little everyday traditions that we program ourselves to enjoy, that make everyday special and give rhythm to our lives. A flowery sentence, but one that is true nonetheless!

Some of the morning rituals I have missed the last few days:

-Getting ready for the day, especially getting rid of that awful morning taste in the mouth
-Coffee or tea in the morning with breakfast
-Devotions
-Planning, writing down goals and projects
-Breakfast!
-and of course, sharing my life via blog

All this reminds me of reading a book by Alexandra Stoddard entitled "Living a beautiful life." Its a bit dated now, but the ideas are timeless and necessary in todays hectic world. She talks about the importance of carving out time for the little things that make us and others happy. Taking time to mail a short note, polish your nails, cook a nice dinner, tell your family you love them. I'm all about this, I've especially realized this recently, in this semester when I have no classes, I still feel the pull to always be doing something "useful." Whatever that means, useful to who? It is a struggle, but I find myself more peaceful when I don't get sucked into using my time the way other people think I should be. After all, its important to take time to do things like this:


Thats my adorable nephew Andrew, he likes music, I think he and his sister, Maria, are going to need some piano lessons in the future. :) And of course, that takes time and it might not be necessarily useful, but its more important than all the accomplishments that could otherwise be achieved.

Oh the romantic comedy...

I like a good romantic comedy as much as the next person, although I prefer the ones that are a bit more well balanced, like a good meal. Not too much sap, not totally unrealistic, and just enjoyable fun. Take some of the classics, Notting Hill, any Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks, Love Actually (if that is under this genre) These are all hits, but its true, romantic comedies are often predictable misses, and when they miss, they miss bad. We're talking not even on the dartboard bad, like one of those chicks that makes a hold in their boyfriends wall whilst trying to shoot darts, bad. Take the following example that I painfully subjected myself to...

So, last night I watched "Under the Tuscan Sun." Maybe I should retitle it under the "Under the tuscan barf." It was by far one of the worst movies I have ever seen. One of those movies where you're asking yourself as you're watching it, "why am I wasting my time? My life is better than this movie!" But somehow its like watching a car crash, even though its awful, you just can't stop. The only other instance I can think of this happening is when "Phat Girlz" (thats right, its spelled with a "z") was on TV and I clearly was procrastinating. Yes, I did just admit to having seen phat girlz, but I also admitted that it was a stupid idea.

So anyway this movie, sappy, over-coincidental, oozing "follow your heart messages" (thank you Disney Pocahontas), stupid, pointless, the list could go on. I feel like I could be one of those movie critics with great sharp phrases to follow up on these films. Anyway, after the first five minutes, I kept on going "what? what?", circumstances were too coincidental to work in real life, the plot was seeming totally unrelated, mere tableaux where random events occurred, and the entire movie was just so far removed from anything remotely real that it was difficult to believe what happened next. And the cheese, and the stereotypes, it goes on and on. The stereotypes were actually remotely offensive, especially to one who has lived in Italy for a bit. No, not all Italian men are skirt-chasing cads, no, not all little old ladies are amazing cooks that say "mamma mia!" all the time, and no, it is not possible to obtain a house in Italy without citizenship in a day, let alone years! And while the scenery was beautiful, they didn't show nearly enough of it to make up for even the bad acting. I guess I'm just wasting my typing continuing to bash this movie, if you've seen it and like it, thats fine, if not, please, at least don't pay money for the torture of viewing. (now I really feel like one of those writers!)

My New Potential

So I have fully realized my potential as a writer. Not the kind of writer that actually makes money for writing, but as a person that just enjoys turning out a work that fully expresses exactly what was meant to be expressed in just the words for the job.

And no, it wasn't in this blog, although this certainly is both a help and motivation. No, I wrote a letter to a committee for an endowed prize for outstanding senior-ness. I was nominated for this prize and had to write either an essay or letter saying how I fulfilled the selection requirements. As I got into writing the letter, the more I found that writing really is amazing.

