God deejay.

I'm a firm believer in my Genius setting on my iPod being a way for God to play music God knows I need to hear and enjoy and love.
This morning, on my 8a drive home from work, after a very busy, full night working, I had my windows rolled down, my iPod goin', the wind was cleansing and powerful!  These two songs set the mood for a really great day, full of a super sleep!, and what will hopefully be another really great night at a job I love!

Gaga.

Going a Little Crazy for Lady Gaga.
Remind me to tell you the story of the cute British girls on their way to Lalapalooza to see Lady Gaga (said brilliantly with their darling little accents) and their very cute father who flirted with me.  I might have flirted back.

proud of my friends.

I have some very talented friends.
Give a listen to their latest endeavor:

all things french

currently on repeat.
so i can practice my french and be a beautiful darling like Carla Bruni
Goodnight, world.
Good morning, France.  See you in the Summer.

fifteen.

My friend Jess posted this on Facebook and I'm not so much a poster on the faceplace anymore...I like the personal accountability of blogging, and I appreciate not being wrapped up in the Facebook....
That being said, I adored the premise of this note she posted and wanted to reciprocate, too.

The rules: Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen albums you've heard that will always stick with you.   List the first fifteen you can recall in no more than fifteen minutes.

1. Little Earthquakes--Tori Amos
2. Nebraska--Bruce Springsteen
3. Joshua Tree--U2
4. Murmur--REM
5. Graceland--Paul Simon
6. The Animal Years--Josh Ritter
7. Good News For People Who Love Bad News--Modest Mouse
8. Sand in the Vaseline--Talking Heads
9. Blood on the Tracks--Bob Dylan
10. Boys for Pele--Tori Amos
11. Seventh Tree--Goldfrapp
12. Automatic for the People--REM
13. Astral Weeks--Van Morrison
14. The Wall--Pink Floyd
15. Living in Clip--Ani DiFranco

What are your top fifteen??

thoughtmusic. (v.2)

I was listening to a cd mix from last year and this song came on:


I was singing along loudly and thinking what an AMAZING break-up song this is.  (This video is pretty spectacular as well!) While singing along I was thinking of other super awesome break-up songs--not to be sad or invoke any thoughts (regarding my recent break-up) because, really, that's not what this post is about--more just an appreciate for really super music!

This song is Gloria Gaynor at her finest but when performed by Cake--It just invokes serious survival skills.


I adore Jenny Lewis--in whatever form she takes: solo artist, lead of Rilo Kiley, love interest to Fred Savage in The Wizard!.  Seriously, she's a gem.  Especially when singing this song:


Now, for a gem of sad goodness.  This song breaks my heart every time I hear it because I can hear the emotion, I can feel the emotion Tori Amos puts into it....I have felt this heartbreak.


And, the grand finally of Break-Up gems---at least now, when I think of all the joy that can come from a break-up---it's dancing like this, with the sentiment of knowing the dude is missing out. Totally. Missing. Out.


What are your favorite break-up songs?

the first woman.

Did you know according to Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman? Or, am I just trusting in silly wikipedia to give me information that isn't true??  Either way, this wiki article is a good read, and today my Pandora radio stations (Bruce Springsteen, Arcade Fire, and Tallest Man on Earth via Quick Mix) have given me some DELICIOUS gems.

Enjoy!







Yay Music!!

flashing back.

I'm flashing back to 1998.  I'm making agar plates in Dr. Powis' lab at the Arizona Cancer Center in Tucson, Arizona, and this song is playing from the radio with the antenna that is taller than me, and when the beat gets faster, I dance and marvel at how much I love science and Ani DiFranco and titrating chinese herbs to fight cancer.

Agar smells like nutritional yeast, if you're interested.

And, if you're not, enjoy this song.

thoughtmusic.

proof God loves me.

Rolling Stone sends me emails with images.
This one was greeting me this afternoon.

Oooooohhhh, Bruce.
I love you so.

this is more than just a music blog...

I know it is.
I love more than just music.
I have so much to catch up in the blog world that first, i feel it appropriate to read the blogs I've been missing out on the past few weeks.
And, then I got hit with this gem. Gorilla vs. Bear has become one of my favorite blog stations on XMU on Sirius Radio and just like Aquarium Drunkard they do an amazing job of passing on some amazing tunes!!

