Bringing it back

Part of my issue and reason for not doing reverb10 anymore is because I found that I wanted to write about a lot of the same things, despite the variety of questions. On the one hand, it's great because it made me realize the moments that I truly treasured most about 2010 and what I aspire to be in 2011. On the other hand, I was getting bored writing about the same things repeatedly and if I'm bored, I'm betting you are too.

However! I really loved the prompt on Christmas, so I'm going to pick it back up for a day (albeit it being a day late). I'm also a photo whore.


Prompt 25: Photo
Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that bet captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words. Share the image, who shot it, where, and what it best reveals about you.
(Author: Tracey Clark)


First off, a shot I'm sure I've shared with you before, of who I aspire to be in 2011 (and further).

This was taken at the Marine Corps Marathon back in October by Jaime, one of my instructors at school and the organizer of the massage tent I volunteered in.

One of my goals is to take some continuing education courses in the next year that will advance my sports massage skills and ultimately lead to a career in it. I would also love to take a pregnancy massage course and specialize in pre- and post-natal massage. I aim to be fully licensed in both Maryland and DC by February, so we're (slowly) getting there!

This second picture isn't the most flattering, but I love what it conveys.

This was taken by Scot on one of the many nights we spent hanging out on our friend's rooftop. I just look so happy and I love looking back and remembering how much fun and pure joy I've had this year.

Do you guys have any photos that epitomize 2010 and your hopes for 2011?

5 minutes

Prompt 15: 5 minutes
Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010.
(Author Patti Digh)

Ready? Go!
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Getting engaged. Graduating from PMTI.
Spending a week holed up in the apartment with Scot during Snowmaggedon 2010. Wedding dress shopping (and buying) with my mom, for myself and for her. Going to upstate NY for a week in July.

Watching fireworks over the lake. Swimming, tubing, chilling by the lake. Pig roast at Adam and Tina's. Meeting new friends through the interwebs.


My mom's wedding. Graduation party on the rooftop.. in fact, all rooftop parties/gatherings. Niagara Falls. Interning for the Level 1's at PMTI.

Visiting friends in Philly in March. Reconnecting more with high school friends. Taking dance classes again. Engagement dinner at the Prime Rib with the future in-laws.

Vegas. Getting healthier. Summer bbq's and pool time. Having all sides of mine and Scot's family meet for the first time. 
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It took some time to think, so that's all I could come with in 5 minutes. I realllly hope I don't lose my memory of 2010 (or at all), because all these things mean nothing without the emotions that go with them. Maybe I should have used my 5 minutes differently...?

Nah. I want the highlights. Those were them (like my spectacular English?).


I also want to take a few seconds to write about what I'm anticipating for the rest of 2010:

Our holiday party this weekend. Seeing Black Swan, because I know I'll love it. Going upstate NY again, this time for Christmas. Spending Christmas with my mom for the first time in three years. Spending a New Year's Eve at home with my dad and stepmom. Holiday bonuses. Waking up on Christmas to a full house of family.*

Wisdom and other wise things

Prompt 10: Wisdom
What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?
(Author: Susannah Conway)


Sort of a cop out answer, but a true one: my wisest decision was to skip class one night and go to the Weddingbee meet-up instead. Read about it in prompt 7: community. It really opened up a lot of doors and pushed me to keep up with blogging and be an active voice on Twitter.
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Short and sweet and to the point. Partially because I haven't been keeping up with my regular blogging (but that's ok, right?) and I have lots of randoms floating through my head now.

> I'm going to Philly this weekend! I get to see a few of my besties, among other amazing friends who I haven't seen in forever. I'll also be going to the Army/Navy game on Saturday.. my best friend AKA's brother is currently deployed in the Navy, so we'll be rooting them on as we try to keep warm in the freezing cold (but that's what alcohol was made for). Super excited!!

Us at the game 2 years ago.. damn I look tired.

Also, since I'll be in Philly, I'll be missing out on one or two of the Reverb10 prompts. I'm a little bummed because I've been so good about keeping up with them, but hey, no one's perfect, sî?

> A bunch of Christmas gifts are arriving in the mail (ones that we ordered for other people, not ones for us, boo). But I'm still excited!! I really want to share them with you guys because they're pretty kick ass, if I do say so myself (and I DO), but I'll have to wait until after the holidays due to nosy friends and parentals (love you guys!). I seriously get more joy out of giving someone a really awesome gift than getting one myself. For realz. This will be a fantastic Christmas :))

> I'm a little bummed because I never heard back from my Kitty & Canine Gift Exchange buddy.. so the little crazies won't get any extra presents this year :( Which I guess makes sense, because they have definitely not been little angels, heh. Oh well. Although it is kind of sucky because it's like back in elementary school, when people hand out Valentine's Day cards and some people had 25 and others (hi) had 1 (ok I had like 4). From the teacher. Oh god I'm having terrible flashbacks. We're done here.

