The Write Perspective

Peace is Love

2012-01-19T08:10:00.003-06:00

I had an exciting, reassuring conversation with a good friend last night. This friend has certainly had his fair share of interesting "relationships" in his life and has finally met someone who as he describes it, is "so much more pleasant than all of the rest."

He talked a lot about how in his previous relationships his girlfriends possessed these traits: jealousy, judgmental, nagging, focused on the past and putting down people, and very needy of reassurance and attention. (I know what you're thinking, that's a lot for anyone to handle.)

After loads of story sharing and question asking, we got it nailed down what makes this one such a great fit for him and why she isn't any of the above. She is "at peace" with herself and all around her.

I remember the first time I really contemplated what it meant to be at peace with myself. I was actually sitting in the doctor's office before embarking on a trip to Mexico, and I had what I realize now to be a bit of an "ah-ha" moment.

All because of reading this quote on the wall:

"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one that gets burned." - Siddhartha Buddha

This was my first interest into unique Buddhist ideologies (yeah - I wasn't the most attentive student in my freshman "Intro to Spirituality" 8 a.m. class). Now, as yoga is a part of my life, I especially enjoy the simplistic, positive, and peaceful principles that are a very zen way of being.

Of course, we all have situations or individuals that we think less highly of than others, we don't desire to have a connection with. But, what good is it serving you to cling to negatives feelings? None - it is doing you no good. It is a saddening thought to think about how many people hold angst or a grudge towards someone.

I would be lying if I said I thought an ex-boyfriend who cheated on me is an upstanding gentleman. I would, again, be lying if I said it saddens me to to see some friendships become more distant as others grow. And I definitely would be lying if I didn't admit that I stopped following Kim Kardashian on Twitter just because she broke up with Kris Humphries.

But it really serves me no purpose to carry poor feelings. Two years ago, I did not fully understand this.

After a very sweaty yoga practice the other day, my girlfriends and I got into a discussion about what it really means to make happiness, contentment a way of life. We determined it would be an equation of this sort: "an unconditional acceptance for ourselves and all that life will bring, and opening our hearts and minds to everyone and everything." (We know we aren't even close to as eloquent as the likes of Thoreau or Maya Angelou.)

I do love to read, and I read from a wide variety of authors and outlets. As a result, I know that some things have not "clicked" in my mind until I have read someone else's perspective or personal experience. And I am very grateful for those "ah-ha" moments that have resulted through the reading of relatable perspectives.

I believe have learned how valuable it is to listen and learn from others. The intent of this post is to share what has helped me find my peace - or as much peace as I think is possible at this point in my almost-a-quarter-of-a-century-life. And hoping that through this sharing, you may find a little extra peace for yourself.

"He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with

the world."

- Marcus Aurelius

"We are never more discontented with others than when we are

discontented with ourselves."

- Henri Frederic Arnier

Select some friends, family members, and acquaintances today - tell them something you appreciate about them. It's one of the best things to get an unexpected call or message with hearing this from a friend; add a little extra enjoyment to both of your days.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

2012-01-18T06:18:00.001-06:00

As I was walking out of the theater last night, scarf over face, wind into scarf, I realized that I haven't been that intrigued by a movie in a LONG time. (Silly me to think for a second that I wouldn't be bright-eyed for the entire three hour movie ending around 1 a.m.)

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo... honestly, where can one even begin? I actually began the 700-page book not only once - but twice - and was totally unable to "get into it," a very frustrating occurrence, indeed. However, I knew I wanted to see the movie and give Stieg Larsson's trilogy (side note: international best-selling trilogy - if you weren't already aware) another chance, in some sense.

A dark, brutal, and overly ominous story begins right as the opening credits role and continues as you walk out the theater. This movie is not for the faint of heart (but hey, I saw it), given the stomach-churning, expressive acts of violence (I only had to cover my eyes a couple of times).

Consider yourself warned: Although I have heard my mom and others speak about the graphic, upsetting reality of the book, I did not prepare myself for the scenes of unspeakable rape that take place.

Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) and Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara) uniquely team up to solve a mystery that the powerful, Swedish Vangar family has held for 40-some years. If you have ever thought that your family is crazy, this David Fincher film will give you a feel-good mentality about your kin as you exit the theater - nothing can compare to the obscurity of the Vangar family.

Craig is analytic and charming (a.k.a. my definition of very attractive) in his role as a disgraced journalist turned investigator when hired by the Vangar family. His counterpart, Lisbeth, is largely withdrawn from society in her role as one of the most kick-ass, female outlaws you can imagine. You cannot help but be in her corner. As they put their brilliant minds together on the quest for righteousness and justice, a variety of emotions make their relationship that much more interesting and unlikely.

The cliffhanger-ending leaves the audience begging for more and ready to begin the next film in Larsson's "Millennium" trilogy.

Larsson's story is intelligent and complex by way of Fincher's filmmaking craftsmanship. It is safe to say that there have not been many murder thrillers I have absolutely loved. This captivating film is a wholly different story, I love it. Go see it, now. And, ladies - as I did not, you may want to have a guy's arm to squeeze and walk you to car afterwards.

I can't wait to go to Barnes and Noble today to get the second book, The Girl Who Played with Fire, I have a slight inclination that this one will be a quick read for me.

New Year, New (re)SOLUTION

2012-01-16T07:51:00.000-06:00

things i am not super into:
- a new year's resolution
- to-do lists

resolution |ˌrezəˈloō sh ən|

noun

1 a firm decision to do or not to do something
"a firm decision" - so strict, so absolute... i prefer flexibility and intuition, but that's just me.
why i am not a fan of a new year's resolution:
- i'm a take action type of person. if something is lacking, make the conscious decision to remove or add something into your life. no need to wait until January 1st to do so. LIFE IS TOO SHORT.
- the added pressure of creating an "oh-so-important" resolution and sticking to it, potentially sharing your progress with others, seems far too unnecessary and overwhelming.

why i am not a fan of to-do lists:
- the to-do seems to have a negative connotation to me, in some sense, making it seem as if this has been put off or should have been anticipated sooner.
- for a better sense of accomplishment and mentality about the action at hand, i like to consider these "habits," be it daily, weekly, monthly, life-long... whatever.

My clutter-related "Goals (Habits) for the Week"

It is unfortunate that the resolution mentality is so daunting, rather than focused on habitual change. Plans are great, but let's be honest, in the chaotic and busy world that we live in... how often are "plans" truly executed as previously envisioned?

It has taken me some time to come to this realization, but I do believe that the most important thing we can do is to simply make space in our lives for what matters most to us, what will truly satisfy individual needs.

Often times, to make this space, we must weed out the things that are not aiding us (more on this in a later post...).

Think about great things that have happened in your life: the meeting of a new best friend, falling in love, finding a great job, getting an unexpected opportunity, and so on. I look back at my experiences and so many great things have happened or come along when I wasn't expecting it, or planning for it.

So much of life is focused on the end result: getting something you really want, crossing the finish line (in a sense). Of course, I have things that I would really like to accomplish, or have in my life, at some point. But I have truly come to value the importance of enjoying your daily habits and practices, making space (each day) for what will make YOU happy .

And, I really do believe, that focusing on the simplistic pleasures each day will lead me to live a very fulfilling life that I will be proud of.

My simple pleasures for the day:

- greek yogurt with blueberries, blackberries, and agave nectar

- coffee at a family-owned cafe with three amazing girlfriends

- sharing a challenging yoga class with a great friend

- practicing at the curling club

- sending some snail mail

- girl time during "The Bachelor"

- experimenting with new recipes

China

2012-01-04T14:48:00.000-06:00

It has now been just about two weeks since returning home from our competition in China. Believe it or not, it took me about 8 days to get back to the sleep schedule here in the States.

Much of the Chinese experience was documented through my blog with The Curling News. You can find the blog here: thecurlingnews.com/blog

Enjoy!

One Dish WONDER!

2012-01-02T12:38:00.002-06:00

A protein-packed one dish wonder.

Sometimes we have the mentality that it is hard to eat healthy when we are busy. Well, this dish throws that excuse out the window.

I believe that this dish is wonderful for so many reasons:

You can make it in the crockpot or on your stovetop.

There are very few ingredients.

Those very few ingredients are also rather inexpensive.

It is PACKED with protein and other nutrients.

You can serve a variety of ways: atop brown rice, quinoa, or your other favorite grain. And, meat can be easily added to up the protein count in it.

Ingredients:

12 ounce can of black beans (buy reduced sodium if available to you), rinsed and drained

package frozen mukimame (or shell your own edamame)

26 ounce can stewed tomatoes

1 T. red pepper flakes

2 t. fresh ground black pepper

Directions:

place ALL ingredients into your crockpot
cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8
serve alone or with any protein or grain you desire!
ENJOY!

Yummm... love the green mukimame with the tomatoes.

powerfoods explained:

tomatoes: although the majority of produce is most nutrious when raw, tomatoes are an exception! You get more lycopene from a processed or cooked tomato!

lycopene lowers risks of many types of cancers and also contains iron, potassium, fiber and LOTS of B and C vitamins

beans: “researchers have found that eating these earthy-tasting legumes is one of the most important dietary factors in longevity.”

Beans are such an important part of any diet. If they are not currently a staple in yours, reconsider! They are one of the best versions of protein we can eat, and virtually fat-free. Beans are super heart-healthy and packed with fiber to control blood sugar and many cravings. Eat up!

mukimame: “soybeans are as complete a protein as meat...” it’s true! soybeans provide MORE protein than other beans and are very high in folate and potassium.

red pepper flakes: hello, metabolism! this spice, along with other hot peppers, is on your side when it comes to burning calories. also containing many antioxidants, red pepper flakes are used to defend against many toxic chemicals unwanted by our digestive system.
*I love cooking with red pepper flakes not only for the health benefits but also because they are so flavorful that you can really keep recipes basic and healthy.

Although this dish is a creation of my own, I used some of the wisdom in the following book to support my references to power foods above! I would highly recommend it if you enjoy getting creative in the kitchen as it gives great, detailed information on the health benefits of some key ingredients.

I love my power foods book: from the editors at "Whole Living."

Health, energy, and spirit.

Gettin' Listed

2011-10-27T12:23:00.000-05:00

Back in September, I decided I was going to make myself a list of things I would like to enjoy within the next three years. I wrote about it here.

My list is now up on the the 27 by 27 tab on this blog.

I was able to check one item off my list last weekend when my mom and I learned how to make sushi together! We took an advanced class (thank you, mom, for announcing to the class right away that we certainly not advanced) on sushi making and were lucky enough to learn the basics along the way.

I got this class for my mom for her birthday. It is another reminder to me how much I enjoy giving gifts that allow the opportunity to make a memory, rather than a material gift. My family has been doing this more over the past few years and we sure are enjoying it.

I have decided that a self-made to-do list is far too daunting for something that is meant to be fun; hence, why this is called my "To-Enjoy List." Enjoy it, I will! If there are some things on this list you would like to do as well, let's enjoy it together.