Writing is one of those things I save for special occasions. Awkward birthday cards, bad essays, unfinished papers, meaningless letters, boring newsletters, you name it, I've probably shamefully written it. Its not like I don't know the power of the well written word, I'm an avid reader of great literature and enjoy a well turned phrase as well as any other Jane Austen lover, but it was always unattainable for me. I could enjoy someone else's work and not be able to produce my own. But now, writing is a lot more accessible. It doesn't have to be perfect, I'm not going to write a novel (although I tried once, that was interesting) or a classic poem, but I can write in a meaningful way. I can write in a personal way, I can write in a fulfilling way. I can write narratives, essays, research papers, prose, stories and documents. To those that educate me it shows what I know, to those that know me it shows how I think, and to those that love me it shows who I am. I decided today that I like writing because it can show someone that I might never meet a part of myself that they would not otherwise see. It can move them, or make them laugh, or think. Hopefully today, its just enough so that the committee can see not just "Senior Elizabeth the music major with a pretty good GPA", but the person that I want to be, the person that I am going to become.


And again, I have to give due credit to both Carlos who extensively helped with editing and revision and my Dad, who also helped with finalizing.

Happy Tuesday to all!

“Write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow...”
Lawrence Clark Powell

Neglect

Like a sad puppy....its all a bit tragic really.

I have been busy this weekend, not busy like doing a lot of stuff, but busy as in, things have interfered with my life and daily routine. Friday ended up being more full than expected, but no opera rehearsal so that was nice. The boyfriend conducted a lovely Bach cantata that my friend sang in an all baroque program. After that, we watched "Holes", which I used to like a lot, then when I rewatched it, I realized how dated it was and it is now infinitely less cool than when I was in high school.

Saturday= Opera rehearsal, lunch, Barnes & Noble, Dinner, and Symphony concert. Thats it. I'll admit, I expect a little more out of my Saturdays, especially when I have an essay due on Tuesday, but no, it was frivoled away. And then I made a big fashion mistake for going to the concert and that put me in a very foul mood. I tried not to be too bad, but that was too hard. And unfortunately, as is always the case, those closest suffer. I am very blessed with a very very patient boyfriend and understand mother, and my dad was kind of oblivious (or probably just didn't want to get involved!), but thats also because I'm better at hiding those sorts of things from him. Well, the evening started awful, but thanks to the transformative power of Mendelssohn, Strauss and Brahms, it ended a lot better than it started. Brahms` double concerto, Strauss` Don Juan and A Midsummer Night's dream better than it started.

The same thing happened today, except not with music but people. I don't mind the dreary weather, but when I don't feel good, then the day is shot (although I try not to let it) and church was long and uncomfortable. But when I was done, I walk out of the sanctuary and there is Carlos, with a pink rose (it was even from Colombia!) and a hug for me. And my friend Liz that sings in choir with me was nice to talk to and eased the morn. When I got home, I did get to take an hour and forty minute nap, which greatly helped to improve my spirits! Then Carlos made a great wrap for lunch and I tried out my new coffee grinder! (the increased usage of exclamation points shows my growing happiness!) Nothing like some fresh ground colombian suprimo beans to make you feel better, and now my whole room smells like coffee, its great. :)
Then I got some concentrated work done on my essay, cleaned the room and cooked for my friend Courtney who came over for dinner. It was great to see her and we talked for at least two hours after dinner.

The menu for the evening was homemade macaroni and cheese, and fudgy pie. It ended up being a great choice and perfect comfort from the unseasonable rainy weather. (it should just snow again!) Now I am catching up all you who read into my inner soul through the interweb. Now I must away to bed and just finish by saying that although it wasn't the most ideal of weekends (and this isn't the most ideal of posts, kind of scatterbrained) everything is still alright. I am so blessed by the people and music in my life and now ready to start a new week! :)

Spaghetti Carbonara

I actually looked up the word "cabonara" because I was curious of what it really meant. Most sites just said that it means pasta with bacon, eggs and parmesan, but then one site mentioned that it came from the word coal (like carbon!) I thought that was interesting, I wonder if that comes from how it used to be cooked.