Home by Glasser.
So perfect for where I am right now.
Exactly the song I need to hear to post again after nearly three weeks of not posting.

I am home, in Prescott, enjoying the song of the cicada and cool of the evening breeze.  I have the I'm Not There soundtrack playing and I'm enjoying quinoa with basil, sautéed mushrooms and a Dr. Praeger's veggie burger for dinner.

I've visited a spirited and lovely friend in the hospital and had an amazing day.
I'm home.

(blog note:  I promise to post more to catch up life to date. Music is always a nice segue)

Back in the USA.

This is not the travel home post, where I talk about my 29-hour day.  This is not the post about how cute Nate looked waiting for me at the bottom of the escalator when I was coming into baggage claim at San Diego.  This isn't going to be the post where I discuss ethnocentrism and reverse culture shock.

Instead, this is the post about how much Amazon and its mp3 site love me.

Arcade Fire's new album 'The Suburbs' is only $3.99!!!  Follow the link and enjoy the beauty that is amazing music welcoming one tired soul back to her home country.  (Music from talented Canadians no less!)

Hope you all are well...
More posting to come!

fundamentals.

Soon, Nate.  Soon.
Like, tomorrow, soon.....
I'm excited!

Beach time in La Jolla, I get to meet your Mom time in San Luis Obispo, Camping in Mt. Shasta, Sweet Amber, Jared & Logan time in Bend, Oregon, Breitenbush for three incredible days and two gorgeous camping side by side nights, Chico for some Nate as a Youngster time, Yosemite for my first time, and then Home to Prescott.

I look forward with excitement and anticipation to this leg of my journey, to the fundamentals we get to learn about each other and where our relationship is going.

Home is wherever I'm with You.

MOZZARELLA.

This afternoon, I arrived in St. Louis, France.  Yes, readers, I am in France.  And, this isn't just a plane change at Charles De Gaulle.  No, this is me, Layla S. Gigax, sleeping in France. (It's a one-night-only affair.)

I traveled from Murren today.
I hugged and kissed goodbye the sweet family that has held my company for more than six weeks.
I got on the cable car and headed down to Lauterbrunnen.  From there, I got on the train to Interlaken-Ost.  At Interlaken, I got on the train to Bern.  Bern looks AMAZING from the train.  It is a city I hope to explore more!  In Bern, I got on yet another train to Basel.  I arrived at the Basel downtown train station and Basel looks FUN. Very very chic city---I would just be so thrilled to city-explore this fantastic Country!  One day....One day.....

So, from downtown I hopped right on the bus to take me to EuroAirport, the Airport in Basel that services Basel, Mulhouse & Freiburg, among other cities.  Basel is in the north of Switzerland, on the border with France and Germany.  From the EuroAirport, I was to take my shuttle to the Ibis Hotel Mulhouse St. Louis (That's France, people).

I arrived at the airport.  And, this is where I discovered more so that language and travel sometimes need to be in sync.  And, the beauty of such small country borders.  I was on the Swiss side (inside the airport, though at the time, I didn't know this) and I found the hotel kiosk where you ring the hotel you're after, they come pick you up, VOILA!  Well, the Ibis Hotel I'm reserved at wasn't at the kiosk.  Hmm.....

Next to the kiosk was a Hertz rent-a-car counter.
Excuse Me?
I asked the young dude probably facebooking while waiting for eager travelers to rent his fantastic cars:  Do you speak English?
Yes, he said.
Where do I find the Hotel Ibis?  
He continued:  You need to go back to the bus station and go back to Basel Downtown. The Ibis is behind the Basel Downtown Train Station.

Oh.  I said, and continued.
Well, So, I have a reservation at the Ibis in St. Louis.

Oh.  He said, and continued.
You then need to go upstairs and cross over into France, cross the border, up there on the French side there is a kiosk for the French hotels.

OH.
(I walked away but inside I was grinning and skipping...I get to walk across the border INTO FRANCE! Inside a building!!!!)

