shake your booty

I declare today Shake Your Booty Day. At some point today do a little booty shaking dance of joy, just because. In case you need some inspiration:

This is the start of week two of only working one day a week. Let me tell you, this is wonderful! (One of the reasons I feel like shaking my booty.) I feel alive again. This may have to do with the increase in sleep and decrease in stress.

Of course, having less work doesn't mean I am sitting around eating bonbons. Having a new house, there are lots of projects to get done. Many of which are creative and fun, others, well, those are tasks but must get done. Maybe if I shake my booty while doing them, they won't seem tedious.

I am loving spending more time with the animals (two rescue rabbits and a rescue dog in case you are keeping score) and taking lots of walks. I am loving having time to make some new and exciting vegetarian meals. I am loving having time to engage in creative endeavors. I am loving fully embodying the joy in my life.

fill your day with

joy

and

booty shaking.

i should be getting ready for work...

...so to quell my guilt I am multitasking as I type. Just hope I don't get toothpaste into the keyboard. I felt the need to briefly revisit joy and let you all know I still feel that underlying pervasive joy beneath everything.

Underlying: as in lying or situated beneath, substratum, fundamental and basic

Pervasive: as in spreading throughout all parts

Joy: as in great happiness, pleasure, bliss, delight, ecstasy and elation

I don't know where this stemmed from but I am guessing this seed was planted long, long ago and it has been germinating for years. It has been blooming for a good ten years, growing stronger and more fragrant daily. This feeling is there during mundane tasks and celebratory moments alike. I feel this even in times of sorrow, grief, upset and anger.  

That joy is always there.

It is the joy of living and sharing in this human experience.

It is even in the joy of clean teeth and minty fresh breath!

It would bring me even more joy if you feel it too!

Om puppy!

i usually like roller coasters

Roller coasters: Seriously love them. The feeling of motion, speed and zero g's. Amazing. However, roller coasters in life, errr not really. The past few weeks have had moments of elation and love of life, potential opportunities of the good kind, and serene, contemplative moments, but there is also some potentially negative events occurring on a bodily level that have sent me reeling. (I will write about this on my finding maitri blog. Email me for permission for access to this blog if you care to read more)

It is just so amazing that us humans can experience so many concurrent emotions. The up and down kind, I am not a fan. The concurrent and dichotomous emotions amaze me. I have written before about the underlying pervasive joy of which I still experience. With the not-so-good stuff happening: one day I am at ease and acceptance, the next it hits me and gives me a feeling of overwhelm. At these moments, I tend towards introversion and withdrawal. I find this is how I recharge myself with introspective thinking and solitude. I know this is only temporary as I will have a deeper knowledge of what is or isn't going on with my body next week. Until then, I will just have to ride the roller coaster over each summit and dip.

duke, i love you so

Driving home from work today, I had the pleasure of listening to the best version of The Nutcracker Suite EVER. Duke Ellington on the album Three Suites...phenomenal
Check it out on HERE.

full up

As of late, life has been full

full of friends
and loved ones

full of yoga
and kickboxing

full of bunny
and bunny fur tumbleweeds

full of joy
and joyful moments strung together like fairy lights

full of ambitions
and ambitious endeavors

full of hope
and pleasant celebrations

full of local apples
and juicy enjoyment

yes, indeed, I am full up with life!

life indeed is good

Kids running around terrorizing the bunny
with laughter and spunk
The bunny responding in sprinting glee
Spit up running down my arm
My best guy and best friend chilling

I take a breathe
and am reminded
that life, indeed, is good.

rabbits rabbits everywhere!

painters rabbit IV
Originally uploaded by misslissa13

The other night at yoga class, I had my mat set up near an exit door that has glass panes top to bottom. While in a seated twist position I peered out to the lawn outside and there was a little rabbit munching away at the grass. He then sat himself down and watched the rest of yoga class.

Such things bring me joy.

joy, joy, dancing joy!

*insert deep cleansing breath here*

I feel inspired.
I feel renewed.
I feel overjoyed.
I feel light.
I feel love.

I am inspiration.
I am renewal.
I am joy.
I am light.

I am love.

mmmm worms!

Upon returning from a short but enjoyable bike ride, I decided to do some yard and garden preparation.

First there was the remains of a bale of timothy hay. I dove in and spread it on the ground against the fence to inhibit some early spring weed growth and to be turned under when it is closer to planting time.

Next, additional stepping stones were placed to continue the foot path next to the walkway. The walkway is just fine, but when lugging large grocery bags (big blue Idea bags kick serious butt in the get-all-the-groceries-down-the-stairs-in-one-fail-swoop way) or laundry it gets a little tight. The stepping stones are actually re-purposed floor tiles. Hey, they work.