> I posted this on Twitter, but my book wreath that I mentioned here actually came out kind of decent!

Much bigger and not exactly the ruffle-y look I was going for, but I'll take it :)

> It's beginning to look and feel a lot more like Christmas to me. I found out over Thanksgiving that my mom, her hubby, and his 2 kids will be joining us at Scot's parent's place in upstate NY for a few days right after Christmas. You have NO idea how happy this makes me; Christmas is a big deal in my family (both parents are Lutheran pastors) and I haven't seen them for it for the past 3 years. So I'll get 2/3 of my family near Christmas, and the other 1/3 (dad and stepmom) over New Year's. Pork-fect.

> Our holiday cards? In the mail!! I haven't shared which one we chose because, like the gift thing, I want it to be a surprise ;) Will reveal soon!

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend, and for those of you in cooler climates, bundle up!!

Party!

First off, a brief update about yesterday's prompt: I was telling Scot last night about how the whole 'beautifully different' thing bugged me a bit and how I found it to be a bit tricky. So I looked at him and asked what he thought made me beautiful/different/etc.

His answer? "Tattoos, you have a bunch of tattoos. And a nice butt."

So there you go. Add tattoos and nice butt to the list. Heh.
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Prompt 9: Party
What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans.
(Author: Shauna Reid)


This one is actually a tie for me - there were two great events that absolutely rocked my socks of this year.

1. January 24th - Funkin' 4 Haiti at Modern club/lounge in DC.

The Haiti earthquake hit on January 12, 2010. Less than two weeks later, Modern whipped up a benefit show, with full proceeds going to the International Red Cross's Haiti fund. There was a $10 minimum donation to get in the door, and part of the bar revenue was also being donated. At the end of the night, the benefit ended up raising over $2,000 - no small feat, since the show was announced mere days before it took place, and it was on a Sunday night.

I NEVER go out Sunday nights, but this was more than worth it. There were five or six DJ's who played during the night, and the crowd was really enthusiastic and just there to support and have a good time. I danced, met new people, chatted - I guess this rocked my socks off because I was having a blast, and it was for a terrific cause. It's such a shame that now, almost a year later, Haiti is still reeling from the quake's aftermath. Another benefit show, anyone?!

One of the only few pics from the night.. with my ladies T and A (bahahahahaha that's amazing)!

2. July 31st - PMTI graduation party in DC

This was truly a party. The two lovely ladies in the above picture graduated with me from massage school, and we decided to have a joint graduation party at T's apartment, since her building has an awesome rooftop. There were probably a total of 20 people there, what with with friends and family and all. The best part? My entire immediate family came, including my dad and stepmom (it's a bit rare for them to come visit). We bbq'ed and drank and chit-chatted and just had a grand, amazing, rock our socks off time. Once parental units and others left, our little group continued hanging out and started a little wine-induced dance party. It was a perfect July night, and it definitely goes down as one of the best parties and nights of 2010, in my book!

Left: T and her hubby K-bomb (that's you're new name, hope you LOVE it) ||| Right: Chillin like villians.

Left: Dancing like a moron (not falling) ||| Right: Benny Ninja pose!!

I sure as heck hope I have nights just as good or better in 2011!!

Beautifully Different

Prompt 8: Beautifully Different.
Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different - you'll find they're what make you beautiful.
(Author: Karen Walrond)


I find this prompt to be really wonderful yet kind of depressing. I can think of things that make me me, but things that make me different, per say? Whatever makes me different from you, is the same quality that many other people have that makes them different from their peers. It's like that saying "You're unique.. just like the other millions of people in the world." It's a bit sad, but it's kind of true.

Anyway. Off my silly, depressing soapbox.  I'll give you what makes me me (and some may be what makes me 'different').

I have natural red hair. This is one of the things I really pride myself in; sure, I get the urge to dye it every now and then, but I am terrified that it won't ever go back to it's natural shade if I do. I've been called carrot top and asked if the curtains match the drapes (pervs), but whatever. It's taken me a while to love it and now I hope it never fades! (Also, it pisses me off when people ask who my colorist is. You can't get this shade out of a bottle, people!!)