So, I did just that.  I took the escalator up (heavy bags=escalating) and walked into France.
When I was crossing over I thought, "OHMYGOD I'M IN FRANCE."  I tried to contain my excitement.  To not carry on like that crazy American, "OhmyGod, y'all, I'm IN FRANCE!!" (said with way more syllables than possibly necessary).

I found the kiosk and found my Hotel Ibis in Mulhouse St. Louis, and there was no phone with which to call!  WHAT?!?!?

Good grief!
LIGHT BULB!

I have my laptop--let me fire it up and use Skype to call.
Great idea, except the wifi at the EuroAirport doesn't work.

Okay.
Next idea?

There was a darlingly cute blonde woman sitting behind yet another car rental counter.  I walked to her and asked, 'Do you speak English?'  'A little,' she said with her envy-provoking French accent.

Ahhh...
I explained my plight:  I don't have a phone to call the hotel, and the internet isn't working.  Is it possible I may use your phone to call the Ibis?

Of course, she said.
Oh, oui oui oui! Merci Merci!!

She dialed the number, and I asked for a ride from the airport to the Hotel.  The sweet lady on the other end of the phone directed me where to go.  "Outside, by the Taxis"  (I wish accent could be typed.  This post would be ripe with accent).

I went outside and waited by the Taxis.
About ten minutes later, a very nice Frenchman came to take me to my hotel.  He put my heavy bags in his trunk and away we went.  The song that played from his car's radio was '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' by The Rolling Stones.  Oh, Mick.  To hear your ironic voice at this lovely time!  I smiled, and peered out at this French city life.  So near to Switzerland, and busy with streets and cars and buildings older than my native Arizona eyes know.

I made it to my hotel and the driver asked me, in French, 'Parlez-vous francais?'  'Non,' I said. 'Anglais.'  He said, 'Enjoy Paris.'

I laughed, and checked into my hotel.

My room is delightful.  I have a bathroom shaped like a pod and clean floors and a very comfortable bed.  I have an internet connection.  It's raining here and I ventured out to find some food.  Dinner didn't start until 1900 and I was HUNGRY.

I found a market and bought the YUMMIEST tofu ravioli, dark chocolate rice cakes and sweet sesame crackers.  All Vegan!  YAY! Vegan snacks!!  With the help of my darling Whitney I translated the dinner menu via gmail chat, and it was all meat choices for me, so I thought some snacks would be nice to have--I could go into dinner and just have a salad, that would be perfect.

Parfait!

Walking around the French-speaking streets of St. Louis was so fun.  It was raining, and the streets are cobblestone.  I sploshing in puddles and giggling at the fact I'm adventuring in France!!! Even though I know so little French it's embarrassing and I'm so in love with all things French I should know more French!

I came home to my cute little room, chowed on my yummy food, and enjoyed some solo time.  At ten of seven, I went down to the hotel restaurant and asked the cute little French only speaking server if she had any vegetarian, vegetable only salads?  She said, OUI! The Italian Salad would be parfait!'

SUPER!
I ordered a glass of almost too sweet Pinot Gris and enjoyed Desert Solitaire while I waited for my Italian Salad.

And it came.

Six slices of tomato layered with six slices of mozzarella cheese dressed in a pesto dressing and three, yes, I counted, THREE lettuce leaves as decoration in the center.

And, you guessed it,
I ate the entire thing.

I thought once, "Yikes, I hope this doesn't upset my tummy for tomorrow."  And then I took another bite.
It was delicious.

I finished my dinner with an exceptionally dainty and delicious espresso.
My only regret is I didn't take my camera to dinner to exhibit proof of such amazing Frenchness.

If they have croissants at breakfast tomorrow, I don't think I'll be able to resist.

So, that's my Vegan Tale in France.  I love it here, and I'm only 5km from the border of Suisse.  Not Paris, but France nonetheless.

I leave tomorrow from EuroAirport at 1225 for London.  London greets me with the long flight, London to Chicago.  Then, Chicago to San Diego.  I land tomorrow night at 2205 in San Diego.  I will be tired, stinky and ready for a huge squeeze from one Nate B.

We begin our adventure on August 5.  More to come on that!

Me! With a world-traveler's new found way to curl her hair, and the yummiest dark chocolate rice crackers ever.  