Well, I only mention this delicious pasta because I forgot to give due credit to my wonderful boyfriend who made it for me on Tuesday. I had to do loads of dishes (they add up fast when you don't have a dishwasher or a sink in your room!) so he volunteered to make dinner, we had been wanting to try this recipe from a cookbook I got for Christmas, so we (well, more he) gave it a go!

The book by the way, is a great book from the Martha Stewart collection called "Great Food Fast." The title sounds a little "velveeta and canned vegetables", but the book is fantastic. The photography is great and the recipes are fast only because they rely on so few- but still high quality-ingredients. And the recipes are divided by season so you can switch your palate and reipes with what is available. I give this book two dough-covered thumbs up.

Anyway, so whilst I scrubbed at the dishes, he made this delicious pasta. It has a great saltiness, provided by the bacon and cheese, but also a smoothness, provided by the eggs. And, the eggs cook on the pasta because its still hot from being boiled, how efficient is that?! No wonder the italians have a great place in the culinary world!

Well, I just wanted to briefly give credit where it was due and tell about this great pasta. I am off for now to write down my goals for the semester, summer and beyond. I feel like Buzz Lightyear, "to infinity and beyond!!!"

Those ugly-pretty girls

So I went to Douglas J. Aveda Institute today to get a haircut and 'nail-polish redo" (it was a free service) and decided to document an interesting phenomenon following students at Douglas J. that I have noticed from previous visits.

There are a lot of very ugly girls at Douglas J. Which is interesting considering that its a place where people learn how to make other people beautiful. Now, granted every one is entitled to their opinion, and those girls may think they look just fine, but no where else in East Lansing (except maybe a sorority house) will you find as many girls in the same room with the same look. And its a bad look. I'm talking about every over-dyed, over-straightened, over-styled, over-touched, over-producted, over-pouffed, over-cut, over-teased, look-a-like in there. And that's just the hair. You can also take your pick of the "I'm wearing my grandmothers 40yr old foundation in oopma-loompa orange today" or the "maybe if I put on this much eye makeup, no one will notice I went out til 3 last night, or maybe just no one will want to look at my face."

I'm starting to sound like one of those fashion critics that asks what designer celebrities are wearing and then turn around and bash them on the MSN entertainment page. I should probably stop. And just state my opinion that I think that people are most beautiful when they are closest to their natural state. Of course I realize that is coming from a biased source that has never had their hair dyed, and only wears lipstick to a) make a statement, b) because her mother told her to, or c) because she's in a show. (the source is me by the way, I was getting a little confused writing about myself in the third person there.)

Well, anyway, I just like it when people look like people, like the people they were made to be.

Well, I mentioned that I did go to the salon for a haircut...and what was the result? Bangs!! I've never had them quite this thick or blunt before, but they're fun and I like them. I'll probably get sick of them after a while but thats why hair is great, because it grows back. But for now, I enjoy rocking my high-fashion (in East Lansing, haha) or brainy music student look (wait, isn't that what I am?) The length is still there, which I've decided I like and is good for my career, but I can still have some spunky fun, after all, its just hair!

An ode to feet

You're probably thinking the title is odd, and indeed, you're right, it is odd, but feet also certainly deserve a well versed ode. They are more than just funny smelling, or annoyingly dry. Feet are the natural vehicles that carry us through life. Here are some well thought quotes on feet.


Some are practical and to the point:

The civilized man has built a coach, but has lost the use of his feet.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Power and speed be hands and feet.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Some dreamy:

Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.
Henry David Thoreau

But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
William Butler Yeats

And some funny:

Ah, the patter of little feet around the house. There's nothing like having a midget for a butler.
W. C. Fields

I still have my feet on the ground, I just wear better shoes.
Oprah Winfrey

And of course, one of my favorite poems by Neruda:

Your Feet

When I cannot look at your face
I look at your feet.
Your feet of arched bone,
your hard little feet.
I know that they support you,
and that your sweet weight
rises upon them.
Your waist and your breasts,
the doubled purple
of your nipples,
the sockets of your eyes
that have just flown away,
your wide fruit mouth,
your red tresses,
my little tower.
But I love your feet
only because they walked
upon the earth and upon
the wind and upon the waters,
until they found me.

