Project

My brilliant friend K8 invited me to participate in a cool project she started, called Dear Me - she's invited women to write letters to themselves at a younger age and is publishing a collection of them here.

Here in K8's words is a bit more about the project:

The more life experience I have, the more I feel that as women, we have a tendency to hold ourselves to some fairly ridiculous standards. We compare our worst selves to someone else's very best, we worry that we aren't good enough/smart enough/hot enough/accomplished enough. We minimize our good qualities and blow up the ones we are struggling with. But the wonderful thing is that when we open up and have the courage to be honest with each other about our fears and insecurities, we find that not only do other people feel the same way we do, the very act of encouraging each other usually pulls us right out of our own funk.

This project was such a great experience for me - it really made me stop and realize how blessed I am in this life and it helped me realize maybe I need to take it a little easier on myself. K8 is looking for new submissions, so if you think this is something you would enjoy doing, check out the instructions on the site - I know you'll be happy you did.

My aunt turned me on to this great song - it's happy melody and great messaged helped me get my letter finished.

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Dubai

One of the few regrets I have from my 2 years in Brazil was that I didn’t take the time to get out of Rio and explore the rest of Brazil and South America. I promised myself when I would do better while I was in this part of the world. So far I’ve been keeping that promise, I’ve seen Muscat and Kathmandu and although I keep saying I’ll explore more of India, but so far, aside from the Taj Mahal, it seems every time I start planning a weekend away I find myself wanted a break from the chaos of India. This time is no different. I’m headed to Dubai for the weekend and plan to spend my time sleeping in, shopping and pampering myself.

I’ve packed my camera and will try and snap a few picks of what looks to be a beautiful hotel and the world’s largest mall and tallest building.

As I sit at work praying the next 90 minutes will fly by I’m listening to Mandy Moore’s new album and like her last album I quite like it. Here is the first song to relax you into your weekend:

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Sunday

I've hit the halfway point in my trip to Delhi, which means I've started counting down the days till I get on that plane home. I can't wait to hear the new words Miss M has learned or see how much Little T has grown.

I had planned to spend part of today walking around the neighborhood taking a few photos, but the truth is, it is just too hot. So I'm going to curl up with a book, some music and maybe a movie and just enjoy a relaxing Sunday.

I'm still on an Adele kick - she has the most amazing voice and with my slightly homesick attitude I've pulled this song out several times this weekend.

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Commute

I've been feeling a bit lonely during my commute this week. Usually I share the car with co-workers but they have been out of town. This morning I grabbed my iPod on the way out the door for a little company. I hit shuffle and ended up with the perfect playlist for the ride.

Listening to music and riding through the city made me see things differently. I noticed the rhythm of Delhi - people seemed to be walking along to the song in my ear, the trees seemed greener, and without the constant sound of traffic and horns, Delhi seem more beautiful. Even with a substitute drive behind the wheel I arrived at work much more relaxed and ready to take on the day.

My morning commute playlist - courtesy of the Shuffle genie

Head Over Heels - Tears for Fears
Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk - Rufus Wainwright
Hot Knives - Bright Eyes
Way Beyond the Blue - Eva Cassidy
Star Mile - Joshua Radin
Swept Away - Nellie McKay
They Ran - My Morning Jacket
Candlelight - Imogen Heap Pin It

Bags

In January one of the big news stories in Delhi was the passing of a new law which prohibited shop keepers from giving shoppers plastic shopping bags. As I read the stories I went through a range of emotions: first I laughed thinking it was a ridiculous law, then I doubted it would be possible to enforce, then I worried what I would do to get my groceries home and what we'd use as trash bags since we typically recycle the shopping bags. Then I actually stopped and got a bit more educated.

Plastic bags are a big problem in Delhi. Trash in general is dealt with much differently than back home and a lot of it ends up spread over the city which is ugly and unsanitary. Because of the way garbage is left sitting out the cows (and dogs) that roam free throughout the city often get their meals by digging through the garbage. When cows eat the plastic bags, the bags can become caught up in the cow's digestive system, ultimately killing them. This fact struck me as tragic and I began to realized I could do my part to solve the problem.