Oh! I want to leave you with the coolest, most lovely and awesome video.  This song is the first in my iTunes playlist, titled, 'the Swiss life 2010.'  The lyrics follow the video. This song rules!



Modern Drift by Efterklant

I can keep my head inside

when the modern drift is all I have.

You can pull my head aside

but the modern drift is all I have.

When the moment dies 

and I come to you

with a broken lie 

that I made for you.

If I wait to see you

with the living ghosts

will they catch your sight

or the back of you?

I can keep my head inside

when the modern drift is all I have.

You can pull my head aside

but the modern drift is all I have.

We appear so strong

but we're all afraid.

They will play your hands

like a puppeteer.

And the dreams aren't true

but we know it—we know that tune

that the angel sings to the hollow death:

"I can keep my head inside

when the modern drift is all I have.

"You can pull my head aside

but the modern drift is all I have.

"It's all I have". 

Good night, France.  

It's been an unbelievable pleasure. 

Fear & Faith.

Hello from Houston!

I've begun my adventure yesterday with a (very, very) early alarm wake-up, last minute detail packing, a heartfelt, sweet goodbye to Noriko, a smooch to my darling Sonja, and a drive to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.  Nate was in town for a few days to help see me off and he drove me down to the airport on his way home to San Diego.  I'm so grateful for his last minute help---I learned a few years ago that with anxiety it helped a great deal to have someone put his hands on my back.  Just calmly place his hands on my back.  I've never told Nate this, and in the middle of packing, he came up to me, and placed his left hand over my heart and his right hand over my back and just stood there, holding me.  The anxiety I was feeling immediately calmed, and I finished my packing and was in bed by the time I hoped.  I'm grateful for his presence in my life.

My flight to Houston was quick!  I even got some NCLEX studying in!!  (I'm super proud of myself for this, as I haven't cracked a study text for six weeks. YIKES!)  I landed at 1130a Texas time and was picked up by JJ & Sidney.  I immediately felt the thick, humid Houston air. (I come from a dry heat, y'all.)

Houston is a neat city!  JJ's from West University City, not far from Montrose (where we had sushi tonight).  We drove by the Rothko Chapel and I look forward to coming back and seeing the inside of this awesome place--we missed the hours by twenty minutes!  I've noticed that the sky isn't as big as my Prescott sky.  I feel scrunched and smooshed without the hills and views.  The trees limit what I can see and it's a weird feeling.  I feel quite small in this Houston city.

Today's Summer Solstice.  The longest day of the year!!  I love this day.  I love what it symbolizes--we've made it half way through winter, the cold and the dark nights.  Now, we're on the down swing and days will get shorter, but it's officially Summer now.  It's hot.  And, oh this Arizona girl loves the hot!  Even the thick humidity of the Houston heat isn't so bad. (I mean, it's awfully hot, but it's Summer!  It's suppose to be!)  I'm excited for the longer nights of Switzerland.  Troy reminded me it doesn't get dark until 2200!! WOW!

We leave tomorrow at 1620.  We leave from George Bush Intercontinental Airport and head to Heathrow in London--we'll land at 0730 on Wednesday June 23, just in time for some delicious coffee. Oh, coffee, how I love you so.  From London, we fly to Zurich and will land in Switzerland at 1230p Wednesday.  From Zurich, we rent a VAN. (Three adults and two kids plus luggage for the Summer requires a VAN. :)  The Van will take us to Stechelberg, where we'll survey how everyone's doing and either head up to the village, Murren, and get our Summer digs ready, or we'll stay at the Alpenhof for the night.  We have a busy day of travel ahead, and truth be told, I'm tired.

I'm glad we're flying at night.  The kiddos will be ready for sleep and so will I--I hope sleep will be comfortable.  The flight itself will be a long one--a little over nine hours.  Ha.  I can do that in my sleep! (Let's hope.)

I started this awesome new book  Sought Through Prayer and Meditation.  It's a Hazelden book with a weekly focus on the Eleventh Step (We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of his will for us and the power to carry that out.)  The book is a weekly focus with stories and information, followed by a prayer and a meditation.

So far, it's awesome!  I wanted to share the prayer and meditation with you for this week.