Does it light people up? Sure, if you have a thing for red hair. Or are in a crowd and need to find me. I'm very easy to find.

I have a particular sense of humor/sarcasm/wit/whatever you would like to call it. I think I'm pretty snappy when it comes to funny and sarcastic remarks, only to be outdone by Scot (he's the one person I can't keep up with, it's so annoying!). I've realized that not everyone gets my humor, so they tend to just think I'm weird, but whatever. I think I'm funny. It lights a few people up :)

If you ask me my opinion, I'm going to be honest. And you may not like what I have to say. The better I know you and the closer we are, the more honest I'll be. Why would I lie to the ones I love? If you ask my opinion and I think you're making unwise decisions about life, love, or clothes, I will tell you. And I have found that the majority of people value that, even if not in the exact moment.

I'm a giver. I give my love, my trust, and I absolutely love buying people things that I see that remind me of them. I have a friend that absolutely adores Hello Kitty, and it takes every fiber in my being not buy every freaking HK thing I see (I'd be broke). Another friend loves tea, and I always want to buy her different, unique blends and accessories. I find things daily that remind me of Scot, and again, it's so hard not to just buy things for him, just because I love him and I thought of him. I don't know if that makes me crazy or what, but people tend to like getting things, so if they're happy, I'm happy!

I like to talk. A lot. About me, about you, about whatever. If I meet someone at a bar or on a line or on an elevator, I will talk with them. It's not in an annoying way (I think), and only if they are open to a discussion. But it's fun!

I'm a very loyal friend. It can be great, but it can be a downfall at times. I tend to let people walk all over me and avoid confrontation in order to keep them as a friend. That's all I'm going to say about that one. I'm sure that loyalty lights a few people up, though.



That's all I can think of for now.. sorry to be a bit of a downer on this one. It happens ;)

Community

Prompt 7: Community
Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?
(Author: Cali Harris)


This one is easy-peasy. In 2010, I've discovered a fantastic online community through blogging and Twitter.

Here's my 7-step guide:

1. Restart blog after getting inspired by bestest friend, A, and her amazeballs blog (that she unfortunately doesn't keep up anymore, boo).

2. Get engaged and discover Weddingbee.

3. Decide to miss class even though you aren't sure you can afford the hours and go to the DC Weddingbee meet-up instead.

4. Meet great people such as Emily, Megan, Christiana, and Claire. Get Twitter aliases.

5. Find on Twitter. Find on Blogger or Wordpress.

6. Follow, follow, follow. Comment, comment, comment.

7. Find your voice in your own blog. Write as much as you can, and stay connected with everyone as best as you can.

Which brings me to today, here and now, where I have made so many great online friends, and friends IRL thanks to the interwebs. You all make me so happy, for real!!

And for 2011: I would like to to get more connected and involved with the massage community. I'm just starting out, so I still don't know much and am not involved in a whole lot. I'm hoping that as I start looking for a job, get a job and take continuing education courses, that I will become a stronger part of the relatively close-knit massage community!

Make

Prompt 6: Make
What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?
(Author: Gretchen Rubin)


Oh holy moose. It was like today's prompt was meant to be.

Some of you may know about the really awesome looking DIY book wreath project that has been floating around on the interwebs.

Pretty, no?

Well I decided to try it. I figured I could make one for myself and possibly one for the future in-laws for Christmas.

Step 1: Find foam wreath. I was told I could do this at the dollar store. Well, our dollar store sucks and looked like it was just bombed. I couldn't find a wreath but walked out with tissue paper and aluminum foil. I am still not sure why.

I then decided to take a walk during my lunch break the next day to see if downtown DC stores would give me any luck. Staples: no. CVS: no. Macy's: no (hey I was desperate). Utrecht: no. An art store didn't even have a foam wreath.

I was getting annoyed, and honestly? I really didn't want to drive all the way to Michael's after work during rush hour traffic (I'm lazy). You would think that I would have taken this as a sign to just not do the damn wreath, maybe it's not meant to be.

Nahh, I'm a trooper. The man and I were driving out to the mall on Saturday when I realized that there's a Michael's just across the street. Score! So I traipsed on in and got two 8" foam wreaths.

Step 2: Buy book. We went to Costco where I got a big ol' book to tear apart for the low, low price of $5. I figured the one book would be more than enough pages for two wreaths.