"Fun is good." - Dr. Seuss

"Keep the Faith"

2011-10-24T08:06:00.001-05:00

"Keep the Faith"

- a somewhat "popular" phrase, and entirely relative in its meaning based on the individual

----------

faith |fāθ|noun1 complete trust or confidence in someone or something : this restores one's faith in politicians.2 strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritualapprehension rather than proof.• a system of religious belief : the Christian faith.• a strongly held belief or theory : the faith that life will expand until it fills the universe.

In recent discussions I have been fortunate to have with family, friends, and coworkers, it has been very clear that we all have the opportunity to make decisions sometime in our lives that may require a little extra "faith," if you will. Decisions that, at times, are equally scary and exhilarating all at one.

This happens. A lot.

It seems to me that the majority of the time we are presented with two options:
1. choosing the commonly followed, comfortable way, or
2. following an ultimate dream, taking a risk for a better tomorrow.

Fear of the unknown is probably, for many, one of the most difficult things to overcome. It often takes a great leap of faith in order to pursue a dream. (And you are never too old to pursue a dream.)

I would say it is safe to say the majority of people to not want to live with regrets. And, because of this, we try to be "safe" in making major decisions in our life.

Regret is an awful word. I do not believe there are many words that have such a negative connotation and feeling as regret implies.

I may not have told you this two years ago, but I can honestly say now that I do not have any concerning regrets at this point in my life. Of course, I can probably think back to a time I wish I wouldn't have had that last vodka-tonic, or the time I dropped my mobile phone in a toilet bowl...

Okay, okay... but, really. I find (almost) every experience valuable and a learning opportunity. We grow and learn from everything that happens to us, and how we react to what happens to us. All experiences have value, no matter how menial it may seem today.

Sunrise in Cancun, March 2011

And at the end of the day, the sun will set and rise the next morning. And life will go on. Think about something that you were so stressed about a while ago, and now, you can look back and laugh... we work ourselves up in the anticipation of situations, and when they actually hit, we realize the stress was unnecessary.

Are you willing to sacrifice something that has been comfortable for the hopes of truly following your passion and your dreams? Is it worth the risk to be rid of something that isn't what you want for having nothing at all? (In the hope that something better is meant to be and will be.)

"Keep away from people who belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."

— Mark Twain

"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."

— Helen Keller

Regardless of your opinion of Michael Jackson's personal life, there is no denying his incredible ability as a musician and lyricist. I just discovered this song of his today, "Keep the Faith." And I find it wonderful; uplifting to the point that I want to dance around my condo, but again that doesn't take much.

As MJ says in his song:

"You can make it happen, but you got to keep the faith."

But, it's much better if you actually listen to the beat, and the whole song. So, courtesy of YouTube (as usual) here you go:

Have a little extra faith in yourself this week... however you choose to find that faith.

Being Grateful.

2011-10-17T08:32:00.002-05:00

Unfortunately, it seems that all too often we are not able to find the value in the hardships in life.

I am especially reminded of this on a Monday morning when I open up the recent feed on my Facebook and Twitter.

What's so wrong with a Monday? You (most of you) just had a weekend off to spend doing whatever with whomever you love most, you should be elated.

Monday is the opportunity to have a wonderful start to the work, or school week. It is what you make it. The thought of implanting negativity into one's head upon awakening just because it is a certain day of the week - seems so wrong. So ridiculous.

"You must remember each day is a gift." - O.A.R. "Gift"

As my curling team kicks the 2011-2012 season into gear, we had two difficult weekends to start. We played against great teams, and lost more games than we won. There were no excuses, we just needed to play better individually, and we would play better as a team.

This past weekend, we won the St. Paul Cash Spiel, our third event of the year. We played great. Sure, we missed some shots. But then, you pick each other up and stay positive and focused on moving forward, the next shot. We had some matches that were very close and we had to say patient and persistent to win; and we had some games that we fully controlled from first rock to last.

Stay strong through your hardship; find the value in the challenge it gives you to grow and learn. The opportunity that will result from this will be much more satisfying than if you had had an easy road.

"Triumphs without difficulties are empty. Indeed, it is difficulties that make the triumph. It is no feat to travel the smooth road.” - Unknown

"LIttle minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune, but great minds rise above it." - Washington Irving

Surprise!

2011-10-12T00:48:00.002-05:00

Press "play" and enjoy this music while you read. It'll turn up the notch on your happy meter this morning. Maybe you'll even start tapping your foot, snapping your fingers, or feel the need to get up and shake your limbs all over the place (the best option).

"Send Me On My Way" - Rusted Root

spontaneous |spänˈtānēəs|adjectiveperformed or occurring as a result of a sudden inner impulse or inclination and without premeditation or external stimulus : the audience broke into spontaneous applause | a spontaneous display of affection.• (of a person) having an open, natural, and uninhibited manner.
-------------------------------------------
Lists. Plans. Routines.Yadda, yadda, yadda...
They are great. But surprises and unplanned, unexpected happenings are truly the some of the best mood-boosters and ways to drown the drab and kick up the fab (I might start using this one - ridiculous, I know... ultra-corny, but if you are in my family or my Target family, you know I love to write a good rhyme).

The lovely Laura Skubic surprises me with one of my favorite autumn treats on my kitchen table.

snail mail; a phone call; bouquet of flowers; post-it note on the kitchen counter; dinner at your favorite restaurant; DQ blizzards; a weekend roadtrip; walk in the woodsso simple, yet so meaningful when unexpected

"The essence of pleasure is spontaneity." - Germaine Greer

It's Wednesday. You can make Wednesday the new Friday. Skip something that you had planned to do and change it up. Surprise someone or do something spontaneous for yourself! Why not? There is no reason why not.
Make your day fun, you have time, we all do.-----------------

Are you dancing?

Series of Spontaneity

2011-10-11T00:12:00.003-05:00

Had to share one of my new favorites. I like all of this:

"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like."

- Lao Tzu

It's All Just Stuff

2011-10-09T18:50:00.001-05:00

"Miss Bonner, we are so sorry, we cannot find where your luggage got sent after Calgary. We will do everything we can to find this immediately and get it to you as soon as possible." - Kind man (who must get yelled at dozens of times a day by luggage-losing customers)
"Okay, you were really helpful, thanks." - Me
I had two safe, easy flights back to Minneapolis today; my luggage did not. In fact, the airline representatives aren't even sure if it got on my first flight, or where it is now.
I spent about 20 minutes chatting with a seemingly tired and overworked, yet still very friendly and helpful United Airlines baggage representative this evening.
Of course it is annoying to not have my stuff, or know when (or if) I'm going to get it. But that's all it is, is stuff. None of it is necessary for my well-being or survival, and if I had to, I could replace it.
I have this really great sense of contentment about myself right now in recognizing that I do not actually need a single item in my suitcase. It feels good.
Interestingly enough, the one thing I would be most sad to lose is a new book that I had received that I began taking notes in throughout it. I typically carry-on all books to pass the time while in the airport or on the place; but today, I didn't want to read this book for one specific reason, and now I wish I had it.
This brief situation has made me realize how ridiculously worked up people get about losing material things, often times with no real sentimental value.
These things are replaceable.
Do not waste time worrying. Enjoy and embrace the moment, however unexpected it may be.

"When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills." Chinese Proverb

(One of) My Favorite Speeches of All-Time

2011-10-05T22:26:00.001-05:00

It would be an absolute injustice to quote specific parts of this speech, or to paraphrase it in anyway. Watch the whole thing, you owe it to yourself. If you've already seen it before, as I had, watch it again. Share this message with those you care about.

Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement Speech - 2005

"Do What You Love"

Finding your thing.

2011-09-29T22:15:00.000-05:00

I consider myself lucky to have found what I believe to be the most fantastic yoga studio in the twin cities, CorePower Yoga. A week without CPY is a bit drab. It is a powerful, welcoming, calming place.

One of my favorite teachers, Ashley, ends every class with "Gift" by O.A.R. as we lay in our final shavasana. Shavasana translates from Sanskirt into "corpse." It is the final posture of the majority of yoga practices, intended to rejuvenate body, mind, and spirit after a practice.

For all of you non-yogis out there, I know there are many, the power of shavasana may be difficult for you to comprehend (I was at that point 5 months ago).

The origins of yoga, prove that it was created to be a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline; with that, the absolute goal is to be attain tranquility and spiritual insight. In Western practices, we very frequently verse that into "being present" in the moment and really devoting the practice to the now.

(If you think what I am saying is totally wacky, you are surely not alone.)

If I tried to relay the overwhelming sense of contentment and peace that I feel when I focus on being a yogi, I would fail miserably. But that level of tranquility cannot be understood unless it is felt be one's own self (through whatever method you may).

Being content and crying do not normally seem as if they would blend well. But, sometimes I like to cry. It can feel really, really good.

Two weeks ago I found my eyes start to swell with tears: I was laying on my yoga mat, after a challenging practice; sweating, breathing very heavily, in shavasana.

Ten-ish minutes later, as I walked to my car after class, I thought to myself, "why in the heck didn't I think it was strange my eyes were filled with tears?" I realized that this is why:

intuition |ˌint(y)oōˈi sh ən|

noun

the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning

I realized how awesome it felt to let a few tears drop down my already-sweaty cheeks. Yoga unites us with ourselves, and I love that feeling. Conscious reasoning... be willing to let go of it.

Yoga isn't for everyone. College isn't for everyone. 1% milk isn't for everyone. Church isn't for everyone. City life isn't for everyone. Wine isn't for everyone (more for me). Technology isn't for everyone.

But when you find something that is for YOU, something or someone that you feel makes your life (or even yourself) better, that is a pretty neat thing. Hold on to it and enjoy it as much as you can, you owe it to yourself.

Below are the lyrics to "Gift" by O.A.R. (cannot find a good version aside from iTunes) - enjoy! It is a very relaxing tune.

From night til dawn, you soldiered on, did ya?
Each day is a gift
But you lead us strong and kept us on, did ya?
Like each day is a gift
I never thought that I'd be here with you
Saying all these words that I have to
After all is said and all is done
I never meant to ever hurt no one
And nothing has to change
You and I are strange
Passing in the night between the darkness and the rain
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/o/oar/gift.html ]
At the crack of dawn, you grabbed my arm did ya?
Each day was a gift
You told me slow
Before I move on you must remember
Each day is a gift
I never understood it was for you
Could never be for me
This will have to do
Yet after all you've said and all you've done
I know you never meant to hurt no one
And nothing has to change
You and I are strange
Passing in the night between the darkness and the rain
Nothing has to change
You and I can be strange
Passing in the days between the morning and the rain
I can see you now, it's like you're never gone

From dusk til dawn, you soldiered on
Like each day was a gift
Oh you lead us strong but you couldn't hold on
And that's fine cause each day was a gift

I don't know when I'll be home
So save a place for me til I get there
I don't know when I'll be home
So save a place for me

Uncertainty: the New Normal?