Prayer

Dear God, as I begin this journey each day to seek a closer conscious contact with you, my Higher Power, let me not rely on any changes that have already taken place in me, any reconstruction that you have done in my life until now. For by choosing my will over yours, all of that can be gone in a single breath. Therefore, please give me the grace to rely only on you, your will for me, your love and caring. May I continue seeking knowledge of your will and the power to carry that out, one day at a time.

Meditation

The power of God grows within me as I continue to seek God’s will.

I love having a spiritual focus while I'm away.  Last year, my spiritual life in Switzerland grew immensely.  I came home focused and at peace.  I also knew with a lot of certainty and assurance what I was coming home to.  This year, it's entirely different.  A lot of my fear is due to what life will be like in August when I get home.  I have no idea!!  The idea of having an assignment to improve my conscious contact with my Higher Power and to truly seek my Higher Power's will for my life is exciting.  It helps alleviate the fear I'm having and helps me be in the moment.

There is one thing certain about this adventure ahead:  I will only be of service, of utmost and beneficial service, when I'm present and in the moment.  It's in the moment that my life is meant to be lived.  I have fear about what the future holds but really?? I'M NOT IN THE FUTURE.  I'm here.  Now.  In this moment.

Today's Daily Reflections summed up my feelings so well.

The achievement of freedom from fear is a lifetime undertaking, one that can never be wholly completed. When under heavy attack, acute illness, or in other condition of insecurity, we shall all react to this emotion – well or badly, as the case may be. Only the self-deceived will claim perfect freedom from fear. AS BILL SEES IT, p. 263

Fear has caused suffering when I could have had more faith. There are times when fear suddenly tears me apart, just when I’m experiencing feelings of joy, happiness and a lightness of heart. Faith–and a feeling of self-worth toward a Higher Power -helps me endure tragedy and ecstasy. When I choose to give all of my fears over to my Higher Power, I will be free.

I love what this reading reminds me about having Faith.  Faith is defined as "a feeling of self-worth toward a Higher Power."  Merriam-Webster defines Faith as "complete trust."  I love the idea that Faith in my Higher Power is feeling WORTH and COMPLETE TRUST in my Higher Power.  In my humanity, all I can do is try to completely trust my Higher Power.  I believe it's possible--to the best of my ability.

And as Feist reminds me in Mushaboom:

 And we'll collect the moments one by one/ 

I guess that's how the future's done 

I'm headed to bed now on this warm Summer Solstice night.  Happy Summer, everyone.  When I write next I'll be in the Alpine air of Switzerland with yet another strengthened, and hopefully fresh, perspective.

Blessings!

Candy Happy Poppy Goodness.

This video just makes me so happy...

highlights and lowlights.

Courage doesn't always roar.  Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow."  --Mary Anne Radmacher

Hello Blog World!!

It sure has been a long time!! 21 long days to be exact!

I bet you thought I disappeared, or vanished into the oblivion that is finishing Nursing School.  Well, if you thought the latter, you're right.  I did not disappear, though.  Thank goodness.

I figured since it's been so long since I've written I'll go ahead and do a recap of the past three weeks.  How's that sound?

The week of March 29:
Wowza.

I was hit pretty hard with the sniffly, itchy eyes, scratchy throat, snotty fountain of a nose allergies.  It was fierce!  I had tissues in hand and a Ricola in my mouth most of the time.  I think I only started getting relief a week ago---crazy allergy season in the beautiful Arizona Spring.

I was struggling with pretty frequent migraines, too.  I have really had much better migraine control since I started eating a vegan diet in 2008--it's been a God Gift, really.  I had a migraine Mar 29 & Mar 30.  Big yuck.  I took my neuro exam on the 29th--the awesome Monday my instructor consented to, and I rocked it!  Even with a migraine!!

Nate came for a visit April 2--his spring break began and I got to have lots and lots of Nate time.  What a gift!  We had such an awesome visit--lots of dates.  I think we fit in a month's worth of dating into this entire week.  Saw a few movies:  he hadn't seen Away We Go yet so we enjoyed that together and same with Fantastic Mr. Fox.  Really great films!  We saw Date Night at the theatre, too, and that was so fun.