Cleaning out some of the gardens and pots of last growing seasons remnants was next. Not too much to do but it got my hands in the dirt.

Finally, on to tending to the compost. It looks rich and deep and ready for nurturing. Since the ground is still moist from yesterday's rain, I went hunting for some juicy earthworms to see if they want to take up residence in the compost bin. Fifteen or so worms later, I figured that was enough. Good luck little fellas, happy scrap consumption!

It feels wonderful to do such things. Getting my hands dirty and smelling the soil. Simplicity among the chaos that is life!

holy freakin snuggie!!!

No f'ing way! Costco is finally carrying the Snuggie! First the Sham-Wow, and now this?!??!

The Universe has imploded on itself and there is joy all around.

joy

There are some days that I experience pure joy. I am not referring to having something joy-triggered happen or remembering a joyful moment from the past. I am talking about pure, pervasive joy. Joy that pulses through my veins and swirls around every cell of my body. The kind of joy that allows my breath to deepen and my daydreams to dance.

This level of joy seems to affect me more frequently these days. In it I feel lighter. I feel as though I can illuminate and radiate this joy to the World, and I wish to bestow as much as I can on to those around me.

I think this arises from keeping my feet grounded while allowing my thoughts to soar. I believe the daily yoga practice and treating myself with loving kindness contributes to it greatly. Having wonderful people in my life is another key component, as well as connecting with creative, vibrant people. All of this and more fuels the joy, and for this I am grateful!

carry all

The past is never far away when you carry it with you

like the mountains of Colorado

or the smell of my grandfather's desk

or holding my best friend's daughters for the first time

or bowing while receiving my degree

or playing man hunt (three versions)

or our first kiss at 12th Avenue and Sherman Street

or realizing I can play a "boys' sports"

or being swung by my parents' hands while walking through a parking lot

or making up "It happened on Alpine Place"

or buying my first car and feeling like a "real" adult

or dancing to mad, crazy industrial beats 'till 4 a.m.

and each day is an opportunity to create more wondrous "past" to carry in my satchel

where have you gone?

I know my writing has been sparse lately. Part of this is because I have been living life, another part is I am settling in to things and the last part is that I am processing through some things in my melon. Here are some updates:

There has been some negative news surrounding extended family which I will not air here. I am respecting privacy but would still like to request prayers and healing be sent their way. Thank you.

In regards to my professional license, I still do not know if it is approved. The State needs one more form filled out by Naropa (my graduate school) about my internship. I do not know why they do not request this form at the beginning of the process. I guess it is just the way they do it, but the school has the form and I asked that they let me know when it has been mailed. I also needed to support that I took some specific class content they claim I am missing. I mailed in copies of syllabi that I hope will satisfy the State. If not, I will need to take one more class before they will grant me the permit. And so I wait. Patience is getting easier...or am I just becoming complacent? Sometimes it is difficult to tell.

On the job front, the temp job I have been working is still providing a safety net. Even though the woman I am filling in for returns to work on the 14th, my supervisor said that they can still use me for longer if I still need the work. I also went on an interview for a second part time job but apparently I need a criminal justice degree and a suit, neither of which I have. Didn't they actually READ my resume before hand? It clearly shows that I do not own a suit. That's another potential blog entry.

My fitness routine is going strong. Been hitting the "gym" consistently for six plus weeks now, going to yoga weekly and added jogging two/three times a week. I have noticed muscles that I never have developed before including my teeth brushing shoulder and my standy-up straight muscle group! I'm still working on the "hot ass, look my way" muscle, but it's getting there.

In other whirlwind news: we may be moving again, but this time it is in the same state and county. The pros seem to outweigh the cons. We should have our final decision on this one tonight. Seems like we are leaning towards moving. So this should be my 9th move in, um, five years? Something like that. But it is bigger and quieter, we would have some outdoor space and a driveway, and will save a considerable amount of money each year.

I have been feeling calm and pleasant joy lately. Many factors are likely leading to this and it is wonderful. I hope, despite any of your whirlwinds and ups and downs, you feel joy, too, dear readers.

go ahead...you know you want to

"Draw a crazy picture,

Write a nutty poem,

Sing a mumble-gumble song,

Whistle through your comb.

Do a loony-goony dance

'Cross the kitchen floor,

Put something silly in the world

That ain't been there before."

-Shel Silverstein

Seriousness and responsibility, introspection and pondering, self-reflection, deep thinking, reevaluating what one is doing in/to the World......all have their place, but there also needs to be some time for simple silliness. It truly is about balance. A life only focusing on the negative leads only to negativity: depression, heart disease, isolation...the list goes on. Who wants to die of seriousness? Who wants to look back during the twilight of life and think, "I am so glad I did not take the time to experience joy?" No me! I'm going to go and do a loony-goony dance now. Care to join me?

adventures in raw food

adventures in raw food
Originally uploaded by misslissa13

This here adventure into raw foods diet territory can be summed up in the statement: HOLY FREAKIN' YUM! This is a raw butternut squash rice, with cranberry, onion, coriander, cumin, onion and sea salt. I tasted it and thought the avocado and banana were wonderful compliments. This was followed by a piece of Carob Crunch Torte with Raspberry Sauce.