Pablo Neruda

I realize it might have some more "explicit" material, but I think it is still tasteful and meaningful.

And now, a little something by me:

I like feet. I like my feet. I like the feet of the people I love, even if they're not pretty. The feet of my mother that taught me to walk barefoot in the dark soil and enjoy all the beauty that God made. The feet of my father that taught me to always walk tall even when responsibilities are difficult. The feet of my brothers that kicked a soccer ball to me in the grass or ran to catch a badly thrown baseball. The paws of my puppy that (almost) always come scampering when I call. The feet of my beloved that patiently wait for me to walk through a held-open door and follow after with devotion and service. And the pierced feet of the savior that now are healed and wait for us at the gate above. Feet are beautiful.

"Blessed are the feet of those that bring the gospel of peace."
Romans 10:15

I realize I am going out on an emotional limb here by writing something pretty poetical and somewhat personal. But I've decided not to be afraid, because if I don't, no one will ever know me.

And I like being able to write about whatever I have the mind to. :)

Weekend and croissants!

This weekend was fun and eventful (sometimes the two adjectives don't coincide), we celebrated my brother's birthday, went to a pasta party, had some productive shopping and made croissants!

Here's the play by play (hopefully this makes up for neglect over the previous two days...)

Friday Eve: Discovery of AWESOME website called supercook.com, where you can find recipes based on ingrediants you already have, I know I've heard of this before, but using it for the first time was uh-mazing! We made fudgy fudge pie, it was molten chocolate goodness.

Saturday: Opera rehearsal, it was Romeo et Juliette duet Saturday. We did all the duets, (except the somewhat depressing one where we both die) in the opera, they're so beautiful! My favorite so far is "Nuit d'hymene" from Act IV, they're "we're married now" duet, if you know what I mean.
- (might as well make this a bulleted list) Went home after rehearsal, then out shopping for a bit and found a cute t-shirt at J.Crew that has a velvety touch bow printed on it. Go 20% off sale!
-However, I was bummed that my $25 shop card at Banana Republic expired whilst I was at school, it was only good for 5 days! They even tried to override the system and give me credit, but alas, to no avail.
-Bought edamame for ...
-Matt's sushi dinner! So delicious, I love sushi, we all had at least 7 pieces each. Mom also made ham and twicebaked potatoes for those that didn't like sushi. Ham and sushi, its like Japanese Easter!
-This was followed by homemade banana cream pie, all I can say is yum.

Sunday: Got up early before church to start the croissants, you have to "grow" them for a day before.
-After church, hit TJ Maxx and found some amazing deals. I love that store. I got a new 3 qt Emeril stainless pan and, tada! BCBG suede red pumps on clearance! Overly artistic picture (styled by moi) below:


(of course when I got home, the first thing my mom said was "those heels are so tall!") :)

-Sunday evening, went to a pasta making/eating party at a friends, it was so delicious!! Good company, great food, can't go wrong. I love spending time with wonderful people with similar interests and different experiences, and its a great way to indulge in talking about nothing but food and cooking!)

Monday: Laundry, finish taking down some Christmas stuff, walk with Millie (dog), packing back up for more school.
-Croissants! (yes it deserves its own bullet) I take you step by step through the whole buttery process...


Rolling out the dough,


Cutting into triangles, rolling into croissant shape on baking sheet




Glazing with egg yolk and milk


Proudly removing their royal flakiness from the oven


The finished and delicious product.