Nate and I spent a month apart.  We both agreed we don't want to do a month again--it's too long to spend that much time away from each other.  I do marvel at how well we do this long distance thing.  I think it helps we both are so busy and have our own lives.  We also communicate fantastically well, and often.  I think being honest and open, which both of us are, really helps us grow in knowing each other.

The week of April 5:
This week was the big week academically--aside from finishing my Psych paper, I finished up my academics for Nursing School.

On April 5, I finished up my Psych Clinical rotations, and it was really, really lovely.  I felt welcomed and appreciated by the women and it was such a great experience.
On April 6, I took my psych final, got an 88--VERY close to getting an A--just need to get an A on my paper, which I will, and then BAMMO!
On April 7, I took my HESI exam (stands for Health Education Systems, Inc) and it's a great little tool our school uses to see how we'll do on NCLEX (the National Council Licensure Examination---it's how I become an RN, by passing NCLEX).  Yavapai College and HESI say that if you get above a 900 on HESI you can feel confident to pass NCLEX the first try--My goal was to get at least a 900....And....

I got a 966!

I was sooo thrilled!!  Extra points were awarded for those that scored over 1000, and sure, it would have been awesome to have hit that high mark, but really?? I was so happy with my score.

April 7 was also my last shift in the Family Birthing Center.  It was a pretty quiet night, and I was very sad to be leaving.  And, as luck would have it...At 1220a as I was walking out a patient's room, I got that ohmygod dizzy head spinning feeling, nearly fell over, and felt that impending doom that is the Migraine.  I left shortly afterward--headed home to sweet Nate to take amazing care of me.  Ohmygosh.  It was an AWFUL migraine. My words wouldn't form, my hand and lips went numb.  The works.  It was CRUMMY.

Thankfully---oh, thank you God, I didn't wake with the headache Thursday morning.  I spent the day studying for my last final of nursing school.  Wahoooooooo!!!  I took the final at 5p and when I walked out, I thought, you know, I probably got an 85....felt really good about it...(I needed at least an 85 to keep my A in the class--)  Ended up, with ParScore analysis, which is a gift to all nursing students, I got a 93 on my final.

WHICH MEANS.

(Once that darn Psych paper is in and I get an A on it..)

I WILL GRADUATE NURSING SCHOOL WITH HONORS, WITH A 4.0 IN MY NURSING CLASSES.

This news makes me feel like this:

and like this:

The night of April 8 I invited my girlfriends and sweet Nate out to Raven Cafe to eat a delicious dinner (oh goodness, their new menus is AMAZING.)  I felt a huge surge of funk and crazy that night---I don't know.  It was trippy....I've been waiting for April 8 the entire semester, knowing this would be the day I was done with school.  Now, it was here.

It was a weird feeling.

I was showered with love and congratulations.  It was sooooo lovely.

Honestly, though, I felt I was walking in a daze.  It was an interesting night.

Leta, Nate and I headed over to Annie's Attic to dance to sweet DJ Wordthieves Magic Spins.  It was an okay time.  There was a person on the dance floor that my gut was screaming at me to leave--to not have anything to do with this person, even if it meant I didn't get to dance...

I didn't listen to my gut voice.

I will now.
I don't know if I will elaborate on this anymore but I will just say I learned a very valuable lesson that night.  I'm glad to have learned it.

I'm also very glad I have someone as strong and loving as Nate as my partner.  It has been invaluable to be building a friendship and relationship with this capable and worthy man.

The weekend ended strong with Nate and I dating like lovebirds all over this Prescott town.  We make a great couple.

faux pas! you can see my bra!  eek!!! we're still cute dancers anyway..... <3

Nate left Sunday afternoon...

The week of April 12.
Weird.
I'm done with school.

Sure, there's that Psych Paper looming. But, eh...

I got back to working with my kiddos this week, and it was so lovely.  I treated myself to a massage on Monday.  Greta is AMAZING.

Tuesday I worked until 2p and then Becky and I headed to Tempe to get all awesome with Ezra and the boys of Vampire Weekend.  Here's a little snippet, thanks to all the young scenesters that felt the need to photograph and video the entire thing.  I will say, in the moment, I was totally irritated.  Now, for my blogging use, I'm totally happy!