Today, we also received a Christmas card and pictures of two of the most beautiful little girls in the world, my goddaughter and her sister. Two kids that can be summed up in the statement: HOLY FREAKIN' CUTE!!!!

Now I am going to go cuddle up with Greg. HOLY FREAKIN' HAPPINESS!

Life is good, folks, life is good! Hope you all had moments of joy in your day, too.

i'm floating on air not smog

Glancing back, I notice that many of my recent posts have been quite lighthearted. I attribute this to being in a good place in my mind. I know moving is stressful....this is move eight in six years...but I just feel wonderfully calm. There are a lot of things contributing to this. It could be because this move should settle us in one place for the next few years. Relocating closer to family and friends, as well as career opportunities opening up to me adds to this. Being in a healthy relationship helps. I am sure being in touch with my creative side is being a stabilizing force as well. Embracing change is joyous to me. Whatever else contributes to the lightheartedness, you, dear readers, will just have to deal!

Enjoy the ride.
Sincerely,
The Pilot

bundles of joy

The last post was a bit heavy, but I am feeling lighter today so here's to JOY! The office I currently work in houses multiple non-profits that work in conjunction, providing various services to children in DCYF (Dept of Children, Youth and Families) care. One of the organizations has a therapeutic foster care program. The other day, they had the newest foster child in the office: a two week old beautiful little girl. She was sleepy and tiny and just amazing. I stood in awe looking at this little creature sleeping in the arms of program workers. I was flustered by the fact that something so wonderful is not enough to make a parent straighten their life up so they can quickly get custody back. But seeing that little baby made me think of the babies that are in my life (well some of them are big kids now but that is what happens, they grow) and how blessed I am. Though I have mentioned this before, it is worth repeating. I never knew the capacity of love until I saw my best friend's first daughter (my "niece" Annalise) for the first time. Holding her for the first time, I thought my heart was going to burst with joy. I cannot even fathom the level of love a mother feels for her own children. Someday, I hope to. But until then, I will just enjoy the little smiles I get on my face when I get to see other peoples' children and hear their laughter. Here's to joy!

Mini list of joy:

-Babies

-Having wonderful people in my life

-Moving much closer to family and friends

-Coffee

-Sharing in my brother's wedding day

-Getting to see a bunch of people who understand what "It happened on Alpine Place" means

-Gregory

-Actually mailing out my parents' anniversary card the week of their anniversary (still late, but within the week. That's progress!)

-Morning all fruit smoothies (this morning's had mixed berries, banana, clementines, and cranberries. Yum!)

-Guardian angels (people in our lives that have died but still give you signs that their energy is around you)

-Reconnecting with old friends

-Hope

-Crisp autumn days

-Apple desserts with real vanilla ice cream that has vanilla bean speckles visible

-The helpful, caring responses to my last post

-Finding little moments for "me" time

Where is your joy?

back to the (coffee) grind

My week off from work is coming to a unimpressive close. It's Sunday night and I am digesting the vegetarian burrito I made for myself earlier. Greg is still at work and won't be home for a while so I think I will jump into reading one of the raw foods books I took out of the library yesterday. I really should crack open my agenda book first to see if I have to trek down to Newport for a staff meeting in the morning or just into the office instead (34 miles compared to 3 miles). However, I will worry about that after I brush my teeth. Always better to prepare for the next day with minty fresh breath, I say!

This past week has been a nice reprieve from even thinking about work. That, in itself, makes vacations wonderful. Time to recharge my battery and take a break from "therapizing" adolescents. I work with some wonderful kids who have been born into some less-than-wonderful situations. I love my work but sometimes I need to step away from it for a few days and reground myself.

This vacation week was not very restful though. There has been much going on but some things are starting to fall into place quite nicely, thanks to my wonderful friends. (I will fill you in on this stuff/changes/etc. I keep hinting about at a later date. Now is not the appropriate time to post it all publicly. E-mail me if you just can't wait and need to know now, and I'll think about telling you.) It's amazing how, even after residing out of New York for the last four and a half years, my dear old friends are still important parts of my world. It's nice to be reconnecting with people from the past and even building new friendships back home. Despite a bit of recent added stress, life seems to be feeling more full lately and more fulfilling. So much to do, so busy planning and dealing with snags that come up, but such an overall feeling of joy permeates everything. Life is good.