2011-09-28T20:18:00.001-05:00

We live in a time where the world is in a state of constant, long-term flux.

Nothing great was ever created by waiting around for someone to tell you it’s all going to be okay or for perfect information to drop from the sky. Doesn’t happen that way. Great work requires you to act in the face of uncertainty, to live in the question long enough for your true potential to emerge. There is no alternative.

"When you find the strength to act in the face of uncertainty, you till the soil of genius." - my favorite zen master

To-Enjoy List

2011-09-28T05:55:00.000-05:00

list 1 |list|

noun

1 a number of connected items or names written or printed consecutively, typically one below the other : consult the list of drugs on page 326 | writing a shopping list.

• a set of items considered as being in the same category or having a particular order of priority : tourism is at the top of the list of potential job creators.
Lists. They are not something I would typically consider myself "good" at. What in the world do you mean you aren't good at a list? How can you be bad at a list?
Well, it's really easy for someone, like me, who is a notorious wanderer. This is not to say I wander about the streets; rather, my mind is a frequent wanderer.
I like to think that my mind wanders with a purpose, most of the time (keep in mind that aimless daydreaming can be purposeful, too).
I am really good at starting a list, especially once I get a big idea or get excited about something. Then it just turns into a waste of unvisited, dust-collecting paper.
I am in the process of creating a list. Three years long to be exact. The inspiration came from my good friend and former teammate Maureen. She created a list and sent it out to her closest friends and family of some things that she wanted to accomplish before a birthday she has coming up.
My list will be called 27 by 27. 27 things I want to accomplish or enjoy (or hopefully both at the same time) by my 27th birthday. Why did I choose 27? Because one of the things on my list happens in early 2014: The Sochi Winter Olympics.
Knit with my grandma Go to India Skydive Cook every recipe from a cookbook
A Three-Year-Long To-Enjoy List... sounds like fun to me! Stay tuned...

I Am Woman.

2011-09-25T11:33:00.002-05:00

equality |iˈkwälitē|

noun

the state of being equal, esp. in status, rights, and opportunities

Throughout my travel time on Thursday, I had time to read an interesting and eye-opening article by Jesse Ellison titled, "The 2011 Global Women's Progress Report." Ms. Ellison holds a resume that will tell you her career has been largely focused on human rights studies and reporting, global for the most part.

She puts together an impressive article and study, suiting to the eye by the usage of 4 full-page pieces on the top 20 and bottom 20 countries "for women", along with her text.

Five measures were determined (by whom it is not stated, Jesse and crew, I would guess) to affect women's lives the most. Here are the measures:

   - Justice
   - Health
   - Education
   - Economics
   - Politics

Okay. Here are some chilling facts from the article.
- In Afghanistan, more than 85 percent of women give birth with no medical help.
- Women have almost no legal rights in Chad, many marriages are arranged when girls are 11 or 12.
- Domestic violence is legal in Yemen.
- 1,100 women are raped everyday (on average) in Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Through the latest recession in the U.S. men have recovered much faster than the women (men gaining 768,000 jobs vs. women losing 218,000 jobs).
- All 30 companies in the German DAX (stock index) are run by men.
- An average of 1,000 women are killed each year in Pakistan due to honor killings.

Again, this article is based on the thesis of a women's "progress" report.

progress

noun |ˈprägrəs; ˈprägˌres; ˈprōˌgres|

forward or onward movement toward a destination

• advance or development toward a better, more complete, or more modern condition : we are making progress toward equal rights.

At the end of the day, cross-cultural differences make it very difficult to account for comparisons in terms of women's progress. Of course, countries in the West, where gender discrimination is "against the law" and equality rights are supposedly constitutionally enshrined may have the perception of being a better place for women.

But, take a moment to ponder this one...

Who is really more oppressed: the girl in the oh-so-short miniskirt or the one in the hijab?
Hmm...

Enough of this for today. It's time to go curling! (and yet, so many women in this world are unable to participate in sport.)

"You learn about equality in history and civics, but you find out life is not really like that." - Arthur Ashe

"All this talk about equality, and really the only thing people have in common is that they are going to die." - Bob Dylan

(Okay, the optimist and socialite in me does not particularly enjoy this quote, but it's Bob Dylan.)

Guest Blog #1: from the Superwoman herself

2011-09-19T10:19:00.000-05:00

Today is a fantastic day for many reasons. One of those reasons is because The Write Perspective officially has it's first guest blog!

I had asked my incredible and inspiring friend, Haley Prittinen, to write a post for me. Haley is a second-year medical school student at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. As if that isn't enough of a feat in itself, Haley is also weeks away from competing in her first marathon! In speaking with Haley about her training regimen, I had asked her to write a little bit about it and share this with all of you.

Many thanks to Haley for writing, and, more importantly, for being an inspiring, supportive, and wonderful friend. I am sure you will enjoy what she has written.

When someone asks me why I enjoy running, I will likely rattle off a list of reasons that starts with something like “runners’ high” and ends with something like “it’s the only time of day that I don’t think about school.” I really mean it, too – the rush of endorphins after a run makes me feel like I can tackle anything. Furthermore, I find that running really allows me to check out and forget about all the things that demand my attention throughout the day.
While there are many psychological and physical benefits of running, it certainly takes a toll on the body. I am in the last month of training for a marathon, and as I write this, I am covered nearly head-to-toe in icy hot and have an ice pack on my knee to facilitate recovery from my first ever 20 miler. As someone who has been running long distance races for three years AND a medical student, I understand what physical strain I am placing on my body by running forty-odd miles each week. I do like to think I know something about how to set myself up for success in training, though: good nutrition.
Many people think that exercise cancels out any need to eat well. It seems great, right? You burn hundreds of calories per day training, then eat WHATEVER YOU WANT, AS MUCH AS YOU WANT. When I started training for my first half marathon in 2009, I definitely adopted this philosophy. In particular, I felt it was appropriate for me to “carbo load” every day. However, I found myself feeling exhausted and, despite my excessive calorie intake, hungry all the time. My runs felt sluggish, and I was nearly a minute short of my per-mile goal pace.
I paid a visit to a dietician at my college, and she gave me some valuable tips about how to balance my calorie intake between carbohydrates, protein, and fat. At the time, my diet was too high in carbohydrates and too low in fat. This meant that my blood sugar was spiking after a high carbohydrate meal, making me feel energized, but falling quickly after my body burned through the carbohydrates, leaving me feeling sluggish. Furthermore, carbohydrates have the lowest satiety value of any food, meaning they make you feel full for the shortest amount of time.
Her suggestion was that I eat about 50% carbohydrates, 30% protein, and 20% healthy fats. Currently, I consume about 2500 calories per day, so for me, that means about 1200 calories from carbohydrates, 750 calories from protein, and 500 calories from fat. Let me tell you, I was thrilled when I realized this meant I could increase the amount of peanut butter I ate every day. The increase in protein and fat made a world of difference: I no longer felt ravenous all the time, I had more energy for my run, and I was less sore after working out.
As I’ve gained more experience in running and more knowledge about how the body works, nutrition has become a cornerstone of my training. I’ve had to find ways to healthily increase my calorie intake as my training demands have increased. I have the added challenge that I’m not much of a meat eater, making alternate sources of protein very important. I’d like to share a few “superfoods” that I eat almost every day. Each of them is linked to a Wikipedia page for those of you who’d like to learn more about these foods!
Quinoa
Quinoa is a grain that is also a complete protein source, meaning it can serve as a meat substitute. In addition, I love the texture and nutty flavor. One of my favorite meals is quinoa with stir-fried seasonal vegetables and a sprinkle of Parmesan or feta cheese!
Hummus
Hummus is probably my hands-down favorite food. I honestly can never eat enough – on sandwiches, as a vegetable dip, on crackers with cheese, as a salad dressing… yum! I make my own hummus, but it is also available in pretty much any grocery store. It is a nutritional powerhouse: high in protein, tons of fiber, and lots of vitamins C, B6, and folate.
Avocado
Avocados are an excellent source of healthy fat (mostly monounsaturated), which is really important to include in a runners’ diet. Long-distance running burns body fat, and it is critical to replenish these fats to prevent things like the female athlete triad (read about it here). In addition, avocados have 60% more potassium than bananas, which helps prevent muscle cramps after strenuous workouts. I like to use avocados as a mayonnaise replacement on sandwiches and in salad dressings.
Chia seeds
Yes, I’m talking about the seeds we all put on Chia pets back in the day – they are rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids, protein (up to 4 g in one ounce!), and fiber. I use them in smoothies, on oatmeal, and as an egg replacement in baking.
“Green Juice”
This is more of an invention than a food, but I feel I can’t write about nutrition and diet without mentioning my favorite recovery drink. Recent research has suggested that eating “real food” is better than commercial recovery products (drinks, powders, or bars), and I think this stuff is the best there is. Making it is simple: I put a banana, a peach (or a nectarine, an orange, or whatever fruit I have hanging around), a handful of spinach, some soy milk, some chia seeds, and ice in a blender and blend it together! It tastes like whatever fruit you add, and it provides a great balance of protein (from the chia seeds and soy milk), electrolytes like potassium (from the fruit), and iron (from the spinach) to help muscles recover. I also get queasy at the thought of solid food after a strenuous workout, so this helps me replenish calories and carbohydrates without eating a meal right away.
I really can’t stress enough the importance of a healthy, balanced diet in long-distance running. I think the most important thing is maintaining a balanced ratio of carbs, proteins, and fats to replenish everything that is lost throughout strenuous training. It’s worked for me so far – I went from hardly being able to run three miles without feeling exhausted to being a month away from running a marathon!

Happiness Guaranteed: Or Your Money Back

2011-09-08T07:35:00.003-05:00

If you type "how to be" into your Google search bar, happy will be the most common search that auto-populates.

If you actually search "how to be happy" on Google, in a matter of .13 seconds, over 3.3 billion results will be at the ready for you to mull over...

"How to be happy!"

"20 Simple Ways to Get Happy"

"Get happy .... NOW!"

"Find your happiness in seven simple steps."

Those 3.3 billion results are a prime example of how we are constantly bombarded with ridiculous amounts of information on how to be better at this or improve upon that, look better if you have "X" type of body shape, be more "successful," find "love" faster, "burn more calories in 30 minutes" .... the list goes on for billions upon billions of Google search results, I am sure.

Over the Labor Day holiday, I was able to watch "Eat, Pray, Love" with my mom in the comfort of our own basement, with DQ ice cream cake delivered and served by my dad. A comment is made during that movie regarding, "the sweetness of doing nothing." Or, better yet, in Italian: Il dolce far niente.

Il dolce far niente does not seem to blend well with some prominent "American" tendencies. For example: do more; be more productive; live to work and work to live; go-go-go; and the other aforementioned "self-improvement" tips.

It has certainly (and sadly) become commonplace to work for the purpose of becoming better, more wealthy, and more successful. It is as if the ability to work for enjoyment and to do something out of pure pleasure and fulfillment has been, in many ways, entirely forgotten.

