So to speak

Almost done with the first week in my new full-time position and I am loving it!

Next week will be the real test, though.

*Our landlord is in Costa Rica until the end of March so Rick and I are playing house so to speak. It's pretty great - and I am pretty lucky.

Week 1

Thanks to my friend Alison, I was inspired by the 365 day photo project she has undertaken. Though I haven't been taking photos EVERY day, I am going to attempt to post photos each week. I hope to improve my skills, capture daily life, and appreciate this beautiful world!

This is my new glass teapot! We are steeping "Fairy Lilly" which blossoms with a vibrant red and white flower. Rick watches as it unfolds.

We made homemade chili last night! Here are the kidney beans rinsed and ready to go.

Adding the final spices to the chili before letting it simmer for 4+ hours...hmmm...

Working on New Year's cards for family and friends.

A few weeks ago we moved my family piano into the house. It's pretty old, and the as you can see the pedals need some extra support.

The ivory may be coming off the keys, but I have practiced for countless hours on this instrument and still get endless enjoyment from it.

Disembodied Head

The sheer scissor weight

Of your pillow crease

Perforates our space

And after you've gone

I wedge myself there

Like an account on paper.

Oh what a year!

SO, it's the very last day of 2009 and wow, what a year it has been! Graduation, multiple moves, a wedding (!), and a full-time job! That's right, as of next Monday I will start my new position as Assistant Manager of TeaSource in St. Anthony Village. I cannot tell you how happy and excited I am to continue to be employed there. I never would or could have imagined a job like this for myself and that's why I know it is where I am supposed to be. Tea can only enhance a person's life and there is an endless amount to learn, experience, and taste!

Other hopes for the new year? Maybe a few small trips, a bump in my savings account, and progress on my endless reading list.

Maybe I'll learn a few new songs on the piano while I'm at it.

A Pile for a Pinch

Anyone who knows me at all knows that I have a serious problem when it comes to books. I can't resist them. The other day at Jimmy John's the guy taking my order thought I worked at Half Price and wanted to trade a book for my Beach Club (no sprouts).
I had some great success at the bookstore today, though. A pile of gems for a pinch of the cost. Done.

I read Lolita on the bus ride from Copenhagen to Paris in March '08. It brings to mind dear friends, wonderful views, and beautiful language: $12.00.

This I bought for purely sentimental reasons. We had this version of Rudolph when I was young and this is still how I imagine him whenever I hear the song: $1.00.

I have never read this particular story but I am a big fan of Roald Dahl. I have a major weakness for children's literature:$1.00.

I had also never seen this book, but anything illustrated by Maurice Sendak has a place on my shelf: $3.00.

The first book I read by myself was The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Suess. Books like these help kids not only to learn, but to enjoy it: $1.00.

Shel Silverstein is a genius. I love his illustrations and his words. I secretly wish I could do what he does: $5.00.

Happy Anniversary!

Here's to our first three months of marriage! My how time flies when you're having fun...

Umps.

Feeling the slump, the lump in my throat.

Oh won't it be nice when my childhood piano is in the next room and I can teach myself new songs by Mozart and Bach and Debussy. They speak my language, appeal to my need to create. Sound waves, quick fingers, memorization, relaxed shoulders, dynamics, and tempo.

This bump in the road can only be temporary.