And I figured out how they work, there is a step where you spread a square of butter onto the rectangle of dough, then fold in thirds (like a letter) and then roll out and fold again. You repeat this again after several hours of refrigeration and what happens is that everytime the dough is rolled and folded, the butter is spread into a thinner and thinner layer between layers of dough so that when you bake them, that gives it the flakiness. I'm sure any french chef would look at me and go "well, of course?!?" but I felt very proud of myself for figuring this out. :)
These were enjoyed in a throughly french way, with an espresso and whilst listening to Amelie (slightly cliche, but its the most french music I can come up with) it was delicious.

Now I am back at school wondering what delights and frights this week holds. Hopefully more food, tomorrow morning I know holds dishes, then who knows? I'm sure it will be full of those little things that are enjoyed by the moments like all the little shards that come off the crust of a croissant enjoyed with coffee. Guess what I'm having for breakfast tomorrow? :)

Not just a day with no school...

My printer is "cleaning its printheads." It sounds like its eating something, kind of funny, everyone loves a munching printer.

Happy MLK day! As a tribute to Mr. King, here is part of his famous "I have a dream" speech. I started tearing up while reading this, he truly was a great man.

...I say to you today, my friends. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."... I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."
This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day...
From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:
Free at last! Free at last!
Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

Ahh Breakfast

I see now looking back that all my posts are about breakfast food. And indeed there is something to be said for breakfast food. Perfect in its simplicity, yet familiar and comforting to all. Today was a classic combination of egg, meat and bread = overeasy (and I didn't break the yoke!), bacon, and toast. Gotta love it. Why is bacon so delicious and so bad for you? Argg, one of the great conundrums of life. But yes, breakfast, its the best. I can't survive without a good breakfast and the menu this week has been uncommonly nice. Except Monday when I first got back to school and didn't have any food to my name except cereal.

I also love how the first part of cooking the classic triple hit breakfast seems to go so slow, then once you put the eggs in, its lightning speed from there! The pan is already warm, those eggs fry so fast and don't down the toast too early or late because it'll be not ready, or burnt. But when it goes smoothly, breakfast perfection.

Above is a picture from a recipe that I tried this summer from Julia Child (I just call it that instead of "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" )
Its called "Eggs baked in ramekins" and its one of the supreme delights of the A.M. hours:


I'm giving the thumbs up for delicious.

Until later, I'll probably post again, but I have a lot of practicing to do today, Romeo calls.

Now I have an idea what it feels like...

To be here, on the losing side. I went to a Michigan State basketball game yesterday against Minnesota (the golden gophers, what an idiotic mascot) and one of their players, number 45 fouled one of our players, bad. It was pretty dirty. Our number 50 tried to go for the shot with only 45 as defense and after he put it up, 45 knocked him right over, he was on the floor for a while. Meanwhile the entire crowd at Breslin center (besides a small gopher contingent of maybe 15) booed, thats a good 16,000 people. I was almost scared, and it kept going! They booed him for at least 2 minutes until 50 recovered and was able to walk off the court. And then, every time 45 checked in to play, the crowd booed him again and it was loud. Just imagine being the loser in the colosseum with 50,000 wild Romans! To be the one person that the thoughts of so many people is turned against!
Man I would not like to be that person.

On a lighter note, I tried another oatmeal recipe for breakfast this morning, this one with grated apple added. It was also quite delightful although I put a bit too much lime in it (to keep the apple from browning). But with a good cup of coffee and the right company it was very enjoyable. This weekend I'm going to try my hand at croissants! Since there's no school Monday, I thought, pourquoi pas? Happy Thursday!

Warning: Francophile on the loose!

I realized this morning how much I love all things french. I got a great book for Christmas from my mom called "French women don't get fat." It was a discovery through our great public library system and I loved it. So did my mom, but she got a copy for Christmas last year! (I was just a little jealous) So since I had been "borrowing" her copy so much, she decided to give me one of my own! Now I have the lovely book and can add to the collection alongside Julie Child and my English-French dictionary.