I started bringing my own bags with me to the store here in Delhi and while I was home this Spring I started doing the same there as well. I discovered much to my surprise that I enjoy using cloth bags more than the plastic ones. It makes getting the groceries from the store to home easier - and I feel like I'm making a difference. I can't say I'm perfect at remembering my bags every time I go to the store, but I'm working on it. I feel that it is a tiny thing I can do for the environment and I know that all those little things do add up.

If you are ready to give reusable bags a try, I highly recommend those you can buy at Target for about $1.50. The are large and seem to carry what would have taken 3-4 plastic bags, they fold up into a smaller package that snaps together for easy storage. I toss it in the bottom of my purse so I'll have it when I need it.

Another amazing find this week, a new version of one of my favorite old songs, "To Make You Feel My Love." I know I have 4 different versions of this song on my iPod, but I added a new version this week and I just can't stop listening to it. Here is Adele's version of this very lovely song, I hope you love it as much as I do.

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Pure

Actual quote off my Himalayan bottle of water:

I am so pure I make a worldly worn-out cliche like "pure" seem new again. So pristine, I could have only survived twelve hundred meters above the rest of the world. So removed, the only things I've been in contact with before you are sun, wind, earth and snow. I am one of the purest things you've laid your hands on. I hope you're thirsty.

I didn't realize I was sullying the bottle until I'd poured in a packet of crystal light turning my pure water bright red.

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Hot

Have I mentioned lately how hot it is in Delhi? Check out the forecast - even the lows are HOT.

Air conditioning is my best friend, that and lots and lots of water mixed with Crystal Light lemonade.

This week I wouldn't mind at all if someone could steal the sun.

Steal My Sunshine - Len Pin It

Mom

I'm breaking my unintentional month long blogging break for a very important reason.

To wish the world's greatest mom, a very, very happy Mother's Day!

Mom - you are my best friend, my counselor, my shopping buddy, my coach, my inspiration and my guide. Through your example you taught me what love, courage and dedication are. You are the heart and soul of our family.

One of your favorites, Taylor Swift, wrote and secretly recorded a song for her mom, called "The Best Day" the lyrics are beautiful, I couldn't say it any better. I wish I were home to tell you Happy Mother's Day in person, but until then, know that every day I've spent with you has been the Best Day.

I'm five years old
It's getting cold
I've got my big coat on
I hear your laugh
And look up smiling at you
I run and run
Past the pumpkin patch
And the tractor rides
Look now -- the sky is gold
I hug your legs and fall asleep
On the way home
I don't know why all the trees change in the fall
I know you're not scared of anything at all
Don't know if Snow White's house is near or far away
But I know I had the best day
With you today

I'm thirteen now
And don't know how my friends
Could be so mean
I come home crying and you hold me tight and grab the keys
And we drive and drive
Until we've found a town
Far enough away
And we talk and window-shop
Until I've forgotten all their names
I don't know who I'm gonna talk to
Now at school
I know I'm laughing on the car ride home with you
Don't know how long it's gonna take to feel okay
But I know I had the best day
With you today

I have an excellent father
His strength is making me stronger
God smiles on my little brother
Inside and out
He's better than I am
I grew up in a pretty house
And I had space to run
And I had the best days with you

There is a video
I found from back when I was three
You set up a paint set in the kitchen
And you're talking to me
It's the age of princesses and pirate ships
And the seven dwarfs
Daddy's smart
And you're the prettiest lady in the whole wide world
Now I know why all the trees change in the fall
I know you were on my side
Even when I was wrong
And I love you for giving me your eyes
Staying back and watching me shine

And I didn't know if you knew
So I'm taking this chance to say
That I had the best day
With you today

Taylor Swift More CMT Music More CMT Music Videos

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