Step 3: Assemble. I started my project yesterday morning, since I had nothing else on my plate for Sunday. I started ripping, and gluing. And gluing. And gluing. Note: An 8" wreath? Is VERY LARGE. Here's what I have done so far, after a total of about 4 hours spent:

It's looking rather.. tubular. Not in the "it's so rad and I'm stuck in the 80's" sense, more in the literal sense. And it's huge. And.. oh geez, I don't know. I'm kind of very disappointed. I know it's not even done yet, but still. What are your thoughts? (Don't lie.)

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As for something I'd like to make in the future? Easy - my wedding invites. And yes, they will take time. I originally intended to make them completely DIY, from the actual invite design to the suite design. Then I realized that my friend Michelle would be much better off doing the graphic design part (check out her site, she's amazing). Also, as seen with the book wreath above, I often think that I am oh so crafty (since I used to be {really!} back in high school), but I think I've lost some of that touch. My projects tend to start well, then end in minor disasters. So I have no idea what my invites will end up looking like, but my goal is to at least cut and assemble them. Wish me luck!

Let Go

Prompt 5: Let Go
What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why?
(Author: Alice Bradley)


I know my answer to this but am having trouble putting it into words.

I always imagined myself living in a city (New York, to be exact). I went to college in Philly and lived there a total of five years; I loved those years. I danced during the day, waitressed at night, went out with my friends after that. Sure, I was young and that's what you're supposed to do in your early 20's, but I really kind of liked that life. Sure, I wanted to get past the late night work hours and get a steadier job, but the point was that I was living right in the middle of a city, in the middle of it all. I could walk or cab it everywhere, I didn't need to worry about a car, and there was a whole host of things to do, places to go, and people to see. I wanted to get out of Philly only because I wanted to move back to New York.

Then I met Scot. He changed my life in so many ways. When I finally moved in with him, we settled on a town immediately north of DC so that I could get my dose of "city" by taking a 20 minute metro ride, but we were still in a sort-of suburban area, which is much more his style. The reason we didn't move to New York together is because of his job; it's a good one, and he needs to stay in the DC area for it. I figured, hell, DC is still a city and I needed a change of pace anyway, plus I didn't actually have a "real" job so I could pretty much move where ever.

Since then, we've really made a life for ourselves down here. I've made some amazing friends, have just started a great career, and Scot is advancing in his. But every now and then, I get these pangs of nostalgia and sadness, of some sort.. this is totally not the life I always thought I'd be living. It's much different. But it's different in a really good, content way. I've grown to be much more ok with living in the quasi-suburbs that we are in right now, and am getting more keen on the idea of even moving a little farther away from DC so that we can have a dog and a yard, and maybe even a kid or two one day. I guess you could say I'm become more settled, and I think it suits me really well.

So, what did I let go of this year? I finally let go of my dream of always living in a city. But it's not a bad thing; I got to experience it for part of my life, and I will always carry that with me. Besides, who knows what life has in store the future? It's clear that I sure don't!

PS. Don't get me wrong.. I love where I am right now. Just being as honest as I can be ;)

Wonder

Prompt 4: Wonder
How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?
(Author: Jeff Davis)

I happened to not have an 11:00am client this morning, so I figured I'd take some time to think and hopefully write about today's prompt. So I started to think.. and think.. and think.. and it brought me to realize that my volunteer massage work wins this one hands down.

I've briefly written about this before, but I volunteered to massage at the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in DC this past May. True, it was also for a school assignment, but it was something so much bigger than that for me. I was massaging cancer survivors, friends and family, after they walked anywhere from 13 to 26 miles over a two day period. These people were from all over the country, ranging in age from 12 to 92, and all had some connection to breast cancer in their lives. To see the unity, the strength, the outstanding support and love that all these people had for this one cause just blew me away. It made me realize that we are part of something so much bigger than ourselves and the little bubbles we tend to live in. It's absolutely amazing to me how strong these people are.

I also volunteered to massage at the Marine Corps marathon this past October. There were over 10,000 people running up to 26 miles in one day - something I can't even possibly imagine. Again, all these people are connected to our country's armed forces in some way; military wives and husbands, children, friends.. their love and support was just bursting at the seams - even after running all day and being achy all over, they were more than happy to talk about their lives and troubles and joys while I massaged them. It's such a powerful thing, and absolutely cultivated a sense of wonder in my life. Wonder at how amazing the world can be when we all come together for a certain cause. Wonder at the inherent good in everybody, even if it gets a bit murky at other times. Wonder at life, and how great it can really be. Wonder at how I found a career that, in a way, found me as well.. and how I know that I am meant to be doing this.

