Perfect Timing

My friend Gwendolyn is a gorgeous dancer living in China. She sent me an e-mail today that hit the spot. Read on...

MAYA ANGELOU'S
BEST POEM EVER

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...


enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams
wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .
a youth she's content to leave behind....


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .
one friend who always makes her laugh ... and one who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a feeling of control over her destiny...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to fall in love without losing herself...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without;
ruining the friendship...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves,
the widt h of h er hips, or the nature of her parents.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.
whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table...
or a charming inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...

Up, Up & Away!

With nerves and a new pair of shoes, I am flying away for the rest of the summer. My first stop is here to present at this, then back to this spot for 25 hours of girlfriend-time, and finally off to here for weeks.

That will be a bit stressful, but the type of stress I thrive on. Then, this place with three of my closest friends will be the exact opposite of stress. Ahhh...

Beauties on the Beach

Salted Hair and Sunkissed Skin on Assateague Island

This has been one of my favorite places in the world since I can remember. If you ever find yourself close to Ocean City, MD stop by this gem of a shoreline and say "Hi!" to my mom. She quit her stressful job and now works in the Camp Store at Assateague. And on Assateague, the biggest stress is whether to hike with the wild ponies or go jump in the waves.

Costa Rica!

Oh yippee!

I will be heading south soon, but I won't be sitting alone on any Spanish-speaking beaches this summer...

Nope, I will be sitting there with Dizzie Lizzie and K-dog for the first week and A-rod for the remaining weeks. Tickets have been purchased and plans are forming!

Great friends, beaches, bus trips, who knows what else...Don't you want to join the fun?

Oh yippee!

Photo Opportunities

This Sunday morn affords one time to do purposeless chores. For example, uploading photos to Flickr and Blogger.

Recent Haps:

Dindin for the Birthday Boy:



School's been fun:

Tell me something, please!

What does marriage mean to you?
Please share!

Our soon-to-be NEIGHBOR's birthday bash!

*See two posts below for what we did to the house during the recent snow storm.*
Here is the birthday girl, and she just bought a house in Baltimore too!
J & I had only a lil bit o'fun during the birthday surprise...

Picking himself up indeed!

CV finally made his way into the spotlight of one small town. Here, my dear friend demonstrates one of his many talents (and not a shabby photo either). Dreams of life back in Bend, Oregon flood when I see such photos. As of late, my seasonal recreational choices have been rudely interrupted with global warming's production of springlike temperatures followed by the hope of a snow day. I don't know if I should crave a long run with shorts, or a day on the hill with icicles glistening on my eyebrows. But, seeing Chris dangling from a snow-capped peak has reminded me of the glory of what once was known as "winter"...and, more importantly, of my amazingly simple (yet complete) life in Oregon.

My favorite sandwich

Luckily, I often end up sandwiched between these two!



(This does make me lucky, right? That's what they keep telling me...)

Happy Happy New Year

It really is the small things that count. It is the people who force me to talk, the ones who take the time to be different, and the ones who go against the grain seeking change who truly motivate and change me. I have been having a rough time at work (thus in life) lately, for many reasons. But, the other day I decided to remove myself from my seemingly all-consuming inner-turmoil.

To begin this release-inducing process, I first noticed that others around me had been holding me up, atop their strong, beautiful shoulders with delicate and precise care for far too long. Then, as I metro-ed home alone I read my favorite teaching magazine. This caused needed and rejuvenating thoughts of why I teach high school where I do. Anyway, as I exited the metro station, there was tall, mesmerizing man singing and playing a guitar while perched atop the concrete wall. Below his dangling legs was a handmade sign that read: Music for Peace! Typically I walk faster than everyone to get home, but this day I stood and allowed myself to be mesmerized by this man's gesture and music. He noticed me (thankfully), and smiled mid-song. This smile delighted me so much that I smiled back, uncontrollably yet noticably. I noticed because it had been too long since I had smiled uncontrollably. So, we smiled, he sang and I mouthed, "thanks" and turned to head home.

No joke, as I turned my head to proceed over the Calvert St. bridge there was a car's bumper sticker right in my face that read: Peace on Earth!Peace on Earth! That same uncontrollable smile popped up and I strolled slowly home (still smiling, but now with conscious control). My job has not changed nor has the stress it brings been lifted, but my attitude has and that is the small thing that has made such a difference.

THANKS and HAPPY NEW YEAR to my beautifully strong shouldered friends! I would have no reason to smile or keep trying if it weren't for you!

Where is he?

Rumor has it that "the one-and-only" has returned to the States. Was it really you on my voicemail? Can this be true?

Oh wait...do you still speak English?

Memories

South Sister:

My friend Jessica just shared some photos from her recent hike up to the top of South Sister. This area of Oregon is our old stomping ground, and hiking these exact hills was a daily activity. In fact, this particular mountain holds magical sisterly memories for me...My sister moved to Oregon when we lived there. So, I was surrounded my boyfriend, sister, one of my best high school friends, a friend from college, new friends from Oregon and the most incredible landscape. This just took me back to a warm-and-fuzzy place. Many thanks Jess!