Each moment holds the possibility of goodness and pleasure. All moments should not be focused on how much we can fit into it by multi-tasking and raising the blood pressure of ourselves and those around us with a high-stress mentality; but, rather to find the pleasure in it and take the time to notice that goodness.

Through those promises of "happiness in seven steps" and "Lose 12 pounds in 28 days!" out the window. How can such generalization be made (in any sense) in a world such diversity? It can't! Why are we rushed to see such immediate results? Enjoy being unproductive! Instead, focus on enjoyment and fulfillment through the activities we partake in. Work on and fill your life with the stuff you love.

I will not deny the fact that I am a go-go-go'er. It is not an easy mindset to reverse; however, I find myself learning to understand the importance of nothingness and silence more lately. Many of my writings stem from an idea that I would like to go into deeper consideration as I believe that idea holds value, in whatever way, for myself.

Today, I will spend time being content, practicing patience, and truly enjoying "Il dolce far niente."

I hope you take time to enjoy Il dolce far niente, too. Not only do we deserve it, we owe it to ourselves and all that surrounds us.

Changing of the Seasons

2011-09-06T10:37:00.004-05:00

There are two times throughout the year that people are most likely to experience symptoms/feelings of depression:

Early September and Christmas time through Valentine's Day.

For many of us, Labor Day signifies the ending of a (hopefully) fantastic summer and moving on into autumn.

Luckily for me, autumn has always been the season I adore the most. Don't get me wrong, drinking a glass of wine on the dock and listening to funny stories from my family up at the cabin is right up there... from Uncle Sammy's jokes, endless Seinfeld episodes recounted from my dad and the rest of the guys, typical family love picking on one another for our predictability, chasing around new, young family members as they learn to love the cabin life with much curiosity and excitement.

What I love about autumn:

Increased Crockpot usage. Hello, fantastic smells the moment I wake up or walk in the door after work! Appropriate for all seasons, of course, but especially comforting in the fall.
Snuggling up into FLANNEL SHEETS. Good book and hot chocolate make this even better. (Some of you tweets would follow this with a #winning tag.)
Freezers fill up with pheasant and duck.
Candles that smells like pie or cinnamon... my mom is the best at having this at the ready.
Thanksgiving - Isn't it a shame people aren't more thankful everyday of the year?
Wigwam socks. All day, everyday (almost).
The sound of a fire crackling inside.
Minnesota Vikings' players as they hold up their index finger to exclaim, "We're number one!" as we score a few touchdowns all season... and, all of the former junior varsity football "stars" and sports journalists that are confident they could coach a professional football team to more success.
Halloween festivities. We are never too old to enjoy dressing up.
Fleece jackets and warm clothes.
Chili! One of my favorite things to make (crockpot, all the way).
~~The Tuesday after the first Monday in November (Election Day, if you didn't catch that): specifically, all the slander, lies, and corruption in which is ever-present at this time.~~
Wind blowing through the leaves.
I still have some time before my winter/ice-driving anxiety kicks in full force.
Goodbye, Mr. Mosquito: OFF! expenditures begin to fund Vaseline and Chapstick.
Curling: let the practice, traveling, socializing, and competing begin!
The changing of the colors: another reason to love a drive along 35.
Blaze orange and camouflage become more "acceptable" for a few months, if you didn't already consider them fashionable prior to hunting season... well, that's too bad.

I even love autumn so much, that, if the day comes where I am engaged and ready to "tie the knot" with a great man, I would want to get married during this season. However, I have come to the conclusion that if it is important for me to have my father (most importantly), and other men I value actually present for this someday-far-in-the-future wedding, I will be considering every season besides autumn. It is, after all, hunting season.

There is a lot to love about autumn.

The Indecisive Perfectionist

2011-08-02T21:05:00.001-05:00

Wowzers (as my good friend Uma would say), it has been nearly three weeks since I have posted.

That fact alone reminds me how much fun I have been having this summer, fun being busy and enjoying what I love about the days that aren't above 90 degrees Fahrenheit and ultra-humid. While I do love relaxing and downtime, I am also big on making the most of each opportunity and moment, so I am happy to recognize computer time has been limited this summer.

Shortly after my last post, I was fortunate enough stand up for Megan as she married Brian. It was an absolutely perfect few days celebrating The Peterson's; and let's just say my legs were sore from all of the dancing for about three days afterwards (and I dance a lot).

Two moments stand out to me as the most memorable, for me, from Megan and Brian's wedding day. First of all, when Megan's father, Kevin, saw her for the first time in her perfect dress. Second of all, watching Brian's face as he saw his soon-to-be wife for the first time as she turned the corner with Kevin walking down the aisle. While each moment symbolized something different for each man, each moment was resemblant of the overwhelming love and genuine appreciation we feel for the important people in our lives. (And, of course, I have tears in my eyes weeks later thinking about both of those moments from Friday, July 15th.)

I write tonight with a bit of a heavy mind as I have some big decisions to make in the upcoming weeks. I am in a great situation to have options with what the next "chapter" (if you will) of my life will look like; but, I have quickly realized that having great options leads to more difficult decision making.

Let me tell you, being an indecisive perfectionist makes situations difficult at times. I am great at telling other people, "everything will always work out." However, when it comes to my own life, I teeter-totter around a bit more than I would like while weighing out pros and cons. Secondly, I also very much value the input of my close friends and family. Which, I am very grateful to have good advice-givers, but it doesn't always make things easier.

What I really want to do, and what I know will make me most happy, is probably the harder decision to make of the options I have. And, it really excites me to think about how super cool the next part of my life will be making that step.

I also am really great at telling my friends to "never settle." It is time for me to do that for myself and make the choice I want to make, and the choice that I foresee being a fantastic start to my 24th year.

More to come, all in good time.

"Do not lose hold of your dreams or aspirations. For if you do, you may still exist but have ceased to live." - Thoreau

Always Find Hope

2011-07-13T08:30:00.001-05:00

Many of you will recall the story of Jaycee Lee Dugard. Her memoir, "a stolen life," hit the shelves yesterday. I was not an avid follower of Jaycee's story; however, when a coworker and I chatted about it, I was quick to grab one of the last copies available at Target.

I told Laura how excited I was about my new read. She thought (and probably still thinks) that I am crazy for being "into it." I am about 50 pages in as of right now. This is enough pages to be through the first time eleven-year-old Jaycee is raped by that disgusting male (I cannot even bring myself to call him a man).

Understandably, it can be challenging to determine why this would be an appealing, and uplifting (as a matter of fact), book to read. I was also skeptical at first, but a quick scan through the Introduction had me off and running to pay for my newest bookshelf fixture.

In Jaycee's Introduction, she states the following:

I was kidnapped by a stranger at age eleven. For eighteen years I was kept in a backyard and not allowed to say my own name. What follows will be my personal story of how one fateful day in 1991 changed my life forever.

I decided to write this book for two reasons. One reason is that Phillip Garrido believes no one should find out what he did to an eleven-year-old girl... me. He also believes he is not responsible for his actions. I believe differently. I believe I shouldn't be ashamed for what happened to me, and I want Phillip Garrido to know that I no longer have to keep his secret.

You may be wondering what Jaycee's other reason for writing this book is, and this is why I am so incredibly inspired and somewhat awestruck by the story at this point. Her second reason, as she states, is to give people hope.

Someone that was in captivity for eighteen whole years, being used and abused, is here to tell us that there is hope for life to get better.

Wow.

It seems absolutely, positively unfathomable to me to think that there could be many worse situations in life than to be kidnapped (at the age when you are supposed to be giggling with your friends and scraping your knees), held in captivity for approximately 1/4 the average American's lifetime, all the while being used and abused the entire time.

Yet, Jaycee is here to tell us that there is hope; hope for a better tomorrow and to never give up.

You can survive tough situations is all I can say. I did. History has taught us that even when it looks like there is no hope, hope still lives in people's hearts.

Life is too short to think about all the things you don't have. Even if it is just one thing or person you have to be thankful for, that is enough. Yes, I do believe I'm lucky. I could not have gotten through my ordeal without believing that some day my life would make sense. Life's adventure is important. It is important to live each day to its fullest, whatever life brings you.

Absolutely incredible. I cannot wait to read more from Jaycee and to bring it to you.

I already look forward to passing on my book to those that would like to read Jaycee's story.

Go With The Flow

2011-07-07T19:43:00.004-05:00

Love it.

Scott Skalko Bay Time!

It has been a crazy busy, crazy good past few weeks.
I was able to head north for two weekends in a row (YAY!)... the first time I've spent back-to-back weekends on the Range in quite some time, and I am very thankful for it!

"You probably don't need sunglasses." - THANKS!

Scott and Jessica's wedding was a blast, and so was the entire 4th of July weekend, undoubtedly one of the best 4th celebrations yet (pictures to come). And, let's be honest, my legs are still sore from all the dancing that happened. So much for attempting to run a few miles a day this week!

Most of all, I enjoyed seeing so many familiar faces that I hadn't in a very long time. I always, always love those weekend trips of north, even if "my bedroom" doesn't look the same as it did in high school.

Huntley and Me.

Hometown Haley ;)

M & D - the best.

Couz Buzz Time - all weekend!

Get Low - right, Laur?

I have also made some significant career decisions lately (more on that later). Part of me seems still too young to be doing this... I remember just over a year ago I was "coasting" out of college with a 14-credit spring semester and a 3.9ish GPA that could have been higher if I spent a little more time in a couple undesirable classes.

Now, I have to seriously consider things such as pay and benefits, while balancing those with the importance of a schedule that supports work/life balance and truly chasing dreams for what I am passionate about pursuing... now we're getting deep. I think it's important to have enough self-confidence to realize our true potentials and go for it.

Speaking of DREAMS. My curling team found out some pretty fantastic news just about two weeks ago, in that we were chosen as one of the national teams this year. Along with that comes great support (in many ways) to make a phenomenal season even more possible and prepare us as best as possible to perform well.

Our training and competition schedule is superb and I am so eager to get started with these ladies. It's going to be one fun ride working towards our goals.

Once again, I reflect back after finding out that great news (so sentimental)... Many years ago, my curling team's travels, entry forms, equipment, training, the list could go on... was primarily funded out of pocket. My parents helped a lot and I am very lucky to have had that support. Now, the situation is very much reversed and I feel extremely fortunate.

---------Wedding time!!

The day we've been waiting for, Megan and Brian's wedding, is just around the corner. It's an 8-day corner. It is going to be pretty incredible. The day of the wedding is going to be jam-packed with so many great things all with the purpose of celebrating their love. So honored to be standing up for Meg as they start this next chapter together.

My only concern for the day is if I will bring enough Kleenex.

More fun to come this weekend, and I'll be sure to blog after that. Here is a neat quote to either end your Thursday with, or begin your Friday with: "Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like. ." - Lao Tzu (It really doesn't give Tzu justice to mention his name with just this quote... read more, they are great.)

Thanks, DAD!