It is delightful that the opera here at MSU is in french this semester, it allows me to truly indulge in the language as well as music. I took some little french in high school and then had one summer here at MSU where I took both FRN 101 and 102. That was a lovely summer, I would drive to the free parking lot, then ride my bike into campus, go to class and then sit in a shady bench near the fountain whilst eating my lunch, ahhhh, I have pleasant memories of that summer. Especially now, that Christmas is done and the brunt is winter is still upon us.

But back to the french stuff. This morning I tried a new recipe from the aforementioned book, "Peanut butter-banana oatmeal", now obviously if you are not a fan of either of the three food items in the title, this will not appeal to your taste buds, but I thought it was delicious. Its a very simple recipe, but very rewarding, because once the peanut butter is blended into the oatmeal it doesn't taste as obvious and the bananas start to mush just a bit so they release all their sweetness but still keep the texture. I truly enjoyed it. And it was so nice to start the day cooking something. Most of the time during the week, there's just not enough time to cook a nice breakfast (hence why I love Saturday mornings so much) but today it was a delightful step out of the ordinary. A french step out of the ordinary.

War and Pieces

The title comes from my professor's most recent recital that I attended tonight. It was a compilation of war songs, prayers and tunes all masterfully sung and acted (of course, its Mr. Fracker!)

He truly is an inspiring teacher, I can come out of a lesson feeling like I"m the greatest singer ever, if I just practice and put into practice the principles he's given me. As if he's a master toolmaker that just shows all his students how to use the instruments they've already been given. Gently guiding, pointing the way with a hand that has had much experience and knowledge.

He truly is a great teacher.

On a totally different note (get it note, music?! I love puns)

I want these shoes.

I want them real bad.

Like the way a french woman craves champagne for just the right touch of sparkling bubbles, I crave these shoes for the right touch of casual beauty in my shoe wardrobe.

Imagine its Saturday morning, (which is perfect because I love Saturday morning) and you are going to go to the farmer's market. What do you wear?

Slip on a pair of comfy but chic jeans, a plain cotton tee, and a fatigue boyfriend military jacket (with the amount of detail, can you tell I want the jacket too?) and what shoes? Oh I know, my suede Macalister Boots! "Borrowed from the boys" is the line that J. Crew uses to advertise, but I just like the slightly slouchy, but also structured look of them. With the contrast stitching and suede (useless in Michigan winter, but that's okay, it looks great!) it is the perfect accompaniment to all things casual chic and Saturday morning.

First Day of School, First Day of School!!

For those non-pixar fans, this is a quote from "Finding Nemo" where everybody's favorite clown fish is excited because its the first day of school. He is excited to learn from his teacher, "Mr. Ray" (a sting ray, how clever) all about the ocean.

I agree with the little fish, there is something about the first day of school, the new year, the first lesson, first anything. Where the possibilities seem endless and the expectations are through the roof. Its the best time because you don't have enough experience to guard you, or enough foresight to worry. Anything seems possible, any change welcome.

How do we lose that? Disappointment, fear, tentativeness, they all creep up and steal away our expectations for ourselves to do great things, things that we are able to do if we just didn't worry about it so much.

Hmm, this is getting philosophical. Well new and daring thoughts have to start somewhere, why not in the new year?

What I'm listening to: Bela Bartok, Roumanian Folk Dances - Zoltan Kocsis, piano

What I'm wearing today: Dark Jeans over brown boots, thin grey deep v sweater over cream tissue tee with chiffon pleats near neck

Just the beginning...

Hmmm, so I've never done this before, and I doubt that anyone besides myself will read it, but isn't that the point of some types of writing?

It will be interesting, and fun and probably spunky. That sounds good, my interesting, spunky-fun blog. A warning to those of you who don't like classical music, fashion, design, good food, sparkling conversation (and champagne) this is not the blog for you. Read someone else's, or make your own, then no one will read that one either and you can just enjoy learning about yourself.

Well, maybe you'll learn a lot about me, maybe not, maybe I'll quit after a few postings and become one of the many dead blogs out there in cyberspace, who knows. No, not every posting is going to be as vague as this, this is just the beginning.