Ahimsa

One intention I set for myself this year was to not be too hard on myself.  Part of that trait is good b/c I seem to accomplish lots of goals by being hard on myself.  But the bad part about that is sometimes i expect too much, get frustrated and force myself to do things that harm me.

Today I am at home sick from my job, worrying myself with all the things I need to do before school starts.  My plan for the New Year was to workout, not be stuck in my room with the sniffles!!!
It's times like these when you need to realize why and how you can be kind to yourself and body.  Not everyday needs to be a marathon - as much as you may like it at that pace. 

The article I found today mentions how you can be kind to yourself.  Without giving your body the rest and luxury it needs, it is hard to accomplish lofty goals.  So don't forget to treat yourself with kindness!!!  Don't let yourself get put on the back burner.

Little things I do for myself are by an organic chocolate bar once a week, use luxurious body lotions, yoga and lots and lots of quality tea-time. 

New Year beginnings

I had a marvelous time with friends over delicious Korean food and then Karaoke.  it was great! i feel so blessed to have so many awesome people to call my friends.

The next day however i felt less lucky.  I thought i avoided it, but turns out i got a nasty cold virus while visiting family in Michigan.  grooooosssss.  So i've been on bed rest since Saturday morning.

but i was tired of lying around and went to Yoga today.  it was fabulous.  my butt was kicked and i sweat like there was no tomorrow.  also, my cold seemed oddly better after the hour long session.

In other healthy news i have given up coffee. it sounds worse than it is. i've replaced it w/ tea. most of my diet is vegetarian and i'm working out with the best of them. i am determined to drop some lbs before i go to London!

#3,990 reason why the D is frustrating/possibly unliveable!!!

#3,990 on why the D is frustrating: both the DFC and Burton Theatre have defunct website, which then send you to more defunct websites, ie: exbx (wtf is that, still don't know), mantra, and peoples records (403 forbidden). It's like to know anything you have to jump thru 400 hoops. AND WHAT DOES THIS LEAVE ME WITH? A last resort of going to the DIA to look at 64 FACES OF JESUS?!!!!??? WHY GOD WHY.

Best of 2011...

My best meals consisted of Sugarfish in California, Fojol Brothers of DC.  in Austin: Barley Swine, Wink, Breakfast tacos: arturo's, paco's tacos, julio's and Korea House.

my best date of 2011 was in Santa Monica at Stella Rossa.  The pizza was amazing and the dessert was salted caramel mousse. to. die. for. also i had a hot man sitting across the table from me.

Favorite concert of the year: Arcade Fire, May, @ the Backyard in Austin outlands.  Honorable mentions go to White Denim, St. Vincent.

Top 10 Favorite Albums/Songs/Artists this year:

1. Adele: 19, 21
2. Civil Wars
3. "You Turn me on I'm a Radio" - Joni Mitchell
4. St. Vincent: Strange Mercy
5. Vampire Weekend: Contra
6. Beyonce: 4
7. Stevie Wonder
8. Soundtrack to "An Education"
9. Fleet Foxes: Helplessness Blues
10. Lady Gaga: Born this way

Favorite websites to visit of 2011:

1. D Listed
2. Wild Fox inspiration tumblr
3. Facebook
4. Pinterest

This was the year of Hedonism for me.  I ate, kissed and drank to full capacity. I know i should change this before next year - but i don't think i will.

I worked-out from Jan - August but then i let my work and school rule my time.  For some reason after 4 classes and two jobs i had no energy to run 6 miles. I know. It baffles me too.

I got to go to DC, California and Toronto.  My DC summer internship at the Smithsonian was a highlight of the year.  It was fun to live in the DC area.  At this point, I think i may go back after August.  I'd like to get an international job, or one that lets me travel alot, so maybe i will have luck finding this type of job in DC.

I have March 8-20 off for spring break and i am debating on going on a big solo trip. More on those plans as they develop in the New Year.

Best to you & yours....
Savvy

2012 is creeping in ...

With 2012 creeping in, I keep on being ambushed by "life changing" articles.  They all insist that i refrain from eating bread and dairy and only one cup of coffee a day.

let's see how i measure up to this article:

• Not getting enough sleep (less than 8 hours)
• Eating too much sugar
• Drinking too much coffee (more than 1 cup)
• Skipping meals
• Eating anything made in a factory (junk and processed food)
• Eating bread
• Eating dairy
• Drinking more than 3 glasses of wine or alcohol a week
• Working too much
• Not exercising at least 4 times a week
• Not doing yoga
• Spending too much time on the computer
• Watching TV
• Not being outside in nature
• Not spending time with friends
• Getting dehydrated - if this includes alcohol, i'm fine.

everything that is crossed out i am doing fine at.
for the new year i want to find a job, work out more and i guess i have to drink green juice so i don't die.

but i can guarantee i will continue to eat breakfast tacos and Quack's chocolate croissants.
i will still swear and drink too much.

their are certain things i refused to give up.

where will i be living in the latter half of 2012???
i'd like to find a job in a different country, but i don't know how to do that. also i don't think i have the energy or gumption for that right now.

i am going to Paris & London for a week with my friend in Feb. This is neither a good decision for my bank account or job seeking. It is contra but i am doing it anyways.

Middlegate Japanese Gardens

Please check out my Smithsonian Collections blog entry on the beautiful - yet tragic - Middlegate Japanese Gardens of Pass Christian, Mississippi.  I wrote this blog entry this summer while interning at the Smithsonian's Archives of American Gardens. Enjoy!

Images for the Future

Yesterday, I had the great pleasure to attend a talk by Hans Westerhof of the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision.  The Smithsonian meeting was about my main interests in audiovisual digitization, petabyte scale storage, and open access with  Mind boggled and sooo happy. I also met a LOC film archivist!  He gave me great advice to become an AMIA member which is having there conference in Austin this November. It's now on my August checklist.

You can watch the lectures here!