2011-06-19T09:47:00.004-05:00

Happy, happy Father's Day to my dad; he is my: voice of reason, hero in MANY ways, teacher, personal mechanic (mom's, too, thankfully), friend, all-time supporter, advice-giver for important decisions, favorite guy ever.

"You are just like your father." I hear this just about as many times as I hear, "you are just like your mother!" I like it.

My dad has taught me many valuable lessons in life. One trait I believe I have gotten from my dad is the desire to help others as much as possible. My dad is a donator and giver in every sense of those two words and I strive to be as reliable to others as I have witnessed first-hand from my father my whole life.

This giving mentality has led me to some reflections lately as I realize that I am entirely a "yes" person. No matter what the situation, or how much I have going on, I like to take on more and help others more.

While this can be great in many ways, it has caused me a bit of frustration lately in a couple ways:

a.) I have sacrificed giving 100% to certain people, projects, or things important to myself in order to take on more and please more people

b.) I have realized, sadly, that the intentions of others are not always the best

While I struggle with them both, it is mostly the second that disheartens, if you will, me the most. This is because I am a very committed person who would do just about anything to make others happy (which makes me happy), or set them up for some type of success.

I do not want to change this "believe the best" mentality, but it certainly is something I am working to find a balance on. The feeling of having your time or knowledge utilized for the wrong reasons is not a great feeling; but knowing that I go into any situation with good intentions and desire to help another is what makes it worth it.

I am happy to have been raised by a father and mother who puts the needs of others in the forefront. Although this is a bit generalized, I do believe it is underestimated how much we truly can receive from giving.

"Our prayers for others flow more easily than those for ourselves. This shows we are made to live by charity." - C.S.Lewis

"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier." - Mother Teresa

Sunday Shout-Outs go to:

Tony, my 15-year-old cousin on his birthday

Cabin time: Tony loves having bonfires, especially because he can eat 20+ s'mores in one sitting.

Summer of 2009. Compare this to the next photo below...

Wowzers, but he is still my "little" cousin.

Haley and Alicia (and Phil, the #1 fan :), and Corey, the running partner) on completion of the Grandma's Half-Marathon!

Holiday reunions in V-town.

Megan and Brian, as we are officially less than one month away from their wedding date.

Lovely ladies at Megan's shower.

Be grateful today. Take time to help others, and take time for yourself.

Passion is the Best Fashion

2011-06-07T13:58:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite things to do at work is something that we have started recently in light of a new, company-wide emphasis on the importance of well-being.

Well-being is a pretty significant term and aspect of our lives. How could we even begin to tackle that?

Luckily, it has been broken down into five elements. Target partnered with an organization that has been doing global research on well-being for 50 years (now, I think that sounds like a cool gig); after that, these five elements emerged as to "what makes life worthwhile."

Ideally, the focus is for the combination of these elements to benefit your well-being:

Career - our love for what we do each day
Social - the quality of our relationships
Financial - the security of our finances
Health - the vibrancy of our physical health
Community - the pride we take in what we have contributed to our communities

The point of this well-being focus is for each person to figure out what they need from each element to become the best "you."

I am a big fan of this program and will surely be blogging about it more in the future, but let's get back to my opening statement about a new activity we have began for this program.

Each day, we will go around the group, room, circle, etc. and ask a question related to one of these elements to both get to know each other better and have some fun self-reflection. Yesterday, I asked the group a question based on career well-being, "What is your absolute dream job?"

Of course, because I'm so indecisive that it takes me an average of 10 minutes to decide what I want from Chipotle, I had to throw out just more than one dream job. I looked forward to hearing a variety of answers and seeing big smiles on everyone's faces during this brief daydream of what they would love to do.

Not so much. Only about 1/2 the group knew what they would want to do, while the rest had actually NO idea what they would do if they could do anything in the world. It was kind of like pulling teeth trying to get an answer. And, since no one likes the dentist, I stopped that effort.

It reminded me of how great it feels to be around people who are super passionate about something they are doing, something they want to achieve, and so on. (It is not that I believe these people who didn't know what their dream job is aren't passionate, because I know many of them are.)

I have been around many people who are so passionate about something and it just fills you with infectious energy, it's absolutely contagious. You cannot walk away after talking with a passionate individual without feeling a bit more revved up about life.

If ever you are feeling lost or like you are running on empty (like my Trailblazer this morning before a pay-at-the-pump fiasco), just get with someone you know will boost your mood and get you jazzed up about life. Seriously, it works. And social interactions is one of the best mood-boosting remedies EVER.

Best of all, be that passionate person and inspire others.

A year of new learnings and still yearning for more.

2011-06-01T15:38:00.004-05:00

June is here... already and, for some reason, while I found myself enjoying my favorite Zen Tea Latte today from Starbucks, a special chord was struck inside.

It has been just over one year since I walked across the stage receiving my undergraduate diploma (of course the actual diploma was to be mailed weeks later).

In that 12 months a lot has happened. And, the sentimental side of me actual tears up a bit thinking about that. Many of you who know me well are surely not surprised by this.

When I say, "a lot has happened," I mean it in the absolute BEST way possible. So many great experiences, new learnings, and, of course, challenges as well. I couldn't be more grateful for the new friends I have made and many exciting things I have been a part of. I am a firm believer that everything really does happen for a reason, and I really do always think that we often learn most about ourselves and one another when faced with a challenge rather than something that is not a stretch out of our comfort zone or skill set.

After graduation, I had 3 glorious weeks to enjoy at one of my favorite places in the whole world, Northern Minnesota. More specifically, cabin time with my family.

Favorite people.

The cabin.

Blake's first summer at the cabin... How he has changed!

Shortly after those three weeks of no real responsibilities, it was time to "move out" of my parents' home and time to create a new "home" of my own. I will always remember that day when I first moved in to the great condo on Fulham. It was emotional saying goodbye to my dad, and I'll always remember him leaving, then coming back a few minutes after just to make sure everything was okay.

My career with Target began nearly a year ago, on June 7th of 2010. My goodness, how time flies! I have made such great friends in the past year and I feel truly blessed to say I enjoy going to work (okay, maybe there are some days I'd rather sleep in or go shopping...). Just to name a few of those all-stars I now consider my good friends: fellow pranksters and full-of-life friends in Uma and Chrissy. (Of course, I'm less productive when they are around.) Katusa, who is one of the most thoughtful, genuine, and committed friends a person could ask for.

One thing I value more than ever, is the time I have with my family. My first holiday season was challenging. A time of year when most people take extra vacation, I was experiencing the exact opposite. I was accustomed to the nice, month-long vacation that college provided during the holidays. One of the most difficult days was when I tried to make it to Virginia the night before Thanksgiving, but got caught in a snow and ice storm. I pulled over and cried at a rinky-dink gas station in a 4-letter, "unincorporated" town off 35.

My mother, equally as emotional as myself at the time, tried to hold it together on the phone; while, my dad, being logical and the calming voice, said it wouldn't be safe to travel and I was doing the right thing by turning around. "We can celebrate anytime."

I love Target so much, and it is possible that I could be a "lifer;" I am so excited to see where my career goes. If all goes as planned, I will be taking my next step soon and I look forward to all of the new learnings, fun, and challenges that will help me further grow and explore.

More than anything, in this past year, I have realized my constant hunger to do more, learn more, and experience more. Whether this be through travels, physical challenges, exploring the twin cities with friends and family, at work, planning social gatherings, or utilizing my creativity in new ways... I have a "do more" strive that is ever-present. Of course, this is one way in that I am very similar to my mother. On the other hand, I can visualize my dad's "oh boy, not something new AGAIN" facial expression when he hears of my latest endeavor.

I am: an adventurer, believer in the power of optimism, yoga-lover, social butterfly, dancing queen, self-deemed wine connoisseur, my parents' biggest fan, cousin to some of the greatest adults and children I know, faithful that what is meant to be will happen, blessed with true friends (and crazy ones, too), a hopeful cookbook author, a supporter of small towns and family-owned businesses, grateful to have such amazing women in my family as role models, aspiring professional athlete, happy to think that I am right where I need to be.

This past year has been one of the best. Whether we shared a cocktail, yoga or cycling class, plane flight, red and khakis, latte, laugh, recipe, text message, fantastic dinner, holiday celebration, Facebook "like" or status comment, or maybe you just read my blog... thanks for being a part of these 12 months.

Disconnected? Not at all.

2011-05-19T20:20:00.000-05:00

I am thoroughly enjoying this time with no Comcast service; meaning: no fast-paced internet speeds or 200 plus television channels to surf.

It is such an enjoyable break from the constant techno-buzz we are filled with on a daily basis.

Reading books. Talking with friends. Practicing yoga. Cooking. Being outside. Cleaning. Donating clothes I haven't work in months.

I have had so much more time to do things such as those listed above.

Given, I kind somewhat cheat because I do have an iPhone to check my e-mail, Groupon app, and Facebook messages daily. But still, it's nice to have more time at home away from these things that were never really relied upon.

It is amazing how many people have said "you are crazy" to going without these two UNcessities (just made this up) for the month of May.

I would argue on the opposite, that it is amazing how easy it has been to life without. (On this note I should thank whomever owns the unlocked wireless network SSID-234 for the strong connection I am receiving to type this blog.) :)

Until June... I'm going to leave you with these two phenomenal quotes. Find what is necessary to you and step away from the technology as much as possible, you'll love it.

"The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak." ~Hans Hofmann

"Eliminate physical clutter. More importantly, eliminate spiritual clutter." ~Terri Guillemets

Did you just say naked? Yes, I did.

2011-05-03T13:10:00.001-05:00

Disclaimer: if you are uncomfortable with the word "naked," as many people are, read ahead at your own risk.

I saw this book by Laure Redmond at Barnes and Noble this morning, "Feel Good Naked."

I will first premise this in saying that Laure is not promoting that we turn the world into one big, happy, nudist colony. Rather, the message is all about feeling good in our own skin, regardless of imperfections we may find in ourselves.

Laure has appeared a few times on a variety of talk shows, including speaking with Oprah. If she has Oprah's endorsement, we must check it out, right?

A variety of studies show that even just hearing or saying the word "naked" gives many people immediate discomfort.

I think a lot of this is rooted in other issues aside from solely having confidence in your body. A lot of it has to do with what you feel is socially appropriate to talk about, and this can be constructed by a variety of ideologies: cultural beliefs, religious beliefs, how you were raised, your sexuality... and the list could go on.

I feel as if there is an extreme case of the extremes with this one: Women at the gym either:

Will walk around the locker room nearly naked or naked the entire time they are blow-drying and styling their hair, putting on their make-up, and so on...
Will get dressed in a bathroom stall hidden from any exposure or take at least two extra minutes dressing in public by carefully keeping covered with towel

Laure's message is all about wanting a woman (I'm sure she wants the same for you men) to feel good about themselves and have confidence in their body. Obviously, it is easier said than done as we tend to focus on the things we don't have rather than the MANY things we do. I think I've wrote about that before... maybe back in February.