Moment

Prompt 3: Moment
Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors).
(Author: Ali Edwards)


((I seriously had to go through all of my pictures from this past year to gain some inspiration for this post.. I have had so many memorable times in the past 11 months, but I wanted to find one that fit the prompt.. what made me feel most alive.))


One moment that I felt most alive this year was in early July, on a perfect summer afternoon, just one day before my 25th birthday. Scot and I were visiting his parents, who live in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. They mentioned that Niagara Falls was only a one and a half hour drive from their place; I mentioned that I had never been, and off we went for a family trip to see those magnificent falls.

One of my birthday gifts was a trip for Scot and I on the Maid of the Mist; we suited up in crinkly blue ponchos and packed ourselves onto an open, double decker boat that took us right into the horseshoe part of the falls, between the US and Canada.

At first we were a good distance away from the falls, but before we knew it, it felt as though we were in the midst of the falls themselves. The fine misty spray from the water splashing on the rocks and soaking our hair, the loud roaring of water tumbling from what seemed like the skies, the white, foamy, frothy appearance the falls took on as they poured over the cliffs - it was an avalanche on the senses, in the best possible way.

Once we docked back on the United States' coast, we were soaked from head to toe, through our ponchos and our shoes. But we were elated.. and never felt more alive.

Writing

Prompt 2: Writing

What do you do each day that doesn't contribute to your writing -- and can you eliminate it?
(Author: Leo Babauta)


What an interesting question. I never would have thought about this on my own, but I suppose that's what these prompts are for!

Before I started seriously blogging, the only things I wrote were either papers for school or entries in my journal. When I was still in high school, I used to write in my journal all the time - almost every detail of my life at that point is recorded in it. The older I got, the less I was writing in it, and when I did, it was only about the bad things going on in my life. Unfortunately, I still have that tendency, so much so that my fiancé even brought it up to me the other day. He knows I'm upset when he finds me writing in my journal.. it's that bad. If someone were to go through it, they would think that I'm the most miserable person ever, and I hate that. I remember making a point to write down that I got engaged, so I could at least remember it in words as well as in my mind.

I suppose that negativity is a reflection of the way my mind works. I tend to worry, I go through bouts of anxiety, and I often find myself focusing on the negatives instead of all the positives surrounding me. I am actively working to change this general mindset - and blogging is one way of doing it. I try to keep my blog fairly light, in part because I put all the heavier stuff in my journal, and I really don't want to splash it around on the interwebs.

So, to answer the question, I think know that I focus too much on the negatives, and, as I like to say, "set myself up for disappointment." Not a great way to go about life, you know? So I am doing my best to eliminate that way of thinking. It definitely helps that I finally feel truly satisfied and happy with my life and the way things are going. And I think that it is starting to reflect in my writing, as well. Maybe I'll write about this in my journal tonite!!

Reverb10

After reading Em's post last night about Reverb10, I thought this was an amazing idea and was inspired to participate as well.

In their words, "Reverb 10 is an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year an manifest what's next. The end of the year is an opportunity to reflect on what's happened, and to send out reverberations for year ahead. With Reverb 10, we'll do both."

Sounds pretty cool, right?

So along with my regular posts, you'll also be seeing the Reverb 10 posts. They give daily prompts for each day of December, ending on New Year's Eve. Let's see if I can keep this up!!

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Prompt 1: One word

Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you're choosing that word. Now, imagine it's one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you? (Author: Gwen Bell)

Discovery.

2010 has been quite a year, which I think is why I feel like it went by so fast.

This past year, I have discovered and really cemented my passion for massage therapy.

I discovered and finally accepted that I was happy in my relationship, regardless of the outside pressure I was receiving to move faster, to get married. The moment I decided to let it all go and just be happy to have the man I love in my life, he proposed. Life's funny like that.

I rediscovered the blogging world, one that I was never a steady part of my life until now. I have made a few really great friends and the sweetest online pals that anyone could hope for.

I discovered and realized where a lot of my "issues" come from. It's been a process, but I've been able to change myself for the better because of it.

I discovered that my mom was getting remarried, and discovered a new sense of strength and love that I never really took hold of before because of it.

I discovered that I still have so much more of life to experience, and I just want to enjoy it. Worrying all time makes you miss out, and that is one thing that I absolutely do not want to happen.

And, lastly, a word that I hope will describe 2011: Confidence.

I know it's broad and simple, but a lot of big decisions are coming up for my fiancé and I next year. I want to able to look back and know that I made the right ones!