Wednesday & Thursday I worked like crazy, and gosh, with this spring weather, and the amazing kiddos I tend, I have had the best week.

I was supposed to go to Rocky Point this weekend for a Women's Spiritual Sobriety Retreat.  And, man!  Did I need the recovery this weekend....My recovery has taken a bit of a break with school being so demanding.  I haven't gone to near the amount of meetings I usually go to and though my prayer life is remaining strong, I haven't sought the fellowship of my recovery community due to being so busy with school.

Thursday, though, I had this really strong feeling that I needed to stay in Prescott.  That I should just stay here and take care of me.

I don't really know what spurred this thought, but I prayed about it and journaled about it...and my gut was just saying STAY.  Don't go.

So, I stayed.

I am so glad I did.

I've taken such great care of myself...cleaned my house, which was in desperate need of attention.  Organized my life.  Journaled.  Ate well, and cooked well.  Spent hours outside--just being outside.  Oh, glorious.

I took a bath with lavender salts and a righteous mud mask while watching Lost Season One.
GLORIOUS. 

And, now we're here.

It's been three weeks since I've last blogged, and so much has happened.  I focused more on school finishing in my recap because that feels like the biggest thing--I sent out my graduation invites on Thursday.  (Very excited to scan them and get that out there for y'all to see---you know, I can invite the blog world, too!)  It's been a wild ride, this finishing of my degree but exciting, too.  

I am so glad to be home, in my own space (I didn't mention it but I housesat for Rosie for eleven days the past three weeks, too...no wonder I wasn't really in a blogging mood...)  It's fabulous to take great care of myself and be more grounded in my spirit and self.  

I also leave for San Diego Tuesday.  

I'm headed to see Nate on his turf for six long days.  

I'm excited...

Thanks to those of you who mentioned you missed my online presence---the feedback is awesome and I value and appreciate your support!!  

Hope your weekend has been as glorious and fabulous as mine, 

thank you, npr music.

a Music day.

Happy Birthday, Leta Lynn!!!
40!
What a great day to be 40!!

Here's March's playlist.....to celebrate your awesome birthday!

weeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I am giving myself a huge high five right now...
I totally ran today without my iPod.
This is a huge achievement!
And I need to shout out my success!!!

As you know, I've had this little music thing about working out...Like seriously addicted dependent.  My iPod speaker jack took the dives so I didn't work out for two weeks until I figured out to oh, buy a new iPod. I've been loving the new iPod.  It's glorious....

I have an awesome 3.5mm Jack in my car so I can listen to iPod jams while driving---which is super and the new Vampire Weekend album is just about the coolest.  Give it a listen.  SERIOUSLY...So, the juice on the cute little purple iPod has been drained a little more frequently than just using it for running....

Today, I hit the treadmill----another super achievement....my cardio has increased.  Instead of doing the elliptical for 20 minutes and the treadmill for 20 minutes, I started this week JUST DOING THE TREADMILL.  That's right, folks...Running straight for 40 minutes...Or, rather, I run about 5 - 7 minutes, walk for 30 - 60 seconds, than run again.  (Except for Monday when I ran for 29 minutes straight...that was a first for me...)

I got on the treadmill, and my battery bar was invisible.  Not a good sign for this music addicted cardio lover. But, I put the ear buds in, hit start and away I went.  And, I ran solid for 9 minutes, then cranked up the elevation to 15 (no idea the units of measurement here.  I know it's high. :) walked/ran up the massive hill, came back down and zoinks!  The iPod died.

But my body wasn't done running.  So I took the buds out, and I ran.  I straight up ran without music....The sound of my breath kept me in rhythm. OHMYGOODNESS, IMAGINE THAT!   It felt so amazing!!  I ended up running for 16 minutes, doing up hills for 3 minutes, doing sideways runs for 2 minutes, and walking at 3.5 to 4 mph for 6 minutes.  I did a 3 minute cool down at 2.5.  It was a great cardio sesh!  I was so super thrilled with my breakthrough I went ahead and did 150 abs..

Powerhouse.
That's me.

yay!