Here is a short list of tips that Laure gives in her book; the ten most basic things you can do today to begin to become comfortable with the "n" word... NAKED.

I think a lot of these are great; however, it almost insists a need for physical fitness improvements or weight loss. If you are really interested in becoming more comfortable with your body, focus on the the last half of Laure's points initially. If it is weight loss you desire, that will come, but until then be happy you are your own person and enjoy living in the moment.

1. Don't deprive yourself.

2. Drink water, drink water, drink water!

3. Work out at least ten minutes a day.
Watch how those few moments of exercise change your appearance and your life.

4. Schedule fitness appointments in writing each week.
Commit to this plan as you would a business meeting or a baby's feeding—it's every bit as important.

5. Don't stop eating—stop eating in front of the TV.
Food is a beautiful, glorious part of life, and it deserves your full attention. If you eat while you watch TV, you're not giving it that attention and you're probably overeating.

6. Pick an idol and let that person motivate and inspire you.

7. Breathe consciously for five minutes every day.
Sit somewhere quiet and breathe deeply and slowly, in through the nose, out through the mouth. This is the most simple, effective way to achieve serenity while neutralizing stress.

8. Take 30 minutes of private time each day.
Use this half hour any way you choose. But do it alone and stick to it religiously.

9. Write yourself a love letter once a month.
Address it, mail it, and when it arrives, read it—a compliment from the most important person in your life.

10. Stand up straight and tall.

BWE: Family Edition

2011-05-01T21:49:00.001-05:00

I have been looking forward to this weekend for a while. I love those weekends that you wish they would never end. Not only because Monday is a day for going back to work, but because the weekend was so enjoyable and you wish you could continue spending it with the people that make your life so great.

It was about three or four months ago that my mom proposed the idea of the Polski ladies running a 5k together. Time flies, as always, and that day approached yesterday on a chilly, rainy morning.

Friday night brought us together over some wine and Valentini's spaghetti. Blake was SO excited to see Grandma Dorothy and the weekend fun began.

Saturday morning we woke to rain, lots of it, and cold temperatures. I walked into the living room of Sara and Eric's to hear this song playing:

We were ready.

The hilarity of the day began right in the morning, and certainly intensified on our way to the race. The rain drops were pouring down with insistence on our way to racing central. We stood in line to be shuttled from the parking lot to the park. Rainy and 30-degree weather was feeling great. Thoughts such as these earned a voice that morning:

"What the hell are we thinking?"

"Are we crazy?"

"Let's go for mimosas instead."

"We can run our own 5k later in the day."

"It's freezing, this feels like opening fishing."

You get the picture?

We got to the park and headed off towards the start line. And the fun began! We had a great time running together amidst all of the thousands there that day. Special shout-out to Eric, who was our chauffeur, #1 fan, and photographer of the morning.

Mom and I got to spend some great time shopping together before getting ready for the FABULOUS dinner at Sea Change. I think I speak for our whole crew in saying I would highly recommend dining at Sea Change. The service, food, and drinks were all phenomenal; the company and conversation was the best of all! I love it when our family is all together, and we missed those that were not there.

We had many laughs and shut down the bar downtown.

My mom had planned today's activities back in October when she got tickets for all of us to see Annie at the Children's Theatre Company! We were so excited to see how Blake would react to all of the action onstage.

When I was a little girl, we went to many performances there and it is really fun being a part of this tradition with the next generations of our family.

Blake was so good and we all had such a blast; one of the highlights for me was when, after just a few minutes into the show, Blake turned and gave the "thumbs up" sign.

After the show, we went to Black Sheep Pizza for dinner. Amazing! The way that they cook the pizza gets the crust so deliciously crispy. We put together some make-your-owns and also tried their numbers 4 and 5. Ricotta cheese on the meatball pizza: incredible.

I love it when at the end of a weekend you have the feeling you were just where you needed to be, that you made lasting memories that you can go back and both be grateful for and also laugh about.

A Royal Affair

2011-04-29T04:01:00.000-05:00

I am most excited for the dress. And the hair; the veil; the jewelry; the vows.

The infatuation with the royal wedding is just incredible.

As I did not plan on waking up early to catch a glimpse of one of the most hyped events of my lifetime, it has been a pleasant surprise to wake up at 3:30 a.m. and not feel tired, a sure sign that I am meant to stay up and watch this wedding.

I am following this live blog by CNN, while also watching the live video on CNN.

It really does seem magical and Westminster Abbey is so absolutely breathtaking.

I will update more later, until then... time to enjoy all of the people watching, beautiful scenery, and maybe get some more sleep.

2011-04-28T17:42:00.002-05:00

Love this quote my friend put on Facebook...

"It's okay to be fabulous and flawed." - Dove Chocolate wrapper

New Traditions

2011-04-25T09:34:00.003-05:00

I'll always remember that when I was in grade school, one night I cried so hard because I was scared of growing up and wanted to be a "kid" forever. I went into my parents' room and after some consoling my dad brought my back to my room and stayed on my floor until I fell asleep.

Growing up isn't so bad, and sharing this time of my life with my parents is just as fun as it was back then.

More than ever before, I have learned in the past year how new stages in a person's life bring about new traditions. This year, rather than celebrating Easter up north, mom and dad made 180-some mile quick trip down to Minneapolis.

Steve Bonner never fails to disappoint: vacuuming out my entire car and Windexing it; filling up the gas tank; eyes occasionally closing during the sermon at church and smirks across the pew when we know what each other is thinking; a month's supply of vitaminwater, smartwater, and diet Nestea; preparing plans to get my fishing license ahead of time so I can get up to the cabin as early as possible; Twins baseball and NHL playoff synopsis; always watching me get to my car safely and doesn't stop watching until I drive away.

Jennifer Bonner never fails to disappoint: pounds of dark chocolate with fabulous mix-ins; questions aplenty and catching up on the latest happenings; being the best with Blake and Simon to keep them happy and busy; always so thoughtful in making holidays extra memorable through cards, balloons, and the little things; let's face it, mom is always right; famous brownies, egg dishes, and sugar cookies; magazines from the past month; the Easter Bunny was a fashionista this year: new fedora, dress, and scarf; lots of love and the best hugs.

Of course, I missed seeing more of my extended family and the typical it's-a-holiday-high-school reunion at the bar, but we had such a great day doing everything together.

So happy.

Simon was such a good boy at church.

The Easter Bunny brought Blake some new shades!

Blake the Photographer takes charge. I have about 30 pictures of his left index finger!

One of his new favorite things to do: taking a camera and telling you to say "cheese," taking the picture, and three seconds later telling you to say "cheese" again, repeat. He LOVES being in charge of the camera (Jennifer, Jr.). It only drops one every couple dozen pictures.

The Johnson Family

Almond Gruyere Tart: so delish.

Sugar was the theme of the day.

Three of My Favorite Things

2011-04-22T08:42:00.000-05:00

Thrilled that a few of my favorite "seasons" are just around the corner: farmer's market season, wedding season, and cabin season.

Tomorrow is the first day of the Minneapolis Farmer's Market (Spring Market, the season officially begins Saturday, April 30th!). My contribution for Easter Sunday: fruit. I'm hoping that I can get everything from the market Saturday.

Sunday, I will also be making Warm Toasted Marshmallow Smore Bars (as if we won't have enough sugar):

Photo courtesy of Betty Crocker Recipes.

Five easy ingredients to make these, and if the forecast is as great as it says, they will be awesome to eat outside after a yummy BBQ dinner. I'm going to healthify the recipe a bit, let me know if you want it!

It seems that most Farmer's Markets are beginning the first or second weekend of May, find out when the nearest one to you is beginning and support our local farms (you may also save yourself some money)!

Wedding season... is finally here! I have five weddings this summer and couldn't be more excited. Beautiful dresses, dancing, socializing, love, flowers, too much fun (guys, I know you are on the same page).

Not to mention Megan's bachelorette party that I have been having SO MUCH FUN planning is now less than a month away. I always have known that I love party planning, but didn't know I loved it this much. I have just about every detail ironed out, and cannot wait to make it one of her best memories!

Cabin season... Less than a month away from Opening Fishing Weekend. The first big, party weekend at my family's cabin, one of my favorite places in the world. I am so lucky to have a four-day weekend for extra time up north.

Why it's so great:

The best scenery.

Secluded and beautiful.

Always fabulous food.

Old friends growing up.

New family members get to do all of their "firsts" at the cabin.

Lots of room for family and friends.

We have the best hats.

Family time.

And there is always more food...

Boating.

You can watch younger cousins fall off the wake board while relaxing in the hammock.

If you live in Minneapolis, you can get these caramel rolls on your drive to and from the cabin.

Donate Life

2011-04-21T06:10:00.000-05:00

If you already weren't aware, April is "Donate Life Month."

My driver's license does not list me as I donor, for some reason I have gone back and forth between making this commitment since I have been in college; I never seriously spent time considering it.

When I hear the alarming statistics that:
- 18 people die a day waiting for an organ.
- 1 organ donor can save up to 8 lives.

I feel a bit of guilt as I have not yet committed to becoming a donor. I know it is a popular belief that some religions do not support organ donation; however, after some research this morning I have found the truth to be quite the opposite.

The three religions that oppose this exception and often promotion of organ donation are: Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Scientists and the Shinto (a Japanese faith).

"Mainstream" religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, and Christianity do not seem to specify intolerance for this practice. In fact, religious leaders of these denominations have actually made statements in recent years supporting participation of organ donation as a compassionate act to others.

How many of you are organ donors? I do think it is undoubtedly admirable and a decision that needs to be made after some thought.

A couple of quotes to ponder this morning...

"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." ~ Dalai Lama

"Don't take your organs to heaven with you. Heaven knows we need them here." ~ Author unknown

Somebody's Hero

2011-04-19T10:12:00.000-05:00

"We relish news of our heroes, forgetting that we are extraordinary to somebody, too."

Helen Hayes

If ever you feel unloved or unappreciated, this is a great quote to remember. We all have a secret or not-so-secret admirer somewhere. And, we all have people whose lives we touch in many great ways that we may never know.

Finance Simplicity (is this possible?)

2011-04-18T10:55:00.000-05:00

Less is More.

An ongoing project for everyone always seems to be de-cluttering (just realized the proper way to spell this is with a hyphen, by the way...) our homes and becoming more "organized," whatever that means.

I believe that de-cluttering the invisible is just as important as de-cluttering the visible. So, today I am excited to share some of my favorite zenhabits posts that are related to de-cluttering our finances in an attempt to make life more simple.

