Early Bird

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, it is no surprise that I've been taking advantage of living 15 minutes from the beach and my early bird leanings to catch sunrise at the beach as often as possible.

Usually I just take my iPhone to capture the morning. But occasionally I bring out the big guns and take my real camera out. I had a lazy Sunday so I thought I'd clean off last months photos from the card in my camera; and rather than just file them a way, I remembered I had a blog I hadn't posted to in forever so I thought I'd share a few here.

I keep thinking I'll get tired of photographing sunrises, but it seams that every time I go out I see something different. Different weather means different colors and depending on the direction I walk who knows what I'll find.

The good news about being in the Southern Hemisphere is that it is winter now, which means the sun is rising later and later and I don't have to get up quite so early to enjoy this time of day.

"The sound of love astounds me every time that it calls."
Ingrid Michaelson - Wonderful Unknown Pin It

A Love Letter to Kathmandu

I hope you had a wonderful weekend - mine was full of a lot of work around the house and the chance to meet up with a friend (I'll tell you more about that later.)

The lovely (and lucky) Amanda of Project Simple Life is off on her great European Adventure, and while she is aways she's running a series of guest posts where she's asked fellow bloggers to write a love letter to one of their favorite places.  My love letter to Kathmandu went up over the weekend.  If you want to see and hear a bit about one of my favorite places in the world, hop on over and check it out.

Have you entered the Shabby Apple dress giveaway? Here's the link, you wouldn't want to miss out on this fantastic dress.  Even if you don't win, Shabby Apple dresses are 20% off with free shipping, using the code summer20 - so if you are looking for the perfect summer dress now is the time.

I woke up Sunday with this Ingrid Michaelson song in my head:  Be Ok.  I can't help but wonder if there is some sort of subliminal message in there:
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Giveaway: Creativity Bootcamp

Taken several years ago at Hurricane Ridge, on the Washington Peninsula.

One of my favorite places on earth.

Thanks to the generosity of Maegan, I have a very special giveaway for you today - a slot in May's Creativity Bootcamp course.  So, if you haven't already signed up, here is your chance!

To win, leave a comment on this post before the end of day Wednesday.  I'll announce the lucky winner on Friday.

I spent the weekend in Seattle (my former, and much missed home.)  I went to some of my favorite spots (Lincoln Park, Alki Beach,  Discovery Park, Pike Place, the Waterfront, the Locks and Golden Gardens) and ate at some of my favorite restaurants (Etta's, Anthony's, Wild Ginger and West 5.)  I'm still in recovery mode after the rush of fitting everything in!

Saturday was glorious in Seattle and I wanted to be out on the water, so I hopped the ferry to Bremerton.  Two hours on the water to relax and marvel at the beauty all around - and as a bonus we had a clear view of the Olympic Range and Mount Rainer.  While I rode, I listened to Ingrid Michaelson (and Adele, Band of Horses and Ryan Bingham.)  Her Keep Breathing came on and I kept playing it over and over.  I think we've all had days where the most important thing we can do is keep breathing and moving forward, with faith that tomorrow will be better.



Don't forget to leave a comment so you'll be entered in the drawing for Creativity Bootcamp! Pin It

Perseverance

My wardrobe most of the year tends to be colorful, but come winter and I just can't get enough of black gray and navy.  So I couldn't help but be charmed by my mom's black-eyed susans which keep trying to add a bit of color to her hard even after most of the plant has turned black.

I couldn't help but think there was a message in there for me - even when the weather makes everything gloomy, it doesn't mean I can't keep trying to shine as long as possible.

Did you know Ingrid Michaelson has a new album coming out soon?  With songs like this I have a feeling I'm going to love it.
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Blue Ridge Parkway

Driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway was one of the highlights of my visit in Asheville.  I always breathe a bit easier when I'm near the mountains, and after months spent with not a hill in sight, it was wonderful to get back to nature.  I spent the day driving along the parkway, stopping whenever I got the urge, doing a tiny bit of hiking and testing out my new camera lens.

The only thing that could have made the day better was having my dad along - it was just his type of ride - he would have loved it.  And he would have wanted to drive, which would have made it easier for me to watch the scenery.

This song was the last song of my body sculpting class today and it make me happy - my happiness had a bit to do with the song and a bit to do with the fact that I knew the song signaled the end of the pain.

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In the neighborhood

Over the weekend I had some meetings at the main office, and I finally remembered to take my camera with me so I could get a couple of pictures of the surrounding area.  It was a perfect day - bright blue sky, grass that has seen recent rain so it was bright and vibrant.  The horses were out enjoying the day.

I hope I never get used to driving through this amazing part of the country, I hope I always remember to look around and take in the beauty of this place I'm lucky enough to call home for a few months.

In the same area there is a tiny rock church that makes me smile every time I drive past.  It is meticulously maintained and oh, so beautiful.

In honor of the lovely blue sky that allowed me to collect these photos, here's Joshua Radin & Ingrid Michaelson's "Sky"

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21st Century Spinster

Last week I stumbled across the link to an article about 21st Century Spinsters - since I pretty much fit that description, I couldn't resist clicking over to give it a read.  I didn't have high expectations, I assumed I would come away feeling slightly sorry for myself.

Instead, I found myself celebrating, if just for a few minutes, my spinsterhood.  While I do wish, like one of the women interviewed in the article, that I could brag about dating guys from every continent, the truth is, in most other respects I live a pretty amazing life.  I get to live in and travel to amazing places.  I have a job that sounds really cool (and, most of the time, is somewhat cool.)   I have the independence to live life on my terms and spend my time doing the things that I enjoy, which typically means wasting too much time on the internet and listening to music.  I can waste money on cute shoes and jewelry with only a little guilt.  And I have an amazing family and friends who support and love me just as I am.  So, yes, I life a pretty good life.

That being said, I, like many of my spinster sisters, still hold out hope that around one corner I'll find that guy who could be an amazing partner.  But until that time comes, I'm going to keep celebrating my spinsterhood - and I'll live it to the fullest.

Ingrid Michaelson - Die Alone
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Overboard

This week I'm staying in a guest house rather than my normal Delhi apartment which means I usually stand in the driveway for a while waiting for the rest of the team to pick me up each morning.

Today, I plugged in my iPod while I watched a driver wash a car, a housekeeper sweep the walk and a few of the guards playing cricket. The music gave the scene a movie feel - especially this lovely song by Ingrid Michaelson.  I love it when you hear a song and immediately need to track down the lyrics.

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