Of course I am a romantic so I have to share this post. Here, his list makes me overjoyed with hope and happiness. So many simple, and free, ways to show someone you care about them each and every day.
I share this post because I know there are many readers of my blog who are recent college graduates or soon-to-be. I was fortunate to have a great summer job and very flexible one during college, and I have always been a saver of my money; for these reasons, budgeting was not something that was ever a major concern of mine. Of course, I make impulse buys as frequently as your average female, buy fresh produce multiple days a week, and love going out for great dinners or spendy nights at the bar with my friends; but, I still would consider myself generally conservative. Learning to budget and some basic finance knowledge was a first for me last June. I would never say that I stick to the list in his post as great as he suggests, but it's a nice thought...
I must share this one because it is simply so incredible how much money can be saved by bringing your own lunch to work. My problem is that when someone says, "Molly, we're ordering out today! What do you want?" I am really bad at ever saying "no." Especially when I think about how good Chipotle's guacamole is...
This last one is from "The Bargainist." I share it because I am very into being eco-friendly and "going green." It gives you some neat tips on how you can save money by making a few simple changes that are, coincidentally, more enviro-friendly.

Hope you find at least one thing meaningful that may be easy for you to bring into your own life!

Content.

2011-04-17T22:05:00.001-05:00

I was lucky enough to go to a candlelight yoga class tonight; nothing but great music, candlelight and an inspiring instructor guiding us through the practice.

My instructor, Jason, began speaking in sanskrit to all of the 50-some students in the room. I will not even try to translate the English into the sanskrit (maybe some day soon), but here is the English translation of what he said:

"Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship."

Jason used that to flow into his main message, which was, "to learn to let everything go and for that hour be content with yourself. "

It is such a great thought to put away anything in your life that you may find isn't exactly where you want it to be at this time, and instead pick just ONE thing that is going so well and be truly grateful for it.

Make life simple. We do not need complicated thoughts all the time. Go with the flow and enjoy the moment.

Being Alive

2011-04-16T19:41:00.000-05:00

Read this quote and have a new favorite, love it:

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

Howard Thurmanr

That's hot.

2011-04-15T15:42:00.000-05:00

I am so happy to have found one of my new favorite hobbies, HOT yoga.

First of all, I do not sweat very easily when working out, except maybe during a quick run or hard spinning class (Robyn can attest to this).

The minute I step in the studio for hot yoga, the sweat is on. For those of you that don't know, the studio is kept around 103 degrees for this practice. Seems intense right? And, almost maybe muggy, painful, awful... however you want to roll with that. It's perfect and it's one of the best feelings in the world (obviously, all opinion).

I do not mean for this descriptiveness to disgust anyone, but I really believe it's one of the most healthy things you can do for yourself... hot yoga. The poses are challenging and each serves a purpose for both mind and body.

The heat has such an effect that although you toweled off your skin 30 seconds ago, it is not dripping again.

One of the greatest benefits of this class is because of the higher level of sweat and oxygenation, you are able to release many of the toxins from your body.

While many of you, understandably, may not find this level of heat attractive, I am in love. I always knew that I enjoyed yoga's focus on both mind and body, and I am so happy to have found a more challenging experience in hot yoga. It's always fun to find a new passion.

Sunshine!

2011-04-14T10:26:00.001-05:00

For those of us in the midwest that are enjoying our sunshine after a winter of cold, I wanted to write a little bit about vitamin D.

Did you know... that the majority of studies would report approximately 2/3 of adults are vitamin D deficient? Wow!

More important, what does this means and what risks does this propose?

Well... Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to all kinds diseases and other health conditions, including:

cancer
obesity
cardiovascular disease
depression
multiple sclerosis
arthritis
diabetes
high blood pressure

Certainly, we likely do not have the ability to predict how much of an impact vitamin D deficiency had in the onset of these diseases; however, we do have a host of actions that we can take to improve our vitamin D intake and do what we can to prevent any of the aforementioned conditions.

* Sunshine is the most natural way to get vitamin D. It's free AND you can combine it with exercise for a great health-focused combo. For white women who live where there is strong enough sunlight, about 15 to 20 minutes three times a week will usually produce enough vitamin D to prevent deficiency. If you were clothing that covers all of your body, live in a rainy climate, or if you are dark-skinned, you may have trouble getting enough.

* There are some great food sources we have to choose from that provide us with vitamin D: salmon, tuna, and mackerel, along with egg yolks, cheese, and beef liver (what?!). Vitamin D-fortified milk and other dairy products can be a great source, as well.

* After getting the recommendation from my fabulous doctor, I began taking vitamin D supplements (the gummy kind so it tastes like candy). You can find these at just about any supermarket, I highly recommend Target, of course.

The good news... it only takes about 20 minutes, three times a week for a light-skinned individual; if you are darker-skinned, you will require more time.

All the more reason to get outside in this beautiful weather and be active. You are probably reaping more health benefits than you know!

Women over 45 are especially susceptible to health concerns as a result of vitamin D deficiency and should certainly talk to their doctor about preventative actions.

Be Write Back

2011-04-13T22:38:00.000-05:00

It's been a busy couple of days so my blogging has lacked! Tuesday I got to spend some awesome time with Blake and we bopped all around together. We sang a lot in the car and he kept wanting the music "louder!"

Today was an extraordinary day at work. And then I got to top it off with fabulous dinner and conversation with best friends.

More writing to come tomorrow, until then... enjoy the photos!

We bought Blake a new rake to help dad in the yard. He was so thoughtful and wanted to rake the floor at Patina while Molly shopped for a purse!

Raspberry and dark chocolate ice cream at Sebastian Joe's. "Molly, all gone! More ice cream!"

"Blake, are you going to go fast or slow?"

"FAST!!"

Running to the park!

The perfect afternoon.

Love that smile.

No Case of the Mondays

2011-04-11T08:17:00.000-05:00

Poor, poor Monday... it gets such a bad reputation.

I actually do not mind Mondays because I get to catch up with everyone from work and see how their weekend was and focus in on what we/I need to accomplish for the week.

Here is a neat list of little things to do to make your day a bit better. I especially like the one about getting up 15 minutes earlier. I know that when I feel like I have time to relax in the morning instead of rushing out the door, my day starts off far more easygoing than it does otherwise.

You may think some of these are silly, but if you really think about it, these little changes could alter our approach to improve the perspective and attitude in which we project to ourselves and others on any given day.

50 Tips for a Better Day

These rules are all great, but here are a few quick shout outs:

Rule #11: to start your day (and that of others) on the right foot.

Rule #16: if something went wrong; life always goes on, ALWAYS.

Rule #28: I have been thinking about this a lot lately in my personal life; I notice it makes such a difference who I choose to surround myself with. Surround yourself with happy, social, positive people!

Rule #32: so easy to pass this by, don't take a single thing for granted (easier said than done, I know).

Rule #44: only cherish the past, do not use it to focus on what you would have liked to do differently.

Sunday Funday!

2011-04-10T08:39:00.001-05:00

Photo courtesy of The Basilica's website, taken by Gregg Nelson.

Sundays might be my favorite day of the week.

Here are the amazing things I get to do today:

- Church at The Basilica of Saint Mary with Laura

- Watch Rory continue his dominance at the Masters and all the beautiful colors of Augusta

- Root for Canada in the final of the Men's Curling Championship

- Run around the lake (weather permitting)

- Work on Meg's Bachelorette Party plans

Get up and get moving! Make it a great day. Tackle a nagging task or spend it doing something you love with some people you love.

Tiger.

2011-04-09T12:03:00.001-05:00

2:30 a.m. bonfire talk got a little intense when the discussion shifted to golf, then the Masters, then, of course, to Tiger Woods.

The love of the game.

We have determined that this is statement is certainly not universal as it is perceived in many different ways. Our discussion, or disagreement for some, was based on differing opinions as to how to decipher that phrase, "the love of the game."

Do athletes let the love of the game interfere with their personal life? Did Tiger let the love of the game ruin his personal life? Who are we to judge how great or not-so-great his personal life was in the first place? We can't and shouldn't.

Then again, what does it mean to LOVE the game...

Winning. Competition. Constant improvement through competition. Focus. Practice. Playing a game for the passion of it. Teaching your kids how to play the game you love. Money. Fame.

And at what point does the love of a childhood game turn into an awful cycle driven by greed and fame? What if professional athletics didn't return such a large paycheck, would our pool of athletes be different? It's all very interesting to think about.

On a happier note... GO, Bulldogs!

"Follow your bliss."

2011-04-07T05:37:00.001-05:00

There was an article in the Star Tribune this week that talked about retirement and what the majority of people would like to do once they are done "working."

"Follow your bliss"

-- JOSEPH CAMPBELL

Maybe you want to travel more; spend more time with your family and friends; grow a big garden; live on a lake. Whatever it is, can you do more of it now? Are you doing enough of what you love?

Think about what your ideal job would be if money never mattered. Can you do more of that today?

Get in the game.

2011-04-06T20:25:00.000-05:00

What is something that you really love or are passionate about and have given up or "quit" for an amount of time?

Maybe it took that amount of time for you to realize how much it meant to you and how important of a piece it was in your life.

This is how I feel about curling. The time off for friendships, family, school, and career was great. But, it's time to be an athlete again.

Cannot wait to be back in the game... next season!! :)

ComPOST or BUST.

2011-04-05T13:24:00.000-05:00

A typical household in the U.S. throws away 1.5 pounds of food waste each day, which is equivalent to 474 pounds of food each year for each house in the United States.

Furthermore, 12 percent of our waste-stream is food-related; 26 million tons generated each year by food to be exact.

Okay, why am I boring you with these facts (hopefully you are at least a bit intrigued)? Because I am starting a compost! And I'm really excited about it.

Sara and Eric have been doing it for years, and has become an easy routine in their everyday life to compost proper food items.

Here is a list of items you can compost:
- Old bread, crumbs, even DONUTS, pizza crust... basically anything made out of flour
- ALL of your vegetable and fruit wastes, including the rind and core
- Any type of grain, whether it has been cooked or is uncooked: rice, barley, quinoa, and so on.
- Coffee grounds and even tea bags!
- Egg shells (crush very well)
- Old spices
- Of course, you can include items such as leaves and grass

If you are conservative and money-conscious, think about it this way: excess waste items, that could be composted at your home, will result in less work at municipal waste treatment facilities in your town!

There are lots of great resources online and in the library on composting, check it out if you are interested!

5 Reasons to Pamper

2011-04-04T10:17:00.000-05:00

Manicure.

Pedicure.

Facial.

Massage.

Four very positive thoughts.

Reasons to pamper yourself (I'm sure I could think of more, but it's not a deep-thinking type of morning):

1. You work hard. You give so much to other people in your life. Take care of yourself. Re-fuel so you'll have more to give and you can continue to make the world a better place.

2. Just think of all the amazing things you're missing while you're zooming around from Point A to Point B! Slow down. Look around. This is your life! Are you enjoying it? Do something that makes you feel vibrant!

3. If you don't take care of yourself, who will? As an adult, you're the only one who can set priorities and make sure you're healthy, strong, and happy. Your mom would approve!

4. It's easy! It doesn't have to be expensive or even time-consuming. Take a breath. Ask yourself, "What do I need in this moment to be inspired, motivated, and feel good about life?" Maybe it's a few minutes on the yoga mat or meditation cushion, to curl up with a book in the bathtub, or a night out with the girls. Don't be too busy to take care of yourself.

5. Set an example for your loved ones. You want them to pamper themselves every now and then, right? Show them how it's done!

When was the last time you pampered yourself?

Springing

2011-04-03T15:40:00.000-05:00

It is amazing to me how much personal growth I have experienced in the past 8 months. Not to say that I was immature at this time last year, but I certainly believe that I was naive in not acknowledging all of the differences between being a college student and being a college graduate.

Things such as:

Being extra-mindful of leaving a light on in the house to cut electricity costs.
The confusion of whether to call my condo "home" or Virginia, MN "home."
Trying to understand health insurance lingo.
Oil changes.
My first annual bonus check!
Considering which coffee and espresso maker to buy.
Not being able to spontaneously go out until 2 a.m. on a weeknight.
Budgeting?!
Only having a few days "at home" in Virginia for holidays, assuming I made it there.
My attention span is still, at times, lacking... so this list is adequate for now.

In speaking of adulthood, tomorrow I will be planting some seeds indoors to begin my first-ever GARDEN. Although I do not have a large space for this, I'm looking forward to buying a variety of pots to transport my flowers into (Target has some beautiful ones, by the way.). The area in which my plants will be growing does not receive a lot of sunlight, and is relatively cool due to this; so, I have done my research as to what plants have the best chance of survival in this climate.

My mom got me an herb garden, as well. I look forward to cooking with my fresh cilantro, basil, and rosemary sometime this summer!

Here is what is currently on the garden agenda:

Hydrangeas; if they looked THIS great... that would be a miracle. I have always loved this flower, even if it doesn't work out I'm going to be so excited to see the results.

Monarchs; beautiful. I have never really known about this flower, but an employee at the U of MN (Jack, very nice and passionate man) Arboretum recommended it based on the atmosphere I have.

Impatiens... my mom ALWAYS grows these in our tree house flower boxes.

Collards!

Tomatoes, so I can make...

Delicious, fresh salsa!

Wish me luck, I may need it. Good or bad, you can expect photo and text updates from my first summer with a garden experience.

Money & Happiness

2011-04-02T20:55:00.000-05:00

While I will agree with the all-popular saying, "money doesn't buy happiness." I also will say that tax returns and bonus checks can make you a little extra happy!

Happy Saturday :)

Ely, MN: April Fools

2011-04-01T14:08:00.000-05:00

I have to write about one of the coolest towns today, because of their recent link to April Fools Day hilarity.

The small town of Ely in northern Minnesota has brought a great April Fools joke over the past three years. Their jokes have ended up receiving local, state-wide, and national publicity for this small, very lovely town.

Brief recap of the jokes over the past three years

"Ely 2016" - in 2009, Ely's joke was that they were putting a bid in for the summer Olympics. They kept the joke going with this blog site delivered up-to-date happenings with this fake "unhappening."

If you haven't been to Ely and are looking for plans for a long weekend this summer, check it out! Lots of fun restaurants and shops and just about every wilderness experience you can imagine. Ely is great!

91 years-old and doing it.

2011-03-31T10:25:00.002-05:00

I came across a story about this INCREDIBLE lady and feel it is something I must share.

At 91 years old, Olga is a Canadian who holds several world records in masters track and field events. Ms. Kotelko says that she has the same energy that she had at age 50. The New York Time Magazine did a story about her because she is being studied by scientists to find out why she is so incredibly fit at her age.

Olga does 3 sets of 20 sit-ups and 3 sets of 10 push-ups every day, in addition to weight lifting, short bursts of running, deep breathing and reflexology.

Read Olga Kotelko's Story
- Be sure to watch the small video clip of Olga on the left side of the page!

Celebrate the Bumps

2011-03-30T13:39:00.000-05:00

I began reading a new book the other day (for some reason I rarely finish a book before starting another one, I wonder what a psychiatrist would say about that trait). In this book there was a story about a second-grader who came home with a spelling test which she had been practicing for a week with her parents.

"How did the test go?" Her mother asked Tess as she stopped off the bus. Obviously, getting straight to the point.

"I got a 30 percent!" She replied.

The mother's heart instantly sunk; hours of practice spent, is she going to make it to college, we need to hire a tutor, the mother quickly began to process all these thoughts.

"I got some right!" Tess burst out without hesitation.

"Nine tenths of education is encouragement," Anatole France.

I find this perspective from young Tess and story rather amazing. How would our lives change if we didn't focus on the bumps in the road; rather, appreciated the things (even if it was only one out of ten) that went well in the situation.

Coaches have always said to me, "you learn more from a loss than you do from a win, Molly." I do believe this. When things go well for us, we don't take the time to focus on what may have went better and search for a root cause to fix the situation.

If we learn to celebrate every red flag, every bump in the road, maybe we wouldn't take life so seriously and truly enjoy the moments, good and not-quite-as-good.

I will leave you with one of my new favorite quotes (so incredible, in my opinion),

"Celebrate what you want to see more of," Tom Peters.

Go where the passion is.

2011-03-29T06:07:00.001-05:00

You are as good as the people you surround yourself with . There’s a saying in Spanish that when translated to English, reads, ” Tell me who you hang out with and I will tell you who you are.” There could not be more truth to this.

This morning, I found a post from Leo's website (one of my favorite sites). His post talks about the energy that we get simply by surrounding ourself with passionate, positive people.

Check it out:

Surround Yourself with Passionate People

I think this is so true. The energy of those around you is without a doubt one of the biggest factors into how we feel each day. Make sure you are taking time to be around those people that help you shine the way you want to!

One of the best weeks of my life.

2011-03-28T10:16:00.001-05:00

Last year around this time, I arrived home from one of the most life-changing weeks of my life. For my spring break, I decided to go to Kentucky to participate in the Christian Appalachian Project (CAP, as we Workfest participants call it).

Nine girls from St. Scholastica loaded up in two minivans for the nine hundred and twenty-some mile drive. On both our way to CAP and home, we stayed at the seminary on the campus of Notre Dame, that was really neat. We arrived in South Bend once it was dark, and didn't get to see much. We slept in warm beds, each in our own room and awoke to the luxury of a warm shower (two amenities we would later learn to appreciate more than ever).

The next morning, it was an early wake up and off to Kentucky we go! Driving into the Appalachian region was completely eye-opening. The mountains were breath-taking, and the rest of the scenery was as well, but for different reasons.

Everywhere you looked, there was trash and garbage all over the sides of the roads; the homes were in such awful shape that you couldn't fathom someone living inside; clothes, pans, and many other personal belongings were left outside only to must and rust and mold.

It really was incredible to see. At that point, I was questioning myself thinking, "what did I get in to?" It took about 12 hours later to realize how much this trip would mean to me.

It was at this point in my life that I really feel as if I truly began to believe we get more in life from the more we give. I am still amazing at how much I received and how enriched my life became from a week of volunteering.

Our days were as such:

- Wake up at 5 a.m.

- Prayer and breakfast shortly to follow.

- Pack your lunch and cooler, hop in your truck or van and go to your site.

- Get to work right away.

- Watch the sun rise while working.

- Lunch break around 11 a.m.

- Talk with any neighbors or the homeowner, if they are around throughout the day.

- Back to work.

- Leave around 5-5:30 p.m. (my site manager always worked us until the last absolute minute so we could get as much done as possible).

- Back to camp for dinner and an evening reflection/event.

- Shower (very cold water, which, I would never consider complaining about after everything I saw that week).

- Sleep, if you can, as you are in a room filled with 50, or so, people (I cannot believe how many women snore!).

It was really, really hard work and even more rewarding. We built and repaired houses for one week.

I was assigned to work on Loretta's home. She lived right next door to her daughter and her son, and their children (this is common in the Appalachian region, each neighborhood of family is known as a "holler"). We built her a brand new deck from absolutely nothing, put in 10 new windows, prepped and sided the house, and put on window treatments. The team that arrived the week after completed the roof of her home.

I feel like I could write for days about everything we did, everything I realized, and everyone I met during that one week. I would never, EVER have thought it would have had such a positive impact on my life.

Two things I must mention are the affirmations and the end of the week recap. Each day, you write a positive note or message to as many people as you would like and put it in the envelope with their name on it. I still have all of my affirmations and sometimes I will go back and read them.

Lastly, our final gathering, what was most incredible is that we did not talk about progress necessarily in terms of how much tangible evidence you could see on the homes; rather, we talked about how much we got to know the families, what we learned, and how great of an experience it was. Of course, I cried listening to many of the stories.

I strongly suggest going to the CAP website, clicking the "Feature Stories" linking and taking a few minutes to listen to some of the touching stories of people that CAP has helped throughout the years. It is really hard to describe how incredible something is unless you experience it for yourself, I would love to go back to CAP and help another time in the future.

The St. Scholastica girls, none of whom I knew well before we went. I feel very fortunate to have met such funny, smart, and awesome girls from that trip.

Lauren and I sided the entire house and did the window treatments (I learned a lot).

Our team!

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day... at 5 a.m. Time for a quick breakfast then off to work!

Lauren and Anna were two of my favorites that I met on the trip. We kept the energy up at our worksite by singing each day!

The siding I labored on; got much easier as the week went on!

Our last night of the trip was spent in South Bend; we were able to walk around campus and I took this picture of "Touchdown Jesus."

Standing Up.

2011-03-26T11:31:00.000-05:00

I would say that one of my biggest "flaws" is that I lack the ability to say "no" to people. Letting other people down is what bothers me the most; regardless of how well I know the person, it is very difficult for me to not go along with someone's wishes, and this really frustrates me.

For some reason, I even have a difficult time doing this at places like the mall or a bar. Examples: if a guy I am totally uninterested in is trying to talk to me at a bar, I remain very polite to not make him feel bad; if a sales associate at a clothing store keeps bringing me more clothes to try on, I will try on whatever she brings even if I think it is hideous or I really don't want anything else; if someone at work asks me to help with something, I always will even if I am already busy with lots of other work. The list could go on, but you get the point.

Last night, I went up to a bartender and specifically requested, "I need two really cheap shots." (They were for a couple of guys I hadn't seen in a while, so I really didn't care about the quality of liquor. Sorry, guys.) She came back in a minute, placed the shots in front of me and stated, "22 dollars."

"Oh these must be for someone else, I requested cheap shots." I replied.

"No these are yours. I just made them with cheap whiskey." She insistently responded.

"Oh." I said.

At this point, I was getting ready to give her my card and pay for it, but then I thought, "no, this is not at all what I requested, so why should I pay for something I didn't ask for." However, I suppose I was slightly vague and didn't give her a specific request; clearly, "really cheap" has a definition that greatly varies person-to-person.

So, I stood up for myself and told her, "I'm sorry, but that really wasn't what I was expecting."

This is something that I would not always do, and I am totally surprised I was able to say "no." Of course, I felt bad about it and went to a different bartender for the rest of the evening.

Standing up for myself is something that I am working on, and although it may seem silly, last night was a step along that path.